Hallmark Movies: Small Town Royalty Magically Celebrating Rekindled Love! - General Discussion

[EtheltoTillie]

@Kemper I don't remember the names either LOL.  I have to look them up before I post.  Or sometimes I just describe it like you do.   Many people here have a much more encyclopedic knowledge than I do.  I have not rewatched many past movies, so only a few really top choices stay with me.

Edited December 2 by EtheltoTillie

[Irlandesa]

I almost always look them up too.  Or take a good guess which is why I'll sometimes list the approximate name of a movie instead of the exact title.

[Notabug]

I enjoyed The Christmas Quest too although I was left wondering who’d left the major Christmas lighting display in the treasure room; not to mention how long they’d been burning and who paid the electric bill for thousands of Christmas lights to burn indefinitely.  It was very pretty though.

The story itself was fun and different and both Lacey and Kris know how to do Hallmark romance right.  Loved her dress in the obligatory Christmas ball scene.
 

 Lacey has become pretty reliable when it comes to enjoyable Christmas movies and they need to keep her in the stable even if TPTB think she’s ’too old’. As someone who remembers seen my her on Party of Five when she was a little kid and I was not; I don’t need reminded I’m old.

5 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

I almost always look them up too.  Or take a good guess which is why I'll sometimes list the approximate name of a movie instead of the exact title.

So many of these movies have similar names, I don’t think it is possible to keep them straight without Google.  I can usually remember the names of the half dozen or so I really like; but the rest are a blur.

Edited December 2 by Notabug

[GeorgiaRai]

3 hours ago, Notabug said:

I enjoyed The Christmas Quest too although I was left wondering who’d left the major Christmas lighting display in the treasure room; not to mention how long they’d been burning and who paid the electric bill for thousands of Christmas lights to burn indefinitely.  It was very pretty though.

I was so confused at that point! I expected a person to be waiting in there for them - because how else could the lights be burning?! But even with that "hmmmmm" moment, I enjoyed it. I thought it was a sweet, fun movie, and a nice change of pace for Hallmark.   I'l

I missed some of the inside jokes/movie references though so I'll have to pay closer attention next time.

[Orcinus orca]

6 hours ago, Notabug said:

not to mention how long they’d been burning and who paid the electric bill for thousands of Christmas lights to burn indefinitely

And who was lighting the candles every time they burned down?  

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

Kris and Lacey are magic together. This couple needs to continue doing more of these quests movies in the future!

[Daff]

21 hours ago, Kemper said:

But to me it was so manic that it was exhausting.  

Yes, I think that was to convey the high activity level found in large family gatherings and the fact that it’s exacerbated when they’re constantly together. So, this was more manic than the first Haul Out the Holly?

[Badsamaritan]

My Norwegian Holiday is currently showing, one of my fave HM Christmas movies that I will always watch when it's on. I loved the humor, I loved that there wasn't some silly misunderstanding keeping the couple apart, and I loved JJ and Henrik's chemistry. Henrik wasn't some super hottie but boy, he got me with that run through the forest to find JJ and then scooping her up into a fierce hug after she found out who Anders was to her. I liked the family, I liked the way they made fun of Henrik and his injured leg, with his sister telling him to 'limp faster!' so they could get to her stepdaughter's Christmas pageant. I loved the way Henrik looked down at JJ and said 'Please come with us'. Just a good romantic movie with humor and heart. Highly recommend. 

[EtheltoTillie]

9 hours ago, Badsamaritan said:

My Norwegian Holiday is currently showing, one of my fave HM Christmas movies that I will always watch when it's on. I loved the humor, I loved that there wasn't some silly misunderstanding keeping the couple apart, and I loved JJ and Henrik's chemistry. Henrik wasn't some super hottie but boy, he got me with that run through the forest to find JJ and then scooping her up into a fierce hug after she found out who Anders was to her. I liked the family, I liked the way they made fun of Henrik and his injured leg, with his sister telling him to 'limp faster!' so they could get to her stepdaughter's Christmas pageant. I loved the way Henrik looked down at JJ and said 'Please come with us'. Just a good romantic movie with humor and heart. Highly recommend. 

I rewatched it yesterday.  It's really good.  Such a nice family.

[Daff]

20 hours ago, Badsamaritan said:

silly misunderstanding keeping the couple apart,

Any movie that will drop the dreaded last 15 minute row has a better chance of success. Yet, they continue to push it on us. To me, it’s always lame.

[Daff]

The Reardon movie reminded me of an older one: Christmas Land. I liked the flashback relationship between Deloach and McCormick. I wanted to believe that this year’s film showed how the old town evolved. But they spelled it as one word: Christmasland. BTW, Christmas Land is on today.

[Badsamaritan]

Caught The Finnish Line on rewatch, what a good movie. I'm not understanding HM's marketing plan this year, it feels like they're betting on all the wrong movies to succeed. This was a fun one with a different storyline and they should've marketed it better. The main cast had really good chemistry together, the scenery was lovely and it had doggies! I really love Kim Matula, I haven't been disappointed in any of her movies and HM is foolish for not utilizing her more, she's a good actress that does a good job at creating chemistry with her costars.

Does HM ever do any viewer surveys and if so, how can I get that link? Because I've got lots of thoughts on their executive decisions and how stupid they are and how they need to actually watch their own shows and I really need to tell them about themselves. 

[Kemper]

I agree with Badsamaritan re Hallmark's questionable choices of what movies to widely (and exhaustingly) promote.  I didn't see many for The Finnish Line until maybe the day or two before. And it was on at 6:00 instead of 8:00 on a Sunday night. 

And just to make my grouchiness complete. I said earlier that I was exhausted by the promos/hype for the Chiefs movie and Hunter King. She is in their commercials for one of the cosmetic companies (Sephora?); she has what the network needs to go forward. (I hate it) But there are more than a few up-and-coming actresses who don't get that kind of push. I will lap from my saucer of cream now.

[Badsamaritan]

25 minutes ago, Kemper said:

I agree with Badsamaritan re Hallmark's questionable choices of what movies to widely (and exhaustingly) promote.  I didn't see many for The Finnish Line until maybe the day or two before. And it was on at 6:00 instead of 8:00 on a Sunday night. 

And just to make my grouchiness complete. I said earlier that I was exhausted by the promos/hype for the Chiefs movie and Hunter King. She is in their commercials for one of the cosmetic companies (Sephora?); she has what the network needs to go forward. (I hate it) But there are more than a few up-and-coming actresses who don't get that kind of push. I will lap from my saucer of cream now.

Agreed. And, I actually like Hunter, but they do have other actresses that are as good or better, and it's silly to only focus on a single actress. Lacey, Kimberley Sustad, Erin Krakow, Nikki DeLoach and others all came up together and had great, memorable movies at the same time so I don't understand why it looks like they're putting the majority of their eggs in a single basket. That never works out the way you think it will. They should've had several of their xmas movie stars in commercials this year. They've got Jonathan Bennett in that one car commercial and he's not even in a movie this year. Just weird choices all around this holiday season, and a good portion of them have been a bust. HM seriously needs some new ideas and direction. 

[bankerchick]

On 12/2/2024 at 11:40 AM, norcalgal said:

In fact, you might be one step even better than me if you recall the plot because I sometimes need folks to post the plot here or else…it’s googling time

imdb is my friend when reading these comments.  I remember the names of the ones I really like (usually) but the rest all pretty much run into one another.

[Orcinus orca]

15 minutes ago, bankerchick said:

imdb is my friend when reading these comments.  I remember the names of the ones I really like (usually) but the rest all pretty much run into one another.

Well when virtually every one has "Christmas" in the title, it's pretty hard to sort them out.

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

I keep having cravings for more of the storyline of the two  guy and gal  meeting at Burger King,lol !!!  Perhaps there will be a movie with them next year ???

[MerBearHou]

Watching Holiday for Heroes for the umpteenth time -- I cannot pass it up if I stumble upon it on the schedule.  Was in my office looking through the channels and it had just started.  It just ended and well, I am wiping away tears in my office -- cannot help it, when those soldiers surprise their loved ones at the end, tears just come.  Marc and Melissa Claire are wonderful together and the rest of the cast is terrific.  

[Woopwoopkitty]

3 hours ago, MerBearHou said:

Watching Holiday for Heroes for the umpteenth time -- I cannot pass it up if I stumble upon it on the schedule.  Was in my office looking through the channels and it had just started.  It just ended and well, I am wiping away tears in my office -- cannot help it, when those soldiers surprise their loved ones at the end, tears just come.  Marc and Melissa Claire are wonderful together and the rest of the cast is terrific.  

This one is a keeper for me as well. Marc Blucas is so dreamy.  And I tear up at this one even though the female lead is not a favorite.

[MerBearHou]

1 hour ago, Woopwoopkitty said:

This one is a keeper for me as well. Marc Blucas is so dreamy.  And I tear up at this one even though the female lead is not a favorite.

Marc is SO dreamy.  I’ve never seen Melissa Claire in anything else, but their chemistry in HFH is wonderful.  Her coffee shop partner and barista are charming too.  

Edited December 6 by MerBearHou

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

I'll have to check for this one. Good to see Riley Finn again after he left The Buffinator yaers ago. 😉

[bankerchick]

20 hours ago, MerBearHou said:

Watching Holiday for Heroes for the umpteenth time --

I love this movie and have already watched it this season (from my DVR) but if I see it on in the next while I'll watch it again.  I like Marc Blucas and really liked his character, especially with the high school students.

[Daff]

15 hours ago, MerBearHou said:

Marc is SO dreamy.  I’ve never seen Melissa Claire in anything else, but their chemistry in HFH is wonderful.  Her coffee shop partner and barista are charming too.  

I like A Veteran’s Holiday just a little bit better-where the townspeople pull strings to get her service dog back to her. The young judge is charming and cute, too. In the Blucas film, I thought the female lead was kind of cold.

[MerBearHou]

42 minutes ago, Daff said:

I like A Veteran’s Holiday just a little bit better-where the townspeople pull strings to get her service dog back to her.

I've never seen that one, but getting a service dog back to a veteran sounds like one to watch.

[Orcinus orca]

1 hour ago, MerBearHou said:

I've never seen that one, but getting a service dog back to a veteran sounds like one to watch.

As long as you understand up front that this is definitely NOT how things are done with MWDs.

[Daff]

1 hour ago, MerBearHou said:

I've never seen that one, but getting a service dog back to a veteran sounds like one to watch.

 

24 minutes ago, Orcinus orca said:

As long as you understand up front that this is definitely NOT how things are done with MWDs.

I got the title wrong-A Veteran’s Christmas, and, yes, all of the rules and regulations were frustratingly reiterated throughout the movie. Thing is, she was wounded and taken away to a hospital, and she couldn’t even get information about whether the dog even survived. I won’t spoil it for MerBear, but I did appreciate the truthfulness of the situation.

[Ele]

Has anyone watch the Love on the Danube collection on Hallmark Plus? There are three movies. The ad popped up on my Pinterest account, lol!

[Lois Sandborne]

Hallmark hasn't shown Trading Christmas in a long time, but it's one of my all time favorites, so I hunt it down every year. Tonight I found it on Pluto. Watching it  always reminds me how much better Hallmark stuff used to be. It's so witty and mature. And there's actual passion in multiple kisses! I think they still turn out some good movies each year, but I wish they'd pump out fewer each year and focus on making a few real quality movies like they used to.

[Daff]

It did appear on Hallmark channel in the past few weeks, but not repeated.

[Ele]

8 hours ago, Lois Sandborne said:

Hallmark hasn't shown Trading Christmas in a long time, but it's one of my all time favorites, so I hunt it down every year. Tonight I found it on Pluto. Watching it  always reminds me how much better Hallmark stuff used to be. It's so witty and mature. And there's actual passion in multiple kisses! I think they still turn out some good movies each year, but I wish they'd pump out fewer each year and focus on making a few real quality movies like they used to.

Yes, to all of this. Also, the actors had chemistry. They were all in their 40’s and were experienced actors with good resumes. The movie came out in 2011. Quality of Hallmark movies have definitely gone downhill since then.

[EtheltoTillie]

I’ve now finished all six episodes of Mistletoe Murders. Who has watched?  What is your guess about Emily’s background?

Spoiler

 I now think Witness protection program. 

 

I love it. Can’t wait to see next season. 

[Ele]

https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/winter-escape/winter-escape-2025-movies
 

Here’s the lineup for the new January movies. The locations look good, but the plot lines are recycled. Gonzalo is from Argentina so it’s cool she gets to make a movie based in her home country; assuming it was actually filmed there. 
 

Even though The Perfect Setting has a recycled plot, winning a contest in Belgium, it looks kinda interesting. I like the leads. The make lead was in a movie last year based in Finland with Rhiannon Fish. 

[Irlandesa]

3 hours ago, Ele said:

Gonzalo is from Argentina so it’s cool she gets to make a movie based in her home country; assuming it was actually filmed there. 

So is her co-star, Juan Pablo Di Pace.

[Ele]

7 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

So is her co-star, Juan Pablo Di Pace.

Yes! Hope the movie is good.

Edited December 16 by Ele

[Lois Sandborne]

On 12/14/2024 at 4:27 AM, Daff said:

It did appear on Hallmark channel in the past few weeks, but not repeated.

Aw man. I definitely have my DVR set up to catch it, so that's disappointing.

Mistletoe Murders is right up my alley, but I just can't justify paying for Hallmark Plus. I hope it eventually ends up on the Mystery channel.

[Mittengirl]

10 hours ago, Lois Sandborne said:

I just can't justify paying for Hallmark Plus

The Hoopla service through my public library offers a “BingePass” of Hallmark+.  You can watch as much as you want for one week.

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

Saw Rocky Mountain Christmas over the weekend. Enjoyed it a lot, Kristoffer Polaha  played a movie actor taking in Christmas on a ranch to get ready for a new movie role. Quite funny at times and entertaining. Treat Williams had a great role in it also. 

[anniebird]

Why is there a 2024 CCB movie on Hallmark? (Home Sweet Christmas) - I thought she left Hallmark for Great American Family because Hallmark didn't suit her brand of Christianity.

[Schnickelfritz]

1 hour ago, anniebird said:

Why is there a 2024 CCB movie on Hallmark? (Home Sweet Christmas) - I thought she left Hallmark for Great American Family because Hallmark didn't suit her brand of Christianity.

 It's really a Great American Family movie.

[MerBearHou]

On 12/17/2024 at 12:31 AM, One4Sorrow2TooBad said:

Saw Rocky Mountain Christmas over the weekend. Enjoyed it a lot, Kristoffer Polaha  played a movie actor taking in Christmas on a ranch to get ready for a new movie role. Quite funny at times and entertaining. Treat Williams had a great role in it also. 

That was the first movie I ever saw Kristoffer Polaha in and I was like “who is THIS?”  I liked him immediately and he is an absolute favorite of mine now.  

[Daff]

8 hours ago, MerBearHou said:

That was the first movie I ever saw Kristoffer Polaha in and I was like “who is THIS?”  I liked him immediately and he is an absolute favorite of mine now.  

Just wanted to let you know, A Veteran’s Christmas is scheduled for Sunday 12/22 at 6pm on HMM. It’s one of my faves, and I usually watch it every year. Guaranteed: tears at the end.

[Dimity]

Just saw Round and Round - really good!  The two leads had a lot of chemistry but more importantly they could both act.  The writing was better than usual for a Hallmark and kept me interested right to the end. 

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

Round and Round was great !!!  So funny, for all who haven't seen it yet, check it out.  

[Dimity]

30 minutes ago, One4Sorrow2TooBad said:

Round and Round was great !!!  So funny, for all who haven't seen it yet, check it out.  

Loved when they were teasing her and got her to do the time warp 😁!

[Badsamaritan]

2 hours ago, Dimity said:

Loved when they were teasing her and got her to do the time warp 😁!

The comic store guys and scenes were gold. I adored how they were always so accepting and ready to help in all the loops. I hope she acknowledged them in the book. 😉😁

[absnow54]

Round and Round airs on Dec 27 for anyone who wants to set their DVRs

[EtheltoTillie]

So happy to see the Round and Round love. I just loved it last year. You have to give Hallmark credit for understanding nerd culture, for example, with the comic store guys. 

Edited Friday at 08:28 AM by EtheltoTillie

[Badsamaritan]

4 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

So happy to see the Round and Round love. I just loved it last year. You have to give Hallmark credit for understanding nerd culture, for example, with the comic store guys. 

The scene when they were in the store and Zach and Seth were talking about Zach possibly liking Rachel, and she sneaks up on them and is all 'Hey, whatcha doin?' and Zach jumps and gets all twitchy cracks me up every time lol! 😂

[Dimity]

I also loved the cousin with the fake British accent!  She was a hoot and you could tell she was having fun playing that part.

[Ele]

My Christmas Guide is airing on HMM. I Other than the unbelievably dumb boyfriend, I remember liking it when it originally aired.