Chippings

And speaking of featured Hallmark performers in other things, I just saw reviews for Victoria Clark. She played Queen Gabriella in the 2020 "One Royal Holiday" (which has been on quite a few times recently, too). She already has a Tony award from 2015, but has just opened in a new play called "Kimberly Akimbo" and has gotten fabulous reviews. So pleased to see this! In a pretty different role from Queen of Galwick, here she plays a 16 year old girl who has a rapid-aging disease, and appears to be 62. It seems she is doing it *really well*. Of course we know that 'Crown Prince James' (Aaron Tveit) also won a Tony award this year. But, presently, 'yay! Victoria Clark!

Well, to respectfully disagree, the cultural references are part of the charm for me -- to make sure it's set in that specific time and the things that mattered then. It's kind of a good puzzle to see if you recognize some of them, too. (Madame Chiang Kai-Shek indeed!) Also a big Megan Hilty fan here, especially from 'Smash'.

Well, then, and Thank You, absnow, about A Christmas Witness, it was certainly pretty dark to be included in this genre with "holiday" movies. The 'hero' seemed beyond being redeemed, given his past, and along the way he was just unpleasant, and the kind of guy you would lose as fast as possible. (His "Well, if you're not into me, you're probably 'playing for the other team'" -- was about as unlikeable as it gets.) There were a couple of sitting under the stars having a cozy chat scenes, but they didn't erase his behavior generally. It was a little jarring too, in this endless series of inspiring Christmas movies (sarcastic font there) to have a character snarl "Kill them both!" - The end was just odd, when you consider what they would be looking at as a couple, which the final smooch of course implies. I didn't see every frame of it, but I think that blessedly they didn't bake any Christmas cookies, so that's a plus. Still, not likeable principals and unlikely conclusion, all too dark along the way. (Did I miss some redeeming moments? If so, will try and give it another look when it's on again. )

I'm uncertain where to write about A Christmas Witness, which premiered last night on ION TV. It had Arielle Kebbel and Colin Egglesfield, who we've seen before in Hallmark movies, but it was a 'way different thing. If somebody knows, I'm curious to go there and see what people thought. Thanks!

On a couple of the points mentioned above on Christmas at Castle Hart, I also thought Stuart Townsend was a really good choice for the 'Earl', handsome and very personable generally. The sister actually irked me all the way through, because she was mugging every time she spoke, and popping her eyes and literally making faces. I was thinking she had gone to a 'way different acting school than everybody else had. Getting down to real nit-picking, it seemed utterly absurd when the sisters were shown into their rooms, and realized the situation they were in, and they literally jumped up and down on the bed as if they were ten years old. Lacey is 39 years old, the character probably mid-30s, and No -- that's just dumb. (Not her fault - the writer and director are responsible for that ) Ditto about the use of CGI to add snow - pretty phony looking, but Nice Try I guess. All that said, a nice entry with likeable characters and a slightly different story. And it's always a joy to see Ireland.

I love me some Broadway, but those entries didn't really appeal much. It struck me that the ladies in black waving their rear-ends around weren't really the best choice for the kiddy viewers who tuned in for the balloons! But, not my call. It's good seeing Harry Connick Jr again, though.

I got a sense from this catfish victim that I never have from the others .. Some part of her heard the proofs that this Shawn person was fake, but another part of her knows that somebody, some living person, was typing those "Hi my honey" messages hour after hour. And so even though they were based on a stack of lies, she was saying "Well can't I just go on messaging with him.." Whoever 'him' might be .. it was a living person who was keeping her company. I think her brain was working on both levels, while also clinging slightly to the fiction that "he" might still turn up and pay back her money. The others have mostly realized that the steady message-sender wasn't worthy of their time, and prepared to spend the days without those hours of texts. This lady felt that no matter how shady the message-sender was, she still wanted to have that personal contact. Serious self-respect issues. That was especially sad.

Just watched Christmas Family Tree and I share all of the reservations y'all have brought up. I still think that if the DNA company said there was an error, there was an error. They were sloppy in reporting it, but I wouldn't be so quick to challenge it from the photo. I was really sure at the beginning with they variously called her mother "Trish" and "Patty" -- same issue they had in Very Merry Mix Up with Billy and Will, that he was not the father, and still didn't hear how they overcame that one. And of course while there was a new basic story, 'discover bio-family', 80% of the movie was filling in the necessary Christmas tropes. We are drowning in Christmas tropes -- I may have to go back to reading books til they get past this thing. As others have said too, it was nice seeing Andrew Walker. But I didn't discern any chemistry between him and the girl. They were "nice" to each other, and their both losing their parents was about the extent of the bonding chat, and it was pretty mild. Certainly there wasn't any of that great banter and snarkiness that he has had with other heroines. Anyway in my mind Andrew Walker is still living happily with the heroine of Bridal Wave or of the Bottled with Love one. Glad he's working, but you can only take so much ..

For me it's a Rupert Penry-Jones thing, and the line near the end "You had me at 'sewing kit.'" They are all really likeable, for sure. I looked up the little girl Theodora recently. As the movie was made quite a while ago, she's changed a bit, and has gone on to be a pretty serious competitive gymnast, so she's a hard-working, serious little person.

Wow, thank you for posting this! After the utterly atrocious pimping for the little game, I didn't stick around for what I assumed would just be the credits Well, that turned everything on its ear from where we were left. It was a real tease to indicate that the story would be continued in the future. I'm not holding my breath for that. But I actually was surprised and was so glad you mentioned the After The Taping sequel!

The second part of the catfish story hasn't aired here yet, but I'm assuming he doesn't ask what seems to me to be an obvious question : How are you two planning to live, support yourselves, after you're married? I haven't heard if the man works, and if she is retired (at 60?) - can she earn a living, and could she make any money in Nigeria? If the $$ she sent for "an apartment" went for a deposit, how will they pay the rent down the line? These seem such major questions, along with the extreme danger generally in his area, and I don't think he ever pursues it. Mutter mumble. Still the only category of Dr Phil shows that I will always watch

For me the most surprising (and rewarding) one was Henry Winkler in Most Wonderful Time of the Year. The entire story had a great, unusual energy, but his really led the thing Also, Warren Christie brought a great level of attitude to his role, which fit in great. Unfortunately, everything else I've seen Christie in (Hallmark-wise) has given him a pretty vapid character. But, Winkler all the way He's got so much else going on in his career, it was surprising to see him doing this - but I'm tickled that he did.

Noticed a funny thing the last day or two. Does anybody else remember that a few months ago (or last year) there was discussion on here about Hallmark holiday heroes being especially attractive in great white cable-knit sweaters? It happened, really. Well I am seeing a promo for the new Christmas movies with the wording superimposed over a -- white cable-knit sweater. Coincidence ?? Or do producers, as I have read, really cruise these pages to learn what we're thinking? If so, Hi Producers! And Costumers, keep those sweaters coming.

Quoting: "I definitely agree. I just watched Raise A Glass To Love, and it puts to rest the ridiculous antiquated concept that an openly gay actor can't create believable chemistry when paired with an actress. Juan Pablo was also wonderful in Paramount Network's 2020 holiday film Dashing In December when paired with straight actor Peter Porte." This caught my eye because I pretty much remembered reading that Peter Porte was also gay. Just went and checked, and I'd remembered correctly. My favorite Peter Porte line was in the one where he was a teacher who had amnesia for a time, and the girl who had knocked him over and then befriended him mentioned that he was handsome, and his line was "Oh do you think I'm handsome?!" D'uh --don't know how he read that with a straight face. Umm, yes, sir, you are. Very.

So glad you said this, Bankerchick. I have similarly pretty much memorized One Royal Holiday, and appreciate every single fine point (and weak spot, of which there are a couple). Besides the story, I appreciate the caliber of the cast, four principals having heavy Broadway credentials (including two Tony awards), and their work in this show. I'll just ask - are there other of these movies that some of us have watched so much that we can hum along??

As to talking about dollars instead of the local currencies, I remember some chat about that here many months ago .. It just makes them look lame sitting there writing "$2000" in their notebooks, no matter where they are in the world. It would seem more reasonable to speak of the local currency when they are acting out that original conversation, and put the appropriate dollar amount below. It struck me, though, that maybe over time the relative values would change (as they do, daily) and make it wrong? Well, like, who cares ? If we're seeing a rerun five years out and the comparable values have changed, it's still in the ballpark. Well, this is the very definition of over-thinking. But, yes - that is jarring, every time. And it reinforces the fact that they are play-acting the whole process to begin with!

Australia to London - ers, could have done the teensiest bit of research to know that $2,000 wasn't going to get them anything beyond a studio in that neighborhood. I wish there was time for Richard to show them something that did meet their criteria and what it would actually cost. Also Madame was pretty adolescent with the 'passion' for 'the royals'. Really ?? Indeed, 'delusional' was a good word for her. But I love seeing that neighborhood, and that place being adjacent to one of those park areas was truly amazing.

I agree that Love Strikes Twice was one of the best new movies in a very long time, with a really delightful lead actress in Katie Findlay and just a great story. My only kvetch, as noted above too, was that it was a little difficult to tell Country Club boyfriend from Socially Conscious boyfriend when one or the other would come into a scene. I probably missed one or two elements of the 'time travel' story (like the flip phone) and will watch it again to pick up on those.

I had read some of your comments before the show came on tonight in California, and I was prepared for the Eleanor Roosevelt thing and The Color Purple. But one answer that made me yelp was - and I don't even remember the question exactly ("answer") was "the Great British Baking --something"--. one syllable word -- which sounded wrong to me. Because in my market here it's called The Great British Baking Show, and that wasn't the response that was given. Maybe they asked for the name it has in England ? Did I mis-hear the question or the answer? Sorry, this probably is dumb, but it's still bothering me four hours later!

Speaking of Luke MacFarlane, whom I think of exclusively as a Canadian Hallmark actor, I was surprised to see him yesterday in two episodes of a 36-hour streaming of the 2012/2013 TV series 'Smash', all about Broadway and featuring mostly stage / New York actors. He was in the 2nd season as a guy who had won a Tony award the year before and was on the Tony voting committee. He may have a broader resume' than I'd thought, but it sure surprised me to see him in that environment. And speaking of cross-overs, one of the principal actors in 'Smash' was Jeremy Jordan, who has done two Hallmark movies, Holly and Ivy and Mix-Up in the Mediterranean. And who has won a Tony himself, I think, for Newsies.

I want to thank the person above who mentioned Loving Leah, which I just watched for the first time ever. It was really interesting, and delightful! And, an entirely unique story, with nary a pumpkin festival or old high school boyfriend in sight. So enjoyable ! Also I was surprised at the principal actors -- was not familiar with either of them, but the Leah has a heck of a bio, and the guy is adorable. Finally, I always love seeing Mercedes Ruehl. A big win all the way around, and I wouldn't have taken the time if I hadn't seen it mentioned here. Thanks! p.s. Have passed by the wine movie again, and am still pretty 'Meh' about it, except the scenery is beautiful.

Seeing the shout-out to McBride, I want to mention that my very favorite ever Hallmark movie, One Royal Holiday, is in the rotation today, and it really is excellent -- The story (for me anyway) is off a bit from the usuals, and the best part is the exceptional talent of all the leads - Broadway people who were available when this was filmed last year. There are a few Tony award nominees, one Tony winner (Victoria Clark / the Queen), and two of them -- Krystal Joy Brown and Aaron Tveit will be back on Broadway in the next few weeks. She is ((either Angelica or Eliza) Schuyler, in Hamilton, and he is the lead in Moulin Rouge). I've watched this a lot and every time appreciate more the subtlety of some of their acting. Such strong performances across the board, and characters I cared about. Just sayin'. 🙂

I just checked that and if the news articles are correct, it was just a one-night production of a show, and she quit because there was a requirement for all participants to be vaccinated. It also said that all Broadway productions are requiring full vaccinations for all. She says she and her husband consulted with a physician (?) and are still thinking about whether to vaccinate. Well, okay. That said, the promos are up for that Fall movie she is in -- obviously Hallmark doesn't have the vaccination requirements that Broadway does. This new one concerns wine makers (Formula story #27), with a hero from Argentina. How does this movie look to y'all? I'm unexcited.

Well, so true - but on a positive note, we have a strong affection for the ones a year or two or five ago, that were really good. The lessons seem obvious: ignore the traditional tropes (going home from big city to small town festival / father's farm etc), and try a different story (e.g. Very Merry Mix-Up comes to mind, and Most Wonderful Time of the Year). Also, bring in strong actors from elsewhere than the usual, but from Broadway and England . Maybe Jaime Camil would be available ??

Just read this a couple of days later, and wanted to say I am with you entirely on Bridal Wave, Very Merry Mix Up and Crown for Christmas. The male lead in Crown for Christmas is Rupert Penry-Jones, whom I saw a few years ago in a Persuasion (Jane Austen), and he played a slightly too young Captain Wentworth. I also watch / listen to "Master Class" episodes of Great British Baking Show, because he does the narrations. It's great when they pull in a really good British actor for their leads (Will Kemp is another), and a couple of years ago I liked a young actor named Jack Donnelly, who was the "Prince" in something like Royal Winter (could be off on that title). He hasn't been seen again. I'd bet a nickel they never get Rupert Penry-Jones back, though.