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MIssM19
Reviews
The Christmas Charade (2024)
Entertaining movie with a surprise twist.
Whitney is a librarian whose life is not that risky and adventurous, and that´s okay because she was raised like that. While going on a blind date, she accidentally sits in the wrong table, the one in which Special Agent Josh is undercover. So, she has no other choice but to follow the ruse,
I was no expecting to like this this much. Last year I watched Rachel Skarsten in a movie in which she goes undercover as a nanny and didn't really liked it. But, this premised sounded fun.
Corey and Rachel had great chemistry, and perfectly played their roles. The movie has a twist at the end that I didn't see it coming. And yes, maybe some things are not realistic, like the FBI things but as long as the romance is, i´m cool with it.
It's fun and maybe at the beginning quite slow but definitely makes up for it later, Corey Sevier also served as the director and just found that him and Skarsten have another Hallmark movie together, might check that out.
Definitely worth checking out.
'Twas the Date Before Christmas (2024)
Blind Date Christmas.
Jessie is having date after date, one worse than the other. When her mom tells her that her family Christmas party may not be happening this year she tells her that she was bringing someone, so the dinner is back on. So, through an app she meets Bryan, a developer who is more than willing to go with her.
I absolutely adored this movie. Robert Buckley never misses. And Amy was such a great leading lady. They had great chemistry.
What I liked the most is that you know they are hiding something from you about Jessie and when they finally tell you everything makes so much sense and we got to sympathise with her and her decisions.
It is fun and silly and Chrismassy. Yes. But the fact that this was inspired by a true story makes it 100% better.
For the Love of Pasta (2022)
For the love of pasta.
Ariel wants someone to share her life with and one day, as she was celebrating her birthday at a new restaurant, she manifests it and she instantly crushes on a guy who was buying a coffee. So, she makes up an excuse to spend more time there and try to catch up with him.
At the same time, Daniel, the owner of said restaurant wants to promote and he jumps at the first opportunity he has to do it.
So, both leads star spending time together, getting to know one another, and become great friends. Which I like very much. It makes their relationship more realistic. So, points for that.
You know what I don't like? When someone claims they are "Italian" or "Latino" or "Half-French" and they haven't even been to that country or speak the language. No, your ascendants are, you may have the culture, but you are not.
The movie is okay if you don't wanna think and just disconnect for a while. Personally I really like Marcus (who was part of the movie as lead and producer) but other than that, this is nothing special.
Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement (2024)
Modern day Rosemary and Lee?
Nelly Parker (Pascale Hutton) is an advice columnist in a small town called Babbleton, who one days receives a letter about someone worried about their boyfriend cheating so, knowing everyone, she heads to the guy's house only to find him dead. We meet newcomer Michael Hogan (Kavan Smith) who is given the chance to lead the case.
So, like in every mystery you have the meddlesome "consultant" who immediately jumps to the case, helping the detective with it (he doesn't even have the chance to say no), captivated by her and her knowledge of the whole town. We also have a lot of people putting their noses where they don't belong, crime evidence and scenes being tampered with. Nothing new for a Hallmark mystery.
At times, they kinda of reminded me of Rosemary and Lee in When Calls the Heart: Rosemary is always looking for the truth and Lee just goes wherever she goes.
I'm not gonna pretend and say this is the best movie of the year because it's not but I would watch Pascale and Kavan together in about everything. The chemistry and friendship they have goes beyond the screen and it's such a pleasure to watch.
Whoever decided to cast them together knew what they were doing!
Meet Me in New York (2022)
I mean, it's okay
Joe (Corey Sevie) is moving to Dubai for a new job and he doesn't have the guts to tell his family yet so he promises his niece to throw her a birthday party so he hires Kelly (Brooke Nevin) to plan it.
I stumbled across this movie by chance. It's a TV movie so if it says New York it's definitely not filmed in the big city but it still got my attention having watched the leads previously. It's an okay movie if you wanna watch something happy without thinking too much.
The two leads start their relationship with the left foot but soon they start to trust each other. Kelly has her own agenda in the agreement which makes you think you know the ending, but I was personally surprised it didn't go that way.
This is the perfect movie if you wanna disconnect from the real world.
Blind Date Book Club (2024)
Two great protagonists.
Meg is a bookshop owner that hosts the "Blind date with a book club", which has become popular enough to be featured on the radio. One listener, Graham, travels to Nantucket to convince Meg to put his book on the list for said club.
Big shot writer from big town travels to a small town in pursue of a bookshop and has a meet cute with the owner. Who doesn't love a cliche?
Hallmark knew what they were going when they put these two together. Erin is definitely a fan favorite who manages to have chemistry with every single one of her co-stars. Put Robert in the mix who is so very charming and you have a hit.
I really liked the movie. There were a few silly things that had me rolling my eyes, like they didn't think anyone would see his picture in the back of the book? But hey, this is still Hallmark and we like it for it.
It's true it was kind of slow at times and definitely something we have seen before but it's definitely worth the watch alone for our two leads.
An Easter Bloom (2024)
I like them happier.
Amada and her mom are about to lose their flower farm after a rough winter, so it occurs to her that she can get into a flower arrangement contest and win usd 20 000 to save said farm. So she meets Lori, flower expert and also mom to Derrick, the brand new pastor in town.
This story is about grief and finding hope again. And while it can be heartwarming for some it may be sad for others. Personally, I liked the story but going through grief myself it reached me in some way that I prefer a Hallmark movie doesn't since these movies tend to be a happy place to me. I like them funnier and happier, and preferably, religion as a side theme.
Love on the Right Course (2024)
It's not a bad movie but definitely not a favorite.
Whitney is a professional golfer who has been having a bad streak since her mom passed away two years prior, so after a tournament she goes home to Hungary, to spend time with family and train for the next competition. There she meets Daniel, the pro golfer on the grounds. So, they bond after their love for the sport and he helps her find her groove again.
I think the movie had a different pace than a lot of Hallmark films. I didn't know where it would go. Which is good, different. Marcus and Ashley worked together before and I do think they have chemistry, just not the romantic one. I feel they are good friends in real life.
So while I didn't hate the movie and enjoyed some aspects of it, there are few things that were difficult to get into: the fact that they were all Hungarian (minus Whitney) and some didn't even have an accent. Or the fact that EVERYONE speaks impeccable English. And this may be funny but I just don't care about golf. I knew it was about golf going in, but I didn't care about it. And let's not even mention the miscommunication or the fact that the lead doesn't even try to speak up when necessary!
I do love when another Hallmark star appears in a movie in which they are not the lead, even if it's just a second. In here we see Brittany Bristow who in fact co-wrote this.
Falling in Love in Niagara (2024)
Classic formula, but enjoyable.
Madeline is a type A kind of person, she likes color charts, everything planned to the minute. So, when her fiancee leaves her five weeks before the wedding all her plans go out the window. She decides to be more adventurous and go on her planned honeymoon with her sister.
There she meets Mike, he is adventurous and just let's life flow. They have a meet cute, maybe not to so cute, and they later meet when they discover he is her tourist guide.
The movie started out great, it developed great, they go on great adventures and it's fun. The actors have great chemistry. I really enjoyed their banter.
The ending was disappointing for me. It makes total sense if you consider the journey the characters went through. But I expected better from Madeline. And maybe Mike deserved better.
I totally recommend this. It follows the classic formula of a Hallmark movie.
A Heidelberg Holiday (2023)
Charming movie.
Heidi Heidelberg has the opportunity to sell her Christmas ornaments at a very popular festive market in Germany, the country from her ancestors. There she meets Lukas, whose family is providing her accommodations. While there, her Oma (grandmother) gave her a mission to go to places she used to go in her youth.
I really liked this movie. All movies placed in Europe have a charm to it, specially If they truly are based there. I felt like this movie had a lot going on. But I think it worked: the ornaments, the tour, and even the family moments.
There was a little nod to the Hallmark movies at the beginning. One of the characters said that his countdown to Christmas starts at the end of October. Blink and you miss it. The leads had good chemistry and so did the rest of the cast.
Worth the watch.
Joyeux Noel (2023)
Sweet Christmas movie.
Leah is a copy editor at a newspaper. Her dream has always been to publish a story with her name on it at said newspaper, so when the opportunity comes she pitches about a Chrisgmas Market in France where people fall in love. Mark is a senior reporter who gets chosen for this article, Leah gets the chance to go with him and work on it together.
So, I always say that when the actors get involved in their projects, it's always better. Doesn't matter in which capacity. And this is no exception since it was co-written by our lead actor.
This story was just the sweetest. Grumpy guy who softens at the girl's optimism never fails. The leads had ok chemistry and who doesn't love a good scavenger hunt? Resolving mysteries while getting to know the other...
One thing I didn't like is that Jaicy always seems to play her characters the same way.
But I really liked the ending. While, of course, it's a happy one for our leads, this still is a Hallmark movie after all, not everything turned out the way we expected as we watch it. That alone earned it one more star.
Overall, cute moments between the leads, nothing over the top, a realistic relationship with no "I love yous" after a week, and a fun plot. I would watch another movie written by Brant and his wife.
Flipping for Christmas (2023)
We were let down by this one
Abigail is tasked by her sister to "flip" a house his husband half inherited and sell it, there she meets Bo, who inherited the other half of the property. Problem is both have different intentions about what to do with the house and Abigail somehow has to fix that.
First things first, I'm now finding out Ashley characters is names Abigail. Secondly I still don't understand if she is a realtor or an interior designer and why has her sister asked this of her. The only thing we see her doing is painting the house, which I believe, as an interior designer, you have someone else do.
So, the plot is not the best. Some things at the beginning are simply dumb. (And some at the end too, they fixed the problem of the house because they "fell in love"?) However, as the movie moves along, some things do make sense. Personally, I really liked the leads conversation about grieving someone and how it affects us, going through that myself. Things start to make sense then, it's like they bonded over that.
I thought they had great chemistry. At least, there was good banter. The actors made this kind of salvageable.
Remember when Marcus Rosner used to play the main character's ambitious ex boyfriend who would show up to propose only after she moved on? I'm so happy he gets to shine as a leading man.
Anyway, I had big hopes for this one and was disappointed.
The Santa Summit (2023)
Fast paced and fun
Jordin and her group of friends are attending "The Santa Summit", an annual celebration in which people go through different venues, celebrating Christmas dressed up as Santa Clause. There she meets a guy (Liam) and they connect immediately, but they end up losing each other in the crowd. So they spend the whole event looking up for the other.
I don't know about you all but I would definitely attend this event with friends and make the most of it. Maybe a bit silly, but such and ingenious idea.
The actors had great chemistry, the whole cast, the secondary storylines were okay too. I wished the main characters had more scenes together but the movie wouldn't have made any sense.
There is a fun cameo halfway through, you blink and you miss it. I would definitely watch a sequel.
Never Been Chris'd (2023)
So, that was bad.
Naomi and Liz have been friends forever, they studied together, live together, work together. They do everything together. They are going home for the holidays where they encounter old high school classmates and among them is Chris, their old crush.
This movie barely had any romance in it. You go into it thinking that this is a love triangle, and he has to decide at the end. And it is, for about 4 scenes but a choice is quickly made. However, this situation carries our leads into uncomfortable moments, making them re think about past choices.
I personally didn't like it that much. I know these situations happen but it wasn't what I was expecting. I want to watch people fall in love, not two friends fighting and questioning the other. There clearly are a lot of unresolved issues.
This also had people who peaked in high school and kind of lived in the past and those are the worst kind of people.
Tyler's character could have easily been removed from this script (and I'm not even going to talk about the fish thing). Is this the only Christmas movie he will be in this year?
I know I push for more diverse plots but this is not what I was talking about. There were a lot of wrong things with the characters AND the plot.
You know what would have make more sense at this point? The girls ending up with each other.
Where Are You, Christmas? (2023)
First Christmas movie of the year.
Addy is going home for Christmas after his brother asked for it. She usually doesn't go back during this season so this is quite exciting for everyone. While having problems with her car she meets Hunter, a mechanic who is dealing with stuff of his own. She accidentally wishes Christmas doesn't exist and he is the only one who can help her. Funny.
Such a imaginative plot, one that I wasn't expecting but quite liked. Michael Rady never fails (at least for me) and I think Lyndsy Fonseca is quite funny and I hope she gets to make more movies.
Something I really like is that this movie kind of mocked Hallmark with two lines: one about the NYE's movies starting in June and at the end about someone falling in love and kissing like in those movies. Nothing bad just the truth.
For once, the actors playing the parents could actually be the leads parents. They always are so young. I felt this movie wasn't so much about romance but the Christmas spirit. In my opinion, the leads had few scenes for them to fall in love.
Not a favorite regarding the romance but overall, nice Christmas movie.
A Very Venice Romance (2023)
Hallmark has done it again, and again, and again.
Amy works at a food/wellness company that preps healthy fast meals for people who are very busy. After their French chef quits they have to get a new one. So, she goes to Venice to convince Marcello to come work for them.
I mean, it's a nice movie. Predictable plot. We have seen it a dozen times by now. But it's not bad. The actors are okay, they have chemistry. There barely is any secondary plot. Yes, three weeks seems like a short time to say those three little words, but it's a Hallmark movie, I will just ignore it.
The real star is Venice. The movies that take place in Italy do a great job of convincing you to go and spend your money there. (So do the handsome Italian men, but that's another conversation.) To be honest, I'm convinced.
Anyway, just an okay movie. If you are a romance fan like me, you should watch it.
Notes of Autumn (2023)
Funny movie with a great cameo.
Ellie (Ashley Williams) gets fired from a job she doesn't quite love. Leo (Luke Macfarlane) is uninspired and cannot write the following book on a series he has been doing for a while. So while on the phone talking, the decide to change houses for a week to get out of the daily routine and decide what to do next. (Like, you know, one of the greatest movies: The Holiday).
On the other hand we have Sam (Marcus Rosner) and Matt (Peter Porte). They are friends with Luke and Ellie, respectively. So, while they are gone, they enjoy the company of the newly arrived. Ellie helps Sam with a music concert, which forces her to get over her insecurities. And Matt and Leo work together to accomplish their own personal goals.
I thought this was a great movie. At times maybe slow. But the story was believable and something that could actually happen in real life. Both couples had chemistry but what I would like to point out is that this is quite a funny movie and all the actors nailed their comedic lines. Probably what I liked the most: each character as their own person
A pleasure to watch.
Speaking of... Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith (My favorites from WCTH) surprised us with a small role but totally unpredictable. They never fail to make me smile.
Do not miss this.
A Safari Romance (2023)
A nice little adventure.
Tim is a theme park designer who is working on a immersive experience based on the wild life, so while on research on a safari, he is paired with park ranger Megan who is working on her PhD in animal behavior.
I really liked it. I don't know if it's because I haven't seen a Hallmark movie in a while, or the theme, or the fact that I really like these two actors. Both in this project and others. I also enjoyed their chemistry in this one. They had a lot of scenes together and I love that we get to see their relationship develop.
I had no problems with the plot. I just thought that the Amy character was unbearable and unnecessary for the storyline. The characters not being able to be together due to the distance was enough drama.
7/10 would recommend.
Always Amore (2022)
This is a weird one for me.
Ben saves restaurants from sinking for a living, and our main lady, Elizabeth is the owner of an Italian place in her city. Her husband the original owner, passed away and since then nothing has changed in the restaurante, ergo, Ben's job.
I went into this without reading what's about and it was a big mistake since I'm grieving someone and so is my mom, so it hit close to home and it was quite difficult to watch when those conversations arose.
Lately I've been a fan of Tyler and all his movies. I can't say the same about his hair in this movie. (Just a joke). And I'm going against the current in this one: while I thought the chemistry was there, I didn't think of it as romantic. I didn't think the characters were made for each other. If I thought this were real people, I wouldn't bet on their relationship. Maybe the main actors are friends in real life because their characters interaction weren't forced or uncomfortable to watch.
Plot wise, this was above average for me. Maybe except for the final problem. It was typical Hallmark, taking something the other character said the wrong way. Big fan of the found family dynamic going on in the restaurant. So this a weird one, a liked the plot but had problems with the main couple. It's always the other way around.
Anyway, not a favorite for me, but worth the watch.
Playing Cupid (2021)
Just an "okay movie"
Kerri is a middle school teacher who has a boyfriend who doesn't deserve her, and once she breaks up that relationship she starts hanging out with David, Clara's (one of her students) father.
At the same time, Clara is assigned a marketing project worth 40% of her grade: and because she matched up a couple, she starts a matchmaking service.
Look, is it cute? Yes. Is it realistic? Maybe. I don't know. I'm not a teacher. But I can appreciate the innovative premise. It says it's based on Jane Austen's Emma which I see but at the same time I don't. The only thing in common is the matchmaking. I feel it's disrespectful to the book.
There was decent chemistry between the actors but I did think the beginning was quite slow. It may be around the minute 35 o 40 that they start talking like they are friends. I can also appreciate the pre-ending problem. That was realistic. Some things are not meant to be or it's not the right time and place. And that's okay. So is this movie.
Sun, Sand & Romance (2017)
Serves its purpose as background noice
Kate is going on "holiday" with her boyfriend of a year to relax and expecting a wedding proposal. While there she runs into an old friend from camp, Shep, and they reconnect and he encourages her to get out of her comfort zone, which the boyfriend couldn't do because he doesn't care (we all know how those men are)
I really like Paul and I have seen Tricia in other projects and have really enjoy those as well, but she simply isn't Hallmark material. I'm sorry. There was no chemistry between the two of them. And while the setting was dreamy (who would want to be in a fancy resort?) there was no element in this movie good enough to save this. Not even Paul Campbell.
Hearts in the Game (2023)
Second chance, small town romance
Publicist Hazel has the reputation of lifting up people's image after a mess and she is tasked with Diego, a baseball player who freezed during a game and who is on the verge of not getting into any team.
Thing is, Hazel and Diego are high school sweethearts of course. Things didn't end in the best of terms because of things going on back then with Diego. So we got a second chance romance, that takes place in their hometown, a small town, of course.
Quite enjoyable movie, goods leads and decent chemistry. The secondary cast is not that important even if a character or two have a small storyline. Something was missing though and I can't figure out what. What I liked was the ending. At first, it was going on a direction that I was not happy with and it was quickly fixed. Sacrifices were made on both sides and that's how I prefer it, thank you very much.
Anyway, watchable and cute like any decent Hallmark movie out there.
Milosc do kwadratu jeszcze raz (2023)
What's worse than a love triangle?
This movie.
Stefan and Monica are together and happy so let's throw another guy in the mix, shall we?
Look, I wasn't expecting much after the first movie but I was already committed to this and decided to watch this. And thank God I watched this during work whenever I could because that's a 1h and 40 you will never get back.
These two characters have so much to talk about. He doesn't trust her and she doesn't care enough about her relationship. So, again, what's worse than a love triangle and this movie? The characters relationship.
The story doesn't make sense. We don't know what happens with Stefan and his idea for a business, the director at the end singing with the children? It seemed like a bizarre dream.
I'm only writing this to tell you that watching this movie is a waste of time.
A Picture of Her (2023)
Flower girl and photographer boy
Beth is a fisherwoman, one could say, who is going to LA to take care of her fractured aunt. Jake is a freelance photographer who happens to be in a assignment when he runs into a beautiful scenario and takes a soon-to-be famous picture. Meanwhile, he meets Beth, go out with her and is infatuated with her from the very first moment.
I don't know what's with Tyler Hynes lately, I'm fascinated by the bad boy energy and looking forward to every movie he is in. Both him and Rhiannon Fish play the kind of characters that both of them have before. Him the mysterious, laid back guy and her the next door type of girl. (I even believe there is a reference to one of her previous movies: orcas) But it works. I thought their chemistry was decent.
Things about the movie that were weird or didn't like: the lies, it dragged on for more time than it should have. I thought it was the worst aspect of the movie. The character of the agent was suspicious, hints were given about him but we never got to find out what was going on. And the pace of the movie was weird for me, maybe because it completely shifted halfway through it.
Overall, it was a good movie. I wouldn't mind watching more movies with them, whether it's together or separately.
Sweeter Than Chocolate (2023)
Beautiful movie, great chemistry.
Lucy Sweet (convenient, but it has an explanation) is a soon to be struggling chocolatier who is given an amazing opportunity when journalist Dean wants to make a story about the "Cupids", chocolates that supposedly make you fall in love.
Eloise is a Hallmark favorite of mine and there were moments in this movie when she kind of made me nervous, but I understood where she was coming from. She just wants to take care of her family and their legacy. Meanwhile, Dean is very ambitious and they crash at first but they end up being a great team. Their chemistry was beautiful, it's all in the little gestures.
The final conflict wasn't forced and it developed naturally. Kudos for that. Also my country was mentioned, yay!
This feature reminded me why I love these silly movies. It took me back to when I only started watching them and all of them felt one of a kind.