Sleigh Bells Ring

One of the more enjoyable Christmas films from the Hallmark pantheon. This premise is based on current single mom reunites with former flame in hometown. They must plan and execute holiday festivities for the town including a parade with a SLEIGH. Don't you know one of their more memorable dates was on a sleigh ride! The sleigh disappears and reappears frequently and Santa look-a-like Mr. Winter comes to the rescue more than once. Cute premise, good acting, enjoyable holiday flick!

First review I guess! This movie was beautiful! I think that these Christmas movies have to deliver a lot of things, plot, good characters, but specially that feeling like when we used to open the presents on Christmas morning. That feeling of magic and happiness. And this movie accomplished it!

The characters were great, the child, fortunately, wasn't annoying. And even though there were a few things that I was like "Really?" I actually enjoyed this movie. This won't go into my favorite Hallmark movies list, but it is definitely worth the watch, while having a hot cocoa in hand and snuggling in the couch.

The main thing you want in a Hallmark Christmas romance is chemistry between the lead actors and this one has it. Pretty Erin Cahill plays a single mom. When her ex boyfriend (David Alpay) who left for the big city years before comes back to town. He helps her restore a sleigh. He bonds with her girl. But will she get hurt again when he leaves for the city.

One thing about these Hallmark movies is why can't she move to the city and be one happy family there?

Slightly better than average.

7.3 stars.

The chemistry between the leads (Laurel and David) is natural and warm with some fun and even a bit of tension. They dated many years ago and it didn't work out, he left town after college etc... Now they are working on putting together the perfect Christmas parade for the Mayor of the town. If it all goes smoothly Laurel is looking at a promotion to City Manager. Her daughter Scarlett is a little sweetheart, a very endearing pre-teen girl. Scarlett has an instant connection with David and has grown fond of him almost like an uncle or even a father figure. It would appear this is mostly due to the chemistry between her mom and him. As Laurel and David embark on refurbishing an old Christmas sleigh, the sparks fly, and then they hit a slump. Many challenges pop up over the weeks leading to the tree lighting, preparing the sleigh, and ushering in a wonderful parade. The whole cast works together to make it a smooth and uneventful Holiday.

The story is ordinary, however the casting and acting are great. The rest is average. I give this film slightly above average ratings because the interactions between the characters was remarkable. I can't justify any higher than 7.3, the x-factor and entertainment value are feeble.

I watched "Christmas in the Smokies" the day before and realized that this movie has a similar story. A guy leaves town and a young love for fame and fortune then returns many years later. The story did not quite work in either movie. The two leads here were nice to watch. The guy reminds me of a young Gregory Peck. This was a pleasant movie but not a memorable one. The movie lagged in spots and I even dozed somewhere in the middle for a few scenes. I rate this one about the same as Matchmaker Santa in which the Santa Claus used that same finger on the nose for a magic thing- which I also saw at the end of this movie. Many scenes shot in an antique shop and a town office building were not inspiring. Why put anything about friend's husband restoring a car? Would not watch again.