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Reviews
Take Me Home (2011)
Take Me Home had a great beginning. . . but
If leaving your husband to end up with someone you just met is your cup of tea then this movie is for you. I had hoped this would be a great movie and it delivered until the end. The movie gives humor mixed with self examination giving it a great mix of comedy and drama . Clair and Thom seem to not hit it off at the beginning which means in all rom-coms they will at the end and this movie is no different. Clair dumps her father's ashes in the ocean while her half sister talks about second chances and leaving the past in the past. This was so refreshing as Clair goes back to NYC with her husband but no--she dumps him and jumps on a plane to meet up(probably hook-up) with Thom. What a disappointment. The moral of this movie if there is one is dump your husband for someone you have known a couple of weeks.
The Other Side of Darkness (2022)
I took a chance on this one. . .
I took a chance on The Other Side of Darkness(2022) based on the polarity of votes from 10-1. The concept of the movie is one many have contemplated from an accidental grid outage to an attack on the grid from a nefarious source. I was pleasantly surprised by the acting from all involved. The music and scenery is worth watching the movie--especially the music. This is definitely an "Indie" movie but in my opinion one of the better ones given the young actors.
I will say the movie would have been much, much better without all the profanity. Profanity just fills in where the writers cannot think of anything to say. The plight of many in foster care is a secondary theme. Again, worth watching but not one to watch more than once.
Two Tickets to Paradise (2022)
The one star is because this is another Hallmark that is not family friendly.
One star because Hallmark does not prepare parents for the LGBT content.
Two Tickets to Paradise concept is an old one, bride and /or, groom or both dumped. I really like Ashley Williams in October Kiss and she was passable in the Evergreen movies. Sorry to see she agreed to be in non family friendly movies but each to their own.
For parents, this is another LGBT Hallmark movie with two men on their honeymoon(complete with kissing) staying at the same resort Hannah Holt(Williams) was staying. Josh(Ryan Paevy) is the other dumpee who ended up at the same resort with Hannah.
The movie started out with humor, with Hannah Holt wailing in the bathroom after being dumped. Josh seemed to take his dump in stride.
Funny movie but for adults.
Runaway Christmas Bride (2017)
Too much very very bad background music
The plot was OK but the background music was terrible. I do like Cindy Busby and Travis Milne in other productions and I did not mind them in Runaway Christmas Bride but the music was terrible.
If you can bear listening to horrible background music , pop jazz during was was suppose to be touching scenes, a constant playlist over and over again, you may be able to get through this movie. Again and again, I do not know who approved the music for Runaway Christmas Bride but they need not ever be in charge of music again. Sounds like they went on an open source online, recorded the music and repeated it.
The Most Colorful Time of the Year (2022)
The most colorful dud of the year
The concept of The Most Colorful Time of the Year was wonderful. Unfortunately Michelle, an optometrist(played by Katrina Bowden) was so unprofessional and irritating we could hardly finish the movie. While Bowden did as well as she could given the boundaries of the script, she could not cover the stupidity of the script of sharing private information of Ryan(Christopher Russell) with her sister and her daughter, who is a student in Ryan's class. Bowden's character Michelle also went out of her way to embarrass Ryan by asking him to pick out colors of candies for a gingerbread house--all this in front of her daughter!!!!
There was a touching moment with the sunset but all in all whoever wrote this does not understand medical ethics.
Inventing the Christmas Prince (2022)
A great movie safe for all family members as all Hallmarks used to be!
Inventing the Christmas Prince seemed rather stupid at first but the movie expanded into a really great story. Parents need not worry about anything in this delightful movie--no LGBT thrown in for diversity. Evan(Ronnie Rowe) played his part masterfully going from a "Spock" to "fully human" but in a humorous yet realistic manner. Children will not be bored with this movie and there is enough plot to keep adults entertained.
Tamera Mowry-Housley playing the part ofShelby, a real rocket scientist, as usual keeps us laughing with her superb acting as well as bringing heart warming scenes to life. All in all a fun movie.
Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022)
Ah--Hallmark like it used to be-no agenda, no woke just entertainment.
Three Wise Men and a Baby returns Hallmark to solid footing with the majority of its viewers. NO AGENDA, JUST PURE ENTERTAINMENT! Yes this has the typical rom-com within the story line but it does not dominate but is always kept alive. Serious life issues are not buried but met head on with humor, awkward moments and redemption.
The combination of the different personalities of the three brothers was brilliant--differences that as the story line unfolds are made evident based on past experiences. This movie is a keeper. While not on the same level of classics like "It's a Wonderful Life" it comes close. Enjoy.
Merry Kissmas (2015)
Worth watching even though many give it bad ratings.
The worse part about this movie is the title, 'Merry Kissmas". I almost did not watch it because I had a hard time getting over the stupid title. However, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the movie. The love interest between Kayla and Dustin was full of genuine chemistry . On the other hand the chemistry between Kayla and Carlton was forced which was consistent with the storyline. These Up/Hallmark type movies always have a "dumpee" in the plot.
The main critique for me was that the Nutcracker banner on the venue looked like a high school sports banner--something the director, Carlton did address and the ballet dancers looked like first week dancers even though Carlton was suppose to be a world class director.
The Royal Nanny (2022)
One of the better Hallmark movies this year!
The Royal Nanny is one of the better Hallmark movies this year in my opinion. The first thing I observed was I had a hard time at first understanding the British accents which meant the actors were doing a great job in their speech.
This film is a combination of intrigue, humor, romance and just plain fun with a touch of Mary Poppins to boot. I give it a 9 instead of a 10 because again, we have a female unrealistically and quickly physically overcoming 2 large men---probably not realistic but hey, this is Hallmark.
Over all I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Refreshing to see Royals actually doing their "duty" to their country.
Noel Next Door (2022)
A Hallmark Winner.
I may be over exuberant with 10 stars but I just finished watching Hallmark's A Very Married Christmas that was a total dud so Noel Next Door in comparison was ten stars. The movie portrayed people with real problems, actors who can act, chemistry that is authentic, humor, drama, in short, a great Christmas movie as Hallmark in the past has produced. The script is clever and entertaining and very realistic. While typical of Hallmark, we know the resolution of the story, but there are enough twists and turns to keep you watching. No agenda in the movie unless one wants to consider the character "cancelled" from all social media for misinformation(he is a flat earth believer). All in all, this movie will be a Christmas favorite. Hallmark---keep these kind of Christmas movies coming.
We Wish You a Married Christmas (2022)
A Hallmark dud
I had high hopes for the concept of this movie. The previews looked promising. As the movie began, we are whiplashed between a conversation with the leads taking us through their experiences---quite confusing. Then we finally see they are speaking with a marriage counselor. I thoroughly enjoyed Kristoffer Polaha in the Mystery 101 series but this movie fell flat. As another reviewer stated this movie was a dud! The dog was probably the best part of the movie. Christmas is not the time to see all the marriage problems people have including the stupid bickering and "advice" from total strangers. For those who care or for parents, the innkeeper introduces his husband.
The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls (2021)
Watch once--maybe
OK-one of those movies that you question why you sat for 2 hours watching. The story line continued somewhat from the first movie but it just seemed to lack interest.
Christmas with the Darlings (2020)
Movie was OK
Those who are looking for diversity and progressive elements will not be disappointed in this movie. I found the idea that no one should spend Christmas alone nice.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
What a wonderful treasure!
This film is such a wonderful treasure. Rarely can we find a storyline that is both filled with comedy and complete drama---laughter and tears. While the film has a few words including one "F" bomb that may concern some parents, over all the beautiful story overcomes those obstacles.
Amazon--keep these kind of films coming.
Taking the Reins (2021)
Hallmark really needs to get people who can ride.
This movie was OK but come on. If you are going to have a horse movie, at least get people who can ride. The last 5 minutes of the movie ruined it totally for me. Hallmark needs to have a parental guidance for this movie.
Love Strikes Twice (2021)
One of the best Hallmark in years.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It had intense moments, sweet moments, funny moments and yes romantic moments. It had cheesy moments without being totally absurd. Keep more movies like this coming Hallmark.