Hallmark Movies ❤️ comfort & joy

[Imzadi]

I watched four movies. Two will probably be my favorites for this season. Two I thought were okay to watch once.

The first movie I really liked is:

The Christmas Quest with Lacey Chabert & Kristoffer Polaha. It's a copy of an Indiana Jones movie without the hat & whip. Lacey executive produced it. She got a large budget for the movie. It is set in Iceland which is beautiful. She got enough money to give some sets & prop relics an authentic look. The quest kind of dropped for a couple minutes in the middle, but came back after they fast forwarded through some of the quest.

I was happy that the "sparks flying" at the beginning only stayed pretty much at the beginning and not halfway through the whole movie as some badly written ones do. This is the first time Lacey & Kristoffer have acted together, but they seemed really comfortable together. Their acting experience showed they knew what to do. They created a nice past history for their characters. It was evident their characters were previously married and Kristoffer still loved her. It really was a matter of finishing the quest in time and getting these two back together where they belonged.

The second movie is on Great American Family. It is 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.

The two movies I thought are okay are:

Home Sweet Christmas with Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison. Candace plays an intelligent lawyer. So, as previously mentioned, I already like Candace as these types of characters better than when she plays an "unknowing" naive character. As flyingdumbo127 mentioned, Candace and Cameron's character get along from the start. They are working to solve the situation in the movie together, which is nice. Worth watching once.

Christmas Under the Northern Lights is the second movie. It is on Great American Family. (It should NOT be confused with two other movies with similar names: The Northern Lights of Christmas with Ashley Williams. Nor Christmas Under the Lights, (no "Northern,") with Heather Hemmens, Marco Grazzini, which came out last week on Hallmark.)

This movie stars Jill Wagner, Jesse Hutch. It was a nice movie, but Jesse acted odd at times, so I'm marking off points for that. It is worth watching once. Not sure if I will watch it again.

 

[Imzadi]

Reminder: On Thursday:

Hallmark Mystery's Miracles of Christmas presents:

A Dance in the Snow is on at 8pm ET/PT, 7pm CT on Hallmark Mystery

Re-airs:
Sunday December 8 at 6/5c
Thursday December 12 at 10/9c
Saturday December 14 at 4/3c
Wednesday December 18 at 8/7c
Wednesday December 25 at 12a/11c
Saturday December 28 at 4/3c

Starring: Erica Cerra, Mark Ghanimé, Vanessa Burghardt and Dorian Giordano.
Description: Melanie's autistic daughter Jenny, a high school senior, plans her own party with friends while Melanie works with Jenny's teacher to create an inclusive school dance, which leads to romantic

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thank you Kennywood and Imzadi

 

[Kennywood]

 

[Imzadi]

On the Hallmark Channel this weekend:

On Friday:
Private Princess Christmas is on the Hallmark Channel at 8pm ET/PT, 7CT.

Re-airs:
Saturday December 7 at 6/5c
Sunday December 15 at 2/1c
Wednesday December 18 at 6/5c
Monday December 23 at 4/3c
Sunday December 29 at 12a/11c
Friday January 3 at 12/11c

Starring: Ali Skovbye, Derek Klena and Erica Durance.
Description: Vi, better known as Princess Violet of Wingravia, adores the privileges of being a royal, if none of the responsibilities. After being disappointed by Vi one time too many, the Queen decides to test her daughter’s mettle once and for all and issues an ultimatum: Vi must pass a vigorous leadership boot camp in Colorado or lose the throne to her uncle. At boot camp, Vi and her fellow cadets are put through a rigorous grind under the uncompromising supervision of Captain Ryan Douglas.

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

Re-airs:
Sunday December 8 at 4/3c
Friday December 13 at 6/5c
Tuesday December 17 at 8/7c
Saturday December 21 at 10a/9c
Wednesday December 25 at 2/1c
Monday December 30 at 10a/9c
Friday January 3 at 10/9c

Starring: Maggie Lawson and Janel Parrish.
Description: Emily (Lawson) has always dreamed of creating the perfect Christmas, meticulously planning every detail year after year, only to feel like she’s falling short. Hoping to bring her family closer together, she makes a wish for a holiday as picture-perfect as the ones she sees in a made-for-TV holiday movie. To her shock, Sugarplum (Parrish), the film’s relentlessly optimistic main character, magically steps off the screen to make Emily’s wish come true — whether she’s ready for it or not. As Sugarplum applies her movie-world rules to real life, Emily gets caught up in the possibility of finally achieving the flawless family Christmas. But when Sugarplum's magical fixes start to backfire one by one, Emily begins to question what an ideal holiday really is. With time running out, Emily and Sugarplum find themselves on a heartwarming adventure – one that might just amount to an entirely different kind of Christmastime perfection.

On Sunday:
Leah's Perfect Gift is on the Hallmark Channel at 8pm ET/PT, 7CT.

Re-airs:
Monday December 9 at 6/5c
Friday December 13 at 10/9c
Thursday December 19 at 6/5c
Tuesday December 24 at 12a/11c
Saturday December at8a/7c
Friday January 3 at 4/3c

Starring: Emily Arlook, Evan Roderick, and Barbara Niven.
Description: Leah Meyer is a bonafide lover of Christmas – the trees, the ornaments, the eggnog! But she has always admired the holiday from afar because she’s Jewish. Though her family celebrates Hanukkah, Leah has longed to experience a traditional Christmas. When her boyfriend Graham invites her to spend the holidays with his classic Connecticut family, she eagerly accepts. Excited to dive into the quintessential Christmas she’s always dreamed of, Leah quickly discovers that fitting in with Graham’s uptight family and his not-so-welcoming mom (Niven) is easier said than done. As holiday traditions clash and awkward moments pile up, it is not quite the cozy Christmas that she expected.

 

[Imzadi]

The Finnish Line is on the Hallmark Channel.
Starring: Kim Matula, Beau Mirchoff and Nichole Sakura.
Description: Anya heads to Finland to participate in the 40th annual Joulurauha dog sled race, her father’s final race where he fell short of the victory. Following an injury to her lead dog during the qualifying race, Anya finds herself partnered with a new canine companion owned by journalist and former racer Cole, who aims to pen a story about her journey. Struggling to build trust with her new dog and facing her father’s rival, Monty, Anya must navigate many challenges as she strives to win the race.

Seems like there are many "quests" and mysteries on Hallmark this season. That must be their overall theme. I like it as it gives us something to watch for.

I watched The Finnish Line. There is lots and lots of talking in the beginning to get set up that I thought was unnecessary. It took 18 minutes before they even got to the part of qualifying for the race. I get they want to establish the friendships and relationships of everyone. I just thought it was long. Then there was another down time to get to the actual race that I fast forwarded over. A few of the supporting characters really overacted and made this a "fluff" movie. But, overall, I liked the movie.

 

[Imzadi]

I'm trying to watch A Novel Noel and am not getting completely caught up in it. The constant sniping between Sawyer and Harper is very old only 15 minutes in. I also by choicr don't drink at all ever so the wine bar aspect of the bookstore does nothing for me. The best part so far was a bookstore customer coming in to find a how to write a book guide so she could share in print her grandparents love story. I would enjoy reading that. My own beloved late grandparents grew up togerher and were married 53 years.

I started that one this morning and turned it off as well. I just wasn't feeling it.

I watched A Novel Noel. Full disclosure: I absolutely can't stand Brendan Penny. For those of you who like Brendan Perry, you will like this movie.

For me, casting is so key. This was an unfortunate miss for me.

Hallmark keeps casting him in these roles where "sparks fly" when the two leads meet, and he just can't act them well. He's nasty, mean, dismissive and down right rude to the lead. One of his last movies, the female actually had a line asking him, "Are you STALKING me?!?" The way he acted his character, yeah, he kind of was.

Had Andrew Walker or Ryan Paevey acted those characters, they would have brought such a different energy and nuances that when hearing that line asked, they would have turned the situation in a different direction.

In Novel Noel, Penny acted like a real jerk at the beginning. Hallmark and a lot of the fan reviews like to call that being "grumpy." NO, rudeness to another person is not the same as grumpy about things and shouldn't be excused as such. It made no sense why the female lead would overlook his behavior to HER so many times in the beginning.

Julie Gonzalo, to her credit, acted so well that she was able to constantly overlook it. I stuck through the movie as I like Julie. Yet, I kept thinking and wishing some other actor had been cast. Especially as the movie continued and she kept encouraging his character and saying how talented and special he is. It kept pulling me out of the movie as I don't think that of the Brendan. I kept thinking, had they cast her with her real life husband, Chris McNally, this would have been a really good movie.

Because I liked the script. I liked that she revealed who she was earlier, so they didn't have the usual "misunderstanding" at the end. I liked the twist that was thrown in near the end.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I agree Imzadi that intentional rudeness is most unkind. Sad, too. I did like the town in Christmas Land but was disappointed at zero faith being included. Happy weekend movie watching, friends

 

[elgerber]

Are the Cherry Lane movies only on Hallmark +?

 

[Imzadi]

Are the Cherry Lane movies only on Hallmark +?

The original movie still seems to be showing on regular Hallmark. The next and only time it re-airs again is Friday December 20 at 10a/9c.

But, the 3 part sequel is only on Hallmark+ :
https://www.girlsgonehallmark.com/what-we-know-about-the-christmas-on-cherry-lane-trilogy/

I'm seeing a recurring pattern with the new Hallmark+. Any movie or series with parts is being moved to Hallmark+. There is the Finding Mr. Christmas series. Even though the final movie that the winner stars in, Happy Howlidays, is being shown on Hallmark. Future seasons of The Way Home will air on Hallmark+. And now the Cherry Lane sequels.

 

[Imzadi]

On Great American Family this weekend:

On Saturday:
Once Upon a Christmas Wish is on GAF at 8pm ET, 7CT.

Re-airs:
Sunday, December 8 at 6:00 PM
Tuesday, December 10 at 8:00 PM
Thursday, December 12 at 2:00 AM
Thursday, December 12 at 12:00 PM
Saturday, December 14 at 6:00 PM

Starring: Real life husband & wife, Mario Lopez and Courtney Lopez.
Description: Mayor Brian Ortega (Mario Lopez) is beloved in the idyllic community of Long Grove. While decorating for Christmas with the residents, Brian discovers his childhood Christmas wish list which magically begins to come true, reminding Brian about the spirit and joy of the holiday. Returning to town for Christmas is Brian’s childhood friend Nina Meyers (Courtney Lopez), and soon a connection becomes undeniable as she helps Brian face a new challenge for the town. As Brian’s wishes come true, he inspires the town to showcase its warm culture and values in order to stop the modern world from stifling the charm and heart of Long Grove.

On Sunday:
Let It Snow 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: Candace Cameron Bure, Jesse Hutch, and Alan Thicke.
Description: Let It Snow, (2013,) was one of the movies that popularized the Hallmark Channel back then, under the concept and leadership of then CEO, Bill Abbott. Since Let It Snow is also streaming now on Amazon Prime and some free streaming platforms like Plex, Abbott has acquired the rights to air his own original Hallmark movie now on Great American Family.

 

[Imzadi]

On the Lifetime Channel this weekend:

On Saturday:
A Very Merry Beauty Salon is on Lifetime TV at 8pm ET/PT, 7CT and repeats 4 hours later at 12:01am ET.

Also Re-airs:
Sunday, November 24 at 6:00 PM
Friday, November 29 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 30 at 12:01 AM

Starring: Tia Mowry, RonReaco Lee, Donna Biscoe, Cocoa Brown.
Description: Sienna (Tia Mowry), the owner of the bustling Divine Beauty Salon is preparing for Atlanta’s Tinsel Ball, where she will be honored for her charitable work in the community. The annual event takes a glamourous turn with the arrival of Lawrence, a charismatic CEO whose family’s wine brand is now co-sponsoring the Ball. Sparks fly between them, but Sienna’s mother Georgia (Donna Biscoe) who is the head of the Ball’s committee, worries his involvement may ruin the event’s traditions. As Sienna and Lawrence are unexpectedly paired as dance partners, romance blooms, setting the stage for a steamy romance that challenges Sienna’s thoughts on love and family and makes this year’s Tinsel Ball the most memorable yet.

On Sunday:
How to Fall in Love by Christmas is on the Lifetime TV at 8pm ET/PT, 7CT and repeats 4 hours later at 12:01am ET.

Re-airs: Monday, December 9 at 12:01 AM
Sunday, December 15 at 4:00 PM

Starring: Teri Hatcher and Dan Payne.
Description: This is Roku Channel original movie from last year. (I watched it. I liked it. It is sweet and fluffy.)

Nora, beloved writer-turned-CEO of her own lifestyle brand, PRISM, must secure a partnership with Take To Heart to save her company, but the only way to appease them is for her to write a column on falling in love by Christmas with the help of the charming and handsome photographer who has been assigned to the piece.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I just finished watching an older movie from 2012 called The Wishing Tree. It's about a professor at a Christian boarding school and three of his teen students over Christmas break. Very touching story of faith, healing, and friendship. I would have enjoyed a few more minutes!

I'm not sure when I watched that one but looking at my ratings I rated it a 9/10. I do remember really liking it, a slower paced movie that felt just right! It's on Hallmark+ at the moment so I may re-watch that soon

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

When Candace plays rather "unknowing" and naive characters, who are innocent or inexperienced, that's when I don't like her movies. She is long past being able to play naive roles, like on Full House. And she doesn't do them well anymore, in my opinion.

That's a spot on observation actually

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I hope you enjoy rewatching The Wishing Tree, Mackenzie Click Mickelson

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I really liked both parts (two different but related movies) of Karen Kingsbury's The Bridge. It is based on her book by the same title. I loved the Bridge Bookstore its story and owners, Charlie and Donna. I would love to work there!

 

[Imzadi]

I really liked both parts (two different but related movies) of Karen Kingsbury's The Bridge. It is based on her book by the same title. I loved the Bridge Bookstore its story and owners, Charlie and Donna. I would love to work there!

I really liked Karen Kingsbury's The Bridge too. Did you watch both parts? There is a Part 1 & Part 2.

They are available on many of the free streaming platforms: Tubi, Pluto, Xumo, Plex.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I did see both parts, Imzadi, thank you for checking. I would have preferred much more about the townspeople including college students and church community coming together to support Charlie and Donna in part two. Too much time in my opinion spent on Molly's dad attempt at ruining her future with Ryan and Molly basically agreeing. It was also sad that Ryan didn't attempt to step up and set things right much earlier either. I definitely rooted for them both and so deeply for Charles and Donna. I loved that completely fresh storyline. Have any of you resd thr book?

 

[Imzadi]

I did see both parts, Imzadi, thank you for checking. I would have preferred much more about the townspeople including college students and church community coming together to support Charlie and Donna in part two. Too much time in my opinion spent on Molly's dad attempt at ruining her future with Ryan and Molly basically agreeing. It was also sad that Ryan didn't attempt to step up and set things right much earlier either. I definitely rooted for them both and so deeply for Charles and Donna. I loved that completely fresh storyline. Have any of you resd thr book?

No, I haven't read any of her books. I do like that these movies were more in depth on the stories as they based on actual novels. But, I agree, too much focus on the "evil" father determined to keep the couple apart.

Karen Kingsbury has written two other Hallmark movies:

Karen Kingsbury's Maggie's Christmas Miracle (2017) with Jill Wagner and Luke Macfarlane.

and A Time to Dance (2016) with Jennie Garth and Dan Payne.

Both of them were good to watch once.

 

[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.