*** 2024 CHRISTMAS MOVIES*** including Hallmark

MY SWEET AUSTRIAN HOLIDAY (Miracles of Christmas on Hallmark Mystery) // This was ok. Your typical indie-artisan-falls-for-developer-secretly-trying-to-shut-their-business down trope. I thought the acting was fine, nothing magical. It could've been set pretty much anywhere but Vienna. It's always a bit annoying when these European movies have the non-natives with the stereotypical accent be the baddies and the Americans (plus Brit in this case as it features Will Kemp) be the good allies, at least to me, a European. Definitely decent background material, not your must-sit-down-with-hot-cocoa-and-treats kind of holiday rom-com except if this is your trope of choice.  ⭐ ⭐½

THE GROOMSMEN TRILOGY (Hallmark+ streaming platform) // Not Christmas but the final installment just dropped on the Hallmark+ platform so it's recent Hallmark stuff. I managed to hunt down the first two movies already and this is oh-so good! The only reason I bring these movies up is because they're fun, engaging with a mystery flair (this is the story as told by a runaway bride - whose bride? why? we don't know!). Can't wait to watch the third movie and see how this all ends! If you like comedy and have access to Hallmark+, definitely check these out. If needed, I'm happy to help with the first two movies via PM next week.  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

OUR HOLIDAY STORY // TVLine touted this as the movie to watch on TV last weekend. Hallmark released this on a Saturday night, AKA the golden spot of a Countdown to Chrstmas weekend. The preview gave Serendipity vibes. In reality, this just fell flat - and very quickly so. The so-how-did-they-actually-meet mystery was over in a matter of minutes for the viewers. The bulk of the movie is spent watching someone hide their identity from the person they like for no acceptable reason (and this is supposed to be the sensible half of the couple). The daughter's boyfriend is a blank state of nothingness so both the daughter falling for him instantly upon meeting and the parents' push to cement this couple for the long run seem barey believable. But beyond that, I grew more and more annoyed with this movie as it went on and just wanted it to come to an end. Ugh. Should've been part of the Miracles of Christmas lineup instead of the main Hallmark channel. Maybe I'm too harsh a critic this year? I don't know. Acting is good, just nothing memorable. Also, fruitcake drenched in eggnog, no. ⭐½

His longer hair is shown in the trailer posted above. Not that I think we'll spend a lot of time looking at his hair with his shirt off, just sayin'. 🤤

A CAROL FOR TWO// Lovely movie and a must-watch for all the theatre kids and Broadway fans. I didn't need to pause this which is a very good sign of how enjoyable it is. At one point, I guessed we were halfway through the movie and upon checking, we were easily close to 70%, meaning this one flies by. I do need to warn you that caricatural side character Brad will test your patience. 🥴 Easily one of the better ones this year so far! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Also, reminder that today's the day Netflix drops their Christmas movie featuring Pentatonix!

MEET ME NEXT CHRISTMAS (premiering this very day, Netflix) //

Ladies, are you ready? What's better than a Netflix Christmas movie with a shirtless dude (Hot Frosty posted earlier)? Why, how about TWO Netflix Christmas movies with shirtless dudes? 🥵

First look at Chad Michael Murray in THE MERRY GENTLEMEN (premiering November 20, Netflix)  //