Movie #3180 ........................."The Boys in the Boat" (movie theater)

 Movie #3180 "The Boys in the Boat" (movie theater) I really liked this movie (the audience score on rotten tomatoes is high, so many people must agree with me) , and I enjoyed the book, as well.  I would have wanted more info on the characters, so that by the end of the film we would be able to pick out the 8 kids on the rowing team, but that doesn't happen.  Clooney, the director, had to make some decisions as to what would be involved in the story, and he mostly covered the immense task the coach (played by a very quiet Joel Edgerton) had with finding his team that would save his coaching career --- and out of a bunch of Washington University kids who knew nothing about rowing.  So he focuses on  the prepping, and two big races that led up to the Olympic one with Hitler in attendance in Germany.  That filled the two hours worth of film time, but I just felt the dialogue could be more involved --- People only spoke to each other occasionally, and it seemed a very quiet film, as far as dialogue.  Music filled the quiet moments.  Anyway, at the end of the movie there was applause, and i can't remember being in a theatre where the audience was so involved in a race that they cheer when the underdog wins -- and that happened here.  Critics have panned the film for being formulaic, but maybe it's fun occasionally to see a movie that is easy to follow, has a good story and roots for the underdog.  And this one does all that.  i'd give it a 4 out of 5 and recommend it.

"THE BOYS IN THE BOAT"  a 1930s - set story centered on the University of Washington's rowing team, from their depression-era beginnings to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Director:  George Clooney

Writers:  Daniel James Brown, Mark L. Smith

Actors:  Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, Peter Guinness

Movie #3179 ........................."Maestro" (Netflix)

 Movie #3179 "Maestro"  (Netflix)  I was really anxious to see this one --- big Bernstein fan, big Bradley Cooper fan, Big Carey Mulligan fan, but it left me pretty cold.  I was never pulled into it --- I felt it always kept its distance, except for Carey Mulligan --- this may just win her the Oscar (which I thought she deserved in "Promising Young Woman" a few years ago).  She does the whole gamut here, and had to learn a particular accent portraying the wife originally from Costa Rica, who was raised in Chile where she went to British schools, and lived for a short time in Santiago before coming to America, so it was a bit of a mixed accent expected of her.  I don't know if I was supposed to feel this way, but while watching I thought her story was even more captivating.....doing the acting thing, supporting her husband and helping him with his career, while raising two girls, and the biggest role:  putting up with all of his eccentricities and obsessions and helping him with all of his anxieties and stress.  That has to wear on the woman, and that's what I got mostly out of this film.  I think the viewer spends some time with Bernstein getting to stop seeing Bradley Cooper (and that takes a while to get used to that) . He does a wonderful job but there's a lot of staring and thinking on his part, and less talking things out --- so it was harder to get to know him.  There's a long passage where he is just using his baton --- I applaud the guts of the  director to have the audience watch the man with the prop  that long in this scene, but I wanted to understand even more in that scene what I was supposed to be getting out of it.  It could be just me, but I guess I wanted more info and help to understand the man behind that baton.  The acting is good, but there's something in the way the film is presented to us that pushed me more away , than drew me in.  I'd give it a 3.8 and say I respect the film, but I wish it made me think and feel even more than it did.  

"MAESTRO"     R RATED      2 hours and 9 mins         2023

This love story chronicles the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.

Director:  Bradley Cooper

Writers:  Bradley Cooper, Josh Singer

Actors:  Carey Mulligan, Bradley Cooper, Matt Bomer

Movie # 3178 ........................."Archie" (Brit Box)

 Movie #3178 "Archie" (Brit Box)  Archibald Leach was Cary Grant's real name before changing it for Hollywood, and that's kind of part of the focus on Grant  shown in  this limited series about him, based on  Dyan Cannon's book.    The set up is a Q and A he did in Joliet, Illinois, at the Realto, towards the end of his life.  Through questions to him, the story goes back to his upbringing (parents were a huge influence on the rest of his life), his brief beginnings of work on stage, his break into Hollywood, quick glances at wives previous to Dyan Cannon, and then his life with Cannon, and a short stint about his last wife and his relationship with his daughter after Cannon and he called it quits.   His mantra here --- he just always wanted to find someone who loved him for himself, and being a famous icon brought in a lot of people who just worked around him without caring really FOR him.  His mother had a strong hold on him, almost obsessive, but it didn't seem like a true, healthy love at all....as a result he played "Cary Grant" -- the consummate likable guy , low key, suave and cool and sophisticated in most situations, but it wasn't necessarily how he was deep down inside.  It's a nice look at this complex person, and I recommend it.  I just wanted to see even more than  just his relationship with Dyan Cannon and his daughter, but that was the focus here.  3.8 out of 5.

"ARCHIE"     4 episodes, each about 45 mins.  2023  

Four- part drama depicting the life of Hollywood's greatest leading man, Archibald Alexander Leach - aka Cary Grant.

Director:  Paul Andrew Williams

Writers:  Dyan Cannon, Jeff Pope

Movie #3177 ........................."Checkin' it Twice" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3177 "Checkin' it Twice" (Hallmark)  From the Get go, I  felt I had seen this before, but I think I had just seen the ending.  Not much here, unless you like to watch some hockey, or hear discussions about it --- because the girl's  whole family, including her, know stats about players, etc.  and the guy's life is all hockey, and he's working for that big (Bull Durham) break to get up to the "Show" --- big times.  You can probably guess what happens when he's offered still another step  up the ladder  towards the end of this film --- he isn't getting any younger, so decisions need to be made on what he will do.  I got used to the two of them acting  together, so that seemed to work, but the story was ho hum -- and in this one, in 2023, there was a snowball fight!  but I hadn't seen one up until now, so that's saying a lot for Hallmark trying to shake things up more --- this one doesn't.  I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

"CHECKIN' IT TWICE"    Hallmark     2023      1 hour and 24 mins

A journeyman hockey player falls for a real estate agent in a career crisis when he's traded to her hometown and moves into the cottage in her hockey-loving family's backyard.

Director:  Kevin Fair

Writer:  Steve Beauregard

Actors:  Kim Matula, Kevin McGarry, Brittany Mitchell

Movie #3176 ........................."Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas" (Hallmark)

Movie #3176 "Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas" (Hallmark)  This movie was about a music teacher who is summoned to work with a church's very bad choir --- so it was partly interesting to me because I enjoying watching people learn to sing along with others, etc.  And the music teacher had some good gimmicks to get them going -- it was hard to believe in a few minutes , and her small amount of tactics, that they turned out to sing as well as they did, but that's Halmarkian.  There was also a nice through line of mystery as to why SHE was asked to come all the way to this small town.  And a mystery as to who will get the lead guy (well, kind of), so those two lines and the story kept me watching.  But it was just okay.  It was pretty low key, with very few highs.  I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5.

"TIME FOR HER TO COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"      2023    1 hr and 24 mins

Carly heads to a small town to lead a church choir at Christmastime, facing her first holiday season without her mother.  While there, she connects with a man back in town after serving in the army.

Director:  Ali Liebert (ooh, an actress in "Friends and Family"

Writers:  Marcy Holland, Dorothy Shackleford, Travis Thrasher

Actors:  Shenae Grimes -Beech, Chris Carmack, Grace Leer

Movie #3175 ........................"A Fabled Holiday" (Hallmark)

Movie #3175 "A Fabled Holiday" (Hallmark)  I turned this one off the first time around because it didn't look interesting to me, but then I tried it again and stuck with it, and I'm glad I did.  But I still feel the opening is horrendous in this one --- the people talking  like they are reciting lines, and it's a bad start.  The narration then comes along and seems cold and detaches the viewer  from the story instead of bringing him/her into it.  The stage business was a bit boring, because it dealt with xmas activities the innkeepers used to keep the residents staying there involved.... the kids were pretty stilted and not the  competent acting kids we usually see in Hallmark movies.  But the ending was nice, so I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

"A FABLED HOLIDAY"        2022      1 hr and 24 mins.

Talia and her childhood best friend Anderson reunite in a curiously familiar-looking town full of Christmas spirit that restores its visitors when they need it most.

Director:  Ruby J. Munro

Writers:  E.S. Dolan Dix, Samantha Herman

Actors:  Brooke D'Orsay, Ryan Paevey, John Prowse 

Movie #3174 ........................."Merry Christmas in Bethlehem, Pa" (Hallmark)

Movie #3174 "Merry Christmas in Bethlehem, Pa" (Hallmark)  I watched this one all the way through without interruption and I really liked it a lot.  It was very emotional, had nice leads and interesting stage business with taking care of a brand new baby.....at a key part there was some singing off key (not meant to be, but ugh!) otherwise, I really enjoyed it and recommend it --- it works with the premise that you can make your mind up  rather quickly when something falls into your lap.  I give it 4.5 out of 5.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BETHLEHEM, PA"     Hallmark     2023    1 hr, 30 mins

Just before Christmas, Mary Ann adopts a baby girl to raise alone.  She and the infant spend the Christmas stuck in Bethlehem, Pa, due to bad weather.  Her only choice when the inn is full is to stay with Joe, the brother of the innkeeper.

Director:  Jeff Beesley

Writers:  Kimberly Daugherty, Laura Kampo Lennon

Actors:  Laura Vandervoort, Benjamin Ayres, Amy Groening

Movie#3173 .........................""Friends & Family Christmas" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3173 "Friends & Family Christmas"  (Hallmark) -- this is a biggie this xmas season because it focuses on a lesbian relationship, one of the first, I think, that Hallmark is presenting, and I really enjoyed the film.  I esp. liked the one woman, the hispanic, with the helicopter parents (well, at least the mom was ) --she's a photographer and decides to stay put for xmas because she wants to get this big deal and her boss feels she has to have a better resume, so she wants to work on it.  Meanwhile, her dad's friend calls her dad and wants his daughter, who recently broke up with her partner. to not be all alone  for xmas and he  wants his daughter to meet up with her.  Their first  meet up was not cute, in that they seemed like oil and water.  But then they made a deal to be each other's plus 1 at all the stuff their jobs expect them to be doing at xmas.  That was the cute idea of the film.  The rest is just doing the xmas stage business of going to parties, and festivities, taking pictures, etc.  The other girl, the blonde, was closed off and kind of snooty through a lot of the film, but it was just an appearance, we learn, as the film progresses.  She's just been hurt quite a bit , and she's a tad shy and awkward in social situations, so she grows throughout the film and becomes important to the other girl as a main support person for her and her work with photography.  I liked that the treatment of the love story didn't change much because of the gender switch, and I was happy about that.  I'd give this a 3.5.

"FRIENDS AND FAMILY"       Hallmark      1 hour and 30 mins.     2023

Overwhelmed by Christmas events and a surprise visit from her parents, photographer Dani asks lawyer Amelia for help.  Pretending to date is the perfect solution until real feelings develop.

Director:  Anne Wheeler

Writers:  Gary Goldstein, Tracy Andreen

Actors:  Humbly Gonzalez, Ali Liebert, Gabriela Reynoso

Movie #3172 ........................."Sealed with a list" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3172 "Sealed with a list" (Hallmark) This one was tough for me to get into because I disliked the guy 's character so much --- way too conceited and sure of himself, but the girl was so guy knocking him down to make him even with her, that I ended up liking the film and appreciating how different it was from others.  How?  they both push each other to be more decisive in what they want to be --- and thus, they become better just working with each other and on each other and eventually fall in love.  I would give it a 4 and recommend it.

"SEALED WITH A LIST   Hallmark    2023        1 hour and 30 mins

This holiday season, festive Carley sets out to conquer her list of abandoned resolutions from last year.  Aided by coworker Wyatt, she finds love and the confidence to chase her dreams.

Director:  Lucie Guest

Writers:  Melinda Bissmeyer, Emily Ting, Robin Gadsby

Actors:  Katie Findlay, Evan Roderick, Kelsey Mawema

Movie # 3171 ........................."Bells of St. Mary's" (TCM)

 Movie #3171 "Bells of St. Mary's" (TCM)  Of course, TCM last night showed this movie after "Going My Way" because they reminded us it is a sequel.  Crosby didn't want to do the first one because he was very Catholic and felt uncomfortable playing a priest, but winning the Oscar and enjoying the work on the first one, convinced him to play Father O'Malley in this sequel...... sequels are usually second best, but not in my book --- this is equally as good as the other.  Although I miss Barry Fitzgerald in this one, he is replaced with the inimitable Ingrid Bergman, showing she can do lighter comedy (she could do ANYTHING, in my opinion).  She is the master of elevating the small moments in a film --- with the twinkle of an eye, a small movement of an eyebrow, one tear running down her face --- she is a master to watch, for sure.  O'Malley is still the same, but this time having to tackle with several nuns who run the roost in this church.  And  the film includes a cranky  neighbor next door (Clarence from "It's a Wonderful Life" so it's hard to hate him) who wants the land the church/school is on for his parking lot --- or course, Bergman, the head nun at the church/school has designs for a new school from his business building.  And O'Malley can see both sides of the issue.  This also has a great story line, a gut wrenching emotional ending, and superlative acting.  And it rates 5+ with me, too.  Love both of these Christmas gems..... there is a hysterical little scene with youngsters playing out the Mary and Joseph story that is a must-see!  A double program of these two movies made my evening last night , and I highly recommend both to you.

"BELLS OF ST. MARY'S"    1945         2 hours and 6 mins

At a big city Catholic school, Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict indulge in friendly rivalry, and succeed in extending the school through the gift of a building.

Director:  Leo McCarey

Writers:  Dudley Nichols, Leo McCarey

Actors:  Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Henry Travers

can be streamed on pluto t.v., tube, prime video 

Crosby, Bergman nominated, along with director, and best picture, but it won one AA for sound)   

Movie #3170 ........................."Going My Way" (TCM)

 Movie #3170 "Going My Way" (TCM)  In my opinion, you couldn't find a better movie to put you in the holiday spirit than this oldie, but goodie.   I was going to catch up on more Hallmark movies last night, but I saw this was on, and there was no contest.  Even though I have seen it way too many times, I watched it last night --- again, and delighted in all the moments I remember.  For me to watch movies over again is an anomaly, so this ranks right up with the top 20 movies I have ever seen, for me to watch over and over.  It's my go-to wrapping up christmas gifts movie --- and since there are less and less to wrap up these days, I was able to watch every minute more closely --- every look that Father Fitzgibbon gives to the young upstart Father O'Malley to create this wonderful character (who won an academy award for supporting actor, I might add --- he was only person ever nominated in both lead and supporting actor roles for the same movie -- they got rid of it after this movie).  I laugh even when he enters the room, he's that cute and funny.  And the songs, the whole story, the outstanding and emotional ending... well, I could go on and on as to reasons I would give it 5+ but if you haven't seen it yet, you are in for a treat!  As old as it gets, it still works.  (won AA for best picture, director, Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald,  the song (Swingin' on a Star), film editing, and writing)

'GOING MY WAY"    1944     2 hours and 6 mins

When young Father O'Malley arrives at St. Dominic's, old Father Fitzgibbon doesn't think much of the church's newest member.

Director:  Leo McCarey

Writers:  Frank Butler, Frank Cavett, Leo McCarey

Actors:  Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, Frank McHugh

P.S. it's available on Prime Video

Movie #3169 ........................."Quiz Lady" (Hulu)

Movie #3169 "Quiz Lady" (Hulu)   Well, this was out there and different, but I found it enjoyable to watch (I'm not sure Dave liked it all that much, though)  I was impressed with how Awkwafina  completely stepped into the shoes of this no-nonsence character (even with her walk and cadence of talking) who is forced to take care of her mom and sister, who can be quite annoying ---- most of the time.  The annoying big mouthed sister is played to the hilt (and over the top, to most, I'm guessing) Sandra Oh --- I haven't seen her to a part like this before.  So with one daughter bouncing off the walls, and the other, plodding along just to keep her he'd above water, they make an interesting pair who take on a quiz show.  I honestly have to say the quiz show was in the background to me..... never pulled into that, but the interactions of these two capable women working together was enough for me to keep watching.  I'd give it a 3.5.  It isn't for everybody, I'm thinking...

"QUIZ LADY"      R      2023      HULU      1 HOUR and 39 minutes

A game-show-obsessed woman and her estranged sister work together to help cover their mother 's gambling debts.  

Director:  Jessica Yu

Writer:  Jen D'Angelo 

Actors:  Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Will Ferrell

Movie #3168 ........................."Christmas With A Kiss" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3168 "Christmas with a Kiss" (Hallmark)  This was a good one with carnival stuff for the stage business while this woman, unsuccessful with love (set up in a very good first scene, I thought), comes to home town to help her older folks do their yearly xmas carnival for the town, and she all of a sudden meets up with an old flame, and meets up with a new guy who challenges her in every way.  Guess whom she gets?  Yep, pretty predictable, but for a while, I really didn't know which guy she would pick -- they both seemed nice, until you get to know them, like she did, even more..... I'd give it a 4.

"CHRISTMAS WITH A KISS"      HALLMARK      2023  

A woman (Morgan) returns home to help with her family's Christmas Carnival and romance ignites.  A photo journalist (Rowe) curates a surprise reunion.  

Director:  Roger M. Bobb

Writers:  Maggie Bush, Lanre Idewu

Actors:  Mishael Morgan, Ronnie Rowe, Jaime M. Callica

Movie #3167 ........................."Heaven Down Here" (Hallmark)

Movie #3167 "Heaven Down Here" (Hallmark)  This was a bit different from a normal stage-basiness-filled Hallmark Christmas Movie in that it was very talky.  It was more an "Indie" Hallmark xmas movie -- more interested in the talk and less on the snowball fights, etc.  The plot sets itself up for mostly dialogue, since it deals with a small group of people stranded in a restaurant on xmas eve, all having something in common -- they are - pretty lonely, so it works out for them to be stranded here so they can talk some things out and help each other -- and that's the xmas miracle here, and I enjoyed watching it.  This is the kind of movie that underlines the real meaning of Christmas to me.  And esp. in this world we have now, with so many people who can't get along with everyone because of pre-conceived notions of each other --- This film makes this message that much more important.  And the love story is very covert, and I appreciated that, too.  There's a twist at the end that might be too unbelievable to some, but I liked it --- it kind of cinched the ending for me, and I wholeheartedly recommend this one.  I'd score it 5.

"HEAVEN DOWN HERE"       HALLMARK       2023     1 hour and 30 mins

Inspired by Mickey Guyton's song of the same name, "Heaven Down Here" tells the story of four disparate people who find themselves stranded in a local diner on Christmas Eve when a snowstorm hits the town.

Director:  Anne Wheeler

Writers:  Shana Lloyd, Alison McKenzie

Actors:  Krystal Joy Brown, Tina Lifford, Juan Riedinger, Phylicia Rashad

 

Movie #3166 ........................."Haul Out the Holly: Lit up" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3166 "Haul Out the Holly:  Lit up" (Hallmark)  This has the funniest characters and dialogue in comparison to all the others of the 2023 crop --- It take a self deprecating tone --- i.e., it makes fun of people who go hog wild over Christmas and decorating..... and bringing in the Jolly Johnsons is a great idea , too.  It and they go overboard so much, that anyone watching will probably laugh, esp. those that never take the decorating so seriously --- which is almost everybody.  However, even if you are gungho about all of this, you would at least get ideas for your neighborhoods' xmas activities, so bottom line?  There's something for everyone in the film.  And very broad in its humor --- I like that there's a compromise by the end of the film --- compromise is the way to go, and I always applaud that. The ending is okay and could have come together sooner, for my money.  I'd give this one a 4.

"HAUL OUT THE HOLLY:  LIT UP"    Hallmark     2023    1 hour and 24 mins

Director:  Maclain Nelson

Writers:  Andy Sandberg, Christopher Sen

Actors:  Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky

Movie #3165 ........................."Magic in Mistletoe" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3165 "Magic in Mistletoe" (Hallmark)  I have always liked stories about writers, and they usually are glib and a bit secretive about what they are writing, but not ever as much of a curmudgeon as this one was --- and the reason he has for being this way didn't seem convincing --- he played a jerk through most of the movie, so it's difficult for me to see him become nicer because of this marketing person who tries to help him, but fails a lot of the first half of the film.  So by the end of the film, a question remained --- how did she fall in love with him?  what does she like about him?  when they finally talk to each other, they come across as an okay couple, but what caused the change is not really clear in the film.  I'd give it 3.5.

"MAGIC IN MISTLETOE"   Hallmark    2023   1 hour and 20 mins

Harrington is the author of a book series but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse.  As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival, he is joined by April, a publicist for the publishing house he works with.

Director:  Paula Elle

Writer:  Sky Blair

Actors:  Paul Campbell, Lyndie Greenwood

Movie # 3164 .........................."Christmas on Cherry Lane" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3164 "Christmas on Cherry Lane" (Hallmark) this was a silly premise and it was executed in  a convoluted way (1977, 1999, back and forth - confusing -- all set up to use the time for a surprise at the end -- and I didn't think it was worth it --- way too many people to keep track of).  some examples of the  silly stuff in this film:    finishing an entire kitchen, floor, cabinets, stove, etc. in a couple of hours; getting a baby that day to adopt, snowing so bad an ambulance couldn't get to this woman who was having a baby, deciding to sell your home that your children grew up in without letting them know about that..... I'd give this a 3.  I wouldn't bother going out of my way to see this one.

"CHRISTMAS ON CHERRY LANE"       HALLMARK   2023     1 hour and 30 mins

Over the holidays, three couples at different stages of their lives traverse significant life turning moments at 7 Cherry Lane.  

Director:  Gail Harvey

Writer:  Rick Garman

Actors:  Catherine Bell, Jonathan Bennett, John Brotherton

Movie #3163 ........................."Round and Round " (Hallmark)

Movie #3163 "Round and Round" (Hallmark)  this film is very very different from others --- first, it deals with Time Traveling, and the other is that the story is like "Groundhog Day" in that when the lead girl travels, she keeps going back to the same day, crashing into the same guy who is in a hurry --- and because trust is built between the two by all the time traveling, they begin to act more closely every time she relives the same day --- the plot is a bit convoluted, but I didn't look too deep to be able to enjoy it.  This one is THE most different of all the Hallmark holiday films I've seen this year, so far.  I'd give it a 4.

"ROUND AND ROUND"     HALLMARK      2023    1 hour and 30 mins

Rachel's stuck in a time loop, reliving the night of her [arents' Hanukkah party.  Can Zach, the "nice boy" Grandma's trying to see her up with, help her make it to tomorrow?

Director:  Stacey N. Harding

Writer:  Tamar Lady

Actors:  Vic Michaelis, Bryan Greenberg, Rick Hoffman

Movie #3162 ........................."Naughty or Nice" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3162 "Naughty or Nice" (Hallmark)  - This one was a bit silly to me when I put it on -- and it had some magical santa and I usually dodge those films but the "Family Ties" mom and dad were in it, so I thought I would stick with it a bit longer.  After a while, there was less silliness and magic, so it got better.  It did have heart and a strong through line.  Everyone has a naughty and nice side on Santa's list, and the film points that out clearly.  I'd give this one a 3.

"NAUGHTY OR NICE"    Hallmark   2011     1 hour and 23 mins

A down-on-her-luck advertising executive becomes the custodian of Santa's famous 'Naughty or Nice' list.

Director:  David Mackay

Writer:  Rickie Castaneda

Actors:  Hilarie Burton, Matt Dallas, Gabriel Tigerman

Movie #3161 .........................."Holiday Road" (Hallmark)

Movie #3161 "Holiday Road" (Hallmark)  This is one of the best this holiday season -- why?  it is very different.  Not the seat up, because there are a lot of movies that have people stranded at an airport, but I can' remember one where 6 or so people all decide to rent a van and do a road trip --- and along the way, you are made to feel liken of them, because with equal time, all their stories are told.  That's good to get a well rounded story, but it is a detriment to building the two leads' love story.  Things happen a bit too quick at the end for them, I felt.  They disagree about most everything, and are back and forth with smarmy remarks, so it's hard to see that they are falling in love.  Otherwise, the stage business is very intriguing, and they back stories are very emotional and draw us in.  I'd give it 4.5 and say it is one of the better ones that you might want to check out, if you didn't see it yet.

"HOLIDAY ROAD"     Hallmark     2023      1 hour and 24 mins

Nine strangers, stranded at an airport during the holidays, unit for a Christmas road trip to Denver.  Misaadventures led to unexpected bonds and heartfelt conversations.

Director:  Martin Wood

Writers:  Gina Matthews, Grant Scherbo

Actors:  Sara Canning, Warren Christie, Princess Davis

Movie #3160 ........................."Christmas in Notting Hill" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3160 "Christmas in Notting Hill" (Hallmark)  I liked the two lovebirds in this one --- esp. the girl, because she was a main character in a t.v. show I admired greatly "Parenthood" -- it just took soooo long for the characters to show  growing interest in each other --- very cold for most of the film.  I did like seeing the British customs, though --- and what an athlete goes through (the guy) when he gets hurt, and he's a huge icon in the country, and esp. in his neighborhood.  I'd give it a 4.

"CHRISTMAS IN NOTTING HILL"      HALLMARK     2023      1 hour and 24 mins

Football star, Graham Savoy, has always been too busy for love, but when he comes home to Notting Hill for Christmas, he changes his mind after meeting the one person who has no idea who he is.

Director:  Ali Liebert

Writer:  Alex Yonks

Actors:  Sarah Ramos, WilliamMoseley, Joelle Rae

Movie #3159 ........................."A Not So Royal Christmas" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3159 "A Not So Royal Christmas" (Hallmark)  This is a movie where the two people from the start lie to each other --- she says she's a journalist of a reputable magazine (it's really a gossip rag), and he pretends to be the prince she wants to interview  (he actually takes care of the lawn/garden).  They had to change quite a bit to end up in love --- the last 15 minutes they recited a bunch of themes.  The best part of the movie was the closing kiss.  I'd give it a 3.

"A NOT SO ROYAL CHRISTMAS"    Hallmark     2023     1 hour and 24 mins.

Tabloid journalist Charlotte attempts to land an interview with a reclusive Count.  In response, the royal family has a groundskeeper pose as the Count since the real one fled years ago.

Director:  Jonathan Wright

Writer:  Anna White

Actors:  Brooke D'Orsay, Will Kemp, Taylor Love

movie #3158 ........................"My .Norwegian Holiday" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3158 "Norwegian Holiday" (Hallmark)  I really enjoyed this one --- a trip to Norway (Bergen) to find out why this girl's grandmother has a gnome( little statue) in her possession when she didn't think her grandmother was ever there.  After meeting up with the artist in a coffee shop and leaving with coffee all over this teacher's papers, she has  several discussions why she should take off for Norway with the guy in the coffee shop who happens to be Norwegian, and cute, but  he's hiding something.   Let's just say, it takes a good 20 minutes to get her on that plane to Norway.  Once there, she can fall in love, get a new family, and learn a heck of a lot about weather in Norway, etc. -- which will help her with her dissertation back in the U.S.  I like this one a lot -- it had hEArT and two capable actors.  

" MY NORWEGIAN HOLIDAY"       2023

J.J. grieving the loss of her grandmother and seeking inspiration, stumbles upon an unexpected holiday destiny.  Meeting Henrik, a Norwegian from Bergen, their connection deepens when he discovers she has a troll figurine from his hometown.

Director:  Davide Mackay

Writer:  Betsy Morris

Actors:  Rhiannon Fish, David Elsendoorn, Peter Vollebregt

Movie #3157 .........................'Our Christmas Mural" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3156 "Holiday Hotline" (Hallmark)  This one is adorable.  I enjoyed the direction in this one since most of the conversations between the two leads is done on a phone --- the way it is staged was fun to watch, to me.  The backdrop was Chicago also, and the lead guy is showing the lead British girl around the city, so that was fun, too.  The plot is pretty close to what happens in movies like "Pillow Talk" where there is mistaken identity.  Nice ending.  I would give this one a 5 out of 5.  One of the better ones.

"HOLIDAY OTLINE"       Hallmark      2023   

After leaving London, Abby connects with an anonymous caller while working at a cooking hotline.   The caller is single dad 'john" who Abby unknowingly has become smitten with in real life (her not on the phone life).  

Director:  Mark Jean

Writers:  Julie Sherman Wolfe, Duane Poole

Actors:  Emily Tennant, Niall Matter, Myla Volk

Movie #3156 .........................""Holiday Hotline" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3156 "Holiday Hotline" (Hallmark)  This one is adorable.  I enjoyed the direction in this one since most of the conversations between the two leads is done on a phone --- the way it is staged was fun to watch, to me.  The backdrop was Chicago also, and the lead guy is showing the lead British girl around the city, so that was fun, too.  The plot is pretty close to what happens in movies like "Pillow Talk" where there is mistaken identity.  Nice ending.  I would give this one a 5 out of 5.  One of the better ones.

"HOLIDAY OTLINE"       Hallmark      2023   

After leaving London, Abby connects with an anonymous caller while working at a cooking hotline.   The caller is single dad 'john" who Abby unknowingly has become smitten with in real life (her not on the phone life).  

Director:  Mark Jean

Writers:  Julie Sherman Wolfe, Duane Poole

Actors:  Emily Tennant, Niall Matter, Myla Volk

Movie #3155 ........................."Catch Me If You Claus" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3155 "Catch Me If You Claus (Hallmark)  Well, this was just too silly for me --- mostly because I dislike the santa movies and this would be one of them.  So this is Santa's son sent out to deliver the gifts, and he mistakenly delivers the wrong one to the journalist who thinks he is the robber the rest of the city is looking for.  See how long it took to tell what the story was about ?-- it really is a tough one to like from the get-go.   When I finally got pulled in,  they both hid out in a community theatre company preparing for their show.  That whole section was really funny and quite enjoyable.  But the rest of the film?  Pretty silly, but if you like silly, you may like this one --- it has Luke MacFarlane in it.  And he's likable.  3 out of 5.

"CATCH ME IF YOU CLAUS"  HALLMARK     2023        1 hour and 24 mins

On the verge of her big break, aspiring news anchor Avery Quinn  catches a home intruder wearing a red suit claiming to be Santa's son, Chris.

Director:  Bradley Walsh

Writer:  Nina Weinman

Actors:  Italia Ricci, Luke Macfarlane, Katerina Maria

Movie #3154 ........................."A Biltmore Christmas" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3154 "A Biltmore Christmas" (Hallmark)  This is the one I was looking forward to from the previews --- looked to be historic, and it was.  The story deals with time traveling and magic, so it might not be to everyone's liking, but just the whole idea of filming on the estate is enough to get me watching.  What a beautiful place, and costumes, and it had two of my favorite actors in it -- the story is a bit scattered but I liked the idea of tweaking the ending to make it  less a feel good ending and more romantic  showing a sacrifice on one lover's part for another -- like in 'Casablanca."  Well, that puts emphasis on the ending, and it did come to an ending, but it seemed really way out there --- i.e., it ended but I'm not sure it was as successful as I wanted it to be.  At least she ended up in the right time period.  Was it believable?  Well, I wanted it to be.  I'd give this 4 out of 5 and recommend it.

"THE BILTMORE CHRISTMAS'     Hallmark     2023

it follows lucy as she's hired to write the script for a remake of a holiday movie.  She joins a tour of the grounds and when she knocks an hourglass over, she finds herself transported back in time to 1946 and meet up with the actor, John Huston.

Director:  John Putch

Writer:  Marcy Holland

Actors:  Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Polaha, Robert Picardo

Movie #3153 ........................."A Season for Family" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3153 "A Season for Family" (Hallmark)  This Hallmark movie tangles with the subject of adoption, and when and how a parent tells the child he/she is adopted.  The subject, though a very good one and one that should be tackled with, just does a surface focus on it --- and as a result, the film seemed to drag on --- it seemed to be too easily solved.....just talk to the kid and tell him.  So it puts the guy in a weird situation, and although the woman and both kids really did well, it still left him with all the angst, pretty much.  The film on this subject, and the way it was handled, could have been shorter.  I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

"SEASON FOR FAMILY"    2023     1 hour and 30 mins

Maddy's adopted son Wesley has just one Christmas wish -- to meet his brother Cody, who was adopted into a different family.  Cody's father Paul is a widower who is not ready to have this conversation with his son.  

Director:  Kevin Fair

Writer:  Steven Sessions

Actors:  Brendan Penny Stacey Farber, Benjamin Jacobson

Movie#3152 ........................."A Merry Scottish Christmas" (Hallmark)

 Movie #152 "A Merry Scottish Christmas" (Hallmark)  Look who gets to film in Scotland for this Christmas movie?  None other than Lacey Chabert, and a resurgence of her relationship with her brother, played by Scott Wolf.  All for naught, in my opinion, because this was not that good of a film to me.  I loved the scenery, and I loved getting to know some of the Scottish traditions, etc.  but the story was boring.   It never drew me in emotionally.  The film  shows a growth in a relationship between brother and sister, and mother and kids, and mother and her brother, and Lacey and the guy who helps run the place.  You'd think with all that going on it would be more entertaining, but it really wasn't.  The only part I liked is when the boyfriend of Lacey introduces his brother, who happens to be an actor who has played in several movies with Lacey already.  And there's an insider joke when she asks," Haven't I met you before?"  and he says no, but the actor has played in her boyfriend in the Bruges film, and the one she learns to ballroom dance in.  Anyway, the ending just came up all of a sudden and it seemed stuck on.  So I wouldn't recommend this film, unless you want to see Scotland beautifully presented.  I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

" A MERRY SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS"    2023    2 HOURS

Follows estranged siblings Lindsay and Brad as they travel to Scotland at Christmas to reunite with their mother Jo, who announces she's the owner of an estate there.

Director;  Dustin Rikert

Writers:  Andrew Shulman, Andrea Canning, Dustin Rikert

Actors;  Lacey Chabert, Scott Wolf, James Robinson

Movie #3151 ........................."A World Record Christmas" (Hallmark)

Movie #3151 "A World Record Christmas" (Hallmark)  This one is a bit sappy but well done.  Stage business involved building jenga blocks for a world record mixed in with lots of other stuff dealing with an autistic kid's first love, and his  mom and stepdad, who are trying to support his dream while trying to  have  another child.  Mix in the real dad always letting the autistic kid down and you have some good believable conflict in the film.  I applaud the work done here to get across the challenges an autistic kid and his folks have to deal with on a daily basis.  I'd give it 4.5, one of the best this xmas season.

"A WORLD RECORD CHRISTMAS"      2023    1 hour and 24 mins

An autistic boy attempts to break a world record on Christmas Eve, uniting his family and community in the process.  Inspired by real events.

Director:  Jason Bourque

Writers:  Mark Hefti, Antonio Cupo

Actors:  Nikki Deloach, Lucas Bryant, Aias Dalman 

Movie #3150 ........................."A Heidelberg Holiday" (Hallmark)

Movie #3150 "A Heidelberg Holiday" (Hallmark)  The couple in love are cute in here; they are both authentic actors..... But the rest of the characters were just meh.  We DO get introduced to some German Traditions, and that's good, but it got boring after a while.  3.5 out of 5

"A HEIDELBERG HOLIDAY"       Hallmark       2023     1 hour and 28 mins

Heidi heads to the Heidelberg Christmas market to sell her hand-painted ornaments.  While there, she falls for a local artisan who helps her reconnect with her lost heritage.

Director;  Maclain Nelson

Writers:  Maclain Nelson

Actors:  Ginna Claire Mason, Frederic Brossier, Nick Wilder

 

movie #3149 ........................."Christmas Island" (Hallmark)

Movie #3149 "Christmas Island" (Hallmark) In this one I got tired of the female lead --- her looks and reaction to Andrew Walker (one of my faovorite Hallmark guys) were always quick snotty remark or roll of the eyes.  Walker is more playful than usual; I think helping her out in a role she was finding difficult.  Stage Business was seeing Christmas Island, and that was okay, but it didn't make one want to go there necessarily.  I'd give this one a 3.5 out of 5.

"CHRISTMAS ISLAND"     Hallmark      2023      1 hour and 24 mins

When a snowstorm diverts Kate's first private flight en route to Switzerland to Christmas Island, she must team up with an air traffic controller to secure her dream job as the family's pilot.

Director:  David Weaver

Writer:  Samantha Herman

Actors:  Andrew W. Walker, Rachel Skarsten, Kate Drummond    

Movie #3148 ........................."Take Me Back for Christmas" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3148 "Take Me Back for Christmas"  (Hallmark) This idea of wishing something comes true and going back in time has been done a lot in Hallmark Genre, but this has a twist.  It also has two leads that have a lot of chemistry together, and the stage business seems real and furthers the plot -- she is trying o live in a new world while trying to get her husband back.  The ending is worth the wait -- nice and emotional.  And the director is starring in it, so it was easier to believe the magic was real.

"TAKE ME BACK FOR CHRISTMAS"  (Hallmark)  2023     1 hour and 24 mins

After a particularly disheartening work day at her local gift shop, Renee makes a Christmas wish for a different life.

Director:  Corey Sevier

Writer:   Kate Pragnell

Actors:  Vanessa Lengies, Corey Sevier

Movie #3147 ........................."Everything Christmas" (Hallmark)

Movie #3147 "Everything Christmas" (Hallmark) This one was cute and different.  Different in that once in a while you just need to accept that things that are occurring are magical --- that's what this film is all about --- you have to suspend belief and go along for the ride.  The film seems scattered at first, but then gets clearer and clearer and by the end you are cheering the lovebirds on.  The two leads are congenial and cute, and the secondary people are strong, as well.  I'd give this one a 4.5; see it, if you are willing to just "go along" with the major premise!

"EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS"    Hallmark      2023     1 hour, 25 mins

Christmas enthusiast, Lori-Jo embarks on an epic 3 day road trip with her workaholic best friend, Victoria to the town where it's Christmas all year round.  They run into handsome, like-minded Zach and Jason.  And Chris who could be Santa Claus?

Director:  Marni Banack

Writer:  T. Booker James

Actors:  Cindy Busby, Katherine Barrett, Corey Servier 

Movie #3146 .........................".Moonlight in Vermont" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3146 "Moonlight in Vermont"  (Hallmark)  I normally like Lacey Chabert films, but tis one was not very good.  The two leads argued way too much in the opening for us to believe they were soulmates by the end -- they are way too different.  And the making jealous part of the film was just ridiculous and very immature on her part.  The stage business was once again, just making food, and i was hard to believe that the food was being made so quickly by this wonder chef she eventually falls in love with.  The second half was better than the first --- basically because the arguing just wasn't funny or endearing.  I'd give this one a 3 and say "skip it."

"MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT"    Hallmark  

After Fiona gets dumped, she escapes to her family's Vermont Inn for a few days to evaluate her life.  When her ex Nate shows up with a new girlfriend, Fiona devises a plan to win him back:  pretend head chef Derek is her new boyfriend.

Director:  Mel Damski

Writers:  Michael Nourse, Brian Sawyer, Gregg Rossen

Actors:  Lacey Chabert, Carlo Marks, Jesse Moss

Movie #3145 ........................."Suits" (Netflix)Seasons 1 and 2

 Movie #3145 "Suits" (Netflix)  Seasons 1 and 2

We have now watched two seasons of this gem of a show and are continuing to enjoy it.  We find the stories intriguing and very involved.  There's so much to learn about how lawyers wheel and deal in the courts and out --- mostly out, in this show (which is different from other shows that are usually more in the courts)  These people are highly intelligent, mostly Harvard graduates, which sounds like a pro - ad for the distinguished school, but then one of the smartest in this group of characters is the one who is faking his Harvard degree, so there's that to say.  I must say after watching two seasons, the love story with the esteemed Meghan Markle is at a stalemate and there are 5 more seasons to go.  So that and the constant focus on Louis (our least liked character) and also the concentration needed to watch each show might deter us from continuing to watch.  Those of you who made it through 8 seasons, please let us know if we should continue and there's a big payoff at the end.  Right now, I would give it a 4, and might not return to it right away.

"SUITS":       Netflix            Season 1 = 12 episodes, Season 1 = 16 episodes   2011-2019

On the run from a drug deal gone bad, brilliant college dropout Mike Ross finds himself working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's best lawyers.

Creator:   Aaron Korsh

Actors:  Bargirl Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Meghan Markle.     

Movie #3143 ........................."Leo" (Netflix)

 Movie #3143 ........................."Leo" (Netflix)

Last night up at the lake a very proud room of ohs theatre alums stood up and applauded the one and only Tiffany Topol, whose name appeared SEVERAL times in the credits of the new Adam Sandler (on Netflix ( thanks ,carolyn Gardner, for correction) flick "Leo" !!!!! We loved all the music she did, and we highly recommend the film to one and all. What a fun movie about a classroom with a talking lizard. When the new mean substitute teacher takes over ,she forces kids to take care of Leo over the weekends, and much to her surprise, everyone benefits from that action, including herself! It is very very funny and very fast, so hold on to your hat when you watch this reptilian delight! And big congrats to Tiffany Topol for all the work she did to make the movie so entertaining! Looking forward to her next big venture! Here's proof of the credits....she's the selfie mom's voice and composer of many of the songs - If you didn't guess my score for this gem, I'd give it a 5 out of 5.

Movie #3144 ........................."The Holdovers"(movie theatre)

 Movie #3144 "Holdovers" - this is very different for the "christmas movie genre" --- 1) it isn't happy, peppy and up"  and  2)  it doesn't have a lot of action --- depends on layered characters, 3) there isn't one snowball fight in it!  What does it have?  I really good indie-feeling film.  The last movie Giamatti and this director worked together was on "Sideways" (the movie that introduced merlot to the world).  And this is another great collaboration.  It does deal with the holidays........the holdovers refer to boys in a private school who are left at the school for various reasons, and the teacher who is assigned to watch over them.  So right off the bat, you know this isn't gonna be chockfull of laughs, but there is a good sense of humor here as the boys try to get along with this curmudgeon of a teacher left behind.  It ends up to be one student, who  happens to be very bright, one terribly bright teacher, who happens to be didactic and stubborn, and one female cook, very congenial, caring and pragmatic, all with a bunch of baggage to work out throughout the film.  The story is really good, the photography is beautiful at times, esp. with the various locations in Boston that are filmed.  I highly recommend it at 4.5 out of 5.  Hopefully, after it has made its rounds in the theaters , it will also be available to be streamed, because it is worth the time to seek it out.

"THE HOLDOVERS"2023       R     2 hours, 13 mins

A cranky history teacher at a remote prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go.

Director:  Alexander Payne

Writer:  David Hemingson

Actors:  Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa