Friday, May 24, 2019

✩Enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend✩- with New Movie Premieres, TV Specials, Marathons, and More!


images: Hallmark Crown Media


Saturday, May 25, 2019:

Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Summer" continues with Jocelyn Hudon ("When Calls the Heart") and Ryan Paevey ("Marrying Mr. Darcy") in...


image: Hallmark Crown Media

Storyline via Hallmark: When Ted gets engaged to the high school mean girl and asks Jess, his childhood best friend, to plan their wedding, things get complicated... click here to read more...

See the premiere of From Friend to Fiancé
Saturday, May 25, 2019
at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


More... Saturday, May 25, 2019:

June Weddings Preview Special
hosted by Jack Wagner and Josie Bissett

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Join Josie Bissett and Jack Wagner for a first look at the five all-new movies coming to the June Weddings event on Hallmark Channel.

Watch the June Weddings Preview Special
Saturday, May 25, 2019
at 11pm/10c. on the Hallmark Channel


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


More... Saturday, May 25, 2019:

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Favorite Mysteries Marathon 

images: Hallmark Crown Media

On this Memorial Day weekend - Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will have your favorite mystery shows - Saturday, Sunday and Monday! On Saturday - it's fan-favorite episodes of Monk, on Sunday - it's fan-favorite episodes of Murder She Wrote and on Monday - it's fan-favorite episodes of Psych!

The Mysteries begin Saturday morning at 6am/5c.!


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


More... Saturday, May 25, 2019:

Hallmark Channel's
*Memorial Day Movie Marathon*

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Tune into Hallmark Channel Memorial Day weekend for seasonal favorite movies and two new premieres! The movie marathon airs from Sunday Morning from 7am/6c. - until Monday night, ending with the premiere of "Love in the Sun"!

Movies possibly included in Hallmark's Memorial Day movie marathon might be: Summer Love, Summer Villa, Stranded in Paradise, Sun, Sand and Romance, Eat, Play, Love, A Summer to Remember, Summer of Dreams, Summer in the Vineyard, My Summer Prince, Love at the Shore, Season for Love, Summer in the City, Love at Sea, Paris, Wine, and Romance, Pearl in Paradise, Love on Safari, A Feeling of Home, From Friend to Fiancé, Sailing into Love and Love in the Sun!

*Please note: The Hallmark Channel will be revealing the order of the films, one by one, during the countdown!


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


Saturday, May 25, 2019 is also "Mark the 25th!"


As usual, here at It's a Wonderful Movie... we will be marking this 25th day of the month as we countdown to Christmas! As of May 25th, it will be 213 days... 7 months... until Christmas Day!

For the huge Christmas movie fans who wish to join along, simply pick something Christmassy to watch on the 25th! (or throughout this weekend!) It can be a Christmas movie, cartoon, family sitcom or anything you like. (There's only one stipulation - it must be family friendly.)

My personal pick for the 25th, on this Memorial Day weekend, to honor our military is... "A Veteran's Christmas," starring Eloise Mumford and Sean Faris. Please share in comments below your Christmas choice for the day... or holiday weekend!

image: Hallmark Crown Media


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


Sunday, May 26, 2019:


PBS Memorial Day Concert

image via: PBS

Details via PBS: On the eve of Memorial Day, a star-studded lineup will grace the stage for one of PBS' highest-rated programs. This multi-award-winning television event has become an American tradition, honoring the military service and sacrifice of all our men and women in uniform, their families at home and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Watch the PBS Memorial Day Concert
Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 8pm EST.
(Please check your local PBS station for times airing!)

*Most PBS stations will also have encore airings; be sure to check your local PBS channel for additional air times.


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀



More... Sunday, May 26, 2019:

Episode 8

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Episode 8: A Call from the Past - Elizabeth faces danger when strangers come to Hope Valley to collect a debt from Lucas. Lee’s business suffers when Gowen hires his top employees away. Meanwhile, Rosemary hosts some out of town visitors, and finds that their help disturbs her otherwise peaceful domestic bliss.

Sunday, May 26, 2019
at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


Monday, May 27, 2019:


Memorial Day Observance
at National Arlington Cemetery

image via: Arlington National Cemetery

Watch this program live
Monday, May 27, 2019
at 11am/10c. on C-SPAN


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


More... Monday, May 27, 2019:

TCM Military themed movies

image via: TCM

Details via TCM: On the day set aside to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces, join us as we celebrate Memorial Day with a 24-hour parade of films with settings ranging from the American Civil War to America's intervention in the Korean War.

Here's the lineup: The Red Badge of Courage (1951), Glory (1989), Friendly Persuasion (1956), The Big Parade (1925), The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944), From Here to Eternity (1953), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), The Young Lions (1958), King Rat (1965), The Steel Helmet (1951) and Men in War (1957).

*Please Note: These are war movies that may not be suitable for young viewers.


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


More... Monday, May 27, 2019:


image: Hallmark Crown Media

Storyline via Hallmark: A dating app creator finds her views on love challenged when she returns home to Florida and reconnects with her high school sweetheart.

See the Premiere of Love in the Sun
Monday, May 27, 2019
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel


☀ ☀ ☀ ☀


I hope you all have a relaxing, peaceful, meaningful Memorial Day weekend. May we reflect and be grateful for those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice - for our freedom.

Blessings to You All! Net

34 comments:

  1. I haven’t seen on the list: Operation Christmas on HMM ably Miltary Families

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thinking last night as I watched "A Christmas to Remember," it's too bad they didn't choose one of the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Military themed Christmas movies like "Operation Christmas," being close to Memorial Day weekend and all.

      By the way, "Operation Christmas" is *currently* scheduled to air July 1st at 1am/12c.

      Delete
  2. Joyce in CarolinaFriday, May 24, 2019

    Great idea Net..."Mark the 25th" with a military themed Christmas movie for Memorial Day weekend. My choices are The Christmas Card, Operation Christmas or The Christmas Note( since back story has soldier too). They are the only ones I have. I just might watch all 3! Happy "Mark the 25th" everyone!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Joyce! Those are ALL great suggestions to "Mark the 25th" on this Memorial Day weekend! I may have to watch one of those, too!

      Have a Wonderful, Merry "Mark the 25th" and Blessed Memorial Day!

      Delete
  3. Thank you for honoring our military. Too often they are overlooked this weekend and it just becomes another 3 day holiday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment. I am grateful to everyone who has served our country, and I'm especially grateful to those who sacrificed everything for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is important to always remember - our freedom isn't free.

      May God bless all our Military!

      Delete
  4. Thanks for the reminder on the June Weddings preview show, I almost forgot about that. Setting DVR now. It's going to be a busy weekend, and I don't want to miss anything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, they are airing this preview show on a very busy holiday weekend; I sure hope many Hallmark viewers don't miss it!

      I know many of us are looking forward to the new June Wedding movies! :)

      Enjoy all the new movies & specials! Blessings to you!

      Delete
  5. My Best Friend’s Wedding & Mean Girls seem circumstance different locations in which inspiration from
    the book: In love with my best friend.

    Ted & Jessica are childhood best friends

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I was thinking the same thing... "My Fake Fiancé" definitely had a feel of both those movies! Especially "My Best Friend's Wedding"! :)

      Delete
  6. bookmarked!!, I like your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Last night said From Friend to Fiancé on TV Guide but it’s said Love on the Menu # 12 because they’re not airing From Friend to Fiancé instead Love on the Menu

    I’m guessing From Friend to Fiancé is #1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know just what you mean - a lot of the guides online or on our cable TV guides, have said different things.

      #12 ended up be "Season for Love". It is possible "From Friend to Fiancé" may end up being #1, but there's also the possibility of "Paris, Wine, and Romance," "Pearl in Paradise," and "Love on Safari"! We'll see! :)

      Delete
  8. Did they change the title from “The Christmas Song” to “A Christmas Love Story”? I saw A Christmas Love Song trailer: Holiday Season

    Starring Scott Wolf

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the new promo commercials for the Christmas movie starring Scott Wolf and Kristin Chenoweth - has a different title then what was previously announced. As you mentioned, the title is now “A Christmas Love Story”.

      Personally, I found it to be a little disappointing, because I liked having Song in the original title, especially since Kristin Chenoweth is well known as a Broadway star for her incredible singing talent! The original title helped to distinguish this movie from others, and with 40 Hallmark Christmas films in total, a title like "A Christmas Love Story" could surely apply to any of them.

      Delete
  9. The Christmas Song to A Christmas Love Story - Scott Wolf

    Song for Christmas - Kevin McGarry

    Christmas Song - Gabriel Hogan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's true - these other Musical Movie Titles are quite similar to the original. They even already have...

      A Christmas Melody - Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott

      Perhaps, that's why they decided to change it - because it was so close to the others. I just wish they could have left something in the title that made it feel musical.

      Delete
  10. I wanted to like From Friend to Fiancé, but........ it was awful. I stopped watching an hour in cause they had the same conversation over and over again, we get it, they were the mean girls, and Ted and Jess were the ones they were mean too.

    I love Ryan, Kelly Kruger (she is married to one of my favorite soap guys Darrin Brooks) and I have never seen Jocelyn but I love her and she is a good actress, but her and Ryan seemed very awkward together, that whole movie watching scene was extremely awkward. And I turned it off after they had yet another conversation about being mean in high school, maybe I am just to old or something, and also, it was clear from the moment Kelly Kruger was talking to her ex on the phone where the movie was going. The movie was a train wreck.

    To be honest, I haven't liked a Hallmark new movie since Valentine in the Vineyard, I liked A Feeling of Home the best of the Countdown to summer movies, but it wasn't even good enough to watch again. All the others, were just plain awful. hard to watch. I think there just might be too many movies and the quality has really gone down.

    I am really hoping in 2020 we go back to better movies and not just movies being played just to fill the Saturday night spot and to be able to claim that a movie or show is the # 2 rated movie with 2 women and 4 men with 1 dog written by 3 people besides sports and the news. Cause I really feel that is what they care about now, I mean they said something recently and they say it was #2 but then there is a lot in the category such as scripted show and I think I saw other words, so really they aren't #2, just #2 in a very small category of words they add in the #2 claim. I am just sad cause I really don't look forward to many movies anymore. I just watch the older movies like When Sparks Fly, Summer of Dreams, Summer Villa, and many others and dream of the good days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joyce in CarolinaTuesday, May 28, 2019

      I agree Sabrina. I watched the whole movie hoping it would get better....it didn't. It was a terrible movie!

      Delete
    2. It's all subjective. I really liked "Paris, Wine & Romance" from the Countdown to Summer, and I thought that "From Friend to Fiance" was pretty good. On the other hand, I did not care too much for "Summer of Dreams," "Valentine in the Vineyard" or "When Sparks Fly." We all have different tastes.

      I also appreciate that Hallmark is airing a new movie every Saturday, all year long. I hope they keep it going in 2020. It sets a pattern and keeps me tuned in. Instead of losing momentum in between themed events by going through weeks at a time without new movies, now they give people a reason to tune in every weekend. Now everyone knows that they can tune in on ANY Saturday night during the year and have something new to watch. I love that! I think it was very smart of Hallmark to do that.

      I do not expect to love every movie. That's not realistic. I know what to expect, but I assume that I will only love some of the movies, just as I only love some theatrical releases by certain studios. It's OK to not love every movie. No one should feel that they are supposed to love everything. It's normal to not love everything all the time.

      So if something I am not expecting to love ends up being something I love, then that's a bonus! Otherwise, if I don't love it, then I am getting what I expected, no more and no less.

      Delete
  11. Sabrina - I always enjoy reading your kind-but-tell-it-like-it-is comments! I don't think that we have exactly the same taste in movies, but I sure do agree with you that overall, Hallmark's quality has tanked.

    Like you, I also loved "Valentine in the Vineyard," but this year I also quite liked "Love to the Rescue,""A Brush with Love," "Sailing into Love," and others.

    Several, though, I had to stop watching and delete, like "Easter under Wraps," "A Winter Princess," "Just add Romance," and "True Love Blooms." I also have several that I haven't tried to watch yet.

    And speaking of "Summer Villa," I wonder what happened to the sequels that we though were coming?

    Two positive things that Hallmark has improved upon in my opinion, are that the movie sets are fresh and updated and modern looking, more Joanna Gaines/Fixer Upper than "grandma's attic" looking, and, secondly, they have stopped having that dumb interrupted kiss in every movie. I've seen a few movies now where the couple kisses earlier in the movie, plus predictably at the very end. That's progress!

    Net, we all love your wonderful website! Thank you, thank you, thank you!



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sabrina, Joyce, Anonymous, & Amy G.

      I LOVE hearing ALL your thoughts on the latest movies! It's true, there have been some ups and downs, with the latest Hallmark movies. Like Anonymous said, it is all subjective, as we each have different points of view. I find that I have enjoyed some movies, that others didn't like, and vice versa... the ones others have expressed enjoying, have recently been ones I didn't care for. Just goes to show you, we all like different things.

      I'll be asking everyone to share their favorite of "Countdown to Summer" next week - giving everyone a chance to watch them all. I'm still catching up, myself! One more to go!

      I've also found, Sabrina, that there have been very few movies that have wowed me recently, except "Sailing into Love," which was breathtakingly beautiful and "Love Takes Flight," which was truly well done... emotional, romantic, and heartwarming. As a production, it seemed a step above the others. I guess that's the perks of being a Hallmark Hall of Fame.

      Like Anonymous mentioned, it's nice knowing there will be a NEW Hallmark movie to watch each Saturday night.

      Joyce, thank you for sharing! That's the one I haven't watched yet! :)

      Thank you, Amy G., for your sweet words on *It's a Wonderful Movie*! I'm so glad you enjoy visiting here and sharing your thoughts. It's fun to chat about the movies we love and others, not-so-much.

      I guess we'll to wait for the next great one! :)

      Blessings, Net

      Delete
    2. Amy G. -- I loved both "Just Add Romance" and "True Love Blooms." So those would be a couple of my examples of the movie quality being fine or actually improving, while you and others think it is certain proof that the quality is tanking. lol

      It's all subjective.

      That being said, I did enjoy "Summer Villa" too.

      There were never supposed to be "sequels" (plural) to "Summer Villa." The possibility of a Christmas sequel was mentioned at a "One Tree Hill" panel discussion a few years back, and it was half-jokingly mentioned by someone on Instagram when "Summer Villa" was filming, but then Victor Webster asked people on social media if they would want that. I don't think the idea was ever set in stone, and now Hilarie Burton seems to be happy doing movies for Lifetime. It was probably just a passing idea that was mentioned and tossed around, and then ultimately it never came to fruition.

      Delete
    3. Joyce in CarolinaThursday, May 30, 2019

      On Net, I didn't mean to do a movie spoiler. You might like the movie!
      On another note, I couldn't agree more about Sailing Into Love & Love Takes Flight. Could watch these two over & over!!!
      Blessings to you my friend!

      Delete
    4. Thank you Amy G, I know sometimes I am hard on Hallmark, but I think it is because I love it so much. I am not even kidding you when I say I watch Hallmark 90% of my tv time, and its a lot. I only don't watch Hallmark when I have recorded my ID channel true crime shows. I know not everyone likes every movie, I get that. But I guess I just remember back to a time when I liked nearly every movie. I do love Hallmark and they are so wonderfully positive, a cheery place to go in a world that involves so many true crime shows because those terrible things really happen in this world and it is so wonderful to watch movies/shows that are so uplifting. Upon seeing a few times thru, I did also enjoy Love to the Rescue, and also Love Takes Flight, so it probably hasn't really been since Valentine in the Vineyard that I liked a movie, but there have been a lot that I tried watching and just couldn't stay interested so deleted.

      I did like A Feeling of Home a lot, but not enough to save to dvr.

      I truly applaud Hallmark for sticking to their values and principals and for continuing to bring us our favorite Hallmark actors and for bringing on new to the family. I know everyone works so hard on these movies so we all can enjoy the show and I truly appreciate that.

      I am very excited to see Scott Wolf joining the network, and maybe it would be wonderful to get a movie with him and Lacey together (as siblings of course) I loved Party of Five so much, and I am glued to this site and the internet to see more Christmas and Fall Harvest movie news!!!!!

      Thank you to all that visit this site and share, its so wonderful to have such a great group. And of course to my friend, Net we all really appreciate you so much!!!!

      Delete
    5. I too wonder when we will get Summer Villa 2, I know there was talk, they need to make it soon. There are so many movies I want to see more of, seriously I could watch Terri and Chef Cupid go on bike rides, cook together with Abby, running Evangilines for many many more hours. But then some of the sequels have not been good, so then I'm like just leave a good thing alone. But I think that is cause I just want to watch them being happy all 2 hours, I don't need to see conflict. I would be happy watching for 2 hours them running Evangelines and Terri writing.

      Delete
    6. Summer Villa sequel is referred to Christmas Villa when I saw on Instagram a long time ago.

      Murder She Baked: Sugar Cookie Mystery was never made since 2014 when I saw this blog a long ago

      Desperado was never made into TV when I saw on this blog a long ago

      Delete
    7. Sabrina & Anonymous...

      Yeah, I'm not sure what happened with the whole "potential" Summer Villa / Christmas Villa sequel. Was it for real, a tease, or simply the cast being hopeful for another movie??? Was never quite sure on that.

      I know many still want an "All Of My Heart" movie #4 with Brennan Elliott and Lacey Chabert (I would love that, too!), plus a new Mr. Darcy movie with Cindy Busby and Ryan Paevey. (Again, another one, I would love see, too!) Are either happening? At this point, who knows? But fans are still requesting. Hoping. Begging the actors, writers, Hallmark, etc...

      I've been suspicious of a possible sequel to another Hallmark June Weddings from the past. Certain cast members even met together a few months ago, but I haven't heard anything, yet, so... we'll see if any thing comes of it! I don't want to give anything away, just in case it's happening, but I'll just say a sequel would be "Perfect"!

      Sabrina - thank you so much for your sweet words! I'm so glad you like coming here to *It's a Wonderful Movie* and sharing your thoughts on the movies. I finally watched "From Friend to Fiancé' last night. I don't want to give too much away for others who haven't watched, yet, but... it was... well, interesting. Jocelyn and Ryan were adorable, but I'm not sure I was feeling a chemistry between the two... and it seemed like it was rushed way too quickly at the end. I really wanted to have that special, beautiful moment when couples reveal their love, but it didn't happen. Anyway, I still found the movie to be amusing and sweet, at times... I burst out laughing when Jess' friend brought the grandmother to the engagement party on the motor bike. That was hilarious! I wish they could've lost the mean girl sooner and had more moments like that. I kept getting mixed signals on whether the mean girl was still mean, or if she really had changed. Actually, I think Jess and Ted were still unsure, too!

      Like you, Sabrina... I love that Hallmark typically puts a smile on my face and makes me feel so good inside. Even when we watch a movie we don't necessarily love - we always know there is going to be a happy feel-good ending.

      Enjoy watching! :)

      Blessings! Net

      Delete
    8. Hello Joyce! You didn't spoil it all. I appreciate getting your feedback, even if I haven't seen a movie, yet. As I shared with Sabrina above... I did watch "From Friend to Fiancé" last night, and I liked Jocelyn and Ryan as Jess and Ted, but I wanted more of the two of them and less of the mean girl coming between them.

      Anyway, I'm looking forward to asking everyone their favorite from "Countdown to Summer" next week. That should be interesting! :)

      Blessings! Net

      Delete
  12. Net, I like how you said that "Sailing into Love" was breathtakingly beautiful, cause that is exactly what I thought. I basically LIVE for the outdoors and it's beauty and scenery, so when Hallmark gives us a gem like that one, I'm so happy!

    My other favorite outdoor beauty Hallmarks are "Cedar Cove" and "Chesapeake Shores," both of which make me seriously want to move to where they are filmed. Can you believe the view from the O'Brien's home?

    The gorgeous scenery and filming location for the second "Vineyard" movie had me spellbound, as well. The most recent "Vineyard" movie was great, but it was filmed when the vineyard looked "dead," so that was disappointing. But it had the witty/dry/hilarious/ understated Rachael Leigh Cook! Yay!

    When Hallmark takes the time and goes to the trouble of real, outdoor, proper-season filming, with no green screens, no fake snow, no fake flowers...I am one appreciative fan!! (OK, "Sailing into Love" had fake flowers on Blue Mountain - I wish they had left them off!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy G., I'm with you - give me the real stuff, whether the setting is in full bloom or at the end of it's season. I don't mind a little fake snow, unless you can really tell, it's fake snow. When white material is rolled out across a lawn, you can tell. In fact, I really noticed it just the other night when I was watching the encore showing of "Coming Home for Christmas" when Danica McKellar is just sitting on a bench - surrounded by "snow" in a skirt with her legs bare. If that were real snow, she'd be freezing!

      I've actually noticed that three of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies don't even have snow, real or fake... "The Nine Lives of Christmas," "Window Wonderland," and "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade." The stories are so good - snow was completely unnecessary.

      Like you, Amy... I love the true beauty of nature and outdoors. As you mentioned, "Chesapeake Shores" is always stunning... such an incredible backdrop for any film set. I'm always in awe when I watch the series and movies like "A Country Wedding." The "Wedding March" movies are always lovely, too, but, like you, I can always tell when they add flowers into bushes... like, you mentioned, we saw on Blue Island in "Sailing into Love!"

      A beautiful setting can really add to the overall story - as long as it's real! :)

      Enjoy your weekend! Hope your weather is pleasant enough to be outside!

      Delete
  13. Sabrina - Don't worry - we all know that you are one of Hallmark's most devoted fans. I say keep your fun, truthful posts and musings coming!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sabrina, I absolutely agree with Amy G.! We know you're a devoted Hallmark fan - sharing from the heart! ❤

      Delete

Please COMMENT and share your thoughts on Movies and More...

You may comment by using an Account, Name, or by choosing Anonymous! (If you pick Name, you can add your name, nickname, initials, or favorite handle! You can also leave the URL space blank, if you do not have a web-site.)

Whatever you choose, I enjoy hearing from you! Blessings, Net