Keep on... ❄Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland❄!
As January 2020 arrives, Hallmark eases out of Christmas movies and into snowy, icy landscapes! Come along for five new charming chilly adventures and celebrate Winterfest!
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| Credit: Hallmark Crown Media |
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Tyler Hynes and Lacey Chabert star in "Winter in Vail"
Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Brown |
Winter in Vail
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Tyler Hynes
Premieres: Saturday, January 4, 2020
Storyline via Hallmark: Chelsea inherits a house in Vail. She meets Owen and gets a much needed break. Together, they put on Strudelfest to highlight the charm of Old Vail.
Review: This chilly Winterfest movie is one that will truly warm your heart. Family friendly and delightful, you'll simply fall in love with Chelsea (played by Lacey Chabert) and Owen (played by Tyler Hynes) as they bring life to the town of Vail, Colorado with a new festival, which brings the community together and new visitors! Along the way, Chelsea must decide which path she most wants to take and which decision leads her ultimately home.
*This film has the "It's a Wonderful Movie" family-friendly seal of approval!
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| Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Jen Osborne |
Love in Winterland
Starring: Italia Ricci, Chad Michael Murray, Jack Turner
Premieres: Saturday, January 11, 2020
Storyline via Hallmark: Ally, a final contestant on a dating show, must face her high school sweetheart when she is chosen for the Hometown Date.
Los Angeles marketing executive Ally is a finalist on a hugely popular TV dating show who is sent to her hometown in snowy Vermont for a final televised date with bachelor Tanner. However, upon arriving home, she encounters her high school sweetheart Brett who now owns the historic inn where Alice, Tanner and the production crew are all staying. When the show producer discovers Brett’s unrequited affection for Ally, she helps stoke their old feelings for each other, creating a love triangle which forces Ally to re-think her choices in life and decide what’s truly important to her.
Review: "Love in Winterland" is one of those sweet stories of coming home and seeing your first love again. While trying to ignite a spark with someone else, much to Ally's (Italia Ricci) annoyance, she finds herself attracted once more to her irritatingly still handsome high school boyfriend, Brett (Chad Michael Murray), who does everything he can to charm himself into Ally's life again. Who will Ally ultimately choose is the real focus of this Hallmark rom-com movie that features a beautiful inn during the snowy winter and a fun sled ride down a large hill. I found this movie to be pleasant and enjoyable.
*This film has the "It's a Wonderful Movie" family-friendly seal of approval!
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| Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Lilja Jonsdottir |
Love on Iceland
Starring: Colin Donnell, Kaitlin Doubleday, Patti Murin
Premieres: Saturday, January 18, 2020
Storyline via Hallmark: Seeking inspiration for work, Chloe gathers her college travel group back together for a trip to Iceland. When her ex, a member of the group, shows up uninvited, sparks fly.
Hardworking podcast producer Chloe is hoping to recharge her batteries during a spontaneously planned vacation with her college friends Isabella and Kenneth. She has chosen Iceland as their destination, inspired by a podcast guest who found a new lease on life and career during a sojourn in the majestic “land of fire and ice.” But Chloe’s transformative journey takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of another traveler: Charlie, her ex-boyfriend from college.
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| Credit: Hallmark Crown Media |
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Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States
LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group |
Amazing Winter Romance
Starring: Jessy Schram, Marshall Williams
Premieres: Saturday, January 20, 2020
Storyline via Hallmark: When journalist Julia goes back home to find inspiration, she discovers her childhood friend has built a giant snow maze which prompts her to find her way to true love.
Julia’s been writing about lost dreams instead of her usual uplifting articles. Wanting her “seize-the-day” spirit back, she goes home to write about small-town charm and instantly feels the warmth of her community. But it’s the gigantic snow maze her childhood friend Nate built that inspires her to write something her boss loves. Now she’s wanted back in the city, but Julia’s reluctant to go. She feels chemistry with Nate and wonders if he feels it too. Catching sight of him seemingly enjoying a date, Julia leaves heartbroken. If only he’d utter the one word she needs to hear – stay.
Review: If you're looking for a Winterfest movie with real snow and a great wintery, chilly feel, with lots of fun action-packed activities and excitement, then this film is it! Perfect for all ages, "Amazing Winter Romance" includes sledding, a huge snow maze that is truly incredible and beautiful on screen, snowmobiling, snow plowing, and horse-back riding! Plus, there's an adorable little girl, a very cute dog, and a sweet romance! This movie is truly jam-packed with just about everything fun during the winter, minus the cold! My family thoroughly enjoyed every minute, mainly due to the joyful Jessy Schram ("Road to Christmas") and the delightful Marshall Williams ("When Hope Calls"), who are truly the perfect, ideal boy and girl next door. I found this movie to be "snow" much fun to watch and very sweet!
*This film has the "It's a Wonderful Movie" family-friendly seal of approval!
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| Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Farah Nosh |
Hearts of Winter
Starring: Jill Wagner, Victor Webster, Rukiya Bernard
Premieres: Saturday, January 25, 2020
Storyline via Hallmark: An interior designer brings new life to the house of a widower and his daughter and finds love in the process.
Designer Bethany select’s Grant’s house as winner of her makeover contest. But he’s unaware his daughter Zoe even entered until Bethany and her camera crew arrive. Realizing Grant is attached to his house full of memories of his late wife, Bethany backs off, but encouraged by Zoe’s enthusiasm and Bethany’s patience, Grant begins to enjoy the process, not to mention Bethany. Even TV viewers see their chemistry and only want more. But Bethany isn’t sure a career can mix with a relationship, and Grant isn’t sure his heart is big enough for both his wife’s memory and a new love.
Review: First of all, this film stars one of my all-time favorite actresses, Jill Wagner. She brings such life and personality to each role she portrays, and her portrayal of designer Bethany is no different. With each home design project, Bethany brings a fresh set of creative ideas to brighten up people's homes. When a widowed father, Grant, and his teenage daughter, Zoe, win a contest to have their home re-designed, the father is clearly not thrilled with this plan, but seeing how much this means to his daughter, he ultimately gives in.
It's obvious that Grant still has remaining issues of grief over the loss of his wife, which is why he is resistant to changing their home. While working with Bethany, Grant eases into the idea of keeping some of their special keepsakes from the past, while adding some new additions to their home.
Jill and Victor are wonderful in this emotional, mature love story. In fact, this is not the first time Jill Wagner and Victor Webster have been paired in a Hallmark Channel film; they appeared together in the 2017 Fall Harvest movie "A Harvest Wedding."
I believe this heartwarming movie will touch your heart. There's a special moment in the film when the daughter and father pray together each night. What a wonderful thing to see. I hope this inspires other parents with teens. If you start them young, then it becomes a comfortable, yet special routine.
I like the way that Bethany works with both Grant and Zoe in the re-designing of their home. At one point, she tells Grant that a painting he likes goes with the home re-design simply because he likes it. That's the way it should be; our homes should be a reflection of our inner personalities.
As Grant and Bethany become more friendly, is he willing to open up more than just his home? Is he willing to open his heart again to love? I think you will enjoy where this Hallmark love story ends.
*This film has the "It's a Wonderful Movie" family-friendly seal of approval!
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Like many of you, I will truly miss Hallmark's Christmas movies come January, but with these winter themes, each new Winterfest film looks almost like a snowy Christmas Card.
May the Winterfest movies warm all of our hearts in the New Year!
*UPDATE (February, 2020) - I have watched all of the new 2020 Hallmark Channel Winterfest movie premieres, and I found them all to be family-friendly and wholesome entertainment.
There is NO language or adult dialogue. There may be some drinking, such as wine. However, none of the characters are ever intoxicated. As far as adult situations go, (SPOILER ALERT!) there is a sweet, decent kiss at the end of each film!
I hope you enjoy watching all of these Winterfest movies!
Blessings, Net
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