Some things I liked some I did not.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

This is an incredibly entertaining Christmas movie that has become a Christmas Eve family tradition. Mr. Krueger is a lonely old man prone to daydreaming. He gets the chance to make a connection with some carolers on Christmas Eve and invites them in for "chocolate". Mr. Krueger ends up going caroling with them and a little girl in the group of carolers captures his heart. Short, sweet, and entertaining, this movie touches you deeply and makes a lasting impact. If the scene where Mr. Krueger meets baby Jesus doesn't bring tears to your eyes then you must be a robot. The performance by Jimmy Stewart is a crowning accomplishment at the end of a legendary career. Watching this movie is one of the few times all year we can get our four hyper children to all sit down and focus.

"Mr. Krueger's Christmas" is a 25-minute short film that has its 30th anniversary this year. The title character is played by James Stewart in one of his last performances, 40 years after his Oscar win. The director is Kieth Merrill, also an Academy award winner at this point already. I thought this was a decent little flick. No true greatness in here and a bit gooey (stranger girl says him she loves him) and predictable, but it's sweet, has nice emotions and tells a solid story. The music is nice too. Maybe there were slightly too many religious references for my taste, but I guess some people like it exactly because of that. I think that it's worth checking out during the holidays, especially by fans of James Stewart. All in all, I give this one a thumbs up.

Unlike so many stars James Stewart was careful and choosy with the material he did when he became a senior citizen. No slasher flicks, no self caricatures capitalizing on his image for Mr. Stewart. This film that Stewart did for the Church of Latter Day Saints is a perfect example of his good taste.Jimmy Stewart is Willie Krueger, senior citizen and widower, who works as an apartment building janitor and lives alone except for his cat named George. With his wife dead and children scattered if any, Christmas is a lonely time for the elderly and particular this elderly. But he's a man content with the life he's led, it was a good if obscure one.He still would like some human company though and in his imaginings he finds himself directing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their Christmas holiday show and then in the presence of the baby Jesus in a nativity scene. Viewers will find that a most moving scene as he thanks the Babe for his life and the faith that he had to sustain him.Stewart's performance reminded me very much of Tyrone Power in The Long Gray Line. In that one Power aged almost fifty years and the scenes in that basement apartment reminded a lot of Power as an old man after the death of Maureen O'Hara. Of course Stewart did not need any aging makeup at this point in his career. I really believe that the folks at the LDS church who produced Mr. Krueger's Christmas were influenced by that John Ford classic.Mr. Krueger's Christmas has become a minor holiday classic in the tradition of that most famous of Jimmy Stewart films, It's A Wonderful Life. It's a simple and profound story and a great tribute to that most beloved of American players.

I just watched the 25th anniversary edition DVD of Mr. Krueger's Christmas. A previous reviewer was right--this Jimmy Stewart classic is the definition of "heartwarming" and on the digitally remastered DVD, Stewart's touching performance comes across better than ever. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has also re-recorded its music for the new release, so this DVD sounds great, too. The disc also includes seven Christmas carols performed by the Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square in the beautifully decorated LDS Conference Center, as well as two short films. If you have a hard time finding this DVD, try asking a Mormon friend or neighbor how you can get a copy--they'll probably give you one for Christmas!