Ho-hum Christmas comedy has positive messages.
“Holiday Twist” is a lighthearted Christmas comedy with positive, if heavy-handed, messages about the value of spending time with those we love. Main character Connie (Kelly Stables) is a mom with no work-life balance: It’s all work, all the time. But thanks to a lot of holiday-movie chestnuts, she’s reminded of the importance of using her time on earth in a way that enriches others’ lives, not just her own bank account. And scene-stealing Santa Rex — a Salvation Army bell ringer with artificial limbs who’s played by world-record-holding Paralympian/advocate Blake Leeper — demonstrates the power of perseverance. There’s very little iffy content (“s---” and “oh my God” are used, but sparingly), and familiar TV singers James Maslow (“Big Time Rush”) and Haley Reinhart (“American Idol”) perform enjoyable musical numbers. (95 minutes)
