A few weeks ago, three friends reached out to me to ask if I’d watched Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey yet. I love Christmas movies and didn’t even know it was a thing, so I was super excited to run home and watch it as soon as I could. Here are four things I liked about the movie.
The cast is Black. Representation in media is important. I came of age in the ‘80s. At the time, the only Christmas film I had that included people who looked me was The Wiz with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, and even that was an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. As I grew older, I enjoyed watching Christmas movies…a lot, but there still weren’t many that included an all-Black cast. As of today, there are about eleven, including some fan favs, like The Preacher’s Wife, The Best Man Holiday, and Almost Christmas. So, I’m quite pleased to add another all-Black Christmas movie to the list.
There is a dysfunctional father-daughter theme. Most of you know I’ve edited and contributed to a book called Daddy: Reflections of Father-Daughter Relationships, so I was super happy to see this movie normalizes that theme, while not blaming the father or the daughter for the dysfunction. There was one part, in particular, with which I could relate. The narrator says, “Jessica didn’t just lose one parent, she lost two.” That’s exactly how I felt when my mother died and I think this film did a great job of demonstrating how dysfunction occurs, without centralizing the issue or overexaggerating events.
Jeronicus Jangle is a Black male professor. I’m a professor who has worked fulltime at three different institutions. I have encountered two Black male professors in each department. I’ve also graduated from three different universities in three different cities and have studied under three Black male professors in the English and education field. There aren’t a lot of professors who fit the demographic. I’m not sure what the statistic is for math and science, which is what Jangle’s character was, but I’m willing to bet it’s low. Kind of like having an all-Black cast, this type of representation matters, too.
The songs are inspiring and uplifting. I’m glad no one told me Jingle Jangle was a musical, because I probably wouldn’t have watched it. I absolutely loathe musicals. There’s something about people breaking out into song and dance in the middle of a script that’s uber annoying. But, as I prepared to write this blog post, I re-watched the movie and really listened to the songs. Each one is very motivational. My favorite is sung by Journey (Madalen Mills), Jangle’s granddaughter; it’s called, “Square Root of Possible.” And the chorus is,
I mean, really. How much more inspiring can you get than this song???
Have you watched Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey? If so, let me know what you liked about it in the comments. If not, I suggest checking it out on Netflix. In the midst of a pandemic, it’s nice to have a new sunshiny movie to watch.
This movie was so cute!! I really enjoyed it
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Totally agree. It was time for some new faces and a semi-new story.
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Oh noes ! I missed so much posts . But I will have to check out this movie . It’s still December 30th lol.
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LOL
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Loved it! It was derivative, but it was cute and sweet. I LOVED the choreography!
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DERIVATIVE! That’s exactly it, so I watch it a few more times so as not to be dismissive and agree with you 💚
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Watched it last night
What’s not to love about Forest Whitaker and Phylicia Rashād?!
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I know right ❤
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That’s so true, representation matter. I love Christmas movies. I’m adding Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey to the list. Thanks for the recommendation.
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You’re welcome! I think you’d like it, too!
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You got me with black cast ✊🏾
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I know right?
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I’m a sucker for Christmas movies so I’ll add this one to the list!
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Yes! I love a Christmas movie, good, bad, or otherwise lol
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Thanks for the review! I haven’t heard of this movie or seen it yet, but it does sound very good. And I agree that representation of all races is important, and so are real people in real situations in movies. (Nothing against fantasy, of course, but it’s so great when we watch a movie or read a book and think, “yes! I know exactly what they mean because I’ve felt that way too!” It’s so affirming.) Honestly, that’s why I can’t stand Hallmark Christmas movies: they are all exactly the same. Everyone is young, good-looking, white, heterosexual, and ultimately, successful in both love and life. Seen one, seen ’em all!
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You’re welcome! I think you’d like it too. Ya’ know I love a good Christmas movie, even the Hallmark ones, but you’re absolutely right about that theme they do. It’s absolutely predictable!!!
Anywho, I do hope you’ll watch ❤
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I’ve seen it and loved it. It’s one if those movies I may watch again because I love Forest Whitaker’s acting. A lot of singing but overall great movie.
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I’m not really a Forest Whitaker fan, but I did like him in this one!
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Yeah, he did a great job in this movie.
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Great review! I’ll have to check this out. Btw, I LOVE musicals. The Five Heartbeats is one of my all-time favorites. And I will admit that growing up Saturday afternoons were often spent watching old Elvis movies on one of the few stations we had at home.🤣
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Thank you Marquessa! And okay, okay…The Five Heartbeats gets a pass, and so does Dreamgirls lol
Those Elvis movies used to be on my great aunts’ TVs lol
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🙂
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I also don’t like musicals at all, but…since you recommend it and I trust your judgment, I will check it out. It sounds like it has some good layers to the story and you’re right, we could all use some positivity right now. Thanks, Kathy!
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I think you’ll find this one tolerable lol You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it!
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I didn’t see much advertisement so I didn’t know it was a musical until I tuned-in…I loved it!
I loved that the cast looked like me, loved the legends in the cast, the brilliance of the characters, the songs, the drama and the natural hair. Did I say that I loved it? I’m sure I’ll watch it a few more times this coming month.
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I totally agree with you, and dangit! I didn’t even really mention the award-winning cast!
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I felt like this was finally my soulmate holiday film. Filled with wonder, joy, quirkiness, great acting and outfits, and so many brown faces. David E. Talbert has been giving us magic for a long, long time, but this is my favorite of his works – hands down!
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How did I miss this? What else has he made that you’ve enjoyed?
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The movie Baggage Claim is my 2nd favorite of his works. 🙂
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Not a big Xmas movie type, but I appreciate good film. Glad you found this and enjoyed it.
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Say what??? I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who doesn’t like Xmas movies lol
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I love musicals! I don’t have netflix though! And what’s the fifth thing? 😜
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LOLOL I can’t believe I only gave four things lol
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I will surely watch it now 🙂
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lol I hope you enjoy it!
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Hi. Never heard of this movie. But I’ve made a note to check it out. Netflix has become one of my best friends.
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I think you’ll like it Neil!
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“Representation in media is important.”
Yes, it is.
Come to think of it, no, not many teachers, even, let alone profs I’ve had or known were Black men.
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Exactly. It’s like an anomaly.
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Yup. This is why I used to argue that every woman, especially every Black woman, should write her autobiography and that of her grandmother, for a book in the local public library (my old AbuelaVida/Grandmothers project).
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That’s a good idea!
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Cool, thank you, Dr. G.! 🙂
I hope that we can get local libraries to set aside enough space in their local history sections to encourage families to write their histories (even if it was hand-written and home-bound books, like the monks used to make…).
First, we need more funding for Public Libraries!
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I signed off WordPress for my morning session but I had to log back on to comment on this – then I’ll be off 😊
I love this so much and will reblog. Definitely will watch the movie. Thanks
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Thank you!
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I watched this with my nephew and he asked “why doesn’t he want to see his daughter and granddaughter??” and something about how he shouldn’t be so mean all the time 😢 So yea, we feel you on the dysfunction!
The postal lady was my favorite, and her background singers who popped out of nowhere in the shop! The drama! And I just love all the juxtaposition of old and new, especially the super colorful 18th century clothing.
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Awww big hug…but yeah I felt like they did that part very appropriately so that even a child could see how crazy it was…and
I liked her too! But Dwight and my youngest daughter pointed out that she was overweight and desperate, like the desperate woman in movies is always fat.
You can tell watching movies with us is a big ole analysis lol
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I love big ole analyses! But you are SO right! AND she worked for the USPS! sideeye!
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LOL I didn’t even think about that!
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Hi K E
I had never heard of it, and now I am looking forward to watching it. Thank you for the tip!
Blessings! ♥♥
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Sure thing! I think you’ll enjoy it.
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I’ve never heard of the movie, but your commentary makes me want to go watch it! I hope you are well, my wonderful friend! ❤
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Heeey friend! This is good to hear. I hope you enjoy it 🌲
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I’m so happy I saw your post as I love Christmas movies and this sounds wonderful! The only TV we watch these days are on Netflix so perfect! Is this one you’ll be watching over and over this Christmas?
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Yay! I think I will watch it one more time, and I’m definitely adding it to my list.
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Haven’t watched it but will now!
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Perfect! I hope you enjoy it🎄
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This is the first I’m hearing about it, but then, I just watched “This Christmas” for the first time over the weekend and it came out in 2007! 🤣🤣🤣
Will definitely check it out – thanks for the heads-up! 😉😊
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🤦🏽♀️🤣 I think you’ll like it.
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I haven’t, but now I’m looking forward to it. (I’m actually a sucker for musicals, not to mention inspiration.)
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Well consider this a two-for 😉
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It’s definitely on my list. It looks adorable.
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I think you’d like it.
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It’s a movie I told my daughter I’d wait for her to watch
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