Mistletoe Magic

7.4 stars.

I really like the two leading actors, but if not for the casting of them and some of the other members, this would be a flop. I've seen other Christmas films similar to this, seemingly a big production, intended to be special and original. This is different in some ways to impact the audience so we feel the film is an instant classic, so we will return to it every year. This one falls short of that classification due to several problems. The editing is not great, the cuts and segues from different shots and angles and scenes is clumsy, and at times doesn't flow. The music is good, but lacking in quantity. I don't mind the quiet scenes without music, but the timing was a bit off for me. I reiterate that I really like the lead actors, she is absolutely one of the most beautiful women in all of Hollywood, I'm not talking about Hallmark and Great American Family movies, I'm talking about ALL of Hollywood. She has the perfect everything, facial symmetry, smile, eyes, hair, curves, everything is just right, and she can act to boot. Alas, even her performance and great charisma cannot elevate 'Mistletoe Magic' beyond a 7.4. I couldn't rightfully give it a 7.5, for that would mean it must be rounded up to 8, and this is not an 8. I can't in good conscious award it something based upon my obvious crush on the lead actress, it wouldn't be pertinent or consistent with my rating system. The entertainment is lacking, although I enjoyed it enough to say it's above average, almost good, but not great. "Good" rating for me is 7.5-7.9, Great is 8.0-8.4, Fantastic is 8.5-8.9, and Heavenly, or out of this world is anything 9.0 or higher. This is just above average/almost good 7.0-7.4.

I watch a lot of Hallmark movies, as well as movies on the UP TV channel, which are very much the same. Even though most of the time they are predictable, when I'm not in the best of moods or I just want to relax and not think too much, they still make me smile. However as much as I usually enjoy them, here I had one major problem - The two leads were quite believable in their roles, but all of the other minor characters were so over-the-top it was like their bodies were on helium. The super annoying neighbor, the aunt, the sister, the lovebirds at the Christmas tree shop, etc. It was like bad acting 101. There was nothing believable the way they interpreted the script and I don't understand why the Director didn't pause and ask them to re-read their lines as though they were honestly happy or honestly in love, and not playing a caricature. I really have never seen one of these similar movies that was so painful to watch the cartoon going on. But like I said, the lead characters were very good, and the storyline kept me watching. I was split down the middle so I gave it five stars.

Unlike some of the reviews on here, I enjoyed this Christmas movie. I thought it was quite cute. The story centers around the conversation/dialogue between the two leads as opposed to the events in the story (or any sub-plots), which I found to be a bit refreshing, though I suspect this is not for everyone. However, I was not a fan of the Santa element in the movie, as it seemed a bit too much, I thought. That said, I thought the script - the dialogue between the two leads - was pretty good, well written. It was cute and, on occasions, it made me laugh a little. For example, the scene at the Aunt's house, early on in the movie, where the Aunt says: 'Besides, my nephew is better looking than that man, isn't he?' Then there is this long awkward pause before she (Harper) says: 'Your nephew is plenty good looking'. I had a bit of a laugh here. The changing scene was also fun and cute. The leads, Stephen Huszar as Luke and Jessica Sipos as Harper, I thought, had strong performances. The chemistry between the two worked well on screen, at least, that is how I experienced it. And again, the script allowed them to develop this thru-out. The supporting cast had a fairly good performance as well. Overall, it is a nice addition to UPtv's original Christmas movie lineup this year.

This movie avoided the usual, corny Hallmark trademarks. There was no "whipped cream" on the nose scene nor any Christmas cookie baking flour throwing scene. There was plenty of witty dialogue. Jessica Sipos is always natural and always solid. I thought that Alys Crocker was a real find and a hoot.

I want to start off by saying that I couldn't even finish this movie. I already know how it'll end so what's the point? I'm a lover of the "cheesy" Hallmark movies and also a fan of Jessica from Chesapeake Shores but this movie fell flat. It's just very bad acting and a weak storyline. Very disappointed. I'll stick to Hallmark.