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MickyG333
Reviews
Unwrapping Christmas: Olivia's Reunion (2024)
Nice cabin in the woods feeling
7.3 stars.
Best of the four in the series as far as I'm concerned. The reason is because it's simple and homey. This is not a glitzy story about city dwellers and all the frilly Christmas stuff. This is not about selling chocolate and candy and cards. We all know it's about sales, yes, but not as obvious as the first and third in the series.
This is an actual romance for the emotion and joy of love, and not about gingerbread and tree trimming. And the co-star male actually is a real man with a personality, unlike the first three installments in the series; which have forgettable male leads. I'm glad they gave this fellow a personality and some charisma.
As the story goes, one of the four unwrapped ladies (Busby), is stranded in a vacation cabin with her ex-boyfriend for a few days over the holidays. How they got in this predicament is a long story.
The theme is about mending failed relationships and rekindling the spark. We eventually learn why they broke up years ago, why he left town and why she didn't follow him.
It's not a bad film. This is a good old-fashioned love story between two likable Hallmark characters. Sure, it's somewhat average for the genre, but compared to the other three unwrapping stories, this is a breath of fresh air.
Too much fake snow for my liking, but otherwise a good little adventure.
Unwrapping Christmas: Lily's Destiny (2024)
Snooze
5.9 stars.
I was hoping this had some potential. The actors are great, but the script is aimless. There is no plot. I mean, Hallmark is so by-the-book with their films that they can produce anything they want, but it doesn't man it's worth our time to watch it. I could have written a better script out of a phone book.
The performances are lifeless. The lead actress is absent. She has zero personality and is somewhat snobbish and unlikeable in this.
I can see why this movie has no reviews. First of all, it's probably only on Hallmark+, which I subscribe to, but the downside to the app is that it's hit and miss regarding which shows will be available. Basically just flip a coin and you might get lucky.
This is the third of the four in the series and it's the worst one so far. I can only hope the fourth is worth my time.
I've seen these actors provide wonderful characters in the past, but this story is such a dead end. But, I have to say I know some Hallmark leading men and women that come to play for every performance they are in, no matter how bad the script. Suffice it to say NOBODY came out to play this time. I think it's a shame and speaks volumes as to the standards of whoever was in control of this production.
Hot Frosty (2024)
Silly
6.3 stars.
This feels very much like a children's movie. Chabert does lots of Hallmark romances, this is a non-hallmark subpar attempt at romance, but targeted for children?
Anyways, I think it's somewhat entertaining, but I am having difficulty following along with the story as they go, back-and-forth with the silliness. He's a snowman, he acts like...a naive man-child, just like every other rendition of this trope. Whenever an angel or a statue, or a snowman or an animal, or any other non-human entity gets transformed into a human, they are gullible and silly people, who can't manage to exist in our world, but somehow they turn out to be better than everyone else.
I just don't buy this theme in this movie, it's not as endearing as most, it's too silly. I bet it becomes an instant classic because the fact I am not really into it means that it's probably reaching the target audience...which doesn't include me.
Snowed-Inn Christmas (2017)
Where have you been hiding?
8.9 stars.
Where have you been all my life? I am so glad this popped up on one of my platforms. They knew this is exactly the type of romance I was looking for.
Not only is Lenz my number one (#1) Hallmark leading lady (3 years running), but this movie propels her even above that level to my top ten women of the film industry altogether (current, not all time). Walker is in my top five Hallmark men, and rightfully so. This is not a Hallmark film, but it feels like one, a very elevated one, I should say. In fact, this is a Lifetime movie. What?
The story is seamless, the romance is quickly developed, almost too quickly, but the movie is only about 90 minutes. So as with all other fast moving love stories, they had to set it up and get it going. What really stands out is that the love is organic. You can see and feel the sparks between Walker and Lenz and they know how to create magic.
Yearly watchlist for sure.
The Merry Gentlemen (2024)
Unsure of my feelings
6.7 stars.
Honestly, it's the actors that kept me around for this one. First of all, I like both of the lead actors, I think they have a screen presence that really bursts. The elderly parents are well known actors too. But this narrative is weak.
You have a bunch of guys who apparently don't know how to dance, and then they become quasi strippers, in a rundown mom and pop restaurant/bar/club.
I don't know what to make of the narrative because it's somewhat unorthodox.
The lead actress's character is a Broadway dancer for about 10 years or so, and then she gets canned. But she looks like she's 28, which speaks volumes of the fickleness of the theater crowd. And then you have male lead, Luke the handyman, who helps her parents keep their bar operating.
Lead female comes home from the city because she's no longer employed, and figures she can create a male dance routine to regenerate and bring customers back into this failing business.
The dance routines are average, with a couple of real dancers, and a couple of guys who don't really know how to dance, and it just comes together in a flimsy way that fails to entertain.
But I keep watching, because I really like the two lead actors, and I would probably be suckered into viewing anything they are in anyway. Kudos to the casting it's the only thing that kept this charade going.
Frankly, leave this to Hallmark, because they know Christmas movies. I know why Hallmark wouldn't touch it; it's because the dancing was stripper adjacent.
We Grown Now (2023)
Life of the slightly underprivileged
7.2 stars.
This is the story about two young boys growing up in the projects. A Mom is holding a steady job, and grandmom lives with them. The other boy's father seems to be a very intelligent man, however, he does not appear very active in the community or as a wage earner. The two kids are quite precocious, and they hang out all the time, and we are brought on a journey through their eyes as they survive a year in the life of two minority best friends, growing up in the projects, in intelligent and levelheaded families.
There isn't very much to the story, except that it shows us, perhaps what it would be like if we had grown up in this type of situation. I thought the story was told in a way that is palatable for all age groups and cultures. I'm still not absolutely certain what the theme is however, if I had to make an educated, guess it would be about the adversity of growing up in this environment. Perhaps this is an accurate portrayal, but I will never know.
That's really all I have to say about it, it evokes some moderate emotions at times, but is nothing out of the ordinary, and certainly not controversial, or overly impactful when it comes to cultural gaps and diversity. It seems understated, but I have a hunch it's what the average life would entail.
Royal New Year's Eve (2017)
A little different and refreshing
7.6 stars.
This is a royal rendition that I wouldn't mind viewing every few years. I came into this with very low expectations, I had read some of the reviews which were strikingly critical. But as I was watching the two lead actors interact with each other, I could see that this movie is actually and oddly special. The music and overall feeling of the film is different than most Hallmark productions. There is sort of a main stream feeling to the whole presentation, with a bit of something foreign that I can't put a finger on at this moment. The usual hallmark blueprint is predominately absent.
Many critics have complained about his attempt at a quasi-British accent. Honestly, after about 20 minutes, you don't even notice. Just be patient and you will see that this is actually an entertaining and endearing film. I'm glad I watched it, I love all of the actors. There is a lot of dialogue, may be a bit too much, on the other hand, even with the lack of flow, the royal romance ambience is rich and fulfilling.
Unwrapping Christmas: Mia's Prince (2024)
Metaphorical qualities
7.0 stars.
Now we are introduced to the second female of the four in the "unwrapping" series. Immediately, we feel this is completely different from the first. It is about a woman having dreams of a perfect man. In her dreams he is a prince from an old Christmas tale titled "Christmas in Derbyshire" (pronounced darbyshire). It's her favorite historical romance novel.
The ambience of fairy tale is palpable from the beginning. Not fantasy or anything akin to that, just a simple and whimsical feeling of a somewhat lonely woman who is tired of being a pushover. She is momentarily swept into a better place.
As the story unfolds, her imaginary prince is very similar to a new stranger in her life. As we become acquainted with him and his wealthy family, it's clear that the two are going to face some adversity in their fledgling relationship, because she does not belong in his affluent world.
I enjoyed the atmosphere created by the music and cinematography. The story is not unique whatsoever, but I feel some credit is well deserved for creating a particular mood. This is a decent movie overall. In contrast, there are many minor, yet bothersome errors, which speaks volumes as to the director's proficiency. Get the little details right, is my only advice.
Unwrapping Christmas: Tina's Miracle (2024)
Average
6.6 stars.
This is the simple story of a woman who is trying to save an historical building. We've seen a variation of this trope at least 50 times in Hallmark movies.... Save the manor, shop, building, landmark, etc...
In the opening scene we see not one, but four female leads. There is no mystery that this is the first of several movies in a series. I figured, since there are four leading ladies, there must be four films in this "unwrapping" franchise. I see only three listed, but that simply means it's a couple weeks too early to list the air date of the fourth. I noticed that the most notable female of the four is not starring in the three listed, so I assume she'll get the fourth installment (the currently unlisted one). If one is released each week, the fourth one will be in early December. The first week in December is usually an important week for Hallmark releases.
This particular story begins very sluggishly, but it starts to grow on you gradually until the conclusion, which was somewhat endearing. But in the end, this film is right in the middle of the pack. If I had to pick a quintessential average Hallmark movie, this one is one of a thousand that blends in to the woodwork. I don't plan on returning to watch it, but it was nice for a one time viewing. It was not a total waste of time, if you are wondering.
Something from Tiffany's (2022)
Absolutely marvelous!
8.1 stars.
Now this is my kind of romance! All the ingredients mix for a perfect recipe in this beautiful and emotional roller coaster of wit, humor, and sarcasm.
Basically, there is a mixup with jewelry, and A pair of earrings gets switched with an engagement ring. The next thing you know a man is proposing, and the other man is backpedaling and we have one big crazy charade on our hands.
They have to figure out a way to get the jewelry back into the right hands, but the only way to do that is to weave a web of lies too difficult to manage for very long. But what this mishap does, is give fate a chance to set things right. Once you catch the vibes between our lead couple, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Great chemistry, brilliant dialogue, beautiful film.
The whole cast is absolutely wonderful and endearing, and this is a fun romcom ride that you must enjoy. I don't think the rating does it justice, this belongs at seven or higher. But that's OK, cause I enjoyed enough to say that I will return to watch this in a year or two, and again and again.
Celeste & Jesse Forever (2012)
Best friends are married
7.7 stars.
Imagine two best friends who are married but it doesn't work out in the end. That is 'Celeste & Jesse Forever'. They are in love and always will be, yet they can't remain married, because he is not quite measuring up to her standards.
This is a tragedy of epic proportions. If this movie reflects your life in any way, I feel sorry for you. It's amazing how a man and woman can be true soulmates, but since he has no aspirations, she has no choice but to eventually file for divorce. They both want kids, they are so great together, they remain best friends until the end, and even beyond the end, they are still besties...
This is the classic case of a woman who marries a guy hoping he will change, and yet they've been best friends for so long, she should realize he won't change, but she is disillusioned by that false hope.
Life doesn't work that way. And he, well all he needed to do was get a job. I mean, they both screwed up the best thing ever. And yet, they still remain best friends and so maybe it's not such a tragedy...
The ending was kinda sad. But there are lots of funny parts mixed in. I think you will enjoy this movie.
Time Cut (2024)
A tad cheesy
6.8 stars.
Listen, it's somewhat entertaining. The story is not great, the sci-fi/slasher theme has too many holes in it. The story is not meant to be plausible, but this particular sci-fi theme is really out there. It's just too fragile a narrative to be engrossing. It definitely is a cheesy Disney sort of teen slasher. But this is a horror film through and through so watch the youngsters.
I like the main female, she is the glue that keeps 'Outer Banks' interesting if you ask me. Her acting prowess exceeds most and I see big possibilities in her future. But she needs to avoid cheese ball stuff like this.
The outrageous aspects are primarily the time travel. Either make it more realistic or leave it out.
Some characters are shallow at best, but a few are likable, so it's entertaining in that respect. It's not scary like most but it still has a few disturbing parts.
Overall it falls short of classy horror or good sci-fi, it has no proper place to fit in, however I like the young actors, they did well.
Like Father (2018)
Feel good story
7.7 stars.
I love all the actors in this film, so I was already going to lose any neutral status right from the start. Bell is one of my favorite female stars of the past 20 years. Not in my top ten, but in my top 30 probably, which says a lot actually, considering I have literally 50 favorites of both male and females that generally don't ever disappoint. She is one of those rare women that will never disappoint you in a role. She is an icon. Think about all of her performances and you might agree, she is always good, always makes an impression. Grammer is one of those great male actors that you don't see very often, but when he comes to play, he plays best.
This is a classic and heartfelt story about an absent father and a damaged daughter who finally reunite and heal together. Wonderful, emotional, and hilarious, can't forget this is quite a funny film.
The Groomsmen Last Dance (2024)
Major improvement
7.4 stars.
I suppose this was the best of the three. At first I didn't appreciate the female Italian actress, she was very abrasive.
Once again we are taken hostage by this secret conversation between bridesmaid and pub owner. Bridesmaid is enigmatic about groomsmen and is telling the story of the third groomsman (Hynes in this story).
The meet cute is cliche in that he almost runs over the Italian woman. But she comes around and quickly becomes very likable. She has an exotic beauty that grows on you, a sharp Italian or Greek appearance which took a bit to get used to. As I ponder it a bit, I think now that it's more about her hardness than her look. She is intense at first, then she's suddenly very soft.
All that aside, this film is nothing like the first two. This is a good movie. Not a great movie, but above average, although not enough to make it to my 8.0 club. I don't plan on watching this in the next 5 years, but maybe in 7 or 8.
The Groomsmen: Second Chances (2024)
Acquired taste?
6.0 stars.
This is the rating I must give to a movie that I couldn't finish, but maybe there are people who like this sort of film. I am not a fan. All three of this trilogy (I just watched the third one and will review it soon) are similar in that thy seem to appeal to a specific demographic of movie watcher that I'm not part of.
I like the actors, they are all great. I don't enjoy the theme as far as the ideology and lifestyle aspects are concerned.
It's a shame they wasted three great leading men on this. Like I said, I couldn't finish the movie. Once I was watching the bridesmaid speaking to the pub lady again and spewing useless anecdotes about things we know nothing about and don't seem relevant...
Operation Nutcracker (2024)
Many magical moments
7.7 stars.
I think the casting is spot on. I'm surprised I didn't see this when it came out in July, so here we are three months later. I've been recording every new movie on Hallmark for the last three years but somehow I missed it. No matter. I'm glad to have the opportunity to finally watch it.
'Operation Nutcracker' fits right in with all of the great Christmas films of the past several years. It's not spectacular, but it is certainly far above average.
There were many great moments I felt a real warm feeling in my soul. With the number of wonderful feelings, I had, this would normally be 8.0-worthy. However, there were also a few awkward, or may be better described as, clumsy scenes where some of the chemistry was derailed. This could simply be a product of unknown factors in moviemaking. In the end, this is a great addition to anyone's Christmas collection.
Perhaps the extra three supporting cast members with more substantial than usual roles, served to knock it a little off balance, but it was a necessary facet for the story.
The Turnaround (2024)
Inspiring
7.6 stars.
I felt really warm and fuzzy watching this. Turner had a really rough start in 2023 season. I remember watching a game when they started giving him standing ovations, because me and my dad watch the Phils a lot and we were like, "wow, the Philly crowd is giving him a standing o, nobody ever does that in Philly. It's almost an unwritten rule for like 60 years or so, who knows, but those fans are the harshest in b-ball, but maybe not so much as they used to be and this time it helped to be nice. Just got done watching the Phillies choke out this season, so they are in the usual form. They have the worst history for championships compared to length of time the team has been around.
Daddio (2023)
One inspiring conversation
8.0 stars.
This is a film that everyone must see at least once. This is where you take your troubles and dreams and talk to someone you love and trust, and tell them about a person in your life called Daddio.
What a compelling story about a complex woman and a down-to-earth taxi driver. As they continue to talk, he pulls all of her sorrows out of her and it's all on the table for discussion and healing. But she is not just an ordinary woman, she's also a person of great empathy and she will win this game of honest discourse and reparation of the soul.
I was profoundly touched by these two wonderful actors.
Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong (2015)
Seems realistic
7.7 stars.
What I like about this film is how they do a lot of long takes with few cuts, so the actors have to get it right and I'm sure it took a while. That being said, I love movies like this that flow and seem realistic. This is what it might look like between two people who are falling in love at first sight. Let's be real, that's what this is. The girl is obviously frustrated at his lack of self-awareness, but wait, he is fully aware of everything, and I think she realizes this eventually, because she gives hints and he is picking up her hints, and so she knows he's aware of the situation. It's brilliant. I'm glad he finally communicates. And then comes the end, which I don't quite appreciate as the director probably wants me to. We needed a little more, just a little would have been fine, but they cut it off just a wee bit too soon. Close, but not enough, so this loses 0.4 stars for that ending.
The elephant in the room is the quandary that people just don't know how to handle. It's not until you get older that you realize you gotta spit it out, stop beating around the bush, especially with love, because life is too short.
Upside Down (2012)
No substance
5.8 stars.
This story is about gravity, yet it holds no gravity. There is almost zero substance to this plot. This movie could easily be 20 minutes instead of somewhere around 90 minutes long. The plot is so basic, but they stretch it out about as far as they possibly can. In my opinion, this movie should never have been made. The concept of anti-gravity, or whatever you want to call it, is interesting, but this film takes all the wind out of its sails. How flat can you make a romance? All they do is go through some strange treacherous experience to see each other over and over, and when they do they are chased and shot at over and over and why? There really isn't a good explanation, and so we see a bunch of upside down kissing, and there is no emotional impact at all. Terrible.
Barefoot (2014)
Evan Rachel Woods is luminous
7.8 stars.
I don't recall seeing her in anything until 'Westworld', even though I think I recognized her from various things I can't specifically recall, but I've not seen 'Barefoot' until today.
Speedman is one of those actors that you sort of get the same package in everything he is in, but that's fine, the formula works for this film. He is always a very sympathetic man in his roles. He always roots for the underdog and that makes him a likable personality.
Wood is absolutely amazing and I just KNOW that this role is what got her noticed for 'Westworld'. I just know it in my gut. You can say otherwise, but it's a strong hunch. I love her to death and forgot how much, because when 'Westworld' went off the deep end, I never saw her in anything since. I know she had serious problems with the ghoul she dated from the Hollywood underworld. Trust me, you've heard of him. You should see her documentary about that.
Saint Judy (2018)
Good generic courtroom drama
7.0 stars.
It's based on a true story, which makes this more interesting than most. I think it's dramatized just the right amount. I like the actors, they all did very well. On one hand, it's very real for any person who needs asylum in the USA, but there's a fine line between those who need it and those who are trying to cut corners and get citizenship any way they can. Let's face it, we would grant it to all these people if we could, but it's just not reasonable, because then it's nothing but an open can of worms and then everyone from every third world country will be in the USA before you know it. So the I. C. E. System is there for a reason. But this woman definitely got justice and amen to that.
Awake (2007)
Deliberate thriller
6.8 stars.
The way it all turns out is why a lot of people like this movie. I think people like it when the villains are revealed in a surprising and shocking way. The upside is that the plot was very well done, but it's toned way, way down for my taste. It plods along and then we are made aware of what's going on, but they mixed a few major details and didn't execute it quite as effectively as they should. The fact that he is awake is actually irrelevant. There is nothing gained by it at all. He does not have a hand in anything, he's just a bystander, so why does he witness everything if his observations are pointless? Oh well.
Swing Vote (2008)
Relevant every 4 years
6.3 stars.
This is a very offbeat movie. I didn't expect to see Costner portraying a character that has about 20 more IQ points than Forrest Gump. His character really is intellectually challenged, no doubt, and he doesn't do a bad job at playing him, which is odd to watch. I've never seen him play someone like that, because all of his parts are of intelligent and troubled men, usually powerful men. In this story, power is thrust upon him and he's not smart enough to realize it. His daughter is super smart and i really think this movie is about how she, this little girl, can transfer some of her intelligence onto her clueless dad. I'm not kidding, I think that's the theme. It's about children who need us adults to realize we are destroying our once awesome nation...other than the little girl, who gives us a most stellar performance, this film is a bust. Nobody else came to play ball, they all struck out, she hit a granny, but it's not enough to salvage this film.
The Groomsmen: First Look (2024)
Not great
6.3 stars.
I am fairly certain I left a review for this movie, guess not. I have no idea why. All I can say is it's not a great movie. The groom is a nice enough guy, but there are challenges that he must face in order to get the girl. There are two other groomsmen, who are his best friends. They seem to be good buddies, he's the more serious of the three. There is the narration being done by a bridesmaid, who is providing all the details about these men and their escapades.
We don't know who she is, or why she is telling the story in an empty Irish pub to an Irish woman, who runs the bar. So, with some mysterious woman telling this story that doesn't make a whole lotta sense, and the fact that we don't know why she is in the movie at all, really kills the continuity factor. Let's hope it becomes clearer as time goes on in the next two installments. I knew right away there was gonna be three of these, and when I looked it up, sure enough.
Romance is lacking, acting is fine. The humor is flat. This film is a strikeout.