Over *56 Million Clicks* and Counting! Thank *YOU* for visiting It's a Wonderful Movie today!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights...”
~ James 1:17

Showing posts with label Nazneen Contractor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nazneen Contractor. Show all posts

Friday, May 16, 2025

☀️ May is Made for Movie Nights - Let's Dive In Together!


click to enlarge image



Happy Mid-May Weekend, Movie Friends!

As the days grow warmer and the evenings stretch a little longer, there’s nothing better than sinking into the weekend with cozy movies with a splash of romance!

The three movies airing this weekend are dishing out delicious food scenes, a relaxing cruise getaway, and a special friendship that may blossom into something more!

Fun fact: Actress Nazneen Contractor (The Christmas Ring, A Perfect Pairing) is cruising through two of this weekend’s rom-coms as the leading star!

I’ve already seen two of this weekend’s premieres; keep scrolling for reviews from myself and two It's a Wonderful Movie friends!

Enjoy a cozy weekend and some sweet stories...



**************************



Saturday, May 17, 2025:




Storyline: Winona Applegate is on the fast track to becoming a celebrity chef, already running a very successful bistro in Pittsburgh. With nerves building, she leaves for New York to audition for her own show in front of television executives. Unfortunately, her car breaks down near New Holland, a small, quirky town where Winona rents a room at a local inn run by Adam, a widower. With the local Spring Festival coming up and the resident cook unavailable to manage the menu, Winona agrees to get her car fixed in time for her audition in exchange for her much needed help in the Inn's kitchen. As she prepares for the festival with Adam, Winona begins to fall in love with New Holland and one of its residents as well.

Premieres Saturday, May 17, 2025
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family


Movie Reviews:

(Below are snippets of my and Ken R's reviews; click here to see our full reviews.)

🍲 This movie was a delicious treat, very family friendly! I really enjoyed the match-up of real-life couple Peter and Julia Benson. In this movie, however, they are both single. Julia portrays a chef, Winona Applegate, who’s on her way to New York to audition for her own cooking show, and Peter portrays, Adam, the owner of a B&B in New Holland, Pennsylvania... -Net

🍲 This is certainly an unusual picture to find being run today but a curiously refreshing one. At first, I thought I’d end up falling asleep (as some might) then found the theme somehow intriguing. With married-in-real life main stars Julia and Peter Benson performing so convincingly as strangers in a regional town who, against odds, gradually get to know and respect each other being so well done and natural, that it comes as a refreshing relief from the morose nastiness that all too often masquerades as ‘entertainment’. -Ken R



**************************



Saturday, May 17, 2025:




Storyline: Fellow cruise passengers, Sarah and Jack, play matchmaker with their music loving widowed parents, as they cruise down the Danube visiting European cities.

Premieres Saturday, May 17, 2025
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

Movie Reviews:

🚢 Hallmark +'s Love on the Danube: Love Song is... FANTASTIC!! -Maria

🚢 Love on the Danube: Love Song - This is a nice movie, but it's kind of slow, at times. Although, I like both Wes Brown and Nazneen Contractor, the connection between the two just wasn't there for me. However, this movie has such a calming vibe, and the setting is truly beautiful. It’s absolutely worth the trip. -Net



**************************



Sunday, May 18, 2025:


Storyline: Since her husband died three years earlier, Nila’s life has been all about her Instagram business and helicopter parenting her daughter Mara. Now a tween aching to break free, Mara creates a dating profile for her mom. Nila is horrified, but the Love Club agree it’s time Nila moved on. Nila agrees to date, but when all her dates bomb, she recruits local coffee shop owner Olly to be in a pretend relationship with her to get everyone off her case.

Premieres Sunday, May 18, 2025
at 7pm/6c on UPtv


**************************



I hope you enjoy the new movies this weekend! My reviews for the ones I've seen are shared above (along with Maria and Ken—thank you both!).

Just a quick note: the only movie I haven't seen, yet, is The Love Club Moms: Nila. If you've seen it and would like to share whether it’s family-friendly, please feel free to give your thoughts in the comments below.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend ahead… filled with sunshine, joy, and a little movie charm!

For those of you facing severe thunderstorms, I'm keeping you in my prayers for safety and protection. Remember, after the storm comes the rainbow. In fact, I just have to share... a couple of weeks ago, we experienced three days of light spring showers, and each day, once the rain cleared, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. One day, we were even blessed with a double rainbow! It was such a lovely and powerful reminder of God’s promise to never flood the earth again.


Blessings to you all,
Net


**************************



SHINING HIS LIGHT:

"Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’"
~John 6:35

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb."
~Revelation 22:1


In the scripture above, the "river of the water of life" symbolizes God's never-ending, life-giving presence. The river reminds us that God’s love keeps flowing without end.



Wednesday, April 16, 2025

"The Love Club Moms" Movies Coming This April and May to UPtv




May is all about celebrating mothers, which makes April and May the perfect time for UPtv to introduce "The Love Club Moms" movie collection!

For additional insights into each film, see the storyline descriptions below.

I've also added links under each movie, so you can easily click to view their reviews on Amazon.




---------------------





The Love Club Moms: Tory

A publishing powerhouse, Tory, adopts a baby girl. She gives up on dating, besides, she’s busy being a new mom while trying to prove herself as CEO and land a new hot kids author. This prompts the Love Club to help Tory hire Finn, a nanny. But when the truth comes out that Finn was never really a nanny, the Love Club have to convince Tory that despite his lack of credentials, Finn could be the children’s author and partner she was looking for.

Starring: Ashley Newbrough

Premiere Date: Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 7pm/6c.


Read reviews for The Love Club Moms: Tory at Amazon.



---------------------






The Love Club Moms: Jo

As an uptight elementary school principal, Jo’s skills are put to the test when a new young student, Simon, continuously lands in her office for detention. When she learns the boy’s father is her old high school flame Ryan, Jo’s world is thrown for a loop, especially since she has been dating Bernie, the school’s French teacher. Neither Jo or Ryan have forgotten one another and their heated volatile relationship only reveals an intense passion that the Love Club are intent on reigniting.

Starring: Rebecca Dalton and Corey Sevier

Premiere Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 7pm/6c.

Read reviews for The Love Club Moms: Jo at Amazon.
Movie Review:

The Love Club Moms: Jo - In the first hour there is a little language, the a-word is used once. And we learn that Corey's character, Ryan, is a single father who was never married. Corey is also briefly shirtless in a scene when he is washing his car. His opposite, Rebecca Dalton, who plays Jo, asks him to put on his shirt so they can talk.

SPOILER ALERT:

We learn that Jo and Ryan were married briefly. It was annulled.

Jo becomes engaged to a guy at work and when she goes to the clerk’s office to get her marriage license she learns that she is actually still married to Ryan.

Ryan reveals (late in the movie) that he knew there were still married. He tries to tell Jo that she was the only one ever in his heart, but then Jo reminds him he has a son with another woman.

Jo and Ryan do end up happily together in the end. He tells her they’d be crazy not to try and make their relationship work – again.

Honestly, I liked all of the actors and there were some cute moments, especially with the little boy and the friends trying to do their matchmaking, but I wish the relationship part of the story could’ve been written differently.

It was definitely not cool for Ryan to know they were still married and become involved with someone else, assuming he knew at that specific time. This movie was a definite one-time watch for me. ~Net




---------------------






The Love Club Moms: Harper

Harper has never failed at anything she has set out to do so when her husband asks for a separation, it throws off her whole world. When Colin, a divorced dad and community councilor seeking re-election, asks Harper for her help with his community initiatives, the Love Club encourage her to do it. Just when it seems sparks may actually ignite between these two, Colin takes credit for the initiative. Indignant, Harper throws her hat into the election ring and goes head to head with Colin.

Starring: Genelle Williams

Premiere Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 7pm/6c.

Read reviews for The Love Club Moms: Harper at Amazon.




---------------------






The Love Club Moms: Nila

Since her husband died three years earlier, Nila’s life has been all about her Instagram business and helicopter parenting her daughter Mara. Now a tween aching to break free, Mara creates a dating profile for her mom. Nila is horrified, but the Love Club agree it’s time Nila moved on. Nila agrees to date, but when all her dates bomb, she recruits local coffee shop owner Olly to be in a pretend relationship with her to get everyone off her case.

Starring: Nazneen Contractor

Premiere Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 7pm/6c.

Read reviews for The Love Club Moms: Nila at Amazon.



---------------------



Please Note: These "Love Club Moms" movies are said to be sequels to the four original Love Club movies that premiered on the Hallmark Channel in 2023, but these new movies are brand new love stories about fresh new characters, all single mothers.

FYI - the first movie in the original Love Club series, The Love Club: Nicole's Pen Pal, introduced two married men at the end of the film. I don't know if these characters were in subsequent Love Club movies after that. You can read reviews for The Love Club: Nicole's Pen Pal - here.

You can also see details on the three following Love Club movies... The Love Club: Sydney's Journey, The Love Club: Lauren's Dream, The Love Club: Tara's Tune - here. According to an Anonymous reviewer, the first two are family-friendly. In the last movie, Tara has a gay co-worker.

I don't know if the "Love Club Moms" movies are family-friendly. I started watching the first one starring Ashley Newbrough via streaming, but I wasn't fond of the guy they were pairing her with and didn't end up finishing it.

If any of you have had the opportunity to watch these movies on UP Faith & Family, please share in the comments below. I would love to know your thoughts.


Happy movie watching!
Net

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

🎉🎈 Hallmark+ Launches Today! Are You Celebrating? 🎈🎉


images via: Hallmark Media


Today, September 10, 2024, is the official launch date of Hallmark+.

If you're not sure what this is, basically, it's a rebranding of Hallmark Media's previous streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now. This streamer now includes even more new content: original series, romantic-comedies, mysteries, lifestyle programming, interviews, and more! I highlight some of the newest offerings below.



🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈


Hallmark+ New Content Includes:

Celebrations with Lacey Chabert

details via Hallmark: "The show follows Chabert as she surprises deserving individuals who are making a positive impact in their communities with the celebration of a lifetime. With the help of professional party planners, celebrity friends and a team of volunteers, Chabert will have just three days to create an unforgettable event, blending heartwarming stories with dazzling celebrations."


The Chicken Sisters - an original drama series with eight episodes starring Schuyler Fisk, Lea Thompson, Wendie Malick, and a large ensemble cast.

details via Hallmark: The Chicken Sisters is a "family drama dipped in southern charm and served up with a saucy side of romance. The setting is the fictional town of Merinac, where a generations-old rift between dueling fried chicken restaurants – Mimi’s and Frannie’s – has left the founders’ families fractured and the locals taking sides. When the popular cooking competition show Ultimate Kitchen Clash comes to town, it could be the recipe for ending this feud once and for all. But things are fixing to heat up both inside and outside of the kitchen as the reality show spotlight causes sparks to fly as secrets are spilled and feathers get ruffled."



The Jane Mysteries, starring Jodie Sweetin and Stephen Huszar

Three new mysteries in this series drop in September:

· The Jane Mysteries: A Deadly Prescription - Premieres Tuesday, September 10- Jane and John work together to clear a teenager's name.

· The Jane Mysteries: Murder at Moseby - Premieres Thursday, September 19 -Jane returns to her college alma mater to solve a long-standing mystery.

· The Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose - Premieres Thursday, September 26 - Jane investigates the disappearance of a journalist after a significant game show win.



Love on the Danube movie trilogy - three films set against the picturesque backdrop of a European river cruise.

· Love on the Danube: Love Song - Premieres Tuesday, September 10 - Nazneen Contractor and Wes Brown are fellow passengers on a cruise who serve as matchmakers for their widowed, music-loving parents.

· Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway -Premieres Thursday, September 19 - Jessica Sipos and Dan Jeannotte star in this romantic tale of a heartbroken art gallery manager, who takes her honeymoon river cruise solo and meets an incognito prince.

· Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars - Premieres Thursday, September 26 - Sarah Power and Brendan Penny star as a publicist and a rising film star whose professional collaboration on a cruise develops into an unexpected romance.



Hallmark Movie VIP Pass

This series is being described as a behind-the-scenes talk show-type series. Actress Tamara Mowrey-Housley hosts this new series, as she sits down and watches some of Hallmark’s most popular films with the stars themselves. During commercial breaks, they will have Q&A, trivia, and games.



Another series is coming...

Hallmark+ has ordered a new drama series titled Ripple.

"From Lionsgate TV, Ripple explores how unexpectedly connected we are as human beings. Set in New York City, Nate, Kris, Walter and Aria have crossed paths hundreds of times, yet they’ve never met. Because of the seemingly minuscule decisions these core four make in the pilot, we’ll witness the ripple effect of how these strangers, all dealing with life’s challenges in their own way, are led to one another." 

Production on Ripple will begin this month.



🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈


My Quick Take:

I am not currently a subscriber to the Hallmark+ streaming platform; however, I have subscribed to Hallmark Movies Now in the past.

Please know, I'm not planning to share month by month the new offerings available on Hallmark+, as my focus here at It's a Wonderful Movie is still on movies premiering on TV; however, if you are a subscriber and you'd like to share any news on the movies, series, or whatever else is on Hallmark+, please feel free any time to share with us! I'm sure many who visit here would enjoy getting your take. I know I certainly would because there's a great possibility these movies may one day end up on the Hallmark Channel or Hallmark Mystery.

Thank you for reading this post today. To learn more about subscribing to Hallmark+, visit this link.


Have a blessed day!
Net


Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Hallmark+ Launches In September With “Love On The Danube” Trilogy And More - - SEE HERE:



Hallmark Movies Now gets a new name and new content beginning September 10, 2024!

I have previously shared some of these details with all of you; however, Hallmark Media sent out a press statement today, and I wanted to briefly highlight the new programming content that will be available on this newly branded streamer, Hallmark+.



----------------------------


Coming to Hallmark+ in September:

🎬 “The Chicken Sisters” - An original drama series starring Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson, Lea Thompson, and Wendie Malick.

🎬 “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert” - In this unscripted series Lacey Chabert surprises deserving heroes with a celebration of a lifetime.

🎬 “Love on the Danube” trilogy -

“Love on the Danube: Love Song,” starring Nazneen Contractor and Wes Brown, premieres September 10th.

“Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway,” starring Jessica Sipos and Dan Jeannotte, premieres September 19th.

“Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars,” starring Sarah Power and Brendan Penny, premieres September 26th.

🎬 “The Jane Mysteries,” starring Jodie Sweetin and Stephen Huszar, will have three new mystery movie installments on September 10th, 19th, and 26th.

🎬 “Hallmark VIP Movie Pass,” hosted by Tamera Mowry-Housley, will feature Hallmark stars sharing memories and behind-the-scenes stories.


----------------------------

Promo - Love on the Danube Movie Collection:


----------------------------

I hope you enjoyed this information. Please note, I won't be covering on a month-to-month basis the new programming coming to the streaming service Hallmark+, as my main focus here at *It's a Wonderful Movie* is still on TV Movies. However, I will be sure to share if there is something special on the streaming source, like a Christmas movie, for example.

Since there are a plethora of streaming options these days, I simply don't have the time to keep up with them all, but if you are a subscriber of Hallmark+, Great American Pure Flix, UP Faith & Family, etc... and you watch a movie on any of these streaming platforms or others that you would like to share a review of, please feel free to share with us!

The best place to share your review is on the Streaming Movie Review Page. There's also a link to the Streaming Movie Reviews in the right column. Just look for this graphic:




Thank you all for your participation here. Please share your thoughts on Hallmark+ in the comment section below.

Have a Blessed Day!
Net



Tuesday, October 11, 2022

🌟Lifetime's 2022 *It's a Wonderful Lifetime* Christmas Movies🌟 SEE HERE:



Lifetime released their 2022 Christmas movie lineup today. New movies will air EVERY Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday all season long!

You'll find a listing of the 26 NEW Lifetime Christmas movies below via their press release...




"It's a Wonderful Lifetime" 2022 Christmas movies:



Merry Swissmas
November 5 at 8/7c

Alex (Jodie Sweetin) has wonderful memories of Christmas with her best friend Beth (Mikaela Lily Davies), until Beth starts dating Alex’s ex, Jesse (David Pinard). Because she has missed the last few Christmases with family due to her demanding job as an architect, Alex is excited to spend the holidays with her mother, Caroline (Jane Wheeler), who is opening an inn in Switzerland. Much to her dismay, she learns that Jesse and Beth are also visiting for the inn’s opening. When Alex meets Liam (Tim Rozon), a single father and the manager of her mother’s inn, Liam attempts to show her all the Christmas traditions and culture of Switzerland and helps Alex open herself up to love and forgiveness this holiday season.

Merry Swissmas is produced in association with Reel One Entertainment for Lifetime. Executive producers include Tom Berry, Barbara Fisher, Kenneth Hirsch, Laura Francis, Serge Desrosiers, and John L’Ecuyer, who also directs from a script by Lauren Balson Carter.


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




Well Suited for Christmas
November 6 at 8/7c

Fashion designer Rachel Rocca (Mercedes de la Zerda) lands a spot in a design competition to create a tuxedo for one of the city’s most eligible bachelors, Brett Stone (Franco Lo Presti), for a Christmas charity gala. As Rachel begins to unthread his well-spun public image, she discovers the true reason behind his Christmas charity, and find themselves falling in love.

Well Suited for Christmas is produced by Fireside Pictures with Timothy O. Johnson, Andrew C. Erin and Dawn Wolfrom serving as executive producers. Michelle Oulette directs off a script by W. Stewart.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




Christmas on Mistletoe Lake
November 10 at 8/7c

Every Christmas, Reilly Shore (Genelle Williams) picks a random spot on the map to take an adventurous trip. This year, that destination is the quaint hamlet of Mistletoe Lake. As she arrives, Reilly discovers that the town’s lone bed & breakfast is full due to the town’s annual Christmas Harbor Festival. When twelve-year-old Emma (Hattie Kragten) invites Reilly to stay on her dad’s boat, she learns that Emma’s dad Raymond Mitchell (Corey Sevier) is selling his boat and can’t participate in the festival. Saddened, Emma enlists Reilly’s help to convince Raymond to enter into the festival so they can have one last perfect Christmas on Mistletoe Lake.

Christmas on Mistletoe Lake is produced for Lifetime by Chesler/Perlmutter Productions with Lewis Chessler as executive producer. Robin Dunne serves as the writer and director.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




The Dog Days of Christmas
November 11 at 8/7c

While visiting her family during Christmastime, Annie Blake (Georgia Flood) decides to help three stray dogs get adopted before heading back into her career working for a global non-profit. But when she runs into local veterinarian, Dylan Hawkes (Ezekiel Simat), her old high school debate partner, they team up to save an animal rescue. Ultimately, Annie discovers that finding love, and making a difference in the world, can happen right at home.

The Dog Days of Christmas is directed by Tori Garrett and scripted by Holly Hester. The film is produced for Lifetime by Kelly Son Hing, Spencer McLaren, and Steve Jaggi, with Kylie Pascoe co-producing, for the Steve Jaggi Company. Larry Grimaldi, Julianna Hays, Hannah Pillemer, and Fernando Szew serve as executive producers for MarVista Entertainment.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




Reindeer Games Homecoming
November 12 at 8/7c

MacKenzie Graves (Sarah Drew, Grey’s Anatomy, Amber Brown) is a brilliant, competitive, crossword-puzzle-loving biology teacher in Vermont who recently lost her father, beloved fire chief and the heart of the town’s holiday fundraising tradition “The Reindeer Games.” Every year since his death, she competes with her dad’s former team, a group of colorful retired firefighters, to win the Games and keep his tradition alive. This holiday however, her world is rocked when fading Hollywood star, and Mac’s high school crush, Chase Weston (Justin Bruening, Grey’s Anatomy, Sweet Magnolias), comes home for Christmas to visit his pregnant sister and nephew and is begrudgingly roped into participating in the Games. When the opportunity to compete against her former megacrush arises, Mac is determined to show him up and win the Kris Kringle Cup at all costs. As the competition heats up, so does the spark between Mac and Chase, and Chase soon finds himself eager to not only win the games, but also to win her heart as well. Brian Sills also stars.

Reindeer Games Homecoming is produced by Johnson Production Group for Off Camera Entertainment. Stephanie Slack, Margret Huddleston, Sarah Drew, and Tim Johnson serve as executive producers. The film is directed by Brian Herzlinger with a script written by Sarah Drew.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




Six Degrees of Santa
November 13 at 8/7c

Christmas enthusiast and single mom Harper (Kathryn Davis) has created a program, Six Degrees of Santa, in which anonymous "Santas" give a gift and set of instructions to be passed along, temporarily enjoyed, and re-gifted, indefinitely. Her goal is to create a Christmas experience that’s real-life, magical, and unexpected. When Harper's own gift lands in the hands of a leading internet entrepreneur, Jason (Steve Lund), he’s convinced that the original Santa might be his soulmate. He seeks out Harper, as the architect of the program, to help him track down this mystery woman.

Six Degrees of Santa is executive produced by Barbara Fisher, Laurence Braun, Suzanne Chapman and Tom Berry for Champlain Media and ReelOne Entertainment. Michael Kennedy directs from a script written by Shannon Latimer.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




Sweet Navidad
November 17 at 8/7c

Lovable pastry chef Carmen (Camila Banus) dreams of opening her own Puerto Rican-influenced bakery—like the one her family owned on the island. In the meantime, she showcases her treats at a local coffee shop. When hotel owner Victor Flores (David Fumero) discovers Carmen’s talents, he invites her to apply for a position as pastry chef for his hotel’s holiday gala. Knowing other applicants will have culinary-school backgrounds, as opposed to her homegrown skills, Carmen reluctantly applies. When she is accepted, she’s paired with chef Jax (Mark Hapka) to curate the perfect holiday menu. But the two do not mix well. Carmen is messy and cooks from the heart; Jax is a perfectionist fixated on technique. As they race against the clock to assemble their intricate holiday menu, sparks fly, and they realize they might have more to learn from one another than they initially thought.

Sweet Navidad is produced by Ninth House Films for Lifetime. Autumn Federici and Jake Helgren serve as producers. Marianne C. Wunch, Hannah Pillemer, Fernando Szew from MarVista serve as executive producers. Script by Cristina Boada with Brittany Underwood as director.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




A Country Christmas Harmony
November 18 at 8/7c

Before Chrissy Kessler's (Brooke Elliott) meteoric rise to fame, the country music superstar was just a small-town girl with dreams of the big time. Now, with her record sales on a rapid decline, Chrissy is strong-armed by an unrelenting record executive to return to the hometown she left behind to perform a live Christmas concert. Accompanying her on this journey is her longtime supportive assistant Eugene (Danny Pintauro). Luke Covington's (Brandon Quinn) quiet life is suddenly disrupted when he runs into Chrissy, his ex-girlfriend and former country music duo partner, who disappeared on him to pursue her solo career all those years ago. After a tempestuous rainstorm forces the ex-sweethearts to seek shelter in Luke’s ranch home, the two realize that the only way they’ll survive the holidays is with the other’s help.

A Country Christmas Harmony is produced by MarVista Entertainment and The Ninth House. Megan Ellstrom, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew Executive Produce for MarVista Entertainment, and Autumn Federici and Jake Helgren Produce for The Ninth House. Brooke Elliott also serves as Executive Producer. Gary Entin and Edmund Entin write and direct.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






Santa Bootcamp
November 19 at 8/7c

When event planner Emily Strauss (Emily Kinney, The Walking Dead) is hired by mall magnate Ed Mancini (Patrick Cassidy, Castle) to stage the ultimate Christmas Gala for his most important investors, Emily finds herself being sent to bootcamp – Santa Bootcamp – to find the perfect Santa and the inspiration she will need to make the evening a success. While there, Emily meets Belle (Rita Moreno, West Side Story), the bootcamp’s drill sergeant with a heart of gold, who helps Emily rediscover the magic of Christmas and find romance along the way. Additional stars include Tony® award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, Justin Gaston, John Schuck, and deaf actors Deanne Bray and Zyra Singleton.

Santa Bootcamp is directed by Melissa Joan Hart, who also serves as executive producer, long with Irene Dreayer, Gina Rugolo Judd, and Paula Hart. The film is produced by Hartbreak Films Inc with a script written by Michael J. Murray.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




A Show-Stopping Christmas
November 20 at 8/7c

Riley Burdett (Jamie Perez) is the artistic director of the Onota Theatre in Western Massachusetts. When Regina, the Scrooge-like owner of the theatre, breaks the news that she’s preparing to sell the property before the holiday performance, Riley must call upon the ghosts of Regina’s past, present, and future to change her mind. Meanwhile, a big TV star, Sam Palmer (Thomas McDonnell), has moved to the area to escape the craziness of Hollywood. Riley casts him as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol and his star power, his cleverness, and his budding love for Riley helps her save the theatre…and steal her heart during this very special Christmastime.

A Show-Stopping Christmas is produced by Moody Independent and H9 Films in association with Off Camera Entertainment. Stephanie Slack, Margret Huddleston, Miriam Marcus, Mark Donadio, and John Stimpson are executive producers. John Stimpson directs and Joany Kane, Caroline Portu, and John Stimpson penned the script.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






Baking All the Way
November 24 at 8/7c

Julia Wilson (Cory Lee), an accomplished pastry chef from Chicago, heads to a small town bakery famous for their gingerbread to complete her Christmas cookbook. There she finds herself at odds with Kris Thompson (Yannick Bisson), the bakery's charming but private owner, who is ambivalent about sharing his secret recipe.

Baking All the Way is produced by Vortex Media and A71 Media for Lifetime. Christopher Giroux and Bill Marks serve as executive producers. Script by Courtney McAllister with star Yannick Bisson as director.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






Steppin’ Into the Holiday
November 25 at 8/7c

Former Broadway star Billy Holiday (Mario Lopez) returns to his hometown for Christmas after being abruptly fired as the host-producer-judge of the hit TV series “Celebrity Dance Off.” While there, he encounters Rae (Jana Kramer), the charismatic owner of the local dance studio, where Billy’s 12-year-old nephew is her standout student. This Christmas, Rae is planning a dance recital fundraiser with the goal of taking her students to see a Broadway show in New York City. Billy volunteers to help Rae with the recital by reviving the town’s traditional Christmas Eve show, which was once a showcase for local talent. With Billy’s knack for producing and Rae’s knowledge of all things local, their collaboration clicks and romantic sparks start flying!

Cheri Oteri stars as Dallas, Billy's high-powered, fast-talking, Hollywood agent. Dallas scrambles to find Billy work after he is fired by his boss, Wayne, played by Mario Cantone, a network executive who is equal parts charming and ruthless! Courtney Lopez , Mario’s real-life wife, also appears in the film as Joanna, the charismatic host of “Celebrity Dance Off,” who is tapped to replace Billy (her former fling) as executive producer and head judge after his popularity hits the skids.

Steppin’ Into the Holiday is produced by Via Mar and Roberts Media, LLC. in association with Motion Content Group. Jeff Stearns, Mark Roberts, Mario Lopez, Jana Kramer, Richard Foster and Chet Fenster serving as Executive Producers. David Kendall directs from a script by Aliza Murrieta and Peter Murrieta.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






The 12 Days of Christmas Eve
November 26 at 8/7c

The 12 Days of Christmas Eve is the story of Brian Conway (Kelsey Grammer), a successful businessman whose relationships with those around him have really suffered. While this Christmas season has been the most successful for his business, he’s divorced, his relationship with his daughter Michelle (Spencer Grammer) is strained and he doesn’t have a meaningful connection with his only granddaughter. After Brian gets into a car accident on Christmas Eve, Santa gives him twelve chances to re-do the day and repair the relationships in his life to find the true meaning of Christmas. For Brian, these twelve days are a journey of self-realization about life, love and happiness as he attempts to right the wrongs of his life in pursuit of the Christmas spirit.

The concept for The 12 Days of Christmas Eve originated from Kelsey Grammer’s production company, Grammnet NH Productions, and developed in house by Lifetime. Grammnet NH Productions produced alongside Johnson Production Group. Kelsey Grammer, Tom Russo (Frasier, Light as a Feather, The Game) and Jordan McMahon (The Game) are executive producers. The script is written by Eirene Tran Donahue (A Sugar & Spice Holiday) and directed by Dustin Rikert (Two Tickets to Paradise).



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






A Christmas Spark
November 27 at 8/7c

Recently widowed Molly (Jane Seymour) has lost her zest for life and given up on ever finding love again. But when she decides to visit her daughter for Christmas, she has no idea what holiday magic is in store for her. A former drama teacher, Molly reluctantly takes on the job of directing the town's Christmas pageant and soon finds herself falling for her leading man, Hank (Joe Lando), the town's most eligible bachelor. As Molly and the irrepressible Hank fall in love, she rediscovers her inner free spirit and finds a new lease on life. And when the star of the pageant loses her voice moments before the show, it will be up to Molly to step into the spotlight and shine brightly for the first time in her life.

A Christmas Spark is produced by Lighthouse Pictures and is being distributed by Sony Pictures Television. Toni Braxton, Stephen Bulka, and Jamie Goehring are executive producing. Rhonda Baraka directs from a script by Eirene Tran Donohue.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






Serving Up the Holidays
December 1 at 8/7c

Scarlett (Britt Irvin) is an incredible chef and co-owner of an upscale restaurant. But every year, her too-sophisticated and unique holiday dishes never sell because they are not considered festive enough. To shake things up this year, her best friend and co-owner buys her a ticket to a holiday cooking getaway in a beautiful villa where Scarlett will re-learn festive cooking from the bottom up, maybe find love with a handsome rival chef from her past (Zach Roerig), and regain the Christmas spirit her food—and her life—truly needs.

Serving Up the Holidays is produced by Champlain Media in association with ReelOne Entertainment with Laurence Braun and Tom Berry as the executive producers. Sean Fine wrote the script and Jessica Harmon directs.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






Cloudy with a Chance of Christmas
December 2 at 8/7c

Bridget Torres (Valery Ortiz) is a prominent national news weather forecaster who comes to the magical, wintry town of Leavenworth, Washington, where Christmas traditions prevail each holiday season. This year, Bridget has been asked by her network to announce a special “snow-cast” at the annual Christmas Eve festival and has brought her boss Lisa (Nicole Bilderback) along with her. Bridget’s plans to shine are foiled when a talk show host from her network arrives to join her for the broadcast. Drake Kincaid (Brandon Quinn), as it turns out, refused to hire Bridget as his co-host for their morning show a year earlier, making tensions high. The unlikely duo soon finds themselves falling for each other, but when Bridget finally discovers why Drake didn’t hire her, their romance is put to the test.

Cloudy with a Chance of Christmas is produced by The Ninth House and is being distributed by Nicely Entertainment. Autumn Federici and Jake Helgren serve as producers, with Vanessa Shapiro and Brandon Quinn Executive Producing. Director Jake Helgren penned the original script.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






A New Orleans Noel
December 3 at 8/7c

Grace Hill (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and Anthony Brown (Brad James) could not be more different. Despite having gone to college to study architecture together, their lives took them on completely separate paths. But when they’re both hired to work together on the home of Loretta Brown (Patti LaBelle)—a New Orleans praline icon—the two find themselves stuck working together at Christmas...and butting heads over more than just architecture. When Anthony and his family discover that Grace will be celebrating Christmas alone, they invite her to take part in their traditions and their celebrations. Soon, fiercely independent Grace begins to learn the importance of family and community, while modern Anthony learns to embrace tradition and the magic of Christmas. And when Grace is offered a new job far away from New Orleans, she’ll have to decide if she’ll leave or follow her heart.

Tim Reid stars as Marcel Lirette, a handsome, retired friend who moves back to town after years away and catches the eye of Lorretta.

A New Orleans Noel is produced by Evergreen Films with Daniel Lewis, Rick Carter, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Leonardis, and Keshia Knight Pulliam serving as Executive Producers. Script by Angela Tucker and Alys Murray. Directed by Angela Tucker.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






Merry Textmas
December 4 at 8/7c

Gaby Diaz (Ariana Ron Pedrique) is an app developer from Austin, Texas, and the last unmarried sibling in her very close and very traditional family. Every year, the Diaz family gathers at abuela's house in Oaxaca, Mexico, a town renowned for its "12 Challenges of Christmas," which playfully ignites the entire town's Christmas spirit. When Gaby accidentally adds Alex Alvarado (Rodrigo Massa), a handsome graphic designer who's lost touch with his own Mexican roots, to the family group chat, her well-meaning family decides to secretly invite him to join them in Oaxaca for Christmas. As they begin to play matchmaker for Gaby and Alex, can the Diaz family help Gaby and Alex recognize that each of them is actually the other's perfect Christmas present?

Merry Textmas is produced by Embarcadero Pictures LLC with Edward Sabin and Gerardo Brandy as executive producers. Timothy Kuryak wrote the script. Alba Gil serves as director.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






Scentsational Christmas
December 8 at 8/7c

Bright-eyed beauty and perfumer Ellie Reddy (Nanzeen Contractor) is tasked by her boss to create a holiday scent that will impress, so she decides to return to her quaint and festive family home for Christmas to find inspiration. There she meets handsome yet bookish writer, Logan Osborne (Mykee Selkin), who is staying with her father at the family’s historic property, which includes her mother's former candle-making cottage. After finding her father struggling to keep her late mother’s candle business afloat, Ellie and Logan decide to complete the orders and inadvertently bring Christmas cheer back to the town, all while falling in love.

Scentsational Christmas is written by Rickie Castanda and Megan Hocking. Robert Vaughn directs. Produced by Chesler/Perlmutter Productions with Lewis Chesler as executive producer.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






A Recipe for Joy
December 9 at 8/7c

When ambitious food correspondent, Carly Hayes (Erin Agostino), gets a shot at her own TV show, nothing goes as planned. She’s sent to Angel Heights to help Grant Quinn (Dillon Casey), a perfectionist, attention-shy chef, reopen his family’s beloved diner and film it as a holiday special pilot for her television show. Thanks to Carly, Grant will not only re-open his restaurant, but most probably his heart too.

A Recipe for Joy is produced by Champlain Media in association with ReelOne Entertainment. Graeme Campbell directs from a script written by Kelli Crawford.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟






Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas
December 10 at 8/7c

Caught in a blizzard on Christmas Eve, estranged mother and daughter Journee (Naturi Naughton) and Nia (Lorea Turner) are forced to take refuge inside a church where a handful of also-trapped parishioners are reeling from the cancellation of their annual holiday concert. The spirit of the season takes hold as Journee and Nia weather the wintry storm together with the other churchgoers, including handsome youth pastor Adam (Luke James) and a heavenly music teacher (Kirk Franklin), who motivate the mother and daughter to reconcile their differences through music, faith, and love. With the help from this unlikely yet spirited group of strangers, Journee and Nia band together to help the church salvage not only their holiday traditions, but also their show-stopping Christmas day performance, despite the raging storm outside.

Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas is produced by Swirl Films and Big Dreams Entertainment. Kirk Franklin, Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Leslie Greif and Naturi Naughton serve as executive producers. Alex Kerr, Keith Neil, Eric Tomosunas and Angela Plasschaert also produce. Tailiah Breon directs from a script by Tara Knight.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




Single and Ready to Jingle
December 11 at 8/7c

Emma Warner (Natasha Wilson) feels like she lives Christmas year-round. As the SVP of a successful toy company in Chicago, she spends 12 months a year focusing on Christmas, leaving no time for dating...or much of anything else. By the time the actual holiday rolls around, she has had enough. She asks her assistant and friend Lucy to find a tropical singles resort – somewhere she can find a guy and not think of Christmas. But due to a booking mix-up, Emma ends up in her worst nightmare – a town devoted to everything Christmas. Will Emma be able to find her joy?

Single and Ready to Jingle is produced by Champlain Media in association with ReelOne Entertainment with Barbara Fisher and Tom Berry serving as executive producers. Written by Brian Rubbery. Wendy Ord directs.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




Record Breaking Christmas
December 15 at 8/7c

Leah Hoffman (Michelle Argyis), an adjudicator for The World Record Bureau, draws the short straw and is forced to travel to a small town just before Christmas to investigate its plans to break multiple holiday world records. As she falls for the town's doctor, Devan Bancroft (Andrew Bushell), she discovers that the whole town is in cahoots, and she just may be the person who can help them reach their true Christmas goal.

Record Breaking Christmas is produced by Johnson Management Group with Tim Johnson and Dawn Wolfrom serving as executive producers. Max McGuire directs off a script by W. Stewart.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


A Christmas to Treasure
December 16 at 8/7c

*Note: This movie has a same-sex couple. Due to the movie's content, I will not be promoting this film.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




The Holiday Dating Guide
December 17 at 8/7c

Dating coach and aspiring book author Abigale Slater (Maria Menounos), is close to making her lifelong dream come true. She has completed her first book—a how-to guide for dating in today’s modern world—and is now more than ready to become a published author. However, after reading the book, her publisher Jack won’t proceed with the deal without knowing that her dating advice actually works. Before he has a chance to say no, Abigale proposes that she prove the rules work by using them herself and making a man fall for her by Christmas Eve in 12 days. Although Abigale’s never seen love as a priority for herself, she sets out to find someone who will fall quickly enough to get this book in print. Things change when Abigale meets Michael Ryan (Brent Bailey), and her single-minded mission takes an unexpected turn. While following her own advice, and learning to expect the unexpected in the process, Abigale discovers the romance of her dreams.

The Holiday Dating Guide is directed by Brian Herzlinger based off a script from Brent Bailey. ZMA Films, partnering with Workhorse Cinema produces, with Ann Koch and Doug Johnson as the executive producers.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟




Wrapped Up in Love
December 18 at 8/7c

Ashley Mackenzie (Brittany Bristow) has always been the preeminent "Christmas Queen" in town. From making hand-crafted decorations for the office to hosting the town’s annual Christmas sweater competition, she loves everything about the holiday...that is, until she meets her match in Ben Williams (Olivier Renaud). Ben is the devilishly handsome new guy in town who loves Christmas just as much as she does—and unwittingly begins to steal her thunder. But as Ashley begins to feel like Ben is taking Christmas away from her, she is reminded of the true spirit of the holiday, and she joins forces with him to make this Christmas even more meaningful.

Wrapped Up in Love is written by Timothy Kuryak with Michelle Ouellet directing. Produced by Champlain Media in association with ReelOne Entertainment for Lifetime.



🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


Lifetime's 2022 Christmas movies begin November 5th! According to the press release, we can also... "get ready for a It's a Wonderful Lifetime Holiday Movie Preview hosted by Sarah Drew! This special will highlight Lifetime’s upcoming 2022 Christmas Movies and will premiere on Lifetime VOD October 27th. With different ways to watch and get into the holiday spirit, beginning November 5th, the Lifetime app and Lifetime VOD will showcase over 40 Lifetime favorite holiday titles. Starting November 4th, Lifetime Movie Club will also have 40 of Lifetime’s best holiday movies available to stream commercial-free!"

At this point, of course, we don't know which movies will be family-friendly. I'm going to be selective on which movies I watch, and I look forward to hearing your take on these new films, as well.
 
So far, these movies look interesting to me: Reindeer Games Homecoming, Six Degrees of Santa, A Christmas Spark, Scentsational Christmas, Single and Ready to Jingle, The Holiday Dating Guide, and Wrapped Up in Love.
 
Which Lifetime Christmas movies are on your must-see list? Please share in comments below...

Joyous Blessings! Net