Christmas in Mississippi – Review

Christmas in Mississippi – Lifetime – 2 hours and 2 minutes

Photographer Holly is finally off the road and back home in Mississippi for Christmas.  She enjoys all the fanfare around the holidays so she joins the Winter Fair decorating committee.  She is surprised to learn that her ex Mike is the supervisor.  He gives her an assignment of setting up a bake stand and she tries to ignore him.  Everyone in town, including her mother, tries to tell her that Mike isn’t the same man who broke her heart.  Since watching his nephew for his brother overseas, Mike has grown up a lot.  When Holly starts to let her guard down, a phone call could derail all her plans for a future with Mike.

Ok, so this movie feels like there wasn’t enough room on the Hallmark Channel for it.  The actors are trying their best but the story is slow and uninspired.  It’s the typical holiday movie with the typical ending but with a splash of ‘hurricane’ and a photo.  So watch if you have time, but you aren’t missing much.  However, in the last 15 minutes, they throw in a soldier’s homecoming, a Santa, and a light show to make it interesting.  So watch if you have the time, but it isn’t essential.

I give it 2 out of 5 stars

You gotta be kidding me – Holly

Did I forget to mention that – Caroline

He told me that anything worth doing is worth doing right – Jack

You are the best. I’m just the luckiest girl in the world – Betty

Let’s call a truce. Peace on earth, goodwill towards exes – Mike

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You Killed My Mother – Review

You Killed My Mother – Lifetime – 2 hours and 1 minute

Joanna sat in a waiting room to hear if her mother would live or die.  Nurse Lynn tells her that an emergency liver transplant has been rejected by Dr. Miriam’s board due to her mother chronic alcoholism.  She panics, holds a knife to Lynn’s throat, and threatens to kill her if she doesn’t save her mom.  Two years later, Joanna is almost done serving her time in a mental institution and her Aunt Molly is glad to be there for her.  Joanna promises to be on her best behavior but Molly has no clue who Joanna really is.  With knowledge from her dad, help from her boyfriend, and quiet patience, Joanna will seek revenge on Miriam, Lynn, and anyone else in her way.  Her way into their lives is an online romance with Bobby, Miriam’s son.

Root for Joanna.  That is the best way to enjoy this film.   The people around her are so naive and absent-minded.  She is cunning, conniving, and lethal.  A perfect combination for a Lifetime movie.  Her ability to make traps are uniques and somewhat fun.  But it’s those brilliant traps that are her undoing.  What makes this movie different is that it peels back Joanna’s psychopathy slowly by showing her past with each of her parents during moments in her revenge.  Joanna is smarter than most Lifetime killers but falls into the same trap.  That is disappointing.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

Terrific. Next silly question – Joanna

Let’s just say my job sucks sometimes – Miriam

Hostility will get you nowhere – Lynn

You sure are daddy’s little girl, aren’t you – Jimmy

My father doesn’t want anything from me. He’s dead – Bobby

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Disney’s Stuck at Christmas: The Movie – Review

Disney’s Stuck at Christmas: The Movie – Disney Channel – 0 hours and 56 minutes

While Rachel is in France with friends, the Diaz kids are cooking.  They realize that Rachel’s job was keeping track of the timer and they don’t know how long to steam the food.  So Harley calls the one person who knows: her Abuela.  None one wants to call because she will ask if they are coming to visit for the holidays.  And each year they have an excuse not to fly to Florida.  However, when her Abuela doesn’t ask, Harley feels she has given up on them.  So Harley convinces her parents to get last minute tickets to Florida by foregoing the kids big Christmas gift: A Pool Table.  The Diaz kids are angry with Harley until she tells them Abuela has given up on them ever visiting.  Now the Diaz family are headed to Florida.  By plane, car, and bus.

If this sounds like a simple story, then you obviously don’t watch this show.   Each step of the way, a hurdle is presented to the family and they overcome it together.  While Rachel’s brand of sass is missed, Daphne feels in the gap.  And for the first time, we get to see mom ready to fight for her cubs (and show where Daphne gets her spirit).  While dad proves that a penny head up isn’t always good luck, Harley will use her knowledge of being a middle kid to help another.  The family provides lots of laughs while delivering a heart-warming message about family.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Here comes the ask. Are you as scrunchy as I am right now – Harley

You mean lie – Tom

That is a ho-ho-horrible idea – Lewie

If anyone wants to be my new BFTF, there’s an opening – Ethan

You gave back our big gift, so maybe lose the judgy – Daphne

We found the sleeper seats – Beast

Oh, he’s got 2 seconds before I’m all up in that – Suzy

And Daphne is your perfect gift – Georgie

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The Spruces & The Pines – Review

The Spruces & The Pines – ION – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Julie Pines is back home for Christmas.  She is not surprised to see the family rivalry between them and the Spruces have carried on.  Both families own Christmas tree lots and hate stepping one foot on each other’s property.  So when Martha asks Julie and Josh Pines to make a bakery delivery to Dave Spruce, they try hard to resist but say yes.  During the delivery, Julie spots a man trying to tie a tree to a roof.  Being an expert tree tie-er, she is quick to help him and learn his name is Rick.  They have an immediate connection.  The next day, Rick accidentally, on purpose runs into Julie again at a coffee shop.  It’s then that he reveals that his Uncle is Dave Spruce and he is Rick Spruce.  Julie runs like she is on fire and calls off any future run-ins.  But it’s only a matter of time or prank before they see each other again.

Now did you really think you could get through the holiday season without a Romeo and Juliet movie?  There must always be at least one.  Now it will take some time to reveal the family’s past rivalry, it won’t take much for this movie to tug at your heartstrings.  When Julie and Mr. Pines talk about getting rid of her mother’s things or missing her star, you start to get misty eyed.  Don’t worry.  You won’t be crying for long when the pranks start.  These two families will stop at nothing to get the best of each other.  So come for the forbidden love story and say for the pranks.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Dad is that a naked Christmas tree – Julie

What if I wanted to – Rick

You got to know the difference between a pine and a spruce Rick. It’s our family name – Dave

You want something for your notebook. Write this down. Stay away from the Pines – Holly

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Magical Christmas Ornaments – Review

Magical Christmas Ornaments – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Marie works for a publisher in the non-fiction sector of a publishing company.  She has been extremely successful but wants to move into fiction editing.  She decides to practice her speech but is overheard by her neighbor Nate.  In a quick conversation, she complains about Nate’s Christmas music not knowing it was him.  He jokes with her about the classic but she reveals she has lost her Christmas spirit.   But her mom and dad have found a way to fix that.  Each day they are sending her ornaments to remember the good times.  But these ornaments seem to predict her real life.  She is not sure why, but she believes it’s Christmas magic.  But when she is asked to work with her ex Carl, she hopes that magic will make him disappear and bring Nate closer.

This movie makes you wonder if there really was magic in Marie’s ornaments.  They did a great job of predicting the future.  But that wasn’t their only magic.  One by one they brought back Marie’s Christmas spirit by reminding her of all her best Christmas memories.  Now, there is never any drama between Nate and Carl.  Remember this is Hallmark, not Lifetime.   The drama is between Carl and Marie, especially when he reveals how much of a snake he truly is by taking credit for her work.   While this plot is original, the last 30 minutes are predictable so that can be skipped.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Magic only exist in fairy tales not in real life – Marie

Could you have been any more vague – Andy

If you have any more special request, you can put them on my door – Nate

Probably off a cliff. Am I right – Clark

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My Christmas Prince – Review

My Christmas Prince – Lifetime – 2 hours and 2 minutes

Samantha has gotten the job offer of her dreams and can’t wait to tell her boyfriend and diplomat, Alex.  Though she loves Alex, she is still uncomfortable with his bodyguard being around but never speaking.  Alex is surprised to hear that her job will be a 3-year commitment with no summer breaks.  He was hoping to travel with her for the summer and take her to his home country.  She is shocked by his revelation because whenever she has given him an invite to go to Wyoming, he has always said no.  So she goes to Wyoming to clear her head and enjoy a hometown Christmas, but Alex decides to take her offer.  Within 5 minutes of being in town, Alex is spotted as a Prince.  Samantha had no clue, although it does explain his bodyguard.  Alex and Samantha’s picture is taken and online the next day.  Soon the Queen hears her son not only has a girlfriend but she is an American commoner from Wyoming.  She sends 2 people to straighten out the Prince and remind him of his obligation to his country.  But he only wants to be obligated to Samantha.

YES, QUEEN!!! To find someone who can be polite and rude at the same time is magical.  Normally when a Lifetime mom is this controlling, someone ends up dead.  But since this is a Christmas movie, everyone lives.  This queen goes so far flying in her “daughter in law” choice to Wyoming.  However, when Samantha’s mother, feels the Prince might not be right for Samantha, the look on Felicia’s face is a pure shock.  It is amazing.  This movie is one that will make you put down the wine and grab some tea.  It’s just too good.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars

I’ve fallen in love with some very special parts of it – Alex

Prince Alexander, it’s you. It’s really you – Heidi

What an interesting hobby – Mrs. Logan

you’re serious. Are you serious right now – Samantha

He’s a prince, not an ax murder – Jim

But he’s a prince – Felicia

Jim and Samantha Logan with Alex – Patrick

Then what am I doing in this line?  Bye bye – Leann

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Dating Game Killer – Review

Dating Game Killer – ID – 2 hours and 1 minute

Tammy played on the beach with her best friend Becky when a man came up and asked to take their photo.  They posed for a few pictures before Becky’s mother Joanne stepped in and stopped him.  He quickly backed off but continued to watch from afar.  Later, Tammy’s mom Carol gets a phone call from Tammy’s dance school.  They informed her that Tammy never showed up for her first day of practice.  Carol alerts the police that her daughter was missing and Joanne & Becky give his description to a sketch artist.  That sketch looks like a Dating Game contestant who has been wanted to rape and attempted murder.   The ripple of Rodney’s wrath is still being felt today, one photo at a time.

If you aren’t disgusted with the justice system yet, you will be after watching this movie.  So many times Rodney was behind bars but he kept getting out due to technicalities, misunderstandings of child molesters, and clerical mistakes.  After he rapes and strangles a little girl, he is allowed to be a counselor at an all-girls camp because they didn’t do a background check.  Even to this day, his count of victims is an estimation.  We may never know.  Watch this movie with your children and teach them the warning signs.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

He knows how to work the system and now he’s on TV – Jim

Women, always trying to control my life – Rodney

Get that pervert behind bars. Who knows what else he has done – Joanne

He’s a monster – Carol

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Christmas at Holly Lodge – Review

Christmas at Holly Lodge – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Sophie and Callie are awaiting their Christmas regulars to the Holly Lodge.  Callie believes that the Lodge performs one miracle a year.  Sophie only has one miracle in mind: Keeping the lodge.  She hasn’t told her friends that she is 6 months behind in payments and may not make it to January.  She is doing everything she can to save it, even if it means selling it.  It hurts to consider selling it because the land has been in her family for 4 generations and her parents built the lodge.  Evan has been given a job.  To investigate a lodge for his company’s latest acquisition.  They want to buy it and turn it into an exclusive high-end luxury resort.  His boss asked him to visit the lodge for a day to see how everything is run and collect information.  When Evan gets to the lodge, he makes eye contact with Sophie and falls for her.   She feels the attraction too.  But when Sophie learns the truth she will shut him out, try to force him out, and keep him close.

This is a funny movie with some Home Alone elements.  It performs several holiday miracles as promised while giving each character a backstory when they arrive at the hotel.   You have a recent widow, an army wife, newlyweds, and children.  Since they come to the Lodge every year, they have their own traditions.  You may want to incorporate them into your own family this holiday season.  Sheryl Lee Ralph is true to form as a tough-talking and wise woman, but one gift will show her soft side.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

I’ll say it. I love that man – Evan

Can’t let you have Christmas without me – Nadine

Come on down. What am I, a game show host – Sophie

I feel like excited about this – Art

Well let’s not jump to conclusions – Callie

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Miss Me This Christmas – Review

Miss Me This Christmas – TVOne – 2 hours and 0 minutes

After a night of working/partying, Franklin comes home the next morning.  His wife Gina, along with her family, checked his Instagram feed and notice he has several pictures with his ex-girlfriend.  Since Franklin is unwilling to give an explanation, Gina decides to get back at him by making him jealous and showing up to his job with her ex-boyfriend.  After a huge fight, Gina asks for a divorce.  During the proceedings, Franklin and Gina realize their divorce will be finalized on their anniversary, Christmas Day.  To deal with her pain, Gina stays in the penthouse of the hotel she was married in, parties, and drinks.  The suite is owned by her best friend Trish.  Trish tells Gina to just live it up and have fun.  But when she meets Ulysses, her life will spin out of control and onto a ring.

Sigh.  If these two stop playing games and had a grown-up conversation, there would be no needed for a movie.  If you get past the childishness, it’s a fun movie to get lost in.  Trish is the best friend you need and you don’t need at the same time.  She offers the comic relief for the serious and romantic moments in the film.  While this is an ok film, it just seems like a jump off point or a backstory for TVOne’s next holiday movie about the hotel, it’s owners, and its’ staff.  So watch this movie as a prequel with little depth.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars

Make sure you scrub extra hard to get the skank off – Gina

It doesn’t have to be your thing, just his – Trish

I didn’t – Chris

We got married on Christmas – Franklin

‘Thursday’ already go it’s shot this week – Holly

You still fighting, you still love him – Ulysses

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Christmas in Angel Falls – Review

Christmas in Angel Falls – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Michael is an angel that delivers assignments to other angels and reminds them of the rules.  They must offer guidance but not interfere.  While he is fond of all the angles he helps, the one who needs him the most his Gabby Messenger (get the pun!).  Gabby has a hard time not interfering, so he gives her a special assignment.  He sends Gabby to Angel Falls but she isn’t helping just 1 person, she is helping the entire town.  Since the factory closed down, a lot of people had to take jobs farther away.  Leaving little time for Christmas, so the town just lost it’s Christmas Spirit.  People stop buying trees, cancel the pageant, and hire decorators for the store.  This breaks Gabby’s heart, so she is ready for the challenge to save the town.  But can she help without interfering?

Good story with a great cast.  Each townsperson has their own story of loss or sadness around the holidays.  So the loss of Christmas spirit isn’t just about a factory it’s about the relationships within the town itself.  As Gabby helps, she starts to fall in love with the towns renaissance man and jack of all trades name Jack (yep, that’s his name).  Since it’s Hallmark, they had to add a love story between an angel and a human, but don’t worry it won’t end that way.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Hey, everything will be alright. Don’t give up hope – Gabby

You shouldn’t get involved in things you don’t understand – Michael

It was a very small tree – Jack

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Christmas In Evergreen – Review

Christmas In Evergreen – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Allie is ready to leave the town of Evergreen and move to DC to be closer to her boyfriend Spencer.  She has a job and home all lined up she just needs to sign the contracts.  She says goodbye to her furry patients and heads to the airport.  But first, she stops by her parent restaurant and shakes the magic snow globe.  The legend of this town is if you shake the snow globe and wish from the bottom of your heart, your wish will come true.  She then heads to the airport, well she tries to head there.  Things just keep slowing her down.  On the other side of the road, Ryan, along with his daughter Zoe, are driving to the airport to fly to FL and catch a cruise.  On their way, Zoe gets hungry and they detour to Evergreen.  They hear Allie having car problems and offer to help.  Her car starts and she directs them to her parents’ restaurant.  Inside, Zoe shakes the show globe and makes a wish.  It’s this wish that will lead Zoe and Allie exactly where they want to be, even if it’s where they were.

This story is a sweet love story between Allie and Ryan, but it is also a story of Zoe’s remorse.  While Ryan is trying to keep Zoe for being sad and missing her mom, Zoe is trying to remember her and honor her Christmas spirit.  Seeing Zoe’s love for Evergreen is wonderful.  While the townspeople, the Mayor and Festival organizer, are a bit over the top, they are there for comedic relief.  So, walk away and refill your glass during these scenes.  Focus on Zoe.  Oh, and there is a bonus love triangle in there too.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

I even hear they have an airport now – Allie

Happy moving to DC day – Spencer

Former resident – Ezra

Give me a break – Michelle

Wow, this is what Christmas should look like – Zoe

The festival is going to be great and its all because of you – Ryan

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