Happy first full weekend of December, movie friends!
Oh, how I love this time of year... all of the preparation and excitement!
There's always so much to do and so little time to squeeze it all in... with church events, Christmas concerts, shopping for gifts, baking holiday goodies, driving around to look at the spectacular Christmas lights, and watching all sorts of Christmas movies, too... of course!!!
We had a snowy blizzard go through our area yesterday; for a short time we had a complete whiteout, so it wasn't one of those pretty snowfalls you see in the movies. But thankfully, our power did not go out, especially since we have had dangerously cold temps these last few days. So... with that, it's been the perfect time to stay inside, keep warm, and watch a good movie or two. I hope your weather outside hasn't been quite as frightful!
Take a look below at some of the NEW Christmas movies, along with some classic premieres from streaming or other networks...
Thursday, December 5, 2024:
Storyline: Melanie’s (Cerra) 17-year-old autistic daughter Jenny (Burghardt) is a senior in high school and looking forward to college. After a bad experience her junior year, Jenny is not interested in attending her final Christmas dance before graduating. Melanie decides to surprise Jenny by getting involved in the school’s planning committee to create a welcoming dance for all students. Meanwhile, Jenny and her friends secretly plan their own party, in part to honor Melanie. Melanie works with Jenny’s literature teacher (Ghanimé) on the dance and starts to fall for him while Jenny develops something special with a new classmate (Giordano) at school. When their secrets snowball, however, their plans begin to drive a wedge between the usually tightknit mother and daughter at the holidays.
Premieres Thursday, December 5, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on Hallmark Mystery
Friday, December 6, 2024:
Storyline: Vi (Skovbye), better known as Princess Violet of Wingravia, adores the privileges of being a royal, if none of the responsibilities. After being disappointed by Vi one time too many, the Queen (Durance) decides to test her daughter's mettle once and for all and issues an ultimatum: Vi must pass a vigorous leadership boot camp in Colorado or lose the throne to her uncle. At boot camp, Vi and her fellow cadets are put through a rigorous grind under the uncompromising supervision of Captain Ryan Douglas (Klena).
Premieres Friday, December 6, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Friday, December 6, 2024:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
60th Anniversary Special
on NBC
Storyline: The reindeer with the light up red nose guides Santa's sleigh through a bad storm on Christmas Eve. Based on the song by Johnny Marks.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
60th Anniversary Special
Airs Friday, December 6, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on NBC
Extra details on this Special:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is returning to NBC for this special presentation marking 60 years since the cartoon originally premiered on NBC on December 6, 1964.
NBC held the license for the Christmas animation until 1972, when it moved then to another network. This is the first time Rudolph is returning to NBC after many years.
In honor of this special 60th Anniversary celebration, NBC is playing an extended version of the cartoon that will run 1 hour and 15 minutes. (an encore presentation of this special will also air December 12th at 8pm/7c.)
Get ready to fly through the sky with Rudolph, Santa, and all of the reindeers and misfit toys again!
And, if you love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as much as I do, be sure to check out some fun Rudolph items I've linked below.
Saturday, December 7, 2024:
Storyline: A small-town detective investigates a series of holiday thefts. As clues unravel, she discovers a connection to her own past, revealing unexpected truths.
Airs Saturday, December 7, 2024
at 7pm/6c. for the first time on UPtv
Movie Reviews:
🎄 The Christmas Thief (ION) Definitely my favorite new ION movie this year (2021)! The mystery was fun, the movie itself was fun as well! Just a couple of adult stuff included. -Maria
🎄 The Christmas Thief - This movie first premiered on ION in 2021, and I recall it being a cute, fun mystery. Unfortunately, I don't remember it well enough to say it is family-friendly, but I'm not remembering anything truly bad. ~Net
Saturday, December 7, 2024:
Storyline: A local mayor discovers his childhood Christmas wishes are coming true. With his childhood friend, the pair can inspire residents to showcase the town’s warmth and values while pushing back a major developer’s desire to take the community in a different direction.
Premieres Saturday, December 7, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family
Saturday, December 7, 2024:
Storyline: Emily (Lawson) has always dreamed of creating the perfect Christmas, meticulously planning every detail year after year, only to feel like she's falling short. Hoping to bring her family closer together, she makes a wish for a holiday as picture-perfect as the ones she sees in a made-for-TV holiday movie. To her shock, Sugarplum (Parrish), the film's relentlessly optimistic main character, magically steps off the screen to make Emily's wish come true - whether she's ready for it or not. As Sugarplum applies her movie-world rules to real life, Emily gets caught up in the possibility of finally achieving the flawless family Christmas. But when Sugarplum's magical fixes start to backfire one by one, Emily begins to question what an ideal holiday really is. With time running out, Emily and Sugarplum find themselves on a heartwarming adventure - one that might just amount to an entirely different kind of Christmastime perfection.
Premieres Saturday, December 7, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Saturday, December 7, 2024:
Storyline: In A Very Merry Beauty Salon, Sienna (Tia Mowry), the owner of the bustling Divine Beauty Salon is preparing for Atlanta’s Tinsel Ball, where she will be honored for her charitable work in the community. The annual event takes a glamourous turn with the arrival of Lawrence, a charismatic CEO whose family’s wine brand is now co-sponsoring the Ball. Sparks fly between them, but Sienna’s mother Georgia (Donna Biscoe) who is the head of the Ball’s committee, worries his involvement may ruin the event’s traditions. As Sienna and Lawrence are unexpectedly paired as dance partners, romance blooms, setting the stage for a steamy romance that challenges Sienna’s thoughts on love and family and makes this year’s Tinsel Ball the most memorable yet.
Premieres Saturday, December 7, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
Sunday, December 8, 2024:
Premieres Sunday, December 8, 2024
at 7pm/6c. on UPtv
Movie Reviews:
🎄 Reel One's The 12 Dares of Christmas is clean (aside from a small rainbow flag on a cash register), and a whole lot of fun. -Maria
🎄 12 Dares of Christmas. Double meh, for me. Cringey, low-budget, b-list mess. I couldn’t make it all the way through. The movie was a weird mish mash of storylines. The part that was “12 Dares” could have been cute had it been better planned out with a better script and better actors and “dares” that were all wholesome (as most of them were). Unfortunately, the first dare was the tacky “go to bar and give your phone number to 12 strangers” – yuck! The actress who plays the sister is better than the lead actress, but they both acted silly, especially with lines like “Yay! Hot girl winter!” – cringe! And the lead actor is just not my version of swoony – more like an effeminate nerd. I kept watching for a while and just when I’d think there was some cute banter or positive elements, they’d go and ruin it with more silly scenes and subpar acting. This thing was a train wreck. It was a Reel One movie so, of course, it had the obligatory annoying and odd background music that plays too loudly through scenes where people are talking. And I don’t think it was even Christmas music (unless it was some weird version of Jingle Bells), it sounded more like oompa-loompa polka music or game show music that’s been slowed way down. What was that?!! So, I probably only made it a third of the way through. What I saw was family friendly and I’m guessing a teenage crowd might like this movie better than I did. ~~Jane
Sunday, December 8, 2024:
Storyline: An executive evaluates her company’s property and begins to draw up plans for transforming the rustic old lodge into a hot tourist attraction.
Airs Sunday, December 8, 2024
at 8pm/7c. for the first time
on Great American Family
Sunday, December 8, 2024:
Storyline: Leah Meyer (Arlook) is a bonafide lover of Christmas - the trees, the ornaments, the eggnog! But she has always admired the holiday from afar because she's Jewish. Though her family celebrates Hanukkah, Leah has longed to experience a traditional Christmas. When her boyfriend Graham (Roderick) invites her to spend the holidays with his classic Connecticut family, she eagerly accepts. Excited to dive into the quintessential Christmas she's always dreamed of, Leah quickly discovers that fitting in with Graham's uptight family and his not-so-welcoming mom (Niven) is easier said than done. As holiday traditions clash and awkward moments pile up, it is not quite the cozy Christmas that she expected.
Premieres Sunday, December 8, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Sunday, December 8, 2024:
Storyline: Nora Winters (Teri Hatcher), the fiercely talented writer-turned-CEO of her own lifestyle brand, PRISM, finds herself in a tight spot when the company’s future hangs in the balance. In a desperate attempt to save her business through a partnership with the popular dating app, Take To Heart, she discovers an unexpected twist! The only way to win them over is to write a column on falling in love by Christmas with the help of Jack (Dan Payne), a charismatic photographer who has been assigned to the piece.
Premieres Sunday, December 8, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
Movie Reviews:
🎄 How to Fall In Love By Christmas - is a clean and very, very delightful romp! -Maria
🎄 I watched a cute movie last night. It was "How to Fall in Love by Christmas". My husband and I really enjoyed it. It was clean and a lot of fun. Teri Hatcher and Dan Payne were the leads and they had warm, natural chemistry. It was nice seeing older leads fall in love. :-) They had a really interesting meet-cute. I laughed out loud. ~Joan
🎄 How to Fall in Love by Christmas. Cute movie with more mature leads, which I appreciated. Teri and Dan were great and believable (the meet-cute was fun). The premise about the 10-step dating article and the company board not being happy was a bit convoluted and confusing to me but it didn’t really affect my enjoyment of the movie. This was a nice little standard Christmas movie with some warm “feels” good for a one-time watch (and possibly a re-watch in the future?). Not as good as Teri’s “A Kiss Before Christmas” from two years ago. Family friendly. ~~Jane
🎄 How to Fall in Love by Christmas – This Christmas movie, starring Teri Hatcher and Dan Payne, was such a delightful watch. I enjoyed the comedy (such a fun meet-cute!) and heartwarming moments, too. It is such an easy-going, enjoyable movie that will surely leave you with a smile on your face. ~Net
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! If it's chilly where you are, bundle up and keep warm, and be safe as you are traveling.
The two NEW Christmas movies that intrigue me the most this weekend are: Private Princess Christmas and Once Upon a Christmas Wish.
Please note: I haven't pre-screened all of the new movies listed above. If you'd like to post a review on whether a film is family-friendly, please share in comments. By the way, there are reviews above for two movies: A Christmas Thief and 12 Dares of Christmas.
The majority of us have likely seen Candace Cameron Bure and Jesse Hutch in Let it Snow, which has a special premiere showing Sunday night on Great American Family. The film initially premiered in 2013 (11 years ago!), and it's still one that viewers love. There's just something extra warm and cozy about this movie that I've always enjoyed, and I can't help from wondering if GAF might consider creating a sequel. Perhaps, Brady (Jesse Hutch) and Stephanie (Candace Cameron Bure) are married now and running the inn, and a new love blossoms at Snow Valley Lodge. And it must all happen at Christmastime, of course! Anyway, that could be fun! What do you think?
Visit the *Christmas TV Schedule* for the dates and times of NEW Christmas movies.
You can find the 2024 Christmas Movie Review post *here*.
Happy Christmas Movie-Watching!
Net 🎄
SHINING HIS LIGHT:
A Scripture for the first week of Advent, which represents hope and expectation...
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
King James Version
Rudolph gifts for everyone...
(click on items below for more details)
Another busy weekend for me!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I'd love a Let it Snow sequel! -Maria
Nothing really stands out here.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Private Princess Christmas could turn out turn out to be good but there's no way I will ever watch a Mario Lopez movie again and I hope I'm wrong but I continue to have bad vibes about Sugarplummed - Florence
Florence, Sugarplummed is about Emily wishes for a perfect Christmas just like Christmas movies: Sugarplum. She watches Sugarplum: A Royal Holiday. It’s out that Emily wishes she isn’t expect that Sugarplum comes out of computer monitor. She has snowflakes fingerprints & thumbprints. Sugarplum helps Emily when they find themselves a quite of adventure just before Sugarplum returns to computer monitor that Emily watched Christmas movies; Sugarplum
DeleteFlorence, I agree with you and Sabrina; I, too, have bad vibes about Sugarplummed. I've seen a few early reviews online but everyone is being suspiciously quiet and vague about the particulars. There's no real leading man talked about and the wording in the ads makes the whole thing sound very much like it's going to be a same-sex romance. Hopefully, our suspicions are wrong and it's just a quirky, sweet movie. Also, supposedly there are some cameo celeb appearances? ~~Jane
DeleteI absolutely LOVE your "Let it Snow" sequel idea. That would be amazing!
ReplyDeleteHappy movie watching friends! I will be recording about half of these and will try to report back on reviews as our weekend will be super busy. Our 6 year old will be dancing in our town’s annual Christmas parade tonight with her dance studio to “sleigh ride” by The Ronette’s. The dance is so cute, wish I could post a video for you all to see. And then we are having a cookie baking party with my mom/sisters/nieces this weekend. I am especially looking forward to the “Once Upon a Christmas” and “The Christmas Thief”
ReplyDelete~Paula
Also, wanted to let you all know the Reel One Entertainment movie, "Snowy with a Chance of Christmas," starring Andrea Brooks and Giles Panton (two stars we all know well from Hallmark), will be streaming on Peacock beginning December 10th, and it will be available soon on Prime Video and Apple+.
ReplyDeleteA Dance in the Snow is an incredible movie! Anyone who loved A World Record Christmas will love this! -Maria
ReplyDeleteIs Leah's perfect gift not family recommended
ReplyDeleteChris, I'm not aware of anything, but you never know.
Deletelooking forward to the extended Rudolph.
ReplyDeleteI will wait to see if Sugarplummed is good or not from reviews. It seems suspect.
ReplyDeleteLeahs Perfect Gift kind of looks good. I always love the movies where they go to a families house and do all the holiday things.
I am just thinking here, I might watch Private Princess. It looks good. even though it is a royal movie. I like the actress. Mario Lopez movie looks good too.
Maybe Sugarplummed will be fine. It seems HM didn't have their weekend with same sex couple lead movies yet. They either skipped it, or we might see it here.
Sabrina
Sabrina, Emily holds a golden star to make a wish that she wants a picture perfect Christmas when she watched Christmas movies: A Sugarplum Christmas & Sugarplum: A Royal Holiday. When Sugarplum comes out from computer monitor in the night? She has snowflakes fingerprints & thumbprints. Sugarplum helps Emily & they find themselves a quite heartwarming adventure. Sugarplum returns to computer monitor to jump into computer screen that Emily watches watch various Christmas movies: Sugarplum movies.
DeleteIt seems Lacey's movie will not be the highest rated for the year. It does seem it will be the Chiefs movie, but it is far less than previous years not even breaking 3 million. Wonder what happened with Lacey's sunday night movie?
ReplyDeleteSabrina
It actually did pretty badly which usy with only 1.57m overnight viewers which is odd considering her co-star was Kristoffer Polaha.
DeleteThere's always the caveat that more people are recording to watch later so the final rstings could pick up.
Things don't look good for cable televidion - there are 30m less people watching now than 6 years ago.
There could be some weariness too = I think Hallmark over-extended themselves this year they had far too many new Christmas movies on offer - Florence
Hi to Net and all of my friends here!
ReplyDeleteI am an adult, but I still watch certain Christmas specials annually. I can't help myself. Every year, I am transported back to my childhood which still brings me so much joy. Some of the specials are a little dated and some are a bit silly but I do not care. I look forward to watching 'Rudolph', 'A Charlie Brown Christmas', 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' and even 'Frosty'. 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' is my all-time favorite and it still brings tears to my eyes. I sometimes wish the world was that way again. Times were simpler. People were thoughtful, courteous and gracious. Respect was the norm. You were not looked down upon or chastised for loving God and Jesus. I know those values are still present in the world and especially here but sadly this is not the case in a lot of places.
My Catholic ancestors, on both sides of my family, have been in this country for a really long time. My grandfather, on my mom's side, ancestors came over in 1634 and built the first catholic church in the original 13 colonies in Maryland. They migrated to Kentucky in the late 1700's and built the 2nd oldest Catholic Church here. :-) And, Catholics, on my dad's side, also migrated to Kentucky in the late 1700's. So yes, faith has played a role in my family's history for a really long time and is something I am very proud of. :-) And, I am so very thankful to have this special place to come to to hang out with friends who also have strong faith!
Oh, Joan... that is so beautiful!!! I think many of us, even as adults, still cherish those beloved Christmas cartoons from our childhood. I know I still do! It brought me such joy to watch Rudolph last night, but I sure miss Charlie Brown (my #1 favorite, as well) airing on TV and telling everyone what Christmas is all about. I always find time to still play my own DVD copy and my family all gathers around to watch. (I hope you were able to see 'Rudolph' last night, too. If not there is an encore showing on NBC and more on Freeform.)
DeleteYou are so right... values are so different today, and I find the effort some people put into the Christmas season has changed, as well. But we will have to keep shining our light, even in this dark world. :)
I loved your whole wonderful post, Joan..."Every year, I am transported back to my childhood which still brings me so much joy". I feel just like this.
DeleteHi Net,
DeleteOh, thank you so much for the sweet comment! Yes, when the true meaning of Christmas is shared, during "Charlie Brown", is my favorite part of the show. I too miss it being on TV and like you, I pull out my copy of my DVD and watch it every year. Also, I did watch "Rudolph". I was grinning from ear to ear. My husband gets a kick out my 'childlike wonder' whenever we watch classic Christmas shows from my childhood. :-) We definitely have to keep our light, even in this dark world.
Hi Jim,
Oh thank you so much too for your sweet comment! It made me smile. :-) I really appreciate it. :-)
Was going to watch the new Princess movie but can’t miss Rudolph tonight. By the way, I like the pajamas you shared.
ReplyDeleteAllie B, Me, too! I couldn't miss 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's' anniversary special. Sooo sweet!
DeleteAnd I'm glad you liked the jammies. I love that they have sizes for the whole family, and everyone loves Rudolph! :)
Sugarplummed (2024)
ReplyDeleteI watched The Finnish Line promo movie trailer - I realize Christmas movie; Sugarplum: A Royal Holiday that Emily watched it on her computer monitor on her desk
I watched A Dance in the Snow when I saw 2nd Sugarplummed promo trailer. There’s another Christmas movie of Sugarplum called; “A Sugarplum Christmas”, that Emily watches it her computer monitor on her desk.
There’s 2 Sugarplum Christmas movies
A Sugarplum Christmas
Sugarplum: A Royal Holiday
Even there’s more Christmas movies: Sugarplum movies
This movie is so good!!!
Sugarplum helps Emily. She’s knitting a sweater - knitting & stitching
I wonder if Sugarplum makes snow & she’s holding a male teenager at school?
I just have to say:
ReplyDeleteA Dance in the Snow-
Is Extraordinarily Inspiring💞💞
I could use countless words and not convey my Love for this movie!!
Sidenote:
Interesting how Hallmark is gushing over,
Touchdown-Chiefs movie's ratings- around 2.9 million...
Yet 2020 Christmas Waltz was close to 3.9 million, and Hallmark treats its like the plague.
The first:
Three wise man and a baby- was also close to or maybe around 4 million, don't know what the sequel did?
Just noticing how they approach their business.
Hope everyone has a blessed weekend-
Be careful & Safe wherever you live, it might be frightful🎵🎵
Kathy, Thank you for your sweet comment. Our weather has been frightfully cold lately, but we are improving some this weekend. Thankfully! Hope it's nice for you in Texas.
DeleteI totally agree about the movie 'Christmas Waltz'! I absolutely adore that movie, but it seems that Hallmark hardly ever gives it a nice primetime showing. It is generally overlooked, but in my opinion, it's one of Hallmark's best.
Ratings are even harder to get these days with all the streaming options, plus news and sports.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! :)
Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
Delete2.88 millions
The viewers aren’t interesting watching that movie
Net, the reason that Hallmark is gushing over Holiday Touchdown : A Chiefs Love Story is it’s a hallmark production. The Christmas Waltz is a Brad Krevoy Television production and Hallmark was not involved in the production.They only aired it. Everyone thinks they produced every movie.
DeletePrivate Princess Christmas is without a doubt 1 of the best Hallmark movies of this year! (and there's a cameo early on from Brendan Penny!). -Maria
ReplyDeleteMaria, That's wonderful to hear! I hope Ali Skovbye becomes a regular at making movies with Hallmark.
DeleteWatched Private Princess Christmas last night. It is a great movie and family-friendly. It’s not the normal royal kind of movie. I also hope we see more of Ali in lead roles.
DeleteI was watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
ReplyDeleteI saw a full movie trailer of Sugarplummed is certainly family friendly
I notice people watching Christmas movies about Sugarplum - A Sugarplum Christmas & Sugarplum: A Royal Holiday on wall-mounted TV at the office pace.
Sugarplum has snow globe that make snow
Emily wishes a perfect Christmas when she holds a golden Christmas Star so, Sugarplum steps out of Computer monitor.
Sugarplum returns to computer monitor to jump into the screen
I’m watching Private Princess Christmas
ReplyDeleteI saw sneak peek of SUgarplummed
Career Day in the classroom at school
I think that Emily has a teenager Son when Sugarplum hands him a snow globe to shake it when it lit up so, there’s snow in the hallway. Sugarplum gives thom a snowball in his hand.
Snowball fights!!!
Sugarplummed
ReplyDeleteEmily has a family - her husband & kids
So happy to say that Sugarplummed is 100% a clean movie! And it's basically Hallmark paroding itself in all kinds of crazy ways! (plus 2 fun cameos from Fiona Gubleman and Victor Webster!). -Maria
ReplyDeleteOnce Upon a Christmas Wish is 1 of the best GAF movies of the Season! -Maria
ReplyDeleteSugarplummed is family friendly about when Emily holds a golden Christmas Star that grant wish & she wishes for a perfect Christmas with her family, her Husband named Ben & their children named Max & Nina; like the ones found in popular Sugarplum movies, she shocked when Sugarplum herself appears from computer monitor to help Emily fulfill it. Sugarplum has rules book just Gibbs’ rules from NCIS. Sugarplum helps Emily with her family. Christmas star tree topping sends Sugarplum back to TV screen in the family room. The Mitchell Family watch Sugarplum Marathon. They watch “A Sugarplum Christmas”, on The Harmony Home Network on TV in the Family Room.
ReplyDeleteOnce Upon a Christmas Wish is family friendly about a local town Mayor named Brian Ortega rediscovers the joy & spirit of the holiday season when his childhood Christmas wish list starts to magically come true. He doesn’t expected his wishes come true. Santa has Brian’s 4th grade Christmas wish list when he puts a letter for Santa in Santa Letter Box. Nina has a beautiful singing voice & she stays in Long Grove so, he read it.
ReplyDeleteA Very Merry Beauty Salon is clean. -Maria
ReplyDeleteSugarplummed
ReplyDeleteCelebrities make cameos
Carlo Marks
Fiona Gubelmann
Victor Webster
Leah’s perfect gift is not family friendly. Boyfriend has a gay sister in less than 5 min in. Had to turn off, so sad.
ReplyDeleteBTW, for anyone who got a look at the sneak peaks for The Santa Class, yes, that's Paul Campbell you're seeing as 1 of the Santas. -Maria
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteSo, this past weekend's slate of movies honestly didn't excite me all that much but there are definitely a few I recorded that I am looking forward to watching with my husband. I am so very thankful is likes to watch Christmas movies with me.
I will be watching the following new movies "Once Upon a Christmas", "Sugarplummed", "A Very Merry Beauty Salon" and one oldie but goodie "Let it Snow". I have seen "Let it Snow" multiple times over the years and watching it now is bittersweet since Alan is no longer with us. Of course, I already watched "Rudolph" and grinned from ear to ear while I watched it. The soundtrack is so good.
Joan, Rudolph the Nosed Reindeer is 1 hour 15 minutes on NBC as the same as Freeform since CBS 1 hour
DeleteReview: Sugarplummed -
ReplyDeleteFamily-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Oh yes! -
Are you looking for that typical Hallmark movie with an intriguing romance? Well, this isn't it! What this is is a laugh-out-loud parody of a standard Hallmark Christmas movie. You can read a synopsis above, but what makes this so right-on is the "Book of Rules" - rules that cannot be broken in any such movie. So many of them had me laughing and saying to myself, "oh yeah, definitely"! And a big shout-out to the two female leads - Janel Parrish is just perfect as Sugarplum, the grantor of wishes who stars in Christmas movies. In fact, I can't imagine anyone else doing this role nearly as well! And Maggie Lawson is just as good as the person who wishes her life was like that in a Christmas movie. The ending of this movie veers off into a typical ending for a Hallmark movie, but that's to be expected. Honestly, I think this movie had me smiling from start to finish! In another recent review I mentioned a movie some years ago called "A Christmas Movie Christmas" that spoofed Hallmark Christmas movies, and while I didn't like this one as much as that one (which is one of my favorites), this one is still definitely worth watching and, for me, a definite keeper!
Thanks for the good review. I'm looking forward to the laughs! ~~Jane
DeleteHi Mark25,
DeleteSo happy that you loved this gem of a movie as much as I did! It was so much fun! And, my husband and I were quoting the movie last night and laughing just as hard as we did while watching it. The movie was so charming! As we often do, we agree on how great this movie was!
Hi Jane,
Yes you are in for a treat. :-)
Great to hear that Sugarplummed is family friendly I can watch it now.
ReplyDeleteI just had a bad feeling about it thankfully I was totally wrong - it has been getting great reviews right across the board although from the remarks on content it just might not be my cup of tea -we'll see - Florence
“Sugarplummed” - Oh my gosh! I don’t even know if I can convey, in a comment, how much my husband and I enjoyed this movie!! I honestly wouldn’t change anything! I laughed out loud so many times that I need to watch it again because I am sure I missed something. It was hilarious! Not just a checklist but a ‘Rule book’! Janel knew every one of the rules by heart. All of the cameos added to the fun. But there was some drama and sweet moments thrown in for good measure. I have always been drawn to movies/shows from the “meta” universe. So, this is one reason why I adored “Sugarplummed” so much. Also, Janel was “sublime” in her role. I agree with Mark25. I can’t imagine anyone else doing the role any better. And, then there was Maggie. I cherish her! She is from my hometown, and it was so good seeing her again in a Hallmark movie. She was excellent as Emily who only wanted to have the perfect Christmas with her family. Maggie and Janel were glorious together and I would welcome seeing them together again in another movie. This is another movie I will be buying when it is released on DVD. I highly recommend this charming film for anyone who is longing for a Hallmark movie that is a parody of itself. It was priceless and the enjoyment factor was off the charts!!!
ReplyDeleteJoan, So good to hear how much you, Mark, Maria, and others enjoyed this movie! This is such a pleasant surprise! I may have to leave this movie to one of my last to watch - knowing how much you loved it!!!! :)
DeleteHi Net,
DeleteThank you for making me smile first thing this morning! I look forward to settling in with a great cup of coffee and checking your lovely site, before I start my workday. :-) It warms my heart to read positive comments as well as reading people's movie reviews. I really hope you enjoy the movie as much as we did. It was a lot of fun!
Sugarplummed-I hesitated to watch this one because I'm not big on fantasy type movies, and something about the photo just didn't feel promising to me. But after seeing a few positive reviews here, I watched it and I am SO glad I did. It's a great family movie that is creative and sweet. And while I'm not big on movies with a "magic" theme, this one really pulled it off so well! There was depth and a pointing to the important things like family relationships over perfect-looking decor. I really enjoyed it. And the acting was really very good. ~LR
ReplyDeleteLR, It's wonderful to hear your positive review for this movie, too! Thank you for sharing with us! I'm so glad to know other reviews here encouraged you to watch! :)
DeleteHi LR,
DeleteSo happy to hear you decided to watch "Sugarplummed" because of the positive reviews and also I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the movie! :-)
Hey everyone, I am finally getting through the movies from last weekend! 😅
ReplyDeleteSugarplummed was so darn cute! Janel was perfect in her role, so natural and great chemistry with Maggie. The movie gave me “Pleasantville” vibes but family friendly. I too loved the cameos from other Hallmark stars. This was such a unique storyline and one many people have probably thought about, their holiday season being just like a Hallmark movie 😊
~Paula
"Once Upon a Christmas Wish" - My husband and I liked this one. It has gotten mixed reviews and I can understand why it wouldn't be everyone's 'cup of tea'. However, it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours. There was a mix of sweetness, charm, and yes parts of it bored on 'silly and corny'. But, I like movies that have some singing and dancing. Plus, Mario and Courtney's son was absolutely adorable. He is a natural. Anyway, Mario is an excellent dancer who reminds me of Gene Kelly. Fred Astaire came up multiple times, throughout the movie, but as I said, his dance style is more reminiscent of Gene's than Fred's.
ReplyDeleteThere was "magic" involved which doesn't always work but it worked in this movie because of how it tied the past to the present. Another plus for me, is I want to support someone whose faith is very strong and Mario's certainly is as well as his wife's. Mario has never been afraid to talk about his faith on social media. :-)
Rudolph the Nosed Reindeer reair tonight at 8pm-9:15pm on NBC
ReplyDelete“A Christmas Thief” was okay. From what I remember It was family friendly. The main actress was okay, the detective and boyfriend not so much. I continued with it though because I thought the couple who were working with the detectives were cute. I do enjoy storylines about Santa and I welcome any mysteries in holiday movies but this was a one time watch for me just due to the acting and production.
ReplyDelete~Paula
“Once Upon A Christmas Wish” was really cute. I enjoyed the little dancing scenes, it wasn’t over the top or annoying. I had seen Mario Lopez in another Christmas movie years ago on Lifetime and didn’t really care for it but he was better in this one. His son was so cute, literal mini me of his dad. It’s been done but I love these storylines where the little town comes together for a common goal.
ReplyDelete~Paula