Author: hallmarklover

Cast: Shenae Grimes-Beech, Andrew W. Walker, Quinn Lord and Bailee Madison
Release Date: May 21, 2016
Movie Description: When a small-town boy’s video “promposal” to a star goes viral, it scores him a date to prom with his celebrity crush. But when the star begins to fall for the boy’s teacher, things get complicated.

Pros:

• I’m always a fan of reading/watching when a celebrity meets your “regular guy/girl” and starts a relationship.
• Andrew Walker, as a hot English teacher.
• Bailee Madison is always a gem to watch.
• David’s sister was sure a “spit fire” and I loved it!
• I loved the part when Mr. Walsh walks into the prom with Alex and the Principal leans over to Ms. Hope and said “Looks like somebody found a loop hole.” That line was everything to me, since I couldn’t stand Ms. Hope and her annoying crush on Mr. Walsh. He was too nice of a guy to tell her that he wasn’t interested.
• The growth of relationship between David and Heidi. It was so sweet, it made me smile.

Cons:

• Ms. Hope.
• I didn’t like the “promprosal” to the celebrity part of the story.

My overall thoughts on this movie: I thought this movie was quite enjoyable. It wasn’t the best movie I’ve seen by Hallmark, but I didn’t find myself wishing the movie would end already.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Yep. I certainly would recommend this movie.

My rating: 3/5 (Good)

Cast: Amy Acker, Dylan Bruce, Charles S. Dutton, and Tammy Gillis
Release Date: January 10, 2015
Movie Description: Romance novelist Liam Bradley (Dylan Bruce) has already found massive success with three books written under the pen name Gabriel August, but he’s mysteriously unknown to his legions of readers. With his first book written as a way to heal after a broken relationship, Liam has slowly become disheartened with writing strictly for romantic fantasy, something evident to a sweet, but honest, journalist who reviews books, Sophie Atkinson (Amy Acker), whom he meets by chance on a plane. The two begin a tentative relationship in Sophie’s home town of Portland, Maine, where Liam has come to find inspiration for his newest entry.

Liam’s agent puts him on the spot with a long-planned reveal of Gabriel August’s true identity, but Sophie doesn’t know of his public persona. The longer Liam avoids telling her the truth, the deeper a hole he digs for himself. Will their romance survive once his true identity comes to light?

Pros:

• Liam. He was extremely easy on the eyes.

Cons: 

• Wow. Where do I begin with the CONS of this movie. There truly are way too many, I lost track while watching this movie.
• Sophie was such an annoying character for me.
• The ending of this movie, was so cringe worthy. I actually had to look away. I turned to my dog and talked to him to tune out the cheesy lines given.

My overall thoughts on this movie: I think my CONS list, let’s you know how I felt about this movie.

Would I recommend this movie to others: No! No, I would not.

My rating: 1/5 (Horrible)

Cast: Erin Krakow, Ryan McPartlin and Patricia Richardson
Release Date: October 5, 2013
Movie Description: Ever the romantic, Samantha “Sam” Hart (Erin Krakow) is optimistically trying to find her Prince Charming on a white horse, even if that means going on bad date after bad date. After making eye contact at one of his shows, Sam initiates an online relationship with photographer Heath Madsen (Ryan McPartlin). Sam is later shocked when she receives a plane ticket to visit Heath. But when she arrives for her romantic weekend, Sam learns that her online relationship was actually created by Heath’s 12 year-old son, and his longtime housekeeper May (Patricia Richardson). Even worse, her visit is a complete surprise to Heath, who is busy struggling to find inspiration for his upcoming photo exhibit and coping with the pressure from his pushy manager, Celeste Jeffers-Johnson (Kaitlin Doubleday).Now stuck on a romantic vacation with her non-boyfriend, could an actual relationship between Heath and Sam be their destiny?

Pros:

• The characters (besides Celeste)
• I loved the dress outfit that Sam wore to Heath’s show.

Cons:

• Everything about Celeste. The way she talked was annoying. She actually would say “exclamation point”, or “dot, dot, dot” when she spoke.
• The cheesiness. There was a good deal of it, especially towards the end.
• Honestly, the storyline was a bit ridiculous.

My overall thoughts on this movie: I thought the movie was just ok. It was a little too cheesy for me. The chemistry between Heath and Sam was great. I also liked Sam’s relationship with Donny. It was sweet how they bonded over the making of chicken pot pies, and he even invited his friends over to help. Even though I liked the characters in this movie, the character Sam had a few moments where she “got under my skin.” I don’t like admitting this, because Erin Krakow is a wonderful Hallmark actress, but this character of hers wasn’t my favorite.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Um, maybe to some people.

My rating: 2/5 (Just Passing By)

Cast: Megan Park and Jonathan Keltz
Release Date: April 7, 2018
Movie Description: Susanna gladly accepts help one day from handsome stranger Nate at her parents’ garden store in small-town Georgia. Sparks between them fly, but when a photo of them gets leaked to the press, Susanna is in for the shock of her life when Nate is called back home by his mother…for his coronation as the King Nathaniel of Cambria!

Pros:

• A Prince who can help change a tire, and puts in hard work in the store.

Cons:

• There wasn’t much chemistry between the two leads.
• I was a bit bored throughout this movie.
• This may be an unpopular opinion. I personally, was annoyed by the character of, Susanna.
• I love a good royal story, but this storyline was not interesting in the slightest.

My overall thoughts on this movie: I was excited to see this movie, because the book is on my TBR list. I still plan on reading the book, even if the movie didn’t do much for me. I’m hoping the saying “the book is better than the movie” is true in this case. This movie was just ok for me. If I’m being honest, I didn’t care for the story or the characters much at all. I usually love the Royal theme, but this one was boring.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Nope.

My rating: This was tough to rate. Even though I was bored and didn’t care much for the characters, Nate did have some moments where I really enjoyed him. I’m giving this movie 2/5 (Just Passing By)

Cast: Jill Wagner and Colin Egglesfield
Release Date: October 3, 2015
Movie Description: With big plans to leave their small Iowan town, teenage loves Annie (Wagner) and Ben (Egglesfield) elope. Their big city plans are halted, though, when Annie’s parents have the marriage annulled, and Annie stays behind in Iowa to help her family. Fifteen years later, when Annie is engaged in Iowa and Ben is engaged in New York, they discover that their annulment was never finalized. Annie and Ben reunite to make their divorce legal, but find themselves reminiscing about what could have been if they had stayed together. As romantic feelings resurface, Annie and Ben must decide if their past love could also be their destined future.

Pros:

• That Iowa is their home. Being a Mid-West girl (I’m from Nebraska) it’s nice to see them using the Mid-West in a movie.
• Hector.
• As always. I’m a sucker for second chances at love!

Cons:

• Jovanna wanting to redecorate his place the way she wanted. He had almost no say in anything, and it really annoyed me.

My overall thoughts on this movie: First, I’m a simple girl, so the thought of over 400 people attending my wedding is absurd. This movie had it’s moments where it was sweet, yet it fell flat in parts. I found this movie to be, just ok.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Hm, probably not.

My rating: 2/5 (Just Passing By)

Cast: Emily Kinney and John Reardon
Release Date: January 16, 2016
Movie Description: Laurel Welk is an out of work aspiring fashion designer who lands a job as a personal assistant to superstar quarterback Danny Holland. Holland’s been sidelined with an injury and the last thing he wants is a female assistant, particularly one who knows nothing about football. But the two opposites strike a bargain and agree to work together on a trial basis. While Laurel struggles to master her job, knowing she’s in way over her head, Danny struggles to maintain his star image even though he’s concerned his injury might impact his career. Things get even more complicated when employer and employee start to notice there’s more to the other than meets the eye… and what they find is love on the sidelines.

Pros:

• I’m a huge lover of football, so the football theme of this movie was a huge plus for me.
• The slow build relationship between Danny and Laurel.
• I really liked Danny’s buddy, Ron Lucas. It was sweet that Ron and Ava started a relationship.
• Laurel not taking crap from Danny when he was being a jerk at the beginning. I appreciated the fact they didn’t make the lead female a weak character.
• Laurel and Ava both calling Danny out on him being the center of attention and not being able to do things on his own.

Cons:

• Danny’s sexist comments to Laurel.
• I’m sorry, but WTH is up with that small bed for Newt? That dog is huge and it’s bed was basically a pillow for her! It’s a small detail, but it bothered me. Maybe it’s because all my dogs have beds that are too big for them.

My overall thoughts on the movie: I’m keeping this simple. I really enjoyed this Hallmark movie. I’ve seen it several times, and would watch it again and again.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Absolutely!

My rating: 4/5 (Very Good)

Cast: Meghan Markle, Kristoffer Polaha, and Jonathan Scarfe
Release Date: January 30, 2016
Movie Description: Cass is a successful business woman that appears unsuccessful in her personal life and decides to try The Daters Handbook at her sisters encouragement and dates two guys to test the process.

Pros:

• Kristoffer Polaha, as Robert. He’s fantastic. His humor in this movie, is exactly what I look for in a guy.
• Cass’s dresses throughout the movie.
• Cass’s mom and brother-in-law.
• REO Speedwagon music!
• The waiter at the diner on Cass and Robert’s date. When he sees Cass on the ground with the food stain on her shirt and Robert at her side with the knife. “Oh my gosh she’s been stabbed.” His reaction was perfect!!

Cons:

• Peter, Cass’s ex-boyfriend. They have been dating for two years and he has never met her mother and doesn’t know she has an allergy to honey. I couldn’t be with anyone that doesn’t want to attend gatherings with me.
• I couldn’t stand Cass’s sister. Especially, when it came to the “check list.”
• George. Wow, oh wow. I’m sorry, but he was boring.

My overall thoughts on this movie: The whole storyline of dating more than one guy, based on what a book says, is ridiculous. This movie didn’t give me the lovely Hallmark feels. It left me feeling annoyed. Honestly, I some-what dreaded having to watch this movie again, so I can give it my final rating.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Nooo, I would not.

My rating: 1/5 (Horrible)

Cast: Danica McKellar, Paul Greene and Barbara Niven
Release Date: March 18, 2017
Movie Description: Feeling disconnected from her teenage son, a protective mother decides to step outside of her comfort zone and take him camping. But as soon as she arrives, she begins butting heads with her handsome cabin neighbor, a single father and outdoorsman who is also in search of a connection with his teen daughter. Friction soon sparks a flame as these opposites attract.

Pros:

• Paul Greene, of course!
• The camping theme.
• Steve doing the best he could with his young teenage daughter.

Cons:

• The storyline of the movie.
• Dana was almost unbearable at times. Her son is like 13, and she is way to over protective of him. I understand wanting to protect your child, but let them live a little too.

My overall thoughts on this movie: In my opinion this was one of the weaker Hallmark movies. This is unfortunate, because I enjoy Paul Greene in Hallmark movies. The storyline of this movie, just didn’t do it for me. The chemistry between Steve (Paul Greene) and Dana (Danica McKellar) wasn’t the strongest. I thought they had better chemistry in “Perfect Match” (Review to come soon.) This movie was just, ok.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Probably not. I wouldn’t say this movie is a waste of time, I would have better recommendations for someone.

My rating: 2/5 (Just passing by)

Cast: Ashley Williams and Sam Jaeger
Release Date: October 17, 2015
Movie Description: Poppy Summerall is hired near Halloween as a temporary nanny by Ryan Lawson, a widowed, work-obsessed executive. Through a series of adventures, the eternally optimistic Poppy sets out to teach Ryan and his two young children what’s important in life – unconditional love, family and the joy of everyday occurrences.

Pros:

• Anytime the kids were with Poppy and their dad (walking to school together, playing football, spending Halloween together.) I loved it ALL!
• Poppy’s sometimes “quirky” behavior.
• The workaholic father, who gets his priorities in check.

Cons:

• There was only one scene that bothered me in this movie. The scene where Poppy is  passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters, and there are two kids who are wearing identical outfits as Zoey and Zach. She then starts rambling to them about how they looked like her friends and that Ryan is the man for her. I would have liked to see her realization play out in a different way.

My overall thoughts on this movie: I thought “October Kiss” was an enjoyable movie. I loved the two leads, and their moments together were adorable. When they were joking with each other about how they looked like an old married couple, and then danced. Seeing their feelings for each other was quite sweet. It was nice to see Poppy and the children’s relationship grow. When Zoey and Zach tell Poppy they love her, and she loves them, with Ryan overhearing is perfect! I’ve seen this movie several times, and my feelings for this movie haven’t changed. I still have fun watching this movie whenever it’s on Hallmark.

Would I recommend this movie to others: It was cute, so yes.

My rating: Even though I enjoyed this movie, it’s not one of my favorites. I’m giving this a 3/5 (Good)

Cast: Sara Rue, Steve Basic and Teryl Rothery
Release Date: May 27, 2017
Movie Description: When a romance novelist is teamed with a Navy SEAL as research for her book, by a mandate from her publisher, she is less than thrilled and he is more than honest. However, as she works with the SEAL, she has a change of heart and learns to look at her life and writing with a different point of view.

Pros:

• How Jo becomes a team with the recruits.
• Colin helping Jo with her fear of the water.

Cons:

I didn’t really have any CONS for this movie, but a few things toward the end bothered me. Earlier, in the movie, Jo said she has never traveled internationally, so would she have a passport on hand to travel to New Zealand? Also, why would her “recruit buddies” be hanging around at the book signing all day? It makes sense for them to stop by for a bit to support her like friends would, but to hang around on the stairs. I understand it’s Hallmark, there are things that are not made to make sense.

My overall thoughts on this movie: I thought this movie was quite enjoyable. I found the two leads to be charming. Their romance was believable and they had chemistry. I found all their scenes together to be adorable. I loved watching her build a relationship with her recruit team, and helping P.J. out in his love life. Even though some of the story line was over the top, I still liked it. This is a Hallmark movie I’ve seen a couple times, and it keeps my interest every time I watch it.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Yes, I would!

My Rating: 4/5