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Reviews
October Faction (2020)
Thoroughly unpleasant
The idea is interesting, but all of the characters are thoroughly unpleasant, and engage in thoroughly unpleasant dialogue doing unpleasant things for unpleasant reasons. Damian Kindler comes from the Stargate franchise, one of the most enjoyable series on TV. But this story, about monster hunters and the monsters they hunt, combined with a CW-level family drama that interconnects them is just so tedious and icky that I can't believe I watched all 10 episodes. I kept hoping there would be a redeeming aspect to the plot, the characters, the themes, or even one semi-appealing actor. But no, just one unpleasant scene after another. I give it a 3 instead of a 1 because somewhere in here is a germ of a decent idea. With better writers, better actors, and a better idea of what they wanted the series to be, maybe something could have grown from this germ. But for now, abort it.
Haul Out the Holly (2022)
Finally a Romantic Comedy that's funny
Lacey Chabert, whose picture is in the Oxford English dictionary next to the definition of "adorable", and who has tiny, dexterous hands, plays Emily, who returns to her Christmas-obsessed hometown, filled with a large number of crazy characters, including an old friend, also crazy, played by Wes Brown. Hilarity ensues as the town tries to convince the somewhat Christmas-weary Emily, who has been abandoned by her parents, to get in the spirit and do a lot of initially unwanted work. Also, there is and a little romance. Great dialogue, which is actually funny, comedic acting by everyone, and a beautiful setting, highlight this best Hallmark Christmas movie in quite a long time.
Hope at Christmas (2018)
All the elements but one
How in the world can you ruin a movie featuring a little girl, a bookshop, and Ryan Paevey? By casting the charismaless Scottie Thompson as the female lead. In the hands of an actress with more of a personality or connection to Paevey, this might have worked. But alas, it didn't.
Love Strikes Twice (2021)
Hallmark meets Back to the Future
A different movie than usual featuring time travel similar to Back to the Future and a caper familiar to fans of Leverage. Second chances are what we all wonder about and this movie shows how small decisions can lead to big results later.
Katie Findlay is not only adorable, she is an incredibly skilled actress. Her performance was outstanding, as her facial expressions and physicality were crucial in creating a believable comic character. She is a real star and if Hallmark is smart they'd sign her to a long term contract.
Non-Transferable (2017)
A film as beautiful, funny, warm, and magically romantic as its setting in Turkey
Non-transferable is a film that reminds me of the great romantic comedies of the 1990s, updated for the modern world of the internet and the sharing economy. Amy, having been dumped by her boyfriends after she buys a non-refundable, nontransferable romantic trip to Turkey for them both, searches for someone of the same name to bring with her, so the trip is not a total waste. Amy is played by the remarkably talented Ashley Clements, one of the finest comedic actors of her generation. The person she finds to replace her old boyfriend is played by the extremely appealing Brendan Bradley. You want to spend time with these two people, and they take you on a whirlwind tour of Turkey, from Constantinople to Ephesus to Capadoccia, as the characters find out whether life needs to be planned down to the last moment, or whether occasionally you should just live life as it happens to you. Warm, funny, at times joyous, this film is for everyone looking for love or already in love. Highly recommended.