Lifetime Christmas Movie "The Flight before Christmas" starring Mayim Bialik & Ryan Mcpartlin

MOVIE REVIEW

Movie: The Flight before Christmas

Previously titled: Accidental Trip

Network: Lifetime

Original Air Date: December 5, 2015

CAST:

Mayim Bialik
Ryan McPartlin
Reginald VelJohnson
Jo Marie Payton
Gib Gerard

PLOT:

via Lifetime:

Excited to take the next step in their relationship and move in with her boyfriend, Stephanie is crushed when he drops the bombshell that he wants to break up. Faced with spending the holidays heartbroken and homeless, she decides to fly home to Connecticut. On a red-eye the day before Christmas, Stephanie finds herself seated next to Michael, who is planning to propose to his college girlfriend. The two get off to a rocky start but things get even worse when the pilot announces that a huge, unexpected snowstorm is crossing the country. Their flight is diverted to a small town in Montana where Stephanie snags the last available room at the town's bed and breakfast. Despite their differences, she offers to share the room with Michael and try their best to get along.

 

Mayim Bialik & Ryan Mcpartlin - having fun with props, between takes
Image via: Mayim Bialik's Instagram

Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...

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Lifetime Thanksgiving Movie : Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow

MOVIE REVIEW

Movie: Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow

Network: Lifetime

Original Air Date: November 21, 2015

a LIFETIME ORIGINAL THANKSGIVING MOVIE

*Based on a story by Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets.

CAST:

Mary Steenburgen
Jay Harrington
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges
Graham Verchere
Genevieve Buechner.


PLOT:

via Lifetime: Just in time for Thanksgiving, Lifetime joins forces with The Jim Henson Company on the Lifetime Original Movie, Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow. The live-action family-friendly film is based on original characters and story written in 1968 by creative mastermind Jim Henson and his longtime writing partner, Jerry Juhl.

The movie follows the story of the Emmerson family, recently divorced father Ron (Jay Harrington) and his kids Tim (Graham Verchere) and Annie (Genevieve Buechner), as they head to the quaint town of Turkey Hollow to spend a rustic Thanksgiving at the farm of Ron’s eccentric Aunt Cly (Mary Steenburgen). Surprised by the lack of internet and technology in Turkey Hollow, Tim and Annie soon find themselves swept up in tracking the “Howling Hoodoo,” an elusive monster that, up until now, Turkey Hollow residents have long dismissed as mere legend. The Thanksgiving holiday threatens to take a bleak turn when a scheming neighbor frames Aunt Cly for turkey theft, but the fractured family teams up with some surprising new friends to save the day. Ludacris appears as an on-screen narrator in the film.


Movie Review:

Coming...

See or Skip:

Coming...

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A Country Christmas Story - a Lifetime Christmas Movie

MOVIE REVIEW

A Country Christmas Story

Also Known As: A Dollywood Christmas

Network: Lifetime

Original Air Date: November 9, 2013


 

 

CAST:

Megyn Price ...
Dolly Parton ...
Camille Sanders ...
Desiree Ross ... Grace
Mary Kay Place ... Sarah
Ross McCall ... Mr. Hanley
Preston Bailey ... (rumored)
Steve Monroe ... Sam
Brian McKnight ... Danny
Katie McCabe ... Young Jenny
Lori Mulligan ... Reporter
Kevin Flood ... Pastor Bob
Madeleine Leigh ... Emily
Nick Clifford ... Richie
Ally Carlson ... Flee market patron
Emily Muse ... Extra
Gilbert Hancock ... Carl
Benjamin Sellards ... Audience Member
Zach Louis ... Youth Choir Member


PLOT:

A Country Christmas Story tells the story of Grace, an aspiring young singer who wants to go to Nashville to make it big. Will she make her dreams come true in Dollywood?

More from Lifetime Press Release:

The film follows a young Appalachian mountain girl (newcomer Desiree Ross) as she pursues her dream of becoming a country star against the wishes of her mother (Megyn Price). Her journey to the stage at Dollywood with a singing competition hosted by Dolly Parton reunites her with her musician father (Brian McKnight) and uncovers the musical legacy of African Americans in the world of country music.

On set image via : twitter

On set image via : twitter

Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...

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Lifetime Christmas Movie: "The Twelve Trees of Christmas"

MOVIE REVIEW

The Twelve Trees of Christmas

Network: Lifetime

Original Air Date: November 16, 2013

CAST:

Lindy Booth ... Cheri Jamison
Robin Dunne ... Tony Shaughnessy
Melanie Brown ... Cordelia
Casper Van Dien ... Charles
?????  ...  Rosaleen Shaughnessy

PLOT:

via Chesler/Perlmutter Productions:

The Twelve Trees of Christmas is about Cheri Jamison (Lindy Booth), a librarian who rallies the residents of her beloved Manhattan neighborhood to participate in a Christmas tree contest when the cherished local library is abruptly set for demolition. Cheri finds herself up against an ambitious developer Tony Shaughnessy (Robin Dunne) who has plans to demolish the library to redevelop the neighborhood, and build a brand new, bland structure. Cheri argues that libraries are more than just a building they are the cornerstones of neighborhood, creating a special place where the modern world is left behind so that books, art and music can be read and appreciated.

When she realizes that the developer is unmoved by her protests, Cheri targets Rosaleen Shaughnessy, the head of the foundation that owns the library building. The widow of the man who built the neighborhood in the 1950s, Rosaleen loves the building and the community but is under the sway of her grandson who is urging her to sell. Cheri comes up with the idea of a tree decorating competition to bring the neighborhood together to save the library and to convince Rosaleen not to let her grandson sell the library. However, Tony is on to Cheri’s plans, signs up for a tree and hires Cordelia (Melanie Brown), a famous designer, to decorate his tree so he can win the competition and his grandmother will still agree to sell the library.


Movie Review:

Coming...

See or Skip:

Coming...


*Images above via: Lifetime


ON SET Pics:

On set pic: via Casper Van Dien Twitter @CasperVanDien 

On set pic: via Casper Van Dien Twitter @CasperVanDien

On set pic: via Mail Online : http://www.dailymail.co.uk

On set pic: via Casper Van Dien Twitter @CasperVanDien

New Christmas Movies this Weekend ~ Matchmaker Santa and More!

PREMIERING SATURDAY

November 17, 2012:

*Matchmaker Santa
Hallmark Channel

 

--and--

*Holiday High School Reunion
Lifetime

Rated: TV-14

-----

PREMIERING SUNDAY

November 18, 2012:

*It's Christmas, Carol
Hallmark Channel

 

--and--

 

*Holiday Spin
Lifetime

PLEASE NOTE: As mentioned above, Holiday High School Reunion is Rated: TV-14 - therefore it is not a movie for children. As for the others... please know I have not viewed any of these New Movies - so I urge you to use your own discretion when viewing any of these movies with your family and always check ratings when the movie first comes on.


Click on the Movie Titles Below for more details, cast list, and Movie Images:

*Matchmaker Santa

*Holiday High School Reunion

*It's Christmas, Carol

*Holiday Spin

See the Christmas TV Schedule for times airing!


Enjoy this "Weekend-before-Thanksgiving"!
God Bless Us, Everyone!

10 NEW Christmas Movies on Lifetime

Lifetime is bringing us 10 NEW Christmas Movies this Year during their "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" Event! (see them listed below!) Their Movies will begin on November 10th, 2012 and run throughout the Christmas Season!

Lifetime's 10 NEW Christmas Movies:

The Christmas Consultant

All About Christmas Eve

Finding Mrs. Claus

Holiday High School Reunion

Holiday Spin

Holly's Holiday

Love at the Christmas Table

The March Sisters

Merry-In-Laws

The Real St. Nick



Please Note: All of these movies are New - I have not viewed them, yet. Please check ratings before viewing with your family!

Hopefully, you will enjoy these Christmas Movies and they will make a fun Popcorn Popping - Movie Night!

Twelve Men of Christmas

MOVIE REVIEW

Twelve Men of Christmas -

Lifetime Original Christmas Holiday Movie

PLEASE NOTE: Due to this Movie's description from Lifetime, I have decided to remove this movie from my Christmas TV Schedule. As a Christian, I cannot recommend the viewing of a movie that includes such content.

Lifetime description: It's anything BUT a Merry Christmas for die-hard New Yorker and publicist E.J. Baxter when she loses both her high-powered Manhattan job and her lawyer-fiance on the same night at her office Christmas party. E.J. winds up taking a job and moving to the opposite end of the earth - Kalispell, Montana. To help the local search-and-rescue station raise desperately needed funds, a la "Calendar Girls," she tries to convince the male rescue workers to pose for a naked calendar and along the way discovers what really matters to her and wins the heart of one of the pin-ups!

CAST:

Kristin Chenoweth ... E.J. Baxter
Anna Chlumsky ... Jan Bennett
Aaron Abrams ... Les Pizula
Peter Mooney ... Noah
Chantal Perron ... Marci
Frank Chiesurin ... Scott Lewis
Paul Christie ... Jim
Stephen Huszar ... Jason
Paul Constable ... David

PLOT:

from Lifetime-

Tony Award winner and Emmy nominee Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies) melts the holiday snow in Twelve Men of Christmas, a Lifetime Original Movie.

Based on the popular novel Decent Exposure by Phillipa Ashley, the romantic comedy tells the story of a down-on-her-luck public relations executive who uses her media savvy to generate some sizzle in a small Montana town.

It's anything but a Merry Christmas for die-hard New Yorker E.J. Baxter (Chenoweth) when she loses her high-powered publicity job and her fiance all on the same night as her office holiday party. To escape everything around her, E.J. takes a job in Kalispell, Montana, and channels her energy to help raise funds for the local search-and-rescue team. She cooks up a concept that will leverage Kalispell's greatest asset - their handsome guys - by having them step out of their uniforms and onto the pages of a calendar that is certain to raise both temperatures and pulses. Though she faces resistance from some of the men, E.J. eventually wins them over...especially a certain Mr. December!



Movie Review:



See or Skip:


Click Here - for more New Christmas Movies!

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Holiday Switch

MOVIE REVIEW

Holiday Switch -Lifetime

stars Nicole Eggert (from "Charles in Charge" and "Baywatch") as a struggling housewife wondering whether she married the wrong man.


CAST:

Nicole Eggert ... Paula Ferguson
Bret Anthony ... Gary
Kristina Barr ... Janine
Ernesto Griffith ... Reg Reeves
Craig Haas ... Armando
Kristen Harris ... Caroline
Aaron Hughes ... Photographer
Sofia Kingma ... Olivia
Brett Le Bourveau ... Nick
Patricia Mayen-Salazar ... Martina
Adriana O'Neil ... Saleswoman
Maya Ritter ... Eleanor
Thanya Romero ... Receptionist
Stefanie von Pfetten ... Sheila

PLOT:

A week before Christmas, Paula (Nicole Eggert) finds herself struggling with bills and life with her blue-collar husband Gary and her two daughters. When Nick, her High School boyfriend returns to town a wealthy art Gallery owner, Paula wonders if she made the wrong decision when she took the wrong date to the prom. What would her life have been like if she stayed with Nick? Christmas is a time for Miracles, and so when Paula wishes she could see what her life would have been like if she'd made the other choice, she finds herself magically transported through her washer/dryer to a parallel life where she is Nick's wife.

At first, this new life seems the answer to her dreams, as she shops and dines out with her newfound wealth. But she soon realizes that the grass is NOT always greener. Her relationship with Nick is in shambles, and she misses her real husband Gary and her two girls. When she sees Gary and her kids living a happy life with another woman, she wishes for just one Christmas gift to have back the life she didn't appreciate.


Movie Review:

Cute Movie. Paula realizes after dreaming / living through briefly what she thought was the life she always wanted ... that what she had... was really a Wonderful Life!

One important Caution: in order for Paula to go into her supposed Dream World - she crawls thru the Clothes Dryer. This scene concerned me for young viewers- so please don't watch this with them. It's kind of a silly moment, but still the movie is cute and light-hearted.... and makes you appreciate your family and everyone around you all the more!


See or Skip:

See, but not with your children due to dryer scene mentioned above, plus there is drinking and relationship entanglements not suitable for young viewers.

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Will You Merry Me?

MOVIE REVIEW

Will You Merry Me?:
Lifetime Channel Movie for Christmastime.


CAST:

Tommy Lioutas ... Henry Kringle
Wendie Malick ... Suzie Fine
Cynthia Stevenson ... Marilyn Kringle
David Eisner ... Marvin fine
Reagan Pasternak ... Kristy Easterbrook
Rahnuma Panthaky ... Kay
Kate Ashby ... Reporter
Richard Waugh ... Reverend Bill
Astrid Van Wieren ... Mrs. Schultz







PLOT:

from Lifetime-

Rebecca and Hank are from very different backgrounds. Hank is mid-Western, Christian and corn-fed. Rebecca's a sophisticated Jewish city girl. As Thanksgiving approaches, Hank finally pops the question. Rebecca says yes, and the two couldn't be happier. But the road to happiness must have some potholes, as first they must meet each other's families.

It's time to meet the parents during two important religious holidays, (Christmas and Hanukkah) as not only must our couple go through the natural anxiety-filled process of meeting the in-laws, but also go through the stress of immersing each other into two very different families, with very different holiday traditions.



Movie Review:

I thought the plot idea was interesting, but definitely not the ideal situation I would recommend for couples. I believe, as a Christian, it is important, as scripture tells us, to be equally yoked.

2 Corinthians 6:14 :
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

I think people of both faiths may be offended, at times, with various situations in this movie. The Christians seem to be crazy Christmas Decorators, for instance - their van is hideously decorated from bumper to bumper with lights, garland, etc… and the Jewish in-laws destroy their home Christmas light display, and proclaim, “This is the Jewish version of hell.” I thought this statement was inappropriate.

It seems like the couple has waited til this meeting with their parents to discuss any important future plans or religious differences. The movie also implied that this couple has ‘been together’ – which goes against both of their religions. Rebecca and Hank seem to have nothing in common – except their love for one another. She’s a big city vegetarian and he’s a small town meat eatin hunter. I found the stereotypes here to be offensive, as well. There’s a lot of craziness that goes on between the future Mother- in – Laws , yet they eventually reconcile with the idea that they are now family. Somehow this realization ends their spatting. Can I get a “Whatever”, here?

Rebecca decides she can’t take it anymore and heads to the airport…. Hank follows … Rebecca changes her mind and decides to go back to Hank…. When he arrives at the airport he thinks she is gone … but they find each other in the airport … their families show up … and he proposes again … Will you Merry Me? he asks … (hence the title of the movie)… Yes, she says … and they kiss … the families cheer . The End….



See or Skip:

I must recommend skipping this one.

True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet

MOVIE REVIEW

True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet:

Lifetime Movie starring Valerie Bertinelli (One Day at a Time, Touched by an Angel, Finding John Christmas...) and Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque (singer and actress, American Dreams, RV, etc...)


CAST:

Shenae Grimes ... Marissa
Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque ... Morgan Carter / Claudia Miller
Valerie Bertinelli ... Aunt Trudy
Lynda Boyd ... Bianca Carter
Alexandria Galante ... Magazine Girl
Ian Nelson ... Eli Walsh
Leah Cudmore ... Debbie
Jonathan Potts ... Principal Bowman
Victoria Snow
Matt Steinberg
Rebecca Amare ... Bethany
Christopher McGuire ... Club guy #1
Mary Kitchen ... Local Reporter








PLOT:

from Lifetime-

Teen actress Morgan Carter is a Hollywood princess, until the day that her hard-partying ways get the best of her. After she collapses outside a Hollywood nightclub, Morgan's mother sends her to live incognito in the wilds of Fort Wayne, Indiana, with her Aunt Trudy. With a new look and a seriously depleted budget, Morgan enters a suburban high school with a new identity and a bad attitude. But it's not long before a cute boy next door turns her head. And suddenly Morgan finds herself caught between the bright lights of Hollywood and a simple life with the boy she loves.





Movie Review:

Beware of Language, Lying, and Teen Drinking. Not for Young Viewers.

Beyond those issues, it is actually a pretty interesting, well-acted movie. You are on this adventure with Morgan, the Hollywood starlet, who is adjusting to living a normal life - incognito as Claudia, in Indiana, the fly over state.

Will she ever find true friends there?

Can she stop turning to drinking whenever life throws her curve balls?

Will she and "Aunt" Trudy become friends?

Can she learn to discount shop at the local mall... and eat regular calorie - filled food?

Eventually... the answer to all of these Questions is Yes... and Morgan learns to stop lying and tell the truth.

Language used - H-LL, B-Word, D--N, & Oh my G--


See or Skip:

See, Teens and up... but please beware of the issues I listed above - Language, Lying, and Teen Drinking.

Lying and Teen Drinking are turned around to be unacceptable and wrong in the end- so there are good lessons to learn.

Together Again for the First Time

Together Again for the First Time:
Lifetime Channel Movie for Christmastime.


CAST:

Julia Duffy ... Audrey Wolders Frobisher
David Ogden Stiers ... Max Frobisher
Kirby Heyborne ... Roger Wolders
Blake Bashoff ... Jason Wolders
Kelly Stables ... Sandra Frobisher
Lauren Storm ... Chinelle Frobisher
Michelle Page ... Kaye Frobisher
Larisa Oleynik ... Brenda
Joseph Lawrence ... Carey Krzyznyk
Emily Moffat ... Zoey


PLOT:

from Lifetime-

This Christmas is the first time since their marriage that Max, Audrey, and all of their children are together in one place. But as the family members arrive on Christmas Eve, things become increasingly complicated: not only is there a visit of a fiance, a surprise TV show taping and a neighborhood open house, but there are also secrets that threaten the entire family.



Movie Review:

This movie and family is all over the place. One sister is about to marry her Sister's Ex and one of the Son's is taking drugs. The parents are fighting and disagreeing all the time - and the fact that the children are all confused as to where they fit into this combined family doesn't seem to be helping matters. Couples who are not married are sharing the same room in their parents home. Christmas decorations are very sacreligious.

Julia Duffy potrays the mother and does everything in her power to try and make this the perfect Christmas. She hosts a radio program but is given some air time on TV to try and launch her career in a new way... however being on TV with her family doesn't quite go according to plan.

There is a lot of sibling rivalry and adult issues between the children and their parents.


See or Skip:
Skip... this one is not suitable for family viewing.

Special Delivery

MOVIE REVIEW

SPECIAL DELIVERY:
Lifetime Channel Movie for Christmastime airing on the Lifetime Movie Network.


CAST:

Brenda Song - Alice Cantwell
Lisa Edelstein - Maxine Carter
Robert Gant - Nate Spencer
Michael Cowell - Bill Devane
Stan Egi - Danny Wong
Dann Seki - Dawson
Ned van Zandt - Alan Cantwell
Milan Tresnak - Rudd Weathers
Blade Rogers - Dex
Julie Ow - Naomi


PLOT:

from Lifetime Movie Network-

Maxine Carter is the best bonded courier working in the Pacific Rim. But her next task involves delivering a bratty 14-year old named Alice to her mother in the U.S. amid a bitter custody battle. Little does Maxine know that a trap is waiting for them, and its up to her to keep Alice safe, providing they dont kill each other first.


Movie Review:

This movie was intriging in parts - annoying in others... especially Brenda Song who portrays a very bratty teenager - who is extremely annoying, at times.

There are some scenes with a bit of voilence and guns that might not be suitable for children.

The movie was rather long and just didn't seem to keep my interest. I was glad it had a happy ending... though I was expecting it to be a Holiday movie - and there was only one very small Christmas scene.


See or Skip:

I suggest skipping this one.

A Christmas Proposal

MOVIE REVIEW

A Christmas Proposal:
Lifetime Channel Movie for Christmastime.


CAST:

Nicole Eggert ... Lisa
David O'Donnell ... Rick
Tom Arnold ... Malone
David DeLuise ... Andy
Shannon Sturges ... Cassidy
Sarah Thompson ... Reagan
Patty McCormack ... Maggie
John Colton ... Harry
Timothy Oman ... Wayne
Caia Coley ... Annie
Beth Shea ... Rosemary



PLOT:

from Lifetime-

Local attorney Lisa Donahue will do whatever possible to stop the demolition of the small ski town of Fillmore. She soon finds herself pitted against Rick Kirkland - her old boyfriend from high school and law school who is now the attorney handling the case. After winning the case, Rick's car ends up breaking down and he and his soon-to-be fiance Reagan get stuck in Fillmore. He soon starts to second guess his proposals to both his job and his fiance while rekindling his love for Lisa.



Movie Review:

This movie is pretty cut and dry from the very get - go! It's obvious that Rick is dating the wrong girl, Reagan, and should be back with his school sweetheart, Lisa Donahue. Plus, it's easy to see that Rick's ideas for redeveloping their hometown would ruin its smalltown charm and thus Rick would eventually realize he was wrong about everything and even falls out of love with his fiancee and ends up proposing to his high school love, Lisa. Also, Rick's relationship was immoral with his fiancee as they shared a room and a bed in his mothers bed and breakfast. But, that didn't seem to bother Lisa - who still pursued him.


See or Skip:

I suggest Skipping this One...