The Christmas Edition

I haven't cared for Rob Mayes in other movies - but he did a good nob in this one. Carly Hughes was great. Loved her in American Housewife - didn't know she could sing like that. Need more! The best part was the romance grew over time ... not just a few days. It was a fun escape.

Did anyone else notice - in the VERY beginning of the movie - the directional sign? One of the cities/towns was Garland. Shout out to Christmas Under Wraps - which also took place in a fictional Alaska town. Loved that ...

Good story line good casting the only problem I have with it is it times it felt like you were watching a Disney show with the acting of everybody so Over the top all the time, Anybody with kids should know what I mean by that type of acting. But all in all a good Christmas movie to add to the lineup

I'm not sure what it is called,maybe the score, but there is background music through the ENTIRE movie, even when just having casual conversations. It's too much for my liking. Story line was ok, predictable. But a refreshing watch.

I couldn't help but notice writer Anna White recycled plenty of her previous Lifetime movie 'My Christmas Inn' for 'The Christmas Edition.'

Here is Rob Mayes (Finn), again in Alaska, as an artisan who inherits his father's biz, mixing it up, again, with a driven San Francisco career gal of color on the verge of a promotion, Carly Hughes' Jackie, who lands sideways in a Christmas-happy small town.

Happily, Hughes is a breath of fresh air, and, with the exception of Finn's clutch of fugly sweaters (hello, wardrobe!), this movie is definitely an upgrade.

For one, Jackie, Finn & Co. unite around a real and heartfelt issue-the death of newspapers, specifically community news, a rare commodity in these films.

Jackie and Finn have an easy chemistry. Finn is off-the-beaten-path for a male lead, played with a laid-back touch by Mayes. It works. Most of the supporting characters bring some originality. It makes things flow, like rain in a desert of a stale among these movies.

All in all, it had a more natural vibe: less cardboard, more variety of folk, a few more interesting happenings, rather than the typical 'event' feel. Some thoughtfulness all-around. Even Marie Osmond, as the presumed villainess, packed a little surprise in the end.

One rub, FWIW: if you're set on calling it Alaska, and your cast is diverse, how about including Native Alaskan actors?

Hark the herald angel sing.

When she started singing I laughed so hard for a long time.

10 out of 10 funny. Would highly recommend. That part.

Edna had some great scarfs and I wonder why the mayor stopped wearing his top hat .