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The Hockey’s Mom Revenge – Review
The Hockey’s Mom Revenge – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Rachel arrives late to watch her son, Ethan, play hockey. Michelle updates Rachel while Diane comments on Ethan’s tattered pads. Rachel apologizes. She works hard to buy Ethan’s gear, but it hasn’t been enough lately. Diane tells Rachel not to worry because her son, Alex, loaned Ethan a pair of his old ones. Rachel thinks Diane’s gesture is kind, but Michelle sees it as patronizing.
Diane corners Coach Mike about changes to the lineup, practice, and workouts. He listens but is too busy with the Riders to take it into consideration. Diane sees Rachel in the parking lot, struggling with her car, and stops. She reminds Rachel that Ethan is a reflection of the team. He has to look good to be good. She wants Alex to shine in the scouts’ eyes. Diane wants Alex to be everything she couldn’t. She will sabotage, blackmail, and injure to get Alex to the top when no one takes her seriously. Will Rachel be able to stop her?
This film has a touch of old-school Lifetime. The writers made Diane an unhinged woman who resorts to self-harm to help her son. The intro gives the viewer a glimpse into Diane’s backstory, but you get more information later. The audience will sympathize with the sons. At first, Rachel accuses her son. However, he stands up to his mother and expresses his disappointment in her accusations. Alex calls out his mother’s poor behavior after she tries to push away his girlfriend. It’s the final face-off that alters the film’s dynamic. It becomes an impromptu counseling session. One swift move brings this film to reality. This picture is for old and new fans alike.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
We’re all on the same team – Diane
This isn’t his – Rachel
I didn’t know we were at war – Mike
You have always taken this hockey mom thing a bit too far – Ethan
What did you do? – Alex
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The Child They Hid – Review
The Child They Hid – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Marci surprises her family early with DNA kits for Christmas. She took the test and found a relative in New York who works as a dancer. Marci’s mother, Caroline, asks if the woman’s name is Helen. Stunned, Marci confirms. They knew about Helen but never spoke of her. Caroline and Marci’s aunt Bianca returns Marci’s gift, but Uncle Walter keeps his.
Marci calls Helen. They’ve been speaking for months, and Helen agreed to meet Marci in person. Helen assures Marci that she will be there. Helen ends the call and answers the door. Her friend, Dominic, left his scarf after her Christmas party. She assumes it’s him. However, someone attacks her and leaves Helen for dead.
Marci works in Caroline’s store because Caroline battles depression after losing her husband. Marci hasn’t heard from Helen. Marci’s friend, Tamra, believes Helen ghosted Marci. She warns Marci that Helen could be a scammer. Tamra observes that Marci is upset, so she takes Marci to the bar to unwind. Nick approaches them with a badge. He is a private investigator hired by Helen’s friends. He explains the attack that left Helen in a coma. He warns Marci that the DNA test triggered the attacks. Nick tells Marci to alert anyone in her family who took one. The attacker has a list, and they are checking it twice. Can Marci uncover the culprit before she’s next?
This film starts strong but wanes in the middle as Marci becomes sidelined with mundane personal issues. And the culprit’s motive for attacking Marci and her family is a difference of perspective. The attacker will surprise you because they come out of left field. Also, it’s unbelievable that this small town kept this family’s secrets from Marci. While the script is tantalizing, it can’t overcome the lull in the middle. So keep this film in the background and watch when something good happens.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
What about me and the store – Caroline
What a mess – Helen
Then, why stop talking to me – Marci
I guess we all got mommy issues – Tamra
Can I come in? – Tommy
Is that verification enough – Nick
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The Christmas Baby – Review
The Christmas Baby – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Erin closes her shipping store and gets dressed for her girlfriend’s award ceremony. Kelly calls to make sure Erin will be there on time. Erin promises she won’t be late. Erin hears the door chime, and she yells they’re closed. Then, the door shuts, but Erin can hear a strange sound coming from the front of the store. Erin walks to the storefront and sees a baby in the stroller with a note. The note says his name is Nicholas, and his mother wants Erin and Kelly to raise him. Erin doesn’t know what to do. So, she takes the baby to the ceremony.
Kelly looks around the room for Erin as they call her name for an award. She grabs the trophy, stands at the podium, and opens her mouth to speak. Then, she hears a baby’s cries in the crowd. She’s awestruck to see Erin holding a child. After the ceremony, Kelly and Erin call social services. The social worker, Betty, arrives at the ceremony. They tell Betty that they never wanted children. Betty takes Nicholas and starts the process for emergency placement.
Kelly and Erin return home, but they miss Nicholas. They aren’t sure if they can take care of him, but they don’t want him to be alone on Christmas. Also, his mother trusted them. They run to the CPS office and request to foster Nicholas until Betty can find a permanent placement. While Kelly plays detective to find Nicholas’s mother, Erin considers adopting him. Their differing opinions will test their relationship, careers, and village. What will Erin and Kelly do?
Hallmark giving its audience a story about a baby during Christmas is genius. For years, Erin and Kelly were content with their family until this bundle of joy turned their world upside down. They rethink their home, job, and future. The writers ensured this wasn’t an easy decision for the couple. The dialogue was complex and emotional. With these heart-wrenching scenes, the plot had a funny mystery of finding the birth mom. Erin and Kelly’s friend creates a Baby Board to track potential suspects. This mystery gives the film the mental break it needs from emotionally heavy topics. This picture is the standout of the season.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Baby, Christmas is everywhere – Erin
You’re right. It’s very sad – Kelly
The world could use more people like you two – Betty
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Christmas with The Knightlys – Review
Christmas with The Knightlys – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Georgia’s boyfriend, Andrew, confesses that after their engagement, he wants her to quit her job and move to the city. He doesn’t have much respect for her teaching profession. Confused, Georgia can’t imagine not helping her students in and after school. Andrew gives Georgia tickets to the Knightlys’ Christmas Ball to distract her from their conversation. She looks at the ticket and realizes its the same day as her student’s play. Andrew doesn’t understand why she can’t skip it. She reminds him that his niece, Zoe, is in the play. He states that the Knightlys are the richest and most influential family in town. She scoffs because she thinks they should do more to help with their wealth. She registers that they will never see eye to eye and ends the relationship.
Executive Secretary Brayden sees Chase Knightly enter and hands Chase the latest tabloid. He is on the cover for being a cad again. Brayden tells Chase his private antics will have a negative impact on Chase’s father’s merger deal. Chase doesn’t care because his father, Barrington, doesn’t respect Chase. Even though Chase has an MBA and a law degree. He wrote a proposal proving the merger was a poor decision for both companies. However, Barrington didn’t bother to read it. Chase exits to his awaiting car, and Brayden and paparazzi Randall follow. Brayden and Chase enter the car while Randall follows. Brayden tells Chase he needs an image makeover for Barrington to take him seriously. Chase hates having Randall on his tail, so he sneaks into a community center to get away.
Georgia reviews the sets while she keeps an eye on Zoe. Andrew enters with his new fiancée, Megan. She’s excited to attend the ball with Andrew. Georgia maintains her composure while Andrew picks up his niece. However, Chase can see she’s faltering. He runs up behind her, says she’s his girlfriend, and they exit the auditorium as the paparazzi runs inside. Georgia can’t believe he just lied. She didn’t want to fabricate a story for Andrew. Chase laughs and says she had nothing to stand on in her rundown school. She counters and states that he should be a better person. Brayden finds them and likes the idea of them together. Chase will pay Georgia to be his girlfriend and clean his image for Barrington. However, she refuses. Then, she recalls his rundown comment. She will play the part if he builds a new community center. Chase agrees. He exits and introduces Georgia to the press as his new girlfriend. However, Randall refuses to believe it and will do anything to expose the truth. Can they keep up the lie when their feelings become real?
The premise of this film feels different because all the main characters know about the lie. They understand who the other person is on the surface and openly discuss their disdain for each other. The writers had them negotiate the deal like a contract, and it’s amusing. Georgia and Jace are multi-layered and well-written characters. Georgia is strong, caring, and fun-loving. She’s uncomfortable being the center of attention, but is confident and can adjust. Jace is a party boy, but he knows and understands business. Barrington expects little from Jace, so he acts accordingly. He rises to Georgia’s challenges. Seeing them with each other’s family is comforting and rewarding. This film has something for everyone and is the best of UPtv’s holiday programming.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
You shouldn’t. You could do better – Zoe
I don’t see why we can’t do both – Jace
Meatloaf? – Brayden
So, you’re organizing my life now – Georgia
I can be helpful sometimes – Randall
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The Best Thing About Christmas – Review
The Best Thing About Christmas – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Dylan and Kiara raise 4 beautiful kids. Their daughters, Sadie and Molly, want to follow their father’s footsteps and work in the music business. Their sons, Zeke and Zane, are funny, caring, and intelligent. Dylan tells Kiara he’s taking Molly to his band’s gig tonight. He wants to give her experience in front of a crowd. Sadie begs to go, but she’s too young.
Later, Dylan slips into bed with glorious news. Molly sang for a packed house, and his band got a record deal. The downside is that they have to move to record the album. Molly is excited, but her siblings aren’t; their new home is smaller and has less sunlight. It’s difficult for Dylan to record his album. Before he left, his bandmate left the group because he didn’t want to leave his family behind while touring. Dylan understood.
As Dylan chases his dreams, Kiara returns to nursing to support the family. It’s emotionally draining for her to be away from her children, but she knows it will pay off in the future. Sadie shows off Molly’s singing skills to classmates, but they laugh because they don’t believe Molly is her sister. In December, the family gets devastating news. Molly died in an accident. Their family, music, and faith crumble. Can they get back on track as a family? Or will this tear them apart forever?
This film is a musical roller coaster. Very few holiday movies have the courage to tackle issues this painful. Molly was starting her life and career. Then, fate takes the light from their family. The writer had Dylan proudly state that she is the reason he’s a dad. Then viewers see that Dylan takes it the hardest. Your heart will break as he drinks, yells, and loses focus on what matters the most. Don’t be surprised if you yell at the screen. You will say a quiet prayer for this family. Don’t worry if you aren’t a fan of musicals. This movie has original songs, but they don’t dominate the dialogue. Also, it’s rooted in faith but doesn’t alienate others. This entertaining and thought-provoking picture is for everyone.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
You’re going to have to. You’re late – Kiara
She hasn’t said no – Dylan
He means good for him, hard for us – Zane
Dad, it’s impossible. Google it – Molly
Do you think I’ll ever be as good as you – Sadie
Nice going – Zeke
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A Make or Break Christmas – Review
A Make or Break Christmas – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Helen notices her friend, Liv, spending more time in the kitchen than mingling at the party. She politely reminds Liv that she’s the host and Liv is a guest. Liv promises to socialize after replacing the eggnog. Liv dodges one guest but bumps into Daniel, spilling eggnog on him. Daniel is Helen’s cousin, and he blames himself. He was trying to sneak into the party because he forgot it was today. Daniel tells Liv about other holiday mishaps, and they laugh. Their relationship blooms over time, and they buy a house together.
Today, Liv and Daniel will host their first holiday together in their new home. Liv worries because her family is very particular during this time of year. Liv asks Daniel if he bought her family’s favorite ham. He did, but it won’t be delivered until the day after Christmas. However, he remembered to put up her Christmas village. Liv rearranges it and notices the lights on the tree are wrong. They argue that he doesn’t take things seriously, and he believes she is too rigid. They decide to take a break. They call their families to cancel the holidays, but get guilt-tripped into hiding the truth. They choose to lie about their relationship status during the visit.
Liv and Daniel’s families arrive with dumbfounding news. A pipe in their hotel flooded, so the family will stay with them. Daniel’s mother, Maya, sister, Kim, and grandma enter. Christmas is a difficult time for their family because Daniel’s father left them during that time. Maya wants good vibes and freedom during this visit. Liv’s mother, Tracy, father, Ed, and brother, Reid, desire to keep their family’s traditions and schedule. To them, Christmas is more important than the Super Bowl. Liv and Daniel must live a lie of romance and courtship while their families test their patience. Will they come out unscathed, or will their families uncover the truth?
This film contains the uncomfortable family moments Hallmarkies dread during the holiday. To make matters worse, Liv and Daniel’s families celebrate the holiday in their own way. However, neither wants to change their traditions or incorporate the other’s celebrations. It highlights the issues in Liv and Daniel’s relationship and mirrors their unwillingness to compromise. The writers threw in a Friends reference for Hallmarkies. While this film tackles complex family dynamics, it’s funny like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The writing is clever, the pacing is steady, and the jokes are timeless. The movie is a comical way to close out the 2025 Countdown to Christmas season. Don’t miss it.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I think I got eggnock in my shoe – Liv
You can’t show up empty-handed – Daniel
Have you been crying? – Maya
Don’t listen to him – Tracy
Oh, it’s all I’ve ever dreamed of – Kim
Pretend you like each other – Ed
I didn’t say anything – Reid
You don’t want to hear about Vegas – Grandma
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Categories: A Make or Break Christmas, Ali Liebert, Barbara Niven, Celeste Desjardins, christmas, Christmas with The Knightlys, Countdown to Christmas, Derek Hinckley, Evan Roderick, Grace Patterson, hallmark, holiday, Hunter King, Joe Burns, Joe Scarpellino, Jonathan Stoddard, Kate Dailey, Katherine Barrell, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Luke Pfluger, Luke Shelton, Made for TV, Megan Alexander, Molly Ryman, Most Uplifting Christmas Ever, movie, review, Slay Bells, The Best Thing About Christmas, The Child They Hid, The Christmas Baby, The Hockey's Mom Revenge, tv review, UPtv
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