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Reviews
Christmas Time Capsule (2023)
Perfect Mix
I found this to be a very likeable rom movie. There is comedy angle with the little off the norm parents but they provided a fine background of a loving family. The story is the usual why didn't they each say something earlier but the years had gone by. There was no hystrionics, the characters were down to earth and all likeable. They just needed to sort out what they felt and wanted. Closer to real life. Franco Lo Presti is always good, providing a good reflection of the characters he plays. If you want a really rom-com -ie movie, with the emotional, teary female with silly interactions with the male and the best friend not so sage advice, this isn't it.
Catch Me If You Claus (2023)
He is Back!
Great comedy movie with a little rom thrown in. Luke MacFarlane is back! This character suits his method of acting and doesn't fail to entertain. He was in a couple of recent Christmas movies that were so bad I wondered if Hallmark had put him on the shelf. But this and the one with Ashley Williams has brought him back. His pairing with Italia Ricci was a great choice. Some speak of chemistry between actors, I think these two also show respect for one another. The creators also made a holiday movie without the need to have a child in it to show the joy of Santa. Actors terrific, story great, can't help but get that feel good feeling and even laugh, and you must watch if only to catch a ride to somewhere warm.
Christmas Keepsake (2023)
No Energy
I always hope the next movie with Danial Lissing would portray him as well as his strong role as Jack in WCTH. This one does not do it. Albeit.it was enjoyable to have him speaking with his natural accent. From the start of the movie there was an attempt to have an attraction between Tom and Elisabeth but it came out to be rather forced. It progressed in a ho-hum pace obstensively because the poor girl did not want to be vulnerable. It dragged along tooooo long. She didn't even try to snap out of it, at least to have shown a little spine along the way rather than poof at the end she sees the light. The young girl, Grace, actually acted the age she looked. Kudos on that, usually they say the child is 10 and they look 15, Noted it was supported by Australian movie guild. Nice to see the international aspect. Hoping Lissing's next movie gives him a more substantive character role.
Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance (2023)
Nothing here
I thought I was being harsh giving a 1 star since the average was 5.5 but these reviews are right on. It was a total snooze fest. I stopped watching after the first 5 minutes, another of those silly you wronged me encounters. Boo hoo. The scene or acting brought no sympathy for either side. Went back again a month later, just to clear my PVR and decided to hop through it with fast forward. What was really telling was no matter what interval of a jump along I did, I could follow the story because nothing changed. Boring and dull. The only National Park movie that was good was the one with Stephen Huzar. The Cindy Busby one was a failure too.
Love Under the Lemon Tree (2022)
Bad overshadows the Good
I like to see strong, positive female characters. First, the story for the female lead was reasonable but the actress and acting terrible. First her silly awestruck stuttering act when speaking to the other photographer was just annoying, fast forward please, present yourself as a professional and still show excitement at the encounter. The character also needs to show some maturity, especially in her appearance - she wants to be taken seriously as a photographer well then present her as more than 15 years old. Now Andrew. Much better. Responsible farm manager, presents in that way both in looks and in speaking. I can see how he could not muster up chemistry with Bullock. Alice is a cutey and like June and Michael roles and actors. Filming location lovely.
A Safari Romance (2023)
Love the Animal shots
This is an enjoyable movie, good characters and story. Appreciated that they toned down the girl gets upset at boy for some silly thing and breaks up but this one is realistic and appropriate character emotions. Articles say Andrew Walker is billed as the lead for the first time as it usually goes to the femaile "heroine". While I appreciate the recognition of him and some thought that he carries the movie, I think it is more appropriate that he be given that position for the Nikki DeLoach movies he does. She pulls the movies down and Walker is the only reason for watching. In this movie, Brittany Bristow should get a top billing too. She is excellent and develops wonderful and meaningful characters. Looking forward to more Brittany movies like this and Just Jake.
Just Jake (2023)
Great Song and Performance
Was a very enjoyable movie. It was the standard formula, high school sweet hearts, one leaves without telling the other why, he/she returns etc. This storyline however fits well with this formula and allowed for the musical talents of the actors to shine. I love Brittany Bristow and especially now that she is being portrayed in lead actress roles rather than the friend or assistant. She gives her characters sincerity and level headedness. She could never be the overbearing know it all types who are truly grating. I thought I read somewhere, that her husband was in the background in the movie but didn't spot him. Rob Mayes was great and his singing is powerful. I am looking for other moveis with him. This movie is a treat to watch.
Ruby Herring Mysteries: Her Last Breath (2019)
Delete
I recorded this. Took me to the third try to watch to the end. It was lifeless, grating and a waste. Other reviewers are correct. Taylor Cole who normally is a joy to watch is full out annoying. Her tone, her postures, even her looks ( what was with the hairdo and makeup at the gala, ghastly and scary) makes you want to stop watching. This is my first Ruby Herring and this episode on Imbd was top rated. Hate to see what the others are. But will give another episode a try as I like Stephen Huzar. Hopefully the newer episodes will show him with more detective intelligence. If there was to be chemistry between the two the script and directing missed by a mile. Kinda like the Dad tho' Risk watching it if you must.
Fall Into Winter (2023)
Why Chose Her
The story wasn't half bad and John Tupper was good so 3 stars but the outstanding question is why chose her. For ratings? Fan favourite?
From comments doesn't seem to have gone so well. Didn't go out of my way to watch it but it came up on you tube movie surfing. There are dozens of other female actresses who are of the same calibre or better. Lori Loughlin required a judge's decision to allow her to leave the US to film in Canada and Canada to accept her because she is a felon. Hope she had to pay all the costs to the two governments. There are many more good actresses, she should move out of the way and spend that time with her daughters.
Love in Wolf Creek (2022)
Dull
I watched Christmas in Wolf Creek and it was one of the worst. But then found that there was an earlier movie that it followed from so maybe I should have seen it first which would give some clarity to the second. Wrong. Watching this one does not help the second one. I think it is the female lead, Nola Martin, she is just terrible. Both the story character and the actress. Tim Rozen tries, but a losing battle to improve the movie with Nola and the script working against him. What I cannot understand is the writer Kimmel is the same for Christmas in the Wild and Christmas on 5th Avenue and those are both excellent movies. Again, the female leads were Kaitlyn Leeb and. Kathryn Davis, excellent actors, good female characters with strength and common sense. Maybe you might want to have this movie on for background noise but definitely don't go out of your way to watch unless you like Tim Rozen.
Christmas in Wolf Creek (2022)
The Worst
First, difficult to find the user review section but persistance pays to say something about this movie. It is the worst ever. The story is terrible, the acting is terrible except for Art Hindle and Tim Rozen although hindered by the terrible script. The grandaughter Annie was especially terrible, definitely school play calibre but again probably the terrible lifeless script. It was a boo hoo I am a so misunderstood female lead, nobody sees my side, nobody respects what I want boo hoo. She leaves the poor male lead lost in the woods overnight to freeze without a worry. The story builds little mountains of tension throughout between all characters which gets quite annoying. Don't waste your time. And ratings should allow a "0" as it isn't even worth a "1"
A Brush with Christmas (2022)
The Mother
Like others I have spent the last month and a half watching Christmas movies, GAF if I can get access, Hallmark, Lifetime and CBS. There are only a few that I must comment on and this is one. The story is cute, the female lead character is talented, thoughtful unlike some of them whose reasoning ability is missing or can't carry on a coherent conversation, and the male lead has a neat profession. Why I must comment is the MOTHER image. Not clear, but think she is to be the CEO of the restaurant with female lead and daughter the head chef. As a leader she is useless, her facial features never change. Monotoned, she is supposedly mooning over Patrick but even that is lifeless except for the ridiculous eye batting, Patrick by the way does have life and character. Maybe her lines were lame but she could have given some spark to them, at least shown some emotion but essentially she is one drab annoying actress. On the plus side, hope to see Joseph Cannata in more movies and TV series.
I'm Glad It's Christmas (2022)
JL Too Overbearing
I enjoy the Hallmark/GAC movies that have the actors singing or are instrumental. However, I do need to rant. This movie and Harmony of the Heart ends with Jessica Lowndes singing with another person supposedly in a duet. Both Paul Greene and Jesse Metcalfe are excellent and talented musicians and singers in their own right so why does Jessica need to sing soo strongly and loudly to drown them out. Especially insulting is her overpowering Gladys Knight in the last scene. JL already sang earlier bits in the movie so we know she can sing but it is pretty annoying when all you can hear in a duet or trio is her belting out as loudly as she can. Does she not know softly and harmonizing. Could be lovely scenes like in Country at Heart with Jesse Schram and Niall Matter, JS and Lucas Bryant. 7 because the story is appealing and Paul Greene is a good actor. Too bad he is no longer on WCTH.
One Snowy Christmas (2021)
Happy for fast forward
Had to write a review to express how dull this movie was. Used the fast forward alot Elysia was just terrible, the character and the actress. She is unable to give any good facial expressions apart from dull and sad. Maybe she was to be dull and sad through the whole movie, bad for the lead actress. Can't believe she couldn't give any life to the charactoer. Her sister exuded more character, more range of expression. If the husband was to be the comic relief it didn't work, just silly. Again another movie where a good actor, Damon Runyan, was put into a lame movie, trying to give it some life.
Christmas Bedtime Stories (2022)
Disappointed
The storyline is noble, about a solder lost and a family trying to move on. But the characters and actual family story were lame. As someone else commented a total waste of Steven Lund's talent. Erin had somewhat of a good role but even that was dull. Lund had a role with more meaningful dialogue and excellent character development when he played the brother of Charlie in just one episode of the Hudson and Rex TV series than this two hour Hallmark movie. This is not the first Christmas movie of this year that has sorely missing the mark. Hope they improve over the next two months. Hallmark vs GAC seems to be watering down quality to the detriment of the actors.
Parked for Love (2021)
Not his best
Usually enjoy watching Brant but something missing, like he was acting down, maybe to allow his wife to shine. For her, she is cute but. Maybe it was the storyline. The scenery is nice but it too didn't do much to draw me to Utah. And if the dog was so important, why wasn't he present somewhere in the closing scene at the nature centre. Are those RVs that spacious and have standard room doors???? I now watch the credits at the end to see where the movie was made, the businesses that participated and the stand-ins. Curiously, one credit was "Optometrist for Mr. Daugherty - Mazzare"; now that is strange but I guess she contributed. Back to the movie, didn't hate, it was just mediocre and don't expect the usual Brant.
Dating the Delaneys (2022)
Loved the actors, Hated puns
Campbell and Boston always are great but the over use of puns made the characters rather ridiculous and one wishing to fast forward through the dialogue, especially the wine tasting event and backyard family BBQ. Loved the restaurant first blind date scene. Now that was good.
Sweet Pecan Summer (2021)
Refreshing Lead Characters
Found this to have much more enjoyable and more realistic characters than the Nikki Deloach/Andrew Walker oh you broke my heart characters. Both Wes Brown and Christine Ko were more down to earth and likeable characters; both on equal footing not the squeaky I'm better Nikki characters. Christine brings a professional aspect to the character and I think more appealing to the audience portraying an established, independent person who yes, has emotions but not the over the top ditzy or sobbing female. Also, these characters do not have the ever present toothy smiles with the dimples, they are much more realistic yet cute. Aunt Carol and Chris might be a bit over the top but bring the levity that the world also needs today, Having an Asian lead is new to Hallmark and hope to see more of Ms. Ko. Hallmark needs some new strong female leads. Blending in diversity in a lead and in support casting speaks to Hallmark recognizing its audience and reality. A very enjoyable movie and especially that special ritual between them.
Christmas Wedding Planner (2017)
A Cute Comedy Romance Mystery
Give your heads a shake. This is not the typical Hallmark Christmas romance. It is a cute comedy, not based in reality, although could be. It has mystery, romance, flashes of Cinderella mean step mother, all cute designed to make you smile. The ending was fitting for the movie type. Watch it and enjoy the lightness and cuteness. Acting is great. Enjoy George.
Love Upstream (2021)
Good actor selection
The actors were appropriate for the characters. Very down to earth, no squeaky voices. There is another with a similar theme with Christopher Russell and Cindy Busby. City girl, wilderness. Cindy not relatable and voice is grating. The actors in this film relateable and you actually feel for them and the two friends. Great movie and I watch alot of Hallmark movies which only Christmas Waltz rated a 10 for me.
Dear Christmas (2020)
Lacks excitement, joy, spark ....
JP great on Private Eyes and his banter with Cindy Sampson but this movie was totally without any emotion, excitement.. gosh it is Christmas could have had some sparkly chatter with the romance partner. Rather dull. Maybe needed his 90210 love interest to be the partner. And the spooky looking Mom, did that actress no justice. And the baby bump is just laughable, was waiting for it to twist around or fall down.