Christmas Time Capsule (2023 TV Movie) User Reviews

Disappointing.

[adamjohns-42575 · 5/10 · 6 February 2024]

Christmas Time Capsule (2023) -

I would not have watched this all the way through if Franco Lo Presti as James hadn't been so God damn tall, dark and handsome, because his character seemed like an absolute lunkhead and really unpleasant from the off, without any sign of redemption, even half way through. I didn't want Tiffany, played by Emily Alatalo, to have to be stuck with him. She deserved so much better.

If he had been my best friend I would have told him what I really thought and I'm not talking about the four letter "L" word, but probably repeated use of the four letter "F" word instead.

She'd had a crush for so long that the poor thing couldn't see that he had grown up to be very unattractive on the inside.

He also didn't really represent the soldiers of the U. S. very well, with his minimal seeming IQ. I wouldn't want to be relying on him in my platoon, with his slow wits and generally clueless ways.

The leading pair returned to their hometown to obtain an engagement ring that Tiffany had, for some reason, placed in a time capsule and I was supposed to see him warming to her as they made stops along the way to enjoy various festive activities, but he just appeared to make mistakes, referring to Tiff instead of his girlfriend Ashley (Lindura), which wasn't actually a sign that he was falling for Tiffany or remembering old feelings for her, but more of his stupidity shining through.

If he hadn't been such a d!ck all the time I might have felt for them both. I could truly empathise with Tiffany, because I've been there so many times too, but I wanted her to realise that she could do better and meet someone new on their journey so that he could make Tiff happier and then James could marry Ashley, who was alright, if a bit pushy, but perhaps more suitable for him.

The parents Elise (Toni Ellwand) and Frank (Randy Thomas) were far too nutty as well. They didn't need to be so comedic, especially in those daft tracksuits. It felt like another failed attempt at making a comedy Christmas film instead of just making a Christmas drama with heart that features comedic moments, which for me will always work better, unless you can reproduce the magic and hilarity of 'Elf' (2003) or 'The Muppets Christmas Carol' (1992).

Overall the story could have worked, because the production was good, but James' mardy ass character let it down too much and made it slightly hard to buy.

Not one for the rewatch list.

4.56/10.

No Chemistry in this Meh Movie

[mrsbecthompson · 2/10 · 27 November 2023]

It is that time of year where I love to watch these type of Christmas movies. Randomly came across this one and let's just say I won't be adding it to my rewatch or recommendation list to friends. Bad acting is usually fine with these movies, but when the leads have zero chemistry whatsoever with each other, it makes this a big miss...

These two should not work together again. Not believable... The lead actress was fine, but the lead actor was not very good at acting. He should be a secondary actor at best as I did not believe him as a leading man as there was a smugness to him I did not enjoy. He would be perfect for the jerk boyfriend role, and not this.

The Tiffany character was way more unlikeable than the fiancé and I felt that there was no rooting interest in seeing these supposed best friends get together by the end of the film.

Much better options out there for your "Hallmark" Christmas movie marathons.

Warmth, Love, Holiday Joy!

[elrisathompson · 10/10 · 30 November 2023]

This movie follows James and Tiffany, best pals from their childhood days in the Midwest. James asks Tiffany for an engagement ring he gave her for safekeeping before he enlisted. He's got plans to propose to someone else, but their trip back home stirs up old emotions.

During their journey, they rediscover their connection. Some folks thought the actors didn't click, but I found their bond quite genuine.

I won't spill the beans on all the surprises, but trust me, this movie keeps you hooked. Some people had mixed reviews, but if you're up for a cozy, feel-good Christmas film about friendship and true love, this one hits the spot!

What's wrong with this movie? Everything!

[Jackbv123 · 2/10 · 14 November 2023]

The premise is a variation on the romantic leads are best friends from childhood. But now he is about to propose to his girlfriend and Tiffany is trying to stall him. One thing that is slightly unusual is that the rival, the pending fiancé, is totally likable. The movie gives you nothing in her character to dislike. That's the one exception to everything being wrong. The surprise that comes out of the time capsule is stupid and makes no sense. Other than that surprise, the movie follows the usual lines and has no great highs or lows or other surprises.

Mom is just stupid. I cringed at her appearances until late in the movie. It's a Christmas movie, so there is baking, but mom bakes cookies without sugar, on purpose.

Except for Emily Alatalo, the acting is bad. I found nothing appealing about Franco Lo Presti's James and certainly no chemistry. James was negative for so far into the movie that I couldn't understand why Tiffany was friends with him, much less thought she loved him.

I must be drinking the coolaid

[MickyG333 · 8/10 · 21 December 2023]

7.6 stars.

Yet another movie with reviews all over the place, and so I had to see it for myself, see what's the deal. There aren't many comments, but for me, I have to comment on this because that's what I do these days, I do reviews on everything I watch. Why not, figure might as well do something with all this time on my hands watching primarily family and Hallmark films for two full months of the year, that's the tradition, starting in 2022, and boy there is an endless supply of these movies...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this movie. I like it, almost love it at times. The leads have great chemistry, what are people talking about? Sure, they're married, so what, that's not an automatic chemistry killer, they have it, the love is there...

The story is nothing new, but they do draw it out and it's sort of slow at times, but it's a really slow burn sort of best friends, always been in love story and it works. I can feel the raw emotions between them, she is absolutely adorable, he's got charm. What's not to like? But so many people just don't enjoy this movie, so maybe I'm on coolaid, who knows.

Disappointing

[larasjoy · 2/10 · 5 December 2023]

Well, where do I start... I couldn't finish watching, sorry. This movie is an insult to one's intelligence. Both the script and acting are so poor that I don't feel bad anymore about AI taking over the movie industry: ChatGPT and synthetic performers would do a better job.

The lead actor's performance is particularly weak. Someone has to tell the guy that acting requires skills and talent (both missing here), and it's not just about memorizing text and repeating it in front of the camera. His narcissistic demeanor doesn't help either.

The lead actress did a better job. It looks like she is a seasoned Christmas show dame. The actress must be in her early forties now and it shows, so maybe it's time to switch to a more appropriate genre. Anyway, some time wasted, and I'm switching to Christmas classics to heal the trauma:)))

P. S. The leads are a couple in real life: they hooked up on some other low-budget movie set and they use their real-life "love story" to promote this masterpiece :))) Cheesy stuff.

Christmas time facepalm

[andybarlowejr · 1/10 · 13 February 2024]

Watching such movies is like shopping at Dollarama. Once in a while, one can find a true gem in a pile of trash. But this is not it, it's way on the trashier side. Back in December, this movie ruined my festive bliss big time, so let me explain why.

It's not just poor acting (acting is BAD and a few reviews here are pretty accurate). It's the message this movie sends: no matter how desperate a woman is, there is always some "old friend" to prey on, nevermind he's in a committed relationship. His partner's feelings do not matter - just be pushy and manipulative, add some phony festive joy, and he's yours. I wonder if they're having a sequel next Christmas when this half-witted stallion is poached by some other woman who's even more aggressive (and maybe younger)? This story gives such an unpleasant aftertaste and is very much off the holiday spirit.

Some people mentioned the leads' relationship status. Who cares? Maybe some Oklahoma housewife will find this cute. I've seen their short promotional video and it's so cheesy and off-putting. He clearly has been her plan B and she's a way better actress in her personal life than in movies, at least the one I've seen. They're some no-name celebrities who are trying to speculate on their relationship to promote mediocre content. Their personal relationship doesn't add any value to the movie and doesn't make the acting better. It's not relevant. Also, this industry is infamous for short-lived romances and shallow personalities, for viewers watching this movie a few years from now, it might be not relevant at all. No need to bring this up, honestly.

While I was watching, I kept thinking why this James character seemed so strikingly familiar. Bingo - the actor is a waiter/bartender at a rather popular Italian restaurant in Toronto's Yorkville. I've seen him many times in the course of a few years - I guess that's how he makes his living. The venue is very popular for the TIFF crowd, so maybe that's how he's got his foot in the industry. I looked him up, he's not a professional actor, just some random dude who's trying to capitalize on his physique. This is not sustainable but might be quite appealing to some fans, even if he keeps being a talking head in the movies. There are a few amateur interviews with him on YouTube taken by some unsightly women drooling over him on air. Check these out, way more entertaining than the movie. He's such an attention seeker, it's hilarious.

Another thing that I found off-putting was the female lead's unnatural makeup. I understand they were trying to make her look younger to keep a youthful vibe appropriate for a rom-com and also more appealing than her rival (it didn't work, the original fiancée is way more likable and organic), but the result looks grotesque. And this orange-y complexion! It reminds me of... you know whom, lol. It's funny how heavily they photoshopped the poster, but the camera doesn't lie, and too much makeup just makes it worse: wrinkles, skin imperfections, and an overall tired look.

I looked up the lead actress as well: a small town born with a complicated family background (homelessness, addiction and stuff), at some point she switched from sketchy/X-rated content to rom-coms and horror movies. Some of her works from about a decade ago would direct you to explicit content websites, no kidding. Help yourselves with your discoveries, just make sure kids are not around. I've seen enough. She isn't my type in the first place, she has no class. But this whole background story adds to the movie's unpalatable aftertaste.

Anyway, as you have likely figured, I don't recommend this movie (unless you are an Oklahoma housewife, of course). On a serious note, I'm appalled that my home country (it was filmed in Ontario, Canada) production industry keeps investing in such rubbish in these challenging economic times, while many well-written films with talented casts might never get a chance. Very sad.

Perfect Mix

[Pvrspecialist · 10/10 · 12 January 2024]

I found this to be a very likeable rom movie. There is comedy angle with the little off the norm parents but they provided a fine background of a loving family. The story is the usual why didn't they each say something earlier but the years had gone by. There was no hystrionics, the characters were down to earth and all likeable. They just needed to sort out what they felt and wanted. Closer to real life. Franco Lo Presti is always good, providing a good reflection of the characters he plays. If you want a really rom-com -ie movie, with the emotional, teary female with silly interactions with the male and the best friend not so sage advice, this isn't it.

They have no Compatibility

[andreaherrera-90362 · 2/10 · 19 November 2023]

This movie is not it. It gives no back information on Tiffany; she's already unlikable in the beginning. The finance isn't the problem here, because let's be honest, Tiffany trying to steal and stall the guy, James is not attractive. This just shows that having a best girlfriend isn't helpful if she's sabotaging their relationship. And the Time Capsule thing makes no sense at all the plot. Overall the move shows no chemistry at all or anything.

Maybe I'm overthinking this too much, it does get better towards the end maybe. The beginning was just not it. They needed to add more chemistry or backstory with the protagonists.