Happy Thanksgiving Week!!! Enjoy a Feast of Christmas Movies while We Count Our Blessings...

On this Thanksgiving week I want to first express how thankful I am to The Lord for being extra close to us this year. 2020 has not been an easy time for the world, but we know our God is always working in mighty ways, even when we cannot see it.

As I sit around my Thanksgiving table this year, along with being extra grateful to be surrounded by my precious family giving thanks to our great and merciful God, I will also be thinking of all of you, yes YOU!, my dear *It's a Wonderful Movie* family and friends. No matter where you are on this Thanksgiving Day - my heart and prayers are also with you! You'll never know how much you are appreciated; I truly value each of your support, love and encouragement all year long. Our common bond of shared values has brought us all together, and I'm so honored by your visits to my blog. However you found your way to It's a Wonderful Movie, I'm certain The Lord brought you here - so we could all be friends... and family!

This Thanksgiving week as you are baking and hopefully able to gather with family and friends, you may want to save a little room for the Hallmark Channel's extra helpings of Christmas movies- for the 7 night Thanksgiving Week Movie Event hosted once again by Candace Cameron Bure! 

I'm sharing highlights of what's airing this week, Monday through Friday, below! (By the way, if you're not full enough, yet, I'll have a new post at the end of this week with all of the weekend Christmas movie premieres, including the new ones with Candace and Lacey Chabert!)

Enjoy the Thanksgiving Week Feast of Christmas Films...

Monday, November 23, 2020:

Heart of the Holidays

Storyline via Hallmark: Career-driven Sam returns to her hometown for the holidays where she comes face-to-face with her high school boyfriend, Noah. Together they rediscover what matters most in life.

Heart of the Holidays premieres

Monday, November 23, 2020 

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄

Wednesday, November 25, 2020:

Good Morning Christmas!

Storyline via Hallmark: Two competing TV hosts (Alison Sweeney and Marc Blucas) are sent to a festive small town over Christmas. While pretending to get along for the sake of appearances, they discover that there’s more to each other than they thought.

Good Morning Christmas! premieres

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄

Thursday, November 26, 2020:

Christmas by Starlight

Storyline via Hallmark: Annie (Kimberley Sustad), a lawyer, must help her loved ones this holiday season. Her family’s restaurant, The Starlight Café, is slated for demolition. The heir to the development firm responsible, William (Paul Campbell), makes her an unlikely proposition: he’ll spare the café if Annie spends the week “appearing” as the legal counsel his father is demanding he hire in the wake of some costly mistakes.

Christmas by Starlight premieres 

Thursday, November 26, 2020 

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel 

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄

Friday, November 27, 2020:

Five Star Christmas

Storyline via Hallmark: After moving back to her hometown, Lisa (Bethany Joy Lenz) plots with her siblings and grandparents to help her father’s new bed and breakfast get a five-star review from an incognito travel critic (Victor Webster), but ends up falling for him, not knowing he is the real critic.

Five Star Christmas premieres 

Friday, November 27, 2020 

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel 

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄

Friday, November 27, 2020:

Dear Christmas

Storyline via Lifetime: Natalie Morgan (Melissa Joan Hart) is an author and host of a popular podcast, Holiday Love, which shares true stories of holiday romance with its listeners. While to the outside world and her listeners everywhere see Natalie is an expert on romance, she's never truly experienced a romance of her own. As Natalie prepares to embark on a promotional tour for her new book, she stops back home to spend Christmas with her family and to celebrate her parent's 50th anniversary where she unexpectedly begins to experience her own holiday romance as sparks ignite with local firefighter, Jack (Jason Priestley).

Dear Christmas premieres

Friday, November 27, 2020

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄


THANKSGIVING SPECIALS and MORE:

Thursday, November 26, 2020:

The 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
(reimagined celebration) on NBC 

The Waltons "The Thanksgiving Story" on INSP

Friday, November 27, 2020:

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town on ABC

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animation) on NBC 

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer on The CW 

Frosty the Snowman and Frosty Returns on CBS 

See times airing in the Christmas Schedule! 

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄


As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I think this scripture expresses beautifully where we are right now... “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Isn't that powerful? It always touches my spirit. The hardest part is to not pick up our worries, and simply put our trust in Him. I have to remind myself that every day - and to be thankful for ALL things.

My prayer for you dear friends...

Our Heavenly Father, I ask you Lord to be near us today, to gather with us at our Thanksgiving table, to fill us with your perfect peace. I Thank YOU for first loving us and giving Your life on the cross so we can be forgiven of our sins - when we call upon Your Name! May the challenges we've faced this year renew our faith and deepen our devotion and love for You and others. Thank you Lord for all of our blessings! In Jesus Name. Amen.

You may have noticed that I did not include the Tuesday night Thanksgiving week premiere. As a believer in traditional marriage and Biblical values I will not be promoting "A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado" since learning it's subplot will include a same sex couple. I wanted to be certain you all were aware of this as you are watching Christmas movies this week possibly with your families.

If you'd like to check out Movie Reviews for the NEW 2020 Christmas Movies from the *It's a Wonderful Movie* friends & family - see that post *here*!

You can also see my Christmas TV Movie Schedule - *here*, which includes NEW Christmas Movie Premieres and Christmas classics.

Also, please know - I have NOT pre-screened these NEW Christmas movies listed above. If you happen to watch one of the new Christmas movies this week and want to share whether or not it is a family friendly movie, please stop back by and leave a comment. I know everyone here would be grateful to know any information you are willing to share.

I hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy many delightful Christmas movies!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Much Love & Blessings to You All, Net

The Angel Tree 🎄, A Godwink Christmas 🌠, A Nashville Christmas Carol ♪ and More NEW Christmas Movies this weekend!

Catch MANY ALL NEW CHRISTMAS MOVIE PREMIERES this weekend on the Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Lifetime and UPtv!

Take a look at the movies premiering below and share in comments which movie or movies you are looking forward to seeing the most. I'm also sharing my must-see movie picks at the end of this post; although, I probably already gave that away in the picture and title above! *sigh*

Friday, November 20, 2020:

A Taste of Christmas

Storyline via Lifetime: When Natalie (Anni Krueger) learns her cousin Francesca (Nia Vardalos) must cancel the Christmas Eve opening of her new Italian restaurant, Natalie’s heart goes out to all of the guests who were planning on attending. Since no one should be alone on Christmas, Natalie decides to make the opening happen any way she can. However, the attractive but pessimistic Chef Stefano (Gilles Marini) believes it’s impossible – there are only three days until Christmas! But Natalie insists that problems are just opportunities in disguise and soon she convinces Stefano that they can do it. At first, these opposites do not attract, but feelings begin to change when they find themselves working side-by-side. With Stefano’s help Natalie learns that cooking, like Christmas, isn’t about perfection…it’s about sharing it with the ones you love.

A Taste of Christmas premieres

Friday, November 20, 2020 

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 

Saturday, November 21, 2020:

A Nashville Christmas Carol

Storyline via Hallmark: Vivienne Wake (Schram), a workaholic television producer in charge of a country music Christmas special showcasing newcomer Alexis (Raelynn), never lets personal feelings get in the way of business. On the verge of accepting a job in LA, and with the return of Gavin Chase (Brown), her childhood sweetheart and manager to the special’s headliner, Belinda (Evans), she receives a visit from the ghost of her recently deceased mentor, Marilyn (Judd). Her mentor warns her current path leads to a dark future and has recruited both the Spirit of Christmas Past (Brooks) and the Spirit of Christmas Present (Williams-Paisley) to help her get back on track. The Spirits’ time-jumping adventures force Vivienne to take hold of her life.

A Nashville Christmas Carol premieres 

Saturday, November 21, 2020 

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel 

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 

Saturday, November 21, 2020:

The Angel Tree

Storyline via Hallmark: A writer (Jill Wagner) seeks the identity of the person who helps grant wishes that are placed upon the angel tree, and in the process, reconnects with her childhood friend (Lucas Bryant).

The Angel Tree premieres

Saturday, November 21, 2020

at 10pm/9c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries 

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 

Saturday, November 21, 2020:

Feliz NaviDAD

Storyline via Lifetime: David Morales (Mario Lopez), an Arizona high school principal and single dad, has lost the holiday spirit after also losing his wife a few years ago during the Christmas season. Now, David will do anything to avoid Christmas so he moonlights as a delivery driver during the holidays. But this year David’s 14-year-old daughter, Noel (Paulina Chavez), and his live-in sister, Marissa (Marycarmen Lopez), are determined to bring the yuletide spirit back to the family and, with a little luck, also help David find love again via online dating. So when Sophie (AnnaLynne McCord), a witty musician and customer on David’s delivery route, swipes right on him, something magical happens between them.

Feliz NaviDAD premieres

Saturday, November 21, 2020

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 

Sunday, November 22, 2020:

Dashing Home for Christmas 

Storyline via UPtv: Emily Nichols, a successful business consultant, has missed every family gathering this year, so getting home for Christmas is very important to her. But when a series of mishaps – from delayed public transportation to diverted flights and broken-down trains and finally, a lost wallet – put her holiday plans in jeopardy, she’s forced to find a way home with a fellow road warrior, Simon Allein. While Emily is more a Type A planner who hates disruptions and inconveniences, Simon is a go-with-the-flow type who sees the brightside to any misfortune. So, having to rely upon one another to get to their final destination tests their will, but also provides ample opportunity to get to know each other and, perhaps even, fall in love.

Dashing Home for Christmas premieres

Sunday, November 22, 2020

at 7pm/6c. on UPtv

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 

Sunday, November 22, 2020:

A Godwink Christmas: 

Second Chance, First Love

Storyline via Hallmark: After 15 years, Pat (Page) moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and through a series of coincidences, or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart, Margie (D’Orsay), at Christmas.

A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love premieres

Sunday, November 22, 2020

at 10pm/9c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries 

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 

Sunday, November 22, 2020:

Homemade Christmas

Storyline via Lifetime: Every year, Megan (Michelle Argyris), an ambitious young woman uses the weeks leading up to Christmas to become the ultimate holiday freelance assistant for hire, helping with any Christmas related tasks for extra income. But when the opportunity arrives to save a Christmas party and dazzle her crush, she must choose between the man of her aspirations and Mr. Right.

Homemade Christmas premieres

Sunday, November 22, 2020

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 

Sunday, November 22, 2020:

Start Thanksgiving Week off with...

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Watch this beloved cartoon special

Sunday Night, November 22, 2020

at 7:30pm/6:30c. on your local PBS channel

*A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is also available on DVD -

includes two episodes: 

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

and The Mayflower Voyagers

(both are approximately 25 minutes long)

🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 

Well... Surprise! Surprise! I am most excited this weekend to see these new Christmas movies - The Angel Tree, A Nashville Christmas Carol, and the latest, A Godwink Christmas! I'll record several others, as well, including Dashing Home for Christmas on UPtv! I always enjoy a good holiday travel story (like A Christmas Detour) where people are desperately trying to make it home for Christmas. The journey along the way is always so exciting - you never know what might happen next!

Besides a lighthearted comedy, each year, I'm also looking for a Christmas movie that has a heartwarming, inspirational message - so that's why I'm really looking forward to both - The Angel Tree and A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love. I just have a feeling both movies are going to be deeply touching and spiritually meaningful.

And, since I love Christmas music and classic country, A Nashville Christmas Carol looks like it will strike just the right chord there.

I can hardly believe Thanksgiving day is just next week! Ahhh!!! Why does this time of year fly by so fast? On Monday - I'll have another post up with the new family friendly Christmas Movies we are anticipating throughout Thanksgiving week! So... stay tuned for that!

If you'd like to check out Movie Reviews for the NEW 2020 Christmas Movies from the *It's a Wonderful Movie* friends & family - see that post *here*!

You can also see my Christmas TV Movie Schedule - *here*, which includes NEW Christmas Movie Premieres and Christmas classics.

Also, please know - I have NOT pre-screened these NEW Christmas movies listed above. If you happen to watch one of the new Christmas movies over the weekend and want to share whether or not it is a family friendly movie, please stop back by and leave a comment. I know everyone here would be grateful to know any information you are willing to share.

I hope you all have a very nice weekend and enjoy many delightful Christmas movies!

Joyous Thanksgiving 

and Christmas Blessings! Net

SHINING HIS LIGHT:

"Give thanks to The Lord, 

for He is good; 

His love endures forever."

~1 Chronicles 16:34 

SO THANKFUL! CHARLIE BROWN IS BACK on TV - for THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS!!!

Apple TV+ put out a press release sharing this news-

Here's an excerpt of their statement...

"A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving 

and Christmas Specials 

To Air on Broadcast TV After All"

"Peanuts fans upset by the classic Charlie Brown holiday specials leaving broadcast for streaming have no need to fear. Apple TV+ and PBS have announced a partnership to bring A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas back to broadcast in two special events. Alongside their debuts on Apple TV+, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will also air on PBS and PBS KIDS on November 22nd at 7:30 p.m. local time / 6:30 p.m. CT. A Charlie Brown Christmas will air on PBS and PBS KIDS on December 13th at 7:30 p.m. local time / 6:30 p.m. CT."

Thank you to Jim, Dennis, and the anonymous person who commented to share this news! It is nice they were able to work out this deal, but it's sad to see they aren't playing the Mayflower episode, which typically ran in the second half hour in it's hour time slot on ABC. Even though it's a cartoon, this story titled "This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers" so beautifully tells the real story of the first Thanksgiving.

I am, however, most grateful to know "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will be airing on TV - so the tradition continues... and hopefully, they will bring both of these meaningful specials back again next year!

Joyous Thanksgiving & Christmas Blessings, Net

Which 🎄 2020 CHRISTMAS MOVIES 🎄 made the *It's a Wonderful Movie* NICE LIST! 🎅

To give us all a sense of which NEW Christmas Movies are and which movies are NOT family-friendly, I am going to be updating this page with reviews and comments on every movie from *It's a Wonderful Movie* family members throughout Christmastime. Be sure to bookmark this page by adding it to your favorites and return for reviews added for each film. Hopefully this will help us all enjoy many of the wonderful Christmas movies airing this Holiday Season - and make our Christmas movie viewing experience a whole lot easier!

My personal reviews come from a Christian view point, and I appreciate those who visit here at *It's a Wonderful Movie* and share these same moral standards and traditional values with us. Thank you to those of you who have contributed a review, thus far, and if you haven't shared, yet, but you would like to, please see details at the end of this post.

I hope you enjoy all of the movie reviews below...

* 2020 CHRISTMAS MOVIE *

REVIEWS

HALLMARK CHANNEL

Jingle Bell Bride - October 24, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Julie Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe)

🎄"I thought Jingle Bell Bride was quite cute. Loved the lead actor and actress (I also liked that she and her sister occasionally lapsed into a Spanish phrase here or there - it added a realistic depth to the characters)." ~~Jane

 

🎄"I’ve watched Jingle Bell Bride and it was cute. Julie Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe Jr. had great chemistry together. I hope Ronnie will become a regular on Hallmark, he did a great job! Many of the side characters I’ve seen in other Hallmark movies." ~ Jennifer Rumberger 

 

🎄"Overall enjoyed Jingle Bell Bride - it was a reasonably good start to Hallmark's Christmas schedule. I thought Julie Gonzales and Ronnie Rowe was a good casting, great chemistry between them. Don't know what the point of the hero's son was - he didn't have much on screen time and seemed superfluous. Hallmark really are going to have to pay some attention to the logistics though - the town had a population of 112 (yes one hundred and twelve) but the aerial shots of it suggested it was considerably larger. I can accept that the many people in the town were there for the Festival but apparently the Elementary School put on a pageant every Christmas - well with a population of 112 there couldn't have been more than a handful of pupils! It was a nice too that for once the characters didn't end up leaving the big city to settle on the small town." ~ Anonymous

🎄"Jingle Bell Bride: The preview did not engage me, but the movie did. I liked it -- both the Alaska theme and Julie Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe. They were cute together." ~ Anonymous 

Chateau Christmas - October 25, 2020 

*Family Friendly
(Merritt Patterson and Luke Macfarlane)

🎄"Chateau Christmas was cute and family friendly. Loved the cozy location - I want to go stay there for Christmas and some skiing!! Merritt Patterson is such an adorable actress. I enjoyed the music theme of this one (just as I enjoyed the music theme from Christmas Tree Lane)." ~~Jane

 

🎄"The music in "Chateau Christmas" was a highlight for me, as someone who took piano lessons for many years. Merritt's character, Margo, plays the piano so beautifully throughout the movie, even though she has supposedly lost her connection to the music she is playing. After a bad review, Margo returns home to her family and meets up with past love, Jackson. She begins to find that love of music again - as they work together to put on a Christmas  concert. Very family friendly, but it's a little slower paced and probably wouldn't entertain most children, unless they are in tune to music." ~ Net

🎄"Chateau Christmas: I don't know why. But I found this one a bit boring. Merritt is always good and so is Luke. I just didn't feel this one came together!" ~ Anonymous

One Royal Holiday - October 31, 2020 

*Family Friendly 
(Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit and Krystal Joy Brown)

🎄"I watched One Royal Holiday and it was really good! Great music and actors!" ~ Anonymous

 

🎄"*So far* One Royal Holiday is my favorite Hallmark Channel movie. I'm tired of Royal movies. The Queen was a highlight of the movie. If this movie comes to DVD, I'm buying it." ~ Namegirl 

 

🎄 "One Royal Holiday. Loved it! For the most part, I'm not a fan of all the Hallmark "Royal" movies; usually, my eyeballs are in jeopardy of getting stuck up in my head because I roll them so much during these movies. But, THIS Royal movie was, to me, just right. It got a little Hallmark silly/sappy at the very end, but that was easy to overlook. Nothing was too terribly "over-done" or "over-acted" (well.... as non-"over-done" as a movie about falling in love with a Royal prince of a make-believe country can be!! Hah!!). The setting was lovely and Christmas-cozy and I want to go live at that Connecticut inn!!! The entire cast was perfect. The carol-singing was beautiful; I love when they sing carols that give glory to Jesus instead of just secular carols (I like all Christmas carols, but I appreciate when movie directors don't exclude the true meaning of Christmas by just doing Frosty and O, Christmas Tree). Maybe I just happened to be in the right mood to watch this movie, but I'm thinking this is definitely a keeper for my dvr and possibly a purchase when it comes out on dvd. Family friendly." ~~Jane

 

🎄"I absolutely loved 'One Royal Holiday' and watched it by myself and then with the family. A keeper and I will purchase it if becomes available." ~ Kathy

🎄"One Royal Holiday: Laura Osnes is always lovely. It was good -- but compared to her movie last Christmas, I felt like this movie lacked depth. I wish the characters love story progressed more. Their intro however, was engaging and fun. Hope she keeps doing Hallmark movies!" ~ Anonymous 

On the 12th Date of Christmas - November 1, 2020 

*Family Friendly 
(Mallory Jansen and Tyler Hynes)

🎄"My two "must watch" picks from the weekend were "Cranberry Christmas" (because we don't get many movies about an already married couple and the story sounded good) and "On the 12th Date of Christmas" (because Tyler Hynes is my favorite Hallmark leading man and I'm pretty much guaranteed to enjoy whatever Hallmark movie he's in). I've only had a chance to watch those two so far but just wanted to say they're both family friendly and I loved them both for the same reasons they were my "must watch" picks! Tyler Hynes was fantastic in his role, as always, and I thought he was well matched with Mallory Jansen. I loved watching their characters fall in love, enjoyed their interactions with their respective families, and thought the scavenger hunt theme was fun. "Cranberry Christmas" is wonderful, and I highly recommend it if you're someone who enjoys the deeper, richer stories on HMM. Don't get me wrong--I enjoy the fluffy romantic fantasies too, but it was refreshing to see the more realistic picture that marriage takes work and it's worth the effort. Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres did a beautiful job portraying a couple working through a rough patch and growing closer together through it. The ending made me tear up." ~ Amy Lama

 

🎄"On the 12th Date of Christmas. Loved it! A light, fun movie with good Christmas "feels". I liked the scavenger hunt twist for this movie. Tyler Hynes is fast becoming one of my favorite actors; his facial expressions and the way he times the delivery of his lines is perfection. And he seems to work well with whatever actress Hallmark pairs him with; he and Mallory Jansen were a lot of fun together. This one is a keeper for my dvr and possibly a purchase of the dvd in the future. Family friendly." ~~Jane

 

🎄"Completely agree with Amy about "Cranberry Christmas" and "On the 12th Date of Christmas" -- both movies were "keepers" for me!"  ~~Jane

  

🎄"Hynes' line delivery is great. I totally agree with you Anonymous, it's a keeper!" ~ Namegirl

 

🎄"On the 12th Date of Christmas: This was a cute movie. I love Tyler Hynes and Mallory Jansen was a nice surprise! She was a fresh face and the plot was engaging. It felt both upbeat and lively." ~ Anonymous

 

Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater - November 7, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Ashley Williams and Niall Matter)

🎄"So far my favorite movies are One Royal Holiday and Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater." ~ Namegirl

 

🎄"Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Sweater is the best Hallmark Channel movie I have seen this season. Watched twice already! Ashley Williams and Niall Matter are great together. Very sweet story too." ~ kitkat

 

🎄"Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater. How fun!! Love Ashley & Niall. Family friendly. This one is a keeper for my dvr and most likely a purchase of the dvd when it comes out." ~~Jane 

🎄"Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater: I liked the plot for this one. I also look forward to Ashley Williams movies. This one did not disappoint. The tree scene gave me a laugh!" ~ Anonymous

 

Christmas With the Darlings - November 8, 2020 

*NOT Family Friendly - includes sub-plot storyline with same sex couple
(Katrina Law and Carlo Marks)

🎄"I just started watching it tonight and thought it was so cute...and then there it was. So sad. I’m glad there have been a few that have been family friendly and very enjoyable but this was one I had to turn off." ~ J.F. Hale

 

🎄"Re: "Christmas with the Darlings" -- yes, according to a couple of other review sites, there is a subplot where the female lead tries to set up her female best friend with another woman. Yuck. So glad I popped in here to see your warning in time to delete the movie from my recorder. I wasn't aware that you'd gotten negative comments, but that makes me sad. Stay strong in your faith, and please keep letting us know which movies are truly family friendly. God bless!" ~ Anonymous 

🎄 "I, too, am going to delete the movie from my dvr. I was looking forward to watching it." ~ Namegirl

🎄"I deleted Christmas with the Darlings from the dvr. And it's a shame because the commercials for this movie looked so cute. I wish Hallmark wasn't trying to be so "woke"!!" ~~Jane 

🎄"Christmas with the Darlings -- I love both Katrina Law and Carlo Marks and did watch this movie, but I was surprised by the subplot with a same-sex couple. In all honesty, the sub-storyline did not match the rest of the movie. It felt like it was there just to be there, or trying to make it point. It did not connect. I loved the two leads together, they had so much chemistry, I hope they star in something else together! The children were great picks but coming from Australia, it would have made sense if they had Australian accents!" ~ Anonymous

Christmas in Vienna - November 14, 2020

*Family Friendly - based on reviews 
(Sarah Drew and Brennan Elliott)

🎄"Christmas in Vienna. What a sweet movie. Loved the setting! There were moments where I felt like Sarah's character was too young for Brennan's diplomat character (it almost felt like she and her bff were just out of college and almost closer in age and life experience to his daughter than to him). But, overall, I thought Sarah did a good job of bringing maturity to her character and making the whole thing more believable. The movie got a bit Hallmark-silly at the end when they threw in a Sound of Music von Trapp Family singers kind of thing, which was sweet but hokey. Other than those two small quibbles I really liked this movie and it's a keeper for my dvr. Family friendly except for commercials. I suggest fast-forwarding through the commercials. There was an ad for movies on Showtime and these were movies I would not want young children to see the trailers for (including an up-close shot of a detailed kiss between a gay couple, and other violence and sexual situations -- basically previews of R rated movies -- NOT what I want to see during family Christmas movie night!!)." ~~Jane

 

A Timeless Christmas - November 15, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews 
(Ryan Paevey and Erin Cahill)

🎄"I didn't care for A Timeless Christmas. I just didn't buy it. Candace's was better to me." ~ Misty

 

🎄"A Timeless Christmas. I thought this one was okay, it was kind of sweet, but it really didn't win me over (not a keeper for my dvr). I love historical period dramas but my logical brain has a hard time wrapping itself around any kind of time travel story. I've liked Ryan and Erin in other movies, but don't think this was the best fit for either of them. Family friendly. ~~Jane

 

🎄"I LOVED A Timeless Christmas. Easily my favorite that I've seen so far. I'm a big fan of time travel stories and found this one to be a whole lot of fun and very sweet. I thought Ryan and Erin had great chemistry, and Ryan definitely fit the part of a dashing gentleman from 1903. I enjoyed every minute of the movie and didn't want it to end. I'll be watching it again." ~ Amy Lama

 

🎄"I watched Timeless Christmas this weekend and did enjoy it a lot. In so many movies I thought it was covid for not feeling a connection with the main characters and their feelings for each other, but in Timeless Christmas, Ryan Paevey and Erin Cahill had such a great connection on screen, I felt a connection to them so quickly, and that was filmed after covid, so the other movies I wasn't feeling the love must not have been due to covid. I want to see Erin & Ryan in more movies together. The movie was funny and witty, and I was so excited to see how it ended (I did not ever read the book)." ~ Sabrina

A Nashville Christmas Carol - November 21, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Jessy Schram, Wes Brown, Wynonna Judd, Sara Evans, RaeLynn, Kix Brooks and Kimberly Williams-Paisley)

🎄"A Nashville Christmas Carol was good. A little slow moving at first, but stay with it because it ends well, of course. Kix Brooks was great as The Ghost of Christmas Past "Pat". The only reason that I recognized him is that he was in Home By Spring (2018) on Hallmark Channel. Wynonna Judd was good as Jessy Schram's deceased mentor." ~ Namegirl

 

🎄"A Nashville Christmas Carol is a refreshing rendition of the classic Dickens tale. I liked the twist of no future spirit and that it didn't make Vivian totally rotten. The performances by everyone were excellent. Of course any movie with Jessy and Wes in it makes it perfect from the start. A wonderful new Christmas classic!" ~ Anonymous

The Christmas House - 

*NOT Family Friendly - includes storyline with same sex couple


Heart of the Holidays - November 23, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier)

A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado - *NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY - includes sub-plot storyline with same sex couple

Good Morning Christmas! (A Bright and Merry Christmas) - November 25, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Alison Sweeney and Marc Blucas)

Christmas by Starlight - November 26, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Kimberley Sustad and Paul Campbell)

Five Star Christmas - November 27, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Bethany Joy Lenz and Victor Webster)

Christmas Waltz - November 28, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp)

If I Only Had Christmas - November 29, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Candace Cameron Bure and Warren Christie) 

Christmas in Evergreen: Bells are Ringing (Movie #4) - December 5, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Holly Robinson Peete, Colin Lawrence, Rukiya Bernard, Antonio Cayonne and Barbara Niven)

Christmas She Wrote - December 6, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Danica McKellar and Dylan Neal)

Love, Lights, Hanukkah! - December 12, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Mia Kirshner, Ben Savage and Marilu Henner)

Christmas Comes Twice - December 13, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Tamera Mowry-Housley and Michael Xavier)

Christmas Carousel - December 19, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Rachel Boston and Neal Bledsoe)

Cross Country Christmas - December 20, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Rachael Leigh Cook and Greyston Holt)

HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES 

Christmas Tree Lane - October 24, 2020 

*Family-Friendly
(Alicia Witt and Andrew Walker)

🎄"I found this movie to be every bit family-friendly in the classic Hallmark Christmas movie style. There was the warm familiarity of actors we love - Andrew Walker and Alicia Witt - and a nostalgic feel to the small town where the story centers. The music store owned by Alicia's character is one of the many delightful businesses that remain on Christmas Tree Lane, if they can find a way to save it! Very sweet, traditional Hallmark happy ending." ~ Net

   

🎄"Alicia & Andrew make a perfect duo in Christmas Tree Lane" ~ Anonymous

 

🎄"I agree! Andrew and Alicia were stellar together! I wasn't sure if I would like them but I did! Of course, Andrew Walker is one of those people that works with any co-star! Their chemistry was great and the relationship between the characters flowed so naturally it was a joy to watch!!" ~ Rissa

 

🎄"Andrew Walker was at his best in Christmas Tree Lane. I have seen most of Andrew's movies, but this is one of my favorites. Have watched twice already! Alicia is so talented!" ~ kitkat

 

🎄"I watched Christmas Tree Lane and thought it was a nice, cute movie despite the way, way, WAY overused storyline of the heroine rallying the whole town together to save main street or the Christmas pageant or the Christmas concert or whatever from the big mean developers (eye roll!!). The lead actor and actress are not big favorites with me (I know most everyone else on here seems to love them) but I thought they did a nice job in this movie and the whole ensemble cast was good. I loved the setting and thought the movie had a nice Christmas-y feel. Family friendly." ~~Jane

 

🎄"I watched last weeks Christmas Tree Lane--I was surprised that I liked Alicia and Andrew in the movie together, but once again I did not feel that they were in love or even cared about each other beyond friends. I cant feel love in these movies, I don't know. I believe he wanted to help her, and I believe they will be friends, but that is all I saw." ~ Sabrina

 

Deliver by Christmas - October 25, 2020 
*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Alvina August and Eion Bailey)

🎄"I really enjoyed Deliver by Christmas and Christmas Tree Lane." ~ Holley

 

🎄"Deliver by Christmas. I have mixed thoughts on this movie. Parts of it felt organic (? lack of better term?), or natural or refreshing with some realistic acting/directing, but then Hallmark couldn't resist throwing in some sappy, eye-roll kind of scenes (ugh). I really enjoyed the lead actors and, really, the whole cast ensemble was great. I kind of had a love/hate thing with the male lead actor - in some ways he was unique & refreshing, in other ways I felt like the directors couldn't decide if he was a soft-spoken, handsome, tech nerd or a rugged, outdoors, manly-man. Don't get me wrong, I really liked him, but I couldn't fully enjoy his character because my brain couldn't wrap itself around who he was. Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed the movie and would not mind watching again. Family friendly and lots of Christmas "feels"." ~~Jane

 

Cranberry Christmas - October 31, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres)

🎄"Cranberry Christmas" is a family-friendly, lovely movie with a deeper storyline like HMM is known for. I think the leads did a nice job of showing two married people holding on and working together through the difficulties that come with life and love." ~ Alicia

 

🎄"My two "must watch" picks from the weekend were "Cranberry Christmas" (because we don't get many movies about an already married couple and the story sounded good) and "On the 12th Date of Christmas" (because Tyler Hynes is my favorite Hallmark leading man and I'm pretty much guaranteed to enjoy whatever Hallmark movie he's in). I've only had a chance to watch those two so far but just wanted to say they're both family friendly and I loved them both for the same reasons they were my "must watch" picks! Tyler Hynes was fantastic in his role, as always, and I thought he was well matched with Mallory Jansen. I loved watching their characters fall in love, enjoyed their interactions with their respective families, and thought the scavenger hunt theme was fun. "Cranberry Christmas" is wonderful, and I highly recommend it if you're someone who enjoys the deeper, richer stories on HMM. Don't get me wrong--I enjoy the fluffy romantic fantasies too, but it was refreshing to see the more realistic picture that marriage takes work and it's worth the effort. Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres did a beautiful job portraying a couple working through a rough patch and growing closer together through it. The ending made me tear up." ~ Amy Lama

 

🎄"Cranberry Christmas--I liked it, but...….The Covid stuff is making these movies hard to watch. I did not believe those 2 loved each other at all. I am sure it is from covid, but I would think if you are on set with someone for 3 weeks you could hug, or come close to one another. I loved the festival stuff, the house was beautiful, the farm, but even at the end, they almost kissed and it was weird, cause I didn't feel love with them at all." ~ Sabrina

 

🎄"I loved the movie Cranberry Christmas. Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres were wonderful together. I hope to see them in other movies together." ~ Namegirl

 

🎄"Cranberry Christmas. LOVED it!! Totally agree with what Alicia said. Definitely a keeper for my dvr and will purchase whenever the dvd comes out." ~~Jane

 

🎄"What a diverse bunch we are. As I should have known these Christmas movies aren't turning out as I expected. I was so looking forward to Cranberry Christmas because the plot seemed like a change in direction for Hallmark but what a disappointment, in fact I'd have to say it was rather dull. Nikki DeLoach has become one of my favourite Hallmark actors and she tried her best but the weak link was Benjamin Ayres - whoever thought that the heavy designer stubble would be attractive? - he really needed some life injected into him. I just couldn't feel that spark between them except a really deep friendship. Not a patch on Ms DeLoach's recent Sweet Autumn Fall Harvest Movie. Not one for the re-watch pile." ~ Anonymous

 

Holly & Ivy - November 1, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan, and Marisol Nichols)

🎄"I loved Holly & Ivy. It reminded me of the Hallmark Hall of Fame films from the good old days. It was definitely family friendly and very sweet. I hope more of the coming premieres are like that one."  ~ J.F. Hale

🎄Holly & Ivy was pretty good, but there was something missing. It was VERY rushed at the end and some things were just too over the top w/ what she could do. It was family friendly, but isn't something I would watch again. ~ Misty

🎄I agree, something was missing. ~ Kathy

 

🎄"I quite enjoyed this - pleasant enough but it seemed as if the romance was secondary to the story although I did like the lead actors.

I agree with the others about the ending - most unsatisfactory but unfortunately that's a common problem with Hallmark for me." ~ Anonymous

The Christmas Ring - November 7, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Nazneen Contractor and David Alpay)

🎄"I really liked The Christmas Ring. I liked the little mystery it had and cute romance." ~ Misty 

 

🎄"The Christmas Ring. I liked it. The setting was Christmas-y. I liked the lead actor & actress. Family friendly. I'm not sure it's a keeper for the dvr, but I would definitely re-watch it sometime. (p.s. -- Most of the time I fast forward through the commercials, but I have to say I think the Hobby Lobby commercial that's being aired during a lot of these movies is so cute. Makes me want to ditch the local craft stores and drive the 45 minutes to the Hobby Lobby store nearest to me.)" ~~Jane

 

🎄"I would recommend The Christmas Ring and The Christmas Bow. Both are family friendly and have wonderful messages." ~ Misty

 

The Christmas Bow - November 8, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady)

🎄"I loved The Christmas Bow! Well done movie and romance. The music was great too!" ~ Misty

🎄"I loved The Christmas Bow with Michael Rady and Lucia Micarelli. I'll watch any Hallmark movie Rady is in. Lucia was absolutely precious! I'll get the DVD if it comes out. Actually there are several others I want, not to mention others that haven't been aired yet. I usually don't cry at Hallmark movies but HM&M The Christmas Doctor made me cry in two places. I was a military spouse and my husband was an U.S Army Physician Assistant." ~ Namegirl

Meet Me at Christmas - November 14, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
Starring: Catherine Bell and Mark Deklin

🎄"Meet Me at Christmas The chemistry in the flashback and present-day scenes are simply wonderful. Oh my goodness. The twist about how Joan’s love story with her late husband ties into her sweet almost-romance with Beau 28 years ago is heartbreaking. I legit cried. Of course, like Joan points out, things happened as they should have. But still, these missed opportunities always break my heart. While the misunderstand seems mildly realistic, I put most of the fault on Joan. Why wouldn’t she just ask Beau if he indeed accepted an assignment in Alaska? Though as I write this, I realize it was self-sabotage. If she pushes Beau away, she will never have to tell her son, Liam, the truth about the night she met his dad. When Joan finally admits the truth to her mom and Liam overhears, I teared up again. Oh my gosh, and Beau’s brother wedding toast at the end essentially explaining why Beau didn’t show up to the tree lighting 28 years ago made me actually cry again. I realize now that this review is more of an account of when and how many times I cried watching this movie! Although you may easily guess part of the twist, this is the one time I don’t want to spoil any part of the story. I have now cried three times while watching Meet Me at Christmas." ~ Anonymous

🎄"Meet me at Christmas. I really liked this one. Loved the Snowfall Lodge setting - very cozy and Christmas-y. I appreciate movies with more experienced actors, Catherine Bell and Mark Deklin did a great job, as did the whole cast. Family friendly. Not sure if I would buy the dvd for this one but I'm going to keep on the dvr for a re-watch sometime." ~~Jane

🎄"I liked the movie as well. I thought the dress Joan wore for the wedding was gorgeous! I did find it a little slow at times, and the secondary characters just didn't shine enough for me to buy this movie." ~ Misty

The Christmas Doctor - November 15, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

(Holly Robinson Peete and Adrian Holmes)

🎄"The Christmas Doctor will make you cry 😭 Grab your tissue" ~ Anonymous

🎄"I think the Christmas doctor has been the best new movie.it has a great storyline, the characters are all wonderful, and the actors have real chemistry. I will definitely save it to watch over again." ~ Anonymous

 

🎄"I really enjoyed The Christmas Doctor. It was very well done and funny too! Only storyline I didn't care for was Luke's daughter. Otherwise, I highly recommend watching it." ~ Misty

🎄"Heartwarming and beautiful, a realistic patriotic tribute. The Christmas Doctor is one of those movies that just pulls you right in from the start; you'll find yourself instantly falling in love with the whole community of Willowbrook and all of it's caring, fascinating characters- what a wonderful small town! Family friendly." ~ Net

 

The Angel Tree - November 21, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews
(Jill Wagner and Lucas Bryant)

🎄"The Angel Tree was all I hoped for and more! So perfect for now! Sure to be blessed with each viewing of this sweet movie. Can not stop smiling!" ~ kitkat

🎄"Definitely Family Friendly, The Angel Tree with Jill Wagner (Rebecca)and Lucas Bryant(Matthew) was great! It reminded me a couple of times of Pearl In Paradise. Goodness gracious they were great together! She is good with any male lead that I've seen so far. I'm just now warming up to Lucas Bryant. His charming character Matthew has some funny and bad coffee puns. The only thing I didn't care about the movie was the continuous reference to "Christmas magic". Only once did an Angel Tree "Gala" recipient call it as a "miracle". There was one scene where Rebecca and Matthew were walking arm-in-arm down a sidewalk conversing that, *if I recall correctly*, was shot in one take. That is great acting." ~ Namegirl

 

🎄"The Angel Tree was such a disappointment. I really looked forward to this movie because of the two leading actors from previous movies but not only was there no chemistry, the story line plodded along. They even seemed bored in character. Some of the actors "over acted" which made it seem fake. I fast forwarded through parts just to get to the end and get it over with. The leads have both been in several great movies; this was just not one of them. It was family friendly if you are looking for that. Several children in important roles in the movie." ~ Anonymous

A Godwink Christmas: First Loves, Second Chances - November 22, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Brooke D’Orsay and Sam Page)

USS Christmas - November 28, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Jen Lilley and Trevor Donovan)

Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas - December 5, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Lacey Chabert and Stephen Huszar)

A Little Christmas Charm (working title) - December 6, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Ashley Greene and Brendan Penny)

A Glenbrooke Christmas - December 12, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
(Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo)

Unlocking Christmas (previous title: Christmas Homecoming) - December 13, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
Starring: Taylor Cole and Steve Lund

Swept Up by Christmas - December 19, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
Starring: Lindy Booth and Justin Bruening

Project Christmas Wish - December 20, 2020 *DETAILS COMING
Starring: Amanda Schull and Travis Van Winkle

UPtv

A Very Country Christmas Homecoming - November 1, 2020 

*Family Friendly

🎄"A newlywed couple, Zane and Jeanette, face many challenges during their first Christmas together. When Jeanette's former father-n-law returns, the new couple has to adjust to becoming a family. Jeanette's daughter is most excited to have Zane in her life, but she also loves to hear any past stories of her deceased father. There is a bit of tension between the former father-n-law and the new husband, famous singer, Zane Gunther. The Grandfather is rightfully worried what exposing his Granddaughter to Zane's celebrity life will mean for her privacy and growing up. There is also a female pop star singer that is featured throughout the movie that is supposed to be somewhat annoying and over the top, but in the end, she is shown to have a good heart. In addition to that, it's sweet to see Zane and Jeanette and their daughter overcome many obstacles to enjoy their first Christmas, plus there's a touching military tribute.  Family friendly." ~ Net

🎄"Okay, so I might already be changing my mind about UPtv since my last review. I usually feel like my middle-aged self is not part of their target audience, which seems to me to be tweens/teens/young adults. However, I really enjoyed A Very Country Christmas Homecoming. I think I liked the first Christmas movie in the series best, and I never saw the wedding movie, but this current movie is cute and family friendly. I really appreciate having Deana Carter as part of this cast, she adds substance to the movies. And the song that the little girl sang at the end of this was lovely, such a beautiful voice (I wonder if that was really the young actress singing?). Not sure yet if this is a keeper for my dvr, but I will definitely re-watch it." ~~Jane 

A Ring for Christmas - November 8, 2020 

*Family Friendly 

🎄"A Ring for Christmas. I think I'm just not a part of the UPtv demographic (I should know this by now!). I watched about a third to a half of this movie and then just gave up. It's sooooo predictable and sooooo "young" and unbelievable (and i'm soooo not young!:)). I think lots of folks will like this movie, especially teens and tweens, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Up to the point where I stopped watching, it was basically family friendly. However, they did show the young people drinking alcohol in a bar, so some people might want to be careful when watching with their younger kids; they didn't necessarily glorify the drinking but it was just accepted that that's what all young people do when they get together at Christmas -- and most of these young people looked like they were still in high school and should not be at a bar drinking." ~~Jane

 

🎄"A Ring for Christmas. Okay, this movie is one of those movies where there is a fake boyfriend. If you are okay with that – then proceed. Since her father’s death Angie Moore has been good at one thing – spending money. To teach Angie a lesson about responsibility, her mother cuts her off financially, so Angie schemes with her high school crush to get married and receive her marriage trust from her father’s will. Even though it’s kind of quirky and I personally didn’t like the continued use of Oh My G— and the occasional casual drinking with friends, I thought this movie was overall lighthearted and fun. Several times I found myself literally laughing out loud. Sure, in the beginning Angie is self-centered and money driven, but after coming back home for Christmas she begins to get a new perspective on life. It’s sweet to see her help out at her local school with her favorite childhood teacher; plus, the kids are all extra cute. And, it’s nice to see her hang out with her old best friend, Gabe. Could there be sparks there? This movie is family friendly; it will surely give you a feel good lighthearted laugh – and warm your heart, too!" ~ Net

Mistletoe Magic - November 15, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

🎄"Stephen Huszar is great in Ruby Herring Mysteries. Watched Mistletoe Magic and loved this movie. It was Stephen at his best." ~kitkat

Dashing Home for Christmas - November 22, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Christmas on the Range - December 6, 2020 

*Family Friendly

🎄"I had the opportunity to screen "Christmas on the Range" last year for INSP films and promote the DVD. The movie is family friendly with a J.L. Family Ranch feel to it. There is one scene of caution for young viewers when a man is beat up and there is talk of terminal illness.Actress Erin Cahill stars in  “Christmas on the Range” as Kendall Riley, devoted rancher’s daughter who is strong-willed and determined to expand her family farm. Even though it’s Christmastime, when you expect “Peace-on-earth, good will toward men…,” Kendall’s neighbor, Brick McCree (portrayed by A Martinez), will stop at nothing to sabotage Kendall and turn the Riley farm into financial ruin. I have a full review of this movie you can read - here. This Christmas adventure is filled with lots of action, adversity and triumph, secrets from the past, revenge, redemption, love and family." ~ Net

LIFETIME

Christmas on Ice - October 23, 2020 

*Family Friendly minus one exception - see in comments below!

🎄"So far, I've watched two Lifetime movies, Christmas on Ice and Christmas Unwrapped. I thought both were okay and kind of cute, but not keepers for my dvr. Viewers with traditional values might want to know about one small scene in Christmas on Ice. (Not a spoiler) The main character, Courtney, falls and hurts her knee while skating at night. Her male coworker helps carry her home and puts her on the sofa where she sleeps all night with her knee propped up. That same coworker has just recently started sort of dating her roommate/bff. The next scene shows her waking up the next day and that same guy coming down from upstairs, implying he spent the night with her roommate. The roommate is already up for the day. The directors could have (and should have) just skipped this little addition or they could have explained that he wanted to stay and keep an eye on her knee or some such thing. Instead they made a point of implying he spent the night with facial expressions and looks between characters that made it clear that he had spent the night. The whole scene was quick and not a huge part of the movie and the rest of movie was fine. I just wish they had left that scene out, it was completely unnecessary." ~~Jane

 

🎄"Christmas On Ice was a fair enough start to Lifetime's Christmas programme. Nothing groundbreaking and it didn't go on the re-watch pile but pleasant enough. I agree with the previous comment about the way it highlighted the fact that the heroine's flatmate had her new boyfriend stay overnight - it meant nothing in the context of the movie and could just as easily been left out." ~ Anonymous

 

🎄"I am not sure if the Christmas on Ice was filmed before Covid, but there was a lot of feeling there, maybe cause there was a child, but I felt they cared for each other and I felt love. One iffy part for kids, but the roommates had a guy sleep over, well he was there in the AM. Other than that, it was very friendly and great, and the best one I have seen so far. although that movie had some really crazy lines, and the roommate who had just all of a sudden decided to make a book of kids pics on santa's lap got it published in hard cover with her pic and blurb on the back in like a week. she got it published from an idea in a weeks time." ~ Sabrina

 

🎄"Christmas on Ice is the typical rom-com movie where a business (in this case, the outdoor ice rink) is going to be shut down IF they don't find some way to save it first. Course, the lead couple is initially on opposite sides. Sound familiar? Although, the story is cliché, it was still entertaining and very sweet. The ice skating in the movie was fun to watch, including a ice dance performance of young girls. The unnecessary scene when the guy dating her roommate suddenly appears fully dressed coming down the stairs the next morning in the apartment is very subtle - in that it's not exactly spelled out why he's there and one could draw their own conclusions. Although, as adults we know, most children I'm guessing probably wouldn't get it. I, too, wish they had left this out of the movie, as it did nothing to further the main story. Other than that unfortunate moment, the movie was extremely family friendly and delightful." ~ Net 

 

 

Christmas Unwrapped - October 24, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

🎄"So far, I've watched two Lifetime movies, Christmas on Ice and Christmas Unwrapped. I thought both were okay and kind of cute, but not keepers for my dvr." ~~Jane

 

Forever Christmas - October 25, 2020 

*NOT Family Friendly based on reviews - due to constant sexual innuendo

🎄"I just saw this. I don't really remember much, but that I didn't care for it." ~ Misty

 

🎄"I watched part of Forever Christmas and then skimmed forward to the end before deleting. I liked the lead actor and actress, but wasn't overly fond of this movie. It felt shallow and silly and did not give me a warm Christmas feeling. For anyone with traditional, Christian values and wanting to watch with their young teens/tweens, I would advise a bit of caution. Just like with books, some folks will consider this movie "clean", but I would say it's a rather tarnished or tawdry "clean". Too much innuendo. Physical touching, tingly feelings, kissing, etc. happen way too soon and too often in this movie. Multiple times in the movie there is a huge production of the lead actor changing his tee shirt and everyone ogling his "sexy", naked torso and abs in his low-slung jeans. One of the reality tv producers comments that the decorated house must be a "chick magnet [for the bachelor]....Which way to the sleigh bed?" Another producer says he "knows how to charm the pants off anyone". And while shooting a film scene in a room of his house that is decorated as underwater Christmas with mermaids and such, the sleaze ball producer waggles his eyebrows and asks the lead actor "Some people think mermaids are kind of sexy, does this room double as a fantasy suite for you sometimes?" Others may like this movie and not find it as lame and tawdry as I did, but it just wasn't my cup of tea." ~~Jane

 

🎄"Forever Christmas was not family friendly! It has a lot of innuendo and made reference to a same sex marriage. It wasn't well acted either. I couldn't finish it mostly because of all of the innuendo." ~ Holley

 

🎄"I would not suggest anyone watch Forever Christmas. I am in agreement with Anonymous's review for sure. It really surprised me and I was sensing how ungodly some of the scenes were." ~ Anonymous

 

 

A Crafty Christmas Romance - October 30, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

🎄"I thought the Crafty Christmas one was BORING. Not enough of anything and that store didn't seem 'crafty' at all. I didn't watch it all of it." ~ Misty

 

🎄"Lifetime's "A Crafty Christmas Romance" is a family-friendly movie. Although it's not one that makes my all-time favorites list, it is simple, sweet, and relaxing! ~ Alicia 

 

🎄"For the most part, I agree with Alicia that "A Crafty Christmas Romance" was sweet, simple and family-friendly. And, likewise, it doesn't make my all-time favorite list. It had a cute setting...very Christmas-y; how much fun it must be to run a shop devoted to crafting, especially at Christmastime! Sweet premise for the story but I felt like it wasn't acted/written/directed all that well, it could have been sooo much better. To me, it kind of felt "thin" and it lacked the attention to detail that goes into better Hallmark movies. Parts of it seemed hokey or silly and almost too simplistic, but certainly good for a relaxing viewing with the family that will give you all the Christmas "feels". I could see maybe teens or young adults liking it better than my middle-aged self." ;) ~~Jane

 

🎄"I watched a few this weekend: Crafty Christmas Romance--this was so boring. I was thinking of the movie Gift of Miracles with Rachel Boston, and how the gifts tied together, but this movie, I fast forwarded to the end to see what happened, it was dull throughout." ~ Sabrina

 

🎄"Hey Sabrina - I totally agree with you on Crafty Christmas Romance. I liked the premise, but the story itself just plodded along. Also, I felt that the acting, especially from the male lead, left a lot to be desired. Not a keeper!" ~ Mark 25

Candy Cane Christmas - October 31, 2020 

*Family Friendly

🎄"I loved that this story line felt rather fresh and new. There are lots of colorful Christmas lights and a lovely flower shop with beautiful poinsettias where two people meet when he has a flower emergency. After that, these two people keep running into each other in what appears to be a small town, so it's rather surprising they didn't already know one another. Sweet highlights: There are adorable pets at the Vet clinic, and the leading female played by Beverley Mitchell attempts to find ways to help out in the community with a toy drive and helping those at the Nursing Home with creating wreaths and decorating for Christmas. The ladies at the home are a lot of fun and the movie overall is very sweet and family friendly. ~ Net

 

🎄"Candy Cane Christmas--I am going to be honest here, I didn't feel the 2 leads together, and in fact, I kept feeling like the main male character was more interested in his male employee at the vet clinic than in Beverley Mitchell character. I am sure they didn't mean it that way, but it felt awkward, weird, and I am not sure if they meant it to be. I liked the whole premise of there not being a perfect Christmas, but the main character male just smiled a lot and made smiley faces, and this entire movie was just weird, all the way down to the blatantly obvious attempts at diversity. The only part I will say I liked a lot, was the retirement home and Beverley Mitchells character with them at the home." ~ Sabrina

 

🎄"Candy Cane Christmas was nice. Probably not a keeper on the dvr for me, but I liked it. The flower shop felt Christmas-y. I liked the lead actor and actress. I loved the relationship between the lead actor and his aunt; and that they showed vibrant seniors living in a retirement community instead of the usual seniors in a nursing home. Family friendly." ~~Jane

 

The Christmas Aunt - November 1, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

🎄"The Christmas Aunt. Meh. The lead actress is not a favorite for me; but I really liked the actress that played her mother, as well as the lead male actor. I suppose for a light Christmas-y feel the movie was okay, but too many parts of it felt contrived or "over-acted". I think others will like it, but it just wasn't a keeper for me. It was family friendly (except for maybe one small part where they made a point of spiking their milk with rum to have "adult" milk and cookies -- In my opinion, regular old milk and cookies does not need any additives; it's perfect as is!!)." ~~Jane

 

The Christmas Yule Blog - November 6, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

🎄"The Christmas Yule Blog. At times, it was refreshingly quirky and unique; and yet, at other times, it went beyond quirky to somewhat odd. I liked the lead actor and actress. And, overall, even though it is not a keeper for my dvr, I rather liked this movie and wouldn't mind watching it again next year. It was family friendly." ~~Jane

 

🎄"My husband and I were watching, well had Lifetime on last night and saw the 1st almost hour of The Christmas Yule Blog, and.....IT WAS AWFUL. it was so disjointed, it had so many things happening in the 1st 20 mins such as riding an antique train to the town, seeing the adobe bed and breakfast, having no wifi so had to go to main characters house, which was in the part of this supposed quaint town that had houses so big and modern, there is no way only 2400 people lived in that town, 2400 people lived in that subdivision. Next was the town gathering where they wore south western sweaters, had a contest, then went to the adobe and decorated a HORRIBLE looking fake tree, and this was all in the 1st 20 mins I kid you not. it was like they decided to have all the cliché tv movie Christmas stuff, like no wifi, tree, town festivities, writer losing her passion and boss sending to New Mexico, they even had the main guy playing a song on the guitar that I think the kid said was "mom's song", I guess they may have waited til 31 mins in to address where "mom" was, but we turned it off. it really seems hallmark and Lifetime made movies simply just to say they have 30 or 41 new movies, and the Crafty Christmas Romance was bad, but this one, was SUPER BAD!!!!" ~ Sabrina

 

🎄"Sadly I have to agree with EVERYTHING she (Sabrina) says. It is THAT bad and hard to believe that there will be a worse Christmas movie this year. The male lead even looked older than the heroine's father would be and as so often the ending was indecisive. Unfortunately once we start watching a movie we will watch it to the end but this was one we wished we hadn't." ~ Anonymous

A Welcome Home Christmas - November 7, 2020 

*Family Friendly 

🎄"A Welcome Home Christmas was great. The chemistry between the leads was a standout this years movies to me." ~ Misty

 

🎄"A Welcome Home Christmas. I quite enjoyed this one. It had a few Hallmark-silly moments but, overall, it was a sweet Christmas movie. And I always appreciate movies that honor those who serve in our military, along with their families. The lead actor and actress had good chemistry - I especially loved when they sang together. Not sure that this is a movie I would purchase(?), but I may keep it on my dvr, for now, and try to re-watch sometime in the future. Family friendly." ~~Jane

 

🎄"I want to salute Lifetime for creating such a beautiful patriotic movie that honors our service men and women, past and present, along with showing the reality of what it's like when they return home. This movie was very family friendly and enjoyable to watch - fun and inspirational for all ages! Jana Kramer and Brandon Quinn were absolutely adorable together! All around great, heartwarming military-themed movie!" ~ Net  

 

🎄"I liked A Welcome Home Christmas on Lifetime with Jana Kramer, Brandon Quinn & Charlene Tilton. Charlene Tilton was wonderful as the sometimes outrageous mother and pushy (in the best sense of the word) at the most awkward times." ~ Namegirl

A Very Charming Christmas Town - November 8, 2020  

*Family Friendly - Possibly? 

🎄"A Very Charming Christmas Town. Meh. I think others will like this movie, it certainly had lots of Christmas-y stuff, but I suppose I just was not in the mood. I don't know if it was the acting or the writing, but I didn't buy into it; the whole thing was just overdone, unrealistic and too "precious" for me. I fast forwarded through the second half of it just so I could try and see if it was all family friendly (I think it was, but I'm not completely certain). This movie wasn't my cup of tea, but hopefully others will enjoy it. ~~Jane

 

Christmas on the Vine - November 13, 2020

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

🎄"Christmas on the Vine was another sort of "meh" movie for me. I guess it was visually pretty and cute and Christmas-y but it felt sort of fake or thin or unbelievable or missing something(?). It felt equivalent to reading a book that was missing a paragraph or sentence here and there... it just felt like it had holes in the plot or writing or acting. I'm sure others will like it, but it just isn't on my keeper or re-watch list. Basically, it was family friendly. I'm not completely averse to movies portraying some drinking of alcohol by adult characters, but the one thing I wasn't completely thrilled with in this movie was that they took the family chapel (on the grounds of the winery - built by an ancestor for his wedding) and they turned the chapel into a wine tasting bar; it was a lovely setting, and a building is just a building, but I would've preferred they did that to a barn or something other than a chapel. Just FYI, this is the second Lifetime movie that I've paid attention to some of the ads (usually I just fast forward through). For those interested in family-friendly viewing I would suggest you consider fast-forwarding through the commercials. In another movie (a rerun from last year) they had an ad specifically celebrating this year's Lifetime holiday movies and within that ad was a homosexual couple. In this particular movie there were a lot of alcohol commercials. A pharmaceutical ad for an HIV drug shows a gay couple kissing. And there was a divisive (in my opinion) ad that was basically a BLM ad masquerading as a Vaseline commercial." ~~Jane 

Christmas on Wheels - November 14, 2020 

*Family Friendly minus one exception - see in comments below!

🎄"Christmas on Wheels. This one was cute but not a "keeper", for me. I really liked the lead actor and actress and hope to see them in future movies. The whole premise for the story was nice, about a special car used to deliver gifts to those in need, but the plot delivery was just a bit thin and unbelievable for my logical brain (too many "eye-roll" moments for me). I did love one part in the movie where they played board games (fun!). The movie itself was family friendly EXCEPT they just couldn't help themselves and they had to make the Christmas tree farmer a gay man who says "My husband's up in the field right now". That's it, we don't ever see the husband or any intimacy, but these movie producers just can't help trying to numb us to values that go against traditional, Christian, family values. Also, NOT family friendly were some of the commercials. There were a couple of ads for movies on platforms like Showtime and these were movies I would not want young children to see the trailers for (including a very detailed kiss between a gay couple, violence and sexual situations -- basically previews of R rated movies -- NOT what I want to see during family Christmas movie night!!)." ~~Jane

The Christmas Edition - November 15, 2020

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

🎄"The Christmas Edition. This one was kind of quirky & odd, and cute & sweet all rolled into one. Not a keeper for my dvr but not bad for a one-time viewing. I wish they would've had the lead actress sing more than one little snippet, she had a lovely voice. Family friendly (EXCEPT for ads). Once again, this one had non-family-friendly commercials. I suggest fast-forwarding through them. Ads for Showtime movies as well as an ad for a show called "Big Sky"(?) were NOT family friendly (creepy violence, sex scenes and gay couple kissing)." ~~Jane

 


A Taste of Christmas - November 20, 2020 

*Family Friendly - based on reviews

🎄"A Taste of Christmas. Very cute. Made me laugh. The lead actress is adorable and the lead actor is yummy; I live in a bubble so I've never heard of either one of them. The two teen actors were equally cute and realistic. This had some silly moments, like any other of these movies, but it was a cute, fluffy, warm, family-friendly Christmas movie. This one might be a keeper for my dvr, not sure if I'd buy the dvd. (Avoid the commercials, some are cute, some are not family friendly.)" ~~Jane

Feliz NaviDAD - November 21, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Homemade Christmas - November 22, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Dear Christmas - November 27, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding - November 28, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

People Presents: Once Upon a Main Street - November 29, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

The Christmas Listing - November 30, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Too Close for Christmas - December 4, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Let’s Meet Again on Christmas Eve - December 5, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Christmas Ever After - December 6, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

The Santa Squad - December 7, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Inn Love by Christmas - December 11, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

The Christmas Set Up - NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY - main story same sex couple

A Sugar & Spice Holiday - December 13, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Lonestar Christmas - December 14, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Christmas on the Menu - December 18, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

A Christmas Exchange (wt) - December 19, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

A Christmas Break - December 20, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

Spotlight on Christmas - December 21, 2020 *DETAILS COMING

The Christmas High Note - December 22, 2020

Christmas at the Castle - December 23, 2020

My Sweet Holiday - December 25, 2020

ION

A Royal Christmas Engagement *DETAILS COMING

Christmas Together *DETAILS COMING

Beaus of Holly *DETAILS COMING

The Christmas Sitters *DETAILS COMING

Stay tuned...

I will be updating this post above, from time to time, as reviews from our wonderful *It's a Wonderful Movie" family & friends come in!

Thank you once again to EVERYONE above who has contributed, so far, into making this movie review post a success. If YOU want to share an opinion/review on any movie premiering this year, simply leave a response in comments anywhere on this site. Please don't include spoilers, if possible. Again, THANK YOU ALL! I truly look forward to hearing your take on the upcoming Christmas movies!  

God Bless Us, Everyone! Net