A Cozy Christmas Inn (2022) -
It was interesting to find out that this was a sequel (Fortunately to one that I had already seen) and as a result it was unusual then to think that the romance of the previous film obviously hadn't stuck. Maybe the loves found in these made for TV Christmas films aren't forever after all? My whole outlook on life is ruined. Although, to be honest, my Christmas miracle is way overdue.
My first impression of this film, as with its predecessor 'Christmas Under Wraps' (2014), was that it was a sort of gender reversal of the TV series 'Northern Exposure' (1990-5), in which a big city doctor was sent to the sticks to learn some humility. That's not exactly the storyline here, but an old romance was rekindled in a very northern town covered in snow and the residents all had their own little quirks similarly to the residents of the town in the program.
Some of those residents were actually a bit much, but I suppose the idea of the film was that there was a secret magic that they needed to protect, which gave it a small element of humour and fantasy, that these characters were meant to fulfil by being a tad, let's say, kooky.
With that said, Vivica A. Fox, playing Sharon, was ridiculously over the top too and she was one of the city folk. I really don't know why she keeps getting a high billing in these films, she's a bit part actor like all of the rest and I honestly don't think that she's done anything good since 'Independence Day' (1996).
David O'Donnell (Andy) on the other hand had the most mesmerising eyes that I have seen since they did something to Westlife in their video for 'Flying Without Wings'.
He was definitely the best part of this film, but I did like him as a couple with Jodie Sweetin as Erika, the romantic story of the film.
As for Brian Doyle Murray in the role of Andy's Dad, I would say that Andy needed to hurry up and take over from him as the boss of the family business, before he croaked it, because Brian wasn't looking too healthy at all, bless him.
I didn't think that it was necessary to have seen the first film (Christmas Under Wraps) to understand this one, although the magic was a bit easier to understand and spot with the knowledge already in my mind having seen that one.
6/10.
It was interesting to find out that this was a sequel (Fortunately to one that I had already seen) and as a result it was unusual then to think that the romance of the previous film obviously hadn't stuck. Maybe the loves found in these made for TV Christmas films aren't forever after all? My whole outlook on life is ruined. Although, to be honest, my Christmas miracle is way overdue.
My first impression of this film, as with its predecessor 'Christmas Under Wraps' (2014), was that it was a sort of gender reversal of the TV series 'Northern Exposure' (1990-5), in which a big city doctor was sent to the sticks to learn some humility. That's not exactly the storyline here, but an old romance was rekindled in a very northern town covered in snow and the residents all had their own little quirks similarly to the residents of the town in the program.
Some of those residents were actually a bit much, but I suppose the idea of the film was that there was a secret magic that they needed to protect, which gave it a small element of humour and fantasy, that these characters were meant to fulfil by being a tad, let's say, kooky.
With that said, Vivica A. Fox, playing Sharon, was ridiculously over the top too and she was one of the city folk. I really don't know why she keeps getting a high billing in these films, she's a bit part actor like all of the rest and I honestly don't think that she's done anything good since 'Independence Day' (1996).
David O'Donnell (Andy) on the other hand had the most mesmerising eyes that I have seen since they did something to Westlife in their video for 'Flying Without Wings'.
He was definitely the best part of this film, but I did like him as a couple with Jodie Sweetin as Erika, the romantic story of the film.
As for Brian Doyle Murray in the role of Andy's Dad, I would say that Andy needed to hurry up and take over from him as the boss of the family business, before he croaked it, because Brian wasn't looking too healthy at all, bless him.
I didn't think that it was necessary to have seen the first film (Christmas Under Wraps) to understand this one, although the magic was a bit easier to understand and spot with the knowledge already in my mind having seen that one.
6/10.