NEW TV MOVIES THIS WEEKEND with Lacey Chabert, Tyler Hynes, Jesse Metcalfe, & Stephen Huszar! SEE HERE:

images: Hallmark Crown Media / UPtv

This weekend - we can look forward to a heartwarming Hallmark movie premiere with Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes, an all new Hallmark mystery starring Jesse Metcalfe, plus Stephen Huszar is cooking up a romantic love story on UPtv!

See all the details below...


Saturday, May 15, 2021:

It's the last of the “New Movies In Bloom” for May, with Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes in...

Sweet Carolina

Storyline: Josie (Chabert) is a successful New York marketing executive who returns to her small hometown. While there, she becomes the unexpected guardian of her niece and nephew and reconnects with Cooper (Hynes), her high school boyfriend.

Sweet Carolina premieres

Saturday, May 15, 2021

at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel

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Sunday, May 16, 2021:

Return to the Wild West once again on INSP with legendary Bat Masterson...

Wild West Chronicles

*This is a 30 minute show that reenacts the old wild west. Caution: there will be violence.

Details via INSP: Love and vengeance are two very powerful emotions, and sometimes, the former can trigger the latter. In INSP’s newest original series Wild West Chronicles, newspaper reporter Bat Masterson will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind the mysteries of the Wild West.

See part 2 of the Wild West Chronicles, entitled, “Bat Masterson and the Dodge City Dead Line,” this Sunday.

Wild West Chronicles airs

Sunday, May 16, 2021

at 5:30pm/4:30c. on INSP

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Sunday, May 16, 2021:

Stephen Huszar stars in a new rom-com on UPtv...

Cooking Up Love

Storyline: On a lark, Zoey rents a food truck and enters a reality TV competition. Heat rises between her and the handsome founder of a fast food chain, but when Zoey finds out he’s a judge in the contest, things quickly fizzle. Zoey’s determined to win fair and square and she suspects ‘Mr-Too-Good-To-Be-True’ is really after her sauce recipe, not her heart.

Cooking Up Love premieres

Sunday, May 16, 2021

at 7pm/6c. on UPtv

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Sunday, May 16, 2021:

Poisoned in Paradise:

A Martha's Vineyard Mystery

Storyline: When a waitress seeking Jeff’s help is poisoned, he must uncover the mysterious plot she’d tried to warn him about to solve her murder. Jeff’s (Metcalfe) reputation for “unofficially” solving the island’s most dangerous crimes is growing. When Katie (Britt McKillip, Trick ‘r Treat), a young waitress, finds herself way in over her head with the wrong people, she shows up seeking his help. Jeff urges her to go directly to the police but she’s too scared to follow through. When Katie sadly turns up dead – murdered by poison – Jeff wonders if he could have helped her and the crime becomes personal for him. Teamed up with Zee (Lind), he must unravel the dangerous plot Katie had tried to warn him about to catch her killer. The shocking case leaves Jeff and Zee little time to discuss the kiss they had shared in Boston and what it means for their relationship. Meanwhile, the mystery back in Boston deepens when Jeff and Andy (Nelson Wong, “Riverdale”) seem close to catching the person who shot Jeff, until an FBI agent shows up and takes over, shutting them out.

Poisoned in Paradise:

A Martha's Vineyard Mystery premieres

Sunday, May 16, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

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I want to caution that "Sweet Carolina" is a story about tragedy and loss. Due to this storyline, it's not a movie I would recommend for young children. I have a feeling this emotional story will pull at our heartstrings and hopefully, be a help to those who are going through a time of grieving. (I pray this touches your heart, kitkat, if you are able to watch.)

For those of you who are wondering why I am not promoting "Good Witch" this weekend, I personally don't believe in supporting this program, due to my Christian faith. The Bible specifically speaks against evil things like witchcraft. In Deuteronomy 18:9–12 it says, “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, let no one be found among you who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.” Those powerful words in the last sentence of that verse always echo in my mind - “Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.” I believe - if we are trying to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord, then this is NOT a program we should choose to watch knowing how our Savior feels about this.

Please note: I have not pre-screened the new movies listed above. If you'd like to post a review on whether a film is family-friendly, please share in comments.

And, for all of you who have been asking - I'm bringing back the *It's a Wonderful Movie Awards* - just for you! Look for it - coming very soon!!!

I pray you all have a peaceful and relaxing weekend.

Blessings to you all, Net

SHARING HIS LOVE:

Praise be to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion

and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those

in any trouble with the comfort

we ourselves receive from God.

~2 Corinthians 1:3-4

It's Christmas Again! Open the Door and Waltz right in - with Lacey Chabert, Will Kemp, Jesse Metcalfe and Fiona Gubelmann!

Check out the Christmas movies airing on Hallmark this week...

Thursday, May 12, 2021:

Christmas Next Door

Storyline: A confirmed bachelor’s life is turned upside down when he takes in his young niece and nephew a week before Christmas, his absolutely least favorite time of year. As he struggles to “make Christmas” for the kids, with a little help from his lovely next door neighbor, he learns some valuable lessons about the value of family, love, and the joy of Christmas, as seen through the eyes of children.

"Christmas Next Door"

Encores:

Thursday, May 12, 2021 at 8pm/7c.

on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄


Friday, May 13, 2021:

Christmas Waltz

Storyline: After Avery’s (Chabert) storybook Christmas wedding is canceled unexpectedly, dance instructor Roman (Kemp) helps her rebuild her dreams.

"Christmas Waltz"

Encores:

Friday, May 13, 2021 at 8pm/7c.

on the Hallmark Channel

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄



Both of these Christmas movies airing this week are family friendly - and I personally love them both!

Christmas Next Door is a delightful Christmas movie classic from the 2017 holiday season. I've seen it numerous times since then - I just love the lighthearted story of April, the Christmas fanatic, and Eric, the holiday Grinch, who just happens to live next door. Fiona Gubelmann plays April so vibrantly and lively - you just feel drawn to her love of Christmas, and Eric (played by Jesse Metcalfe) feels it, too!

Christmas Waltz is one of those movies that will make you want to get up and dance! When Lacey's character, Avery, goes through a heartbreak, you find yourself cheering her on to find her happiness again and take a step or two out of her comfort zone and into something beautiful!

You can also read some wonderful movie reviews of Christmas Waltz from Alicia, Kay, CH Mom, Jane, and an Anonymous commenter - *HERE*.

Please share your thoughts on these Christmas movies below...


You can check out more Christmas movies airing in May and June - here!

Joyous Blessings to You All,

Net

🎄 CHRISTMAS in JULY is COMING in JUNE on HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES! 🎄 SEE HERE:

*Christmas in July* is coming June 25th - on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries!

Be sure to look for A Joyous Christmas, The Angel Tree, USS Christmas, Two Turtle Doves, A Little Christmas Charm, A Veteran's Christmas, and many more!

I've added the Christmas movies Hallmark has shared on their web-site, thus far, in my *Christmas TV Schedule* - SEE HERE!

Joyous Blessings! Net

#Sleuthers - Have You Seen the Latest #AuroraTeagarden DVD Release? 🔎 @candacecbure *SEE HERE:

Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Collection #4 - image via Amazon

Can you help me solve this mystery? Typically when a DVD is newly released we will see a release date and pre-order information, but just like the Martha's Vineyard Mysteries DVD Collection, which recently appeared, this Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Collection #4 - just suddenly popped up at Amazon, too!

This NEW Aurora Teagarden DVD Collection includes: 

Heist and Seek, 

Reunited and It Feels So Deadly,

 and How To Con a Con! 

Since the last movie in the collection, How To Con a Con, premiered in March on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, we know the DVD had to come out sometime after that. Did any of you Sleuthers catch a release date? It says if you order right now from Amazon, you will have the DVD in about a week. Also note: I checked Walmart and other retailers, but I currently only see this being sold at Amazon.

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*Please Note: As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases when you click on my links. Thank you for shopping through my site and supporting *It's a Wonderful Movie*!

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Also, be sure to look for the next all new Aurora Teagarden Mystery - Coming in June on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries - titled Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Til Death Do Us Part!

Click Here to Order

the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Collection #4

from Amazon

Happy Sleuthing! Net 🔎

My thoughts on the "When Calls the Heart" Season 8 finale…

When Calls the Heart Season 8 finale…

{SPOILERS INCLUDED BELOW…}

Part of me is still somewhat in shock over the outcome of Season 8 – with Elizabeth ultimately choosing Lucas; however, I still had the sneaking suspicion, prior to the finale, I would be disappointed by When Calls the Heart once again, as I was at the end of season 5 – after Jack’s passing.

You see, I’ve been Team Nathan since day one - he is the Mountie, after all, who deeply cares for Elizabeth and very importantly, also little Jack. I’ve hardly seen Lucas take any interest there. The books the When Calls the Heart series is “loosely” based upon by Janette Oke – is a romantic, epic love story between the teacher and the Mountie. It’s about Elizabeth deciding against the lavish lifestyle she left behind and choosing instead, a more rugged life of hard work and service alongside her husband. To think Janette Oke’s books are filled with religious inspiration and character’s dedicated to doing God’s work – makes it a mockery for Elizabeth to choose a saloon owner, of all professions, especially in that time period.

Many of you who have been Hallmark movie fans for years, like myself, will also recall the way the Love Comes Softly series of movies was handled – which also did not follow the Janette Oke books. Remembering this was a red flag for me, that they may not stay loyal to Janette Oke’s original stories here, as well, even with this main, important theme.

Friendship:

Elizabeth’s character overall (unless she was teaching), in my opinion, was most unlikeable this entire season. Several times it was mentioned she didn’t feel quite like herself, or even a dress she chose – wasn’t even Elizabeth. I thought that was indicative of the influence Lucas had over her, which made her act or behave in a way that was not natural to her. She couldn’t just be herself. And don’t get me started on the riff between Elizabeth and Rosemary. That was the second worst story of the season, in my humble opinion, and why did they make up? It seems Elizabeth woke up one day and felt torn between these two men and desperately needed Rosemary’s advice. All of the sudden she selfishly needed her best friend back – thus facilitating the apology and friendship mending. While I was happy they were friends again, it seemed as if it was for self-serving reasons on Elizabeth’s part.

Elizabeth and Lucas and Nathan:

Watching the love story of Elizabeth and Lucas play out at the end of this finale episode, for me, was rather dull. After seeing a lot of responses on social media, I’m seeing I am not alone here. There are many, numerous fans disappointed in the decision of Elizabeth not choosing Nathan and the potential of a beautiful blended family. Throughout the entire season she never really even gave Nathan a chance. It’s as if she let the fear of choosing another Mountie overcome the possibility of giving her heart the opportunity to truly fall in love.

With the way Elizabeth’s character acted so cruelly towards Nathan all season, constantly turning him away and yet, stringing him along with playful glances and gestures, I was partly relieved she didn’t choose him, after all. Elizabeth truly did not deserve his love. She deserves Lucas. The writers/producers didn’t want Nathan, as a Mountie, to be a replacement for Jack, and yet the date Lucas and Elizabeth shared in the library at the end of the finale episode, looked very much like a repeat of a date between Jack and Elizabeth with the million candles (exaggerating on number here) all around the room. This pairing just didn’t seem to fit the overall theme of When Calls the Heart. In my opinion, it seemed to degrade the rest of the series, it felt forced. If she really loved him, would it take 3 years to decide between him and another man? And why did she tell Nathan she loved him, but wasn't in love with him? Again, that seemed terribly cruel. I guess Elizabeth is more Hamilton than Hope Valley, after all.

Frankly, I hope whoever Nathan chooses, will truly love him, for him, and their love story will over-shadow this triangle mess which left season 8 with a lot of unhappy fans.

Other relationships and observations in Hope Valley:

Why in the world was Clara baking a cake and not completely falling apart when Jesse was missing? Last time he was missing on the mountain, she and Rosemary hooked up the wagon and went up there to look for him, but this time she was baking a cake for him? – Almost as if it was no big deal?

Bill and Molly were casually going for a cup of coffee. Nothing beyond that, yet. And when Fiona and Hickam are discussing business plans, Florence and Molly are looking at them from afar… Florence wonders if they could be a potential couple, but Molly nonchalantly says she can’t she it.

Dr. Carson Shepherd leaves on the stage coach? And yes, I ended that sentence with a question mark. Did he really go? Right after Clara and Lee find his engagement ring, Carson appears to set off to the big city; however, we never actually see him in the stage coach waving goodbye. Will he return next season? We’ll see. Henry also departs Hope Valley - with a glance towards Abigail’s sign and a farewell to Hickam, who is taking over his oil business, along with Lucas and Fiona. I’m hoping Henry will return one day with Abigail. Also, did Lucas sell the saloon? I’m wondering, since he & Elizabeth are now together, if they may want to distance his character away from that persona and focus more on his partnership in the oil business.

Rosemary and Lee:

Rosemary finds her calling! Finally. She creates a new newspaper for the town called the Valley Voice. Although, I do recall Rosemary doing something similar to this in the past on When Calls the Heart, when she wrote a gossip column – several seasons back, which stirred up all kinds of trouble. The Valley Voice may end up doing that, eventually, as well. However, it was fun to see Lee and Rosemary working in the same office – and Lee encouraging Rosemary to follow her dreams. They are still the best couple in Hope Valley.

After a conversation with Pastor Joseph, Lee also discovers his calling to run for mayor, although he’ll have some competition, along with Judge Bill Avery, Mike Hickam and Fiona Miller, who is quite the mystery – with a former fiancé and friends in San Francisco, who seem to have a great deal of money.

In summation:

Even though this is just a TV show, for the last 12 weeks and 8 seasons, we’ve invested our hearts into these characters, the ups and downs, and everything in between. Except for the major love triangle and the finale episode disappointment, there have been some wonderful moments I’ve enjoyed this season with other characters. I personally loved the addition of the Canfield family, most of all, and the way they’ve powerfully displayed their love of God, by words and deeds, throughout Season 8. I especially loved when Joseph said, “God is good,” as he and Minnie were dancing at the wedding reception and the sincere way Minnie told Carson she would be praying for him. I look forward to even more inspiring moments like this. Since it is a wholesome family-friendly show, I do plan to watch Season 9 (yes, the series was renewed), but I hope they will focus more on other supporting characters in Hope Valley, besides Elizabeth, like they did with Ned and Florence (who I adored!) this season. And, I hope Nathan will ultimately have his own epic love story!

I would love to hear your thoughts, too. Please share in comments below.

Blessings, Net