Movie #1832 ........................."Holiday Date"

Movie #1832 "Holiday Date" =-- this one I thought had a great opening --- yes, it was typical in that she loses her boyfriend before going home for christmas to introduce her family to him, and her friends convince her to take actor Joel to play her boyfriend Ethan.  Joel is up for a big part but he has only been a big city person, so he wants to do some research in a small town --- seems just a bit stretched, but it was funny because Joel is supposed to be "Mr Christmas" but because his folks were always away at a the holidays (they are both actors, as well) he knows nothing about it and to make matters worse ---- HE IS JEWISH!  When he finally can't pretend to be all knowledgeable about Christmas, he finally tells them he is jewish --- then the film shifts a bit and instructs the viewer on what kind of celebrating jews do during Christmas time.
But shortly after that, it starts to get silly --- it's because they run out of things for this family to do --- there's a secondary story about a community theatre play that loses its lead star and bet you can't guess who could step in for that!  The architect Ethan!  (who is really the actor Joel, in case you weren't paying attention earlier.  Through this whole thing, the guy works his butt off to get this convoluted plot across, and that wouldn't be bad if the girl were more likable and less of a cold fish.  I'd give this 3.5 out of 5.  It was hot and cold to me.

"HOLIDAY DATE"  2019    1 hour and 30 mins

After a woman's boyfriend breaks up with her right before the holidays, she agrees to go home with an actor who will pose as her boyfriend.

Director:

 Jeff Beesley

Writers:

 Karen Berger (teleplay by), Kraig Wenman (story by) 

Stars:

 Brittany Bristow, Matt Cohen, Teryl Rothery 

Movie #1831 ........................."A Star for Christmas"

Movie #1831 "A Star for Christmas"  -- I liked this one --- it was very refreshing to see something a bit different from all the other Christmas fare --- I guess it is because it reminded me of a very favorite film of mine "Nottinghill" except in this one, the guy is famous, but the girl doesn't know it, and when she finds out, she discovers it isn't all that good of a thing.  I thought it would be too silly, at first, but then it grew on me and it made fun of action films and the paparazzi and fans.  I'd give it a 4 out of 5.  And I recommend it.


"A STAR FOR CHRISTMAS"   2012      1 hour and 28 mins

The only thing that is working in Cassie's world is her small town business. Her Christmas Cupcakery is a huge success, but her love life is a mess. Cassie's whole universe is turned upside down when she falls in love with a co-worker who is revealed to be the famous and notoriously troubled actor Alex Gray. There's no denying that Alex and Cassie are in love, but can their relationship survive the pressure of Hollywood and the holidays?

Director:

 Michael Feifer

Writer:

 Amy Heidish

Stars:

 Briana Evigan, Corey Sevier, Karissa Vacker 

Movie #1830 ........................." Time for You to Come Home for Christmas"

Movie #1830 "Time for you to Come Home for Christmas -- this film is surprisingly about grief --- very touching dealing with a real situation ---- the guy is awkward through most of the first half of the film, until you know how he knows the woman in the film --- it drew me in and I found it very poignant --- the reveal was handled well, too.  I liked this and would give it 4 out of 5.


"TIME FOR YOU TO COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"   2019

A recent widow travels with her son to Virginia hometown for Christmas. On the way they meet a man, who is also heading to the same destination. As they continue to spend time together, the pair grows closer.

Director:

 Terry Ingram

Writers:

 Marcy Holland, Dorothy Shackleford (based on the book by) 

Stars:

 Alison Sweeney, Lucas Bryant, Kiefer O'Reilly

Movie #1829 ........................."Christmas in Dollywood"

Movie #1829 "Christmas in Dollywood"  - I normally like Danica McKellar (Winnie from "Wonder yEARS")  in these hallmark movies, but this one isn't a favorite.  There was a lack of chemistry between her and her costar (both vying for the same job) -- they appeared to work well together in the film, but most of the time when not working , they annoyed each other --- but all things worked out with Dolly's help --- ugh!  3 out of 5 for this one.


"CHRISTMAS IN DOLLYWOOD"   2019

A Broadway producer travels to Tennessee in an effort to save her Holiday extravaganza.

Director:

 Michael Robison

Writer:

 Nina Weinman

Stars:

 Danica McKellar, Niall Matter, Zoë Noelle Baker

Movie #1828 ........................."My Christmas Inn"

Movie #1828 "My Christmas Inn" --I was intrigued with the cast here --- I had never watched "Sister, Sister" but I heard the actresses were good, and so when I saw one of them was in this cast and all grown up, I wanted to see how she did --- and she was very convincing --- evidently, they had to pay too much for her  and a one shot moment in  the opening of the film and another  toward the end where Tim Reid and the mother from the show appeared, because the guy was not very authentic at all.  I never really warmed up to him --- the film is supposed to be about her inheriting an inn in Alaska, but I was disappointed that not much of Alaska was seen.  Bummer!   The lovers quarreled, typically, over a job , but this time, the saving grace, is that the GUY was willing to go wherever he needed to go to ensure she has a better shot at a job!  All right!  3.5 out of 5.


"MY CHRISTMAS INN"     2018

"With the holiday season in full swing, Jen Taylor (Mowry-Hardict) is about to score a big promotion at the San Francisco ad agency where she works. But her life is unexpectedly turned upside down when she inherits a cozy inn in Alaska from her aunt. When she goes to inspect the property and meets handsome town attorney Brian Anderson (Mayes), she's surprised to find that nothing is what she expected. The small town community is full of fun and festive Christmas traditions and soon, Jen starts wondering if the inn might just be the place she belongs, and if Steve could be the Mr. Right she has been waiting for."

Director:

 Peter Sullivan

Writers:

 Jeffrey Schenck (story by), Peter Sullivan (story by)  | 2 more credits »

Stars:

 Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Rob Mayes, Jackée Harry

Movie #1827 ........................."Grounded for Christmas"

Movie #1827 "Grounded for Christmas" was a fun hallmark movie that I watched with two pilots as the love interest, which was different for this kind of movie ---however, the story is kind of an old one --- she has heard about this fellow pilot's reputation with the ladies, he flirts with her when he meets her when she doesn't know who he is yet, so that made it easier to believe the reputation. Anyway, they are snowbound and the flights is cancelled, but he has nowhere to go --- she does, so she invites him along as her possible "boyfriend" because her ex boyfriend is hanging around the family with all their activities.  The longer he stays, the more she and her family enjoy being around him.  Same old story, but like I said above, rarely  are they  both pilots, and rarely are the lovers cute and real people like they are here.  Situations are not crazy either --- pretty real for a hallmark movie, I'd give it a 4 out of 5 --- this is a good one!



"GROUNDED FOR CHRISTMAS"    1 hour and 26 minutes      2019

When a winter storm hits Cleveland and grounds flights, it brings two opposite fellow pilots together.

Director:

 Amyn Kaderali

Stars:

 Julianna Guill, Corey Sevier, Cheryl Ladd

Movie #1826 ........................."A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"

Movie #1826 "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" -- the film had a clunky opening --- but it sets up right off the bat that this is NOT a film centered on Fred Rogers, but on a journalist who begrudgingly takes a quick interview with him --- Matthew Rhys is the actor who goes through all the angst, changing his viewpoint of this t.v. phenom Fred Rogers.  His first reaction is one many viewers would go into the film with:  is this guy for real?  And the film answers that by  watching Rogers through the journalist's eyes.     Hanks does a better job, I felt, with Rogers in comparison to his Walt Disney caricature.  But then, you have a different person, and Hanks has always been most comfortable portraying honest, earnest people.  This film had lots of creative moments that kept this viewer watching (I must say, I went into the film not being a huge Fred Rogers' fan but like the journalist, I changed my mind -- so it was successful with me over all)  And I thought the set was very cool, the puppet scenes were fun to watch, and I esp. liked when Tom ended up to be a rabbit in one of the scenes --- very effective and powerful.  I'd give this a 4 ---  esp. impressive is Matthew Rhys (the americans) whom I have enjoyed watching since the t;.v. show "Brothers & Sisters").



"A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD"    2019    1 hour and 49 mins

Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod.

Director:

 Marielle Heller

Writers:

 Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster

Stars:

 Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper