Just a few more days until Christmas and I am spending the day cleaning and watching a marathon of Hallmark Holiday Movies. There are some that I tape and watch over and over again and others that I delete after one viewing and maybe watch again if they show up on one of the marathon movie days. I realize that each of these movies will touch different people in different ways, but here are my thoughts on the 2013 Hallmark Original Holiday movies....
The Thanksgiving House (Premiered November 2, 2013)
Blurb from Hallmark Website:
A woman buys a house in Plymouth, only to discover that the very first Thanksgiving took place on the property. As a result, she finds herself in a battle with a local handsome historian who wants to tear down her house to study the site. Stars Cerina Vincent and Lindsay Wagner.
What I liked about it: I almost missed this movie. I was out of town for Thanksgiving and had to go online to set up my DVR. When I finally got to see this one, I was glad I didn't miss it. I really liked the main characters, Mary Ross and Everett Mather. I just kept rooting for Mary and Everett to get together. Everett embodies small town hope and good will, while Mary has been hurt in the past due to her parents' divorce. Also, viewers will love to hate Mary's arrogant city boyfriend and the local community gossip blogger.
Watch it again: Yes! I was glad I recorded this to my DVR. Since it was a Thanksgiving-theme movie, it did not receive the same replay as other movies.
Pete’s Christmas (Premiered November 8, 2013)
Blurb from Hallmark Website:
A young 14-year-old boy named Pete has the worst Christmas Day ever, only to find that he must repeat the day again and again until he gets it right. Stars Bruce Dern, Zachary Gordon, Bailee Madison, Molly Parker and Rick Roberts.
What I liked about it: Repeating the day over again until you get it right is a frequent plot device. It can be done well or it can be really annoying. Pete's Christmas is an enjoyable and humorous version. Pete's a great kid and, as he tries to figure out how to make it all come together, there are a lot of mistakes but also a lot of laughs. Pete and his family grow throughout the movie, and of course, there is the mandatory happy ending.
Watch it again: Yes, if you can find it. This one didn't seem to run as frequently as others and unfortunately I didn't tape it.
Snow Bride (Premiered November 9, 2013)
Blurb from Hallmark Website:
When a reporter encounters the eldest son of a famous political family at a mountain retreat, she winds up pretending to be his girlfriend over Christmas so he can save face with his family. Should she secretly expose newsworthy scoops about the famous family in order to save her job, or trust that she's falling in love for real? Stars Patricia Richardson and Katrina Law.
What I liked about it: I had to watch this one in parts. I am not fond of certain deception plots and if I don't really connect with the characters, then I tend to lose interest. The movie was super predictable, which I expected. It was easy to see what would be the big conflict standing in the way of the two characters getting together. However, about halfway through, I found myself really liking Greta (the undercover gossip reporter) and Ben (the rich son of a politician) and wanted to see them together. I was surprised by how much I liked Ben's family, who were nothing like I expected. I did find myself wanting to see Ben's mother (who is now a widow) to find her own happy ever after ending, too.
Watch it again: This is probably a one timer for me, but if it is on, I may tune in again.
A Very Merry Mix-Up (Premiered November 10, 2013)
Blurb from Hallmark Website:
Alice thinks she is heading to her fiancé’s hometown to meet his parents and spend the holidays, but a mix-up at the airport lands her at the wrong home. However this “wrong” family is just her sort of people and she quickly forms a bond with them, especially with the handsome son, Matt. When she visits the "right" house, will her destiny take a detour? Stars Alicia Witt.
What I liked about it: This movie had all of the makings for a potentially great romantic comedy in theory. The main character accidentally finds herself in the wrong home for the holidays after a series of mix ups. Of course, the family she meets is her ideal family. There is also a tie in with time, fate, and a romantic story tied into a special clock. I usually like movies like A Very Merry Mix-Up, but for some reason this one did not grab me.
Watch it again: Maybe. I liked it but I found myself skipping it to watch others.
