|
|
Post by kims on Nov 26, 2023 15:10:05 GMT
Come on Galacticgirrl, confess-what's your secret Hallmark film you love.
Remember we all go to therapy together when we go!
|
|
|
|
Post by galacticgirrrl on Nov 26, 2023 22:25:17 GMT
You aren't going to be the kid who tells on us are you? OMG! Never. Is that the same one that always puts their hand up to remind the teacher that they promised a pop quiz that had been forgotten? I may need some of your leftover meds to get over what I have witnessed here on this internets page though, honestly. From Seven Samurai to Sweet Holiday Cine buns in the City Snowfall??! 1000 word bibliographies and taxonomies covering every H*llmark ever known to have been made or contemplated (never trust a man who know the inner workings of bologna I say) WHERE IS YOUR COLLECTIVE DIGNITY!? |
|
|
|
Post by galacticgirrrl on Nov 26, 2023 22:51:09 GMT
"Fascinating, fun and ridiculous"...She gets it! Galacticgirl gets it! I can feel you coming over to the dark side. The Canadian locations can lead to some pretty funny situations, like "Martha's Vinyard" with a wall of pine trees and a line of mountains occasionally straying into view. My favorite was when they went out to tap maple trees in a "Vermont" movie and stuck the bucket on a redwood. Nice touch. But most of them truly are indefensible, so please keep our secret. This is like Dorothy being most brokenhearted over the scarecrow who we all trusted has had common sense and great taste. I mean, Patti Smith Horses....or The Sweetest Christmas horses below? You cannot love them both...I don't think. Some strange cosmic rays did just hit the earth in Utah so maybe this has impacted your minds. I don't know.  AND NOW LOOK what you've made me click in an email alert that just came in You can live your own Hallmark movie in this enchanting Ontario town
www.blogto.com/travel/2022/12/almonte-ontario/ |
|
|
|
Post by I Love Melvin on Nov 27, 2023 17:50:40 GMT
"Fascinating, fun and ridiculous"...She gets it! Galacticgirl gets it! I can feel you coming over to the dark side. The Canadian locations can lead to some pretty funny situations, like "Martha's Vinyard" with a wall of pine trees and a line of mountains occasionally straying into view. My favorite was when they went out to tap maple trees in a "Vermont" movie and stuck the bucket on a redwood. Nice touch. But most of them truly are indefensible, so please keep our secret. This is like Dorothy being most brokenhearted over the scarecrow who we all trusted has had common sense and great taste. I mean, Patti Smith Horses....or The Sweetest Christmas horses below? You cannot love them both...I don't think. Some strange cosmic rays did just hit the earth in Utah so maybe this has impacted your minds. I don't know. AND NOW LOOK what you've made me click in an email alert that just came in You can live your own Hallmark movie in this enchanting Ontario town
www.blogto.com/travel/2022/12/almonte-ontario/Strange cosmic rays...Hmmm... Keep spitballing; this could be a great plot, but the rays would have to hit Ontario, not Utah, and Lacey Chabert could be the preeminent expert on rays but when she goes there she falls in love with....the science teacher at the local high school, who first discovered and charted the rays? And Patti Smith could sing "Distant Fingers" under the titles. You've done it. You've cracked the code. We can all make millions off this if we just stick together. I'm so glad that we can count on you now and forever to swear undying fielty to Hallmark....You have no will, Galacticgirl.....You're feeling sleepy.....That's right, just close your eyes..... |
|
|
|
Post by I Love Melvin on Nov 30, 2023 14:46:35 GMT
 I want to post this alert for anyone who hasn't caught it. I won't say it's the greatest, because who would I be kidding?, but it's one that really stands out of the pack. I originally left it on my queue because the preview had emphasized some of the "reindeer games" they got involved in and it struck me as the usual lame time-filler, but I was very much intrigued once I finally started to watch. It starts with a familiar premise: flights have been cancelled and there's only one rental vehicle left. Right? How many times has it been done? But eventually nine people make their way into that van and it becomes one of those storylines where each one's story and purpose come out. But the characters and their stories hold water here, and they go to a deeper level than usual for Hallmark, while keeping the fun facade firmly in place. Hallmark recycles like crazy so anyone who wants to should be able to catch it before Christmas. |
|
|
|
Post by Fading Fast on Nov 30, 2023 15:12:21 GMT
In followup to an earlier post about "An Unexpected Christmas," I watched it again and stand by my call, it's an entertaining little piece of Christmas fluff that has a lot of funny lines and several likable characters. It is well-above the average Hallmark movie.
|
|
|
|
Post by I Love Melvin on Nov 30, 2023 15:56:41 GMT
In followup to an earlier post about "An Unexpected Christmas," I watched it again and stand by my call, it's an entertaining little piece of Christmas fluff that has a lot of funny lines and several likable characters. It is well-above the average Hallmark movie. I also stand by your call. I watched it again too and, although there's nothing new under the Hallmark sun, it avoided those kinds of plot contrivances which are intended to course correct, like having one of the leads act out of character just to create a new hurdle for them to overcome and get to the final clinch. It was way more honest in the evolution of the relationship than is generally depicted. There are some good writers in the genre but because so many get made, we're exposed to a lot more..I'll be polite and say "insufficient"....scripts. Let's all keep the recommendations coming when we have them. I don't know that I can recommend this, but the Hallmark channel recently carried an ad for a new Lifetime movie featuring a bevy of 80's sexpots: Morgan Fairchild, Loni Anderson, Donna Mills, Nicolette Sheridan and Linda Gray. Not having followed any of their careers closely, I'm not sure what to expect other than maybe a good giggle or two. It's called Ladies of the 80's: A Divas' Christmas for anyone interested and it premieres Saturday, Dec 2. Sounds like you might need extra wine for that one, kim. |
|
|
|
Post by Fading Fast on Nov 30, 2023 16:07:28 GMT
In followup to an earlier post about "An Unexpected Christmas," I watched it again and stand by my call, it's an entertaining little piece of Christmas fluff that has a lot of funny lines and several likable characters. It is well-above the average Hallmark movie. I also stand by your call. I watched it again too and, although there's nothing new under the Hallmark sun, it avoided those kinds of plot contrivances which are intended to course correct, like having one of the leads act out of character just to create a new hurdle for them to overcome and get to the final clinch. It was way more honest in the evolution of the relationship than is generally depicted. There are some good writers in the genre but because so many get made, we're exposed to a lot more..I'll be polite and say "insufficient"....scripts. Let's all keep the recommendations coming when we have them. I don't know that I can recommend this, but the Hallmark channel recently carried an ad for a new Lifetime movie featuring a bevy of 80's sexpots: Morgan Fairchild, Loni Anderson, Donna Mills, Nicolette Sheridan and Linda Gray. Not having followed any of their careers closely, I'm not sure what to expect other than maybe a good giggle or two. It's called Ladies of the 80's: A Divas' Christmas for anyone interested and it premieres Saturday, Dec 2. Sounds like you might need extra wine for that one, kim.
Ms. Sheridan in "The Sure Thing"
|
|
|
|
Post by BingFan on Nov 30, 2023 22:52:40 GMT
I want to post this alert for anyone who hasn't caught it. I won't say it's the greatest, because who would I be kidding?, but it's one that really stands out of the pack. I originally left it on my queue because the preview had emphasized some of the "reindeer games" they got involved in and it struck me as the usual lame time-filler, but I was very much intrigued once I finally started to watch. It starts with a familiar premise: flights have been cancelled and there's only one rental vehicle left. Right? How many times has it been done? But eventually nine people make their way into that van and it becomes one of those storylines where each one's story and purpose come out. But the characters and their stories hold water here, and they go to a deeper level than usual for Hallmark, while keeping the fun facade firmly in place. Hallmark recycles like crazy so anyone who wants to should be able to catch it before Christmas. ...
None of these Hallmark movies are much more than escapist entertainment, but there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, that’s what many of the classic screwball comedies of the 30s were, and they’re still worth watching all these years later (not that I’d claim that any Hallmark movie is on the level of, say, Bringing Up Baby).
Hallmark kind of replicates the old studio system, at least with their Christmas movies. They have a stable of “stars” who appear repeatedly in these movies (and other Hallmark productions), as well as a bunch of character actors (including older actors) who regularly appear in supporting roles. And they crank out large numbers of Christmas movies every year. Just as with the old studio system, the odds are that they’re bound to put out a good movie once in a while.
To answer the call for recommendations, here are a few Hallmark Christmas movies worth watching:
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR: Widower Henry Winkler is traveling from NY to Chicago to spend the holiday with his single-mom niece and her young son. On the way, he meets a helpful, offbeat young guy who, of course, is perfect for his niece.
CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY: Three young uncles living on a quaint island near Seattle adopt an orphaned niece who hasn’t spoken since her mother died. A very good combination of drama and lighter moments.
HITCHED FOR THE HOLIDAYS: One of the better “fake couple” movies, of which there are many. Very funny.
ONE CHRISTMAS EVE: Single mom Anne Heche and her kids go on a Christmas Eve odyssey started by a puppy being left on their doorstep. Very funny, and unusual for a Hallmark movie in not having romance as part of the story. |
|
|
|
Post by kims on Nov 30, 2023 23:28:36 GMT
Getting a bottle tomorrow, I Love Melvin. for Sat.'s Divas Christmas. I may spring for CRUNCH N MUNCH as well!!
|
|
|
|
Post by I Love Melvin on Dec 1, 2023 0:16:09 GMT
Getting a bottle tomorrow, I Love Melvin. for Sat.'s Divas Christmas. I may spring for CRUNCH N MUNCH as well!! You rascal, you. I'm sure I'll be watching, but I'm looking forward to hearing your take on this destined-to-be classic. Every once in a while they trot out divas; Vanessa Williams did a lady Scrooge one time, I remember, and Mariah Carey played a helicopter mom in one. Meanwhile, I'll be scrambling through my cable provider's search engine to try to track down BingFan's suggestions. |
|
|
|
Post by kims on Dec 4, 2023 18:28:34 GMT
I watched Divas Christmas this a.m. (which means I had butter popcorn and O.J, not wine). Expected fluff script, but the food fight was unexpected fun. Lifetime must be aiming at the female audience. You wouldn't see those muscular men wearing only shorts on Hallmark-some exec would have a stroke. Lifetime films are a step closer to reality - can you imagine a Hallmark character confessing to sex with a friend's fiance? Shades of Fred Sanford yelling "it's the big one" at the Hallmark offices.
It's fun to see actors in these shows after years away from the screen or tv. And what confidence to show aging. Garbo may have been right to protect her film image by disappearing in her day. But I like that actors show they age and stop reinforcing a foolish expectation that we should all hide at the first crow's foot.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fading Fast on Dec 4, 2023 18:45:55 GMT
I want to post this alert for anyone who hasn't caught it. I won't say it's the greatest, because who would I be kidding?, but it's one that really stands out of the pack. I originally left it on my queue because the preview had emphasized some of the "reindeer games" they got involved in and it struck me as the usual lame time-filler, but I was very much intrigued once I finally started to watch. It starts with a familiar premise: flights have been cancelled and there's only one rental vehicle left. Right? How many times has it been done? But eventually nine people make their way into that van and it becomes one of those storylines where each one's story and purpose come out. But the characters and their stories hold water here, and they go to a deeper level than usual for Hallmark, while keeping the fun facade firmly in place. Hallmark recycles like crazy so anyone who wants to should be able to catch it before Christmas. |
|
|
|
Post by I Love Melvin on Dec 6, 2023 22:58:07 GMT
This isn't really a recommendation, merely a suggestion. I recorded A Biltmore Christmas because I think it's a beautiful building and I was curious to see what they did with it. The preview made it obvious it was one of those gimmicky time travel things and what I saw of the period (1940's) scenes looked too much like modern actors playing dress-up in vintage clothing. But it has something going for it which may tickle classic movie fans. The lead actress is a screenwriter tasked with scripting a remake of a beloved holiday classic, His Merry Wife! (1947). Naturally, she ends up back there during the filming trying to track down rumors of an alternate ending. Sometimes Hallmark writers get cute and throw in movie references and there are some here; Turner Classic Movies and Criterion both come up. But the fun part is that we get to see clips from the "original" black-and-white movie, which seems to have been heavily influenced by The Bishop's Wife (1948). A trainee angel and his mentor are sent to help a man connect with the woman he loves, being visible to him but not to her. The trainee discovers that the woman is his wife, the woman he widowed on earth. She's having trouble committing to the man out of loyalty to her deceased husband, so he gives up the chance to get his wings to appear to her and give her his blessing to move on. I wish I could see that movie. It's actually an impressive scenario and a nice twist on a not-so-original plot. (The fake classic, not the Hallmark movie.) So, for classic movie fans there are some nice extras in this one.
|
|
|
|
Post by kims on Dec 7, 2023 1:50:58 GMT
Melvin, you mention something that I've noticed as well in other films of all sorts: actors who can't wear period wardrobe. It's a fascinating phenomenon. Why do some actors always look modern in period outfits? Is it physical or an actor who can't acclimate to the clothing?
|
|
