Make it To Christmas
We did it guys. We watched 40 movies, recorded 12 podcasts on it (and edited those, too). And are so hopped up on freaking holiday cheer, that I’m expecting it to snow on the equator that is Singapore.
I’m doing the review a bit different this time — they’re still arranged in chronological order, but I’ve mixed both Countdown to Christmas offerings from Hallmark Channel with Miracles of Christmas movies from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
I’ve also included a link to our podcast where Chinggay and I discuss each of these movies because why not, right? Are you ready. Deep breaths, here we go.
Jingle Bell Bride
Wedding planner Jessica Perez travels to a remote town in Alaska to find a rare flower for a celebrity client and is charmed by the small town during Christmas, as well as the handsome local helping her. Starring Julie Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe Jr.
I can’t stress how excited I was to see freaking diversity! An interracial romance! As stupid as it sounds, this is so damn refreshing for our usual all caucasians only, Hallmark Channel but they delivered. And it didn’t even feel performative! See, Hallmark! With the right stars, it can work. And it worked so well.
Julie Gonzalo is delightful in her wedding planner who put it all out on the line role and Ronnie Rowe Jr is so charming and sweet, you wonder why he hasn’t done more Hallmark movies? And I didn’t even mind that there were ten million other plot lines and romances! The mayor and the pilot/mechanic? Sure! Matt’s aunt and the random guy that sells Christmas trees? Why not!
Because really, when you put snow and lit up trees and two stars that really do sell banter and chemistry despite the crazy weird plot of harvesting rare flowers for a celebrity’s wedding? It’s really quite awesome. More of this kind, please Hallmark?
I hesitate to give it the five stars because we’ve all been burned before and this is the first movie of the season but it really does deserve it, so why not?
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
Chateau Christmas
Margot, a world-renowned pianist, returns to Chateau Neuhaus to spend the holidays with her family and rediscover her passion for music. While there, her ex-boyfriend and former bandmate Jackson, convinces her to headline the annual Christmas Concert and working together brings back all their old feelings. Starring Merritt Patterson and Luke Macfarlane.
It wasn’t bad but it also just wasn’t GREAT? So I guess it was good and honestly, it’s only because the movies I saw right before it kind of shot me through the roof. Luke MacFarlane and his scruff needs to be in more holiday movies (or just HCU movies in general) because he is one good looking, charming man.
And Merritt Patterson is also so likable! How far she’s come from Royals on E! Channel where I couldn’t stand her character and now I root for her in every single HCU movie she’s in! That’s a story arc right there!
Really though, between the Christmas concert and the reuniting of a quartet that’s now a trio, to Margot not finding inspiration for her music, I just wasn’t that into it, but luckily, pretty people can make me watch anything and this had enough pretty people to spare. Now if only it were a little less chaste and a little more sparky — I know we’re talking Hallmark here but even for an HCU movie, this was pretty wholesome (which isn’t always a bad thing).
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝
Christmas Tree Lane
Music store owner Meg spearheads community efforts to save her street from demolition. She's shocked to find out that the man she's falling for is actually working for the company Meg's fighting. Stars Alicia Witt, Andrew Walker, Drake Hogestyn and Briana Price.
You know the Movies & Mysteries channel was not going to let us down — they haven’t for the past year and they were in fact the saving grace so I was pleasanlty surprised to find out that Andrew Walker was opening their slate. He was done dirty last year with Merry & Bright but I don’t blame him at all for that.
This year, he pulls out all the stops wearing a goddamn three-piece suit in every scene and looking so incredibly good looking. That hair, pushed back and the smile and the blatant, “i want you” to Alicia Witt’s character — who though charming, was definitely unworthy of all this adoration. I’m just jealous.
And despite having the children and singing and all the big developer bulldozing the small town mom and pop stores, the human star that is Andrew Walker can do no wrong. This movie was a great start to the season and I hope a great omen of things to come, because I felt the feels. I was all in. Please don’t jinx this.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
Deliver by Christmas
Bakery owner Molly meets Josh, a widower who recently moved to town with his young son, but she is also charmed by a mysterious client whom she’s never met in person and she doesn’t realize that they’re the same man. Starring Alvina August and Eion Bailey.
What is cuteness personified! You’ve Got Mail (a phone call instead of email) done the Hallmark way and I have to say, they didn’t do it dirty. Eion and Alvina aren’t the usual stars of our HCU movies but this is a clear indication that we need more of them. Interracial couples can get it and I am all in.
Though there was way too much children activity between the son and the niece, I have to say Josh’s son was not half bad — in fact, most of the time, i just wanted to give him a hug and tell him everything was going to be alright.
Josh’s brother and sister-in-law were just the right amounts of nosy. Molly’s sister and daughter were nice foil to her sweet (and sassy) character and I actually didn’t mind the sister scenes or the brother scenes! Family done right!
Over-all, I would so watch this again — with cookies on stand by — because it was chill and heart warming and a bit of a cat and mouse without too much stupidity! Weekend 1 of Hallmark has been a hit!
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
One Royal Holiday
When Anna (Osnes) offers a stranded mother (Clark) and son (Tveit) shelter in a blizzard, she learns that they are the Royal Family of Galwick. Anna shows the Prince how they do Christmas in her hometown, encouraging him to open his heart and be true to himself. Starring Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit , Krystal Joy Brown, Victoria Clark and Tom McGowan.
Laura Osnes and Aaron Tveit are two of my favorites ever and so putting them together in a royal movie was risky because royalty-themed movies tend to go haywire in the HCU. But this one seemed to be an exception.
Between the waltz lessons and the authentic conversations in pajamas, they brought the chemistry in spades. It’s pretty nuts that they didn’t even sing as much — we get a caroling scene but you know we need more. These are Broadway stars!
I shockingly was not annoyed by the Queen Mother either and usually Queens and Moms in these movies can be portrayed as meddling folks. Instead she was super supportive and adorable. Speaking of other supporting characters though I wasn’t a fan of the mayor/friend, I did like the assistant to the Prince who needs his own spin-off.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
On the 12th Date of Christmas
Two seemingly incompatible game designers team up to create a romantic, city-wide scavenger hunt themed for the “12 Days of Christmas.” Starring Mallory Jansen and Tyler Hynes.
Another sneak attack from 12th Date of Christmas because newcomer Mallory Jansen is just someone we need to see way more often than we should. Because she was so effective in her effervescence. And then there was Tyler Hynes whom we’ve seen in a whole bunch of movies and yet for the first time, he was so incredibly charming as the good uncle, competitive co-worker and just all around secret softie.
My favorite part though? Apart from all the authentic conversations is that they made a case for the big city! HCU movies always tend to glorify the small town and its charms (which is fair) but I’ve always said #JusticeForCities and this movie showed Chicago in all its glory and why someone would move there. So kudos, to this.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
Cranberry Christmas
A separated couple feign marital bliss on national television to help their town's Christmas festival - and their business. But what will be when rekindled love is complicated by new opportunities? Stars Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres.
When you have Nikki de Loach in something, I’m expecting at least fireworks because she is a reliable and awesome actress and I look forward to whatever she’s’ in. Having said that, Cranberry Christmas just wasn’t that.
It’s sad because I did like the plot of finally having the couple together — and now they actually want to separate! And how they navigate that while trying to keep up a front for their business during the holidays, but it just wasn’t there for me. Nikki was still amazing but it just fell a bit flat, despite her awesome. Oh well, someone had to let us down this season.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝
Holly & Ivy
When Melody’s neighbor, Nina, learns that her illness has returned, Melody promises to keep Nina’s kids, Holly & Ivy, together. To adopt the children, she must renovate her new fixer-upper, which she does with the help of contractor, Adam. Starring Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan and Marisol Nichols.
I was a bit worried about this movie because a) lots of children in it b) sick parent and I can’t deal with sadness and c) Jannel Parrish whom I can’t remove from my head as the ‘evil’ girl in Pretty Little Liars. But in spite of these worries, I’m surprised I actually really enjoyed it!
Jeremy Jordan and Jannel Parrish are actually pretty cute together and they really had that vibe of a young couple trying to make it in the world (even with pressure from parents!) and just truly liking each other. Jeremy Jordan has the charming makings of a young(er) Andrew Walker and we need more of this aww shucks goodness from new blood
And even the children weren’t bad! The death was handled pretty well and just over-all, it defied expectations/ Was the trick to have really low expectations? Maybe! I’ll take it!
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝
Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater
Single mom Maggie is facing Christmas alone until Lucas crashes into her life and becomes an unexpected houseguest. Together they overcome Christmas while finding comfort in their growing bond. Stars Ashley Williams and Niall Matter.
Niall Matter has grown on me. I’ll admit I wasn’t his biggest fan back then, but that has all changed dear reader and in fact, I might have swung the entirely opposite way. And why not? He brings hot Christmas grinch to life in this one looking very cute in his ‘ugly’ Christmas sweater which really wasn’t that bad.
And Ashley Williams is the perfect girl to bring this movie to life with him. i didn’t even mind that she had a grown-ass kid that we luckily shipped off to her father’s for Christmas! See, you can make husbands non-dead and still be a likable character! I don’t know when I suddenly turned into a Niall Matter lover, but I like it here and this movie, where he plays an architect and makes me want him to build me something, anything is a treat.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
Christmas with the Darlings
When an assistant gives her final notice, she is drawn into helping the charming, younger brother of her wealthy boss as he looks after his orphaned nieces and nephew through Christmas. Stars Katrina Law, Carlo Marks and Steve Bacic.
The first truly horrendous movie of the season thus far and it’s a bit unfair to call it bad when we’re only 3 weekends in, but I’m hoping and praying that nothing gets worse than this because I can’t believe I spent 2 hours on this. ok, I lied, Maybe 1.5 hours cause I was watching it at 1.5x at some points because I just couldn’t.
I don’t understand the plot. There is no conflict — they both volunteered to look after the kids. Why? I don’t know! Also, I like Carlo Marks so this was truly painful for me to write. Can we just pretend this didn’t happen?
Holiday Feels: 💝
The Christmas Ring
A reporter searches for the love story behind an antique engagement ring. With the help of the ring's owner's grandson, they learn the legacy his grandparent's left behind. Starring Nazneen Contractor and David Alpay.
We’re going to hit a lot of mediocre movies this season and I feel like that’s what the Christmas Ring is going to be. Because I definitely wasn’t offended in a Darlings way (see above, or don’t actually). But I also didn’t feel like i was drawn to it whatsoever.
the lead girl was a bit annoying in her eagerness to write about this story — which honestly I didn’t care for either. What I did care for was David Alpay because he is a good looking guy and now I’m going to go hunt for his other Christmas movies.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝
The Christmas Bow
Kate is a promising musician whose lifelong dream of playing in the Rocky Mountain Philharmonic is put on hold by an accident. Reconnecting with Patrick, an old family friend, and his young cousin Gavin (Kenneth Cummins, “The Road Home for Christmas”), while recovering at home during the Christmas holiday, she finds love in someone who believes in her. Starring Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady.
DROP EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW AND WATCH THIS MOVIE IF YOU HAVEN’T YET BECAUSE YOU WON’T REGRET IT.
But really, i didn’t think I’d feel this strongly about a Michael Rady movie, but here we are anyway, 2020. More than the awesome PT-realness that Michael Rady brought to the screen complete with PT-jokes and just being an awesome uncle (another kid I didn’t hate — am I softening?), we also get representation. LOTS OF IT
For the first time ever, we get our first Asian lead character and she is amazing. Lucia Micarelli needs to be in everything. I realize now that she also starred in an HBO show called, Treme back in the day so of course she’d be amazing. She also is a real concert violinist so it’s pretty good. And in real life, she’s a halfsie so it was nice that her parents on the show were also interracial and so were her grandparents! YES HALLMARK. Give me this Asian-white realness.
But really, all their interactions felt real and unforced and just actually a good pace of getting to know each other (again) and being drawn away by equally important careers. GIVE THIS A GO GUYS. I can’t believe you're still reading this.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
Christmas in Vienna
Jess, a concert violinist whose heart just isn’t in it anymore, goes to Vienna for a performance. While there, she finds the inspiration she has been missing, and a new love. Starring Sarah Drew and Brennan Elliott
I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M WRITING IN ALL CAPS AGAIN AND IT’S ABOUT ANOTHER GODDAMN VIOLIN PLAYER BUT IF THAT’S WHAT’S LUCKY ABOUT THIS SEASON, SO BE IT.
I was also late to the Brennan Elliott train but now that I’m on, I’m fully strapped in and never vacating this seat. Brennan Elliott plays a diplomat in Vienna and he looks great. He is charming. Every scene with him, he’s in a double breasted coat or a great Captain Von Trapp sweater and you want him. You will want him.
Then there’s Sarah Drew (not a professional violinist in real life, but a great actress) and you see her embarrass herself over and over again as she puts herself out there for Brennan Elliott who yes, rejects her, but only because he’s ‘healing’ and isn’t ready. Honestly who is but you’ll forgive him, he’s charming.
So yes, there are too many kids in this movie (but they weren’t that annoying, I’m telling you I’m softening) but every scene they have together is one that feels like you’ve set yourself on fire because it is hot. The banter. The cuteness. You’ll really want to snuggle up with Brennan by the fire.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
A Timeless Christmas
Charles Whitley travels from 1903 to 2020 where he meets Megan Turner and experiences a 21st Century Christmas. Starring Erin Cahill and Ryan Paevey.
What is blessed guys. Two movies from Hallmark back to back are amazing? What is this sorcery. I don’t want to jinx things because last year’s season was a big mess but so far, I’m loving this and it’s all thanks to the most ridiculous time travel plot ever but done oh so well by Ryan Paevey in all his Mr Baehr from Little Women glory and how very Kate and Leopold this is but in the best way possible!
Ryan Paevey. Needs to be in old-timey clothes all the time because he pulls it off so well. But really, Erin Cahill made sure this movie was still grounded in reality despite the time travel because she just draws you in.
I honestly want to see a sequel to this one because now that Charles Whitley is here to stay WHOOPS SPOILER, I want to see how they navigate the current day with his old fashioned ways. Oh and did I mention their chemistry is amazing? NO. My bad. They are very very good looking together.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
Meet Me At Christmas
When her son's wedding planner quits, Joan must coordinate his Christmas Eve wedding with the help of Beau, the bride's uncle. They realize their fates and pasts are intertwined. Stars Catherine Bell and Mark Deklin.
I wasn’t expecting a lot from this movie and in that sense, it delivered. I’m not trying to be mean, It’s just that expectations from others movies are just too damn high now, that anything short of excellence is just another of the 40 movies we have to watch.
I like Catherine Bell so much I marathoned The Good Witch so seeing that her character in this movie was so very similar to dear Cassie was both comforting and a bit boring. Luckily, Mark Deklin is also easy on the eyes in all his man-cave bearded glory with a secret soft spot inside.
Will I watch it again? Probably not. But i will get a lot of chores done while this plays in the background, So really I win still.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝
The Christmas Doctor
Zoey is a traveling doctor who prefers short assignments to staying put, so when she is assigned to a small town clinic for the holidays, she is surprised when she starts to feel at home. Starring Holly Robinson Peete and Adrian Holmes.
This movie I had NO expectations for so when it wasn’t half bad, it was a nice surprise! I’ll give it to Adrian Holmes for keeping me interested because boy in every scene he’s in, I am paying attention. And a mature love story it was. We had a single dad (with a kid WHO WAS NOT ANNOYING AT ALL — I’m a changed person) and he was just really into her. And he wasn’t afraid to show it.
How sexy is being straightforward and telling someone you like them? Very. This is projection but I was longing for this kind of simpleness. Yes, Hallmark can be simple! Who knew!
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝
A Nashville Christmas Carol
A television producer is forced to work with the man who broke her heart on a country music Christmas special while being interrupted by Christmas spirits determined for her to revisit her past. Starring Jessy Schram and Wes Brown.
I really want to root for Jessy Schram and Wes Brown but this just wasn’t giving me anything. And to think it’s already a trope they can just spruce up? I guess when there’s a text to follow (A Christmas Carol, in this case), it becomes a bit trite with all the forcing. I’m still rooting for these actors because they’re not the worst! And in fact, I love Wes Brown!
Still, the country stars (I didn’t know them, too bad) and the songs were just a bit meh and the story was just cold so unfortunately, this really wasn’t for me.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
The Christmas House
Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis and patriarch Bill, have summoned their two grown sons – TV star, Mike Mitchell and Brandon Mitchell – home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house, will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband Jake make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi, his high school sweetheart. Starring Robert Buckley, Ana Ayora, Treat Williams, Sharon Lawrence, Jonathan Bennett, Brad Harder, and Mattia Castrillo.
This is how you do ensemble casts! Holy shit! Robert Buckley wrote this movie and it shows. The parody of an actor and all the behind-the-scenes and making fun of actors is just so on point and such a fun thing!
I cared about all the family members! I usually don’t and only want people to give me the main couple but here, I actually cared for the gay brother and his husband and their adoption story! Or the parents and their almost divorce (I was so scared she was going to die!)
Then of course, there’s Ana Ayora who’s voice I want and who’s understated sultriness, I need in my life. May we all channel her confidence in 2021 and saunter through life, owning our hype because damn, she was amazing.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
The Angel Tree
A writer seeks the identity of the person who helps grant wishes that are placed upon The Angel Tree, and in the process, reconnects with her childhood friend. Starring Jill Wagner and Lucas Bryant.
I root for Jill Wagner. I LIKE Lucas Bryant but somehow, with this hokey plot of a mysterious benefactor, I just wasn’t having it. The mystery was not one I cared for — at all, which is sad for two actors I do like.
I wish they had just ditched the giving part and just focused on the couple because they’re good looking and tall and very-well dressed! It would have been enough for me. This was just meh.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love
After 15 years, Pat moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and through a series of coincidences, or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart, Margie at Christmas. Starring Brooke D’Orsay and Sam Page.
This is when bad things happen to good people, everyone. I actually really like both Brooke D’Orsay and Sam Page. They’re such pretty people! It would take SO MUCH to mess this up and yet here we are.
There’s no one to blame but myself for watching all of the Godwink movies and though this is the best of the three thus far, it’s still a far cry from the rest of the movies this season. To be fair, Sam Page as a father to kids (and he’s divorced! not a widow! actually works for me).
Brooke’s love interest though is the dude from A Timeless Christmas (I’m not talking about Ryan Paevy either) and I cannot imagine how this casting happened. A travesty.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
Heart of the Holidays
Career-driven Sam returns to her hometown for the holidays where she comes face-to-face with her high school boyfriend, Noah. Together they rediscover what matters most in life. Stars Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier.
How this made it to the 7-day Thanksgiving marathon — sure on day 1, but still, is a travesty. I’m all for supporting fresh faces but boy did I give two fucks about this movie. Corey Sevier wrote, directed and starred in this (I think) but maybe he should have just chosen one role because it was a tough watch.
I couldn’t understand why the lead girl was so angry at her boyfriend (at the beginning of the film to begin with). I cared more about the secondary character, Marina who was trying to get with the lead guy. That’s never a good thing.
The actors aren’t annoying so that means there’s hope. Maybe some other time, they’ll be better. Maybe.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado
Erin is planning the town’s Christmas celebration and must win over firefighter Kevin in order to obtain the beautiful spruce tree from his property for the celebration. Starring Rochelle Aytes and Mark Taylor.
Because I am dumb, i didn’t know this title was a pun of a popular book but thanks to my co-host, Chinggay I now know better. Apparently though, the movie had nothing to do with the book at all so you know Hallmark is grasping at straws for titles. I give them props for creativity.
I like the leads! They’re fresh (to me!) and they do have some chemistry. It just wasn’t bringing me the sparks that I got from other movies this season. He did play a firefighter and they’re always A+ in my book. And she worked for the city government which was also fresh and interesting but together, their story just didn’t make the cut for me.
There was the rushed kiss and I was just not buying it. I do however like side character they were pairing with the lead girl, who of course, turned out to be token gay! I’ll take it!
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝
Good Morning Christmas!
Two squabbling TV hosts are sent to a festive small town over Christmas. While pretending to get along for the sake of appearance, they discover that there’s more to each other than they thought. Starring Alison Sweeney and Marc Blucas.
When life surprises you, it surprised you. I’ve always been a Marc Blucas fan but I have never liked Alison Sweeney and so I was very very worried about this movie. But my fears were quashed because together, there was that spark, that chemistry that has been sorely lacking in the past few movies.
Battling co-workers is one of our favorite tropes because it shows them in a workplace — something I’m more familiar with (no to small towns, you know?). And then we get them doing silly Christmas things. Though Alison Sweeney’s character could border on annoying, you did feel for her. They were just ‘opposites’
But we get that grand gesture in the end — with Marc Blucas finally leaving his girlfriend — I don’t like it when there’s an actual girlfriend because that means he’s just emotionally cheating the entire movie but well, what are we going to do? Great chemistry fixes everything. They brought it in spades. Funny and fun.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
Christmas By Starlight
When her family's beloved eatery, The Starlight Café, is slated for demolition, Annie vows to put a stop to it before Christmas. Starring Kimberley Sustad and Paul Campbell.
I won’t lie, I had pretty high expectations for this one. Mainly because when Paul Campbell and Kimberly Sustad get together, we get fireworks a la Wedding Every Weekend. And they wrote this movie, too! And promised that it would be funny (it was!). But you know when you expect too much of a movie, it falls short? This is what happened here.
It’s a perfectly lovely movie and funny and very Two Weeks Notice, but make it Hallmark. The only problem was the stakes were raised way too high that any movie they produced may not have lived up to that feeling I’m waiting for. It wasn’t their fault. Their banter, their chemistry was amazing! They were funny! they were punchy! But I wanted too much.
At the end of the day, I probably need to re-watch this a couple more times for it to grow on me, but that’s on me and not the movie. It is however, sad because in a season of really strong movies, I really was rooting for this one.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝
Five Star Christmas
When a travel writer shows up unexpectedly at their dad's B&B, the Ralston family all pretend to be guests in hopes of a good review. Lucy falls for guest Jake but can't share her secret. Stars Bethany Joy Lenz and Victor Webster.
WATCH OUT THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ALL-CAPS REVIEW. AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST PART BECAUSE WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS AND PUTTING BETHANY JOY LENZ AND VICTOR WEBSTER TOGETHER WAS TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING WHICH CAN GO BAD, BUT THIS WAS OH SO VERY GOOD.
Here is a movie that lived up to the hype of all my favorite people coming together and producing something amazing. Chemistry wise, we get it all. Victor lifting Bethany Joy as if she weighed nothing onto a kitchen counter. We have them flirting openly in the streets, talking under the stars, singing Blue Christmas! It is electric.
But we also get the family stories! Not just one character but all of them AND their alter egos. How they make me care for secondary (supposedly, they all felt like leads to me) characters is a masterclass in scriptwriting. This is ensemble done right.
Also, shout out to BJL and how BEAUTIFUL she looked in every scene with that red lip and chestnut hair and casually, cool costumes. I am in love.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
Christmas Waltz
After Avery's storybook Christmas wedding is canceled, a dance instructor helps her face her fears in life and fulfill her dream of learning to dance. Stars Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp.
EVERYONE CAN GO HOME NOW. THE WAIT IS OVER. WE HAVE FOUND THE BEST HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE EVER. But really, we have. I’ve watched and re-watched this movie so many goddamn times, I’ve lost count. And I tear up with joy every single time.
Give me daaaahncing thanks to Will Kemp and the first ever movie wherein in Lacey Chabert finally stole my heart and that is Christmas Waltz. How can one not fall in love with the dancing and the feelings and the high kicks and the looks of love? This movie has elevated to ‘musical’ and threw in some dancing at that.
Will Kemp and his dance moves can get me any day of the week. He brings such grace and low key flirtation to this. How he’s only caring after Lacey (as a friend) but you know those looks he gets when he gets disappointed is love. And how Lacey really blossomed and bloomed in this from her broken engagement to owning that waltz in the end.
All the head to the left and the dancing and the closeness and the pretend husband-wife play acting adds to the brilliance of this. We can never do another musical again if it doesn’t involve British men dancing like there’s no tomorrow on a the sidewalks of “New York.” Give Will Kemp every goddamn movie there is. It’s crazy how he’s only been in three. Let us rectify that.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
If I Only Had Christmas
Kansas City publicist Darcy ventures to the Emerald Educational Trust for the job of a lifetime, helping VP Glen Goodman and his team find the know how, courage, and heart to help a charity in need for Christmas. Darcy and Glen begin to realize they have everything in common. However, Glen's surprise revelation at the big Christmas gala just may put an end to their promising romance before it has really gotten started. Starring Candace Cameron Bure and Warren Christie
What is a waste of time? I’ve never been a big fan of CBB but wow this movie was just another level of I didn’t give a crap. Which is sad because I’m always trying to expand my horizons movie/actress wise, but this kind of just sealed the deal of why I’m not a fan. It’s sad because they kept hyping up this one too, but she really just does nothing for me.
The Wizard of Oz thing also felt really forced and trite. There are so many wonderful stars I could think to replace her with but alas, she must do something for others, just not for me.
Holiday Feels: 💝
USS Christmas
Maddie, a reporter for a Norfolk newspaper, embarks on a Tiger Cruise during Christmastime where she meets a handsome naval officer and stumbles upon a mystery in the ship's archive room. Starring Jen Lilley, Trevor Donovan, Barbara Niven.
A non-offensive movie that really catered to the troops, there was lots to root for in this movie — particularly because I do appreciate some Trevor Donovan even if I’m not Jen Lilley’s biggest fan. And the change of setting! An aircraft carrier definitely added to the charm!
Still, it didn’t give me enough to keep me hanging on and watching this right after Christmas Waltz did it no favors. It’s hard to remove the high of the previous movie with this one but it did its job. Also, Jen Lilley treated Trevor really badly in this one! I get the fear but this guy was blatantly telling her he liked her and she was ho hum. No thank you. We want an all out love fest and none of this ambivalence, please.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
Christmas in Evergreen: Bells are Ringing
As Michelle's wedding approaches, Hannah steps up to help finish the launch of the new Evergreen museum while questioning her relationship and future with Elliot.
Hallmark loves to do a series and I wish it were on the movies I actually cared about. This movie is not one of them and yet, I’ve seen all three. The problem is it gets progressively worse. The first one wasn’t bad, the second worse and this? I just didn’t care.
I shouldn’t have bothered watching it really, because I couldn’t tell you what it was about. Just that I know, I did not enjoy this at all. Oh well, there are always some misses. Right? I’m glad we got a bit of Ashley Williams because she was always nice to watch.
Holiday Feels: 💝
Christmas She Wrote
When writer Kayleigh has her column cancelled before Christmas, she heads home to reconnect with family. Sparks fly when she gets an unexpected visit from the man who cancelled her column.
I get that Danica McKellar appeals to some folks, but not to me. Add her to the list of actresses I’m just not rooting for? This is horrible for me to say, but it’s true. Which makes the Hallmark Movies & Mystries Matchmake Mysteries so hard to swallow because I do love me some Victor Webster.
Nevertheless, this movie had two guys! Both non-malignant and yet, I just couldn’t be bothered to care much. So, give me someone else in the lead role and maybe I’ll care a tad more. Especially since it has one of the brothers from Chesapeake shores and lord knows I miss that show so much.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
A Little Christmas Charm
Holly, a jewelry designer finds a lost charm bracelet and teams up with investigative reporter Greg in hopes of finding the owner and returning it by Christmas Eve.
Speaking of Chesapeake Shores, we finally get a Brendan Penny movie and though it wasn’t a favorite, I do love him to bits so it was not bad. Plus Ashley Greene looked gorgeous in every scene so this is a classic case of pretty people can do no wrong.
The mystery they had with the charm bracelet had a very Christmas Ring feel to it except that this time, I actually like it! The old-timey clothes. The hair! The production value! You could tell they put in some effort and that I appreciate.
So at the end of the day, this was not a bad movie but this season has been so strong that it just wasn’t strong enough! Good effort though.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝
Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas
Five guests are mysteriously invited to an inn to celebrate Christmas. With the help of the owner Ben, Sarah discovers that an event from the past may connect them and change their lives forever.
Hallmark did Lacey and Stephen Huszar dirty by placing this third installment (and the best of this series that’s just lukewarm) a week after Christmas Waltz. WHO DOES THAT?!?! You can’t show me two Lacey movies back to back when ONE IS THE BEST THING EVER and the other one is just ok.
Having said that, it shockingly is the best of the trio and therefore I say we should stop this series already given i don’t know how many more pronouns they can use for the title. AND I LIKE STEPHEN HUSZAR so i’m not even hating on this. I’m just not impressed. We get the inn! We get the strangers mystery. There’s some stuff going on but I just wan’t drawn in. Again.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
Love, Lights, Hanukkah!
As Christina prepares her restaurant for Christmas, a DNA test reveals that she's Jewish! The discovery leads her to a new family and a new, unlikely romance over eight crazy nights.
Last year’s Hanukkah movie Double Holiday was the best of the season so the follow up was always going to be tricky but they managed to pull it off which really just means we should be getting more Hanukkah content because it works!
Ben Savage, unlikely Hallmark leading man brings us the sweetness and the most earnest leading man with lines that make me melt. Yes. I didn’t think this was possible but it is 2020 so anything goes at this point.
I’m all for representation and this was a nice showing complete with adoption storylines and chosen families. Here’s to more unlikely hallmark heroes. We could use a few fresh faces every year.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝
Christmas Comes Twice
Emily is the top micropaleontologist and geochemist who has achieved her dreams but has regrets about the guy who got away five years earlier. When the Christmas carnival comes to town, a ride around the carousel takes her magically back in time to the carnival five years before... giving her a second chance at love before she must return to Christmas present, pick forams and run the GC.
You guys, why do we bother at this point? Sometimes I ask myself why we bother with 40 movies when not all of them are going to be home-runs. I get it. We need mediocrity but when something falls far below that, I sometimes ask. WHAT IS THE POINT.
And that’s how I felt with this movie. It wasn’t offensive but I literally couldn’t give two fucks about it. And they had the carousel too, when we all know (or at least we didn’t yet at this point) but there would be another carousel-inspired movie coming up that will blow this out of the water and out of our memories forever. I’m sorry. I just can’t.
Holiday Feels: 💝
A Glenbrooke Christmas
Longing to be accepted for herself and not just her wealth, an heiress heads to the small town of Glenbrooke, where she discovers the joys of a simple Christmas, community, and maybe even love.
Mediocrity at its finest and I mean that in the best possible way. Autumn Reeser deserves better but she makes the most of the usual cookie cutter Hallmark movie and honestly, I’m here for it. This is the baseline, Hallmark. Enough loveliness to go around when Autumn Reeser can literally sell me anything (ok maybe not things with Jesse Metcalfe, but that’s neither here nor there).
And when you pair her with Antonio Cupo playing a fireman that could honestly start a fire with that gaze of his, you get an explosive (in a Hallmark way) chemistry between two leads that actually made me feel things. This is how we do mediocre and I am there.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝
Unlocking Christmas
When a mysterious key and holiday riddle land on their doorsteps, Kate and Kevin embark on a Christmas adventure they'll never forget. Based on the book by NY Times bestselling author, Fern Michaels.
We’ve already done A Little Christmas Charm and this felt a bit too much like it — even if it had a completely different plot (ish). This felt like it was an USS Christmas too, but also not quite. So really, this felt like another filler movie that was a waste of talent because this guy, I don’t mind seeing him in other things.
Taylor Cole though, I’m not her biggest fan and this didn’t do her justice. She’s been enjoyable (ish) in other movies but here, she fell flat. And I’m sorry, this was NYT bestselling book? Yikes.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
A Christmas Carousel
When Lila is hired by the Royal Family of Ancadia to restore their carousel as a surprise present for the prince’s niece, she works with him side-by-side to complete it by Christmas. Along the way, they learn they’re more similar than they would have thought and also help each other realize the path in life their hearts want them to follow.
Two Hallmark Royal movies for the Christmas season and honestly I was so scared because usually, these are a bust but in the skillfull hands of Rachael Boston and a surprising turn (only because I don’t think I’ve seen him in too many things), by Neal Bledsoe and we’ve got ourselves a home-run. I’m actually daring to say I may have enjoyed this slightly more than One Royal Holiday and only because my expectations for that one were way higher so curve, here guys.
Nevertheless, with our belief in reality suspended we get our fake Ancadia country and a vaguely European accented prince and I’m in. Sure, we get some carousel (the superior outing for this ride at that) and a lot of fake backgrounds, but Rachael Boston can do NO WRONG and It was delightful to see her charm a prince because that she did. Neal Bledsoe also had that John Mayer meets Hugh Grant vibes (a combination I never thought I would see) all down pat and I’m here for it. If Netflix could give us many royal sequels, I say Wedding at Ancadia coming right up, please.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝
Cross Country Christmas
Former classmates Lina and Max are traveling home for the holidays, until a storm hits and they have to work together to make it home in time, no matter the mode of transportation.
I wasn’t sure what to expect for this one because I’ve not seen this actor in much but Rachel Leigh Cook is always a home run no matter what so i was happy to see her get her Christmas movie on. And she does with aplomb. this is the Christmas road trip movie we didn’t think we needed but so happy we got.
Apart from her utterly entertaining self, she looked great in this with her nice wavy short bob that I would kill to have one day. And their chemistry was pretty damn spot on. The slow burn friendship that came out of a common mission to get home was all I needed to want to book them for another road trip. I would be stressed as fuck if I were in this situation but having them banter and bicker and over-all fall in love in the process was well worth it.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝
Swept Up By Christmas
An antique dealer and a cleaner clash when downsizing a magnificent estate before Christmas. As they uncover the home's treasures, they help reconnect the reclusive owner with his Christmas past.
There had to be a downer this week and unfortunately it was this one. It’s sad because I like Justin Bruenig and I loved him on Sweet Magnolia! I was rooting for him and his cable knit sweaters. I’ve never been a Lindy Booth fan but I’m also not actively hating on her so it’s a shame I couldn’t quite get into this one.
Another auction? Another restoration? I feel like I’ve seen this before. Oh wait, yes we did. This felt like an amalgamation of ten other Hallmark movies this season and I can’t even enumerate them anymore because I’m tired. So sorry guys.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝
Project Christmas Wish
For years Lucy has played Santa to her small town's community. As she grants a little girl's wish for a "Christmas like it used to be," she unexpectedly finds her own wishes coming true.
BUCKLE UP KIDS. HALLMARK WAS TAKING US FOR A RIDE FOR THE LAST MOVIE OF THE SEASON JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE TIRED AND ALL CHRISTMASED OUT. THEIR FORTIETH MOVIE BROUGHT IT HOME FOR US.
I was nervous for this one being the last movie of the season. I’ve always loved Amanda Schull but I’ve never seen this guy so I was scared for her. Also there are wishes and children — things I’m not the biggest fan of. BUT BOY WAS I WRONG. I WAS SO WRONG.
This movie snuck in there with the banter and the flirting and the realness of not wanting to be hurt. And it burrowed its way into my heart and stayed there. I ended up seeing this movie TOO MANY TIMES but can it really be too many? I think not.
AND THE CHILD WAS PRECIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL. Who am I? What has this season done to me that I am rooting for CHILDREN IN MOVIES. I am renewed. And it’s all because of Max, Christmas Dad and the Christmas Elf. Seriously. Guys. Do it.
Holiday Feels: 💝💝💝💝💝
YOU GUYS. HOW COULD HALLMARK DELIVER THIS YEAR?! I guess we deserve this after the clusterfuck that is 2020 but I’m really honestly surprised that I liked way more than just 12 movies this year. If you don’t have time to listen to all 11 episodes, god knows we don’t know how we found time. Just check out the last episode where we rank our favorites. I promise it’s worth it.
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