Hello, Movie Friends! The weekend is upon us once again!
Three new movies premiere over this extended weekend that leads to Presidents' Day on Monday!
The choices include two Hallmark movies; one is a mix of modern-day and Regency era, while the other is present-day. UPtv's newest rom-com will take viewers on a trip to Hawaii.
Plus, there are encores of FOUR wonderful Christmas movies! Yes, FOUR!!!! Be sure to look for them below in the Programming Notes.
See all of the movie details below, along with my thoughts on the *NEW* Premieres...
Saturday, February 17, 2024:
*Loveuary continues with a Jane Austen-inspired romance...
Storyline: Harriet, who thinks that no real man compares to Mr. Darcy, is transported into Pride & Prejudice and gets an unexpected chance to find out.
Saturday, February 17, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Sunday, February 18, 2024:
*UPtv's Flirty February makes a splash with...
Storyline: Leah, a successful but dissatisfied executive, discovers the missing passion from her life when she starts taking hula dance lessons from a handsome local Ikaika.
Premieres Sunday, February 18, 2024
at 7pm/6c. on UPtv
Monday, February 19, 2024:
*Hallmark Channel's all-new *Presidents' Day* special Monday movie premiere...
Storyline: A pigeonholed chef determined to make her name as a respected culinary chef returns to her hometown. While reconnecting with her childhood sweetheart, she receives an offer she can't refuse.
Premieres Monday, February 19, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
*Programming Notes:
Highlights of the best (not all) movies airing this weekend...
Hallmark Channel:
Friday:
One Royal Holiday - 8pm
Write Before Christmas - 10pm
Saturday:
Sweet Autumn, Unleashing Mr. Darcy, A Country Wedding, Paging Mr. Darcy, It Was Always You, An American in Austen (premiere), and October Kiss
Sunday:
When Love Springs, My One and Only, The Story of Us, and An American in Austen (encore)
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries:
(soon to be Hallmark Mystery on March 6)
Saturday:
Matchmaker Mysteries - 7pm
Mystery on Mistletoe Lane - 9pm
Sunday:
Murder She Wrote marathon
Hallmark Drama:
(soon to be Hallmark Family on February 28)
Saturday:
The Beach House, The Magic of Ordinary Days, Love in Paradise, etc.
Sunday:
Royal Hearts, High Flying Romance, Campfire Kiss, etc.
Great American Family:
Friday:
The Winter Palace - 4pm
A Harvest Homecoming - 6pm
A Christmas Blessing - 8pm
Saturday:
Murder She Wrote marathon
Sunday:
Columbo marathon
UPtv:
Saturday and Sunday:
Various rom-coms, including Romance in Hawaii premiere and Baked with a Kiss encore
Happy weekend, everyone!
My Take on the New Movies...
An American in Austen...
Only two of the new Jane Austen-inspired movies have premiered, thus far, on the Hallmark Channel, and I'm already hearing some viewers say they are over this theme. While Paging Mr Darcy was well-liked by many, Love & Jane (from the reviews I've read) did not have the same fate. Nothing can quite compare to the Jane Austen originals, in my opinion, especially not a modern-day spin. Of course, some will like them, but they are not going to be everyone's cup of tea.
With the third Austen-infused Loveuary movie premiering this Saturday night, it should be interesting to see how well it is received. An American in Austen appears to be loosely based on the Lost in Austen British television series from 2008, which I must mention is TV-14. According to ratings, however, this new Hallmark movie is TV-G.
I'm also wondering if An American in Austen will have the same draw for viewers as the first two Loveuary movies- since the leads aren't well-known in the Hallmark movie world, except for Nicholas Bishop, who previously starred in Hallmark's A Paris Proposal. Even still, I'm sure many viewers will likely not know him by name or recognize him.
On a positive note, I've read some random reviews from those who watched An American in Austen early via streaming on Hallmark Movies Now, and they said they enjoyed it very much. I'm personally looking forward to giving the movie a try, as long as it ends up being truly family-friendly.
*UPDATE: An American in Austen is family-friendly, according to our friends, Abigail and Laura. (Thank you, lovely ladies!) See their reviews here and here!
Romance in Hawaii...
As for UPtv's new movie, Romance in Hawaii, this film has also been available to view on some streaming sources. In addition to premiering Sunday night on UPtv, it is currently available to watch via Freevee (free with ads).
A woman, whose name is Katie, left this positive movie review for Romance in Hawaii on Amazon: "I have lived in Hawaii and am a haole, so I could relate to Kelley Jakle's character. I too loved hula, took lessons, and wanted to fit in. My husband was raised on Oahu, and he loved this movie as well because it featured not only many wonderful locations and scenery on Oahu, but it also featured the Hawaiian culture. Cedric Jonathan and Kelley Jakle are two very talented people. They both can sing, act, and dance hula all extremely well. This movie is clean and appropriate for all ages. We ended up buying it so we can watch it often."
Please know that I personally have not seen Romance in Hawaii, but I found Katie's review to be encouraging, so I wanted to share it with all of you!
A Taste of Love...
And one more movie... the Hallmark Channel is giving us the bonus of a Monday Movie Premiere on President's Day with A Taste of Love! I'm hopeful this will be a delicious treat, and I think some will enjoy the reprieve from the Jane Austen-themed movies.
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Please note: I haven't pre-screened the movies listed above. If you'd like to post a review on whether a film is family-friendly, please share in the comments.
Blessings on your Weekend,
Net
SHARING HIS LOVE:
Taste and see
that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one
who takes refuge in Him.
~Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
