Tag: #countdowntochristmas

Hallmark Movie Review: Flipping For Christmas

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/flipping-for-christmas

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ack! Another week of Countdown to Christmas and another Hallmark movie that’s “solid.” I haven’t seen one yet that I’m adding to my favorites list for the season. Though I was lucky enough to catch The Most Wonderful Time of the Year on earlier today!! That one will forever remain on my all time favorites list. Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉

Quick Recap

Abi agrees to help flip a house until she finds out Bo is co-owner. While Abi’s family wants to sell the house, Bo wants to keep it and use as a B&B. While trying to make a decision on what to do with the finished

My Two Cents

Another Hallmark movie that has all the key Hallmark movie qualities, but is missing the IT factor that would land it on most favorite lists. If you’re looking for the best movies of the season, I don’t think you’ll be adding this one to that list.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch it. After all, it has all those key Hallmark movie qualities. Small town, saving a small town from a big corporation, guy with a golden heart, snowball fight, arguments over how boring the color beige is, etc. It’s definitely worth giving a chance.

On top of everything I already listed, Bo and Abi were adorable together. Oh! And I also really liked Abi’s sister and her family. Especially when Abi and her sister started talking about how controlling Abi has always been and she asks her sister how she stopped be as controlling. Then Abi’s sister starts telling her how to sort the toys into the proper bins. 😂 Yup, she is definitely still a work in progress. Just like the rest of us. Haha.

All of these items somehow still made me invested enough in the movie to see it through the to the end. And when Grandpa gave his final speech to Abi and her sister, I cried.

This movie should have broad appeal to people who like a little enemies to lovers (definitely not overdone), romcoms, and small town romance movies. I hope you have a chance to watch it and let me know what you thought! Leave a comment!

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Hallmark Movie Review: A Fabled Holiday

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/a-fabled-holiday

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was in a funk when I started watching this movie and didn’t give it a fair chance. I’m really glad I gave it a second chance! I re-watched it before writing this, because I had a feeling my original low rating was a me issue. I was right.

The first 15 minutes of this movie are very important, so make sure you pay close attention to the story or you’ll have to do what I did. Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉

Quick Recap

As a child, Talia and Anderson use to read a story about a town called Wunderbrook. It was magical town where people would go who lost their way and forgot who they were. When Talia was 10 her father passed away. Talia and her mom moved away to be closer to other family, and Talia gave her copy of Wunderbrook to Anderson as a reminder of their time together.

As an adult Talia moved back into her childhood home and opened a bookstore while trying to be a writer. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to find a publishing company interested in her work. Feeling down about where her life is going, she’s looking forward to some time away from her store.

At the same time, Anderson is going through some issues at work and decides to take a break from work. They both wind up on a journey in the mythical Wunderbrook.

My Two Cents

I really enjoyed the fairy tale feeling of this movie. From the narrator to the hand drawn looking book pages and chapter introductions, this movie took it’s name to heart. Which I found endearing during my second viewing!

I can’t continue reviewing this before squealing like a little girl over this being the FIRST RYAN PAEVEY movie of the season!! EEEK!!! Elf Ryan was the highlight of my evening!!

Sadly, I think it’s his only movie this Christmas season. But I’m glad it’s a good one. I know I scored it the same as Coyote Creek Christmas from last year, but I enjoyed this one more! It’s more on par with A Timeless Christmas.

I also really enjoyed Ryan’s pairing with Brooke. If this isn’t the first time they’ve been paired together, then you need to tell me which other movies I need to add to my watch list! I hope we see them together again in the future!

Okay, enough about my guy and girl crushes. Lets get to the actual movie!

In some ways, this movie reminded me of the old ABC series Once Upon a Time. All these people are in a mythical town. Some of them know what’s really going on, while others are there for another purpose.

Mildred was like the Evil Queen, Judy was like Snow White, and Talia was like Henry, the believer/writer. I suppose all fairy tales are similar with the good, bad, and people who need to learn something or overcome an obstacle to move forward in their life. At least these people aren’t cursed to never be able to leave Wunderbrook 😉

Anyhow, I liked that this movie had the other couple and Charles who also had issues to overcome instead of the movie solely focusing on Talia and Anderson. It added substance instead of taking away from the main characters.

It feels like Hallmark is branching out a little more from their usual plots this year. I enjoyed this movie and would like to see more like this in the future. If you aren’t a fairy tale lover, then this definitely isn’t the right movie for you. If you love fair tales, fate, and general magic, then give this movie a try.

Did you watch this movie? Let me know what you thought! Leave a comment!

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Hallmark Movie Review: A Holiday Spectacular

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/a-holiday-spectacular

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

That was not what I expected! What a wonderful movie! Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉

Quick Recap

Maggie comes from a rich family and is expected to have an arranged marriage. Her husband to be is perfectly nice, but she wants more. She wants to be a Rockette and she wants true love. She manages to try out and is offered a spot in the Rockette’s Holiday Spectacular. She escapes to New York to be a Rockette under the guise of planning her wedding.

My Two Cents

Wow everyone! That was a long weekend of movies! 2 premieres every night since Thursday. How many did you catch? I think I watched all but one. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to write reviews on all of them. Maybe I’ll catch up, but I might not. This time of the year there are too many movies to keep up with them all!

Anyhow, let’s talk about tonight’s second premier movie, A Holiday Spectacular. I wasn’t looking forward to this movie. I tend to lean towards more of the corny romcoms, but this one gave me a few chuckles even though I wouldn’t really classify it as a romcom.

From the beginning, I loved the opening! It was flashy, engaging, and so beautiful! It felt like this movie was filmed in a higher resolution. Everything was so clear! And I’m not an expert in anything cinematic, but I loved the warmth of the movie. It reminded me of the warmth in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

But we aren’t hear to talk cinematography, so let’s talk a little more about the movie! I really loved all the lead and supporting actors/actresses. They were all so wonderful!

I thoroughly enjoyed the leading actress, Gina Claire Mason. I hope we see her more! She looked very familiar to me, but I couldn’t place from where. Anyone else know other movies/tv shows she’s been in? I looked on IMDB, but I didn’t see anything that stuck out.

I also liked how they decided to make this as a retelling of memories instead of a movie set in a specific time period. I liked the grandchild and grandma (or great-grandma?) having their discussions.

The ending really pulled everything together. Especially when Maggie’s fiance showed up unexpectedly in New York and surprised her with tickets to see the Rockettes. He was so sweet and thoughtful. Even when Maggie made her final decision to break up, he took it so well and wished her well.

I hope most people enjoy this movie! I know I did. I’ll be catching it on replay at some point this holiday season and I won’t be sad!

Did you watch this movie? Let me know what you thought! Leave a comment!

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Hallmark Movie Review: Haul out the Holly

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/haul-out-the-holly

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yay! It’s a corny Christmas romcom!! I loved this movie! Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉

Quick Recap

Emily breaks up with her boyfriend and decides to visit her parents, but she discovers her parents are leaving for Florida. After they leave, she becomes responsible for all HOA items her parents weren’t able to do in their absence. While participating in the neighborhood activities, Emily rediscovers her enjoyment for the holidays and her childhood friend/crush Jared.

My Two Cents

Lacey Chabert is one of my favorite Hallmark leading ladies. So, I was super excited for this movie! Especially because it was a romcom! But do you sometimes that when you’re really excited for a movie that it doesn’t live up to your expectations? Well, I was pleasantly surprised that this movie beat my expectations!

I love corny romcoms and this one was definitely corny in all the right ways. Wes Brown and Lacey Chabert were both wonderful! So were all the supporting cast memebers. There was a cameo from another Hallmark star too, but I can’t remember the guy’s name. Maybe it was Kristoffer Polaha? Drop it in the comments if you saw him!

Additionally, did you all catch the call out to Christmas in Vienna?!? While it wasn’t my favorite movie, I chuckled because it was one of Lacey’s. Plus, her comment about, “I love this guy,” was fantastic!

Besides all the Hallmark Easter eggs, I enjoyed so much of this movie! I loved how Emily turned from slightly grouchy to full elf. And the neighborhood activities. I wish my neighborhood was like that! Plus, I loved the ending! It’s exactly how I wanted it to end!

I will admit I was a little confused by the parent’s moving to Florida. It seemed like they had everything planned for Emily to take over the Christmas activities, but what if Emily hadn’t broken up with her boyfriend? Would they have called her to house sit? I guess that’s Hallmark for you 😉

Either way, I still loved it! Fair warning…if you aren’t a corny romcom lover, then you’ll definitely want to skip this movie!

Did you watch this movie? Let me know what you thought! Leave a comment!

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Hallmark Movie Review: Inventing the Christmas Prince

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/inventing-the-christmas-prince

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

OMG! That ending! A horse drawn carriage, crowns, and a Christmas Prince. What more can a girl dream of?! Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉 

Quick Recap

Evan is a brilliant engineer, but not a good boss. He doesn’t understand how his actions impact his employees. He’s lost several employees and his boss threatens to put him on review if he loses any more.

Evan upsets Shelby by telling everyone they’ll need to work Christmas, and she says she’ll quit until her daughter notices a mark on Evan’s hand and declares him the Christmas Prince. In order to keep the Christmas magic alive, Shelby bargains with Evan not to leave if he becomes the Christmas Prince for her daughter.

My Two Cents

In case you don’t know, I love movies with a little bit of fate or magic in them. So, I absolutely loved that this family had the Christmas Prince story passed down through generations until a man with a reindeer kiss on his hand met the woman who had grown up hearing about stories of the amazing Christmas Prince.

But he didn’t start as a Christmas Prince. He started more like a Christmas grump. In reality, he wasn’t a grump; he was someone who doesn’t understand peopling. Yes, I’m using that as a verb! Sometimes brilliant people understand facts in black and white, and they have a hard time understanding the subtleties of why people are offended when they state said facts.

People like Evan need people like Shelby in their life to show them how to people and why it’s important to treat others with respect and kindness. Because without Shelbys in the world, the Evans of the world will continue to be cold and isolated and never know what they’re missing.

I loved how the wishes helped teach Evan little things along the way about being kind and caring. And by the end of the movie, Evan really was the Prince from the fairy tale. It brought tears to my eyes to see such a sweet ending. Loved it!

I hope the majority of people like this movie. I really enjoyed it! It kept pulling me away from the book I was trying to read tonight. LOL. In case you’re wondering, By a Thread by Lucy Score is super hard to put down!! She’s a fantastic romcom writer. But this movie was worth putting my book down for a bit. I mean…HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE! WORTH IT 😊

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Hallmark Movie Review: The Royal Nanny

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/the-royal-nanny

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a funny and cute romcom! It isn’t often that Hallmark combines suspense with romance, so this was a nice change from the usual. Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉 

Quick Recap

There is a perceived threat to the royal family. In order to protect them, the Security Service is placing Claire and Wallace in undercover positions. Claire becomes Elle and Robert’s Nanny where she must handle the kids and their Uncle’s pranks while trying to figure who might be trying to hurt the royal family.

My Two Cents

I have a feeling this movie will grow on me like many of my favorites. Each time I watch it, I think I’ll like it a little more. I was worried it would attempt to compete with Crown for Christmas. I was excited when I realized it was quite different!

Typically I let movie inaccuracies go. But the ear pieces with the old school phone cords going down the back of the agents necks really bothered me. I doubt they would use ear pieces like that when they could use bluetooth devices. Similarly, Claire touching her ear when she was talking was annoying. I wouldn’t do that if I was trying to be covert.

Aside from those two things, I really enjoyed so much of this movie! Claire’s umbrella training and the spaghetti bucket prank were two of my favorites, but there were so many more wonderful romcom moments. Plus the pranks were something I would have done as a child to a nanny or babysitter.

Let’s not forget the reindeer toss game! I had to look it up to see if it was really a thing. Guess what!! It is!! Here’s a link in case you want to buy it for someone special 😉

Overall, this was a fun movie. I enjoyed the umbrella parts way more than I should have and now I really want one of those umbrellas and become my own version of Scary Poppins. LOL. Okay, maybe it’s time for bed. Have a good day/night everyone!

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Hallmark Movie Review: In Merry Measure

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/in-merry-measure

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A movie with good music and 80’s/90’s references? Yes please! Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉 

Quick Recap

Darcy was a one hit wonder singer. She’s come home to spend time with her family for Christmas. While there, she discovers her niece wants to sing for a local choir, The Herald Angels, but isn’t selected to join. The choir coach, Adam is very selective on who can join the choir, because it’s won a local competition 6 times and he wants to continue the winning streak. So, Darcy creates her own choir group from the people who weren’t selected. Only one choir can participate in the competition. So Darcy and Adam decide to compete to see who will go to the big competition.

My Two Cents

Do you ever have those nights where all you want to do is crawl into bed? That was me tonight after working all day, taking care of a sick child, and cooking a few different dinners. I wasn’t even going to watch this movie tonight, but it sucked me in!

I really empathized with Darcy. It must be hard to be a child pop star who becomes who had one hit song and then couldn’t find further success. She kept putting her heart into her music, but kept being rejected by different studios who expected her to be in the same box she was 20 years ago. Yet she kept trying!

I also loved how down to Earth she was. She genuinely wanted to help her niece. She even helped the other kids become an amazing choir in a short period of time. Completely unrealistic, but hey – it’s Hallmark.

Then there was Adam. I enjoyed their enemies to lovers dynamic. He was super sweet to Darcy by the end. Wasn’t he? How about that Coach t-shirt? Super cute! And Darcy preparing for her date was hilarious. Freaking out like a teenager and doing the Macaulay Culkin “aaahhhh!!!!” face. Loved it!

I loved these two together. They were fun and cute. But I also loved Gretchen, the niece, and other kids. Actually, I enjoyed all the casting! The principal was funny too!

I think this movie will have a fairly broad appeal. It has a mostly upbeat/happy feel that sucks you in. Of course it also has the Hallmark happily ever after where everyone has the perfect ending. Give it a try!

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Hallmark Movie Review: Lights, Camera, Christmas!

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/lights-camera-christmas

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yes Hallmark! It’s corny romcom night! I LOVE this movie!! Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉 

Quick Recap

Kerry is thrown into costume designer on the movie My Favorite Santa, which is being shot in her hometown. She runs into Brad Baxter, the leading actor of the movie several times. She doesn’t fawn all over him, which makes him interested in her.

My Two Cents

Wow! What wasn’t there to love about this movie?! Corny comedy, killer casting, and a great plot! I loved every dorky cheesy moment! The first 90 minutes had me constantly giggling and Jeff wondering what was in my water tonight. 🤣

I was in stitches over what a tool Brad was! From the smoldering looks to the conceited phrases. Plus the winking and perfect hair 24/7. It all contributed to the overly corny romcom. And I loved every minute.

I especially loved the Caleb and Jill lovers to haters to lovers side romance. And Jamie replaying what each of them said when the other was standing right there. Priceless! They were so funny to watch.

I think the only thing missing from this movie was a Paul Campbell cameo. Actually, I’m missing the cameos in general this year. I really enjoyed them last year! I’m hopeful Hallmark will bring them back in the future!

Before I finish this, I want to give a shout out to Kimberley Sustad and John Brotherton! They were great together! Kudos you two! And one other quick shoutout to everyone else! The casting was great on this movie!

Romcoms like these are my bread and butter movies. I’d watch them everyday/all day. But I know there will be many who find it too corny and too dorky. If you decide to watch this, please keep in mind that they intended it to be every bit as dorky as it is. Every wink, joke, and goofy moment was intended to be lighthearted comic relief. If that isn’t your thing, don’t watch this movie. If it is, then enjoy the fun!

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Hallmark Movie Review: Jolly Good Christmas

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/jolly-good-christmas

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jolly good fun! Or was it? Maybe! I struggled with the beginning, but the end was certainly jolly good fun! Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉 

Quick Recap

Anji is an aspiring writer and struggling personal shopper. She accidentally switched packages with a stranger who had intended to buy his girlfriend a gift card for Christmas. After learning of the switch Anji tracks down David to switch back the packages. David realizes a gift card probably isn’t the best Christmas present and offers her double her normal fee for helping him find the perfect gift for his girlfriend.

My Two Cents

I LOVE Reshma Shetty. Once upon a time Jeff and I watched Royal Pains and she was one of the leads on that show. I hadn’t seen her in a long time, so when the Jolly Good Christmas previews started, I was very excited to see this movie!

Despite being excited, I struggled to get into it. I’m not sure if it was me or the movie. Once again I was cranky when the movie started. So, quite possibly it was me. I kept thinking about how similar this movie was to 12 Gifts of Christmas, which admittedly kept me distracted.

Eventually I got into the movie and ended up enjoying it quite a bit. I liked the havoc created when David and Anji continued to run into Charlotte. Like when Anji’s purse became stuck in the Christmas tree and David accidentally shoplifted. I also giggled a little bit when David fell into the water and Anji commented about Americans. 🤣

There were a few good British references, which I appreciated. I like when they use local words for where they’re suppose to be. Anji said Mum instead of Mom and I think she called the trunk of the car the boot at one point. It’s the little things that I enjoy sometimes. 😉

I’m going to keep this review a little shorter, because Christmas Bedtime Stories is on and honestly, it’s already better than this movie. Why is it always the movies I’m not looking forward to that capture my interest?!

Anyhow, Jeff gave up on this movie early on. He called it dull and left. I don’t think it’ll appeal to everyone because of the slow start and David’s friend is a gay married man. I’m giving it a 3.5, but since I don’t do half stars, I’m leaving it at 4. Give it a shot! You might like it!

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Hallmark Movie Review: A Cozy Christmas Inn

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/a-cozy-christmas-inn

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

We had a divided house here tonight! Jeff liked this a lot more than I did. Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉 

Quick Recap

Once upon a time (prior to Dr. Brunel), Erika dated Andy in Seattle. Unfortunately, Andy left her and returned home. Erika still works in Seattle. Her boss wants to acquire an Inn in Garland, Alaska and sends Erika there to close the deal.

My Two Cents

In case you don’t know, back in 2014 there was a movie called Christmas Under Wraps. It starred all the same leads, except the female lead was Candace Cameron Bure. It had a similar plot. Dr. Brunel came to Garland, Alaska as the town’s new doctor. She falls in love with Andy and we presume they lived happily ever after.

In this movie we find out they did NOT live happily ever after. 😭 Dr. Brunel left Garland to take a fellowship offer she could not refuse. Leaving Andy girlfriendless.

I loved Christmas Under Wraps. It had magic, cuteness, corny jokes, and of course, the now famous, “that’s Garland for ya” tag line. I think if I had never seen Christmas Under Wraps, I would have enjoyed this movie more.

A Cozy Christmas Inn was cute and funny in it’s own way, but I feel like it lacked some of the magic of the first movie. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why. Maybe because the elves weren’t as obvious? Rudy was missing? Andy’s plane was missing and a telescope took it’s place? Or maybe it was the overuse of the tag line? I’m not sure.

Honestly, maybe I didn’t enjoy it for a very simple reason…maybe I was mourning Dr. Brunel and Andy’s relationship ending. I think I would have handled it better if she had unexpectedly died, because at the end of the first movie she had changed and she was happy to be the local doctor. Not a big fellowship doctor.

Even if I was mourning Dr. Brunel and Andy, I did enjoy Erika and Andy together. They were a cute couple and the story line was interesting. I liked how they discussed their past relationship and what went wrong. I loved the Inn – it was beautiful! And I loved the ending with Andy and his Dad resolving who will take over the family business.

Even though I wasn’t a huge fan, Jeff definitely preferred this movie. I think it’s because it had less magic – he doesn’t like movies with magic. But it could also be that he likes Jodie Sweetin more and I tend to like Candace more.

Whether you saw the first movie or not, I think this one is still worth seeing. You don’t need to see the first movie to see this and it might be better if you don’t. This is definitely a solid Hallmark countdown to Christmas movie. Give it a try!

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Hallmark Movie Review: We Wish You A Married Christmas

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/we-wish-you-a-married-christmas

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

At a solid 3.5 (rounded up to 4 for ease), this movie is another cute and funny romcom. Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉 

Quick Recap

Becca and Robby’s marriage is in shambles. After 13 years, they’re ready to call it quits when their marriage counselor recommends a trip to Gracious, Vermont. They try to call it quits again after the first night, but a freak snowman accident keeps them in Gracious a little longer. While waiting for their car to be fixed, they begin to remember what their relationship use to be like.

My Two Cents

I can sympathize with Becca and Robby. I’ve been with my husband for almost 20 years. Sometimes I pause and ask where did the last 20 years go? College, dogs, houses, kids, it’s all made the time pass in the blink of an eye.

It’s true our relationship isn’t what it was when we first met. In many ways it’s better than it was back then. But we both put in the effort. Without that, it’s easy to let things slide and drift apart.

Becca and Robby let it slide too much, but they were willing to put in the effort to bring it back together. Luckily, they had a marriage counselor who knew of a special place they could go to reconnect.

I loved a lot about this movie! The ornament falling on the car, all the little tasks the B&B owners assigned Becca and Robby, becoming locked in the Christmas storage area, llama grams, and so much more! I especially loved the chemistry between the two leads.

My heart melted when Becca and Robby were decorating their stockings and Robby opened up about the baking class and his reasons for taking it. I loved how open and honest he was. Apologizing for what he’s done wrong.

I swear I could listen to Kristoffer Polaha (and Luke McFarlane) all night long. I loved his monologues. Both men should record stories for the Calm app. Not that I’ve used it, but I might if they were reading me stories!

Squirrel!

Not everyone will like this movie, but I think the majority of people who like romcoms will. And if you make it through until the end, the last 15 minutes are totally worth it!

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Hallmark Movie Review: Noel Next Door

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/noel-next-door

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s GGGRREEAAATT! I love throwback product slogans and I really liked this movie! Here’s a quick recap and my two cents 😉 

Quick Recap

After suffering a stroke, Jeremy has become Mr. Scrooge and is unable to enjoy life the way he once had. But Noelle is cheery and sweet to his Scroogey demeanor. She starts to chip away at his armor through a series of meetings and they develop feelings for each other until Noelle finds out Jeremy is the cranky man from apartment 224 the other neighbors have been telling her about.

My Two Cents

It feels like Christmas movies are starting earlier than ever. It’s not even Halloween yet. Yet I’m finding that I don’t mind. And Noel Next Door was a wonderful way to start Countdown to Christmas!

I was worried about this movie, because last year A Dickens of a Holiday with Brooke D’Orsay and Kristoffer Polaha was not one of my favorites. I struggled to make it through that movie. No worries though, Noel Next Door is much better!

I enjoyed Noelle and Jeremy meeting and forming a relationship while Jeremy and Noelle’s son, Henry, and neighbors are having disagreements and negative interactions. Noelle starts to bring out the good in Jeremy and see who he really is beyond how everyone else sees him.

There were several really good scenes. My favorite was the ice skating and campfire scene! I probably enjoyed this more than most, but I loved that Jeremy could skate where walking is difficult. AND they played Debussy’s claire de lune throughout the scene. I’m not gonna lie, I love that song for it’s connection to Twilight.

Just when Jeremy and Noelle are really hitting it off, everything starts to fall apart. I haven’t seen a guy stick his foot in his mouth as many times as Jeremy did when he finds out Noelle is the owner of apartment 202. Never insult a woman’s son unless you want Mamma Bear to come out and kick your butt!

Don’t worry, this is Hallmark, so we do have a happily ever after. And while I really enjoyed this movie, I know not everyone will. Some will find it slow and boring. Personally, I loved the speed and thought it was sweet, funny, and quirky. Definitely worth trying for yourself!

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Hallmark Movie Review: A Dickens of a Holiday

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/a-dickens-of-a-holiday

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Oh man 🙁 I’m really bummed about this movie. I have generally liked past Dickens plot movies. Unfortunately, this didn’t do it for me. Here’s a quick re-cap and my two cents.

Quick Re-Cap

Recently divorced Cassie Pruitt is directing A Christmas Carol in the 100 year anniversary of Dickens Days in Dickens, Ohio. Unfortunately, Scrooge comes down with laryngitis and they need to find someone new. They insist on choosing someone from Dickens. They ask big time actor Jake Dorsey to come home and help.

My Two Cents

I’m having one of those, “is it me or the movie?” evenings. I’ve been watching this movie for 1.5 hours and other than the quick re-cap, I haven’t written down ANYTHING about this movie. Normally by now I have at least half my review completed.

As a side note…there was something that gave me a quick thrill and distracted me for a little bit of the movie. Did you see the beautiful Inn where Cassie and Jake are staying? Did it look familiar? It should! I think it’s been in a few different Hallmark movies, but I remember it from Good Morning Christmas! In the video clip below, you can catch it at about the 14 second mark 🙂 I absolutely love this Inn. It’s so beautiful! I’d like to spend a weekend away there.

Okay, back to the actual movie. So, I really like versions of A Christmas Carol like It’s Christmas, Carole! that actually have a real Scrooge, ghosts, tiny Tim, etc. This take on the movie wasn’t really my cup of tea.

Maybe this would have been better if Jake had been more Scroogey and less jerky? I don’t know, but I liked Jake’s story line and how he kind of forgot himself when he became a big time actor and had to go through this process of improving himself so he could land the part of his dreams. The best improvement he made was him repairing his relationship with his family 🙂

Aside from fixing his family relationship, there wasn’t much else that captured my attention with this one. I mean, this movie was so blah that I’m not even gushing over the horse drawn carriage. Probably because Jake made such a big deal about that book being in the carriage instead of the horse driving it. Come on Jake! You’re in a carriage with the woman you’re starting to love! Don’t get all mushy about a book.

On top of not mentioning the carriage ride, I also didn’t mention the adorable small town appeal of the movie. I love small towns. Towns where everyone knows everyone and people help each other when they’re in need. There should have been more small town feeling in this book. There was some with everyone knowing Cassie had been directing Broadway and a few other little things, but I felt it could have been played up more.

Alrighty, so tell me folks, was it just me? Am I cranky tonight? Should I give this movie another try? As of right now, it’s definitely NOT on my Countdown to Christmas must see list for the season. Leave a comment and try to get me to change my mind! What did you like about this movie?

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Hallmark Movie Review: A Very Merry Bridesmaid

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/a-very-merry-bridesmaid

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is definitely hitting my Countdown to Christmas must watch list!! It might even hit my all time favorite Hallmark Christmas list! It brings together all the feels and romcom humor I look for in my favorite movies. Here’s a quick re-cap and my two cents. 🙂

Quick Re-Cap

Paul has come home to settle down and marry his fiance Julia. His best man, childhood best friend, and sister’s secret crush Drew has also returned for the wedding. The wedding happens to be on Paul’s sister’s 30th birthday. Drew has made a pact make Leah’s birthday special despite it being the same day as Paul’s wedding.

My Two Cents

There was so much good feels in this movie that I’m not even sure where to begin. It gives me all the same feels as The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

I loved the prologue that showed a young Leah with Drew’s Grandma. Leah was about to turn 10 and her brother and Drew had just started playing without her. Drew’s Grandma told her about milestone birthdays and how 30 is an important milestone year.

It made me remember my 30th birthday. It wasn’t a huge affair, but we celebrated with family and my 6 month old son. There were a lot of milestones that year. Sigh…sweet memories…

Anyhow, that sweet introduction helped set the stage for the rest of the movie where it’s the days leading up to Leah’s 30th birthday and Drew’s Grandma has passed, but he is there to help celebrate her milestone birthday.

I loved all the things Drew remembered about Leah. From the beginning, it was obvious that he must have cared about her all these years. He took her on a horse drawn carriage ride because she mentioned once wanting to do it when she was younger. HORSE. DRAWN. CARRIAGE. RIDE. There’s nothing better in the world! I would seriously have a crush on almost any man who took me on one.

Then there was the mistletoe incident. W-O-W! That was HOT! I haven’t seen a Hallmark kiss that gave ME butterflies in a long time! I was a little sad when Leah ran away, but hey, we need to have a little drama, right?

The ending of this movie was so perfect! The only thing missing was Julia’s original wedding dress, but even that was okay. I absolutely loved Leah and Drew’s ending. They are the type of couple that made my heart soar at watching them and while I would love to see a sequel with them, I would much rather thing that they live their own happily ever after without any drama.

Definitely watch this one if you haven’t yet. Like I said, it’s definitely on my Countdown to Christmas must watch list. It’s also probably in my top Hallmark Christmas list. Time will tell 🙂 I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

One last thing as I’m sitting here. My review mainly focuses on Drew and Leah, but I want to give a quick shout-out to Paul and Julia! I loved their bond and their story line too. It was nice to see them portray Julia as such a sweetheart instead of a crazy bridezilla, which they easily could have with all the issues she faced with her wedding!

Have you seen it? What did you think? Leave a comment!

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Hallmark Movie Review: Open By Christmas

Image via: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/open-by-christmas

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh happy tears! I will always have a special place in my heart for movies like this! Here’s a quick re-cap and my full two cents on this sweet Hallmark Christmas romance.

Quick Re-Cap

Nicky returns home to celebrate Christmas with her family and finds an anonymous note from someone in high school. She begins a journey to figure out who the mystery writer was.

My Two Cents

Yes Hallmark! You did it! This movie has the feeling of other Hallmark classics I love to watch over and over. Movies like Switched for Christmas, A Christmas Detour (yes, I’m aware that’s two Candace Cameron Bure movies), A Very Merry Mix-up, or Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

These movies are often underrated and some people write them off as not good enough, but honestly, they are some of my favorites. You can turn them on at any point and enjoy watching them. They are generally happy movies with a little bit of romcom humor. Most importantly they make me warm and fuzzy.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate, your favorite movie watching blanket and snuggle in for this wonderfully feel good movie. Enjoy the little jokes here and there and take it at face value. This movie is definitely a countdown to Christmas must see!

Have you seen it? What did you think? Leave a comment!

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