Countdown to Christmas 2024

[DanaMB]

A place to discuss Hallmark’s 2024 Countdown to Christmas and Miracles of Christmas movies. 

[Irlandesa]

Thanks for taking the leap!

I watched Christmas Crashers last night.  I loved the Indian wedding at the end and the friendship between the women.  The dialogue was snappier than I'm used to with these movies.

[Miss Anne Thrope]

I enjoyed Holiday Crashers for the most part.  As someone who grew up at Compo Beach, it was a little jarring to hear it specifically mentioned in the first 5 minutes (especially knowing Hallmark usually films in Vancouver). 

That being said, the formula was different enough (from the tiny, strangely specific family business in peril plot) that it seemed refreshing, and I loved the chemistry between Lyndsy Fonseca and Daniella Monet.  I'd watch them together again in a heartbeat.  The male leads were perfectly fine too, though I wanted to trim Chris McNally's hair just a little. 

[Kemper]

I knowI am in the minority, but Ioved Chris McNally's hair! 🥰

[GeorgiaRai]

12 hours ago, Kemper said:

I knowI am in the minority, but Ioved Chris McNally's hair! 🥰

I absolutely did, too!!

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

I wanted to like Holiday Crashers, always look forward to seeing Lyndsy Fonseca movies. I felt this movie reminded me of Wedding Crashers which worked for 2 guys out for free drinks ,free food, possibly hooking up with some hot women for hot sex. That movie was pretty funny. Somehow having two (mid to late 20's something) women doing the same schtick sans not going for hooking up with guys for hot sex, instead hoping to meet attractive well off(or not)  young men looking for a relationship, all the while lying about who they are,what they do tends to fall flat. Took Lyndsy"s character forever___ to tell the truth about not being a lawyer. The whole storyline about her Dad(or was he her Stepdad?) being downplayed as  the local advertised ambulance chaser lawyer firm  added little,but i was glad to see she finally got her license to practice law and be part of the family firm.  Movie was ok,just won't watch again.

[Irlandesa]

You guys aren't going to believe me, but I'm going to tell you anyway.  For a very long time, I've had the treatment in my head for a Hallmark movie that is very similar to tonight's movie, where a fed ropes a citizen into a spy plot in Scarecrow & Mrs. King style.  And while this movie is pretty different than the one in my head, which I never actually wrote, I'm still going to take credit for it. The stars in mine were Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo because of course!

I enjoyed The Christmas Charade quite a bit, although I liked the beginning a bit better than the middle. 

 

[kirinan]

1 hour ago, Irlandesa said:

You guys aren't going to believe me, but I'm going to tell you anyway.  For a very long time, I've had the treatment in my head for a Hallmark movie that is very similar to tonight's movie, where a fed ropes a citizen into a spy plot in Scarecrow & Mrs. King style.  And while this movie is pretty different than the one in my head, which I never actually wrote, I'm still going to take credit for it. The stars in mine were Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo because of course!

I enjoyed The Christmas Charade quite a bit, although I liked the beginning a bit better than the middle.

I really enjoyed The Christmas Charade. It was a fun movie, and I liked the two leads. 

But not gonna lie, I would like your treatment better because Autumn and Antonio.

For now, though, tonight’s movie will suffice until you can get yours written and casted. 

[Featherhat]

Oh, I didn't see this thread before! 

I enjoyed Holiday Crashers okay. I liked the fact that there was a strong friendship between Lyndsey and Daniella Monet's characters and that it wasn't all talking about guys, there was some real connection there. 

However I'm not a fan of the crashing parties trope, it just seems silly. There are so many other ways to "change your life" or have fun over the holidays than that. Toni even said in the beginning they're all the same because she had to go to them to network in law school. And they would certainly have attracted the attention of the hosts with the insane stories they were coming up with every time. 

I know there was a Hannukah party in there but they could have taken the opportunity to show case a wider variety of winter holidays. Sorry, I'm on a Diwali would be perfect for an early Hallmark C2C movie. I know they had the wedding at the end, which was beautiful and was partly what made me think about it. 

I thought it was a lot better than Operation Nutcracker that I also watched yesterday. I usually like Ashley Newbrough but this one was just stupid with the switching suitcases and not double checking. Meta calling out the romcom/Hallmark tropes they were using didn't make it any funnier, just more awkward for me. 

Edited October 27 by Featherhat

[DanaMB]

I’m trying to catch as many of these movies that I can on Peacock since I cut candle, but they are only available for two days. I thought I’d try Hallmark+ but a lot aren’t available on there so I canceled the free trial. Hope I can catch as many as I can. 
 

Watching Operation Nutcracker right now.  I like the actress. The movie is ok, though it’s more background noise for me today. 

[Daff]

Just watched the Sweeney/Matter movie and found it interesting. AS has always played strong female roles, and it was interesting seeing her character indecisive and full of suspicion and doubt. Although there were humorous moments, overall it was an interesting drama. Certainly a bit “meatier” than most of the offerings, with “dumb drama” thrown in during the last 15 minutes.

[Acmeproducts]

31 minutes ago, Daff said:

Just watched the Sweeney/Matter movie and found it interesting. AS has always played strong female roles, and it was interesting seeing her character indecisive and full of suspicion and doubt. Although there were humorous moments, overall it was an interesting drama. Certainly a bit “meatier” than most of the offerings, with “dumb drama” thrown in during the last 15 minutes.

It was a different more gritty Hallmark movie.

 

[Irlandesa]

1 hour ago, Daff said:

Just watched the Sweeney/Matter movie and found it interesting.

Thanks for mentioning it. I knew there was a Thursday movie coming up this week but I didn't know it started last week.  I can check it out On Demand. 

[Acmeproducts]

10 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

Thanks for mentioning it. I knew there was a Thursday movie coming up this week but I didn't know it started last week.  I can check it out On Demand. 

 

10 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

Thanks for mentioning it. I knew there was a Thursday movie coming up this week but I didn't know it started last week.  I can check it out On Demand. 

It’s airing again right now. 

[DanaMB]

I, too, thought This Time Each Year was not bad. I also liked that she came clean with her mother early in the movie. And I’m glad Peacock is airing the Miracles of Christmas movies so I can try and catch them.  

[Irlandesa]

56 minutes ago, Acmeproducts said:

 

It’s airing again right now. 

Ha. I should have looked but I went to make dinner so On Demand it is.

[Acmeproducts]

1 hour ago, DanaMB said:

I, too, thought This Time Each Year was not bad. I also liked that she came clean with her mother early in the movie. And I’m glad Peacock is airing the Miracles of Christmas movies so I can try and catch them.  

Her character could not have reasonably continued the charade for too long.

Did anyone else think Alison looked thinner?

[Kaoteek]

Watched Operation Nutcracker. Didn't hate it, kinda liked the more self-aware and laid-back tone, but it didn't quite manage to keep its momentum, and the final "fate a wizard Santa did it" didn't totally work for me. That said, Ann Pirvu is always a welcome addition to those movies, give her her own holiday romance, Hallmark.

Holiday Crashers was fun, and felt more modern and dynamic than most HM movies... but it didn't quite stick the landing either, as far as i'm concerned. Once the movie switched to the Vermont lodge, it noticeably slowed down, the lying got old, and honestly, the movie had three writers, and it sometimes felt like it, with uneven character development, and rushed bits here and there. I enjoyed having Daniella Monet back on screen, though. McNally's look ? Eh.

[Daff]

8 hours ago, Acmeproducts said:

Her character could not have reasonably continued the charade for too long.

Did anyone else think Alison looked thinner?

For the historical Xmas photos, yes. Both actors were definitely altered during those scenes. Current appearances, I think, may have made her appear thinner due to clothing styles. Matter must be lifting weights-don’t remember him having those guns!

[Irlandesa]

I wanted to like The 5 Year Christmas Party because I thought the concept was interesting and I like Katie Findlay.  I think she's one of the best newer additions to Hallmark movies.  And I know Jordan Fisher has been on Broadway and is talented. 

But something about it just got under my skin and irritated me.  I don't even think it was awful, I just felt like I bodily rejected it for some strange reason. I think part of the problem is I don't think Katie and Jordan had much chemistry and actually looked awkward together. 

[Notabug]

4 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I wanted to like The 5 Year Christmas Party because I thought the concept was interesting and I like Katie Findlay.  I think she's one of the best newer additions to Hallmark movies.  And I know Jordan Fisher has been on Broadway and is talented. 

But something about it just got under my skin and irritated me.  I don't even think it was awful, I just felt like I bodily rejected it for some strange reason. I think part of the problem is I don't think Katie and Jordan had much chemistry and actually looked awkward together. 

I liked the movie if only because it didn't follow the usual plot outline for Hallmark movies.  I also like Katie Findlay and I was glad to see some diversity in the casting of the romantic leads.  However, I agree, Katie and Jordan seemed more like brother/sister or best friends than a romantic pairing.  No wonder it took them more than 5 years to seal the deal.

[ECM1231]

6 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

The 5 Year Christmas Party

I'm either getting old, or the leads, especially Ms.  Findlay, have a bad case of the mumbles. I didn't understand half of what was being said. 

2 hours ago, Notabug said:

Katie and Jordan seemed more like brother/sister or best friends than a romantic pairing.  No wonder it took them more than 5 years to seal the deal.

😂

[Kaoteek]

The Christmas Charade was fun, but that's about it. I might have enjoyed it more if Sevier had toned down the gruff FBI agent schtick a little bit. That said, it was still enjoyable for what it was.

I really liked Twas the Date before Christmas, though. At first, I was a bit worried that the movie was trying too hard to be kooky, frenetic and excentric, but it all settled down, and I really likes the leads' chemistry in this one. Then again, last year, I wanted Amy Groening to get the lead in a movie because she was delightful in the Santa Summit, and there we go. Could have done without the real estate angle, though, it felt like it was only there to add some unnecessary tension at the end.

[absnow54]

I’ve been underwhelmed by the offerings so far. I wanted to like Twas the Date Before Christmas, but Robert Buckley already has a fake dating Christmas Movie, The Christmas Contract, which was better. 

I also struggled with Christmas Charade. Even though the concepts are fairly different, the entire movie all I could think was I’d rather be watching Catch Me if You Claus from last year.

Holiday Crashers has probably been the best of the bunch so far. Although, the romance felt forced. They’ve been striking out on chemistry more often than not. 

Which leads to The 5 Year Christmas Party. I agree with others, there was no chemistry between the leads, which is critical for a slow burn love story. I really like Jordan Fischer and Katie Findlay, so this was disappointing. It seemed very niche for theatre kids. 

[Badsamaritan]

Yeah, I feel like the producers get set on casting the leads without screen testing to make sure they have chemistry. Or, in the case of The Christmas Charade, they already had Rachel Skarsten and Corey Sevier on hand doing that Jazz Ramsey movie for HM Mystery and just decided, 'Hey, they're free. Let's throw them together again right quick'. For me, Corey is hit or miss and I didn't enjoy his character in the Jazz movie and didn't really enjoy it here either. There's nothing wrong with pairing up the same leads for different movies, they just need to make sure the couple has actual chemistry first, and I didn't really feel it between Rachel and Corey here. 

[Irlandesa]

I don't think they ever screen test for chemistry. It's why I've gotten to the point where I give points if I feel actual chemistry rather than detract for not having a ton of chemistry, as I don't feel strong chemistry with most Hallmark couples. 

For instance, I don't think it's super strong with Corey and Rachel, but overall, I thought it was fine, and they could carry the movie as reluctant co-workers.  It was just the kiss that made me go--hmm, whatever. But I had to subtract from the 5-Year Christmas Party because it felt almost like negative chemistry.  Every time they kissed or almost kissed, I thought 'no no no' to myself. 

[GeorgiaRai]

1 hour ago, Irlandesa said:

But I had to subtract from the 5-Year Christmas Party because it felt almost like negative chemistry.  Every time they kissed or almost kissed, I thought 'no no no' to myself. 

I'm not really a believer in "chemistry" - I just want two good actors that are convincing in their roles - but I completely agree in this case.  For whatever reason(s), this pairing was not believable or enjoyable.  About 30 minutes in, I went back to read the recap in the hopes that it was a friendship story, i.e. over the years, they tried dating, broke up & became distant, then reunited as friends in year 5.  Hopes = dashed.  

[Kaoteek]

Quite enjoyed 5-Year Christmas Party, despite the very niche theater kids framing that doesn't appeal to me at all nad the fact that i gotta admit the leads chemistry wasn't there. That said, there was some sort of Gilmorian vibe in the writing/dialogs/pacing/banter that I quite liked.

 

And funnily enough, I find the HM releases surprisingly decent so far - nothing groundbreaking, but there's clearly an attempt to refresh the roster, or skew younger, more dynamic, and less formulaïc.

Then again, I still shudder thinking back at some of those past seasons when there was maybe one or two enjoyable HM movies out of every 10-15 releases - and that's not even taking into account the plethora of bland, mediocre Lifetime/UpTV/ION movies, back when they still tried to compete...

Edited October 29 by Kaoteek

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

14 hours ago, absnow54 said:

I’ve been underwhelmed by the offerings so far. I wanted to like Twas the Date Before Christmas, but Robert Buckley already has a fake dating Christmas Movie, The Christmas Contract, which was better. 

I also struggled with Christmas Charade. Even though the concepts are fairly different, the entire movie all I could think was I’d rather be watching Catch Me if You Claus from last year.

Holiday Crashers has probably been the best of the bunch so far. Although, the romance felt forced. They’ve been striking out on chemistry more often than not. 

Which leads to The 5 Year Christmas Party. I agree with others, there was no chemistry between the leads, which is critical for a slow burn love story. I really like Jordan Fischer and Katie Findlay, so this was disappointing. It seemed very niche for theatre kids. 

You nailed it about The 5 Year Christmas Party. People into theatre,stage shows,acting, movie entertainment industry probably enjoyed it a lot and could relate to it. I get that, and know how people enjoy being a part of doing plays,trying to be sucessful  actors ,comedians etc... It's a tough industry to get get that break. Katie Findley is such a wonderfully talented actor and entertainer ,she can do it all. She really deserved a better movie. Loved her in Walker Independence series last year. 

[Featherhat]

I thought 5 Year Christmas Party was okay. I do like both leads though I thought they worked better as friends supporting each other growing into their careers than people who were each other's "one that got away". I think if you're going to do pining and time jumps there needs to be a very good reason why they're still interested after so long or why they haven't just gone for it and I didn't think they really conveyed that here. I presume that quite a few actors enjoy playing parts where they're struggling actors because most of them have experienced it. Just like there's nothing TV/movie writers seem to like more than writing about genius writers. 

I do think Hallmark changing up some of the usual formats is a good thing though.

Again none of the ratings are really setting a high benchmark for Hallmark right now, I think they really are starting too early, the ones before C2C started got better numbers. 

http://www.thetvratingsguide.com/search/label/Hallmark movie ratings?max-results=5

[GeorgiaRai]

Christmas movies NEVER start too early for viewers like me!  I don't think the network expects December-levels of viewership this time of year, but it doesn't make sense that they'd air them now if they knew other programming would bring in better numbers or benefit them in some other way.  But I don't claim to understand the business side of things. 

I think it's nice to see these now, then when they re-air during the actual holidays, they're familiar but still new-ish.  Plus, sometimes movies grow on me, and I like them more after seeing them again (and again... lol). 

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

To some extent, there's a ton of households watching football games on Saturday or Sunday, but who knows.... As for me to watch a Hallmark movie( or actually any movie or series) again and again it has to be a really well written and acted storyline and attractive cast.

[Ele]

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries has a new movie tonight called My Sweet Austrian Holiday. It has a “chocolate shop”  theme starting Kemp and Bristow. Curious to see if it will be the same quality as the other chocolate movie they were in with Chabert.

[Badsamaritan]

13 hours ago, Ele said:

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries has a new movie tonight called My Sweet Austrian Holiday. It has a “chocolate shop”  theme starting Kemp and Bristow. Curious to see if it will be the same quality as the other chocolate movie they were in with Chabert.

I like both Kemp and Bristow but since I already saw the other chocolate movie, I'm having a hard time seeing any chemistry between Kemp and Bristow in the ads. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Acmeproducts]

16 hours ago, Ele said:

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries has a new movie tonight called My Sweet Austrian Holiday. It has a “chocolate shop”  theme starting Kemp and Bristow. Curious to see if it will be the same quality as the other chocolate movie they were in with Chabert.

LOL. It does sound like the one with Lacey.

[MerBearHou]

I just stumbled upon Carol for Two tonight and recognized the actress from the delightful Hallmark Rockettes movie a couple of years ago, so I decided to give it a go.  I love Broadway and Carol for Two was a wonderful surprise for me.  The singing talent of the two leads and the natural way the songs were worked in at the Fiore’s Club — it all made for a charming movie.  Hearing some of my all-time favorite Christmas carols even made me tear up a little.  The chemistry of the leads was wonderful.  The very, very annoying cousin was funny but overdone.  There was a bit of Cyrano de Bergerac in Alex trying to give his cousin pointers on how to woo Violette.  It had so much NYC Christmas which added to its charm.  I found it delightful and will happily watch again (but you do need to enjoy the Broadway vibe IMO).  

Edited November 2 by MerBearHou

[BuckeyeLou]

33 minutes ago, MerBearHou said:

I just stumbled upon Carol for Two tonight and recognized the actress from the delightful Hallmark Rockettes movie a couple of years ago, so I decided to give it a go.  I love Broadway and Carol for Two was a wonderful surprise for me.  The singing talent of the two leads and the natural way the songs were worked in at the Fiore’s Club — it all made for a charming movie.  Hearing some of my all-time favorite Christmas carols even made me tear up a little.  The chemistry of the leads was wonderful.  The very, very annoying cousin was funny but overdone.  There was a bit of Cyrano de Bergerac in Alex trying to give his cousin pointers on how to woo Violette.  It had so much NYC Christmas which added to its charm.  I found it delightful and will happily watch again (but you do need to enjoy the Broadway vibe IMO).  

I loved the singing, especially hearing Christmas carols...the actress playing Violet is such a good singer & I remember that Rockettes movie & enjoyed that one too.  It was charming & the leads had chemistry.  I agree that the annoying cousin was hard to watch.  "Carol for Two" is one of the more enjoyable Hallmark movies I've watched recently.

[jpgr]

1 hour ago, MerBearHou said:

I just stumbled upon Carol for Two tonight and recognized the actress from the delightful Hallmark Rockettes movie a couple of years ago, so I decided to give it a go.  I love Broadway and Carol for Two was a wonderful surprise for me.  The singing talent of the two leads and the natural way the songs were worked in at the Fiore’s Club — it all made for a charming movie.  Hearing some of my all-time favorite Christmas carols even made me tear up a little.  The chemistry of the leads was wonderful.  The very, very annoying cousin was funny but overdone.  There was a bit of Cyrano de Bergerac in Alex trying to give his cousin pointers on how to woo Violette.  It had so much NYC Christmas which added to its charm.  I found it delightful and will happily watch again (but you do need to enjoy the Broadway vibe IMO).  

I recognized the actress from last year's Heidelberg movie, but had forgotten about the Rockettes movie. She does have a fantastic voice.

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

I'll have to look for Carol For Two ,sounds like a wonderful Christmas movie. I too liked the Rockettes movie from a couple of years ago. 

[Irlandesa]

I think I was bored by the Rockettes movie but I did remember the star.  I liked a lot of Carol For Two.  I thought the actress who played Hazel was so authentic.  The singing was fantastic.

But I too was annoyed with the cousin and, by extension, it made me annoyed with the lead male.  The podcast the cousin was listening to was clearly modeled after some of the awful manosphere podcasts and I wasn't enamored with the lead acting like his cousin's douchebaggery was the fault of the ex-girlfriend.  I don't care if she was awful*, he's responsible for his behavior and the media he chooses to believe/consume. 

(*I guess we just have to trust the characters, but considering Brad didn't have a job, are we supposed to think she's awful for getting fed up of that man-child?)

And then the lead just went along with a continued deception.  But I guess the lead actress was lying to her dad so maybe they are simpatico.

But they did have good voices and decent chemistry.

[Ele]

7 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I think I was bored by the Rockettes movie but I did remember the star.  I liked a lot of Carol For Two.  I thought the actress who played Hazel was so authentic.  The singing was fantastic.

But I too was annoyed with the cousin and, by extension, it made me annoyed with the lead male.  The podcast the cousin was listening to was clearly modeled after some of the awful manosphere podcasts and I wasn't enamored with the lead acting like his cousin's douchebaggery was the fault of the ex-girlfriend.  I don't care if she was awful*, he's responsible for his behavior and the media he chooses to believe/consume. 

(*I guess we just have to trust the characters, but considering Brad didn't have a job, are we supposed to think she's awful for getting fed up of that man-child?)

And then the lead just went along with a continued deception.  But I guess the lead actress was lying to her dad so maybe they are simpatico.

But they did have good voices and decent chemistry.

I didn’t watch but they are both Broadway actors and in Wicked. She was Glinda and he’s playing Fiyero. Last year she was in the Rockettes movie with a different Fiyero, ha!

[chitowngirl]

12 hours ago, One4Sorrow2TooBad said:

I'll have to look for Carol For Two ,sounds like a wonderful Christmas movie. I too liked the Rockettes movie from a couple of years ago. 

Carol for Two is on tonight (11/2) at 6:00 ET. A Crown for Christmas is on before it at 4:00!

[MerBearHou]

One more note about Carol for Two — the actress playing Hazel, owner of Fiore’s, was perfection.  So natural, so wonderful.  I thought she added a lot to the story.  

[ECM1231]

Just finished watching Carol for Two tonight. Wow, I think this is my favorite Christmas movie of the season so far. What talents! 

[Irlandesa]

A publication said if there was one holiday movie to watch this weekend, it should be Our Holiday Story.  I have to say that I disagree.  I really like Nikki Loache and Warren Christie, but that was one boring "Here's How We Met" story. 

[jpgr]

17 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

A publication said if there was one holiday movie to watch this weekend, it should be Our Holiday Story.  I have to say that I disagree.  I really like Nikki Loache and Warren Christie, but that was one boring "Here's How We Met" story. 

None of the previews made me want to watch

1 hour ago, MerBearHou said:

One more note about Carol for Two — the actress playing Hazel, owner of Fiore’s, was perfection.  So natural, so wonderful.  I thought she added a lot to the story.  

Charlotte d'Amboise is a major Broadway star, so she was really in her element as Hazel.

[DanaMB]

20 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

A publication said if there was one holiday movie to watch this weekend, it should be Our Holiday Story.  I have to say that I disagree.  I really like Nikki Loache and Warren Christie, but that was one boring "Here's How We Met" story. 

I didn’t mind it but I wouldn’t call it one to watch. It was pleasant enough. Noting groundbreaking for sure. 
 

I was just happy I remembered I can watch Hallmark live through Peacock so I got to watch it and may be able to catch the reruns of ones I missed that way. 

[Notabug]

2 hours ago, ECM1231 said:

Just finished watching Carol for Two tonight. Wow, I think this is my favorite Christmas movie of the season so far. What talents! 

I also enjoyed Carol for Two. When the lead actress started singing, I was blown away, what a beautiful voice!  I loved the Broadway hopefuls doing the Christmas songs in Hazel's club and would've been more than happy with a 2 hour variety special featuring those acts instead of another dull Christmas movie.

[Orcinus orca]

8 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

A publication said if there was one holiday movie to watch this weekend, it should be Our Holiday Story.  I have to say that I disagree.  I really like Nikki Loache and Warren Christie, but that was one boring "Here's How We Met" story. 

Fell asleep a quarter of the way through.  What a snooze.

[EtheltoTillie]

So much to keep up with as usual—to weed the wheat from the chaff. 
I’m not feeling The 5 Year Christmas Party.  Turning it off. Anyone else?