PeterMovie61 Reviews

Miracle in Bethlehem, PA. (2023 TV Movie)

The Best of 2023

[27 December 2023]

A touching and moving drama, with a bit of humor, this one may be the best of the Christmas 2023 movies. An inclusion of family, unafraid to represent religious beliefs along with a marvelous music score. Many of the beliefs that fans of Hallmark have watched dissipate over the years will be glad at the there's presented.

Bringing joy to parts of life that produced failure, the movie allows the audience to look up and forward, while the writers did not negate the struggles that people experience in life. The movie works and is likely to be a favorite for many years to come.

Great acting, writing and production.

A Season for Family (2023 TV Movie)

Touching Story

[24 November 2023]

No spoiler here, just a statement that can let the viewer know that a quality family movie is here to enjoy. Although a long shot for plausibility, fine acting, good supporting actors and a steady growing story unfolds nicely. Whereas in some Christmas love stories the kids are second tier, here we have two responsible adults. This doesn't dampen the romance but brings a sense of reality to the account. Excellent acting gives the slow unveiling of emotions, rather than bluntness sometimes seen in rushed movies. Touching musical score and strong child actors come together for a heart warming Christmas tale.

Paris Christmas Waltz (2023 TV Movie)

Cringe

[23 November 2023]

Talented actors could not save this cringe on steroids flop. Dull script, awkward lip syncing and gratuitous dance scenes do not make for an interesting storyline.

There was little chemistry nor even realistic elements within the plot of the movie. Giving up her job was, maybe, the highlight of the film and great American family has done well for 2023, but this proved to be a let down. There was no Christmas magic, no great moral lessons, no kids in need of a kindly grandparent or even a mother or father. Just corny dancing and a cliche looking dance choreographer in a silly scarf. This is not one we'll watch next year.

Blessings of Christmas (2023)

Another Winner

[16 November 2023]

Another winner from Great American Family. 2023 may be the year they caught Hallmark and even surpassed them for the top feel-good Christmas movies. The cast was well chosen and unlike in years past, the supporting cast was strong and played solid roles. Their performances enhanced the leads as Great American Family shook off the cast of boy meets girl and embraced older characters. They showed fulfillment in life. The music was good except for the Las Vegas lounge style version of "God Rest Ye Merrt Gentlemen" used towards the end. Scenery was Christmas like and a warm tender story worked well.

Christmas Keepsake (2023 TV Movie)

Great American Catching Up

[13 November 2023]

Great American seems to, thus far, passed the Hallmark Channel on new movies for 2023. They've improved the story lines and are employing better or more seasoned supporting cast. Wholesome entertainment with happy endings; a welcome respite from world news. This is a nice story with solid acting and ultimately, redemption. A dutiful daughter who still hurts though many years have passed. A new stranger welcomed to a new homeland, in time for Christmas. His daughter in need of family...the set up for a blessed Christmas. Nice scenery and an abundance of Christmas cookies makes for good viewing.

Christmas Island (II) (2023 TV Movie)

Just ok...

[13 November 2023]

6 stars

This has the elements to make a good movie, including top actors and excellent scenery.

Yet, it was ultimately rather dull.

It was not a clunker, hence 6 stars, but it did not hold my interest.

The characters lacked chemistry and the "poor rich" family did not set up the audience for a breakthrough of joy at Christmas. It's not relatable for the audience to see a family on a private jet; something most viewers will never experience.

The scenery was beautiful but without witty or emotional banter, it came across as sterile, dry and without flavor. Fine actors did not save the dull story line.

Never Been Chris'd (2023 TV Movie)

Not Typical But Funny

[6 November 2023]

This is not a typical Hallmark Christmas movie. It is, however, funny. The characters are immature and self centered without the more normal over the top "proof" of immaturity, shallowness and self absorption. They are presented in a "stupid" manner, which is not a failure of the script writing, but it is deliberate. It is comical as it was intended to be. There is no heart warming lesson (or a tying together of the story lines), no typified misunderstanding that gets rectified nor an engagement ring on Christmas Eve. It's comical as we both laugh at the characters and empathize with them. I enjoyed its edge of humor.

A Kismet Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

Slow and ponderous

[23 October 2023]

This was a disappointment throughout. Marilu Henner raises the question of the producer's judgment . Hallmark taps some former stars who become distractions due to extreme plastic surgery. Although a talented actress, like others Hallmark chooses, the close ups on the surgically altered facial structure is, at best, unpleasant but at worse, frightening. It is past time to cease and desist from this practice. Besides this, the plodding and unsustainable story line drags on. There were just too many of the cringe moments. One is enough but this seems to be on cringe steroids. A better cast, no "Frankenface" and sharper writing is needed.

The More Love Grows (2023 TV Movie)

Let down

[13 September 2023]

In spite of a strong cast, this falls short of hallmark usual quality.

The plot was weak and not worthy oh Hallmark production. Characters went "zero to sixty" in a most unnatural manner. The husband wants to leave his wife and we are told that she has no clue as to why. She is blindsided by his desire to depart. She wants to understand why he wants out and wants to stay together. This creates a mystery (the reason why) and it creates a need to process the info. We're never given the info and when hubby changes his mind, giving her what she begged for, she's already moved on. This leaves us with a superficial story without a Hallmark happy conclusion. No depth between wife and her new boyfriend though both are fine actors. The writing is to blame.

Christmas Wedding Planner (2017 TV Movie)

Better than reviews

[18 August 2023]

The lead actress stole this movie from start to finish. She was an energetic caricature of an energetic and quirky character and she pulled it off.

The plot is weak but the rapid dialog between the two lead characters is a lot of fun.

The witty banter could have used a better story line (and stronger supporting characters) but it still worked.

This is the lowest rated movie we have ever watched and it was, and is, enjoyable. The lead actress is very talented and turned the poorly written script into a warm hearted love story that, with no great expectations, is enjoyable to watch. Make some good quality popcorn with lots of healthy butter, and enjoy!

When Calls the Heart (2014– )

Disappointing Series

[2 August 2023]

We didn't finish season one. It's difficult to grasp the high ratings. The acting is poor, the story lines depressing and the costumes & make up unrealistic. Perhaps we expected "Little House on the Prairie" or even Hallmark quality, but are disappointed. We assumed that ten seasons doesn't happen with low quality, but the constant over-acting is all too much.

The town is one to which we would not want to be a part of.

Lori L is hard to watch, after what she did with her kids' college entries, but even ignoring her will not make this watchable.

The children are not endearing and it's as if 21st century ADHD and oppositional defiance is to be emphasized.

Groundswell (2022 TV Movie)

Tired Script

[1 March 2023]

Waste of Lacey Chabert's talent and status. Listless and dull dialog, entirely predictable which fails to utilize Lacey's skills.

The silly body double scenes were cheesy and did not appear to be deliberately do, in order to join the audience into an inside Hallmark joke.

Several cringe like moments cemented this onto a movie that will not be watched more than once, as so many good Hallmark movies are watched year after year.

We watched only the first 15 minutes and then turned it off. A few weeks later we went back to it and watched it through the end. We were reminded why we bailed out earlier.

Welcome to Valentine (2023 TV Movie)

No Story No Chemistry

[19 February 2023]

This was flat and dull. Not funny, not romantic, not dramatic...there was nothing to the story line.

Acting was listless and we bailed out on it. As reviews come in, the rating will drop. The father-son interaction was forced. Giving up the CEO position was cliché and not realistic. They only had one "Frankenstein-face" (bad plastic surgery) which is at least consistent but they didn't do any facial close ups, mercifully. Opening seen with two women and a boy rolling on top of each other was cringe worthy. The actors are talented but they deserve good writing. They had nothing to work with.

Maybe new writers?

Christmas Jars (2019 TV Movie)

Hallmark's Finest Christmas Movie

[4 December 2019]

Hallmark's best Christmas movie. Engaging actors, story line, romance, misunderstanding and ultimately redemption.

A Frosty Affair (2015 TV Movie)

Dreadful

[3 December 2019]

Bad script, bad acting but a great scene with a bear.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964 TV Movie)

Aged Well/-Still a classic

[17 November 2019]

Since 1964, this warm hearted animation has told the story of children's Christmas fantasy. Courage, initiative, perseverance and kindness all on display.

The Mistletoe Secret (2019 TV Movie)

Cute Movie

[13 November 2019]

Cute Christmas movie from Hallmark in spite of Kellie Pickler.

Her accent is gratuitous and insulting to North Carolina women.

She is not an actress. Lessons will not help.

Lacey Chabert -is the Queen of Hamark Christmas movies. Give us a

Very Lacey Christmas and not...

Kellie Pickler who is annoying.

Her singing overdoes the "country twang" and is awful. It appears that the other actors were annoyed by her.