'Tis the Season for Love

This is a great romance. The actors are perfect and the story is super sweet. I love hallmark movies and this is probably one of my favorites. I would watch this even if it wasn't Christmas. Sarah Lancaster and Brendan Penny have great chemistry that makes this Christmas movie even better.

...lifted to another level by the presence of the lovely and engaging Sarah Lancaster.

I've seen SL in quite a few TV movies and she has the knack of making average fare thoroughly engaging with her relaxed acting style - she seems to fit into roles with great ease and never ever seems to be acting, which is an extraordinary gift. Never underestimate charm in actors - some have it, and many don't. Ms Lancaster has it in spades, and it's underpinned by a quality of humility which again some actors don't seem to have.

...and children seem to really enjoy her company which explains the sheer ease (for the viewer) with which she works/acts with them in this flick.

The story is average but the setting is very nice - there's a scene on the ice rink which is thoroughly delightful visually...I'll say no more.

I could watch this again without any complaints.

Christmas Confessions/'Tis The Season For Love (2015) -

I adore Brendan Penny and he should be in everything and get naked a lot! He's so fricking charming and adorable in all that he does, but especially as Dean in this film. He could easily get ME to settle down with him, but I'm not sure that the relationship that bloomed in this one, with Sarah Lancaster as Beth would really last. She would always be looking to make up for what she'd lost and even Brendan, with his gorgeous eyes, wouldn't be enough for her. Throughout this one she was a bit sulky, although I'm probably just jealous that she got to snog him, as evidenced by the fact I was shouting B!tch at the TV every time she did.

I liked Gwynyth Walsh as the Mum, even though she was a bit overexcited most of the time and her hyper behaviour did seem a bit hard to buy, but she was just jolly and so far from the Klingon she played in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' (1987-94).

I also liked not knowing if the Father Christmas Beth talked to was the real one or not. It's those little touches of magic that add to these films, without making them silly. And Garry Chalk did very well in the role.

Overall the fact that Brendan Penny was in it, should be enough of a reason to watch it, but he was also playing a fireman. Sadly he doesn't get naked for a calendar, although he did in the version in my head.

It was sweet and cheery and full of Christmas. I'm always happy to come back to this one.

7.25/10.

I actually had very low expectations about this movie. The title didn't make me excited, a neither did the plot or the few images I saw. I thought the same thing the first 15 minutes of the movie, but as it continued I found myself enjoying it. Both leads do a pretty good work, and so does the supporting cast. It's not the best Hallmark has made, and the end is very predictable, but it's a lovely movie to enjoy in a boring afternoon.

Fact: The actors who play Barry and Dean perform as brothers in Hallmark's "Chesapeake Shores", and I think this was shot before or during the production of the show so it was nice seeing them, even though they are not goofing around.

'Tis The Season For Love' is a movie with a good heart. The main theme that seemed apparent was 'choice'; the far reaching ripple effect on our lives, from simple decisions made early on. Nina Weinmans story evolves with a perfectly timed pace and the main character, Beth ( Sarah Lancaster) is portrayed with honest sincerity, while her journey to become her authentic self unfolds. Terry Ingrams vision is very well executed, with beautiful cinematography – wonderful colors and rich set detailing make for an enjoyable visual experience. The attention to detail set this movie apart, placing it in the top tier of the TV Holiday Movie genre (which I must admit, I love). Brendan Penny (Dean) creates a believable love interest and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop on screen. This movie is about love, family and the importance of community and how the surface appearance of success can actually be a mask covering doubts and insecurities. The musical score by Hal Beckett is heartfelt and playful; twinkly and sparkly in all the right festive places. He perfectly accents the intimate romantic moments with his delightful piano and string moments and the fun woodwind motifs really make those light comedic scenes work. Heartwarming stuff indeed.