Checkin' It Twice

For me, this movie was unexpected. A bit different from the usual, which made me want to immediately watch it again to see what I missed. Tender and sweet, yet with very funny moments. The goofy family was delightful and relatable. Romance shown differently, with the conflict being within each character; not between the characters. Love how the individual storylines weaved together. The cast was lovely, the scenery beautiful, shot from many locations, the facial expressions were the best. Love how the beginning and end cab scenes book ended the movie, and how the Actors handled those scenes! Great chemistry between the leads, and hope to see them paired together again. If you want to watch a movie that does not gut punch you and leaves you with warm feelings, this is the movie to watch!

Scott Briggs (Kevin McGarry) is traveling to Idaho Falls to join the roster of a minor league hockey team. Commercial realtor Ashleigh Durreau (Kim Matula) is traveling from New York City to her hometown of Idaho Falls for the Christmas holiday. They briefly meet in the airport, where their debit cards are switched by a clerk.

They arrange to recover their cards, then find that they will be living in close proximity. Scott, who has dreams of playing in the NHL, adjusts to his new teammates and the small-town way of life. Ashleigh settles in with her family and finds herself loving life in the town she had been so determined to escape. And the two of them spend some time together.

This is a very enjoyable film. The two stars have a wonderful chemistry that feels organic. The expected Hallmark trope of small-town bliss does not grate; it grows out of the family dynamics and the personal growth of Scott and Ashleigh. And small-town value is not the moral of this story. It has to do with expectations that can limit one's ability to see options---a lesson for us all.

Kim Matula kicks butt. If there is a penalty shot where a goal was needed, I would pick Matula every time. She's been a great addition to the Hallmark roster.

This movie was fun and funny. The hockey scenes were kind of hilarious in that they were bad but it added to the charm.

So watch this movie, it's awesome, it is an absolutely stellar start to the holiday cavalcade of Christmas movies. I can't wait for the rest.

And just because extra words are required to get a review posted, please be kind to yourself and other people and just remember the more we work together as people, the better we will all be.

Best, John.

Now that the Christmas season has begun, I'm hoping we'll get a new lot of romance movies. This just came out and the first is many season movies I'll be seeing. This movie captures the same old formula, but it's an interesting and new plot. Not typical for this genre. I think the beginning was cute, the middle was a little thin and felt drawn out, but it's got moments of developed background history, which add to its charm. The lead female is a fresh personality on the stage and we always love this male lead.

Because this movie steps out from the cookie cutter mold enough to catch my attention, I've rated this Hallmark romance movie a star higher than most their movies.

38 year old Kevin Mc Garry plays 32 year old hockey player Scott Briggs. He's stuck playing in Idaho Falls, light years away from the big time he longs for.

Kim Matula is Ashley, a New York real estate agent who is home for Christmas. They have what is pretty much the opposite of a meet-cute, then it is discovered their debit cards were switched at an airport kiosk. Both suffer embarrassment as a result, then discover Briggs is actually staying at her family's guest house.

Matula shines in the Hallmark movies with her strong yet vulnerable characters in addition to her attractiveness. She's every bit as good as she was last year as an angel.

McGarry is well-known to Hallmark fans, but not one of my favorites, although he is good here.

I'm noticing a lot of new faces in the supporting casts this year, probably to fill the gaps of those who have fled to GAC. Some are better than others.

This movie is a step up, if only because Matula is so good. There are some funny moments, especially if you like hockey, and warm ones as well.

It's a 7, but Matula makes it an 8.