I absolutely loved this film. I rarely give 10 stars but this film definitely deserves it. Kristoffer Polaha (who I'm a big fan of) was perfect in the role of Jack Houston and there was great chemistry between him and Bethany Joy Lenz. I love the 'His Merry Wife' film within the film shot in black and white and in 4:3. The whole film had an old-style 1940s feel to it which made it nostalgic. The dialogue was excellent as was the acting. As an added surprise, it was great to see Jonathan Frakes playing a large part and Mary McDonough, Rachel Boston and Wes Brown in cameo roles. I hope that Hallmark make more films like this one rather than the usual formulaic girl meets up with a previous boyfriend etc, etc. I am hoping that it will be released on DVD which I will definitely purchase.
Reviews
20 Reviews
Joyeux Noel
(2023 TV Movie)
Painful to Watch
12 November 2023
I thought this film would be really romantic so I stuck with the story that Lea & Mark were investigating. I wish I hadn't bothered. There was no chemistry between the lead actors. As for the script - it was so painful particularly the church scene where Lea asked who were the characters in the nativity display - it was dreadfully painful to sit through & embarrassing. The fake French accents were also obvious although that didn't apply to all. I also found it difficult to get my head around the fact that Jaicy's character, Lea, had never left the country (assuming that she didn't have a passport), but was able to magically travel to France the next day!! The only redeeming feature of this film is the location. This is 1.5 hours I'll never get back.
Notes of Autumn
(2023 TV Movie)
Awful
11 October 2023
I'm not a big fan of Ashley Williams (although I did like her role in Christmas in Evergreen), Marcus Rosner, Luke MacFarlane & Peter Porte but carried on watching because of Kavan Smith & Pascale Hutton who I love in When Calls the Heart - their cameos were very funny. The fake piano & violin playing was so obviously fake. I thought that Hallmark made films that were family friendly (they used to) & have been watching their films since 2018 & have a large collection of DVDs of my favourites. On this occasion I was glad I was watching it on my own. When you think they have made some wonderful moving films & series like When Calls the Heart, the Gift of Peace & The Presence of Love, Chesapeake Shores & Good Witch - this film definitely falls short.
The Gift of Peace
(2022 TV Movie)
Wonderful Film
30 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Nikki Deloach & Brennan Elliott are two of my favourite Hallmark actors & they were absolutely wonderful in this very moving Hallmark film. As I see in other reviews, I'm also fed up with 'silly' films with immature lead actors who enter a Christmas contest etc etc. I found this film meaningful & very emotional & felt myself close to tears throughout. It portrayed those who are grieving for those they have loved & lost & how they support & help each other through their grief. I sincerely hope that Hallmark will make more of these films. I have saved the recording on my satellite box & will definitely order the DVD (I pray that it will be released on DVD!) so I can watch again & again as I love it so much.
Presence of Love
(2022 TV Movie)
A beautiful film - Hallmark at its best
28 August 2022
Wow, this is one of the best Hallmark films I've seen. Eloise Mumford was amazing as Joss, a professor who suffers with anxiety & is grieving her mother's death. The other superstar was Amy Sharp, who played Teagan, Daniel's daughter who is dyslexic. It is so good that Hallmark has covered these issues which many people are suffering with every day. The scenery was spectacular & makes you want to visit Cornwall. It was also a refreshing change that there were no annoying, over-bubbly characters who talk with high-pitched voices at 100 miles an hour. I absolutely loved this film.
Please Hallmark, can we have more films like this?
Please Hallmark, can we have more films like this?
Cut, Color, Murder
(2022 TV Movie)
Mediocre
13 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I can't believe I sat through this film. The storyline was ridiculous, the script was dire. One of the suspects was "walking his rabbit" at the time of the murder - unbelievable. The quality of Hallmark films has nosedived recently & hope they get their act together used to make much better films & that they don't make a sequel to this one.
Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow
(2015 TV Movie)
Ridiculous film
22 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of the silliest films I've ever watched. I only gave 2 stars because the puppy is unbelievably cute & the scene where Blue Christmas is played on a loop is moderately funny. I really like Andrew Walker who's made much better films.
One Summer
(2021 TV Movie)
Beautiful film
10 July 2022
This is story of loss & grief of a wife & mother to 2 children. I'm not a big fan of Sam Page but loved his portrayal of the grieving father & how he copes with his children who miss their mother. The location is stunning too. Another winning film from Hallmark who have beautifully handled such a sensitive subject.
The Wedding Veil Unveiled
(2022 TV Movie)
Bellissimo
9 July 2022
I loved this 2nd film in the The Wedding Veil series. It's such a refreshing change to the usual Hallmark films & loved the history behind the veil. The locations are absolutely stunning - Italy is my favourite European country. Autumn Reeser is one of my favourite Hallmark actors & there was chemistry between her & Paolo. Whoever choose Autumn's wardrobe had impeccable taste. I can't wait for my Wedding Veil Legacy DVD to arrive from the US.
Hometown Christmas
(2018 TV Movie)
OK Film
22 June 2022
It was an OK Christmas film until Beverley Mitchell spoke. She has the most annoying false, high-pitched voice which grated on my nerves - not a good actor. The saving grace of this film is the relationship between Noelle's father & Mary (played by Melissa Gilbert) who had chemistry - it was a shame they weren't the main story.
The Wedding Fix
(2022 TV Movie)
Silly film & awful dialogue
22 May 2022
I like Andrea Brooks particularly in When Calls the Heart but her character in this film is so false with a high-pitched whiney, fast-talking dialogue. The only redeeming feature of this film is the location which is gorgeous.
The Wedding Veil
(2022 TV Movie)
Hallmark at its best
21 May 2022
At last, this is the best new Hallmark film I've seen in a long time. It hasn't yet been shown in the UK but I took the plunge & bought the DVD on the strength of the lead actors, Lacey Chabert, Autumn Reeser, Alison Sweeney & Kevin McGarry who I absolutely love & instantly knew that I would love the film. The story, location & the clothes are beautiful & I can't wait for the Unveiled & Legacy to be released on DVD which I will be buying as soon as they're available.
Love's Sweet Recipe
(2021 TV Movie)
Sub-standard romance
2 May 2022
I've been watching these type of films for the last 4 or so years & there are so many sub-standard romances, this being one of them. Unfortunately, the lead actress, Megan Hutchings has the most annoying voice, something which is becoming the norm & it sounds so false.
Love Stories in Sunflower Valley
(2021 TV Movie)
Beautiful film
1 May 2022
This is such a wonderful, gentle & heartfelt film. Beautiful story & excellent script. Erin Cahill & Marcus Rosner are good together as the main characters. This is my kind of romance film. The location is absolutely gorgeous & sunflowers are one of my favourite flowers.
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted by Murder
(2022 TV Movie)
Great Film
30 April 2022
I love all the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries & this one was no different. I have just treated myself to the previous 17 on DVD! I hope they continue to make more. I must say that Niall Matter was unrecognisable - the beard & dyed hair looked so false - it was like Aurora was married to a different man!
Candy Cane Christmas
(2020 TV Movie)
Oh Dear
29 April 2022
I had originally given it a 5-star rating but by the time I got to the end of the film, I changed to 3 stars. Beverley Mitchell isn't a good actress & had the most annoying squeaky voice. As for the awful constant music throughout, once you tune into it you just can't stop.
Furry Little Christmas
(2021 TV Movie)
Annoying Female Voices
26 April 2022
The lead actress had the most annoying voice which grated all the way through the film. The worst was Alice who was working at the theatre when the lead characters went to see the Nutcracker. It sounded like it was playing at speed. Apart from that the film was ok.
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