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Reviews
Journey to Christmas (2023)
And a Very Cliche Christmas to You!
I know the 'GAC' chanel is still carving out their spot in the Made-for-TV Holiday-Movie landscape, but this is scraping the bottom of the barrel. This movie lacks originality in every aspect from plot to scenery, is completely void of chemistry between the male and female lead, and just too idyllic and removed from reality. While all of those features were commonplace for strictly televised movies a decade ago, Hallmark has changed the game and if GAC is going to compete, they need to ditch scripts like this and spend the extra money on seasoned pros until they've earned the credit to slack a bit.
My main issue really was with the leads, the way they were written AND the way they interacted. The female lead was written in the same fashion main characters of teen shows in the early aughts. She was just too good to be true: a beautiful model who was also ridiculously altruistic , humble, talented, and laid back. There is absolutely no relatable qualities to her as she's just too perfect. The male lead is just bland, his literal only personality trait they bothered to flesh out was 'heartbroken'. The actor was decent, but literally had more chemistry with his on-screen sister than his love interest. It was awkward and unpleasant. The sister was by FAR the most talented of the cast, but was written to be some sort of old-maid who was obsessed with her brother's love life- I give the actress a lot of credit for being able to bring a little life to the role .
There were a lot of small oddities to the script that detracted even more from the film's believability and enjoyability- mostly having to do with the way a model's career was handled. It very much made it seem like they have complete control over their schedules and the designers they work for. I'm not a model by any means, but I would be upset with the representation were I one.
As for the plot- I mean it when I say not one original idea or concept. There was nothing special about any of it, and I'm surprised it was made. If you were trying to describe this movie to a friend to see if they had seen it, there is not one notable and unique concept you could mention that would give it away. It is just scene-by-scene a ripoff of the Hallmark Christmas movies of Yesteryear.
The 9 and 10-star reviews really threw me, and I have to agree with another review, either the contributers are directly involved with the film, or they have not seen any other movies. There is nothing at all in this film that deserves a perfect rating. I think I was generous with the three stars I offered.
GAC- please don't ruin the careers of the actors and actresses that left Hallmark and had faith in your network. I hope more heart and more work are put into the 2024 Holiday releases.
Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade (2012)
Hallmark's Golden Age
I am not, nor would I ever, knock today's Hallmark releases- but nothing compares to the early years.
I don't know how I had never seen this one before- but it's easily my favorite.
It's got the essential elements of falling in love during the holidays on the small screen: a conflict ridden meet-cute, a seemingly perfect boyfriend, the most adorable and wholesome woman in the world, a couple fun female extras, an unrealistically single man who's attractive, wealthy, and a gentleman- but a bit jaded.
But this Thanksgiving flick of Hallmark past(and WHY did they stop making Thanksgiving films?) Is far less sugar-coated than than today's, while still remaining wholesome enough. They openly drink and get drunk, the boyfriend isn't 'the right guy-just for someone else' he's actually quite the prick. The humor is just a shade darker and a notch sexier - and it creates a depth that's been lacking the last couple years.
The actual production is really good, too- at least to someone who knows very little about movie production. They really made Chicago in November really beautiful. I even really loved the music- which is often the one element I kind of hate.
As for the story, a vintage-clad young woman prepared for her beloved annual Thanksgiving parade while waiting for her marine-biologist boyfriend to come home and propose to her. Meanwhile she bumps into the man who wants to commoditize the parade she's devoted her career to - and while they have opposite views on just about everything, including love- their chemistry is undeniable. Naturally they're forced to work together, and end up exposing every private thought that occurs to them- and eat peanut butter in their undies (separately, mind you- this IS still a Hallmark movie)
The leads- Hallmark favorite Autumn Reeser, and the very very handsome Antonio Cupo -just absolutely killed it. It was hard not to root for them.
If you're in the mood for predictable yet enjoyable couple hours, and don't want to feel like you're watching a disney-movie for adults, this is a good start. I always dvr the 2015 and earlier Hallmark movies- there really is something a touch more special about them (might be the fact they didn't churn out 200 a year) and this might have been the absolute best of them.
Also- I now REALLY want a best friend with a small vintage clothing shop. Might be my favorite set of any movie ever made. So- anybody with a vintage shop is obviously free to seek me out and befriend me, I expect tea-for two in a mid-century settee. And, yes- that's how adorable this movie is.
The Christmas Card (2006)
Poorly executed thanks to leads
Like many other reviewers I'm quite the Made-for-TV movie enthusiast, and I LOVE the older ones. Unfortunately this one was a huge miss, and I'm genuinely surprised by the following it has.
Now, the screenplay was good. This was a well written movie- and the production was mostly strong for a TV movie from 2006. I also liked that it didn't scream Christmas- no hate for the misseltoe covered Hallmark movies of Christmas Present, but it's a nice break. The acting leaves an entirely different movie to be desired, though.
'Faith' the female lead was awkward down to her movment. Her chemistry with the male lead might be the most cringe-worthy part of this movie. But her interactions with the entire cast felt strange and forced- except with the wine-bussiness boyfriend (Skipper from Sex and the City!) . Also- her sound production was a disaster, it seemed like all of her lines were added post-production, and added poorly. The issue doesn't extend to the rest of the cast. And those 5" wide headbands were so distracting.
Male lead wasn't a show stopper, either. Robotic is the word that comes to mind, and while I think they were going for a stoic army veteran, I doubt they meant for him to seem so very bored.
The supporting cast was mostly great (Ed Asner!!)
I wish they would remake the film and do the story justice, I think it could be beautiful.
They did an awesome job of the snow effect! There's a scene where the guys are working in the yard, and it feels so pleasant and real. Honestly, a highlight of the movie- even if it was only a few seconds.
Look Both Ways (2022)
A beautiful message made easy to watch
'Look Both Ways' is a good reminder that the choices you make can completely change the trajectory of your life- but unexpected bumps in the raod don't have to define who you are forever.
The story follows the five years after an overly-plannes college grad. But the audience gets to see the two unique paths she could end up traveling based on the the results of a test.
The movie reveals that whether she follows her original five-year-plan, or heads down a path she never could have predicted - there will be detours and hardships along with joy and victories.
And some points on her journey were inevitable - despite the circumstances that led her there.
Honestly, the cast was wonderful, there was chemistry in every way possible (the lead's parents were my absolute favorite)
The movie was maybe a little slow moving, but not in an unwatchable way. And while it's probably not a life-changing film, I can't imagine someone not enjoying it, and he message is such an important one.
Music was great!
The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014)
OG Hallmark at it's best
I don't even care, it's not Christmas without this film- be it December or July. And it's not just because Kimberly S. Is my all-time favorite Hallmark leading lady.
When it comes to these made-for-tv seasonal flicks, it's rarely about the plot- because we know the plot, that's the entire point. Still, this has a few fun and unexpected twists. The protagonists live together-which doesn't happen much in the chaste world of GreetingCardVille- and that is a fun dynamic filled with flirting and felines. There's also a really bratty girl the main male must overcome- and while that trope is pretty bad for women in general, it was also super satisfying I'm this film. So, the movie is predictable, but in a surprising way (relative to Hallmark, obvs)
Now, what does matter in Hallmark films-
Chemistry between leads. There. Hot. He's a fireman, she's a 10 but we 'can't tell' at the beginning. But he can. He sees it. Seriously- these actors worked so well together you wish they were married irl, living in a tasteful cottage in a historic downtown area of New England.
Supporting cast - since this was an early Hallmark flick, we don't see the reoccurring best friends/ siblings/ parents that add fun and whimsy into 9.5/10 Hallmark moviesl. But don't even worry. Marilee's sister and her best friend are believable as hell and the chief was likely plucked out of a tiny town's fire station. The cats were adoreable.
The atmosphere - again- earlier Hallmark, so the picturesque snow laden main street vibe wasn't there, but it contributes to the uniqueness of this film. I honestly appreciate the minimal decked halls. But it is still unmistakably Christmas- just one that could provide outdoor scenes pivotal to the plot.
There is a unique magic contained in the first couple years of these movies that hasn't been recreated since. They were less restricted by the formula that runs rampant through the ten years worth of productions that follow - and it gives them an entirely different feel. I think they'll always be the best to me - not that they haven't come out with some incredible releases since, but this movie is, and forever will be, the epitome of Christmas in my home. You can't not feel good watching this movie, and the handful of others that came out in the year before and after.
If you love it as much as me (you don't but- if you love it a lot) they made a follow up in 2021 and it doesn't disappointment.
Merry watching!
Butlers in Love (2022)
One of the Best Hallmark Channel movies f the Pandemic
Spoilers near the end- I'll warn you!
I had mixed feelings leading up to the premier of "Butlers in Love". I was excited beyond words to see Stacy Farber score a lead role in a Hallmark Original. For those of you unfamiliar, Stacy played sweet but troubled Ellie in Canadian teen drama 'Degrassi'. I could not wait to see what she could do in a romantic comedy, and she didn't disappoint. I was pretty apprehensive about the concept. A movie about a young woman and man falling in love while training to be butlers had the potential to be a goofy flop- and honestly the preview didn't do the movie justice. The storyline was easy to follow, but still surprising. The leads had sincere chemistry and the supporting cast held their own. The movie wasn't as romanticzed or dramatic as made-for-TV RomComs can get, and can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Spoilers up next!
The cliches left out of this script is what really made this movie so enjoyable to me. There were no long lost High School boyfriends, no 'he's great- but not for Me' guy who gets dumped 1/2 way through, not a single ball gown drawing attention from a weak plot, and the lead isn't reluctantly returning home and leaving a life she loves behind- she's heading toward a goal she's always had.
Farber kills it in the role, through her facial expressions and body language you get to see her character Emma evolve from an overwhelmed and agitated student struggling with her studies, to a confident young woman ready to make serious decisions about her life. In the end Emma realizes that a dream she had as a young child might not actually fit the life she wants for herself as an adult, and she finds a way to combine a good work/life balance with her love for providing glamorous luxury to her clients (all while falling in love with a handsome young man who she helps grow into the man he truly wants to be)
The message in this movie is such an important one for today's overworked adults- you have to find a way to make work work for your life, and you have to leave the door open for good things to happen to you instead of locking yourself into an inflexible plan that shuts you off to adventure and the excitement life has to offer.
It also finds space to remind audiences to not give up on themselves, learn to look for collaboration in unexpected places, and to be vocal about what you want for your own life.
This movie didn't end up having a goofy tone, but a wholesome one with hints of fresh new beginnings.
100% worth the watch.
Christmas Belle (2013)
Maybe it's so bad it's good...
There is just something I love about this movie while fully understanding as a piece of art, it is lacking. I'm watching it for a third time and I just really enjoy it. As an avid watcher of seasonal made-for-TV RomComs it does lack the decked halls and Christmas song covers, but it's kind of a welcome break in the midst of feverishly festive films.
Duff is definitely the strongest actor but I think her 'beast' plays his part well, he's aloof, angry but softens over the film.
While hundreds of Beauty and the Beast adaptations exist, this isn't all that cliche- or the worst in my opinion.
There admittedly are some goofy moments, and a couple ceingey ones too- but it is a lower budget movie made nearly ten years ago, had I seen it in 2014 I would have probably made everyone I know watch it with me.
The music... it's loud- at times too loud, but I enjoyed it. But I know so little about music that shouldn't count for much.
If you've got time to kill and want to indulge in an incredibly cliche Romance, I would suggest this any time of the year. It's an easy watch that requires no intellectual strain but has its share of heartwarming, redeeming and even a couple unique moments.