Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

SanEat A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

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

Caryl It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Christmas-Reviewer Native American Ray (Timothy Vahle) heads home after graduating from college to help run his family's shabby ski resort. Believing that Tina (Mariana Tosca), a beautiful lodge guest, is an incognito travel guide critic, he decides to improve the quality of the family business. In reality, Tina is at the lodge in search of romance and, in a twist of fate, ends up falling for Ray. When Stu (M. Emmet Walsh), an actual critic, shows up, he is greeted with the staff's typical disorganization.This film has lots of charm. Its also not a typical Hallmark Christmas film. This film has style & grace. The film is not only romantic but it has great believable characters. Family Safe but most kids under 12 will be bored. I liked this film so much that I will watch it again before Christmas.

SaraMarieOrtiz The moments, as I was settling in my seat at a local cinematic arts venue that screens mostly low-budget indie films, were gentle and I still had a lot of hope for Christmas in the Clouds. I had talked to my mom earlier that afternoon and told her I was on my way to see the film, which she'd already seen at a previous screening months before, during the annual NMAI Native Cinema Showcase held every year in Santa Fe, New Mexico during Indian Market. I hadn't had much interest in the film then. Naturally, there was not the buzz currently surrounding the film at that time. I opted to see 5th World, by Blackhorse Lowe instead.At first glance, "Clouds. . ." seemed "harmless enough". After settling in my seat, and after being introduced to the line-up of half-characters, engaged seemingly by their own affectedness, and not much else, my vague and creeping dis-ease slowly turned to manifestations, gestures, and certain facial expressions of consternation, horror and dismay at what I can only come close to describing as an American Indian circus on-screen. Too many clowns, all of them sad.The film is a farce. Devastatingly obvious in its gimmicks. The writing is bad, the cast is halfhearted, though pretty to look at, and those "reputable Indian actors and actresses" in the film could not save this film from the dredges of its own cultural, political, cinematic misery if they died trying. The most dangerous thing about this film: one cannot hope to take a poorly written, poorly manipulated offering (cinematic or literary) and throw it in an Indian setting and then offer it up. This film is being lauded as THE Indian film with the most "crossover potential", the film that's supposedly geared to hit the non-Indian market with some kind of force that previous films with almost all-native casts just did not possess. Disgusting. The film is not only a misrepresentation of Indian people and Indian culture, it is a parody of a parody, of a parody. Parodies of this nature, are misaligned, misguided and so bent on "parodying for the sake of parodying" and making certain parodies of themselves, that they somehow, come all the way back around to not parody the film itself, or even its subject, but to parody the very form, and all elements at work--cultural, political, and most sacred to Indian people-- the spiritual, and the sacredness of STORY. The "Indian parody" (especially one produced by a white filmmaker) is not justified nor is the public prepared for it. When an entire culture, abused and marred by history, has never been truly and thoroughly evaluated on its own terms and perceived by these terms-- it is thoroughly impossible and deplorable to parody the culture. The jokes fall flat. The people portraying the culture end up making a joke of the culture, and the cinematic art form itself. They end up making a joke of their audience, and themselves. Oprah has lauded this movie. And, now I'll never give Oprah as much credit ever again. On the slim chance that the makers of Christmas in the Clouds will ever come to read this review: thank you for making this movie. Every Indian, and perhaps every human too, with a vested interest in true and thorough cultural/political evaluation and dialogue should see this movie and do what they can to intellectually, critically, consciously and openly rip it apart for the contrived cinematic drivel and cultural degradation that it is.

juliebrady123 I had heard about this movie from a friend, who told me it was the worst movie that he had seen in a long time, and I wanted to see it just to see if he was right, and I have to say, my friend was right. This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen in all of my life. The story is dumb and boring, and the whole way it is portrayed on screen is terrible. The writing is so bad, and this new director is pretty bad, she couldn't lead ants to a picnic. I love movies, and I especially love comedies and romantic comedies, but honestly everyone, this movie never should have been made and this really is one of the worst films I have ever seen. I just hope that they don't let this Kate Montgomery ever make a film again.

tanenbaumm I first saw a rough cut of this film a couple of years ago, and am really happy to see it released (at last) for Christmas 2005. The initial release is small (mostly in California as I understand it) but will hopefully expand.I like this film so much partly because it's funny and touching, and partly because it's sentimental without that really wrenching sentimentality towards which Christmas films are prone. But what really works best for me is the fact that the Native Americans depicted here are by-and-large just *people* who happen to be Native Americans. The Native aspect is important as setting and backdrop, and it informs the characters and how they behave, but ultimately it's the universal humanity that matters.Great characters, great story, beautiful visuals (in and around Robert Redford's Sundance ranch!) and a lot of fun.