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

[Kemper]

I am probably in the minority here, but in some ways I miss the older movies with the predictable storylines.  Yes, they were silly almost all the time; pumpkin farms, candy cane factories, etc.  But...

For the most part, the leads were engaging.  Ryan P is not the best of actors but he was always a good romantic lead.  A good many were maybe a bit Ken-doll like, but they sold the stories.  I miss some of the actresses - but not CCB or the one with the big doe eyes -- Jennifer something?  She wasn't a bad actress, though.  I don't need movies that take on a more serious tone.  

Basically, I think the issue this year is that many of the newer cast members have no chemistry and/or don't play well off of one another.  All this is just my opinion.

[AnnA]

On 2/12/2024 at 3:29 PM, geekgirl921 said:

I have been wondering what the heck has happened to Ben Ayers' hair lately. It was also like this in his Christmas movie!!

His hair is naturally very curly.

[AnnA]

On 3/3/2024 at 10:57 PM, KLovestoShop said:

 

BTW, Ryan Paevey IS gone from Hallmark.  He did an hour long chat on Instagram this afternoon, and said he did his last movie for the channel.  Didn’t reveal why they’ve parted ways, but he’s now putting all his creativity into his Fortunate Wanderer company.  Very sad to see him go. 

I didn't see that interview but did read that he said he had nothing currently scheduled with Hallmark.  Did he actually say they parted ways?  I know in 2023 he signed a multi-movie deal with Hallmark so I'm confused and there was talk of him starring in a Hallmark mystery series.

[WhyAmIHere]

I fell asleep less than 30 minutes in to both last week's fashion mystery and Tyler's movie last night.   I finally finished the mystery, but is it worth finishing Shifting Gears? 

Tyler is one of my favorite Hallmark leading men, but I feel like Hallmark has struggled with who to pair him with.  Lately, they seem to be putting him with the younger female leads that they are trying to establish, and these movies are falling flat for me.  

[MerBearHou]

I enjoy Tyler in most (not all) of his movies but Shifting Gears was not good IMO.  His co-star was not a good match for him and shallow as it may sound, his hair looked like a hairpiece and with his weight loss and not being that tall, he looked very slight next to Katherine.  They did the annoying Hallmark thing where Katherine was quite snarky and antagonistic with Tyler right from the get-go due to their history, and it made me think “why in the world would anyone be drawn to her”.  I don’t recommend, but others may differ.  Tyler’s laid-back acting style is starting to seem a little one-note to me and this is coming from someone who likes him.  Also, why the toothpick in his mouth so often (he did this in the Shifting Gears movie, does it in real life, had a candy cane in his mouth often in the Three Wise Men movie)?  He has a very, very, very devoted group of followers — on FB, they were borderline nasty to anyone who had a negative comment about Shifting Gears, even when diplomatically stated.  It was almost comical.

[Maelstrom]

I actually enjoyed Shifting Gears. Cars aren't my thing at all but the story held my interest, and I found the characters likable. Her final paint job was pretty cool looking, too. I think part of the reason Tyler seemed so slight and short was because he's so frequently paired with Lacey, who's barely over five feet tall IIRC and would make anyone look like a giant in comparison, lol.

Found a great interview with Tyler - apparently Hallmark has launched a mentorship program for women directors (founded by Ashley Williams! I almost feel bad making fun of her for so many years now) and this was their first effort. And the director was none other than Crystal Lowe, aka the nerdy girl from Signed, Sealed and Delivered. Hollywood is such a boys club I really give Hallmark credit for giving more opportunities for women behind the camera as well as in front of it.

https://people.com/tyler-hynes-celebrating-women-hallmark-channel-movie-shifting-gears-exclusive-8619400

[Irlandesa]

I didn't love Shifting Gears but I was better than I was expecting. 

2 hours ago, MerBearHou said:

They did the annoying Hallmark thing where Katherine was quite snarky and antagonistic with Tyler right from the get-go due to their history, and it made me think “why in the world would anyone be drawn to her”.

I think they did a pretty good job of explaining why she wasn't thrilled with him.  His grandfather was an idiot for not formalizing his wishes in a will but I didn't think her irritation was out of nowhere and he even seemed to hold some guilt over the situation even if he wasn't in control of it. 

[DanaMB]

30 minutes into An Easter Bloom and I’m out. So boring. Plus, I’m not religious so I’m definitely not the audience for this (which I get… It’s an Easter movie after all).

[Daff]

Once again, Hallmark writers create a scenario around a subject they know nothing about. The shovel in solidly frozen ground was ridiculous. You don’t go out in March or April and start digging where you planted bulbs in the fall. Moreover, the bulbs manage to produce greenery in spite of temperatures in the teens and twenties. Longer days and higher angle of sun ensure the bulbs come up. Also cringed at the “waiting for the bloom to come in”, as if waiting for the perfect moment to pick grapes. All bulbs come in early, mid, and late blooming varieties. It’s a process, not an event.

[Maelstrom]

I didn't even bother with Easter Bloom since it looked to be on the religious side from the ads, and that's an automatic no for me (along with Amish movies and most royal movies).

Recently caught a rerun of Sand, Sun and Romance (I think that's the title?) with Paul Campbell and Tricia Helfer - that's always a fun movie! Paul's pretty impossible not to like, and it's kinda fun to see Tricia in a rom com considering I usually see her in scifi-fantasy shows as a villain, lol. Also, Cancun is gorgeous.

Edited March 31 by Maelstrom

[kirinan]

Anyone catch Blind Date Book Club last night? I liked it. Granted, I'm disposed to like anything with Robert Buckley, who's one of my favorites, but I even liked Erin Krakow, who isn't normally someone I go out of my way to watch (I don't dislike her; I just don't go out of my way to watch her movies). I liked the plot, I liked the chemistry between the leads and I liked Alice, the other bookstore employee. It was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. I would watch it again.

And then I watched Shifting Gears, which was on right afterward. I wouldn't put it in the top half of the Tyler Hynes oeuvre, but I liked it better than I thought I would. 

[Irlandesa]

5 hours ago, kirinan said:

Anyone catch Blind Date Book Club last night?

I started off annoyed with the lead guy because he hated his commercial success and wanted to write the great American novel. I really thought we were being set up that the agent/publishers were evil for denying him his chance to write to his full potential. In other words, he was really pretentious. 

Imagine my surprise when the story was for him to re-embrace what kept him fed and that his "literature novel" wasn't great. 

[Daff]

8 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I started off annoyed with the lead guy because he hated his commercial success and wanted to write the great American novel. I really thought we were being set up that the agent/publishers were evil for denying him his chance to write to his full potential. In other words, he was really pretentious. 

Imagine my surprise when the story was for him to re-embrace what kept him fed and that his "literature novel" wasn't great. 

And he used the public/fan comments to make the new book fresh. I thought the theme of “write what you know” was pertinent, but didn’t prohibit him for branching out in future, as he’s about to know a bit more about romance. EK was given a decent part and direction in this.

[kirinan]

Hmm, this is an interesting if cryptic article: Ryan Paevey to Take Acting Break, Says There Is ‘No Word’ of Upcoming Hallmark Channel Movies

[Orcinus orca]

Well, goodness, that IS quite cryptic.  Looks like he must has said or did something to cheese off the Hallmark brass.

[GeorgiaRai]

Is it just me, or did things start going south for Ryan ever since the "piggy nose" discussion?  😉🤣  

Seriously, though, It sounds like he's having a rough time both professionally & personally.  Hope things improve for him soon.  

[Badsamaritan]

I really enjoyed Legend of the Lost Locket. The leads had nice chemistry and no one was irritating. The supporting cast was good, and I don't remember seeing any of them in other HM movies so if this was their first go-round, they did a good job. I liked Marcus's humor, I got a good chuckle when he saw Amelia running toward him to apologize, said 'No', and turned around lol. I don't watch When Calls the Heart so I wasn't familiar with the leads but I liked both and hope to see them in other movies in the future. And, no wonder Amelia's accent was good, the actress is actually British so good job, show. I'll definitely watch this one again.  

[MerBearHou]

I enjoyed Legend of the Lost Locket as well!  An interesting mystery and I enjoyed the two leads very much.  Viv Leacock is always a delight and I'd never seen the actress who played Amelia -- she did a great job and had nice chemistry with Viv.  

[kirinan]

The Christmas movie intel is starting to trickle out. Lacey Chabert and Kristoffer Polaha will co-star in a movie this year.

[Daff]

On 4/15/2024 at 3:49 PM, Badsamaritan said:

I really enjoyed Legend of the Lost Locket. The leads had nice chemistry and no one was irritating. The supporting cast was good, and I don't remember seeing any of them in other HM movies so if this was their first go-round, they did a good job. I liked Marcus's humor, I got a good chuckle when he saw Amelia running toward him to apologize, said 'No', and turned around lol. I don't watch When Calls the Heart so I wasn't familiar with the leads but I liked both and hope to see them in other movies in the future. And, no wonder Amelia's accent was good, the actress is actually British so good job, show. I'll definitely watch this one again.  

Not just WCtH, he was Kellie Martin’s best friend in the most recent mystery series she had (where her fiancé was murdered-she was a therapist). Also, he made a Christmas movie with Luke McF that seems to be a favorite. Maggie’s Christmas Miracle. 

[Artsda]

I enjoyed Falling in love in Niagara all the tourist attractions they did and filmed at added and how it started with them so opposite of each other. 

That wedding was really small though, technically the only real guest was the best friend best man. 

 

[BuckeyeLou]

23 hours ago, Artsda said:

I enjoyed Falling in love in Niagara all the tourist attractions they did and filmed at added and how it started with them so opposite of each other. 

That wedding was really small though, technically the only real guest was the best friend best man. 

 

I, too, enjoyed seeing all the Niagra Falls attractions, makes me want to book a trip there :)  The main couple had cute chemistry, and I liked all the supporting characters, like her sister & the young tour guide owner.

[DanaMB]

On 4/20/2024 at 10:12 PM, Artsda said:

I enjoyed Falling in love in Niagara all the tourist attractions they did and filmed at added and how it started with them so opposite of each other. 

That wedding was really small though, technically the only real guest was the best friend best man. 

 

The movie was cute. I liked it, too.

[abbyzenn]

Not sure if this where to put this but I'm recuperating from an accident - leg fractures so I can't move much - and watching alot of daytime tv.  Been watching alot of Perry Mason and Murder she Wrote on the Great American Family channel ( a channel I don't get at home).  I swear every other commercial is about their Christmas movies - they actually have a countdown clock! - and how this will be the greatest season yet for their Christmas movies.  If the commerical isn't about the Christmas movies it's about Candice Cameron Bure and her new mystery movies series coming soon.

[kirinan]

1 hour ago, abbyzenn said:

Not sure if this where to put this but I'm recuperating from an accident - leg fractures so I can't move much - and watching alot of daytime tv.  Been watching alot of Perry Mason and Murder she Wrote on the Great American Family channel ( a channel I don't get at home).

@abbyzenn, there's a thread for GAF here. And I hope your leg heals quickly so you can get out and enjoy the spring and summer weather.

For everyone else, on the Hallmark Channel topic, I am so down for a sequel to Three Wise Men and a Baby. I don't care how good or bad it is, I'll watch it!

Edited April 25 by kirinan

[Trini]

9 minutes ago, kirinan said:

I am so down for a sequel to Three Wise Men and a Baby.

More info here as well: https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/hallmark-three-wise-men-and-a-baby-sequel-tyler-hynes-andrew-walker-paul-campbell-1235981467/

Quote

The sequel picks up five years later ahead of Christmas. Per the logline, “In a crazy turn of events, possibly brought on accidentally by the brothers themselves, the director of Luke’s (Walker) son Thomas’ (Miles Marthaller) school holiday musical steps down. Luke is desperate to make his son’s stage dreams come true, so he enlists the help of his brothers Taylor (Hynes) and Stephan (Campbell). Meanwhile, the trio navigates meeting their mom Barbara’s (Margaret Colin) new boyfriend and the brothers grapple with their own feelings about this relationship. In true Brenner brother fashion, they are all in for a Christmas they will never forget.”

 

[Irlandesa]

I finally saw Falling in Love in Niagra, and the scenery and stars helped elevate the movie beyond the many nitpicks I had.  First, I like Dan Jeannote, and I absolutely love Jocelyn Hudon.  I've seen three Hallmark movies where she's the lead, and I found myself more invested than I usually am for each one. And it's the only thing I've seen her in so it's not like I came pre-liking her.

But there were some things that left me scratching my head.  I think the fiance seemed like two different people.  In the beginning, I felt like he had every right to call off the wedding.  5 weeks before the wedding isn't ideal, but it's better than just right before the wedding or sadly, after the wedding.  But she went to his house, took his laundry and threw away his clothes.  And she seemed to move forward with everything she wanted for the honeymoon without consulting him.  The villain POV she and her sister had for him felt unwarranted.

Then, when she first meets the lead, she throws money into his coffee and spills all over him and acts like he's unreasonable for not simply accepting "I had good intentions."  She made a mistake.  Don't most people, even when they have good intentions, apologize when good intentions go so wrong? 

So I was on his side until he completely messed up his job by showing up late and not correctly scheduling a simple tour? 

Luckily, they both got better after the first 30 minutes.

Then the fiance comes back with a complete character change.  Now he's being written like the villain they claimed he was earlier in the episode even though the actions we initially saw didn't back that up.  The thing that cracked me up the most about him is that he said he wanted to try again and "get married in the fall."  Not by the falls but in the fall.  The only thing is, the colors on the leaves indicate that this movie is taking place in the fall.  So is he talking about next fall?

I also wish the sister would have started a relationship with the tour company owner instead of the brother.

 

[DanaMB]

2 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I also wish the sister would have started a relationship with the tour company owner instead of the brother.

 

At first I thought that was where it was going. I thought they had chemistry.

[Nacos for Rufus]

9 hours ago, Trini said:

More info here as well: https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/hallmark-three-wise-men-and-a-baby-sequel-tyler-hynes-andrew-walker-paul-campbell-1235981467/

 

I have such high hopes for this! I just hope it doesn’t end up a mess like Haul Out the Holly 2.

[Maelstrom]

I can't think Paul and Kimberley would agree to do this sequel if they couldn't make the script work - maybe I'm being naive about that but I'm going to stay optimistic and hold out hope it's another winner like the first. (And I say this as someone who firmly believes that Christmas belongs in December and no other part of the year, lol).

[voiceover]

On the subject of Three Men…

Doing my hundredth rewatch of it tonight, and I’m thinking — not for the first time — how dead sexy Tyler looks with that candy cane hanging out of his mouth.

Not a joke.  Some actors just look good, eating on camera.  Think Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Eleven, who was munching away in nearly every scene.  And Joan Collins in Dynasty!  One day while filming an argument with Krystle, she bit the head off a scallion for emphasis.  It worked so well, they had her eating something during scenes often as possible 🤣

[Daff]

18 hours ago, Maelstrom said:

I can't think Paul and Kimberley would agree to do this sequel if they couldn't make the script work - maybe I'm being naive about that but I'm going to stay optimistic and hold out hope it's another winner like the first. (And I say this as someone who firmly believes that Christmas belongs in December and no other part of the year, lol).

Dynamite pairing, whether writing or acting together.

[Fostersmom]

Branching Out  isn't exactly bad, but the little girl is basically the same character and actress as the little girl in the horrible Ben Affleck movie where he was a single dad. If the movies weren't 20 years apart I'd say it was the same actress, they even looked the same. And if you saw either movie you'll know thats not a good thing. I did appreciate there was no break up in the first 4 minutes of the movie and really liked the BFF called the lead character on her shit a couple of times. Sarah Drew and Juan Pablo Di Pace both were good and had good chemistry. The need to write the rocker sperm donor with not only every musician and Mexican family trope out there was heavy handed though. 

[Irlandesa]

4 hours ago, Fostersmom said:

Sarah Drew and Juan Pablo Di Pace both were good and had good chemistry.

I really liked them together and found them very good together.  They both gave out adult and experienced vibes and weren't still or overly careful about it, as some Hallmark relationships can be played as a bit stiff,  a vestige of Hallmark's romantic rules of the past. 

I'd love to see them do something else together.

 

[coffeebean]

On 4/25/2024 at 2:59 PM, Trini said:

More info here as well: https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/hallmark-three-wise-men-and-a-baby-sequel-tyler-hynes-andrew-walker-paul-campbell-1235981467/

 

So happy for a sequel. The article mentions that the boy is Andrew Walker's character's son. Has he married the boy's Mom in the sequel? Then I could see Walker being referred to as the boy's Dad.

Edited May 2 by coffeebean

[Daff]

Ok, I’m getting really tired of Hallmark’s false advertising. I paused the movie I’m watching to come here and complain. It goes: “Countdown to Summer All Month Long” with a new premiere movie every Saturday night in May. The first one (tonight) is from 2023, and I saw it last year. I can tell you the plot and resolution, but I won’t lest someone tells me to tag my spoilers! (But it has already aired)

[Irlandesa]

57 minutes ago, Daff said:

I can tell you the plot and resolution, but I won’t lest someone tells me to tag my spoilers! (But it has already aired)

Did it air on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries?  Or are you in Canada?

Maybe I'll recognize it once it starts but it's not reminding me of something I've seen.

[Orcinus orca]

1 hour ago, Daff said:

The first one (tonight) is from 2023, and I saw it last year. 

It was a Hallmark Channel broadcast from last August according to IMDB.  And it has horrible reviews.

[Irlandesa]

Luke Mafarlane has a brief appearance/cameo on the second episode of this season of Hacks.  It was fun. 

He

Spoiler

appears as a guest on the talk show Jean Smart is guest hosting.  He bench presses her.  They showed the BTS of filming that at the end and he really did it.  The only thing they removed was the spotters on either side in case she fell or slipped. 

 

[Daff]

12 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

Did it air on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries?  Or are you in Canada?

Maybe I'll recognize it once it starts but it's not reminding me of something I've seen.

No, and no. I remember the story, but was not entertained enough for a rewatch.

11 hours ago, Orcinus orca said:

It was a Hallmark Channel broadcast from last August according to IMDB.  And it has horrible reviews.

Thank you. I’ve begun to think I’m imagining things. It actually was such a snooze, maybe I was dreaming.

[Irlandesa]

20 minutes ago, Daff said:

Thank you. I’ve begun to think I’m imagining things. It actually was such a snooze, maybe I was dreaming.

It must have been a snooze since I don't even have one iota of recognition about it and I usually sorta remember if I've seen something.  I think the only similar movie I can think of was a Christmas movie.

Thanks for the info everyone.  I'm actually glad I can skip it since I suddenly feel like I have a lot of TV to watch.

[Lugal]

23 hours ago, Daff said:

Ok, I’m getting really tired of Hallmark’s false advertising. I paused the movie I’m watching to come here and complain. It goes: “Countdown to Summer All Month Long” with a new premiere movie every Saturday night in May. The first one (tonight) is from 2023, and I saw it last year. I can tell you the plot and resolution, but I won’t lest someone tells me to tag my spoilers! (But it has already aired)

I've noticed Hallmark tends to do that, if a movie airs on one of their other channels like Mystery or Family, when they show it on Hallmark Prime they tend to bill it as a "Hallmark Premiere," which while technically true is still kind of underhanded.

As for the movie itself, (which I did watch because the ads made it look like a completely different movie) it was kind of a movieloaf with bits and pieces of other more interesting movies all crammed together.  They had a bunch of interesting ideas, but because there was so many of them, none got the development that would have made it interesting.

[Daff]

17 hours ago, Lugal said:

I've noticed Hallmark tends to do that, if a movie airs on one of their other channels like Mystery or Family, when they show it on Hallmark Prime they tend to bill it as a "Hallmark Premiere," which while technically true is still kind of underhanded.

As for the movie itself, (which I did watch because the ads made it look like a completely different movie) it was kind of a movieloaf with bits and pieces of other more interesting movies all crammed together.  They had a bunch of interesting ideas, but because there was so many of them, none got the development that would have made it interesting.

It happens frequently, but this time someone above confirmed that it did air on the original Hallmark channel. I suppose all programming could be considered new, as they have officially changed the names of all 3 channels.

[Artsda]

I didn't like the A White Water Romance. While the scenery was nice, Cindy's character was terrible. I hated her from start to finish, getting a promotion at the end was stupid. 

Edited May 12 by Artsda

[DanaMB]

1 hour ago, Artsda said:

I didn't like the A White Water Romance. While the scenery was nice, Cindy's character was terrible. I hated her from start to finish, getting a promotion at the end was stupid. 

I never like her characters. Or maybe it’s her (acting) I don’t like. 

[Irlandesa]

I didn't mind the fact that she was pushed into unnecessary competitiveness because of her boss but I do wish we had gotten a sense of why she was invited to this thing.  Not only was she not interested but I don't think we ever got insight into what special skills she possessed unlike Matt, Claire and Lewish who also provided tangible things for the app.  (Silly app, though.  Aren't filterless photos just filterless?  I take those all the time because I can't be bothered to learn filters.)

I'd have enjoyed the movie more if she realized her she was self-sabotaging because of her boss but not end up forgiven by anyone there.  Sometimes the happy ending is the lesson.

 

Edited May 12 by Irlandesa

[Fostersmom]

2 hours ago, Artsda said:

I didn't like the A White Water Romance. While the scenery was nice, Cindy's character was terrible. I hated her from start to finish, getting a promotion at the end was stupid. 

I watched about 35 minutes and then gave up. The character, actress, and whole plot were horrible. Ignoring both the boss in New York and the company owner both seemed like horrible options, the idea of of a promotion based on outdoor sports for a job that seemingly had nothing to do with them was really just stupid.  I'm still trying to figure out how the dead cell phone with the charger that was apparently gnawed thru by bugs suddenly became charged later that night....in the woods... in a half built tent. I don't expect much from these movies, but this one was really bad. 

 

[voiceover]

I’ll give Whitewater another shot.  William DeVry played the group leader!  I adored his Julian in General Hospital, and when his relationship with Alexis crashed, it took my interest in the soap with it.

Let’s get him into the “mature” line of movies they seem to have started (e.g., A Scottish Love Scheme).  Bring Danica back and put those two together!

[RedRockRosie]

Sorry to say, but oh man, this movie-A Whitewater Romance” is SO bad!

So much stupid…it hurts. Sadly these particular leads were not remotely compelling enough to be able to overcome the really poor script. Couldn’t  get through it without some serious fast forwarding action.

Was nice to see William De Vry again though.

[Maelstrom]

Whitewater Romance may just be the worst Hallmark movie I've ever watched. Definitely joining my personal Hallmark Hall of Shame, if not leading it. And you know what, I almost feel kinda bad saying this because clearly from a production standpoint this movie took a lot of work to make happen what with the locations and the rafting action and all. But it was terrible in almost every way. The leads had no chemistry separately or together (sorry Cindy, I tried to give you a chance, I really did). The plot made no sense - actually, it was like anti-sense, it kind of ate back on itself and left me with fewer brain cells than I started with. They wasted a basket full of eggs in a stupid game, which I realize is totally insignificant in the grand scheme of anything but still pisses me the hell off because do you know how expensive eggs are these days?! And how much those chickens had to go through to make them? The only, and I mean only, redeeming qualities were the gorgeous scenery and William DeVry. I loved him on GH too, voiceover, and it was really great to see him again even in this crapfest (and at least the other characters didn't all spend the entire movie telling us how he was the worst thing in the history of existence, so I guess this movie has that going for it over GH, so yay?) I'd totally love to see more of him in other, better movies (I'm fine with Danica being gone personally but I know there are plenty of other actresses who'd work well with him).

A Lifelong Love is another recent entry to my Hall of Shame, though at least that one could have worked with a few edits to the script. And I'm not liking Hallmark's latest scam of "check out our new movie, it totally didn't already air last year or anything!!" And in that vein, heads up on the Big Sky Bridal Path movie they're advertising to "premiere" at the end of the month, I'm 99% certain it aired last year (and wasn't very good IMO).

Do better, Hallmark, come on.

Edited May 15 by Maelstrom