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

[In2You]

4 hours ago, VMepicgrl said:

True. 

I finished Betting on the Bride, and holy crap. Either the script writer got away with submitting nearly identical scripts to both Hallmark and UP TV with minor detail changes or one script writer copied the writer of A Bride for Christmas, changed some details, and submitted it to a different network. No way it was an accident. The plot was EXACTLY the same, down to all of the different twists and turns of the relationship. I am kind of shocked. This one just didn't have the benefit of Andrew Walker and Arielle Krebel. 

 

ETA: Just wanted to also clarify - this is not the usual similar storylines that all of these movies have since the channels allow for little creativity. This is identical. So spoiler alert if you watched A Bride for Christmas, you now know exactly how Betting on the Bride goes. 

Betting on the Bride is not an Up original. They just bought the rights for tv airing. The movie has been out since last year. It's funny how she recycled her script 5 years later though.

[EyewatchTV211]

18 minutes ago, In2You said:

Betting on the Bride is not an Up original. They just bought the rights for tv airing. The movie has been out since last year. It's funny how she recycled her script 5 years later though.

I hadn't gotten a chance to check beforehand. You're right. Same writer. Wow. Easiest paycheck ever. 

[MissyPoo]

On 6/8/2018 at 2:56 AM, Cherpumple said:

That is indeed weird and hilarious. A few months ago I read the novel that Dashing Through the Snow was based on, and there was a karaoke scene in the book that never made it to the movie. Now I know why!

 

On 6/9/2018 at 10:44 PM, bijoux said:

The karaoke thing might be because they don't want to pay for music rights. 

Too true. I guess that makes sense but it's still kind of funny considering it seemed like a requirement in many of their older movies.

[LegalParrot81]

On 6/2/2018 at 8:48 PM, In2You said:

Both she and Ryan Paevey are such bad actors I don't know how people liked the first one. Cindy legit gets on my nerves with how forced she sounds. I don't know how she keeps getting cast as a lead.  Ryan Paevey is a walking Ken doll and the epitome of bland Hallmark leading male. It was painful listening to him stumble through the bad dialogue of the first film. 

I tried to get through the second one, but as a former General Hospital viewer, it was more clear than ever why everyone called Paevey the "block of wood".  He's pretty, but all you really need to do is hang a picture of him up on the wall and get the same effect. 

Edited June 12, 2018 by LegalParrot81

[Irlandesa]

On 6/11/2018 at 2:02 AM, GaT said:

I just watched the 2nd (Of the trilogy) Hailey Dean movies, & I can't really see any other reason for Clyde other than he had something to do with Will's death. He isn't in that many scenes & none of them are that important, it's like he's a placeholder. I guess we'll find out next week. Whatever happens, I hope it's the last we have to hear about Will, because I am tired of seeing everyone make that sad face every time his name is mentioned.

I know.  

Reasons why it's him:

Other than tangentially being involved with both murder cases, there's no reason for him to be in these two movies other than to kill us into a false sense of security so we'll feel the burn of his betrayal.

They keep pointing out that he was Will's best friend.

He isn't being portrayed as having a romantic interest in Hailey which would give him motive.

Reasons why he's not:

He's not being portrayed as a love interest which would have given him motive.  I guess that could still be the twist.

They might want to leave it open ended to being him back.

This week's entry was probably one of the better movies in this series.  It probably would have been even better if they hadn't spoiled it in the description about Hailey having to keep to her professional ethics when a client confesses.  I thought that would happen early instead of it being the late twist.

I was also amused by her decision to solve Will's case lol.  

[GaT]

54 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

They keep pointing out that he was Will's best friend.

He isn't being portrayed as having a romantic interest in Hailey which would give him motive.

 

Unless it was Will he was romantically interested in, & that's why he wanted Hailey dead.

[Irlandesa]

39 minutes ago, GaT said:

Unless it was Will he was romantically interested in, & that's why he wanted Hailey dead.

Hall.mark.

But I likes the idea.

[VartanFan]

On 6/11/2018 at 1:25 AM, twoods said:

 

I also get squeamish when the couples fall for one another while there is a significant other involved. Hallmark doesn’t want any kissing until the last second, but is perfectly okay with infidelity.

 

I truly don’t understand this line of thinking.  I’m not saying that to be a jerk, but I really don’t get it.  Being with someone else and realizing you like/love someone else and then breaking up with the person before you do so much as kiss or hold hands is not infidelity.  It’s just...basically how tons of relationships happen/start.  I don’t know what else you’re supposed to do?  I can understand not liking the idea of a broken relationship and/or someone getting hurt (in a Hallmark movie ) in a relationship but multiple posts reference infidelity.   

While I find her mouth a bit annoying, I’m ok with Busby as an actress.  I’m more annoyed by the actress from one of the recent Prince movies (where she falls asleep and misses dinner - her mom was a server and dad was a construction worker).  I find she’s far too annoyingly perky for me in these movies.  

[twoods]

You’re right- it’s more of the other person getting hurt than the supposed “infidelity.” Even if they didn’t kiss, they were still falling in love with someone else while dating (or in Hallmark’s case engaged), and that sucks even if it isn’t considered cheating. Maybe it’s the reaction of the other person as being so “Oh shucks, you don’t love me anymore? Then I guess we should break up.” It’s just my preference to liking movies that have single leads because there usually is some other obstacle in their way other than the tired “significant other who is all wrong for the lead” trope. It’s lazy storytelling. 

Edited June 13, 2018 by twoods

[Irlandesa]

38 minutes ago, VartanFan said:

 Being with someone else and realizing you like/love someone else and then breaking up with the person before you do so much as kiss or hold hands is not infidelity.

In Hallmark land I think it is.  Since Hallmark land is sexless, I judge the behaviors in context and put them at a certain level and then think of what relative behaviors would be in the context of a world with sex.  So in sexless Hallmark land, I do think kissing (which happens) and falling in love with someone while engaged to another is being unfaithful because I think in non-Hallmark land, they'd translate to something quite physical. 

But I think the biggest issue is that this is a problem with maybe 80% of the couples in their movies.  They're almost always in a relationship when they start to fall with their OTP even when having another love interest is completely unnecessary to the plot.  They aren't the conflict and they're not even around.  It's like someone at Hallmark has some weird dumping fetish.  So a few movies with the trope?  Fine. People casually dating?  Totally understandable A crazy majority in relationships where them having a long term commitment or engagement factoring in? Not as fine.

Plus, it makes the heroes of the movies the worst romantic partner pickers ever.  I've never quite seen such a rash of people prepared to marry or in serious LTR with people they maybe love and instead wait to fall in love with someone new before breaking up with Mr./Ms. Wrong.  What Hallmark should do is start taking some of their OTPs that are together at the end of the movies, put them in new movies and have them fall in love with someone new because they're bored with the person they ended up with in their previous movie.  I'd buy that.  And it could be some kind of crazy game of partner swap.

[MissyPoo]

On 6/12/2018 at 10:44 PM, Irlandesa said:

What Hallmark should do is start taking some of their OTPs that are together at the end of the movies, put them in new movies and have them fall in love with someone new because they're bored with the person they ended up with in their previous movie.  I'd buy that.  And it could be some kind of crazy game of partner swap.

I believe it. They're already there with the small number of co-stars they switch between throughout the year.

[chitowngirl]

There is a shiny new Garage Sale Mystery thread!

Garage Sale Mysteries

[Happywatcher]

Waiting for everyone to get here, rewatching Morning Show Mystery. I think the issue is that Holly the person seems really nice, but the character just doesn't connect with the other cast. I get the feeling either Jordana or Anna, who played the producer and the assistant, would have fit the cast better in terms of connecting with them in the leading role, they really seemed to click with the other cast.

Plus, cyanide in lethal concentration kills amazing fast. Many of you were alive then, but after the Communist Religious Cult (yes, there was such a thing--the 70s were weird) in Jonestown murdered Congressman Ryan, 900 of them drank fruit punch with cyanide and Valium and were all dead within 5 minutes. They even used feeding syringes to force it down the childrens' throats and they went fast.

(Valium cut down on the convulsions as they died.)

[catrice2]

On 6/12/2018 at 4:59 PM, Irlandesa said:

I know.  

Reasons why it's him:

Other than tangentially being involved with both murder cases, there's no reason for him to be in these two movies other than to kill us into a false sense of security so we'll feel the burn of his betrayal.

They keep pointing out that he was Will's best friend.

He isn't being portrayed as having a romantic interest in Hailey which would give him motive.

Reasons why he's not:

He's not being portrayed as a love interest which would have given him motive.  I guess that could still be the twist.

They might want to leave it open ended to being him back.

This week's entry was probably one of the better movies in this series.  It probably would have been even better if they hadn't spoiled it in the description about Hailey having to keep to her professional ethics when a client confesses.  I thought that would happen early instead of it being the late twist.

I was also amused by her decision to solve Will's case lol.  

I was so not invested in this that I totally forgot it came on tonight and missed it.....while watching game shows....I know!   And Food Network Star.....were we correct?  

[Irlandesa]

I haven't watched it yet.  Sundays are packed y'all.

[GaT]

Since some people haven't watched A Will to Kill yet, I'll put it in spoiler tags

Spoiler

Of course Clyde was behind Will's death, he didn't pull the trigger, he hired the guy who did it. There's a story involving a college friend I don't think we've heard of before that is the reason, so nobody would have ever guessed why, but who did it was what we thought.

Edited June 18, 2018 by GaT

[Kemper]

I still think the Hailey Dean stories have the most professional actors/actresses.  And the writing is maybe better than the usual "mysteries" on this channel.  Are we to assume Hailey and her Medical Examiner boyfriend are sleeping together?  And I wish someone would cut Hailey's hair...maybe a chin-length bob.  The makeup and hair length ages Kelly Martin.

I remember a really really old (at least 30 years) Joan Rivers joke about wedding nights with inexperienced young brides.  The first words out of their mouths would be "you don't look like Ken" or some such.  Referencing the Ken doll's lack of private parts...Barbie's either.  That just about sums up a Hallmark movie.  I do really like the Garage Sale Mysteries.  Wish they would widow the heroine, though.  She would be way more interesting.  But I have always liked the actress (Lori something) and she is great in the role.  Cannot stand the husband; or her goody-goody kids, either.  I am going to hell.  But that series is the best of the bunch of the mystery movies.

[jennifer6973]

2 hours ago, Kemper said:

I still think the Hailey Dean stories have the most professional actors/actresses.  And the writing is maybe better than the usual "mysteries" on this channel.  Are we to assume Hailey and her Medical Examiner boyfriend are sleeping together?  And I wish someone would cut Hailey's hair...maybe a chin-length bob.  The makeup and hair length ages Kelly Martin.

I remember a really really old (at least 30 years) Joan Rivers joke about wedding nights with inexperienced young brides.  The first words out of their mouths would be "you don't look like Ken" or some such.  Referencing the Ken doll's lack of private parts...Barbie's either.  That just about sums up a Hallmark movie.  I do really like the Garage Sale Mysteries.  Wish they would widow the heroine, though.  She would be way more interesting.  But I have always liked the actress (Lori something) and she is great in the role.  Cannot stand the husband; or her goody-goody kids, either.  I am going to hell.  But that series is the best of the bunch of the mystery movies.

I don't think they even do that, because I don't think they even live together.  Which I didn't realize that it bothered me until now.

[GaT]

4 hours ago, Kemper said:

I still think the Hailey Dean stories have the most professional actors/actresses.  And the writing is maybe better than the usual "mysteries" on this channel.  Are we to assume Hailey and her Medical Examiner boyfriend are sleeping together?  And I wish someone would cut Hailey's hair...maybe a chin-length bob.  The makeup and hair length ages Kelly Martin.

I was just wondering about the sleeping together thing last night when I watched the movie, but it's the same for all these movies. If I see an adult couple, I assume they're having sex, but in these Hallmark movies, the chemistry between best friends & romantic partners is the same. In the Hailey Dean movies, the characters of Danny (best friend) & Jonas (romantic interest) have the same exact chemistry with Hailey, they're interchangeable. It wouldn't kill them to have a little sexual heat between people who are a couple.

As for her hair, I noticed that they did cut it. Unfortunately. Her bangs were shorter, & it does not look good. They need to give her younger hair without bangs & lighten up on the chalky makeup.

[hilaryvm]

Quote

This week's entry was probably one of the better movies in this series.  It probably would have been even better if they hadn't spoiled it in the description about Hailey having to keep to her professional ethics when a client confesses.  I thought that would happen early instead of it being the late twist.

This annoyed me so much.  That's the episode description, and the person confesses 30 minutes from the end of the movie.  After about the first 30 min when you've met all the players, you know it's her seemingly random not-connected to the mystery patient because it's the only one that fits the episode description.

Also, I don't know why, but it seriously bugs me that Chad Lowe got second billing for the three movies he was in right behind Kelly Martin.  Like, the promos show him and her together in every shot.  He came in later and she's the lead.  Also, is he really a big draw?  I'm certainly not going to decide to watch the next Hailey Dean movie based on whether or not Chad Lowe is in it...

[catrice2]

Gosh I was literally just coming out here to say how boring I think Jonas is and how I really had hoped Chad Lowe was going to at least be a love interest because that relationship is so god-awful dead.  I also think the actors rather odd looking, however I don't know how their styling  Kellie Martin or what the issue is but she's also coming across as very stiff.

 

I think they were just trying to build up on the fact that they've worked together before and they were going to be together again. Other than that I don't know what the big hype was about him being in three mysteries  was either

[Irlandesa]

5 hours ago, hilaryvm said:

Also, is he really a big draw? 

Possibly to old Life Goes On fans who really wanted a reunion. But it's more likely due to his overall career compared to the other actors in the movies.  His career credits, which include series regular roles, were enough for his agent to negotiate that.

28 minutes ago, catrice2 said:

Gosh I was literally just coming out here to say how boring I think Jonas is and how I really had hoped Chad Lowe was going to at least be a love interest because that relationship is so god-awful dead. 

I think she has more chemistry with her brother-in-law.

[Kemper]

Irlandesa ....yes!  She does have more chemistry with her brother-in-law; just like the Garage Sale Mystery actress has more chemistry with the police detective than she does with her husband...who, to me, is the dullest of the dull.  Then again, chemistry between leads is not ever a factor in the Hallmark movies.  They are extremely popular, though, so their formula works.

[jennifer6973]

I'd love to see more.  

[Starscream]

Not only was there a Life Goes On reunion with Chad Lowe but this last movie featured a Mystery Woman reunion with Nina Siemaszko.  I imagine they'd have to break the bank to get an ER reunion with Noah Wyle.

It kind of terrifies me that Nancy Grace now exists in their universe.  Does this mean she is one of four identical quadruplets and they're spread out across Atlanta bothering Hailey Dean from time to time?

[GaT]

12 hours ago, Starscream said:

It kind of terrifies me that Nancy Grace now exists in their universe.  Does this mean she is one of four identical quadruplets and they're spread out across Atlanta bothering Hailey Dean from time to time?

The movies are based on books written by Nancy Grace, so it's probably in her contract that she has a cameo in each of them.

[twoods]

Finally got around to watching The Beach House, and I’m a sobbing mess. What a great movie, and still can’t believe it’s a Hallmark movie. The romance and chemistry was nice, but the family scenes really stood out.

[geekgirl921]

On 6/20/2018 at 11:05 AM, GaT said:

The movies are based on books written by Nancy Grace, so it's probably in her contract that she has a cameo in each of them.

I like these movies and I really like Kellie Martin but I really dislike Nancy Grace so I always have a little shudder when she is in there.

[EyewatchTV211]

For the Thomas Beaudoin fans, it looks like one of his movies made for one of those other movie providers will be airing this Sunday at 7 on UP TV. Love's Last Resort.

[Veronica]

I want the black dress the lead wore in the beginning of Love at First Dance. 

[Happywatcher]

I don't usually watch the regular Hallmark movies unless they are Christmas themed, I prefer the mysteries.

I just tried to watch Summer Villa, though. Had to turn it off. Standard 'couple with minor issues with each other are forced to share a vaca place' plot. 

However, the female lead, Hilarie Burton, had no chemistry at all with the male lead Victor Webster. Even with her side flirts she wasn't believable with anyone.

The male lead had more chemistry with the actress who was playing the female lead's teen daughter, then he did with the lead. That's when the movie got turned off.

[WarmSkull]

Why is the Parent Trap being shown? It’s a three hour block and from what I recall, has been run on Hallmark two weekends in a row. Three hours of non-Hallmark movies (essentially four since Hallmark movies are 2-hour blocks). 

[In2You]

10 hours ago, WarmSkull said:

Why is the Parent Trap being shown? It’s a three hour block and from what I recall, has been run on Hallmark two weekends in a row. Three hours of non-Hallmark movies (essentially four since Hallmark movies are 2-hour blocks). 

They used to air The Parent Trap quite often a few years back when they had less original movies. 

[Koalagirl]

Hallmark is starting to announce their Christmas movies.

http://ew.com/tv/2018/06/26/hallmark-christmas-movies-candace-cameron-bure-lacey-chabert/

[WarmSkull]

9 hours ago, In2You said:

They used to air The Parent Trap quite often a few years back when they had less original movies. 

Thank you for the clarification! That makes better sense as to why they include it in their lineup.

8 hours ago, Koalagirl said:

Hallmark is starting to announce their Christmas movies.

http://ew.com/tv/2018/06/26/hallmark-christmas-movies-candace-cameron-bure-lacey-chabert/

Thanks! 

 

I’m patiently waiting on Autumn Reeser. I loved the Bramble House. 

[Nidratime]

More Candace Cameron Bure and Lacey Chabert? Can't they find other actresses?

[Koalagirl]

1 hour ago, Nidratime said:

More Candace Cameron Bure and Lacey Chabert? Can't they find other actresses?

Hallmark is getting to be as bad as Food Network who use same handful of cheflebrities over and over.

[formerlyfreedom]

2 hours ago, Nidratime said:

More Candace Cameron Bure and Lacey Chabert? Can't they find other actresses?

I'm not a huge fan of either of them. Now give me Arielle Kebbel in almost anything, and I'm there. Especially if Andrew Walker is opposite her.

[KLovestoShop]

I get the feeling that Hallmark runs their business based on the old contract system the Hollywood production companies used in the 1940's on up.  You signed on with MGM, or Paramount or whoever and you made movies for only that company.   Maybe Hallmark makes their talent sign exclusivity contracts so they can control their actors.  

[Nidratime]

Quote

Hallmark is getting to be as bad as Food Network who use same handful of cheflebrities over and over.

It's seriously messing with my head. ;-) I've seen the same handful of people fall in love and get married to each other so often now, I feel like I'm watching sister wives, brother husbands.

[sacrebleu]

Quote

Hallmark is starting to announce their Christmas movies.

http://ew.com/tv/2018/06/26/hallmark-christmas-movies-candace-cameron-bure-lacey-chabert/

How will they have room for them all? Even if you start the weekend of October 27 and premiere a new movie every Saturday and every Sunday-- that makes 18 movies. They've got 34?!?! 

[JenMD]

Hallmark has 22 and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has the other 12.  Hallmark has been doing a special run on Thanksgiving week the last few years, airing new movies Wednesday through Sunday.  Still, 34 is just too many new movies, they just suffer in quality at that number, imo. 

[In2You]

On 6/27/2018 at 4:03 PM, JenMD said:

Hallmark has 22 and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has the other 12.  Hallmark has been doing a special run on Thanksgiving week the last few years, airing new movies Wednesday through Sunday.  Still, 34 is just too many new movies, they just suffer in quality at that number, imo. 

I don't know why they skip over Halloween and Thanksgiving movies  now too in favor of Christmas. Pretty soon Christmas movies will be starting the first week of October.  There's so many Halloween cozy mysteries and quite a few Thanksgiving ones you'd think HMM would at least do those.

Edited June 28, 2018 by In2You

[GaT]

3 hours ago, In2You said:

Pretty soon Christmas movies will be starting the first week of October.  

They didn't bother to wait that late, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is having something called "Gold Crown Christmas Week" 6/29 - 7/15. They will be airing Christmas movies. 

[LexieLily]

10 hours ago, JenMD said:

Hallmark has 22 and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has the other 12.  Hallmark has been doing a special run on Thanksgiving week the last few years, airing new movies Wednesday through Sunday.  Still, 34 is just too many new movies, they just suffer in quality at that number, imo. 

And it eats up my DVR because I never watch the movies until at least mid-December. Usually by then I am having to delete everything non-Christmas just to make room :(

[Cherpumple]

23 hours ago, Nidratime said:

It's seriously messing with my head. ;-) I've seen the same handful of people fall in love and get married to each other so often now, I feel like I'm watching sister wives, brother husbands.

Agreed. They really need to keep this in mind when they make their programming schedules. I can't watch back-to-back movies of Lacy Chabert falling in love with two different men. Space it out! Get some new people! At least let me keep the illusion of their relationship for five minutes before asking me to get invested in a totally different pairing. And, let's be honest, it doesn't help matters that most of the characters are interchangeable in both looks and personalities. It's not like watching back-to-back Meryl Streep movies, where she disappears into each character.

On a related note, it sometimes weirds me out when they rearrange actor couplings across my perceived generational lines. For instance, Lori Loughlin and the actor who plays her husband in the Garage Sale Mysteries are the same age. He was recently in a movie coupled up with Sara Rue, who is 15 years younger. I liked the movie, but it felt a little strange. To be clear, I don't care about age differences in relationships. As long as everyone's a consenting adult, do what you want. But I just think of Lori and Sara as being in different generations, if that makes sense. Like, I can't imagine them using the same male lead with Lori in one movie and Candace Bure in another, because of their Full House history. It would be icky to me. YMMV.

[Koalagirl]

12 hours ago, LexieLily said:

And it eats up my DVR because I never watch the movies until at least mid-December. Usually by then I am having to delete everything non-Christmas just to make room :(

In addition to Hallmark I also DVR the ION and UP new Christmas movies.  I take the week off between Christmas and New Years and do nothing but watch.  I think last year I had at least 50 movies.  By New Year's I was sick of holidays.

[LexieLily]

44 minutes ago, Koalagirl said:

In addition to Hallmark I also DVR the ION and UP new Christmas movies.  I take the week off between Christmas and New Years and do nothing but watch.  I think last year I had at least 50 movies.  By New Year's I was sick of holidays.

Hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, ION and UP. If there is another channel that does Christmas movies please no one tell me because I won't be able to take it! 

[JAYJAY1979]

As you all know, a lot of people prefer mindless fluff and Hallmark Channel doesn't offer anything of depth.  As long as people eat them up, they will be made.  I do recall Hallmark Channel used to make an occasional Halloween esque movie in its earlier years.. as well as a Thanksgiving movie.  Perhaps, Hallmark Channel is playing up to the conservative base that thinks Halloween is evil (even though its origins were anything, but evil).  Just my guess.

[In2You]

Hallmark at one point had teamed up with Walmart for family friendly movies on Fridays too I think it was about 5 years back. those movies were interesting because they weren't the wash rinse repeat romances that usually air.

Now Hallmark claims they're airing movies for the family but they're mostly dull romances with similar characters. and the same tired cast members over and over again. I can't imagine the kids are around at 9pm to watch these with their parents.