Christmas Getaway – Review

Christmas Getaway – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Scott was set on a hotel Christmas but his daughter Katy wants the traditional one she remembers when her mother was alive.  He rents a cabin and Katy writes a Christmas bucket list with every traditional thing she wants to do before Christmas.  Emory has traveled all her life and never settled down.  Her job as a travel writer has worked wonders for her career but not her relationship.  She ended her recent relationship and is ready to hit the road again.  Her editor asks Emory to write about a traditional Christmas and even booked a cabin.  Emory calls her dad and is surprised to learn she has spent Christmas there as a child.  When Scott arrives at the cabin, he is met with a Krav Maga welcome from Emory.  They learn that the cabin was double booked and they will have to share.  Emory tries to leave but her car, the roads, and the weather won’t let her.   Sharing this traditional Christmas will bring the magic for the two.

While this provides a predictable Hallmark love story, it gives the viewer so many laughs.  Seeing them scratch items off  Katy’s list will bring back holiday memories for you as well.  While there is a second woman vying for Scott’s heart, she never poses much of a threat to the main couple.  She is just a way to make Scott and Emory’s relationship grow closer faster.   Sit back and enjoy this Hallmark tale but don’t cancel plans.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

You’re not – Scott

I’ve been to Pine Grove? – Emory

It’s our new tradition – Katy

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Rocky Mountain Christmas – Review

Rocky Mountain Christmas – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Sarah just felt the burn of dating and being dumped by a celebrity in the public eye.  She just wants to keep moving to forget her pain.  Her new promotion will help that happen.  But her boss tells her to take some time off and start after the new year.   She decides to go to her Uncle’s ranch and relax.   She knows it will be her last time to visit before he gives it up.  Graham is an actor who is trying to prepare for a huge role.  His problem is that he doesn’t have any small-town ranching experience.  He wants to go to a ranch and rough it out before he goes on his audition.  He is quickly drawn to Sarah but she gives him the brush off.  Can she let her guard down and see that Graham is different from her last celebrity boyfriend?

Based on the novel Unbridled Love by Jennifer Shirley, this movie has everything but just doesn’t hold the viewers’ attention.  There isn’t much compelling in this story.  Saying that Hallmark Movies are predictable is, well, predictable.  There needs to be more to the story the heartbroken girl meets a guy and falls in love at a place in danger of being closed or sold.  This falls into the trap and doesn’t pull itself out.   This one can be skipped during this holiday season.

I give it 1 out of 5 stars

Somebody who doesn’t like my movies, apparently – Graham

Excuse me, are you about to give my horse a cookie – Sarah

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Romance at Reindeer Lodge – Review

Romance at Reindeer Lodge – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes

With 2 weeks off with pay, workaholic Molly has no idea what to do with her time.  She hears a radio contest for a trip to Jamaica, calls in, and wins.  So elated to leave Chicago for sun and rum punch, she tells everyone she sees.  After telling Jared, he tries to warn her but she is to busy to receive his message.   Once they are on the plane, Jared tells her that they are headed to Jamaica but not the island.   They are going to Jamaica, Vermont.  Molly believes its a mistake when she heads to the Reindeer Lodge but the owner Penny tells her its right.  She decides to make the most of it until she contacts the airport and goes home.  Of course, Jared is staying in the same place but for another reason.  While Molly is a Scrooge, she softens into the Christmas spirit at the Reindeer Lodge.  But when she learns the owners’ secrets along with Jared’s, her heart is crushed.

There are 3 major secrets in this movie.  While 2 are foreseen and intertwined, the other comes out of leftfield and leaves you confused and saddened for the Reindeer Lodge.  As the connection between Molly and Jared is a slow and complicated build but such is life.  And that makes the movie watchable.   Also the secondary couple, Kayla and Greg, show the ups and downs of newlywed marriage.  It’s not just sunshine and reindeer.   Couples have issues but the strong ones work them out.  This is a great movie about love, tradition, and hope.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Yeah, I’m engaged to Manchester software. We are spending the holidays together, here in the office – Molly

I tried to but you seemed a little busy – Jared

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Christmas Connection – Review

Christmas Connection – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Sydney is overseeing an unaccompanied minor named Leah before she goes on her winter break.  When Leah’s father Jonathan is late picking her up from the airport, Sydney chooses to miss her flight to Bali to say with Leah.  Soon Leah’s father is there but later due to a mix-up at the airport, Sydney is on Johnathan’s doorstep.  Jonathan is a Christmas loving columnist that is desperate for his next story.   While talking to Sydney, he gets an idea.  Sydney is a hometown girl who has heard that her parents met at Christmas but never knew the whole story.  Jonathan vows to learn the story, not just for this article but to put Sydney back into the Christmas spirit.  Finding this love story may bring them one of their own.

This is a good love story wrapped around a great mystery.   The thought of finding someone’s past through the memory of others is wonderful.  While the love story between the two main characters is considered the main plot, it takes a back seat to the overall mystery.  That’s fine because it’s all woven together in a nice package.  This is one to watch and remember.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars

Oh, we don’t do Christmas halfway in this family – Jonathan

Oh, what did I just agree to – Sydney

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A Christmas Cruise – Review

A Christmas Cruise – ION – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Pam is a staff writer for the New York Minute.  She dreams of writing her own book but has put it and her love life on hold.  Her friend Becky thinks Pam should take a break from work and live her life.  Becky has booked a one week cruise to Christmas Island.  The island is open one month a year and revolves around Christmas.   Pam is quick to decline the offer.  But when her boss Arlo says her articles aren’t ‘sexy’ enough and she needs something new and fresh, she mentions the cruise.   Arlo tells her to go on the cruise, take notes, and write an article.  If she does well, she will get the managing editor position.   Pam is ecstatic. Unbeknownst to Becky, Pam goes on the cruise to work.  But before the boat docks, Pam will go on a cruise of self-discovery and love.

This movie is as sweet as it is funny.  The ship’s resident hypochondriac is a load of laughs as he talks about his feet, hips, and other ailments at just the right (yet wrong) moments.  The love story between Pam and Jake happens easily and organically.   Since both characters are working through issues in an adult manner it’s easy to see the two as a couple.  If you want to bring in the holidays with a love story, this is the one.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

I don’t have time for Christmas just yet – Pam

Don’t do it – Jake

Oh, maybe we’re looking in the wrong direction – Becky

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Christmas Next Door – Review

Christmas Next Door – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Eric is an author and confirmed bachelor.  He writes books telling men how to make the most out of being single.  His neighbors notice he has no decorations in or outside of his home.  Especially April, his across the street neighbor.  April plays and teaches violin.  She loves Christmas and her home is living proof.  April’s sister wishes April had two things: a violin audition and a date.  Eric’s mother wishes he would grow up and get over his past.  So his mother feigns an illness and asks him to pick up his niece and nephew, Chelsea and Liam.  She has no idea when his sister will be back from overseas to get them, but she is “too sick” to take care of the two.  And with kids as sneaky as their grandma, Eric’s take on holiday traditions will change.  And April is the first to take notice.

This is a surprisingly funny and very charming romantic comedy.  While Eric’s disdain for Christmas is not revealed until the end, it’s obvious that this has been a major stopgap in his life.  But April, Liam, and Chelsea show him there is more to the holiday then gift cards.  Also, in a Christmas with the Kranks style, there is a running gag with Eric’s lawn ornaments (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).   The “whodunit” is worthy of HMM.  You will laugh out loud at this Christmas movie.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

There can never be too many decorations – April

Maybe its time for me to admit that I’m growing up – Eric

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