Hallmark Christmas in July 🎄 comfort & joy ❤️

[flyingdumbo127]

I have watched Maggie's Christmas Miracle. I think I liked the book better. I haven't read or watched as a movie the other title. Thank you, Imzadi for that information and understanding my thoughts above.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Recent watches were with my rating in parenthesis

Hallmark's The Finnish Line (6/10), A Reason for the Season (7/10) and Debbie Macomber's Joyful Mrs. Miracle (6/10).

I agree with a previous comment that Rachel Boston was not necessarily the right choice for her role in the Mrs. Miracle movie. I believed the happy, look on the bright side character but it wasn't her age that made me not gel as well, it was just more that I didn't feel enough depth in her character so it always came off so surface level.

Similar to Mrs. Miracle with A Reason for the Season I felt Taylor Cole was a miscast. She normally plays down to earth characters and this role she played was that of a spoiled girl who maybe isn't bratty but needed to be around more humility. If they had removed that whole plot point of her mom pushing her to give back because she's so privileged and had to complete this mission to get her trust and instead made it that Taylor Cole's character wanted to go undercover to her birthplace to give back it would have gone so much better. Then I would have believed Taylor Cole was right for that role. I could have rated it lower but I did like the side characters and their warmth boosted it.

The Finnish Line I was really liking for the majority of the movie, I liked the different plot of a dog sled race (even though that plot was thin) but her rant with such extreme pessimism towards the end of the movie was awful. It changed the entire tone of the movie from a "underdog" to someone who so meanly lashed out at those around her helping accomplish what was seen as not able to be accomplished. The redeeming arc just didn't suit well and the villain of the movie was like a teddy bear in the end and the main character we're supposed to like became the villain!

Lifetime's BeBe Winans' We Three Kings (7/10). There was a bit of hiccups with not rating it higher but overall I liked the flow and each sister's romance. The underlying mystery was too obvious from the moment it was spoken but the journey to get there kinda made you forget that. The record store scenes were the ones I enjoyed the most.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I watched Journey Back to Christmas again and really liked it. I also enjoyed overall Chateau Christmas and A Heavenly Christmas which I saw last year. I hope each of you enjoy a good movie today

 

[Imzadi]

Late Reminder for tonight: Thursday:

Hallmark Mystery's Miracles of Christmas presents:

All I Need for Christmas is on at 8pm ET/PT, 7pm CT on Hallmark Mystery

Re-airs:
Sunday December 15 at 6/5c
Thursday December 19 at 10/9c
Saturday December 21 at 4/3c

Starring: Mallory Jansen and Dan Jeannotte.
Description: Struggling singer/songwriter Maggie is worried she's unable to compete with such a tech-savvy world. Upon returning home to help her parents on their farm, she meets Archer, an entrepreneur who has come back to town to spend the holidays. Both discover there is merit in preserving the tried and true while making room for new ideas and methods to bring people together and help make dreams come true.

 

[wabbott]

Watched most of Let It Snow last night. The website says it was filmed in Vancouver, BC, but where were the ski/mountain scenes filmed?

 

[fla4fun]

I watched Journey Back to Christmas again and really liked it. I also enjoyed overall Chateau Christmas and A Heavenly Christmas which I saw last year. I hope each of you enjoy a good movie today

I am torn on Journey Back To Christmas. I like the story a lot, but several of the actors in it do a very poor job of acting. They seem very one dimensional, like they have never had an acting job before. It reminds me a lot of the acting you might see in an elementary school program. I can’t put it all down to the actors, since many of them are very experienced. I guess I would have to blame the director for some of the acting choices, since the director would have the final say. With the same script, but a different director and maybe one or two actor changes, I think it would have been much better.

It’s one of those movies I record, then erase, then record again, then erase again . . .

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I hear you, Fla4Fun. Some movie casts are indeed overall stronger than others. I am normally not a time travel person but overall enjoyed this movie.

 

[Imzadi]

On the Hallmark Channel this weekend:

LESS re-air dates as we get closer to the holidays!

On Friday:
Hanukkah on the Rocks is on the Hallmark Channel at 8pm ET/PT, 7CT.

Re-airs:
Saturday December 14 4/3c
Sunday December 22 12/11c
Thursday December 26 10/9c

Starring: Stacey Farber, Daren Kagasoff and Marc Summers.
Description: One week before Hanukkah, corporate lawyer Tory finds herself unexpectedly unemployed and questioning the career she’s dedicated years to. As she helps her Bubby prepare for the holiday, she embarks on a quest across Chicago to find the last box of coveted Hanukkah candles. Her search leads her to Rocky’s, an Old Town bar, where she encounters Jay, a charming doctor from Florida, his grandfather Sam and a cast of quirky regulars who make her rethink everything. As Tory navigates the holiday, she learns that sometimes a detour can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be, lighting the way to a future filled with joy, romance, and self-discovery.

On Saturday:
The Santa Class is on the Hallmark Channel at 8pm ET/PT, 7CT.

Re-airs:
Sunday December 15 10/9c
Wednesday December 18 8/7c
Saturday December 21 4/3c
Friday December 27 12/11c

Starring: Kimberley Sustad and Benjamin Ayres.
Description: Kate North (Sustad) finds herself reluctantly taking over her father’s once acclaimed and now struggling Santa School. In the weeks leading up to Christmas and the school’s next session, Kate and her new co-worker Dan (Ayres) discover who they believe to be the real Santa Claus, lost and without his memories after his sled steered off course and crashed near the school. They decide to help him remember who he is by inviting him to participate in the intense Santa training program. There’s a lot at stake this year with Kate’s school needs to best the rival St. Nicholas School or be forced to close their doors, and Nick (Santa Claus) needs to remember who he is, or the fate of Christmas might be at stake.

On Sunday:
Following Yonder Star is a DaySpring movie on the Hallmark Channel at 8pm ET/PT, 7CT.

DaySpring is Hallmark's brand devoted to more faith-based, religious line of products.

Re-airs:
Monday December 16 6/5c
Saturday December 21 10/9c
Wednesday December 25 6/5c
Sunday December 29 8a/7c
Thursday January 2 10/9c

Starring: Brooke D'Orsay and John Brotherton.
Description: Abby Marshall, once celebrated for her role as an inspirational mother on TV, is finding her real life in shambles after dealing with a scandal. She retreats to a quaint B&B, owned by Tom Maguire, who is also a high school astronomy teacher. Since his wife’s passing, Tom has taken on a lot of extra responsibilities, including running the inn and directing the local church’s Christmas pageant. Empathizing with Tom, Abby offers to help with the pageant and various activities around the inn and finds herself enjoying both the projects and Tom’s company. Through newfound community, family and love, Abby discovers that hope sometimes comes in the most unexpected ways.

 

[Imzadi]

I was a way for a few days and didn't get a chance to post these schedules for this weekend. Re-air dates have been included.

On Great American Family this weekend:

On Saturday:
Get Him Back for Christmas was on GAF.

Re-airs:
Sunday, December 15 at 6:00 PM
Tuesday, December 17 at 8:00 PM
Thursday, December 19 at 2:00 AM
Thursday, December 19 at 12:00 PM

Starring: Real life husband & wife, Carlos and Alexa PenaVega.
Description: Up-and-coming singer songwriter Bella Harlan comes home for Christmas and enlists her high-school songwriting partner Jack Grayton to craft a song to win back her rockstar boyfriend by Christmas. As the two reunite for the first time in a decade, they embark on a Christmas journey down memory lane, and soon realize true love may be closer than they thought. The heart of the movie centers on Jack’s role with The Salvation Army, and Bella soon finds herself inspired by his devotion and passion to a life of doing the most good. Filled with charming original music and its share of twists and turns, Get Him Back for Christmas demonstrates the importance of never losing sight of the ones who matter the most.

On Sunday:
NO new movie.
GAF is re-airing one of my favorite Christmas movies of this year.
A Cinderella Christmas Ball is on GAF at 8pm ET, 7CT.

Re-airs on GAF:
Tuesday, December 10 at 8:00 AM
Wednesday, December 11 at 8:00 PM
Friday, December 13 at 4:00 AM

Starring: Danica McKellar and Oliver Rice
Description: A dance instructor finds an old photo of a couple who may be her mother and father. Hoping to solve the mystery of her birth family, she travels to Havenshire where she meets a charming prince who dances with her at the Christmas ball.

My review posted earlier of this movie:

A Cinderella Christmas Ball with Danica McKellar. It is almost an exact replica of the royal prince movie that made Hallmark and Danica famous, Crown for Christmas back in 2015. If you love that "Classic Hallmark" movie, yet watched it so much that you can't watch it anymore because of that, here is a more grown up version of it to watch. Danica is nine years older. She co-wrote this movie as well as executive produced it to show she is nine years older in terms of experience and life. She made sure her character has nine years more life experience also. She's strong, capable and she challenges the prince. As the cliche goes, "he's a better man because of her."​

​

For those who watched Danica on Dancing With The Stars, Danica does a lot of dancing in this movie.

​

 

[Marrila]

I watched Hanukkah on the Rocks yesterday and thought it was a very enjoyable movie. It was fun to see Marc Summers again after all these years.

 

[Imzadi]

On the Lifetime Channel this weekend:

Be aware that Lifetime stops showing Christmas movies right on Dec 26 and goes back to their crazed stalker neighbor movies. So, record all the Christmas movies you want to watch before then.

On Saturday:
The Holiday Junkie was on Lifetime TV.
Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt with real life husband Brian Hallisay and Kristin Chenoweth.
Description: Andie and her mother Mimi run a company called The Holiday Junkie, a decorating and planning service for all holiday needs. But after Mimi passes away, Andie is forced to face her first Christmas without her mother and carry The Holiday Junkie torch all on her own. Despite the challenges, Andie may also find some love at Christmas along the way!

Re-airs:
Sunday, December 15 at 6:00 PM
Friday, December 20 at 10:03 PM
Saturday, December 21 at 2:04 AM
Saturday, December 21 at 6:00 PM
Monday, December 23 at 8:00 PM
Tuesday, December 24 at 12:01 AM
Wednesday, December 25 at 4:00 PM

On Sunday:
Christmas on the Alpaca Farm is on the Lifetime TV at 8pm ET/PT, 7CT and repeats 4 hours later at 12:01am ET.
Starring: Kirsten Comerford and Matt Wells.
Description: Jess (Kirsten Comerford) the “Queen of Christmas Sweaters,” quits her job at the hottest fashion label in NYC, intent on winning a Christmas competition with her own line of sustainable luxury knits. Getting her hands dirty, she teams up with Andrew (Matt Wells), a single dad and struggling alpaca farmer, as she helps bring Christmas joy to the farm and love into both of their hearts.

Re-airs:
Monday, December 16 at 12:01 AM
Saturday, December 21 at 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 25 at 12:00 PM

 

[Imzadi]

On UPtv this Sunday:

UPtv is premiering their own original movie tonight.

A Novel Christmas is on UPtv at 7 pmET/PT, 6CT.
Starring: Brigitte Kingsley and Landy Cannon.
Description: Chloe Anderson, a beloved children’s book author, has always drawn inspiration from her cherished childhood memories. During her final book signing at the Noelleville bookstore, Chloe encounters Ethan, a devoted single father, and his book-loving, aspiring writer daughter, Alex. Their shared passion for literature sparks an immediate connection. Just when Chloe believes she’s on the brink of embracing her future, her publisher extends a dazzling opportunity for a high-profile New Year’s Eve appearance on a major network show. Now, she must decide whether to stand firm in her resolve to focus on her novel and personal life, or succumb to the allure of her demanding career.

Re-airs:
Tonight at 11:00 PM
Sunday, Dec 22 at 5:00 PM
Thursday, Dec 26 at 1:00 AM

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I have enjoyed re-watching A Veteran's Christmas and An Eclectic Christmas. Love Christmas the dog reunion in the first movie and Aunt Freida in the second. For a feel good story I definitely recommend this one.

 

[Imzadi]

Christmas movies on other networks or currently streaming:​

Check the reviews on the [IMDb.com or RottenTomatoes.com websites for the ones already out. Some have not gotten great reviews. (Your tastes may vary, of course.)

Nutcrackers​

How to watch: Hulu & Disney+

Cast: Ben Stiller, Linda Cardellini, Edi Patterson.
Official description: "Nutcrackers is a heartfelt comedy which follows strait-laced and work-obsessed Mike (Ben Stiller) as he is suddenly thrust into being a caregiver for his rambunctious, orphaned nephews."

The Day Before Christmas​

How to watch: BET+

Cast: Tristan Wilds, Candace Maxwell, Finn Maloney, Ava Marie Threat, Towanda Braxton, Chinai Routte, Darren Brand.
Official description: "When two single parents accidentally swap phones and their children's backpacks on a hectic Christmas Eve, they find themselves covering for each other in a series of chaotic yet heartwarming events, leading to unexpected romance."


For you scary movie fans:

A Creature Was Stirring​

How to watch: Shudder, AMC+
Cast: Chrissy Metz, Scout Taylor-Compton, Annalise Basso
Official description: "Faith (Chrissy Metz) keeps her troubled teenage daughter on a tightly controlled but illicit pill regimen in order to ward off a terrifying affliction. But after a Christmas burglary, their family secret may finally be exposed."

That Christmas​

How to watch: Netflix

Voice Cast: Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, with Bill Nighy and Rhys Darby.
Official description: Based on the charming trilogy of children's books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday),That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!

Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane​

How to watch: Hallmark+

Cast: Jonathan Bennett, Annabelle Borke, Corey Cott.
Official description: "In 1951, a doctor (Cott) wants to make the holiday special for his worried wife (Borke) before he is shipped out to serve in Korea, but when she suffers a minor fracture to her arm his carefully planned out Christmas Eve plans are upended. In 2003, a newly married couple (Dugdale, Kook) who are always in agreement about everything hosts two sets of in-laws for Christmas Eve for the first time and find that they may not have had as much in common as they thought they did. And in 2024, a couple (Bennett, Rodriguez III) tries to arrange special Christmas surprises for each other but keeping them a secret may be harder than they thought."

Christmas Eve in Miller's Point​

How to watch: AMC+

Cast: Michael Cera, Sawyer Spielberg, Francesca Scorsese.
Official description: "On Christmas Eve, a family gathers for what could be the last holiday in their ancestral home. As the night wears on and generational tensions arise, one of the teenagers sneaks out with her friends to claim the wintry suburb for her own."

Brewster’s Millions: Christmas​

How to watch: BET+

Cast: China Anne McClain, Romeo Miller, Sierra McClain.
Official description: "When Monica Brewster, a wealthy heiress who has lost her way, faces a Christmas challenge to inherit her uncle Monty Brewster’s grandfather's fortune, she must learn the true meaning of love, faith, and family by giving instead of receiving, all while navigating the charming chaos, and the true meaning of the holiday season."

The Primrose Railway Children​

How to watch: BYUtv

LINK to watch here https://www.byutv.org/the-primrose-railway-children

Or available on the Frndly app.

Cast: Kevin McKidd
Official description: "In this heartwarming reimagining of The Railway Children, young Phoebe (Ava McCarthy) and her siblings are uprooted from city life when their mother unexpectedly moves them to a remote Scottish village. With no cell service and their dad mysteriously absent, Phoebe is determined to uncover the truth. But is Phoebe's imagination running away with her, or is Dad actually in deep trouble? With its beautiful Scottish scenery and iconic steam railway sequences, The Primrose Railway Children promises to be an emotional, warm, and uplifting drama for the whole family."

Too Many Christmases​

How to watch: BET+

Cast: Denzel Whitaker, Porscha Coleman, Jackie Harry, Michael Colyar.
Official description: "Jerome and Kayla are excited to spend their first Christmas together as husband and wife. The only problem is that they’ve never celebrated Christmas without their respective families. This Christmas, instead of deciding on one event, they agree to attend two at the same time, to appease their families."


Another scary movie:

Joe Bob's Christmas Carnage​

How to watch: on Shudder TV, AMC+ TV

Cast:Joe Bob Briggs, Darcy the Mail Girl
Official description: "Snow is falling and the bodies are piling up for Joe Bob's Christmas Carnage, when Joe Bob and Darcy host two holiday horror flicks featuring so much bloodshed that Santa will think twice before coming down this chimney."


A Die Hard-like "Christmas movie":

Carry-On​

How to watch: Netflix

Cast: Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman and Sofia Carson.
Official description: "A Netflix airport thriller with enough holiday energy to land it on this list. The showdown takes place when Bateman's enigmatic character blackmails Egerton who is a TSA agent to let a bag make it through security and onto a Christmas Eve flight. If you're up for a different kind of holiday flick, leave room in your suitcase for this one.

Meet Me Next Christmas​

How to watch: Netflix

Cast: Christina Milian and Pop group Pentatonix.
Official description: This holiday rom-com brings festive tunes and chemistry. Milian's character hunts down tickets to a sold-out Pentatonix concert in New York City, hoping to join a guy she had a meet-cute with a year earlier. But a decision to hire a concierge introduces an unexpected second love interest.

An Almost Christmas Story​

How to watch: Disney+

Voice actors: Jim Gaffigan, Mamoudou Athie, Natasha Lyonne and John C. Reilly.
Official description: Want to spend Christmas with an adorable little owl? This animated short film on Disney Plus follows the journey of a young bird named Moon, who winds up alone in Rockefeller Plaza during the holidays and befriends a young girl who's also far from home.

Dear Santa​

How to watch: Paramount Plus

Cast: Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key and Post Malone.
Official description: "What if a little boy unintentionally addressed a letter to Satan instead of the man with the bag? Jack Black stars as the kid's devilish new acquaintance, and Keegan-Michael Key and Post Malone appear in this unconventional holiday movie that didn't prove very hot with critics." Rating of 5.4 on the IMDb.

Starting tonight and forward:​

The Chelsea Detective Christmas Special​

How to watch: Dec. 16, Acorn TV

Cast: Adrian Scarborough
Official description: "DI Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) investigates the murder of singer Chloe Carmichael whose biggest hit, 'Nobody Wants to be Alone at Christmas' reaches #1 again after her death."

Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane​

How to watch: Dec. 19, Hallmark+

Cast: John Brotherton, Erin Cahill, Brooke D'Orsay, Matt Dusk, Chelsea Hobbs, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and Sam Page
Official description: "In 1966, single guy David’s (Hollingsworth) plans for a simple Christmas are dashed when his neighbor Stephanie (Hobbs) arrives with news that she won a contest to have Tommy Saunders’ (Dusk) Christmas Eve TV special broadcast live from her house – but used his address. In 1981, John (Brotherton) and Lizzie (Cahill) learn that this will be their last Christmas on Cherry Lane after John receives a job offer in Michigan and Lizzie finds out she’s pregnant. In 2000, best friends Matt (Page) and Rebecca (D’Orsay) find unexpected feelings developing as they try to find out who is behind a series of Christmas-themed random acts of kindness."

Queens of Christmas​

How to watch: Dec. 19, BET+

Cast: Terri J. Vaughn, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Essence Atkins, Hannah Whitley.
Official description: "Doris and Julia, life-long friends and feuding neighbors, learn the true meaning of 'sisterhood' and Christmas while hilariously competing for the annual title of 'Queen of Christmas.'"

24-Karat Christmas​

How to watch: Dec. 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, OWN

Cast: Samantha Marie Ware and Curtis Hamilton.
Official description: "When Trish (Samantha Marie Ware), an unlucky-in-love jewelry designer, accidentally sends a set of Christmas wedding bands off with the wrong person, she and the charming best man, Book Mosely (Curtis Hamilton), must work together to track them down and get them to the wedding on Christmas Eve – in the process learning that you can’t wait for love to find you, you have to go out and find it."

Blended Christmas​

How to watch: Dec. 25, BET+

Cast: Jennifer Freeman, Anthony Dalton, Dream Doll, Victoria Rowell.
Official description: "After a freak accident, a new bride cancels her tropical Christmas honeymoon to take care of her husband's ex-wife and kids with a little help from a holiday angel."

 

[dizneegirl]

If you're looking for Christmas comedy, I don't recommend Nutcrackers with Ben Stiller. I'd call it drama.

That Christmas on Netflix was fun. As was Dear Santa with Jack Black on Paramount+... definitely not your typical Christmas movie, though.

 

[Imzadi]

If you're looking for Christmas comedy, I don't recommend Nutcrackers with Ben Stiller. I'd call it drama.

That Christmas on Netflix was fun. As was Dear Santa with Jack Black on Paramount+... definitely not your typical Christmas movie, though.

I wonder if some of the movies got bad ratings because people were expecting a typical Christmas movie and they weren't. So, they rated them on their expectations and not on the actual movie?

 

[Allison]

I thought The Santa Class was really cute especially with the person who starred as themselves (didn't put the name so as not to spoil it).

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Another touching older movie is A Grandpa for Christmas. My own late beloved grandpa and grandma were so special to me. It means a lot to see closer grandparents with their grandchildren. At the end of the movie, the school pageant kids sing, "Go Tell it on a Mountain!" What a great surprise for me that was.

 

[Imzadi]

All I Need for Christmas is on at 8pm ET/PT, 7pm CT on Hallmark Mystery

Re-airs:
Thursday December 19 at 10/9c
Saturday December 21 at 4/3c

Starring: Mallory Jansen and Dan Jeannotte.
Description: Struggling singer/songwriter Maggie is worried she's unable to compete with such a tech-savvy world. Upon returning home to help her parents on their farm, she meets Archer, an entrepreneur who has come back to town to spend the holidays. Both discover there is merit in preserving the tried and true while making room for new ideas and methods to bring people together and help make dreams come true.

I watched All I Need for Christmas. It was okay, although the reasoning of why the female lead flaked out near the end was a bit paltry.

The Holiday Junkie was on Lifetime TV.
Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt with real life husband Brian Hallisay and Kristin Chenoweth.
Description: Andie and her mother Mimi run a company called The Holiday Junkie, a decorating and planning service for all holiday needs. But after Mimi passes away, Andie is forced to face her first Christmas without her mother and carry The Holiday Junkie torch all on her own. Despite the challenges, Andie may also find some love at Christmas along the way!

Re-airs:
Sunday, December 15 at 6:00 PM
Friday, December 20 at 10:03 PM
Saturday, December 21 at 2:04 AM
Saturday, December 21 at 6:00 PM
Monday, December 23 at 8:00 PM
Tuesday, December 24 at 12:01 AM
Wednesday, December 25 at 4:00 PM

Also watched The Holiday Junkie. I liked it. But it was weird watching Jennifer Love Hewitt's real life husband actually treat her nice in a role. I'm used to watching him beat her up on 911. For much of this movie, I kept expecting him to turn on her, turning this into a regular Lifetime movie.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I watched A Cinderella Christmas Ball which I overall enjoyed. I really liked that Prince Phillip wanted to increase activities for foster families. I loved that Inn owner couple adopted two older boys as well. Danica McKellar's character of Chelsea was ok. To me she wore a sad expression, prayers she wasn't truly sad about something, most of the time. I did think she and Phillip made a good match.