★ Welcome 2021! ★ Take a Shot at Hallmark's first *New Year New Movies* premiere + Mystery Movies are back! 🔎 DETAILS HERE:

The NEW movies that premiere on the Hallmark Channel in January used to be called Winterfest; however, that title has now melted away and has been replaced with the new catchy slogan - "New Year New Movies!" What do you think? Do you like it? I think it's okay, fun and enthusiastic, but I'm such a traditionalist, I kinda miss Winterfest too.

5 NEW Movies will premiere in January, 2021 under the banner - "New Year New Movies," beginning with...


Saturday, January 2, 2021

Taking a Shot at Love

Story-line: Jenna, a former professional dancer, uses ballet to help a hockey player get back on the ice. (see more details - here!)

Taking a Shot at Love premieres 

Saturday, January 2, 2021

at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel

★★★★★★★★★★

Beginning very early on Saturday - Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will bring back their all-star line-up of best loved Mystery Movies with the return of...

Saturday, January 2, 2021
(times are in EST.)

CROSSWORD MYSTERIES: A PUZZLE TO DIE FOR - 6am
CROSSWORD MYSTERIES: PROPOSING MURDER - 8am
CROSSWORD MYSTERIES: ABRACADAVER - 10am
A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE: A MARTHA'S VINEYARD MYSTERY - 12pm
RIDDLED WITH DECEIT: A MARTHA'S VINEYARD MYSTERY - 2pm
MYSTERY 101 - 4pm
MYSTERY 101: PLAYING DEAD - 6pm
MYSTERY 101: WORDS CAN KILL - 8pm
MYSTERY 101: DEAD TALK - 10pm

Sunday, January 3, 2021
(times are in EST.)

MYSTERY 101: AN EDUCATION IN MURDER - 12am
CHRONICLE MYSTERIES: RECOVERED - 2am
CHRONICLE MYSTERIES: THE WRONG MAN - 4am
CHRONICLE MYSTERIES: VINES THAT BIND - 6am
CHRONICLE MYSTERIES: THE DEEP END - 8am
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: A BONE TO PICK - 10am
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: REAL MURDERS - 12pm
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: THREE BEDROOMS, ONE CORPSE - 2pm
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: THE JULIUS HOUSE - 4pm
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: DEAD OVER HEELS - 6pm
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: A BUNDLE OF TROUBLE - 8pm
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: LAST SCENE ALIVE - 10pm

Monday, January 4, 2021
(times are in EST.)

AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: REAP WHAT YOU SEW - 12am
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: THE DISAPPEARING GAME - 2am
AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES: A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE - 4am

★★★★★★★★★★

Hallmark Drama has a marathon filled with *HOPE*..


Saturday, January 2, 2021
(times are in EST.)

Binge watch the beloved series "When Hope Calls" throughout the day...

WHEN HOPE CALLS New Hope - 9am

WHEN HOPE CALLS From the Ashes - 10am

WHEN HOPE CALLS Out of the Past - 11am

WHEN HOPE CALLS Lost and Found - 12pm

WHEN HOPE CALLS A House United - 1pm

WHEN HOPE CALLS The Search - 2pm

WHEN HOPE CALLS Surprise - 3pm

WHEN HOPE CALLS About a Girl - 4pm

WHEN HOPE CALLS House in Order - 5pm

WHEN HOPE CALLS Where Hope Goes - 6pm

Much like "When Calls the Heart," I also adore the "When Hope Calls" series... I keep hoping we'll learn news of a second season. I highly recommend it for family viewing.

When January comes I always miss the Christmas movies, but I'm always happy to see a hint of Christmas lights in the new January movies.

Have a wonderful first weekend in the new year! 

Joyful Blessings! Net 

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

Taking a Shot at Love

Premieres: Saturday, January 2 9pm/8c

Starring: Alexa PenaVega and Luke Macfarlane

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


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


Reviews:

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

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

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


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

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A New Year’s Resolution

Premieres: Saturday, January 9 9pm/8c

Starring: Aimee Teegarden and Michael Rady

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

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

Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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Two for the Win

Premieres: Saturday, January 16 9pm/8c

Starring: Charlotte Sullivan and Trevor Donovan

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


Reviews:

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

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


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

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A Winter Getaway

(Previous Title: Love in the Alps)

Premieres: Saturday, January 23 9pm/8c

Starring: Nazneen Contractor and Brooks Darnell

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


Review:

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


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

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Snowkissed

Premieres: Saturday, January 30 9pm/8c

Starring: Jen Lilley and Chris McNally

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

Reviews:

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

❄"Snowkissed is adorable." ~Denise

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joyous Blessings! Net