Countdown to Christmas 2024

[ECM1231]

30 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

I also appreciated how both of these stories were told around their work as first responders instead of things like cookie baking contestants or hot cocoa. 

Totally agree. Very enjoyable.

Edited November 23 by ECM1231

[Notabug]

5 hours ago, ECM1231 said:

Totally agree. Very enjoyable.

It was finally a different twist for Hallmark. It was refreshing to see characters in a realistic setting, one that almost everyone has some experience with.  A change of pace from the usual tiny town with daily Christmas events.  Nice also to see characters with realistic jobs who were proud of their work

[absnow54]

I liked Christmas on Call too. I wouldn’t necessarily put it on my rewatch list, but I actually watched it all the way through and paid attention most of the time. They get extra points for properly portraying someone whose too busy to unpack their apartment. 

I also thought all the Eagles references were vague and unauthorized (the first Eagles sweatshirt looked really fake) but I guess it was a part of Donna Kelce’s Hallmark contract that she fairly represent both of her sons’ teams if she was going to do their Kansas City Chief’s movie. I have a feeling that Christmas on Call will be the better of the two. 

[EtheltoTillie]

I liked it well enough. The last fire was ridiculous. The lead actress was a bit wooden.  Wes was kinda hot/flirty. He had no chemistry with the lead. But I enjoyed all the stories about the locals and how everyone knew him and loved him. 

[chitowngirl]

It’s “Three Wise Men and a Baby” and “Three Wiser Men and a Boy” day!

[Orcinus orca]

I lived Christmas on Call for my entire nursing career beginning as an EMT.  Trust me, life is nothing like Hallmark fantasies.  I kept trying to like it but, well, nope.  They broke so many rules as first responders that none of them would have still been employed within six months.

I realize this isn't a documentary but the lack of chemistry (which has plagued this season so far) was a big turn off as well.

[bankerchick]

 

7 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Wes was kinda hot/flirty. He had no chemistry with the lead.

True.  I really liked both of them and thought they would be fun friends but there was no spark.  I did really like the movie though.

[DanaMB]

16 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I enjoyed Christmas On Call.  The lead couple had a sexy flirty vibe that worked for me more than many of the couples on Hallmark usually do.  And I liked the secondary couple as well.

I also appreciated how both of these stories were told around their work as first responders instead of things like cookie baking contestants or hot cocoa. 

I really enjoyed it too. It didn’t feel like a typical Hallmark movie. 

[Notabug]

4 hours ago, Orcinus orca said:

I lived Christmas on Call for my entire nursing career beginning as an EMT.  Trust me, life is nothing like Hallmark fantasies.  I kept trying to like it but, well, nope.  They broke so many rules as first responders that none of them would have still been employed within six months.

I realize this isn't a documentary but the lack of chemistry (which has plagued this season so far) was a big turn off as well.

I guess I've become immune to bad medicine on TV over the years.  There was a lot of unrealistic stuff, but no moreso than any other Hallmark movie. Tonight, we've got a sequel to 3 Wise Men and a Baby in which one of the characters took an infant to the ER for treatment of a rash.  He didn't know the baby's full name, didn't have any way to contact the mother, no information on the baby's overall health or insurance coverage.  Nada.  Not only did the ER doc treat the kid, she spoke to him as if he were the kid's legal parent or guardian. Not a social worker in sight.

There was that one with Candace Cameron Bure where she ended up in Alaska working as a family practitioner after her father the doctor was unable to get her into the surgical fellowship she wanted,  She walks right into the clinic and practices as a family practitioner despite having absolutely no training or experience in the field.  There was another one where Patrick Duffy played the father, a family practitioner.  His daughter, also a doctor with subspecialty training in something other than family practice comes home for Christmas and steps right into his practice seeing patients.

I'm sure that attorneys, accountants, bartenders and mail carriers also see the big  errors in the way their jobs are portrayed, too.

Edited November 23 by Notabug

[EtheltoTillie]

31 minutes ago, Notabug said:

I guess I've become immune to bad medicine on TV over the years.  There was a lot of unrealistic stuff, but no moreso than any other Hallmark movie. Tonight, we've got a sequel to 3 Wise Men and a Baby in which one of the characters took an infant to the ER for treatment of a rash.  He didn't know the baby's full name, didn't have any way to contact the mother, no information on the baby's overall health or insurance coverage.  Nada.  Not only did the ER doc treat the kid, she spoke to him as if he were the kid's legal parent or guardian. Not a social worker in sight.

There was that one with Candace Cameron Bure where she ended up in Alaska working as a family practitioner after her father the doctor was unable to get her into the surgical fellowship she wanted,  She walks right into the clinic and practices as a family practitioner despite having absolutely no training or experience in the field.  There was another one where Patrick Duffy played the father, a family practitioner.  His daughter, also a doctor with subspecialty training in something other than family practice comes home for Christmas and steps right into his practice seeing patients.

I'm sure that attorneys, accountants, bartenders and mail carriers also see the big  errors in the way their jobs are portrayed, too.

Yes. I posted last week about the legal ethics in Holiday Crashers. 

[EtheltoTillie]

I'm rewatching Three Wise Men and a Baby before the sequel comes on. 

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

1 hour ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Yes. I posted last week about the legal ethics in Holiday Crashers. 

Lol, yep, when it comes to Hallmark movies or really most movies,tv series etc... , just gotta  scratch reality off the list and go with the flow. 

[chitowngirl]

Loving the mini story going on in the Burger King commercials during Three Wiser Men…

[Artsda]

I love Three Weiser men sequel, great comedy with them. 

[EtheltoTillie]

I really liked the sequel too!  It’s great how this series is about people with human foibles. It really elevates it above the other offerings.  

5 hours ago, chitowngirl said:

Loving the mini story going on in the Burger King commercials during Three Wiser Men…

Now I have to go back and look!  I was fast forwarding through the commercials. 

[EtheltoTillie]

I went back to watch the Burger King commercials.  I liked the story but the guy had the most hideous wig/hairstyle.  I couldn't take my eyes off it.  What were they thinking?

[Notabug]

I enjoyed 3 Wiser Men, too.  It helps that the 3 leads are just about the most charismatic, talented actors in the Hallmark stable.  The story was also fairly relatable and the characters acted in fairly believable ways, even the silly stuff.  Loved Kimberly Sustad's cameo with a wink to sequels.

[EtheltoTillie]

On 11/11/2024 at 5:17 PM, kirinan said:

I also watched 'Tis the Season to be Irish (hmm, I just noticed that I seem to have a thing for leading apostrophes this year). I really enjoyed it—maybe not quite as much as 'Twas the Date, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The actors were good, the scenery was beautiful, and the story was not too fluffy for my fluff tolerance level. I absolutely loved the friendship that developed between the three women (I cried a little when the singer sang Danny Boy on the cliff), and I thought there was chemistry between the two leads. Yes, there were a fair amount of the Ireland stereotypes you see in Irish-set movies and books, but I guess I was in the mood for them, and I was able to hand wave things I might have picked on in another movie.

 

I finally tried watching the Irish movie, and I could not finish.  I found their clashes annoying and just overall dull.  I guess I should fast forward and watch the singing.

[kirinan]

2 hours ago, Notabug said:

I enjoyed 3 Wiser Men, too.  It helps that the 3 leads are just about the most charismatic, talented actors in the Hallmark stable.  The story was also fairly relatable and the characters acted in fairly believable ways, even the silly stuff.  Loved Kimberly Sustad's cameo with a wink to sequels.

I really enjoyed it, too. I laughed out loud a lot. And all the new people were well cast, I thought. In fact, my favorite part was the Tyler Hynes-Erin Karpluk storyline. They were SO good together. Like you said, Notabug, Andrew, Paul, and Tyler are pretty much the royalty of Hallmark, and this movie showed why. They brought the comedy, and they handled the feels just as well. (And the Kimberley Sustad cameo just makes me want more Kimberley/Paul movies! C'mon, Hallmark, go with your strengths instead of more bland newcomers.)

I will say, I haven't watched many new movies this season, but the few I have seen, I've been happy with. Over the last couple of days, I saw the Christmas race movie with Ashley Williams and Andrew Walker and enjoyed that (I don't really have any problems with Ashley Williams, though).

And last night, I saw Confessions of a Christmas Letter was on after the Three Wiser Men movie and was too lazy to change the channel. However, I ended up liking it. The mother drove me bonkers, but the end kind of redeemed her. Really would like to see more of the actor who played the author—he was very good—and I can't be unhappy seeing Sara Botsford aka Ann from E.N.G. (loved that show!), even as the villain.

I have to check, but I think the next movie I plan to watch is the one with Kristoffer Polaha and Lacey Chabert. Oh, and the football movie with Tyler Hynes. I hope they both meet my expectations, but at least I know I'll like the actors.

Edited November 24 by kirinan

[Irlandesa]

I thought the sequel last night was okay.  I thought the first one was funnier but overall, I wasn't as into the original as others.  I liked it a lot but it wasn't one that I feel like I absolutely have to rewatch. 

I think my biggest issue with the sequel was how stagnant 2 of the 3 brothers were.  Andrew Walker's character was the one character who had progressed to a different place in life being married, a chief and had a new struggle of feeling like he's not as hip as he used to be. He's still a good person but just going through a little mid-life something.  But Paul's character and his girlfriend waited 5 years for a proposal or even discussing marriage.  These people are in their late 30s/early 40s.  Five years is a choice. 

And Tyler's character had actually regressed from where we left him.  His ex is now his ex again and not mentioned.  It's one thing for him to have standards and not sell if he could support himself but his business is failing, he's getting kicked out of his apartment and he's using deception to move into his mom's basement.  Then, his new love interest (who was a fun character) is basically the female version of him.  Maybe I missed something but did this end up being a couple who are choosing to be broke out of principle and living in their parents' basements?  I guess people not changing is at least realistic.

[ehall1052]

To me, Christmas on Call felt almost like a pilot for a show: lots of extra characters, subplots not having much depth but the possibility of added depth there, settings in police station, fire station, and hospital which is very popular settings in TV now. I liked it ok except for the so called climatic rescue of the fireman at the end. 

[EtheltoTillie]

1 hour ago, Irlandesa said:

I thought the sequel last night was okay.  I thought the first one was funnier but overall, I wasn't as into the original as others.  I liked it a lot but it wasn't one that I feel like I absolutely have to rewatch. 

I think my biggest issue with the sequel was how stagnant 2 of the 3 brothers were.  Andrew Walker's character was the one character who had progressed to a different place in life being married, a chief and had a new struggle of feeling like he's not as hip as he used to be. He's still a good person but just going through a little mid-life something.  But Paul's character and his girlfriend waited 5 years for a proposal or even discussing marriage.  These people are in their late 30s/early 40s.  Five years is a choice. 

And Tyler's character had actually regressed from where we left him.  His ex is now his ex again and not mentioned.  It's one thing for him to have standards and not sell if he could support himself but his business is failing, he's getting kicked out of his apartment and he's using deception to move into his mom's basement.  Then, his new love interest (who was a fun character) is basically the female version of him.  Maybe I missed something but did this end up being a couple who are choosing to be broke out of principle and living in their parents' basements?  I guess people not changing is at least realistic.

These are great comments. I thought of every single one of these problems also while watching the movie.  I kept slapping my head.   I still liked it, though. I like the actors a lot, I guess, and the premise about how they stick together and help Thomas. 

Edited November 24 by EtheltoTillie

[kirinan]

40 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

These are great comments. I thought of every single one of these problems also while watching the movie.  I kept slapping my head.   I still liked it, though. I like the actors a lot, I guess, and the premise about how they stick together and help Thomas. 

Oh, I thought of those things watching the movie, too—especially about Tyler's character—but I still liked it. I also admit my standards for what qualifies as a "good" Hallmark movie have come down over time. But that's partly due to needing some escape these days and being more willing to settle than I used to be. This one fit the bill.

[DanaMB]

1 hour ago, kirinan said:

Oh, I thought of those things watching the movie, too—especially about Tyler's character—but I still liked it. I also admit my standards for what qualifies as a "good" Hallmark movie have come down over time. But that's partly due to needing some escape these days and being more willing to settle than I used to be. This one fit the bill.

I looked at it like what I’ve seen people refer to as popcorn movies. Nothing to take seriously, just watch and enjoy. I need that distraction these days. 

[voiceover]

So. Three Wiser Men…[ponders for a moment]

I laughed.  A lot.  I was charmed.  Frequently.  A Kim S cameo with a sly nod at the film’s conceit?  Yes plz.

Most of all, I appreciated that this felt true to life.  In the messy, backsliding way true life has: you change, you grow, you improve…then five years later, you’ve put the pounds back on.

At least this time, their love of Thomas — and their mom — was shared & constant, and got them to come to all the right conclusions.  Stephan’s came slowest, but he was the most neurotic.  Combine that with middle-child, and we can be grateful he got there at all.

Oh: and that 4-person Nutcracker choreo??  I coulda just pinched all four of ‘em.

10/10, no notes.
 

 

 

[Notabug]

10 hours ago, voiceover said:

So. Three Wiser Men…[ponders for a moment]

I laughed.  A lot.  I was charmed.  Frequently.  A Kim S cameo with a sly nod at the film’s conceit?  Yes plz.

Most of all, I appreciated that this felt true to life.  In the messy, backsliding way true life has: you change, you grow, you improve…then five years later, you’ve put the pounds back on.

At least this time, their love of Thomas — and their mom — was shared & constant, and got them to come to all the right conclusions.  Stephan’s came slowest, but he was the most neurotic.  Combine that with middle-child, and we can be grateful he got there at all.

Oh: and that 4-person Nutcracker choreo??  I coulda just pinched all four of ‘em.

10/10, no notes.
 

 

 

I very much appreciated that all 3 brothers were absolutely devoted to Thomas and his well being; not just his dad.  It was a good reminder that history doesn't have to repeat itself; that people who've had difficult childhoods/absent parents can overcome them and not repeat the pattern but actually be better.  The generally healthy relationship with their mother was also nicely displayed.

[DanaMB]

I did not enjoy To Have and to Holiday. Mainly because I did not like the father. This could have been a cute comedy with the “tests”, but instead it felt mean spirited. Bring back the fluff. lol 

[GeorgiaRai]

13 minutes ago, DanaMB said:

I did not enjoy To Have and to Holiday. Mainly because I did not like the father. This could have been a cute comedy with the “tests”, but instead it felt mean spirited. Bring back the fluff. lol 

I agree!

So much of it was good - the couple, the town's people, the bootcamp events, even the ex; cute, quirky & fun.  But they took the dad way beyond skeptical & protective to mean and spiteful.  It's the same reason I didn't like the Singh movie.  

[Kemper]

I see where "Picture a Perfect Christmas" is on again. It seems that this movie is always repeated and repeated every time Halllmark has a Christmas in July; actually, anytime there is a block of Christmas movies. I like Merritt Patterson, no opinion of the male lead ... John something. It wasn't a bad movie but it just seems that it is on more than a lot of the others. I am crabby tonight and I don't like the male lead's hair. 

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

You're right, PaPC is a regular and I've seen it twice. Not bad if you've never seen it, nice storyline, a 6.8/10 .

[Kemper]

I saw a little bit of "Ghost of Christmas Always earlier"; had never seen it before and wished I had watched from the beginning. I really liked it; liked the cast, especially Kim Matula. She was on the soap "Bold and the Beautiful" for awhile, I think.  

Speaking of Soaps - Hunter King was on The Young and the Restless (I do watch that one). She seems to be getting the push from Hallmark. 

[Badsamaritan]

2 hours ago, Kemper said:

I saw a little bit of "Ghost of Christmas Always earlier"; had never seen it before and wished I had watched from the beginning. I really liked it; liked the cast, especially Kim Matula. She was on the soap "Bold and the Beautiful" for awhile, I think.  

Speaking of Soaps - Hunter King was on The Young and the Restless (I do watch that one). She seems to be getting the push from Hallmark. 

Ghosts of Christmas Always is one of my faves. I remember Kim from B&B, she played Hope. I really like her, she's got an 'old Hollywood' look about her plus she has really good comic timing, I don't know why HM doesn't use her more. If they're looking for 'younger' talent, she's only 36 they need to scoop her up and lock that down. Mallory Jansen is another younger actress that gives me that same kinda feel, and I like her too.  

Agreed about To Have and to Holiday, the father was awful. I really hate movies like that because the dads are so over the top about their daughters that it gives me a squicky feeling. Same feeling I get over those 'girls who pledge abstinence to their fathers' thing. It infantilizes the daughter and it's not cute or funny, it's just weird. I couldn't get through this movie or the Singh's movie for the same reason. In 2024, it's just not a good look. And, @GeorgiaRaiis right, they could've still had all that other stuff without the dad being a gigantic dill hole. 

I'm really curious about the ratings for these current crop of movies.....

[absnow54]

2 hours ago, Kemper said:

I saw a little bit of "Ghost of Christmas Always earlier"; had never seen it before and wished I had watched from the beginning. I really liked it; liked the cast, especially Kim Matula. She was on the soap "Bold and the Beautiful" for awhile, I think. 

I love this one and have it on my DVR list. She’s great and I love Ian Harding as an anti-Scrooge, desperately trying to figure out how to become an even better person. 

[Badsamaritan]

Did the same folks who wrote Haul Out the Holly also write that dreadful sequel? Every time I see it, I get irritated all over again at the addition of those dumb ass Johnsons and long for a remake without them and just have the competition be between Pamela and Ned. Their rivalry was already established in HOtH, I don't know who thought bringing in outsiders would make the movie better. I loved those crazy Evergreen lane inhabitants and the Johnsons brought nothing to the table except my derision. I really wish we could lift them right out and have the sequel we should've had because I liked everything except them. 🤷🏽‍♀️😒

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

16 hours ago, Kemper said:

I saw a little bit of "Ghost of Christmas Always earlier"; had never seen it before and wished I had watched from the beginning. I really liked it; liked the cast, especially Kim Matula. She was on the soap "Bold and the Beautiful" for awhile, I think.  

Speaking of Soaps - Hunter King was on The Young and the Restless (I do watch that one). She seems to be getting the push from Hallmark. 

Finally got to see all of The Santa Summit with Hunter King. This one was really entertaining. All 3 girls played their roles perfect (actually, everyone did) and all had a happy ending.  Definitely worth a watch if you haven't seen it. 

[MissyPoo]

On 11/16/2024 at 1:12 PM, Badsamaritan said:

Agreed. I think it would have made more sense if she were a VP in her mom's company but was all about the business and finances, but her mom has a softer heart. TC could discover her mom's decades-long giving to the town where she was born and then her mom makes her go on the quest to find them herself in order to take over the company and find the giving spirit so she'll continue on once she's in charge. 

I would definitely enjoy watching this version of the movie more!

 

On 11/15/2024 at 11:45 PM, Daff said:

I was looking forward to the Taylor Cole movie, but it turned out to have a surreal feel to it. As others said, she was too old for the lessons the task was supposed to instill, and the mom’s motivations kept changing throughout the movie. It’s almost as if the main characters were working off different scripts, and the director didn’t have one. TC was much more convincing in the movie where she goes off to find her estranged uncle. That said, I really liked seeing all the veteran Hallmark actors in this movie. They came together to convey the heartwarming feeling of a close knit community very well.

Long Lost Christmas! I love that movie so much. It's one of my comfy watches.

 

On 11/17/2024 at 11:56 AM, Kaoteek said:

Speaking of diversity, Unwrapping Christmas 2 : Mia's prince was your standard Hallmark Royal movie, only with black actors and a romance novel twist that probably could have led to something better (the exact same movie, but with an ending like "the Prince was all in her head and she's still single, but now she's more confident, stronger, and isnt afraid to speak her mind" might have been more interesting than what we got there). I liked the lead actress, and it was easily better than UC1, but that's about it.

This was on my watchlist but yeah it was standard fare. I like Kathryn Davis though and had to tune it. I think I was cooking at the time so it was a nice distraction. Not sure I'll watch it again. I see she has another royal movie that I recently discovered. Hope that one is better.

 

On 11/25/2024 at 6:08 PM, Kemper said:

I see where "Picture a Perfect Christmas" is on again. It seems that this movie is always repeated and repeated every time Halllmark has a Christmas in July; actually, anytime there is a block of Christmas movies. I like Merritt Patterson, no opinion of the male lead ... John something. It wasn't a bad movie but it just seems that it is on more than a lot of the others. I am crabby tonight and I don't like the male lead's hair. 

 

On 11/25/2024 at 8:24 PM, One4Sorrow2TooBad said:

You're right, PaPC is a regular and I've seen it twice. Not bad if you've never seen it, nice storyline, a 6.8/10 .

This is one of my fave background movies. I don't really pay attention to it much past the first few minutes but if I'm doing something, it's nice to have on, and doesn't annoy me as much as some others.

 

As an aside, I had Christmas Under the Lights on my watchlist and was happy it lived up to my enjoyment. Mark G and Heather H brought the googly eyes and chemistry. It was tropey Hallmark-wise, but it also had one of my fave romance-y tropes (brother's best friend) and of course animosity-to-lovers (not one of my faves, but Hallmark loves it). I identified a lot with how Heather's character felt after losing her mom. I'll definitely be rewatching it in the future.

So far, I enjoyed this one and Scouting for Christmas the most, but I haven't really watched many others. Only Operation Nutcracker (eh), A Reason For the Season (nah), Unwrapping Christmas: Mia’s Prince (eh), and A Novel Noel (cute). The latter's premise reminded me of Christmas Around the Corner from Lifetime with a little bit with more Hallmark-y syrup on it.

Next up on my list is Believe in Christmas. I'm curious to see how Meghan Ory and John Reardon's chemistry works as a married couple on screen. Plus, I haven't seen John Reardon since The Christmas Secret (a fave of mine).

[EtheltoTillie]

On 11/26/2024 at 10:54 AM, Badsamaritan said:

Ghosts of Christmas Always is one of my faves. I remember Kim from B&B, she played Hope. I really like her, she's got an 'old Hollywood' look about her plus she has really good comic timing, I don't know why HM doesn't use her more. If they're looking for 'younger' talent, she's only 36 they need to scoop her up and lock that down. Mallory Jansen is another younger actress that gives me that same kinda feel, and I like her too.  

Agreed about To Have and to Holiday, the father was awful. I really hate movies like that because the dads are so over the top about their daughters that it gives me a squicky feeling. Same feeling I get over those 'girls who pledge abstinence to their fathers' thing. It infantilizes the daughter and it's not cute or funny, it's just weird. I couldn't get through this movie or the Singh's movie for the same reason. In 2024, it's just not a good look. And, @GeorgiaRaiis right, they could've still had all that other stuff without the dad being a gigantic dill hole. 

I'm really curious about the ratings for these current crop of movies.....

Thanks for reminding me of Ghosts of Christmas Always.  I realized I had seen part of it when I started watching, but not the whole thing. At the very beginning I remembered the scene near the end where they were in the store and she goes outside and gets run over.  That was so vivid in my memory.  So I’m glad I got to watch the whole thing. 

Edited Thursday at 10:42 AM by EtheltoTillie

[absnow54]

I was able to watch Ghost of Christmas Always off my DVR and it really holds up, especially compared to this year’s other offerings. Ian Harding is so charismatic with his endless rambling, and the leads have such great chemistry. I saw that he’s in the Hallmark+ Christmas movies (or I guess this one’s a Christmas limited series) and he’s the male lead in Lindsey Lohan’s Netflix Christmas movie this year. 

[debbie311]

On 11/26/2024 at 7:54 AM, Badsamaritan said:

Agreed about To Have and to Holiday, the father was awful. I really hate movies like that because the dads are so over the top about their daughters that it gives me a squicky feeling. Same feeling I get over those 'girls who pledge abstinence to their fathers' thing. It infantilizes the daughter and it's not cute or funny, it's just weird. I couldn't get through this movie or the Singh's movie for the same reason. In 2024, it's just not a good look. And, @GeorgiaRaiis right, they could've still had all that other stuff without the dad being a gigantic dill hole. 

I'm really curious about the ratings for these current crop of movies.....

I agree about the dad. Also bugged me how the wife and daughter catered to him.

[GeorgiaRai]

It took me a few minutes into To Have and to Holiday to realize Celeste was ghost Ruby from 3 Bed.  I liked her in both!

[Daff]

Just watched Joyful Mrs. Miracle. This one’s a keeper, and definitely wasn’t low budget. The setting was grand (although it was probably filmed in several locations). The story was solid, as were the actors. They all seemed like they had fun making this. There was just enough magic and humor.

[Kaoteek]

The Three Wise Men sequel was fun. I think I'd rate it slightly below the original, but still, cute. Didn't care for A Novel Noel, too derivative. Unwrapping Christmas 3 was bland. UC4 (with Busby and Jake Epstein) was probably the better of the four, but it was still very low-key, forgettable and they overdid it on the fake snow (gotta love foam flying all over whenever a car drives on a road).

[EtheltoTillie]

2 hours ago, Daff said:

Just watched Joyful Mrs. Miracle. This one’s a keeper, and definitely wasn’t low budget. The setting was grand (although it was probably filmed in several locations). The story was solid, as were the actors. They all seemed like they had fun making this. There was just enough magic and humor.

I liked it too.  I thought it was clever that they were modeling it after Succession.  They even tried to make one brother look like Kieran Culkin. 

[EtheltoTillie]

20 hours ago, GeorgiaRai said:

It took me a few minutes into To Have and to Holiday to realize Celeste was ghost Ruby from 3 Bed.  I liked her in both!

I refuse to watch To Have and to Holiday, but I looked up 3 Bed, which I'd never even heard of.  I liked the actress a lot.  I also loved the '20s costumes and her makeup.  She had a face that was perfect for that era. 

[Woopwoopkitty]

Holiday Crashers was for me the best movie to far this year...... on par with Haul out the Holly from last year, which was second only to Three Wise Man and a Baby. I'm disappointed not too many other people liked it.  It was different and fun, had unforced diversity, and good comedy thrown in.

the Amazing Race one was enjoyable but could have been better.  Ashely was missing her signature maniacal grin, which was a great improvement, but I kept thinking how fun it would have been if it had been an Arielle Kebbel (sp?) reunion.  Perhaps the chemistry would have been better. Not to mention, this featured one of my pet peeves, inappropriate footwear.  Ashley was running around in heeled boots - chunky heels not spiked - but as usual ridiculous and stupid.  That aside it was a fun concept and otherwise well executed.

[Irlandesa]

Somewhat interesting double-header tonight. 

A 90s Christmas was okay for a time travel movie.  It's not my favorite genre. I think the only one I've liked recently is Katie Findlay's movie for Hallmark. I really struggled with the decision to set the movie in 1999 and have the same actors play the 17-18 year olds and 44-45 year olds in the present day when the actors didn't look like they could pull off either age.  Just a strange choice.   But hey, at least there was some good family content in this movie and a coming out story. 

Deck The Walls surprised me. I had very little interest in this because the home reno theme kind of bores me but I instantly loved the lead's connection with her brother and her aunt.  Her brother, by the way, stole the movie for me.  I loved every scene he had with his sister, his good friend (male lead) and his love interest.  I was excited that it seemed like they were almost giving as much time to the gay love story as they were to the main love story and felt severely let down that we didn't get a kiss from them. Like it's good that as the season goes on, we're seeing more gay representation but it still feels like quite a step back from the days of The Holiday Sitter.   They were cute and we couldn't even get a little chaste kiss?

[giovannif7]

On 11/29/2024 at 11:11 PM, Irlandesa said:

(snip)

Deck The Walls surprised me. I had very little interest in this because the home reno theme kind of bores me but I instantly loved the lead's connection with her brother and her aunt.  Her brother, by the way, stole the movie for me.  I loved every scene he had with his sister, his good friend (male lead) and his love interest.  I was excited that it seemed like they were almost giving as much time to the gay love story as they were to the main love story and felt severely let down that we didn't get a kiss from them. Like it's good that as the season goes on, we're seeing more gay representation but it still feels like quite a step back from the days of The Holiday Sitter.   They were cute and we couldn't even get a little chaste kiss?

I, too, really enjoyed Deck The Walls. I loved the relationships established through the script and cast, especially the brother/sister banter between Rose and Sal (Ashley Greene and Danny Pellegrino), their connection with aunt Gigi (Carolyn Hennesy, mob lawyer Diane from General Hospital), and the work partnership with Sal and Brysen (Wes Brown). I have to admit, my eyes practically rolled out of my head when they first introduced Sal's love interest as his former school bully Jake (Claybourne Elder). But I was impressed by the way the script delved into the misunderstanding that led to the bullying, and the actors sold the shift in their connection once the truth came to light. Honestly, as much as I would have liked to see a kiss between Sal and Jake, it felt too soon.

I find myself hoping for a sequel that focuses on the the blossoming Sal/Jake romance as well as Rose and Brysen's path from first kiss to their wedding. Possibly having Jake produce/finance a "Flipping For Others" home renovation series for partners Sal and Brysen, with Rose contributing her interior design expertise, as they all overcome the various obstacles and pitfalls along the way? I would really love to spend more time with these characters.

ETA: For those who missed it, the Hallmark website lists Deck The Walls as airing several times in December starting tomorrow, Sunday morning, December 1, at 10AM Eastern/7AM Pacific. Other airings at various afternoon/evening times are listed for Saturday, December 7, Wednesday, December 11, Monday December 16, Saturday December 21 and Friday December 27.

Edited Sunday at 05:04 PM by giovannif7
Added details of future air dates

[EtheltoTillie]

Haven’t watched Deck yet. I really liked the time travel movie despite the age issues. 

[EtheltoTillie]

Spoiler for The 90s Christmas

Spoiler

I liked the Apple stock tip story line. Years ago they used that device in the Dennis Quaid time travel movie, Frequency, about which the only thing I can remember is he told his friend to buy Yahoo stock. 

 

15 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

Somewhat interesting double-header tonight. 

A 90s Christmas was okay for a time travel movie.  It's not my favorite genre. I think the only one I've liked recently is Katie Findlay's movie for Hallmark. I really struggled with the decision to set the movie in 1999 and have the same actors play the 17-18 year olds and 44-45 year olds in the present day when the actors didn't look like they could pull off either age.  Just a strange choice.   But hey, at least there was some good family content in this movie and a coming out story. 

Deck The Walls surprised me. I had very little interest in this because the home reno theme kind of bores me but I instantly loved the lead's connection with her brother and her aunt.  Her brother, by the way, stole the movie for me.  I loved every scene he had with his sister, his good friend (male lead) and his love interest.  I was excited that it seemed like they were almost giving as much time to the gay love story as they were to the main love story and felt severely let down that we didn't get a kiss from them. Like it's good that as the season goes on, we're seeing more gay representation but it still feels like quite a step back from the days of The Holiday Sitter.   They were cute and we couldn't even get a little chaste kiss?

For gay representation has anyone tried the Groomsmen series? I have not yet but I think one story is a gay love story. 

[Ele]

The Finnish Line airs tomorrow on HMM. It’s the first new Christmas movie I want to watch.  I’m looking forward to it. Hemmens’ movie is re-airing at the same time. I missed it when it aired and will watch at some point.