User reviews

We enjoyed the movie very much. I do understand filming is difficult but BC does not substitute for Cape Cod. Different vibe all together.

This is the same plot as umpteen other Hallmark sentimental movies. As soon as you meet the two love interests and hear about their personal plans you know exactly what will happen which means that you only need to see the first ten minutes.

And for the love of Pete, get a new hair stylist for the woman. Every single woman in every single Hallmark movie has an identical hair style except women of color - but Hallmark is woefully lacking in using anything but Caucasians in their drivel.

And while on a hiring kick, get a new technical adviser for any of the myriad of fake photographer plot lines and have them teach the character how to hold a camera correctly!

Living here in the UK, the geography of the film wasn't a concern, but the story line and acting was far better than a lot of Hallmark's output. The lead players admittedly had little chemistry, but Emilie Ullerup is pleasant to watch and her acting is far superior to most of those in Hallmark's stable.

I would say - again from the point of view of someone in England, but is Deck The Halls the only carol ever sung in the States ? because according to Hallmark its the only one ever played in their films; with the odd O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night thrown in.

Seems the dad Mark Humphrey and Rebecca Staab soon to be stepmom look younger than Emilie Ullerup and Josh Kelly beautiful movie scenery

I enjoy watching Emilie Ullerup and she's as watchable as ever in this movie. But the story seemed off.

Samantha hasn't been back to her family's summer home in Cape Cod for 13 years, even though it's barely more than an hour away from Boston where she works? Huh?

She lost her mother, quickly, 13 years ago and somehow that kept her away? That didn't make sense to me. At all. Her father kept going back and, 12 years after his wife died, he met and fell in love with the lovely Helen (Rebecca Staab). But Sam never went back and took advantage of her family home in Cape Cod. Even though it's the perfect weekend getaway, for the perfect price- free.

And I get that Sam misses her mother, but I lost track of how often they had her rubbing her mother's necklace and looking wistfully off into space. We get it; she misses her mother. Even 13 years later.

Her old summer buddy Mike Phillips works at Phillips Property Agency in Cape Cod with his parents, but somehow he is being considered for a job with a "commercial leasing company that handles a lot of the high rises in London"? Why would such a company in London want to hire someone who only has experience managing residential rentals in a small town in Massachusetts? Mike has ZERO knowledge or experience with the commercial leasing of high rise buildings, and it would be in a completely different country, with different laws and different industry practices. And what's the draw to London? After growing up and living in Cape Cod? He has one married friend living there, but that friend married a girl from England.

Also, property managers don't do repair work- they hire people. Despite that, Mike is sent to try and fix a "leak at the River Street rental". And he takes a caulk gun into the attic to fix a roof leak from the inside. From the inside. What a shock that it started leaking again.

Viewers might not realize this, but freelance photographers like Samantha don't make any money. That's why the "staff position" she wants at the Boston paper is important if Samantha wants to pay her own bills and keep photography as a career and not a hobby. So it made no sense that one of the photos Samantha submitted to get the prize job (based on the theme: "Christmas, something we haven't seen") is a fog enshrouded lighthouse that isn't even lit up. And, like everything else in this movie, that lighthouse isn't even in Cape Cod.

Also, without spoiling anything, the decision making in connection with that job was somewhat disappointing. And the decision making in connection with the family's summer home seemed unrealistic.

But the biggest problem for me is that Samantha really showed no interest in either being in a relationship, or being in a relationship with Mike. She basically avoided him for 13 years without anything remotely resembling a reason to do that. Even though he was just a short car ride away. I never really saw them as more than platonic friends although I can certainly understand why Mike wanted more.

On the plus side, Emilie Ullerup was great playing Samatha. She showed real emotion and real joy. And Rebecca Staab is one of the most beautiful 60 year olds working on TV. She looked like Samantha's older sister rather than her future stepmother. She's also a talented actress and played a very likable character.

There were also some other nice touches: all the scenes with Rebecca Staab; Samantha's gift to her future stepmother; the gathering of pine cones; Santa's maritime arrival; and the matching photos of Sam and her mother (the picture of Sam was actually better than any of the pictures that Sam took).

This was probably more of a 5 or 6 star movie, but there was a comforting holiday warmth to most of the scenes and I really like Emilie Ullerup. Plus, I grade Hallmark movies on a curve.

6/10 - just as every Hallmark Christmas movie before

About Halmark films it is easy to write nice. But, in this case, correct is the fair term. Because it has the fair stories, actors and science to use the predactibility . And that makes it just interesting. So, love, family and career. And, sure, the place. Result - beautiful and wise craft.

Having seen all six seasons of Chesapeake Shores, I was curious to see the cast in some other Hallmark movies. Would they be able to tackle different characters, or were their roles in Chesapeake just capturing their real selves on Candid Camera? In Christmas Bells Are Ringing, Emilie Ullerup plays another creative type with Mommy-issues - but don't write her off just yet. She manages to make this character completely different than Bree O'Brien; good for her! Her mannerisms, facial expressions, and insecurities are all gone. She might seem a bit low-key in this movie, but it's only because we're used to seeing her as high-energy Bree. I really appreciated her acting.

The plot feels a little disjointed, but since it's a Hallmark Christmas movie, not many people really care about cohesiveness. Emilie goes home to her small New England town to attend her father's wedding, and she also has to put together a photography submission for a high-end magazine. So, amidst the father-daughter bonding, missing her dead mother, and appreciating her stepmother for who she is, Emilie also runs around town with Josh Kelly to take the best photographs of lighthouses, snowmen, and other forms of Christmas cheer. If the story appeals to you or if you're a Chesapeake Shores fan, you'll probably enjoy watching this holiday flick. If not, you might not get any more out of this movie than a very pretty girl and a lovely Christmas wedding.

I'm never a big fan of cheesy holiday movies but this one was good. It wasn't overacted or too "cheesy." I really liked the lead actress.

Emilie Ellerup and Josh Kelly have zero chemistry and you just can't buy them as a couple. The rest of the cast is fantastic, with the usual cast of Canadian supporting cast. And note this is Brenda Crichlow's 700th appearance in a Hallmark.

Review Date 7/7/2019

I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films Christmas Television show episodes and Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever made. Since 2014 I average 100 a year.

Sam grew up spending summers at her family's vacation home on Cape Cod, where she and Mike, a local boy, became inseparable friends. The untimely death of Sam's mother brought those summers to an end for Sam, who couldn't bear the thought of returning. Thirteen years later, they meet again when she returns to Cape Cod for her father's Christmas Eve wedding.

What is nice about this is that this film is not about a woman looking for love or giving on love. Its about a woman who is hoping to land a big job and falling in love with her childhood food. The scene at the wedding is 100% accurate on how most people would feel in her situation. Bravo on the writing.

I think most people over 30 will enjoy this film the most because you can relate to the issues that pop up in this wonderful little gem.

I will watch again. Josh Kelly is so charming I can't wait to see what he does next!

I've watched many Hallmark movies this season. This falls short on several fronts....venue is not Cape Cod as billed, call it what it is..

The actors did the best with the material provided. Plot has been done several times.

Ok, Hallmark may go to the well a few times too many with the "return to the small town" thing, but this one is delightful. Acting is great, the two leads have serious chemistry and who can resist a charming small town at Christmas?

I find this 'Christmas' film quite dire. It's much more of a woman's film than a man's. I spent many happy summer months on Cape Cod in the past and hoped to see some locations that I recognised only to find that the outdoor scenes were shot in BC, Canada. Beautiful house interiors and snowy outdoor scenes don't necessarily make a good film.

Title might be inaccurate. This is better than many I've watched. I like Hallmark movies especially during the season. All the characters in this were good, believable. None looked familiar. The scenery was great. The story had a lot of different issues working through that all worked out (of course). I'll probably eatch it again next year (something I never do).

...time I've ever turned off a Hallmark Christmas movie. I didn't care if they ever got together (presume they did, it IS a Hallmark movie), or if they worked out their problems. The sub-plot of handsome father marries gorgeous stepmother was kinda nice, but that's not why we watch these things....

Loved this movie, perfect for the season! A lot of my friends enjoy family movies and this was one for all.

I give this an eight out of ten for these reasons. Although not a single frame is filmed in Cape Cod there is an effort to mimic the town. The lighthouse is a nice touch but again not found in Massachusetts. The acting is a little better than usual and Emilie plays a convincing part but someone should have taught her how to handle the Cannon camera she uses in the movie. So to be fair, this is a Hallmark movie, put together in a few weeks and the production company has but one thing in mind... make a movie on a shoestring budget that will bring a bit of "holly jolly" to the viewer. Because it's a Hallmark movie it is exactly what I expected, a little romance, a little holiday spirit, with a lot of boy gets girl in the end!

This sweet, heartwarming and funny Christmas story was a breath of fresh air during the Hallmark Christmas season. Emilie Ullerup had a warmth and depth to her that really added to the touching story. She reminded me of Meg Ryan in her early days, in her engaging performance. The story itself felt different, emotionally deeper, with plenty of Christmas yet still something new, in a gorgeous setting. It was a pleasure to watch and one I'd happily see again.

Was not expecting to like 'Christmas Bells are Ringing' this much. While certainly not having any bias against Hallmark Christmas output (far from the truth and have always made that clear) and a fair share of them have fallen into the better than expected category, their output has always been very formulaic and can be very cheesy and schmaltzy and the characters and acting have always varied. 2018 was a hit and miss year for Hallmark's Christmas output.

'Christmas Bells are Ringing' was for me one of the surprising hits and easily one of the best of their 2018 batch of Christmas films. As well as actually their Christmas films in general. As far as their overall films for any occasion or genre goes, 'Christmas Bells are Ringing' is somewhere in the top end in my view. This opinion is from judging the film on its own terms without comparing it to anything else, so am not saying (never have, never will do) that it is on par with something else that has gotten the same rating that will make some scoff.

Sure, the structure of the film and what happens is very familiar territory for Hallmark so there is a seen it all before vibe throughout. Did find the ending a bit too rushed and too tidy, as well as easily telegraphed.

A lot of the dialogue early on is heavy on the cheese and corn factors and doesn't flow very naturally, so there were moments where there was admittedly some cringing into my seat.

However, 'Christmas Bells are Ringing' at least looks nice and professional. Although the authenticity of the locations can be, and has been, questioned, the scenery still looks lovely and appropriately festive, complemented very nicely by the photography. The soundtrack is nostalgic and isn't as intrusive in tone or placement as most other Hallmark Christmas films, as that has been a common criticism from me and quite a number of others. The direction is accomodating while not going through the motions.

The dialogue is less than great early on but if one sticks with the film it does improve, it is tighter and less stilted and the cheese and sentiment isn't as much. The story is very predictable admittedly, but it still engaged me and was charming and heart-warming while not taking itself too seriously. The characters may be well worn cliches, but they came over to me as likeable enough and any negative character traits didn't come over as over the top like can be the case in Hallmark Christmas films. Emilie Ullerup and Josh Kelly are very appealing leads, they look comfortable and don't overdo any habitual mannerisms. Their chemistry came over as genuine, took time to unfold and didn't come over as contrived. The supporting cast also do very well.

In conclusion, surprisingly very well done. 8/10

Loved this movie as I do all the other Hallmark movies. It shouldn't have said Christmas in cape cod. We don't have a snow capped mountain range on the waterfront, when santa was coming in on the boat it was beautiful but definitely not cape cod.

I really liked this film. It has a lovely romance in it and the seasonal elements are different to most we've seen before. It's cheerful and fun and the lead female plays a photographer, I think these films are always better when there's a creative side to them.

Josh Kelly, the lead male, is adorable and I just want to see him smile at me that way.

Some of the ending is hard to believe, but it's still a cute story.

This movie was on again last night. I just love this movie. Yes, it takes place during Xmas time but to me it could be made or shown at any time of the year. There is feeling of family, friendship and grief. Emilie has not come back from not being on the Cape since her mom died and has had a hard time accepting it and has not come back until now. I understand that completely since I lost my mom some years ago and still have days that are very hard. Not a day goes by I do not think about my mom. What I would like to know is how to get a Snowflake necklace that the wears thru the movie. I did buy a pretty one this year but I cannot find one that is the size of that one. Sometimes it looks larger ...not sure the size of it. So if anyone sees this and knows (even in the future) where to get a beautiful larger snowflake, please get in touch with me. Email: louisemazan64@gmail.com.....and Watch the Movie.....Merry Christmas!

7.6 stars.

A woman is a photographer in the big city, and she comes home to Cape Cod for her Dad's wedding (I assume Cape Cod, because they call it "the cape"). Dad is to marry a new lady, because his previous wife (her mother) died some years back. Her mom used to be a great photographer, so she has followed in her footsteps. While in town she sees her old crush from school and he helps her with a photography project. He is offered a great job in London, and subsequently she might be up for a promotion. Will they rekindle, or will he move away and she go back to the city from whence she came?

There is the serious issue of whether to follow their dreams, or their hearts, and will regrets be the end result. I like their take on this, it's very enlightening. "I think our timing is off, again". Leaves us wondering what happened the first go round.

The movie is standard, checks all the right boxes, and it's slightly above average in some parts. The writing is average. The chemistry is a little above average, the flirtation is interesting and unique. The x-factor exists in slight measure. The entertainment value is above average. The cast are all a bit too pretty, looking like fashion models, a bit unrealistic. All things being equal I am rating solely on the entertainment value brought to the table. There are a few timeless moments, and it packs a punch in the last 20 minutes, so I'm placing this on the 2-3 year watchlist.