Christmas Movie Reviews (2)

A few more Christmas movies I've recently watched:

* this is from last year's Hallmark movies that I missed

This takes place in an Ice Castle! It's really cool looking and impressive. I would spend a night there. I love the slide and all the small details. She's an architect and he's a Prince. I loved this one.

Apple TV:

This is a Christmas movie the same way Die Hard is one - lots of action, danger, and family drama. Similar to the first movie, but with the addition of Kit Harrington.

On Hallmark

From the meet cute (pictured) to the ending, this one was fantastic. I loved all the intersecting stories.  I enjoyed that it took place in 24 hours. 

Did you watch any of these? Thoughts? 

Christmas Movie Reviews (5)

 

Another set of Christmas movies....

From Hallmark:

Royal Corgi Christmas

Misunderstood Prince needs a dog trainer

He is about to ascend to the throne if he can show he's matured.

She turns out to have a positive influence on him

Lots of cute dog moments.

I'm a sucker for Royal movies - this one gave me a little bit of the Prince and Me vibes.

A very fun movie - highly recommended. 

Kismet Christmas

Legendary Cookies

Teenage Crush

Children's Book Author

Returning home

Second Chance Romance

Magic

This was cute one - of course I'm partial to the Children's Book author parts.

Lots of humor in this one. Recommended! 

From Netflix

Noel Diaries

A famous writer deals with his past while helping a stranger.

Road trip

One bed

Adorable dog

I did enjoy the book moments. 

Aside from the cheating, this was cute. Although it did need another 2 minutes at the end - it was too abrupt and SPOILER - the ending didn't feature the usual kiss. I read that they left it "open" for a sequel, but believe me, it's possible to do both. 

Still, it did showcase my favorite bookstore: RJ Julia's in Madison, CT

Christmas Movies (2)

Another week of festive movies:

From Netflix:

 Ok, I've been excited about this movie for a year now. Basically since it was announced.

And it did not disappoint. I loved the cast - the sweet moments - and the funny moments. All about family, community, and sharing moments together.

I can't wait to see what she does next. 

Add this one to your watch list! 

From Hallmark:

A security threat places this MI7 agent undercover as a royal nanny. 

It's funny, charming, and sweet. No stuffy royals here. 

Lots of fun - add this one to your list!

8 stories intertwined with the Golden Dragon Restaurant at the heart of this story.

This one was sweet, charming, and all about going after your dreams. I loved the story line about the "perfect" Christmas - just like the ones from the movies.

I did love it, but I wanted a little more wrap up at the end. 

Add this one to your list too!

 

Christmas Movies (1)

I've started watching Hallmark movies - here are some thoughts. 

Noel Next Door:

Grumpy Neighbor who doesn't celebrate Christmas

Single Mom

The two meet without realizing they live in the same community.

A little You've Got Mail Twist.

Cute movie- worth a watch. 

We Wish You a Married Christmas

Married Couple Struggling

Sent on a retreat for the holidays

Break up several times

Cute secondary romance

Loved the gay couple running the hotel

I thought this was going to be funny - and there were some funny moments, but it was mostly sad. Until the end. It was fine, but a little too sad for me. 

Jolly Good Christmas

A man new to London meets a personal shopper while purchasing a gift card for his newish girlfriend. She gives him grief. Through a series of meetings, he begins to doubt his gift choice. But it's soon clear he knows nothing about his girlfriend. And asks for her help.

This was charming. And the scenery great. Watch this one!

Lights, Camera, Christmas!

A Hallmark movie is filming in her hometown - with a major star attached.

She's not a fan of them - and hasn't seen his movies, but her mom loves them.

She knows fashion - and gets pulled into the movie as the costume designer. 

Lots of banter, family moments, and behind the scenes of filming of movie. And a great secondary romance. 

This one was my favorite so far - highly recommended.

Have you seen any of these? Or can you recommend other good ones?

Holiday Book Review: Countdown to Christmas

 

This Hallmark Channel book kicks off the holidays by sharing movie ideas, recipes, and favorite holiday moments from the stars of the channel.

My Thoughts: There is so much packed into the book. First off the picture are gorgeous. There are tons of recipes and several craft ideas. There are holiday tips and tricks - like setting the perfect holiday table and cutting down your Christmas tree. Quotes from their channel's movie stars include their favorite holiday traditions. And of course there are movie magic secrets (I would have like a few more of these). But they talk about the powerful women main character, decorating a set, and more. There's really something for everyone in this book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: If you have Hallmark movie lovers, this is a must have for your collection!

Holiday Movies (2)

Just a few Christmas movies I've watched this year:

A Castle for Christmas (Netflix) is about an author who gets into hot water with her fans after killing off a beloved character. She travels to Scotland to find the castle her father told stories about. When she learns the castle's for sale, she decides to buy it. But the Scottish Duke doesn't want to sell, even though he can't afford to keep the castle.

This one was super cute AND written by YA author Ally Carter. I loved the knitting group. I loved the banter between the heroine and the hero. And Drew Barrymore was a surprise!

Fun Fact: There was supposed to be a younger brother of the Duke. And he would have gotten his own movie for Valentine's Day.

This is a sequel from a movie several years ago based on a book from Sheila Roberts. This movie takes place 5 years later. Both the main characters have moved on (sort of) from each other and are making waves in their professional life. But when she comes home for Christmas - the chemistry is still there. 

The kittens in this movie are adorable. It was nice catching up with these characters and seeing how their lives have changed. 

Lara's mother convinces her to enter in a local Christmas contest where the winner earns money for their favorite charity. Lara's happy to learn she's secured a spot - until she learns that her ex-boyfriend also secured a spot. Ben broke her heart and she hasn't let go of her hurt feelings. The moments between them are full of banter and anger - until they begin to remember why they fell for each other.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I wasn't a huge fan of the hero. I did warm up to him by the end. I did enjoy the Christmas contest activities. And I loved Lara's team. 

Congressional Aide is sent over Christmas to an Air Force Base her boss wants to close. Erica's supposed to uncover a reason to close the base. But the more time she spends, the more she realizes that it would be a tragedy to close this base - especially with the celebration of Operation Christmas Drop.

This was a really interesting movie from last year - based on a real operation that's been happening since 1952. It's a heartwarming tale - and a fun movie. 

Having just been fired from their job, sisters Brooke and Margot travel to Ireland to find their relatives. During a castle tour, they overhear the owners mention their event planner for the party has backed out. Margot immediately volunteers them - giving them their formers boss's name as her sister's name. Things of course spiral out of control.

This was super fun - with the party planning, the scenery, and the moments between the sisters. Of course the truth comes out at the worst possible moment - but things have a way of working out. 

Holiday Movies

The Christmas Prince trilogy:

 

I re-watched the first one and then the next two. The first one was very enjoyable. The second was terrible, it lost the charm of the first one. I wanted to smack the characters. But it did have some charming moments. The third one was also enjoyable - I enjoyed the treasure hunt and uncovering the thief.  

There's someone robbing Christmas parties - and they all have the same Santa Claus. A rookie detective teams up with a fellow detective to uncover the mystery thefts. When they discover a house for rent next door to their key suspect, they move in an set up a surveillance operation. But their cover is blown and instead they're forced to play a newlywed couple and join in the neighborhood's festivities. 

This one was super cute. I loved how they were forced to join in. It almost makes me wish for a neighborhood like this. Lots of banter and holiday cheer. And of course - getting the bag guy. Plus this has one of my favorite Hallmark actors in it. 

When Paige comes home for Christmas, her parents don't tell her it's the last Christmas at their inn. They're thinking of selling their successful inn and start traveling the world. But when the potential buyer arrives a month early - everything is up in the air. Paige believes he's just a guest at the inn and she's helping him and his son have a great time. But...

This was great. I loved the moments decorating and creating the inn's festive party. Lots of charming moments here. 

A daughter returns home after several years after being away because her estranged father was hurt in an accident. She comes for Christmas with her own daughter. Both are excited about the holidays, but he is not interested

This one was funny with the grandfather warming up to the granddaughter. Also a second chance romance. Enjoyable.

An older movie - but a sequel is coming this year, so I wanted to watch it.

A fireman isn't interested in marriage. He goes through a series of women who are all wrong for him. He ends up running into a woman studying to be a vet. She has a secret cat in her apartment. Long story short - she ends up renting a place from him.

This one was charming and of course the cats are super cute. I really like the actress - she's one of my Hallmark favorites. I'm really curious to see where the sequel goes. 

Watched in July

A mother's never been without her children on Christmas, but since her divorce he husband and his girlfriend are taking the kids over the holidays. The girls are sad until the new girlfriend invites the mother to join them all. 

This was a cute story about blended families - with some jealousy and competition thrown in. The kids were cute and there's a fun romance.

Have you seen any of these? Are you a fan?

Holiday Movie Round-Up (2)

 

I'm a sucker for Hallmark Christmas movies, so I thought I'd share my thoughts on the ones I've seen so far this year.

Christmas Waltz:

A bride wants to take dancing lessons with her fiancé. But they break up...and she decides to take the lessons alone. 

I loved this one - it might be my favorite Christmas movie this year.

I loved the big family party, the dancing, the banter... 

Everything was great.

* Highly Recommended.

Christmas in Vienna:

A violinist has achieved her greatest goal - but she feels empty inside. She's playing over the holidays in Vienna - where her college roommate happens to live. When her friend gets an incredible opportunity, Jess agrees to watch the children she nannies. Of course the children's father is the one person Jess keeps bumping into...

I really liked this one - for the family, the music, and dealing with grief. 

Plus the scenery was amazing and now I want to travel to Vienna. 

And the food looked delicious!

* Highly Recommended.

Five Star Christmas:

A family comes home for Christmas and discovers their father turned their house into a B & B. And they believe that a famous blogger stumbled upon their inn. So they decide to become the staff and guests to make the blogger's stay more welcoming in hopes of getting a great review. Of course things don't go as planned...

I really enjoyed this one. It was clever and funny and sweet. 

* Highly Recommended

Starlight Christmas:

A Christmas style Two Weeks Notice - lots of humor in this one. 

Plus terrible Christmas sweaters, dog costumes, and ice skating.

* Highly Recommended

Good Morning Christmas:

Two talk show co-hosts couldn't be more different. After working together, he finally asked to be let go from his contract. They have one more week of programs leading up to Christmas. And it's on location in a small country town. 

 This one was really fun and checked off most of the Christmas traditional boxes. (I think snowball fights was pretty much the only unchecked box...)

Nutcracker and the Four Realms:

Clara just wants to the world to return to normal after the death of her mother. She tries to find meaning in the world, but has a hard time dealing with her grief. Than on Christmas Eve, she receives two gifts - one that unlocks something dear and one that needs a key to be saved. Both gifts are from her mother. Clara learns more about life and herself as she journeys to another world.

The costumes were amazing.

I loved how everything was a Rube Goldberg machine and Clara's cleverness.

A fun movie - that's different from the original Nutcracker story. 

This one was on Disney+

Holiday Movie Roundup (1)

 

I'm a sucker for Hallmark Christmas movies, so I thought I'd share my thoughts on the ones I've seen so far this year.

Holidate: Netflix

A date for all the holidays doesn't seem like such a bad idea...especially when your family is bugging you about a boyfriend.

I thought this would be more of a Hallmark movie - but it wasn't. I fully admit I zipped through the bathroom issue scene. The movie was...fine. Not great. Not terrible. It had some funny moments. But it was hard to connect to any of the characters. Also it took place year around and not just Christmas.

Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater: Hallmark

I really liked this one. As her daughter spends Christmas with her father, a single mom has time to fill over the holidays. After an accident with a stranger, she takes him under her wing and tries to give him a nice holiday season. They work together to help the local military families.

This one made me tear up at the end. It was really sweet. I loved how the families were able to be together. And that grand gesture was something else! I wouldn't mind a sequel set in Paris.

On the 12th Date of Christmas
Two rival co-workers must work together to create a scavenger hunt for a local hotel. 

This was a super cute movie. I loved how they had to create the clues to the scavenger hunt - which would take people all over the city. It sounded like the perfect adventure. I loved how close they both were to their families too. 

* Highly recommended.

One Royal Holiday

A royal family gets stuck due to weather and a stranger offers up her family's inn for their convenience.

While there are a lot of things that don't add up in this movie, once we get past that, it's a sweet movie. Anna enjoys being home again for the holidays and getting to share her town with strangers. She has opinions about the Prince who isn't excited about being stuck in America. She helps him loosen up and make the best of things.  I do love how they met over donuts and pastries. I loved the side romances in this movie. I really enjoyed Anna's best friend, who was the mayor. 

Christmas with the Darlings 

Jessica volunteers to help watch nieces and nephew of her employer during the week leading up to Christmas - with the help of one of the brothers.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but it was really cute. I loved all the Christmas events the family ended up doing together. The siblings were really sweet together. I really enjoyed this one. I wouldn't mind seeing a sequel.

* Highly Recommended

Timeless Christmas:

One night, a man vanishes from 1903 and travels to present day after fixing a clock.

This movie was charming and funny. I enjoyed the time travel aspect - and how Charles Whitley, appears right on cue. It was funny watching Charles adjust to live in the 21st century. I loved the banter between him and Megan. 

Plus, this movie (and book) was written by romance author Eva Leigh. 

* Highly Recommended