"New Year New Movies" Continue...

Dear Friends, What a week this has been into the New Year. Our country has experienced so much in just a few short days. Where do we go from here in these uncertain, confusing times?

All I can say is, I don't know what tomorrow holds, but as the old precious hymn says, "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, but I know Who holds tomorrow and I know Who holds my hand." I pray we all seek and look to The Lord to see us through each and every day in 2021.

"A New Year’s Resolution" is the first movie premiering this weekend. Have you made any resolutions this year? My goal is to spend even more time on important things - such as: more time in Bible study and fun time with my family, and maybe, a little less screen time. (Which is rather hard since I blog about movies! But... everything in moderation, right? *sigh*) Please share your resolutions in comments below and see details on the movies premiering this weekend in this post...

Saturday, January 9, 2021:

A New Year’s Resolution

Story-line via Hallmark: When a morning show producer makes a New Year's resolution to say yes more, she crosses paths with a confirmed Yes man who just might hold the key to her biggest story and to her heart. (see more - here) 

A New Year’s Resolution premieres

Saturday, January 9, 2021

at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel 

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Sunday, January 10, 2021:

Blueprint to The Heart

Storyline via UP: A talented host and designer of a high-end renovation television show is forced to change her show format to include life makeovers as well after her ratings dip. However, when she tries to upscale the handsome and down-to-Earth subject of her first episode, she must choose between chasing ratings or following her heart. (see more - here)

Blueprint to The Heart premieres

Sunday, January 10, 2021

at 7pm/6c. on UPtv 

Please Note: I have not pre-screened these new movies. If you happen to catch one of them and would like to share if they are family friendly, please leave a comment. Thank you!

I hope you all have a relaxing, peaceful weekend.

Be safe and take care, everyone...

Blessings to you in this new year! Net

SHINING HIS LIGHT:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”

~Numbers 6:24-26

🔔Ring in 2021🔔 with NEW YEAR NEW MOVIES on the Hallmark Channel! ⛷❄SEE HERE:

Taking a Shot at Love

Premieres: Saturday, January 2 9pm/8c

Starring: Alexa PenaVega and Luke Macfarlane

Story-line: Jenna, a former professional dancer, uses ballet to help a hockey player get back on the ice.


"Taking a Shot at Love" in depth story-line: Jenna (PenaVega) is a former professional dancer who now teaches ballet to children in her Connecticut town. Jenna’s sports agent cousin convinces her to take on his NHL client Ryan “Coop” Cooper (Macfarlane), a star player for the NY Rangers, who has been nursing the same injury that sidelined Jenna’s dance career years before. At first, Coop doesn’t embrace the balletas-therapy plan but ultimately agrees to it as it’s his best chance to get back out on the ice and do what he loves. Likewise, Jenna isn’t sold on her cousin’s proposal but her dance school is struggling and the money from this job would allow her to continue to follow her passion and spread her love of dance. So, Ryan takes up temporary residence in the cozy guest house on her farm and the two get to work. After a bumpy start, Ryan begins to listen to her instruction and when he fully buys in, begins to make progress in his recovery. As Jenna and Ryan spend more time together outside of ballet class – taking in the local Winterfest Arts Fair, enjoying game night with her neighbors and best friends during a power outage on a snowy night – it’s clear there’s a growing attraction between them. But when it’s time for Ryan to go back to New York and lace up his skates again it’s a bittersweet return. Jenna and Ryan must each consider the paths they want to take and just maybe, love will find its way.


Reviews:

❄"family friendly... cute movie. I liked the tone it had and the chemistry between the leads was great!" ~ Misty

❄"We loved it! Definitely family friendly. Alexa and Luke are two of our Hallmark favorites." ~ Namegirl

❄"Taking a Shot at Love – This movie is a perfect balance of hockey and ballet. I enjoyed the story of Jenna and Ryan – getting to know one another… Jenna teaching Ryan the techniques of ballet to help him overcome his injury and Ryan encouraging Jenna to follow her dreams. The in-depth storyline Hallmark gave above - really gives a terrific guide to the story. I particularly loved the scene where an ice storm hit late one night and the power goes out. Ryan walks over to Jenna’s home from the guest house and Jenna’s neighbors come over to play games and then go on home – wearing their special ice shoes. Ryan doesn’t have these shoes, so Jenna convinces him to stay the night – fearing ironically this hockey star might reinjure himself if he fell on the ice. So… Jenna and Ryan camp out in the living room on separate couches near the fire. It’s a cozy, warm scene – that shows how far Jenna and Ryan have come in their friendship/relationship. Family Friendly. Sweet movie." ~Net


❄"Oh, and I also finally got around to watching Taking a Shot at Love and loved, loved that one, just as so many others on here did." ~~Jane

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A New Year’s Resolution

Premieres: Saturday, January 9 9pm/8c

Starring: Aimee Teegarden and Michael Rady

Story-line: When a morning show producer makes a New Year's resolution to say yes more, she crosses paths with a confirmed Yes man who just might hold the key to her biggest story and to her heart.

"A New Year’s Resolution" in depth story-line: Local Milwaukee morning show producer Kelly Leone (Teegarden) makes a New Year’s resolution that she cannot say no to any social invitation for a full month. When she reluctantly agrees to become the subject of her show’s month-long on-air experiment about the resolution, Kelly really goes outside her comfort zone and participates in all kinds of activities and events she would normally decline. The one thing she never counted on, however, is the possibility of falling in love with charismatic businessman Tom Malone (Rady).

Reviews:

❄"A New Year’s Resolution was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!! I definitely will be adding this movie to my DVD collection. The entire cast and crew, EXCELLENT WORK!!!" ~ Anonymous

❄"A New Year’s Resloution is family friendy" ~Anonymous

❄"I loved "A New Year's Resolution". Michael Rady made that movie perfect! Michael is a great actor. He enjoys his work!" ~kitkat

❄"A New Year's Resolution" is one of the best Hallmark movies ever, in my opinion. It is far and above the usual same old, same old fare. The whole look and feel and writing of it are very high quality. Aimee Teegarden is impossibly adorable, and even Michael Rady has some pep in his step, (for once.)" :) ~Amy G.

❄"Now I know why the New Yrs movie with Michael Rady and Aimee Teagarden was held back a year--not a movie that I cared for." ~Anonymous

❄"A New Year’s Resolution. Really liked it. Kind of refreshing. Not sure if it’s a keeper, but it’s worth a watch. Loved the board game café, what a great idea, a perfect spot for a date or get together. Family friendly (unless you want to avoid due to the next bit of info). Somewhere on this site someone mentioned an objection to this movie because of a scene with “levitation”. I am not a fan of anything “magic”, but that scene was a very quick blip in the movie and was no different than watching a magician at the fair or on tv. The lead actress’s character takes on a challenge to go outside of her comfort zone and say “yes” to any and all challenges. If I recall correctly, she has a fear of things like magicians, so, naturally, someone challenges her and she has to assist a magician on live television. The magician does an illusion that makes it appear she is sitting on thin air. The whole scene is very brief and not a highlight of the movie." ~Jane


❄"A New Year’s Resolution is fun and family-friendly. I enjoyed the easy banter conversations between the two leads, portrayed by Michael Rady and Aimee Teagarden. Their first meeting is extra cute… they have an instant spark that drew me in. The various events and challenges are entertaining to watch. It is delightfully unique to have this movie celebrating the New Year’s holiday!" ~Net

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Two for the Win

Premieres: Saturday, January 16 9pm/8c

Starring: Charlotte Sullivan and Trevor Donovan

Story-line: A world champion ski racer and local ski instructor find romance on the slopes as he returns home and prepares for the biggest race of his life.


Reviews:

❄"For me, the best Hallmark movies are the ones made with real snow. Living in the south, we don't have snow often. Loved "Two For The Win"! Have watched this 3 times! My favorite of the new movies. Trevor Donovan has a sweet personality." ~kitkat

❄"Two for the Win" was enjoyable. Trevor Donovan is easily one of Hallmark's best guy actors, I think. I didn't care for his dad or for the leading lady (or her horrifically dyed hair) during the first half of the movie, but they all got nicer and straightened out for the second half. All the skiing scenes helped keep my husband awake, which is good." ~Amy G.


❄Amy, I've been noticing some really bad dye jobs this year, too! What is up with that?!?! If I can make it to my hair salon (in a covid-crazy, super-lockdown state!), surely these actors and actresses can find a professional hair stylist to color their hair??? Agree with your points about the leading lady and the dad. I ended up liking this movie, even with the bad hair." :) ~~Jane

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A Winter Getaway

(Previous Title: Love in the Alps)

Premieres: Saturday, January 23 9pm/8c

Starring: Nazneen Contractor and Brooks Darnell

Story-line: When an average guy is gifted a luxury trip, he is mistaken as a millionaire. But then, sparks fly with the lovely concierge. Will she feel the same way about him when she learns the truth?


Review:

❄"A Winter Getaway. I really liked this movie and enjoyed a vicarious winter getaway to such a beautiful place. The lead actor and actress were good and it was nice to see some new faces on Hallmark. The dialogue was sometimes drowned out by too-loud music, not sure what was up with that. Family friendly." ~~Jane


❄"A Winter Getaway To use a familiar forum phrase - it wasn't terrible but for me it was quite dull. I didn't really feel a lot of chemistry between the leads and although they were much of an age I thought the heroine looked considerably older than the hero. It's hard too to believe that an experienced concierge or staff at a top class hotel wouldn't immediately realise that someone was not used to the lifestyle he was living in. The scenery was a plus and I enjoyed the curling and dog-mushing, a couple of nice new touches from Hallmark. Don't know what was happening at the end - just about able to hear the denouement conversation against the overloud background music - the Hallmark technology department are bound to have been aware of this and one wonders why they wouldn't have fixed this before airing it? Just okay to watch but not for the rewatch pile." ~Anonymous

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Snowkissed

Premieres: Saturday, January 30 9pm/8c

Starring: Jen Lilley and Chris McNally

Story-line: A travel-averse journalist chases her dream assignment where she unwillingly finds herself mentoring a handsome B&B owner who wants to be a tour guide.

Reviews:

❄"Now there is no doubt. Jen and Kevin are much better in "A Winter Love Story" than Jen and Chris in "Snowkissed". I love both guys so that had nothing to do with it. This movie I will not keep on my DVR. It is family friendly, but I did not like the vibes I got from the guy playing Chris's partner. Strange! Did anyone else feel this or am I weird?" ~kitkat

❄"Snowkissed is adorable." ~Denise

❄"I loved Snowkissed. I didn't have any qualms about this movie. Am I missing something blatant in this movie? "Business partner" was stressed. I didn't feel or see anything creepy going on. All four main actors played their parts well. Chris showed Noah's vulnerability toward the end when Kate left. He looked like he was losing half of his heart when she left for Manhattan. I liked his acting. At the gondola ride mountain top: paraphrased, Noah says he thinks that she is right about not wanting more, "especially when everything you ever wanted is standing right in front of you." ~Namegirl

❄"Had a hard time getting past the first 45 minutes of Snow Kissed. Chris seemed to be tense and not his usual acting ability. Jen was over kill in her character, but that did improve and well as Chris's acting as the movie progressed. I did get the vibes from Chris and his business partner that "kitkat" mentioned in her review. It was very uncomfortable. I might would watch it again, not sure at this point. Hallmark is not making the quality movies they once were. The mystery series as usually much better." ~Joyce

❄"Seems that many are comparing Snowkissed with the Jen Lilley/ Kevin McGarry movie A Winter Love Story - now it was one of the best Hallmark movies last year so it was always going to be hard for Snowkissed to equal it. Having said that I'm really surprised by all the negative comments Snowkissed has been receiving. When I saw the New Year's list this was the one that caught my eye as I like Jen Lilley and I was so excited to see the return of Chris McNally. However after reading the reviews I wasn't expecting a lot from it. There was a movie last Christmas from Lifetime which involved a veterinary surgeon and one of your contributors picked up on vibes between the two partners. Strangely both my husband and myself also got these although it seemed to more the partner than the hero himself - he seemed to want to touch him a lot. However neither of us picked up anything untoward between the two guys in Snowkissed - they were simply two partners in a business venture who had a great bond of friendship. I think both Jen and Chris played their parts well - Jen portraying someone who was way out of her comfort zone, I liked the chemistry between the two and the plot was quite interesting. Unusually for Hallmark the ending was pretty good too - I particularly liked the way each showed their vulnerability yet determination. Now it may very well be that the low expectations made this seem better than it was but I thoroughly enjoyed it. If I was rating it I would give it a 7.5 out of 10." ~Anonymous

❄"Snowkissed. It was okay. Not a keeper, for me. The lead actor’s business partner – seemed too awkward or stiff – not sure if it was the actor or the way his character was written. Beautiful scenery. Family friendly." ~Jane

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I'm thrilled we are finally going to be able to see "A New Year's Resolution" starring Aimee Teegarden and Michael Rady in January! Yay! I know many of us have been waiting and hoping a whole year to see it. That should be fun to have a New Years themed movie in the new year - with holiday décor and Christmassy lights!

Check out reviews above to see which movies are family friendly.

Joyous Blessings! Net