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Reviews
A Holiday Spectacular (2022)
Happy Film/OK with Revisionist History
This show reminded me of Schitt's Creek where they wrote about what a town could look like without homophobia. This movie showed what the time period COULD have looked like without the racism (that we still see today).
It was a lovely story that wanted to focus on the coming of age and becoming an independent female during that time period. I don't think it was necessary to make a statement about another shame of that era. For me, it was obvious that this wasn't historically accurate and I was sad that it wasn't actually that way for people who lived through it.
I thought it was charming and loved the dance sequences. And it's nice to see some new leading actors instead of the same dozen people over and over.
Ghosts of Christmas Always (2022)
SO SO GOOD!
First of all, it's nice to see some new leads in a Hallmark movie other than the same handful of actors we see switching off with each other. It's like, what are they so afraid of that Hallmark thinks fans only want to see these same 20 guys and gals over and over and with the same storyline involving a festival/building/farm that needs to be saved?! Granted they do hang onto the same plot point where the lead has to choose if they want to take over as CEO of the family business, but that's basically my one gripe.
I've never seen Ian or Kim in anything before (obv never watched Pretty Little Liars or Bold and Beautiful) but Ian is endlessly charming and they play off each other so naturally.
Love the other ghosts and the humor that they add to the story. Just the fact that they bring up all the other versions of Scrooge and of course stating the obvious that "the Bill Murray version" is the best! Haha.
An Unexpected Christmas (2021)
Best Hallmark Christmas Movie
I've seen soo many of the Hallmark Christmas movies. Paul Campbell wrote a great one with actual humor and the actors have excellent chemistry with each other and great comic timing.
Love the quick background cameo from a fellow Hallmark actor who was in town filming his own movie. 😉
It would be fun to see some kind of follow up movie since all the characters were so fun. Maybe something in the summer, perhaps? Or a family vacation abroad and hilarity ensues. Maybe make the parents or sister pretend to be something they aren't to continue the thread from the first movie. Haha Come on Paul, get on that!
Fire Country: I Know It Feels Impossible (2023)
They kinda gave up
They had the potential to treat the viewers like we have brains but decided to go another way.
Contrary to all evidence, everyone around Bode believed when he suddenly says that he's been secretly dealing drugs this whole time? Uh, OK.
Who thinks it's kosher for him to meet privately with the chick who isn't interested in actual evidence? Just lazy writing all around. And suddenly his boss and mom turn on him when he has the positive drug test? Who is greasing the wheels for the bad guy that Bode ratted on? They going to turn it into a prison show where there's a conspiracy to uncover next season?
Also the brother is a totally 1/2-a$$ed character. If they want to see how to write about conflict with "brothers" just watch Billy Burke and David Lynn's in Revolution. That was a great show, gone too soon.
Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery (2023)
Pretty good, some odd plot issues
I like that Mike isn't shooing Hannah away from a case for once. Makes absolutely no sense that she was mad at him for keeping his boss in the loop and completely insane that a police department would ignore a murder.
The mother still obsessing over Norman when Hannah and Mike are engaged...what? Hannah should be completely insulted and out a stop to that immediately. I know the books are written more like a triangle but the movies are clearly a Hannah/Mike couple and Norman is the friend who used to crush on Hannah and she never showed real interest. Either write a better love triangle or drop it. They halfway commit to that and it's sloppy.
Catering Christmas (2022)
Sweet
Nice to see the older actors also getting a big portion of the screen time and storyline. And even a romance too. It's a nice change from the typical disapproving parent-type character who eventually is won over in the end. For a minute there I thought there were going to have a love triangle with the veteran character lol
The conflict that inevitably comes up in the last 15 min was thin as per usual, not sure why the guy being "assigned to oversee her" was so terrible. At least they had a secondary reason to not get together since he was always going to be gone for work.
Side complaint is the minimum character count for these reviews. Ugh.
Yellowstone: Grass on the Streets and Weeds on the Rooftops (2022)
Dumping ground
Is there only one cliff in all of Montana or Wyoming that's available for tossing their murder victim(s) of the week? Are there no vultures around that would draw attention to the dozens of bodies dumped in the exact same spot? So much of the series is almost cartoonish with how out there the storylines are. I suppose it's just a soap opera with horses, guns and dirt.
I thought once you were branded you couldn't ever leave, like the roach motel. But Jimmy gets to go off to Texas?
Hope to see some kind of hope for Lloyd. He seems like a character with nothing to keep him going. His one prize possession was the belt buckle he traded for the guitar and it was the symbol of the thing he loved to do and was forced to give up. I thought Jimmy leaving was going to be the final straw for Lloyd and we'd see him hanging in the barn :(
Under a Lover's Moon (2021)
What's with the resort guy?
Why would the character who works at the resort have any skin in the game? He knows 30 seconds in that the girl is all about her fiancée and besides, the guy lives at the resort! What did he think would happen? Also, the girl was super annoying and why were they fighting over her? Couldn't watch the whole thing.
A Bridesmaid in Love (2022)
Is this summer in the arctic?
Is this supposed to be a summer wedding? So many rosy cheeks and red noses from the cold. And seeing their breath when they talk is very distracting when the actor is talking to the "love of his life" in a halter dress and he doesn't offer his coat to her. BRRRR.
The Afterparty (2022)
So Fun
First time I've seen Tiffany Haddish and she was great. Tuned in for Ben Schwartz (Solo Bolo!) and Sam Richardson...stayed for the writing and the whole cast. Great concept and a great season!
Anything for Love (2016)
Screenplay is from 1979??
Since when is a NURSE, a MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL, something to be ashamed of? It's not like he works for minimum wage at the effing car wash or 7-11. And who doesn't correct him when they meet to give her real name? The acting was fine but I cannot imagine what would have made the actors sign on for this laughable script. Just wow. And she had no reason not to break off things with mister sort-of boyfriend creeper dude before she started filling out an online dating profile.
Taking the Reins (2021)
Good chemistry
I'm not going to complain about the equestrian mistakes because I don't really care. All of the reviewer complaints reminds me of when I watch any scene with poker being played and the characters can't follow the very simple rules (you can't raise if nobody has even bet!) or even take their turn in order. Lol
I liked the chemistry and that this was a rare Hallmark movie where they admit they are in love before the final minute of the movie. Corbin is a favorite and I'm not into horses but I enjoyed this movie. Yes, the horse part wasn't correct. After all of the ridiculous ice skating scenes that Hallmark makes us suffer through (on a tiny "rink" that makes me claustrophobic to watch) I knew that the horse jumping would be equally as inept.
Pumpkin Pie Wars (2016)
Could have ended better
I thought the older woman was trying to get her friends back together by having them get back at HER for her comments on the local news. Then they'd find out it was all a rouse to make the ladies become friends again. She knew the kids would be less careful about hiding their recipes. I was hoping she would bake her own recipe. Not a fan of making her an actual villain. So she's not a bake off champ? It's not her thing, maybe she just does it for fun and she's the best at something else. Oh well. Hallmark movies rarely have a satisfying ending. I hate when they kiss in front of a huge crowd and everyone claps. That's so cringe.
Cooking with Love (2018)
Kinda annoying
This one was hard to like. Lead actress' eyebrows were too severe but other than that she was ok. Some chemistry between the stars. The writing wasn't great. Who thinks it would be a good idea to keep changing hosts back and forth for a single season of a kids reality show? And changing the production plan all at the last minute? These things are planned ahead and budgets approved...ideas are for next season. Also, does this show not have a director? Why does she keep yelling "cut," and what exactly is the role other other guy besides stealing ideas and upsetting people?
Why would the guy need to leave "right now" to catch a plane to LA to discuss a new show that is months down the line? Anyone involved in that would want him to stay on the show that got him that opportunity in the first place. Flights change. It's not that hard to write something that's believable. Just lazy! Put ME on the writing team!
Nantucket Noel (2021)
Weak writing
Why is the Shop owner so lacking in business sense and not embarrassed or concerned by all of the dangers in her building?
Also, why not call out the dude for being on the phone while she put up the untouchable lighthouse tree topper? Talk about being set up and SHE apologizes...So, she should bow down because he's sentimental over an ornament but she should just shut down the shop she's inherited from her dead mother? Old man was a caricature grumpy old Scrooge.
Finding Christmas (2013)
JT Hodges
JT Hodges has a beautiful tone! I want to hear him record a song with Keith Urban. His version of Joy to the World will be on my annual Christmas play list!
Cute movie.
Where Your Heart Belongs (2022)
Maybe try and start with chemistry
They are so focused on creating "drama" in this movie that they forgot to try and create chemistry between ANY of the characters. I don't buy them as besties or crushes or even father/daughter. And since when can't you take a weekend off of work without being threatened to lose your whole career? Yeesh.
Christmas CEO (2021)
Writing falls short
They never explain exactly why it would be so terrible to merge companies or why making money is bad. Like keeping the company afloat is supposed to be a negative? It needed more effort.
Magic Stocking (2015)
Writing was lacking
Acting was fine but the story and direction wasn't great. The lead character came off as very negative, not just in mourning. She didn't treat her mother well. And that went on way too long. I didn't see how the guy would even have been attracted to or thought he had a chance with her the way she acted towards him. And in what world would he be the one to get her daughter a puppy?!!! That was completely ridiculous. The whole gazebo story was thin at best. Just a lot of repeating the same dialogue. And the mayor running around telling everyone they'd better get it done but never coming up with any solutions to help.
Icing on the Cake (2020)
It's like a student film
Such bad, really lazy writing and the acting is not good but the two leads are the best of this sorry bunch. Some of the characters come off as cartoonishly bad.
The Ultimate Surfer (2021)
Attn: casting
Casting for the sake of drama is so old. Please trust your show runners and producers to create a good enough show to hold our attention without creating #TeamX vs #TeamZ. It's ok and actually preferred to watch a show where contestants root for each other and are nice to each other. After the first episode I feel like I'm supposed to like one "side" and hate the other. Pitting the ladies against each other is pretty low.
I want to like the show; it aims to be Survivor-lite set on a wave. I've never had the opportunity to surf and would love to learn in that big wave pool! Sign me up, it looks so fun!
Sweet Pecan Summer (2021)
Future Buddy Film?
The best chemistry was between Wes Brown and Chase Ramsey. It was nice to see some humor for a change. Looking forward to a Wes/Chase buddy film next!!
Mystery Woman (2003)
What is with the music?
The over syrupy score that accents every dramatic word makes me think this is an early 80's nighttime soap. So distracting.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
Just an add for WB...Dame s/b the hero
I'll never buy LeBron as a hero, he has too much ego. Terrible overall just to shove the WB catalog down our throats the whole time. I found Don Cheadle more charming than a bad guy and the Dame Time scene was great. Dame is the hero personality this movie needed and he would've been great if WB wasn't so worried about putting the "name" in the lead role regardless of the best fit. Also, did they run out of money for a decent script? Only about 3 chuckles in the whole thing and it was just bad. Space Jam: Dame Time now that I'd "watch."