ALMOST CHRISTMAS [PG-13] B-

Surprisingly, audiences seem to look forward to dysfunctional families getting together during the holiday season. These movies offer a voyeuristic kick, with extra pop coming from the comedic spin that twists the players in knots. “Almost Christmas” cruises along on the funny bone power tripping vibe established in the interplay between Academy Award winner Mo’Nique (“Precious”) and practically anyone she shares a scene with, especially antagonistic motor mouth JB Smoove. Her outsized personality threatens to knock things off-balance, but in the end, what writer-director David Talbert (“Baggage Claim”) creates is a foundation of love among this contentious family, rooted in its grieving patriarch (Danny Glover) and his disparate brood (Kimberly Elise, Gabrielle Union, Romany Malco, and Jesse T. Usher) that feeds the collective soul some good treats.