Hallmark Media officially announces their *Christmas in July* New Movies! The network will make a splash this Summer with TWO Christmas Movie Premieres, plus a rom-com on the Hallmark Channel, a drama on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and "When Calls the Heart" Season 10 is also coming to the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, July 30, 2023!
See all the details below...
Hallmark's *Christmas in July* New Movies...
A Royal Christmas Crush
Previous Working Title: Winter Castle Royal Romance
Saturday, July 8, 2023
Starring Katie Cassidy and Stephen Huszar
Storyline: Ava (Cassidy) accepts the opportunity of a lifetime to work at the Royal Ice Hotel which leads her to a surprise whirlwind romance with the most important guest of all, the Royal Prince (Huszar) himself.
Movie Reviews:
👑🎄 I am sorry to say my husband and I did not enjoy either new movie this past weekend. In fact, we did not finish either one. :-( Here's hoping things improve in the coming weeks. ~Joan
👑🎄 A Royal Christmas Crush is clean, and quite sweet as well! :) It, felt really good to sit through a whole new Hallmark movie for the 1st time in a long time. -Maria
👑🎄 A Royal Christmas Crush is family friendly about Ava is an architect who gets brought on to help her Uncle Karl Jensen Charlie puts the finishing touches on a gorgeous ice hotel constructed for the royal family of the fictional Nordic nation of Friørland. It’s there that the royal family retreats to spend the holiday season, away from the prying eyes of paparazzi. This is a very newsworthy time for the royals, because handsome Prince Henry is newly single & should have probably already mingled and married by now.
And that’s how fate brings together an architect named Ava & a prince named Henry for one chilly stay at a hotel that’s been carved out of ice. As things heat up between the two, though, members of the royals’ inner circle start to panic & try to pour cold water on this possible love connection. You’ve got the assistants digging up dirt on Ava & trying to set him up with possible suitors all while our girl is just trying to do her job & also deal with the fact that a prince has a crush on her. That hardly ever happens, let alone while one is at work ~Anonymous
👑🎄 Reading "Movie Reviews of A Royal Christmas Crush" here prompts me to give my own. (I didn't see the earlier post where these reviews were given in order to give my own there.)
I enjoyed this movie very much, and gave it a 7 out of 10 (vs. the average 5.8). I think that the leads were well matched.
I have but two negatives to cite:
1. The name of the setting (the country of the mythical kingdom), both in closed captions and in the masthead of the country's newspaper, was Frìorland (or Fríorland, I forget which). Most cast members/characters pronounced it as if it were Friórland. Only the prince [and one other from the royal household] pronounced it the way it was spelled, and even he slipped once. To confuse it even more, when Deputy Von Trier was searching the Google-like "Speed Search" for dirt on our heroine, Ava Jensen, the search screen displayed "Also offered in: Fríðrlish" (as opposed to English).
2. In my world, Brigitta would have been fired for her hijinks in pushing her daughter forward to become the prince's mate, the next queen. But we couldn't have that happen in a Hallmark movie, so she made a remarkable last-minute, apologetic turn-around, to put her back in the royal graces (as if her position was never in jeopardy). ~TVsenior
👑🎄 Review: A Royal Christmas Crush -
Family-friendly? Yes -
Keeper? No, but maybe a one-time watch
Other reviewers have pointed out some of the problems I had with this movie: 1) It's much more of a winter movie than a Christmas one, 2) The ice castle story is a hard one to take - I mean, building a new elaborate castle every year??, and 3) Stephen's accent is not consistent. But my main problems were that I expected more chemistry between Stephen and Katie (since they are in a relationship in real life) and I just didn't see it. And I don't think Katie really knew how to play her part. At times she acts nervous around the prince, but then at times she talks to him too casually, like he's a friend she's known for years. (I'm thinking she went off-script, using informal language instead of something more formal. Just a hunch.) The supporting cast were excellent, however. Anyway, it's not a bad movie, just not a keeper for me. Once was enough. ~Mark 25
👑🎄 Royal Christmas Crush – For me this movie ranks last in the 3 new Christmas in July movie premieres. Stephen Huszar’s accent was rather off-putting, at times, and I tried hard to look past that. Even though Stephen and Katie Cassidy are a real couple in real-life, on screen their romance, for me, was more of a fizzle, than sizzle. Even though it is family-friendly, the story just didn’t pull me in like I had hoped. Still the best movie of the ice castle franchise, in my opinion, is the first movie, Winter Castle, starring Emilie Ullerup and Kevin McGarry. ~Net
Take Me Back for Christmas
Previous title: The Christmas Reboot
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Starring Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier
Storyline: A Christmas wish gives Renee (Lengies) the successful life she’d always dreamed of. This new reality is perfect, except for one thing… she is no longer married to her husband Aaron (Sevier). Now, Renee must race against the clock to win him back before Christmas Eve.
Movie Reviews:
🎄 I absolutely loved "Take Me Back for Christmas" it was a tear jerker for sure, I was a mess by the end of the movie...in a good way! It was sweet and those 2 have amazing chemistry! I found it to be family friendly but I would caution that maybe little ones should not be watching it, it definitely has a more grown up theme. ~Sarah
🎄 I really liked Take Me Back for Christmas. It was family friendly, and I thought both actors did a great job. I thought it was really cute overall. ~Anonymous
🎄 Aw! My husband and I really enjoyed "Take me back for Christmas". It was sweet, heartfelt and enjoyable. Yes, it had a time travel plotline which has been used countless times. But there was something about this movie that drew me in and had my husband and I hooked. Plus, there were several touching scenes and a couple of scenes that made us both cry like babies! Unfortunately we both could relate to two scenes but I won't spoil it for those who haven't watched it yet. I have become a fan of Vanessa, recently, and she was fantastic in this movie. Seriously, I felt every emotion, along with her. Anyway, I will watch this one again, at some point. ~Joan
🎄 I watched Take Me Back for Christmas, and it was nearly the same as Dream of Christmas, and also similar to Family for Christmas, but more like Dream of Christmas. I don’t know, it was really dumb in places, and I feel the actress was trying way to hard to be funny.
Sadly, I found myself wishing Corey Sevier didn’t take VL character back. She was pushy and annoying.
And what was up with the restaurant, they had to close and lay off people cause his farmer couldn't give him the food? Not that I don’t think that can happen, but I would think you would buy food somewhere else asap and not have to lay people off??? Or maybe not put all your eggs in one basket. But he was closed and had to lay off people, but he could suddenly cook stuff for her? It seems he and she should be more concerned that he can get his employees back than help her multimillion $ company make more money?? This is where i say this move was plain dumb.
Now the thing that got me, almost in years, was when she realized she could go back to her life, but her mom wouldn't be there, that was so sad. As that seemed to be what kept her stuck in the past in her life. They wrapped up the movie well, I just thought it was over the top with the girl, and the entire premise of him having to not only close but lay off everyone??? ~Sabrina
🎄 I also watched Take me back for Christmas on Saturday, it was superb! -Maria
🎄 Take Me Back to Christmas is family friendly about Renee Baker has a snowflake bell is given by Cici. When a Christmas wish grants Renee the successful life that she’s always dream of — expect when she finds herself no longer married to her Husband named Aaron Thompson. Renee fell asleep in her car when there’s snowflake, Renee’s Mom named Maria Baker owns company called; “Maria’s Meal”. Maria is alive. Aaron works at the restaurant. So, Renee goes outside & snowflakes when she wakes up in her bedroom, she’s married to her Husband; Aaron. She runs & jump into her Husband’s hip. She gifts Aaron a Vauxhall Culinary Institute firn. ~Anonymous
🎄 Review: Take Me Back to Christmas -
Family-friendly? Yes -
Keeper? Yes -
This was a very enjoyable movie, primarily because of Vanessa. She shows a range of emotions, from silly to serious, and she pulls it off wonderfully. I feel this was her best performance, by far. And there was good chemistry between her and Corey - in the "playful" scenes, you could tell that these two were having a blast together. Regarding the story, yes, it is very similar to A Dream of Christmas (as someone pointed out, instead of a magic star, you have a magic bell), but while in A Dream of Christmas Nikki's character wanted to go back to her old life, here Vanessa is hoping to work things out in her new life. And yes, be ready to shed a tear or two. By far, I feel this is the best of the three new movies premiered to date. ~Mark 25
🎄 Take Me Back to Christmas – This was the last NEW movie to air during Christmas in July on the Hallmark Channel, but for me, it was #1, by far the best. Take Me Back to Christmas is filled with heartwarming moments, great comedy, catchy dialogue, and definitely some raw, deep roller coaster of emotions. My only qualm was... was her life truly so bad that she needed to wish for a whole new life? I mean, there are people in much worse circumstances. Her husband, portrayed fantastically by Corey Sevier, was very sweet and supportive the whole film, trying to get Renee to move beyond her day job and pursue her dreams. She was the one holding them back from the very start. Take Me Back is definitely an interesting trip; you’ll surely laugh; you may also cry. It’s one of those movies that truly pulls at the heartstrings, especially the mother-daughter scene near the end. Due to the storyline about death, this is probably a movie not for young viewers; however, rest assured it is family-friendly. My only caution is – the leading man, Corey Sevier, is seen only wearing a towel around his waist in one scene. Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier’s chemistry together is spectacular. This was their second Christmas movie together, and they’ve known each other since they were children. I think that warm familiarity benefited their characters, making their relationship seem even more genuine. Take Me Back to Christmas is a charming story full of heart; you’ll find yourself pulling for Renee to fulfill her dreams. ~Net
🎄 I just watched "Take me back for Christmas". Let me start by saying that I absolutely hate the story lines of these type of movies. It makes me so anxious and disturbed when they make some wish and then don't know their husband or kids, or they aren't married anymore. I despise that movie with Lacey Chabert, who I love, where she doesn't know her kids ("Family for Christmas"). I refuse to watch it ever again. I don't care if there is a good message at end. Just don't like those types.
Now with that being said, I started to watch this movie and thought oh no, not one of these again but I kept watching. Even though I hate those plot types I really did like so much about this movie. The storyline with her Mom grabbed me and shook me and made me cry quite a bit which usually is a sign that I like a movie. Very few of these Christmas movies move my emotions anymore. I suppose that I have just seen to many of them now. This one smacked me around pretty good so to that I give a thumbs up. I love Vanessa also.
I'll borrow Florence's rating scale here and give this one a 10 out of 10 on my tears scale (there was noticeable flowing water streaming down my face and onto my shirt) so BRAVO! After all what's the use of watching these movies if you can't enjoy a great cry or laugh. Just please don't make any more of these types of movies lol. ~Jim
Aloha Heart
Saturday, July 29 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Taylor Cole, Kanoa Goo
Storyline: Sara (Cole) is a conservationist, who joins her best friend in Hawaii to serve as her maid of honor. While staying in a boutique Hawaiian hotel, she meets the property’s new manager (Goo) who is trying to make his family’s business more competitive. Though Manu initially resists Sara’s input on his hotel, they soon form a partnership… and something more… that enriches their shared dream of making the world a better place.
Movie Reviews:
💛 As I largely suspected, Aloha Heart had quite a bit of political propaganda from what I heard. Quite shameful of Hallmark to turn another movie taking place on a beautiful island into a liberal political statement. –Maria
💛 I watched about 30 minutes of "Aloha Heart" before bed. So far, it's not a re-watch, but I'm curious enough to keep going later today. I did see the scene with the lei, though, and it's innocent. She is reading good news in an email on her phone and excitedly says "Yes!" out loud at the same time the hotel manager approaches and offers her a complementary lei. ~Alicia
💛 Finished "Aloha Heart" and, though it was family-friendly, it felt meh to me. Not a keeper. The leads seemed mismatched and the eco storyline just annoyed. Oh well! I generally like Taylor and hope she has a nice Christmas movie. :-) ~Alicia
Aloha Heart is family friendly about a conservationist named Sarah travels to Hawaii for her best friend' named Lydia’s wedding, but instead of having a relaxing vacation, she finds herself helping the new hotel manager named Manu make changes to his family business. ~Anonymous
Aloha Heart is family friendly about Manu loves his Hawaiian homeland. (Review may contain some spoilers) His heart is in conservation, knowing full well his family’s hotel needs to make big changes to how the business operates for sustainability of the precious lands it sits on. His family resists his costly suggestions, wanting to stay competitive with bigger resort hotels on the islands. Sara Hamilton is the best friend & maid of honor in her friend named Lydia’s wedding to Michael, which is being held at Manu’s hotel. She has had trouble getting her foot into the world of environmental protection and is starting to lose hope she’ll be able to pursue what matters most to her. When Sara & Manu meet, she has all kinds of suggestions for making the hotel a more sustainable business, but her overzealous approach only rubs Manu the wrong way. Leading up to the wedding, Manu & Sara find out they are in fact kindred spirits. Manu needs help getting his family on board to manage the business the right way, and Sara needs to balance her work passion with enjoying life that is too quickly passing by. In the partnership that forms, they discover they make the right kind of team, especially as an unexpected love for each other enriches their dream of making the world a better place. ~ Anonymous
WHEN CALLS THE HEART –
Season 10, Episode 1001 – “Carpe Diem”
Sunday, July 30 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith, Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, Andrea Brooks, Martin Cummins, Kayla Wallace, Loretta Walsh, Viv Leacock, Amanda Wong, Johannah Newmarch, Natasha Burnett, Ben Rosenbaum, Hrothgar Mathews
Hope Valley faces an economic downturn together. Meanwhile, Elizabeth (Krakow) and Bill (Wagner) learn that the children of Hope Valley have made a discovery that could change the future of the town.
PREMIERING IN JULY ON HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES:
A Lifelong Love
Friday, July 21 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Andrea Brooks, Patch May
Storyline: While trying to reunite her grandfather with his lost love, Annika (Brooks) teams up with college sweetheart Ryan (May) to create a book about the experience, documenting different love stories along the way.
Movie Reviews:
💛 A Lifelong Love- I decided to give this movie a try. Around 30 minutes in, Annika (Andrea Brooks) and Ryan (Patch May) are searching for her grandfather's first love, Ruth Barlow. They meet an older woman with that name, who works at a greenhouse nursery. Even though she's the wrong Ruth, they still ask if she'll share her love story with them for a book they are writing. A couple scenes later, this woman, Ruth, proceeds to talk about her wife, Nancy. From there I stopped watching. It was a lighthearted, interesting movie up to that point. I was disappointed they had to include that. ~Net
💛 Unfortunately, proving 1 of my suspicions when I heard there would be multiple love stories included right, I've heard that A Lifelong Love has a gay couple. Very sad. Very, very sad. -Maria
💛 Also, in the ice cream shop (before meeting w Greenhouse Ruth), they talk abt getting the love story of a couple snuggling over by the window. It was 2 men. Luckily, they cut to commercial and didn’t pursue it (I think. I can’t finish the movie). I’m sad bc this was a new and cute movie. But this is how the inappropriate material gets the foot in the door. More and more, I just can’t trust Hallmark. A decade ago that would’ve sounded insane! :( ~Anonymous
My Quick Take:
Based on the Christmas movie storylines we were given, I think I like the plot of A Royal Christmas Crush best, even though it does have a royal theme, but we'll see. I think Stephen Huszar could be believable as a handsome prince.
This is not the first time Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier have starred in a Christmas movie together. The two previously starred in the 2020 holiday rom-com, Heart of the Holidays. They also worked together as children in 1997 on the LassieTV series.
Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier were cute together, in my opinion, in Heart of the Holidays, so they may win me over again. Although, I'm not big on the story tropes where people wake up in alternate lifestyles. Maybe, it's just me. What do you think? Please share your take in comments below...
I'm also thrilled the 10th Season of "When Calls the Heart" begins in July! There are so many storylines I'm longing to see.
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries begins airing Christmas movies on June 23rd, and the Hallmark Channel begins their Christmas in July event on July 1st - airing movies every day from 10am to 10pm EST! See the Christmas TV Schedule for more details. I'll be adding even more Christmas movies to the schedule as they are released.
Happy Christmas in July!!!
Net
