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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 7, 2024 8:59:12 GMT
It's not Christmas until I watch The Christmas Card. This was one of the few recommended older movies I hadn't seen yet. I looked up Alice Evans who played the female lead and wow has she changed. Alice Evans went off the deep end years ago. She's gone completely nuts and psycho and goodness knows I rarely judge harshly in the celebrity gossip cycle. But for having read about her descent into delulu for the past 10+ years, I simply cannot. I fear for her two daughters' mental health. Her cuckoo bedazzle-everything Etsy store was the only fun (and harmless) part of her madness. If you can track down screenshots of her blinged up "creations", I highly recommend the journey. 'Twas a thing of beauté. ✨🪩 |
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,569 
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Post by blemon on Nov 7, 2024 16:54:31 GMT
But can you truly complain about CMM if you weren't a One Tree Hill girly You know, I never watched that show. Dawson's Creek was my last teen show for a while. I started back up with the OC then later Gossip Girl. I went through a period of no TV/no cable for a few years and miss the One Tree Hill era (thankfully). There were a couple of other shows on during that time that I did not watch. I know I'm not the only one who hates him here. Where are my CMM haters, ladies? I can't bear his smug smarmy face no matter how hard he's worked on his abs.
Alice Evans went off the deep end years ago.
Oh my. I did not dive this deep. I'll have to check that out. I remember her in a few feel-good movies so this news is strange!
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Post by wordyphotogbabe on Nov 7, 2024 16:56:09 GMT
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? 🥵 I can't decide which movie looks worse --- or which one to watch first!  |
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 8,551
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Nov 7, 2024 17:06:51 GMT
Fun fact about "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story"! We drove to Independence, Missouri one morning (it's about 30 minutes away) during the summer and they were filming parts of that movie there. It was done up with all the Christmas stuff and they had giant semi-trucks parked across the street from the filming and the doors were opened and filled with all sorts of Christmas and Chiefs stuff. I obviously don't know what will be in the film, but the corner we were on had a giant hotdog above the doors to the restaurant. Pretty hard to miss. And of course I took a photo of the Courthouse with its decor.
It's the only HM movie I had in my planner until now.
Thanks for all the reviews and info, as always.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Nov 7, 2024 17:27:36 GMT
I'm another that does NOT like CMM. He makes me want to punch him in the face. Shirtless will not change that. I will still watch it, though.  I will admit I have seen him in one HM christmas movie that I did not hate him in. First time for everything, I guess! DW loves Keira Knightley so that will be a for sure watch. Thank you for including that one sleepingbooty We watched A Carol for Two last night. I picked it to watch with DW as we both really enjoy musicals/broadway. It was cute. I felt the cousin was too unlikeable, so that dragged my rating down. The lead girl was familiar - maybe from the Rockettes holiday movie a year or two ago? The movie ending original song was great! |
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,569
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Post by blemon on Nov 7, 2024 18:22:34 GMT
Thank you, Ryann. I knew someone had my back. UPDATE: So I wrote before about my niece being in the Lifetime movie about dance teams (or something). Well she had to drop out! The people on the show said the would work with their schedules but then were not letting them go to class. She could not let it hurt her so she quit. I am sad that I won't get to see her on TV but I think her degree is more important. |
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 8,551
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Nov 7, 2024 20:16:11 GMT
"Hitched for the Holidays" is one of mine and DH's favorite holiday movies. We liked it so much I had to buy it on dvd when we couldn't find it one year on tv.
As for CMM... I watched OTH before GG or I might not have made it through OTH. /laugh Then the RL stuff about him, which I have trouble ignoring, clouds my judgment. "Poinsettias for Christmas" is another Bethany Joy Lenz we liked.
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Post by breakfastattiffanys on Nov 8, 2024 1:36:01 GMT
I second Ghosts of Christmas Always. That was phenomenal. And Biltmore Christmas was freaking amazing. I thought the Rockettes movie from last year or the year before was also very charming. It would be a good gateway drug for someone who is resistant. I’m watching Biltmore Christmas right now and it’s sooooo good! |
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,569
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Post by blemon on Nov 8, 2024 2:20:44 GMT
I’m watching Biltmore Christmas right now and it’s sooooo good! We watched it twice last year it was so good!! Has this been reported here yet: Nutcrackers (Hulu) Ben Stiller stars in this family holiday movie about a man who must leave his stable life in Chicago to take care of his late sister's four children while they wait to be put in a foster home. Sounds cheery! David Gordon Green directs, with Linda Cardellini, Tim Heidecker, and Edi Patterson also starring. Linda Cardellini is my favorite. |
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Post by scrapcat on Nov 8, 2024 3:37:23 GMT
We've been playing catch-up as the Hallmark Channel doesn't exist here (and neither does their brand new streaming platform, Hallmark+, much to my chagrin). We got the three opening weekend movies checked off the list! Just finished Scouting for Christmas after going out for dinner and it was just the right amount of sweetness to finish off the evening. Review time! HOLIDAY CRASHERS // I looked forward to this one. I'm always down for a dynamic party movie, especially when it's Christmas-themed. I absolutely loved The Santa Summit with Hunter King last year. I liked what I saw in the preview. And then I watched the movie. This was a letdown. I think my expectations were too high. It seems like the Hallmark fans have really enjoyed this one and I may just be one of the very few who didn't think this worked as a whole. I didn't think the leads had much chemistry together (and by the end of the movie, I disliked the protagonist's love interest, to be honest). I didn't like the pacing. It was a meh from me. But many people love it so please, just give it a chance. ⭐⭐ I've only made it thru this one so far and I also lost interest. I liked the idea, love when it's like a friend/female dominated story line, and the different parties was fun. I didn't buy how he flipped so much on her so quickly when he didn't really know anything. It was a good idea in theory but execution was meh.
I have to finished the Christmas Charade, but I do like the actors.
I was reminded when flipping thru my album from last year that Holiday Road was another good one.
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Post by marg on Nov 8, 2024 17:40:53 GMT
As for CMM... I watched OTH before GG or I might not have made it through OTH. /laugh Then the RL stuff about him, which I have trouble ignoring, clouds my judgment. "Poinsettias for Christmas" is another Bethany Joy Lenz we liked. Both GG and OTH are worth watching but for vastly different reasons. OTH - I rewatch it every few years for Dan Scott alone. It's just so fun. I love seeing CMM and Bethany Joy Lenz and Robert Buckley and the actress who played Nanny Carrie in Hallmark movies. After 5 years of being obsessed with Countdown to Christmas and checking off each movie I've watched on my Countdown printout, this year I've only watched half of one movie (the one with Robert Buckley, ironically I couldn't finish it). I'm too invested in KDramas right now, no time for Hallmark. Once in a while I'll see Christmas lights in a KDrama and I pretend I'm watching a Hallmark Christmas movie lol. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 8, 2024 19:27:07 GMT
HOLIDAY MISMATCH // I really wanted to like this one better than I did. It's an ok movie. The acting is fine but definitely several notches below Hallmark faves. Holiday Mismatch is for the Sabrina the Teenage Witch fans, mostly. While I appreciate that little twist with the dating couple (which I shan't spoil), it wasn't special enough or carried out with enough gusto to make its mark. If your holiday movie time is sparse this year and you were not a StTW affionado in the 1990s, I'd say this one is skippable. If you have plenty of time for these rom-coms, this is a mid-tier movie where the squabbling between the aunts/mothers is the only memorable part. Just about fun enough for a once-and-done watch. ⭐⭐½
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 8, 2024 19:29:52 GMT
So I wrote before about my niece being in the Lifetime movie about dance teams (or something). Well she had to drop out! The people on the show said the would work with their schedules but then were not letting them go to class. Oh, that's such a bummer! I'm sorry for her and hope it's not too much of a disappointment. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 8, 2024 19:37:30 GMT
We watched A Carol for Two last night. I picked it to watch with DW as we both really enjoy musicals/broadway. It was cute. I felt the cousin was too unlikeable, so that dragged my rating down. The lead girl was familiar - maybe from the Rockettes holiday movie a year or two ago? The movie ending original song was great! I had the same thing nagging at me and it hit me right around the end of the movie: she was in A Holiday Spectacular in 2022 like you guessed and in last year's Heidelberg Christmas! I feel like I've seen her with three different lengths of hair in three years! 🤪 ETA:    |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 8, 2024 22:17:39 GMT
MEET ME NEXT CHRISTMAS (Netflix) // Fun, adventurous, bold, colourful, energetic and more! This is an easy recommendation. Over the top, for sure, but a lovely and entertaining watch. This is definitely one you want to sit down in front of and let yourself get carried away with. It's got New York City, music, some cuckoo characters, drag queens, lip sync battles, beautiful food and a very public declaration of love. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,569
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Post by blemon on Nov 8, 2024 23:07:06 GMT
I just rewatched Five Star Christmas. Search Hulu. It would not let me add it to my watch list (  ) but I could watch it and I don't remember too many commercials. It's even better the second time. Definitely watch this one. That Bethany Joy Lenz is just so lovely. The whole cast is fantastic. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 8, 2024 23:26:37 GMT
That Bethany Joy Lenz is just so lovely. The whole cast is fantastic. BJL is amazing. She was incredible on One Tree Hill straight away, from the first episode, and is one of the main reasons the show kept going when CMM got the boot. I hope to see her back in a holiday movie next year. This Countdown to Christmas feels a little empty without her. If you've never seen her Lifetime Christmas movie with Andrew Walker, you're missing out ( Snowed Inn Christmas). The unofficial non-Christmas follow-up at Hallmark the next year was lovely, too ( Bottled With Love). Magic. |
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,569
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Post by blemon on Nov 9, 2024 3:24:18 GMT
If you've never seen her Lifetime Christmas movie with Andrew Walker, you're missing out ( Snowed Inn Christmas). I just finished watching this again this instant. I came to say it's free on Amazon prime with some ads or Freevee. It's so good. Also better the second time. I'm not ready to start frndly yet so I'm rewatching older movies. I've never seen Bottled with Love so that will be added to the list. |
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Post by Margie on Nov 9, 2024 5:16:21 GMT
MEET ME NEXT CHRISTMAS (Netflix) // Fun, adventurous, bold, colourful, energetic and more! This is an easy recommendation. Over the top, for sure, but a lovely and entertaining watch. This is definitely one you want to sit down in front of and let yourself get carried away with. It's got New York City, music, some cuckoo characters, drag queens, lip sync battles, beautiful food and a very public declaration of love. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I just watched this movie this evening. Loved it! It was just what the doctor ordered after a crappy week. Very entertaining and cute. Now I want to go see Pentatonix in concert! |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 9, 2024 15:39:59 GMT
FIVE GOLD RINGS (Miracles of Christmas, Hallmark Mystery) // A feel-good detective movie that seems right at home on the Hallmark Mystery channel. It's sweet, quaint and entertaining. I loved the low simmer romance vibes while the leads were also being kind of direct with each other. Needless to say, good chemistry between those two! I wasn't expecting much for this one but it was a wonderful surprise. My SO ended up joining me when he noticed I was captivated and I had to restart the movie. 🙃 There is a bit of a faith and religious aspect (Catholic, to be precise) to this one but as an atheist, I can assure you it's very mild. Brownie points for the adorable dog in a reindeer costume and the Sinterklaas references! This is just the right amount of cosy mystery storytelling for a rainy November afternoon. Adding it straight to my rewatch list. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 9, 2024 16:06:35 GMT
MEET ME NEXT CHRISTMAS (Netflix) // I just watched this movie this evening. Loved it! It was just what the doctor ordered after a crappy week. Very entertaining and cute. Now I want to go see Pentatonix in concert! I hope your week turns around and you get to have a very uncrappy weekend to finish it off. (And yes, you should absolutely go to a Pentatonix Christmas concert!) |
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,569
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Post by blemon on Nov 10, 2024 1:06:38 GMT
I'm watching Love at the Christmas Table.
It was on one of y'all's lists of old favorites.
I've never seen it and it's an absolute gem.
I rented it on Amazon.
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Post by joblackford on Nov 10, 2024 2:33:08 GMT
We watched A Carol for Two last night. I picked it to watch with DW as we both really enjoy musicals/broadway. It was cute. I felt the cousin was too unlikeable, so that dragged my rating down. The lead girl was familiar - maybe from the Rockettes holiday movie a year or two ago? The movie ending original song was great! I had the same thing nagging at me and it hit me right around the end of the movie: she was in A Holiday Spectacular in 2022 like you guessed and in last year's Heidelberg Christmas! I feel like I've seen her with three different lengths of hair in three years! 🤪 ETA: She was Heidi Heidelberg! That’s right…  |
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Post by joblackford on Nov 10, 2024 2:34:31 GMT
I’m watching Trivia at St. Nicks. I don’t think I’m going to care that I have to turn it off and cook dinner.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 10, 2024 16:43:47 GMT
TRIVIA AT ST. NICK'S // Nothing's bad about this one, nothing's particularly good either. It's your standard mid-tier rom-com where nothing much happens. The brainiac vs jock trope but grown-up. If you were a Pretty Little Liars fan, it could be a fun nostalgic watch as this movie reunites Jenna and Noel (with tepid chemistry). If not, this is ok background material for crafting or house chores but nothing more. I did not feel involved with any of the characters in this movie and the most memorable part was that they included a Hallmark movie round in the Christmas trivia (only 2 movies to guess). I'll have forgotten everything about this movie in the next 48h, I'm sure. ⭐⭐ joblackford Your instinct was spot on. You didn't miss anything by walking away from it. 🤐 |
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Nov 10, 2024 16:58:34 GMT
Last night I tried Meet Me Next Christmas. I DNF'd out about halfway in - the scene with the "weird vibes" high rise couple. This was not for me. ⭐
I started watching Snowed Inn Christmas (I haven't seen it before) but stopped 20 minutes in as I realized it was too late to start a new movie. I will continue it next time I watch christmas. To be continued...
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 10, 2024 18:44:05 GMT
Last night I tried Meet Me Next Christmas. I DNF'd out about halfway in - the scene with the "weird vibes" high rise couple. This was not for me. Bwahaha, the "get me the limited edition Chanel bag" cult leader couple! They were definitely OTT. I hope Snowed Inn Christmas brings you all the merry rom-com vibes you're looking for. 🤞 |
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,569
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Post by blemon on Nov 10, 2024 23:24:59 GMT
I'm rewatching Happiest Season on Hulu.
It's really good. They knocked it out of the park.
Tonight as a family we're introducing the kid to Ferris Bueller's Day Off. My DH hasn't seen it since the '80s. I remember watching it in grad school. There was a local video store that had a 5 for $5 rental section of older VHS tapes (this was back before I even had a DVD player, perhaps before they existed? 1999. I can't totally remember). During that time I didn't have cable so I would just rent a ton of movies every weekend and binge.
Good times. Being single. Living alone. I loved that year.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 11, 2024 17:15:05 GMT
blemon There were definitely DVD players in 1999 as I had one on the family computer and got a DVD rental card in 1999. I was one of the only kids in class with a DVD player though. Europe was a solid 4-5 years behind the US in terms of technology back then. I never had VHS as I grew up without a TV at home. It was such an adventure going to the rental place and picking your movie. In 2000, a tiny semi-automatic DVD rental place opened just a couple of buildings from our apartment. I used to run down the flights of stairs and hope whatever I had my eye on wouldn't be rented out. 😄 Caught up on so many Disney movies I'd never seen! 🐭 And I'd stop by the bakery on the corner for a small orange blossom water brioche as my go-to movie snack. Good times!
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Post by wordyphotogbabe on Nov 11, 2024 18:13:45 GMT
I just wanted to share that a friend of mine texted this morning to ask for help/ideas on hosting a Hallmark Christmas movie watching party at her house next month! SAY LESS, SIS. I have Hallmark Christmas movie bingo cards that I'm going to bring & I think she's going to have everyone bring their favorite mug + a red or green treat, and she will be providing a hot cocoa bar. We discussed prizes -- maybe Hallmark Christmas movie ornaments? If you have any suggestions, let me know! |
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I will admit I have seen him in one HM christmas movie that I did not hate him in. First time for everything, I guess!
) but I could watch it and I don't remember too many commercials.
