Amy Smart gets twelve chances to re-do a holiday blind date. (Image via aceshowbiz)

12 Dates of Christmas (2011)
Directed by James Hayman; Written by Janet Brownell, Blake J. Harris and Aaron Mendelsohn
Starring Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar
12 Dates of Christmas delivers your typical ABC Family holiday cheese. It’s basically a rip-off of Groundhog Day (1993), set in December instead. The result is a predictable, tedious and all-too-typical movie. If you find yourself in the market for an Amy Smart holiday film, stick to Just Friends (2005)! The score: 1/5

Disgruntled teenager Viv (Natasha Lyonne) contends with the struggles of poverty and a very kooky family in Slums of Beverly Hills. (Image via toutlecine.com)

Slums of Beverly Hills (1998)
Written and directed by Tamara Jenkins
Starring Natasha Lyonne, Marisa Tomei and Alan Arkin
Slums of Beverly Hills offers a pretty genuine portrayal of lower-middle-class life in the 1970s. You won’t find any fancy camerawork or tricks here: the film relies solely on its script and its actors. The underrated Marisa Tomei’s performance/character is the best part of the film. Overall it’s a decent watch. The score: 3/5

Fresh out of prison, Tommy must flip burgers while dressed as a pirate… and deal with his compulsive liar of a sister. (Image via Movies View)

Crazy on the Outside (2010)
Directed by; Written by
Starring Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver
Tim Allen produces, directs and stars in this criminal comedy. It’s a good effort and has a few very funny moments, but problematic pacing makes everything seem dull. Sigourney Weaver and J.K. Simmons give the film’s best performances and fill the funniest roles. The score: 2/5