🌟 Watch the *Great American Christmas* Year 5 Celebration Here! 🌟

If you missed the Great American Christmas Year 5 Celebration last night, I have good news for you! The program is available to watch right now via Facebook or YouTube. In fact, I've embedded the YT video below!

It was truly a delightful, festive evening filled with joy, laughter, prayer, baking, opening gifts, and sharing stories. It truly felt like family!

At nearly 3 hours long, the program was such a fantastic event. It was wonderful to see everyone, including... Cameron Mathison, Candace Cameron Bure, Mario Lopez, Dominic Lopez, Danica McKellar, Shae Robins, Natasha Perry, Katie Leclerc, Sam Page, and Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott.

Jill Wagner, Christopher Russell, and Cindy Busby joined the program live with virtual interviews from Texas (Jill) and Canada (Christopher and Cindy).

Previews were shown of each Christmas movie, and the actors all gave a little information on their films with no spoilers, of course!

Jillian Murray and Trevor Donovan sent in a pre-taped video from the set of their GAF Christmas movie, Chasing Christmas, which is still filming in Buffalo, New York.


🌟Two Major Announcements:

Katie Leclerc, A Wisconsin Christmas Pie, will be filming a new Christmas movie in December for Great American Family next year!

Bill Abbott announced that "A Christmas Prayer" sequel is in the works, starring Shae Robins and Christopher Russell!


Enjoy the celebration here...

Wishing You Warm 

Christmas Blessings,

Net🎄

🎄Great American Christmas Celebrates Year 5 TONIGHT!!!🎄

🎄 Join the Celebration! 🎄

Tonight, Wednesday, November 12th at 8pm/7c, some of our favorite Great American Family stars are coming together to celebrate five wonderful years of Great American Christmas movies! These are the films we love most… filled with heart, faith, love, and the true joy of the season.

Tune in live tonight on Great American Family and Great American Pure Flix’s Facebook pages, or on Great American Family’s YouTube channel to be part of the fun!

The celebration will be hosted by Cameron Mathison, with special appearances from Candace Cameron Bure, Mario Lopez, Danica McKellar, Cindy Busby, Jill Wagner, Christopher Russell, Shae Robins, Natasha Perry, Katie Leclerc, Sam Page, Dominic Lopez, and Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott.

Plus, the newest promotional image for the event also features Jillian Murray and Trevor Donovan, so it’s sure to be a festive, star-studded night we won’t want to miss!

So... get ready, put on your favorite Christmas sweater, and let's all celebrate Great American Christmas together tonight!!!

Happy watching! 

Hope to see many of you there!

Net

🌟 Join Great American Family Stars for a Christmas Facebook Live Event

( click here to enlarge )
image: Great American Family Facebook

Mark your calendars! Great American Family is inviting their Facebook followers to a Special Facebook Live Event on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 8/7c.

Hosted by Cameron Mathison, this event will feature many of GAF's well-loved stars, including Candace Cameron Bure, Mario Lopez, Danica McKellar, Cindy Busby, Jill Wagner, Christopher Russell, Shae Robins, Natasha Perry, Katie Leclerc, Sam Page, Dominic Lopez, and Bill Abbott, the CEO of Great American Media.

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

This is Great American Family's official invite message on Facebook:

"It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to go LIVE! 🎄

Join us for our Great American Christmas 5th Anniversary Celebration, a can’t-miss live event featuring your some of your favorite Christmas stars! Tune in Wednesday, November 12 at 8/7c on our Facebook pages for an evening filled with festive fun, faith, and holiday cheer. ✨

RSVP at https://bit.ly/49GuBwS

Sponsored by Snack Factory, The Salvation Army USA and Explore Branson"

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

I'm hoping to attend, and I really hope a lot of you can make it as well!

Have a Merry Day,

Net

🎄✨ Cindy Busby & Sam Page Star in New Great American Christmas Movie 'Homes for the Holidays'

( image credit: Great American Media )

Get ready to deck the halls this holiday season with a heartwarming new Christmas romance on Great American Family!

Great American Media has just unveiled 'Homes for the Holidays', an original Christmas movie starring Cindy Busby ("When Hope Calls," A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love) and Sam Page (Christmas in Rome, A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love) - two fan favorites I'm thrilled to see sharing the screen again!

(You might remember their earlier film, 'Joy for Christmas,' which first premiered in 2021... and good news, it’s currently airing as part of Great American Family’s Christmas in July lineup!)

Filming for 'Homes for the Holidays' is currently underway at the Great Point Studios in Buffalo, New York.

Keep reading for all of the exciting details in the full press release below...


Press Release via Great American Media:

Great American Media

Announces Homes for the Holidays,

New, Original Movie Starring

Cindy Busby and Sam Page,

Coming to Great American Family,

Streaming on Great American Pure Flix,

Premiering on GFAM+,

Part of 5th Anniversary Edition

Great American Christmas,

Returning to Air in October

NEW YORK, NY – July 28, 2025 – Great American Media announced production is underway for the new, Original Movie, Homes for the Holidays, starring Cindy Busby (“When Hope Calls,” Crown Prince of Christmas) and Sam Page (“Joy for Christmas,” “Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane”). This film is currently being shot at Great Point Studios in Buffalo, New York, and is set to premiere as part of the 5th Anniversary of GREAT AMERICAN CHRISTMAS in 2025. The beloved programming event will begin airing in October on Great American Family, GFAM+, and streaming on Great American Pure Flix. Homes for the Holidays joins a new, all-star lineup for Great American Christmas 2025, celebrating faith, family, love, joy, and hope. Christmas as it is meant to be.

In Homes for the Holidays, big city realtor, Grace Sawyer (Busby) returns to her hometown of Evergreen Falls to lead the local realty office, just as the team nears an annual sales goal that would win the employees a dream vacation. On Grace’s first day, she accidentally ruins a once-in-a-year sunset photo for local photographer Luke Davies (Page), who also shoots listings for the agency. Will a chance to own her dream home and to snag a permanent role managing the firm in her small-town lead Grace to love and a future she never expected.

Homes for the Holidays is a Three Homes Pictures, Inc. production. Lisa France and Cindy Busby are executive producers of Homes for the Holidays. Mac Cappuccino and Steve Lee are line producers. Lisa France directs from an Original teleplay by writers Lucy Gordon and Ansley Gordon.

ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA

Great American Media is home to a family-friendly portfolio of brands including Great American Family, Great American Pure Flix and Great American Faith & Living. As the flagship linear TV network, Great American Family features original Christmas movies, rom-coms and classic series that celebrate faith, family and country. Great American Pure Flix is a leading faith and family streaming service that inspires, uplifts and entertains with content that you can confidently stream with the entire family. Other platforms include, Great American Faith & Living, the unscripted companion to Great American Family that celebrates faith, family, and country every day and every season; Great American Adventures and Pure Flix TV, FAST channels (free ad-supporting streaming TV). Great American Media was established in June 2021 by Bill Abbott and a group of US-based family offices.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Pam Slay
Network Program Publicity & Talent Relations
818.415.3784
pamslay@gacmedia.com
media@crosswindpr.com

( ----- End of Press Release ----- )

With two beloved stars leading the cast and a charming storyline, this one feels like a a must-see for the holiday season!

I’d love to hear what you think! Will 'Homes for the Holidays' be on your Christmas movie watch list? (It’s definitely on mine!)

Happy Movie-Watching!

Net 🎬

( image credit: Great American Media - click here to enlarge )

🌟 Cindy Busby and Sam Page Reunite for Great American Family Christmas Movie - See Sneak Peek!

Great American Media just shared a sneak-peek video on its socials (see below!) from one of their upcoming Christmas movies, featuring this special message you won’t want to miss...

"Exciting things are happening behind the scenes! 🎬 Stay tuned for a buzz-worthy announcement this week! 🤭"

(click image below to play)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Great American Family (@greatamericanfamily)

I'm so excited to see Cindy Busby and Sam Page together again! I absolutely loved them in the 2021 Great American Family Christmas movie, Joy for Christmas! Their chemistry was just perfect in that film, and judging by this behind-the-scenes clip, it looks like that same spark is definitely back!


Please share your thoughts in comments below.

Stay tuned for more 

Christmas movie news!

Net🎄

image via: Great American Media

🎄Spreading Christmas Joy in March!🎄 Happy 9 Months 'til Christmas Day!🌟

On this March 25th, we are only nine months away from Christmas Day! The elves may still be on break, but that doesn't mean we can't countdown to that special day!

If you are counting down until the beginning of the Christmas season, then we are now around seven months away, give or take a few days. Of course, as we devoted Christmas movie watchers know, the Christmas movies usually begin airing at the end of October!

If you plan to watch something Christmassy today or this week, please share in comments below.

Here's the schedule of Christmas airing this upcoming Friday night...

Friday, March 28, 2025:

The Jingle Bell Jubilee ... Great American Family ... 6pm
Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow ... Hallmark Family ... 6pm
Next Stop, Christmas ... Hallmark Channel ... 6pm
A Cinderella Christmas Ball ... Great American Family ... 8pm
Joy for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 10pm
The Jingle Bell Jubilee ... Great American Family ... 12am
A Cinderella Christmas Ball ... Great American Family ... 2am
Joy for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 4am


My two picks for Friday night are definitely Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow, starring Andrew Walker and Meghan Ory, and Joy for Christmas, starring Cindy Busby and Sam Page!

Did you know, you can also currently watch Joy for Christmas in full for free on Great American Family's YouTube page? In fact, Great American Family offers many excellent Christmas movies on their YouTube page, including A Christmas... Present, Bringing Christmas Home, A Lot Like Christmas, and many more! (click here to see what's currently available)

I've embedded the Joy for Christmas video below, but you can also watch it directly on YouTube by clicking here.




Also, don't forget...

Get your votes in for Great American Family's Jingle Bell Bracket! (*click here to play*)

On April 12th, the final four Christmas movies will encore on Great American Family from #4 to viewer voted #1!

And a quick reminder... you can also catch Cindy Busby in the upcoming season of When Hope Calls - Sunday, April 6th on Great American Family (or April 3rd on Great American Pure Flix)

Cindy will be promoting the show with a special IG Live on March 27th and a Facebook Lve on March 31st!

May your day be 

Merry & Bright!

Happy 25th!

Net🎄

Main Photo via: © All Canadian Entertainment

❤️ The Hallmark Channel Extends Valentine's Day Weekend to President's Day!

Good news, rom-com fans! Valentine's Day will be sticking around just a little longer this year! It ain't over until the Hallmark Channel says it's over.

Valentine's Day is such a lovely, sweet holiday, so why not keep the love going for a few extra days and roll right into President's Day?

And really, is it all that surprising? I mean, Hallmark begins Christmas around Halloween? Why not celebrate Valentine's Day on President's Day?!?!

Starting Sunday night, February 16th, at 10 PM (yep, 10 PM right after When Calls the Heart), the Hallmark Channel kicks off its Valentine's Movie Marathon, running all the way until early Tuesday morning at 6 AM!

And Hallmark Mystery has their own special marathon on Monday... a Lacey Chabert Mystery Movie Marathon! See details below.


❤️ Hallmark Channel's Valentine's Day Marathon

Sunday, February 16th:

Love on the Menu - 10pm

Monday, February 17th:

Love on the Right Course - 12am
Anything for Love - 2am
Sense & Sensibility - 8am
Falling for You - 10am
Dater's Handbook - 12pm
Welcome to Valentine - 2pm
The Lost Valentine - 4pm
All Things Valentine - 6pm
Paris, Wine, and Romance - 8pm
My Secret Valentine - 10pm

Tuesday, February 18th:

A Paris Proposal - 12am
Valentine in the Vineyard - 2am
Love, Romance, and Chocolate - 4am


❤️ Lacey Chabert Mystery Movie Marathon on Hallmark Mystery

Monday, February 17th:

The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango - 8am
Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For - 10am
Crossword Mysteries: Proposing Murder - 12pm
Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver - 2pm
Crossword Mysteries: Terminal Descent - 4pm
Crossword Mysteries: Riddle Me Dead - 6pm
The Christmas Quest - 8pm


I hope you all enjoy some of the romantic comedies, mysteries, and Valentine's Day-themed movies airing from late Sunday to early Tuesday! We could all use a bit more love in this world, so it seems like the perfect moment for it!

Wishing you all much love 

and happiness,

Net

images: Hallmark Media, edit: itsawonderfulmovie.com

GAC FAMILY ANNOUNCES “12 MOVIES OF CHRISTMAS”

GAC FAMILY ANNOUNCES 

“12 MOVIES OF CHRISTMAS” 

ORIGINAL HOLIDAY MOVIE CELEBRATION

THREE NEW CHRISTMAS MOVIES ADDED TO EXPANDED LINEUP

MY ANGEL’S CHRISTMAS LIST,

Starring Chad Michael Murray and Jessica Lowndes

A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS,

Starring Maggie Lawson and Christopher Russell

JOY FOR CHRISTMAS,

Starring Cindy Busby and Sam Page

NEW YORK, NY – October 18, 2021 – GAC Family today announced “12 Movies of Christmas” as the network’s holiday movie celebration featuring a dozen original films. The lineup expands to twelve movies with the addition of “My Angel’s Christmas List,” starring Chad Michael Murray (“An Autumn Romance,” “Riverdale”) and Jessica Lowndes (“An Autumn Romance,” “90210”); “A Lot Like Christmas,” starring Maggie Lawson (“Christmas Encore,” “Christmas In Evergreen: Tidings of Joy”) and Christopher Russell (“A Dream of Christmas,” “The Mistletoe Secret”); and “Joy For Christmas,” starring Cindy Busby (“Toying With the Holidays,” “A Godwink Christmas”) and Sam Page (“The Perfect Christmas Present,” “Christmas in Rome”).

Kicking off on October 30, “12 Movies of Christmas” will feature an original Christmas movie each Saturday night on GAC Family. After a Thanksgiving weekend event with three consecutive nights of original holiday movie premieres, fans will get all-new Christmas programming each Saturday and Sunday night during the month of December. The celebration is part of “Great American Christmas,” GAC Family’s franchise featuring original holiday-themed movies and specials headlined by top stars fans have come to know and love.

GAC Family (formerly Great American Country) launched on September 27 under the tagline “Stories Well Told” and features family-friendly, holiday movies and series that celebrate American culture, lifestyle and heritage. GAC Family can be found on Altice USA (Ch. 184), AT&T U-verse (Ch. 529, 1529 HD), Comcast (Ch.147, 1620 HD), COX (Ch. 1156), Dish (Ch.165), DirecTV (Ch. 326) and Spectrum (Channel Finder); and also on streaming services, including Frndly TV, Fubo TV, Philo, Hulu and Sling TV. Additional platform partners will be announced soon.

Movie descriptions for “My Angel’s Christmas List,” “A Lot Like Christmas” and “Joy For Christmas” can be found below along with the full “12 Movies of Christmas” lineup. Fans can learn more about the upcoming movie slate by tuning into “Welcome to Great American Christmas,” a new special with hosts Debbie Matenopoulos and Cameron Mathison premiering Saturday, October 16 at 8pm ET/PT.

MY ANGEL’S CHRISTMAS LIST

Starring Chad Michael Murray and Jessica Lowndes

Premieres Friday, November 26 at 8pm ET

In “My Angel’s Christmas List,” Ally Morgan (Lowndes) is a workaholic ER doctor struggling for work-life balance with boyfriend, Josh (David Reale). On the night Josh is set to propose, he and Ally have a row about her working an extra shift on Christmas Eve, which leads to a breakup. Ally is miserable alone before a chance encounter with handsome barista, Gabe (Murray) leads her to fulfill a Christmas bucket list of fun activities she never would have done on her own. Ally’s best friend and fellow ER doctor, Dawn (Samora Smallwood) has never seen Ally so engaged outside of work and is rooting for a Gabe-Ally relationship. Now, the saintly Maureen (Jane Luk) must redirect Gabe’s heartfelt intentions if Josh and Ally have any chance at reconciliation this Christmas.

Executive Producers of “My Angel’s Christmas List” are Brad Krevoy, Amanda Phillips, Eric Jarboe, Amy Krell, Vince Balzano, Jimmy Townsend, Chad Michael Murray, Jessica Lowndes, Susie Belzberg Krevoy, and Kathy Ceroni. Producer is David Anselmo. Supervising Producers are W. Michael Beard and Michael Shepard. Associate Producers are Kelly Martin and Kaitlyn Greenough. Jerry Ciccoritti directs from an original screenplay by Carlie Mantilla and John Elliott Jordan.


🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Starring Maggie Lawson and Christopher Russell

Premieres Sunday, December 5 at 8pm ET

In “A Lot Like Christmas,” Jessica Roberts (Lawson) owns the most popular Christmas Tree lot in the picturesque New England town of Hudson Springs. But when big-city marketing executive, Clay Moore (Russel) moves a “Big Box” store into the area and starts selling trees, Jasmine finds her business in jeopardy. As their professional competition escalates, Jasmine and Clay run into another complication – they start falling for each other.

Executive Producers of “A Lot Like Christmas” are Brad Krevoy, Amanda Phillips, Eric Jarboe, Lorenzo Nardini, Cara J. Russell, Jimmy Townsend, Susie Belzberg Krevoy, Trevor McWhinney and Doran Chandler. Producer is Rob Lycar. Supervising Producers are Kelly Frazier, Bradley M. Goodman and Michael Shepard. Associate Producers are Suzan Derkson Marlisa Fruehauf, Trudi Thorwaldson. Stacey Harding directs from an original screenplay by Amyn Kaderali.


🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

JOY FOR CHRISTMAS

Starring Cindy Busby and Sam Page

Premieres Sunday, December 19 at 8pm ET

When her family firm’s annual Christmas toy drive is in jeopardy, Holly Silver (Busby) must convince pro athlete Jack Kane (Page) to be the public face of the campaign to help save it. As Noelle helps Jack rediscover the meaning of Christmas, Holly reconnects with her own family traditions. While Jack and Holly go through challenges of making Christmas dreams for others come true, they discover kindred spirits in each other and the potential for the gift of romance this holiday season.

Executive Producers of “Joy For Christmas” are Brad Krevoy, Amanda Phillips, Eric Jarboe, Lorenzo Nardini, Steve N. White, Jimmy Townsend, Susie Belzberg Krevoy and Doran Chandler. Producer is Kevin Leslie. Supervising Producers are Kay Metchie, Bradley M. Goodman and Michael Shepard. Associate Producers are Marlisa Fruehauf and Trudi Thorwaldson. Pat Williams directs from an original screenplay by Steve N. White, Joel & Lisa Canfield and Guy Yosub.


🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

GAC Family “12 Movie of Christmas” Premieres – All times 8pm ET

Saturday, October 30: Much Ado About Christmas
Saturday, November 6: The Great Christmas Switch
Saturday, November 13: Christmas Time is Here
Saturday, November 20: A Kindhearted Christmas
Friday, November 26: My Angel’s Christmas List
Saturday, November 27: Royally Wrapped for Christmas
Sunday, November 28: Christmas Is You
Saturday, December 4: Jingle Bell Princess
Sunday, December 5: A Lot Like Christmas
Saturday, December 11: A Christmas Miracle for Daisy
Sunday, December 12: A Christmas Star
Sunday, December 19: Joy For Christmas

“Great American Christmas” Series and Specials– All times 8pm ET

Sunday, October 16: Welcome to Great American Christmas
Saturday, December 18: When Hope Calls: Season 2 Premiere

###

ABOUT GAC Media

GAC Media, LLC is home to Great American Channels: GAC Family ”Stories Well Told” and GAC Living ”Life Well Lived.” As the flagship service, GAC Family celebrates American culture, lifestyle and heritage with original holiday-themed, family-friendly movies and series. GAC Living is the unscripted companion to GAC Family that celebrates Great American family-friendly traditions every day and every season. GAC Media, LLC was established in June 2021 and was organized by Dallas-based Hicks Equity Partners LLC and Bill Abbott. Its ownership primarily consists of US-based family offices.

Welcome the First Weekend of October with TWO New Movies! SEE HERE:

Happy October, everyone! A new month and weekend is upon us. I hope the autumn weather is pleasant in your area. We've been having a week of above-average temps, so it's been sunny and beautiful!

See the new movies airing this weekend below, plus details on the new Chesapeake Shores and two new Hallmark DVD releases!


🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁


Saturday, OCTOBER 2, 2021:

Fall Harvest continues with...

Love Strikes Twice

Storyline: Maggie (Katie Findlay) and Josh (Wyatt Nash) are an out-of-sync married couple. Maggie wishes for a do-over and wakes up 15 years earlier. Will she choose Josh again or is an ex-boyfriend her happily ever after?

Love Strikes Twice premieres

Saturday, OCTOBER 2, 2021

at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁


Sunday, OCTOBER 3, 2021:

Chesapeake Shores

Episode 8 - “Where or When?”:

Abby is preoccupied when Evan whisks her away on a business trip and has something important to tell her. Bree learns about Luke’s past from an unlikely source. As Sarah makes a decision about whether or not to accept her job promotion, she and Kevin contemplate sharing some news with the rest of the family. When an anonymous person leaves a negative review for the B&B, Jess and David try to figure out who would have written it. Megan’s work on the exhibit reconnects her with an art critic friend from New York, who brings out a side of her that Mick has never seen. After receiving a mysterious package from an old friend of his own, Mick ventures on a trip that could be more trouble than he expects.

Chesapeake Shores airs

Sunday, OCTOBER 3, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁


Sunday, OCTOBER 3, 2021:

Sam Page stars in the Hallmark Drama...

One Summer

Storyline: Jack takes his son and daughter to his late wife's beachside hometown hoping to heal and become closer. The summer brings visions of the past that could forge a new path forward.

One Summer premieres

Sunday, OCTOBER 3, 2021

at 9pm/8c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁

Two of the latest Hallmark movies new on DVD at Amazon...

Roadhouse Romance

starring Lauren Alaina and Tyler Hynes

Project Christmas Wish

Amanda Schull and Travis Van Winkle

*This movie stars Amanda Schull, 

who is also starring in Hallmark's Sunday night movie premiere, One Summer!

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁


Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm not sure if either of these new movies are overly appealing to me. I like the actors, but the stories aren't grabbing me, so far. Is it just me? Love Strikes Twice is a do-over type movie and those can be okay, sometimes, and other times not, and One Summer looks kind of sad, but it might be heartwarming, as well. We'll see. Perhaps one or both will surprise me.

What do you think of the new movies? Share in comments below.

Please Note: I have not pre-screened these movies. If you would like to post a review on whether these movies are family-friendly, please share in comments.

Blessings to you all, Net

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁

"God has made everything beautiful for it's own time."

~Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

🎃🎄Transition from September to October with these Hallmark Christmas Movie Classics! 🎃🎄

Christmas Thursdays...

September 30, 2021:

A GODWINK CHRISTMAS: 

SECOND CHANCE, FIRST LOVE

Stars: Brooke D'Orsay and Sam Page

After 15 years, Pat moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and through a series of coincidences, or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart, Margie, at Christmas.

See an encore of

A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love

Thursday, September 30, 2021

at 7pm/6c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

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

Christmas Fridays...

October 1, 2021:

MAGICAL CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

Stars: Jessica Lowndes and Brendan Penny


Publishing executive Marie finds her Christmas spirit reawakened as her mother begins sending her the family's ornaments. As each ornament arrives, it brings a positive change to Marie's life.

See an encore of

Magical Christmas Ornaments

Friday, October 1, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

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

It's hard to believe Friday is October 1st, and as we turn the calendar we realize - Christmas movies begin this month! "Ahhhhhhhh!!!" (think Kevin McCallister's scream from Home Alone here!) Time is flying right by, isn't it? All the excitement for the season to come is certainly building. It's coming! It's coming!

Until then, enjoy today and all it's beauty!

Joyous Blessings to you all, Net

For Lacey Chabert - "Rome" is Where the Heart is + Another Heartwarming Movie Encore! SEE HERE:

Looking for a little joy to be added to your week? Then, be sure to watch this Christmas movie and take a trip, along with Lacey Chabert to Rome, where adventure and love awaits!


Christmas Thursdays on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Thursday, September 2, 2021:

Christmas in Rome

starring Lacey Chabert and Sam Page

Storyline via Hallmark: Angela, an American tour guide living in Rome, meets Oliver, an American business executive who is lost and late for an important meeting on his first day there. Angela helps him, but soon finds herself playing a central role in Oliver’s business deal, as the company owner will only sell to someone who understands the ways of Italy. Oliver hires Angela as his personal tour guide but gets far more than he bargained for, as a romance blooms between them amidst the backdrop of Rome at Christmastime and he must learn that life and business work differently in Italy.

Christmas in Rome encores

Thursday, September 2, 2021

at 7pm/6c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Following "Christmas in Rome," is...

The Color of Rain

starring Lacey Chabert and Warren Christie

Please Note: This movie is heartbreaking and touching as it shows the death of two spouses and parents to young children. There is also a story of hope as they rediscover love again. This is not a Christmas movie, but there is a beautiful scene at the end that takes place at Christmastime with the children performing in a Church Nativity Pageant.

See my review of "The Color of Rain" - click here!

The Color of Rain encores

Thursday, September 2, 2021

at 9pm/8c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

The last Christmas movie airing this week is "Crashing Through the Snow" on the Hallmark Channel. I know there were a lot of mixed feelings on this movie. It had some cute moments and fun banter, some loved it, others did not. My personal feeling is: marriage is a serious lifetime commitment, but I didn’t feel it was taken seriously, at all, in this movie.

You can read reviews on "Crashing Through the Snow" - here and decide if you'd like to watch. 

Blessings on your week! Net

Lacey Chabert movies on DVD at Amazon:
(click on DVD covers below for details!)

🔎 September 2021 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Premieres! 🔎💗 Get the Scoop Here:

HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES will have All New Mysteries and Movie Dramas in September.

See all the details below...

NOTE: All NEW Premieres in September begin at 9pm/8c.

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

Redemption in Cherry Springs

Starring: Rochelle Aytes and Keith Robinson

Premieres: September 12, 2021

Storyline: After fallout from a story, reporter Melanie goes home to Cherry Springs for a break. When a friend disappears, she uses her skills to get to the truth, to the local detective's dismay.


Review:

🔎 "This was a good, family friendly sort of mystery for around age 12 and up. Nothing gory or creepy was shown. Melanie (Rochelle Aytes) has returned home to take care of her mother’s home and belongings after her passing (I believe it was a year ago)– and she’s also escaping some troubling issues she’s encountered as a journalist. A good friend of Melanie‘s winds up missing and she sets out to find him with the help of the local detective, Jake (Keith Robinson), who is a single father (his wife is deceased) and he's also a good friend to Melanie's uncle. The chemistry between the two leads is good; it’s obvious they are setting up this story to continue on to further movies, as one minor mystery at the end is yet to be solved. I also want to mention some brief dialogue that caught my attention at the beginning of the movie. Melanie is talking to her friend about a karaoke party from the past and she says (almost under her breath) she still has PTSD from it and they both laugh. I felt that was not an appropriate reference to use with this supposed joke. PTSD is a very serious condition and should not be used in a lighthearted way. Ever. Beyond that, the mystery portion wasn’t too difficult to solve, but it is interesting. And much like the recent Mystery 101 movies, as I alluded to above, this movie also leaves another mystery undone." ~Net

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

Finding Love in Mountain View

Starring: Danielle C. Ryan, Myko Olivier

Note: The poster below is a previous one released for this movie. Hallmark may release their own poster image and press photos. Stay tuned for updates.

Premieres: September 19, 2021

Storyline: After learning she's been entrusted to take care of her deceased cousin's children, an architect is torn between focusing on her career and honoring her cousin's wish.


Review:

💗 "Finding Love in Mountain View was a beautiful, family friendly movie that made me cry a time or two. The two leads had amazing chemistry and the kids were great too. I personally could have done without the selfish, workaholic boyfriend. It's been done so many times, and the movie had plenty of conflict without it. Other than that, it was touching and warm-hearted despite the sadness and loss. Just have tissues handy!" ~melnewlife

💗 "Finding Love in Mountain View - This is such a heartwarming story. Margaret is usually self-absorbed and career driven, but once she is tasked with the responsibility of caring for her cousin’s children after her passing, she realizes she’s been traveling down the wrong path. It is a beautiful movie about coming home, forgiveness, love, and sacrifice. Please note: A bit of caution for young viewers since this story does revolve around the death of the children’s parents. Otherwise, this movie is family friendly." ~Net

💗 "Loved "Finding Love in Mountain View". Agree with other reviews." ~~Jane

💗 "Finding Love In Mountain View Such an unusual movie for Hallmark which is perhaps why they sat on it for such a long time before airing it. This is more like an afternoon Lifetime or Larry Levinson family drama movie! I would say it was done on quite a low budget for there were several obvious loopholes in the plot. Margaret is on a career driven path but suddenly finds herself guardian to her "best friend's" two children. There were a couple of flashbacks to their relationship but none of this made sense. Her supposed best friend and although they lived within driving distance of each other (at the end she talked about commuting to her office a couple of days a week) they hadn't spoken for five years! Moreover she was named guardian to her two children although she hadn't been asked or knew anything about it apart from saying in passing in their youth "You know I'd do anything for you". It was a bit offputting that in the traumatic circumstances it seemed as if within just a matter of days everyone was smiling and laughing as if they hadn't been affected. Most of the focus was on Margaret's relationship with the children and the romance was pretty low key except towards the end when Andrew (who had been her boyfriend in their youth and they had met up again on her return to Mountain View) had asked her out and her boyfriend whom she hadn't mentioned turned up causing Andrew to exhibit signs of jealousy. I didn't think the boyfriend was that bad, he could have been more sympathetic but Mountain View just wasn't his sort of work-driven life. To be honest I thought Andrew was like a big overgrown schoolboy but he and Margaret made a warm and comfortable couple like they'd had never been apart. At this satge you can just see what is coming up!! Margaret decides that her life is back in Mountain View adopting the two children but not replacing their mother and able to continue her career working from there. I'd have liked to see a little more depth to the ending between Margaret and Andrew apart from the one kiss and a few hastily spoken words. The aunt and the children all played their parts well adding to the overall satisfaction. What you have to do is suspend belief,go with the flow and sit back and enjoy what is a heartwarming, sentimental and thought-provoking "family" drama (musn't forget to mention family-friendly!) about a woman realising what the direction her life really should go in. I can only say that as a whole I really enjoyed it." ~ Florence's rating - 8

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Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone

Starring: Tom Everett Scott, Mia Maestro, Ella Ballentine

Premieres: September 26, 2021

Story: Benedict Stone’s (Scott) life is turned upside-down when his teenage niece (Ballentine) arrives on his doorstep; except she might be the change that Benedict desperately needs.

Review:

💗 "Rise & Shine, Benedict Stone I love this movie is such a gem. I love precious gemstone family with meanings - I’d like to wear like bracelets. They hang gems under the willow tree near Benedict’s house. Benedict follows his Father’s footsteps to become a jeweler who family owns jewelry store. Benedict separates from his Wife; Emilia after 10 years of unsuccessfully trying to have a baby but he wants to regain his Wife’s love, despite her need for space. His Niece, Gemma arrives her Uncle Benedict’s house in the middle of the night. Emilia & Benedict’s 10 years Anniversary - Benedict makes necklace with gemstones of meanings. They got married at the end of the movie. Gemma said they make for each other" ~Anonymous

💗 "Rise & Shine: Benedict Stone - On the night when I sat down to watch this movie on my DVR, I thought I would just watch 30 minutes or so, but I was so captivated, I couldn’t stop watching. The characters felt so real and authentic, full of emotion, heartache and promise. I loved that there was a bit of mystery in this story, as well. When Benedict’s niece shows up late one night in the rain, cold and needing a place to stay, Benedict is full of questions, however answers are slow to come. He allows her to stay, and gradually begins to reopen his heart to the past and future. Benedict’s job is the family business of creating jewelry pieces from various colorful stones; Gemma inspires her Uncle B (as she affectionately calls him) to find the artist inside himself to create unique pieces and reach out more affectively to his estranged wife. Rise & Shine: Benedict Stone is a beautiful movie about love, forgiveness and redemption. Plus, it’s family friendly and it includes an adorable cat! Tom Everett Scott is fantastic as the somewhat stiff, but reliable Uncle, while Ella Ballentine shines as the warm and energetic, Gemma. I also enjoyed seeing Viv Leacock (“When Calls the Heart”) as one of Benedict’s friends, and it was interesting to see that Peter Benson (“Aurora Teagarden”) was the director. This is one of those rare movies that is a gem, or in this case, a gem-stone!" ~Net

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