This movie was fantastic. Not only did we find ourselves laughing throughout the movie, but it really spun a story that we got invested in. The cast was a great mix, really drawing us in, as if we were there experiencing it along with them. I'm so glad that we watched this movie! This is a movie that the whole family can enjoy for sure. My husband is more of an action movie type of guy and he was laughing through the entire movie. I would recommend this movie to anyone! They also did a fantastic job portraying the period of time this movie was supposed to take place. So authentic!!! They focused on every last little detail!!! I just can't say it enough, they did everything right to pull us right in to the story and feel as if we were truly there!!!!

Full disclosure, have read the book by Wally Lamb - truly a great American writer - upon which the movie is based. The book is a highly entertaining, compulsively readable, heartwarming novel -- and I'm happy to report that the film actually does the book justice!Was lucky enough to attend a theatrical screening in NYC, and can definitely see this becoming one of those Christmas movies that everyone waits for, year after year, to be broadcast on TV, such as Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott and A Christmas Story...The movie evokes the era quite wonderfully, the child actors are a talented group (and actually likable) -- standouts are the kid who plays Felix, the girl who plays his love interest/arch enemy (ah puberty), the kid who delivers his "NAACP" punchline perfectly throughout, especially at the very end of the movie, and the Russian student who resembles a 13 year-old Uma Thurman. Familiar faces include Molly Ringwald and the lady from Two and Half Men, and the the criminally underemployed Annabella Sciorra (great in her short stint - one season? - on Law & Order: Criminal Intent), who is lovely as Felix's mother.An added bonus is that the movie has quite a few 'inside jokes' for anyone who has ever attended a parochial school, or who has any experience whatsoever with a "Live Nativity" or "Christmas Pageant."If you are looking to kick off the holiday season, and pretty much smile from ear-to-ear for two hours straight, be sure to check out this movie. The best new Christmas-flavored movie to come along in a very long time...

Saw the preview of WISHIN AND HOPIN in Ct, and I have to say it is absolutely wonderful! A true good old fashion family holiday movie! A movie to watch for all ages, funny, sweet and well produced a true holiday classic movie. The young actors are just amazing to watch, its like I was right there back in the 1960's with them reliving similar experiences I had as youngsters which brought many laughs!! I wish there were more movies made like this, hopefully we will have more terrific movies produced by Synthetic Cinema International and aired by Lifetime!! So glad and thankful Lifetime will be airing this wonderful movie!!!

I had the privilege of seeing the world premiere of this movie yesterday and it was awesome! Wally Lamb is one of my favorite authors, and I was not disappointed in this film adaptation. Not only did it bring on the nostalgia through it's filming locations, but I laughed so much while watching it. Molly Ringwald was fantastic, as were the kids. Definitely ones to watch! As one fellow attendee put it, it's "the new Christmas classic." I couldn't agree more. It will be part of every Christmas from now on. I can't wait to read the book now! Watch this movie. You'll love it. Wally, the cast, and the crew all did a marvelous job bringing 1960's life to the big screen. I would give this an 11 if I could.