sheryl-watkins Reviews

The Royal Nanny (2022 TV Movie)

(Mostly) Good Acting, really bad script

[3/10 · 9 December 2022]

My DVR cut off the last minute of the film, so I don't know what the last line was - nor did I get to see the first kiss. Nothing could make me watch this movie again. In fact, I think I've seen elements of this before. Similar movies done much better: "A Crown for Christmas" and "A Princess for Christmas."

First, the good parts. For the most part, the acting was good - with the exception of the red-headed boss of the heroine. I'm guessing he was thinking, "Do I really need to say this drivel?" or "I'd make a much better lead than this guy you cast." Maybe, but I'd like to see him in a part his heart is really in.

There was great chemistry between the nanny and the children, and between the nanny and her mentor, and the nanny and her mentor. OK, let's just agree the lead actress and some of the supporting actors were pretty good.

The love interest was OK, but never really sold the part.

The script had more holes in it than a slice of swiss cheese. Why would the country's richest man drive to visit a charity to which he didn't intend to donate, and why would the Prince host him if he only needed a 4- of 5-digit donations to reach his goal? How did the heroine become super nanny after only one day of training and no experience with children except for growing up in a children's home? And can you really save the world with an umbrella?

The scenery and the accents were a nice change of pace, but, well not one I'd watch again.

When I Think of Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

Works despite the cliches

[7/10 · 6 December 2022]

I think this movie sets a record for the number of cliches that fit in one Hallmark movie. The only things missing are a dog, cat, heirloom ornament or an angel.

Successful but not quite happy lawyer returns from New York to her home town. Check.

Reunites with high school boyfriend, whose Nashville career isn't quite working out. Check.

Small town with Christmas events every night, culminating in a big Christmas concert. Check.

Widowed mother sells the family home, and may be finding love with her neighbor's dad. Check, though the chemistry didn't convince me.

Hot chocolate, the guy who plays the mayor in every Hallmark movie, and did I hear the Christmas tree guy is named Nick? Check, check, and I'll have to listen more carefully if I watch this again.

But the movie works, thanks to the great scenery - including the oh-shucks good locks of Niall Matter.

Spoiler alert: I like that the movie leaves us with some loose ends.

Jolly Good Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

Predicting this will be in the top half of the class

[8/10 · 1 December 2022]

Very much enjoyed this movie. Production value was very good, as were the actors - who were refreshing for their maturity.

Yes, we've seen the personal shopper storyline before. But this one was done well.

It also was delightful to see how ethnic Indians are integrated into British society; what coould be more British than owning a pub?

I loved the British scenery, and the reference to the King tells me this was filmed later in the year - or the producers took the time to update one scene.

The true test is how many times I'd watch this again. I could probably watch this 5 times or so, hence it rates an 8.

My Southern Family Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

A nice change of pace

[7/10 · 30 November 2022]

I chose this as the first Hallmark Christmas movie of the season on my DVR because it sounded atypical. It did not disappoint. Of course, there's the usual Christmas schmaltz, but at least it's geographically different schmaltz. Also, as an adoptive mother I'm interested in the "What if I met my biological parent" storyline. Added bonus: the heroine is not a size 2.

It was a pleasant movie but not entirely believable. Hard to believe that the love interest had never been outside his county before. However, I do know a Louisiana gentlemen who CLAIMED that he'd never been to New Orleans until my husband's Navy reunion took place there. (At least that whole Vietnam war thing got him out of the state.) But I digress.

I did enjoy the movie, even though the plot was predictable. It won't go on my list of Hallmark Christmas movies I could watch every year ("The Christmas Card," "A Very Merry Mix-up," "Nine Lives of Christmas," and several others), but I could watch it another time or two.

A Dickens of a Holiday! (2021 TV Movie)

Better than average

[8/10 · 17 December 2021]

I love Kristoffer Polaha, but Brooke D'Orsay hasn't been my favorite Hallmark actress. This story gives them both a chance to shine. While it contains elements of your typical Hallmark plot - career crises, actor wanting to stretch, sibling issues, secret crushes, and a show to save - it still seems refreshing. Well done, Hallmark. Find another great story for Brooke.

A Christmas Proposal (2021 TV Movie)

Welcome to the party, Paramount!

[8/10 · 17 December 2021]

As a longtime Hallmark Christmas movie fan, I'm happy to see a little competition. I liked the Hallmark movies better when they did just a few movies a season. They were fresher. Now that they put them out factory-style, it's harder to find the gems among dozens of offerings.

"A Christmas Proposal" was refreshing, even though it did borrow from Hallmark plots (fake relationship, sibling rivalry, a Christmas ball where all is revealed); it was reminiscent of "Snow Bride."

The cast was great. The diversity was organic; Hispanic actors in an Hispanic family story.

Definitely worth watching, even though you now have to stream it on Paramount+ (clever marketing to attract new viewers, since the same movies aren't shown over and over again).

I look forward to more offerings, and hope the competition inspires Hallmark.

Fruitcake Fraud (2021)

The "Die Hard" of True Crime

[9/10 · 3 December 2021]

"Die Hard" wasn't intended to be a Christmas movie, but many of us would argue to the death that it is.

The producers of "Fruitcake Fraud" didn't make the mistake of pretending there wasn't a Christmas theme. It was filled with Christmas music and fruitcake references.

As a true crime fan, I was vaguely aware of this case, and may even have seen this on another show. But the production values of this documentary were excellent. The cast of characters who brought the crime to life made me feel like I was in this quirky, enchanting corner of Texas. I'd love to have a piece of fruitcake with any of them.

The crime's victims survived, a little poorer but wiser. The perpetrators were so empty that no amount of money could make them whole. I kept hoping the fraudster could meet an angel like "It's a Wonderful Life's" Clarence, or a friend like Al in "Die Hard."

Christmas in Tahoe (2021 TV Movie)

A great supporting cast

[7/10 · 1 December 2021]

First of all, how do you NOT lead with George Lopez? He's not even mentioned in the trailer. Believe me, I would have watched this sooner had I known he was in it.

The best acting performances in the movie were by Lopez, Pat Monahan, and comedienne Alex Gullason. The other performances seemed to be from the Hallmark school of acting: pleasant, sincere, but without the authenticity of the great supporting players.

Given Monahan's involvement in the project, I take at face value the behind-the-scene workings of the music industry (if not the timeline). It was harder to accept Kyle Selig as a rock star. But then, this is a Hallmark movie and we're used to suspending disbelief.

It's worth watching "Christmas in Tahoe" for the great supporting cast.

One December Night (2021 TV Movie)

A refreshingly different Hallmark Christmas movie

[9/10 · 18 November 2021]

I've been a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies since they did few enough titles a year that they didn't all look the same. "One December Night," thankfully, doesn't follow the recent formula.

I was curious to see how Peter Gallagher had matured; my image of him is from another favorite Christmas movie where he plays the immature brother, "While You Were Sleeping." Age has been kind to Gallagher, and his acting proved he's more than just a pretty face.

While the plot still contains a few too many, "Will they or won't they?" (when we all know they will), it's nice to see a story that revolves around older actors in this bromance. The young folks in this case are the side story.

While it's no "Christmas Card" or "Snow Bride," still, nice job Hallmark.

Mrs. Washington Goes to Smith (2009 TV Movie)

Great to see a mature lead

[6/10 · 19 July 2020]

Very much enjoyed this movie - the mature story line, the two roommates enabling one another to grow and thrive, and the throwback to when Hallmark movies weren't so predictable. I thought the lead's physical transformation was a bit overdone (who can imagine Sybil Shepherd ever being a plain Jane?) but the emotional transformation rang true. I do think the plot is dated; as a mid-boomer, I think most middle-class women reaching their 50's today would have been prepared for a career, even if they took time off to raise a family. Worth watching.

The Irresistible Blueberry Farm (2016 TV Movie)

A delightful movie

[9/10 · 9 July 2020]

I loved this movie!! I hadn't seen it before, so It must not be a regular in the Hallmark rotation - but it should be. Great scenery, great plot and great cast. As in all Hallmark movies, you suspect the old boyfriend is toast as soon as it begins. Usually he's too perfect, rich and shallow. In this movie, I didn't know which man to root for, because I like both actors. Loved seeing Shirley Jones as the ghost of Grandma. Even my husband enjoyed it. Definitely worth seeing again.

A Man for Every Month (2017 TV Movie)

Kinda cute, but a couple big bloopers.

[6/10 · 3 July 2020]

I kind of liked this one - liked the main characters and that three couples found love. However, no one can possibly live in L.A. - let alone work in media - and say they've never been to Orange County. Also, the roommate is a medical student - and serial dater. Uh huh, medical students don't have time to sleep, let alone have a social life.

Midway to Love (2019)

A refreshing change from Hallmark's usual

[7/10 · 3 July 2020]

While I faithfully watch all new Hallmark movies, I'm so thankful to COVID for slowing the factory down. I really love the older Hallmark movies they're showing, and the outside productions like "Midway to Love." This move was refreshing because it's outside the formula. The characters also felt more realistic than the normal Hallmark fare. I think even my husband would like it.