Christmas Under Construction – Review

Christmas Under Construction – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Chelsea and Jake, a couple, co-host a home renovation show called Renovation Romance. While they work with the couple to renovate their home, Chelsea, a therapist, guides them through relationship issues. After wrapping their 1st season, network executive Don throws a party to celebrate because their show has the best ratings. Chelsea is happy to put this season behind her because she has a vacation scheduled so she and Jake can reconnect. However, Jake hasn’t started packing. He wants to begin the next season now. As Chelsea talks to their producer, Bethany, Jake converses with Don. Don and Jake walk over to Chelsea, and Don admits he’s unhappy. They follow him to his office. The network lost the bid for the Christmas Parade and will lose advertising without a replacement show. He wants Chelsea and Jake to film a Christmas special in 10 days. The network has a couple in mind because they have a beautiful Christmas cabin. Chelsea wants to say no, but Don offers to donate to her charity, A Christmas For All Kids. She agrees.

Chelsea, Jake, and Bethany arrive in New Hampshire. Their driver picks them up from the airport and takes them to the cabin. During the ride, Bethany discusses the couple, Cooper and Janice. Cooper and Janice disagree with the renovation ideas. She wants something more modern, while he wants to keep the family cabin as is. Janice doesn’t feel like the cabin is her home, so she migrates between the cabin and New York. Bethany swoons over the handsome Cooper, while Chelsea maintains her cool. When they arrive at the residence, Jake handles calls outside while Chelsea looks around the home. The driver meets her inside and introduces himself as Cooper. He laughs at Bethany’s compliments before they meet with him and Janice.

Chelsea and Jake conduct their first interview with Cooper and Janice for the show. Janice feels uncomfortable when they discuss their personal issues. She pulls Cooper aside and states that she wants their problems to remain private. So she will fly to New York to take care of business while Cooper stays and helps the show with the project. Chelsea and Bethany scramble to find a solution because the show relies on couples. Jake plans to travel to New York for a meeting. He will go with Janice to tape her segments and get design inspirations. Bethany and Chelsea agree. While one-half of both couples are away, Chelsea and Cooper spend quality time together on the renovation. Will they rebuild something more than a home this Christmas?

This holiday romance is the first in the Christmas in July slate. The sets have a beautiful holiday feel with lights, snow, and massive Christmas trees. While there isn’t any holiday cooking, viewers do get a holiday fair. The scenes get cozy as the couples sit around the fire with blankets and discuss their issues. The script has the Hallmark holiday tropes with a meet-cute, snowfall, and Christmas kiss. While the moments feel predictable, the writers made the clichés part of the show. So it feels more organic because they are supposed to be staged. The chemistry between Chelsea and Cooper feels loving, but viewers will feel the disconnect between their partners. This helps build the romance between the leads. Chelsea has the most character growth. She learns that television needs honesty, not perfection. Now, the script has one surprising twist because someone is leaking their issues to the tabloids. The leak will make you gasp. While this is a solid film, you will disconnect as the pace slows. However, it’s an entertaining start to this season’s programming.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

You are the magic – Jake

So you disagree – Cooper

No, not particularly – Janice

You have a one-track mind – Chelsea

You can’t help someone who doesn’t want the help – Bethany

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Get Off My Lawn – Review

Get Off My Lawn – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Alec walks by his grandfather’s old home with his friends, Ethan and Ray. He introduces them to the new couple, Jackie and Jason. They moved into the home today and can’t believe their luck. They bid below market value and got the home because they agreed to keep it as is and skipped the inspection. They sank all their savings into the home and now plan to live in it forever. Alec offers to show them the home’s secrets, and they let him inside.

Alec shows them his grandfather’s rules, their family pictures, and his growth chart. When Jackie mentions taking it down, Alec’s rage builds. He thought they would leave the home as is and not destroy his family’s memories. He tampers down his anger and asks them to let him mark his height one last time.

After a few more incidents, Alec decides the couple doesn’t deserve his grandfather’s home. However, Alec doesn’t have the money to buy it. Ray says he can pull pranks on the couple, post them on social media, and make money going viral. Then, he can use the proceeds to buy the home and kick them out. It’s all fun and games until the pranks turn violent. Can Jackie and Jason survive this deranged teenager?

This film is listed as a thriller, but it’s pure comedy. The ‘teens’ are too old, the fight scenes are ridiculous, and the plot is outlandish. It’s no wonder this film ended up on Tubi (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). This movie feels more like a film school mid-term project than a full-budget picture. The viewers’ frustration will grow with each scene because the writers made everyone complacent about Alec’s poor behavior. And the edits are terrible. The film’s only redeeming quality is that it’s so bad it’s funny. You will laugh with each jump scare, threat, and act of violence. Lifetimers should skip this film.

I give it 1.5 out of 5 stars

One last time before you erase me – Alec

Yeah, that’s usually how it goes – Jackie

Gen-Z ‘Leave it to Beaver’ don’t bother me one bit – Jason

That guy is my ride or die – Ethan

Ethan, do it for the plot – Ray

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A Castle of Our Own – Review

A Castle of Our Own – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Lily sits in her mother’s office waiting for a ride to her father, Dan’s, home. Since they separated, Dan and Marley have gotten along for the sake of Lily. Marley has a silent stake in his company. Dan and Lily have plans to drive up the coast and stay in Cannon Cove to reconnect. Marley and Lily leave to drive to Dan’s home. When Lily goes outside with her grandmother, Dan asks Marley to talk. He’s competing for a lucrative contract and needs more time to work on it. He asks Marley to drive Lily up the coast, and he will meet them in Cannon Cove later. Marley agrees. Later, Marley’s boss, Joan, gives Marley 12 strip malls to design. Marley suggests Joan use another architect, but Joan says Marley is the best. Also, Joan hints that Lily will be too wrapped up in her phone to care that Marley is working. Marley promises to get the designs completed during her vacation.

Lily and Marley arrive at the rental home and discover the water isn’t working. They call the landlord, who contacts a plumber. Marley steps outside and sees a man, Adam, pulling tools out of his truck. She assumes he’s the plumber and walks him inside. He checks under the sink and pulls out the defective washer as Marley answers a call from the landlord. She pulls out a spatula and demands to know who the man is. He explains that he’s the neighbor and a contractor. He will help he if she puts away her ‘weapon.’ She apologizes to him before Adam leaves.

Marley and Lily check out the exhibits at the Cannon Cove Sandcastle Festival. The MC tells the crowd that they still have time to sign up for the sandcastle competition, and amateurs are welcome. Marley convinces Lily to join the competition. Marley walks over to Adam’s sister, Sadie, and signs them up. While the women converse, Lily meets Adam’s niece, Paige, in an art gallery. And the two become fast friends.

Marley watches YouTube videos about building sandcastles, but the tips don’t work. Adam, walking the beach, comments that the sand-to-water ratio is off. He built sandcastles in the past and was pretty good at it. During their conversation, Marley’s phone buzzes several times, and she answers. Adam suggests she stop putting Joan ahead of her time with Lily. Marley sighs because she knows he’s right, but she doesn’t want to lose her job. She needs this competition to connect to Lily. He offers to join Marley’s team if she puts the phone down. She agrees. The two will build a castle and a romance.

This romantic film has great chemistry between the lead characters. They spark the best in each other and point out the other’s flaws without put-downs. The humor between the pair is effortless because it’s simple dialogue. However, the conflict isn’t really between them. It’s between who Marley is and who she wants to become. She wants to be an involved mom with a business. Sadly, she works for someone who demands all her time. Adam does have issues, but they’re with his past. Viewers know that it will be a non-factor. And Paige’s addition to the story is small but powerful. She shows Lily what true friendship means and helps her understand Marley. While the plot is predictable, the story is beautifully written and deserves your attention.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

When did you want me to tell you? – Lily

Are you ready to have the best vacation of your life? – Marley

It so happens that I do – Adam

Old people are so weird – Paige

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