Movie #3469 ........................."After All These Years" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3469 "After All These Years" (Hallmark)  Another winner originally from Hallmark back in the day --- a really good, quirky murder mystery with Wendie Malick in the lead -- her husband gets killed and of course the police figure she is the number one possibility for the murderer --- she leaves immediately to go under cover to find out who did it --- she's very funny in her investigating.  I'd give it a 4.5 -- funny and a good mystery --- myriad of quirky people as suspect, too.

"AFTER ALL THESE YEARS"    2013      1 hour and 27 minutes 

Director:  Scott Smith

Writers:  Susan Isaacs, Jon Maas

Actors:  Wendie Malick, Andrea Martin, Martha Burns 

Movie #3468 ........................."Follow the Stars Home" (Hallmark)

Movie #3468 "Follow the Stars Home" (Hallmark)  What a find this was --- a really good film on raising a disabled child and how that can affect a marital couple who find out before the birth of the baby that she will have defects (and probably won't live past 6 years old) and how they disagree about what to do about it.  Very emotional, for sure, and the actors aren't your typical Hallmark people --- They include the bride from Steve Martin's "Father of the Bride" along with two well accomplished  men, Blair Brown as the grandmother, and two very competent little girls, one (Alexa Vega) who has now moved from child star to adult starring in a Hallmark mystery series with her husband.   It's a tough watch but so worth it, and it gets a 5, highly recommend, from me.  See if you can find it.

"FOLLOW THE STARS HOME"     2001      PG    1 hour and 43 minutes     Hallmark

Kimberly Williams and Caitlin Fein play a mother and child whose love conquers adversity

Director:  Dick Lowry

Writers:  Luanne Rice, Sally Robinson

Actors:  Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Campbell Scott,  Eric Close, Blair Brown, Alexa Pena Vega

Movie #3467 ........................."Three Weeks, 3 kids" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3467 "Three Weeks, Three Kids"   (Hallmark)  Chomsky (from "My Girl" as a child star) plays this role of an aunt pretty well --- the guy across the street she starts to build a relationship with as she babysits her nieces and nephew, is fun to watch, too.  And the kids do well --- the everyday problems are believable and lessons are learned --- I found this a fun watch and would give it 4.5.

"THREE WEEKS, THREE KIDS"      2011     1 hr and 27 mins.     Hallmark

25-year-old Jennifer Mills lives her life without commitment, relieved that her boyfriend isn't even close to putting a ring on her finger.   Nothing like her older sister Mandy , who married young and settled into family life.  Jennifer loves being carefree, but her mother sees Jennifer's wild ways as a fear of settling down, and hatches a secret plan to take her from playful to parent in just three weeks.  When Mandy and her husband plan a three-week European vacation without their three kids, Kathryn convinces Jennifer to help watch them until she can get into town.  Jennifer quickly finds out that playing house isn't for kids, and realizes that she must go from cool aunt to strict parent to keep her sister's trust.  But with a little help from Will, the handsome new neighbor across the street, she manages to pull it together to prove to everyone, even herself, that taking responsibility can be rewarding.  (what a surprise, huh:)

Movie #3466 ........................."Villa Amore" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3466 "Villa Amore" (Hallmark)  Well, we've learned there are all kinds of scams about buying villas in European countries for 1 euro , and then the buyers finding out they have to refurbish it in so many days, and the amount of high taxes, and rules and paperwork they have to go through  -- all of this taught to us through Hallmark films, and this is still another one --- basically goes through the same situation, as the others, but it is liable because of the lead girl and guy being very capable and having some chemistry between the two of them.  Also, the people in the town we get to know moreso in this one and they are quirky and fun to watch (esp. the postal lady).  I really did love the story, the people and the environment and I would highly recommend this one -- however, it does make fixing up a place like this look way too easy.... but I enjoyed watching it.  a 5 out of 5.

"VILLA AMORE"   Hallmark       2025     1 hour and 24 mins

Liara goes to Italy and impulsively buys the villa where her parents met.  She soon learns she is in way over her head and must ask a handyman to help her renovate.

Director:  Clare Niederpruem

Writers:  Nick Hopkina, Rim JmWA, VWRAY MOEEIA

Actors:  Eloise Mumford, Kevin McGarry

Movie #3465 .........................""Back When We Were Grownups" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3465 "Back When We Were Grownups" (Hallmark) Not your typical Hallmark film with young , good looking stars --- this one follows Blythe Danner and her family she has helped to build, and it covers a subject that isn't covered very often --- what happens when you marry a widower with 3 children, and all of a sudden you are their mother --- and how does that relationship start, build and withstand all of them through their own adulthood and your own old age?  It's based on an Anne Tyler book I had read and enjoyed (and recommend), but the movie seemed pretty much all doom and gloom --- Tyler has a way of presenting people in real life situations very well --- don't expect a huge action movie based on her books, but just real life situations and discussions --- these were okay, but it seemed the choices the screenwriter chose to use were more doom than inspiring --- that is until the very last scene --- it made the film worthwhile for me to have watched.  Nicely done, and a reminder of just how good Danner is.  I'd give it a 4 and say it is worth a look see .P.S.  Fonda is very good here playing a very measured person who wants things the same every day  --- never going out of the box life can put us in.

Director:  Ron Undersood

Writers:  Anne Tyler, Susanna Styron, Bridget Terry

Actors:  Blythe Danner, Faye Dunaway, Peter Fonda

Movie #3464 ........................." Valentine's Again" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3464 "Valentine's Again" (Hallmark)  I have never been enamored with the Groundhog day idea and it is the basis for this film.  If the girl was less stiff, I met have enjoyed it a bit more and she might have pulled me into her dilemma -- but she didn't do that.  So we just watch the same thing over and over, waiting for something different to happen.  The guy is good, though.  3.5

"VALENTINE'S AGAIN"    2017     1 hr and 21 mins.   Hallmark

Katherine endures the worst Valentine's Day date of her life.  On her way home a gypsy cats a magical spell on her.  The net mooring she soon realizes she's reliving the day until she finds Mr. Right.

Director:  Steven R. Monroe

Writer:  Jack Sekowski

Actors:  Nicky Whelan, Greg Vaughan, Marina Sirtis

Movie #3463 ........................."Love on the Danube - Kissing Stars" (Hallmark)

Movie #32463 "Love on the Danube - Kissing Stars" (Hallmark)  I liked the premise of this one, that she is being paid to help this newly successful actor deal with his fans --- he is very much an introvert and wants his performances to speak for himself --- but when it came down to the ultimate Hallmark conflict , it seemed a silly issue to fight over since she had been protecting him through the whole movie.  That didn't make sense to me in the script.  The stage business was a bit boring, too, because they spent long amount of times just walking --- but it did show off the Danube, somewhat.  I'd give it a 3.5 - take it or leave it. 

"LOVE ON THE DANUBE -- KISSING STARS"      Hallmark    2024     1 hr and 24 mins

Publicist Savannah Bailey offers Tripp Nelson, her actor client of newfound fame, the ability to connect with fans and find his type at a rom-com cruise event KissCon after reinventing himself but he must learn who he is without celebrity.

Director:  Peter Benson

Writers:  Andrea  Canning, Agnes Bristow

Actors:  Sarah Power, Brendan Penny, Kathryn Drysdale