What constitutes a good Hallmark movie? If it’s a romance, it should clearly show character arcs for both the hero and heroine. I watch for this since I write romance. If the romance isn’t the top biller or non-existent, than I expect it to have a deep plot line, going beyond the clichés.
One of the better movies this season, I thought, was Christmas with Holly. Rated at 6.6 on IMDb, this movie was about a traumatized child who has lost her mother and is suddenly being raised by her uncle. He, along with his two brothers help her heal. What I loved about it was that it wasn’t the usual “Three Men and a Baby” plot line I’ve seen before. The uncle, who is the youngest of the three men, dedicates himself to this little girl wholeheartedly. He never agonizes over having his life flipped upside down by this charming intruder, rather, he champions for her, just as he would his own daughter. The romance was believable as his potential love interest embraces the niece, and his angst over whether she’s sincere is well planted as his current girlfriend has problems with his newfound fatherhood. Yes, this movie is heart-squishy as most Hallmark movies are. But it stood out from the pack because of it’s believability. (Writers: Avoid cliché and make your plot line believable.)
The worst of the pack that I saw was Baby’s First Christmas rated at 5.0. And in my opinion, that was too high. The biggest problem with this movie were the many times I had to say, “They wouldn’t do that!” They continually set up contrived scenes to move the story along. The whole thing consisted of two lawyers with opposing viewpoints--on everything--that got real tiresome real quick. His sister and her brother get married, so now they have to see each other on holidays. When the married couple go into labor with their second child on Christmas Eve, they hope it is the first born on Christmas Day so they can win a radio contest and get the cash prize to help keep them from being foreclosed upon. During a hectic time for the hero and heroine to get to the hospital with their niece, who they are watching for mom and dad, many--can I say it?--dumb things happen. First there is an apparent blizzard in New York City that keeps the hero and heroine from getting to the hospital. I dunno. There should have been a lot more snow than the movie showed to stop any New Yorker worth their salt. Then, the hero is arrested for chasing down a thief who just snagged a woman’s purse. He is caught with the purse after the thief runs away, but the woman never comes forward to straighten things out. Huh? Then, the heroine bails him out, but they are kicked out of the police station even though they have no way to get to where they’re going because of the wimpy ice storm that has crippled the city. Why is the desk sergeant so mean? I DON’T KNOW! I guess because they had to have a stable scene (yes, a stable scene,) which is where the police horses are kept. During this scene, they start to fall in love. But I don’t care because I’m still mad at the desk sergeant for kicking them out in the cold! There is more. Much more. But you get my point. (Writers: Don’t set up contrived scenes to move your story along. Let them happen organically. If an inner voice is telling you they wouldn’t do that, listen to it!)
It wasn’t until yesterday that I thought about the rating system on IMDb (Internet Movie Database.) Had I checked out the above movie more thoroughly, I wouldn’t have wasted my time on it. I’ve found IMDb to be pretty close to my own preferences. They rate on a scale of 0-10, and if a movie gets above a 5.5, it’s usually worthy of a look-see.
As my gift to you, below, I have listed all of the holiday Hallmark original movies and Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations from www.hallmarkchannel.com. I’ve included the IMDb movie rating, short synopsis, and who stars in the films.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! And happy movie watching throughout 2013!
Kathy
1998
6.3
A lonely teen troubled by a past family tragedy is suspicious of his sister-in-law, believing she is being unfaithful. His confrontation with his brother sets off a series of tragic events.
Blythe Danner, Edward Herrmann and Melina Kanakaredes
T
7.4
With a little help from an angel, Christmas miracles happen for a homeless family.
Carla Gugino, Kathy Baker and David Conrad
2002
5.3
While delivering toys, Santa's son is arrested for trespassing. Dispirited, he turns for help to a public defender.
Lauren Holly, Judd Nelson and Nick Stabile
T
6.3
A young woman must journey through the seasons to rescue her boyfriend who has been kidnapped by the evil Snow Queen.
Bridget Fonda, Jeremy Guilbaut and Chelsea Hobbs
T
7.8
Fact-based World War II story set on Christmas Eve, 1944, an injured American platoon find themselves in a small German cabin sharing the spirit of the Christmas with their presumed enemies.
Linda Hamilton, Matthew Harbour and Romano Orzari
T
6.5
A father struggles with the past. A daughter fights for the future. A mother searches for answers. They have not celebrated Christmas in 11 years, ever since they lost their son to the Persian Gulf War. Now a stranger has joined them - around the same age the boy would have been. Is he a con artist? Or is this young man the miracle their family has been waiting for.
William Devane, Meredith Baxter and Dean McDermott
2003
5.1
An egomaniacal TV talk show host is given a chance for redemption in this modern day take on Charles Dicken's classic novel A Christmas Carol.
Tori Spelling, Dinah Manoff and William Shatner
T
6.4
When his father dies, Terry returns to the house where he grew up, planning to stay only long enough to clean and settle the estate. Yet something indescribable keeps him there longer than expected. Soon, he is reunited with memories and people from his past and his life is changed forever.
Gary Sinise, Joely Richardson and Gordon Pinsent
2004
5.8
Nick's plan to let fate bring his wife to him must be altered because he must replace his father as Santa Claus on December 26. Ernst, the right-hand man to several generations of Santas, generates a list of potential mates. Nick dutifully sets off to meet them, but fate may have a candidate after all.
Steve Guttenberg, Crystal Bernard and Dominic Scott Kay
T
6.3
On Christmas Day, Santa brings two lonely people together. But can love overcome deception?
Kelli Williams, Patrick Muldoon and Charles Durning
T
5.8
An ailing widowed father and his two estranged daughters experience a miracle when their late matriarch returns to spend Christmas with them.
Meredith Baxter, Ronny Cox and Natasha Gregson
2005
5.4
Because she is marrying the man who assumed the mantle of Santa Claus last December 26, Beth's postponed wedding has to be rescheduled for Xmas eve. Overwhelmed by selling the house she and her son share and the prospect of the duties of Mrs. Claus, she has to call on her estranged socialite Grinch of a mother to arrange the wedding. Of course her mom has never met the fiancé nor his family and has no inkling of his secret. This is a sequel to 2004's Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus.
Steve Guttenberg, Crystal Bernard and Dominic Scott Kay
T
6.0
Manhattanite Catherine O'Mara bonds with a young man who has run away from his father. When the father returns to New York a year later to sell his Christmas trees, he and Catherine cross paths.
Anne Heche, Tate Donovan and Michael Mitchell
2006
6.7
US soldier visits the town from where an inspirational Christmas card was sent to him by a church group that mails cards out to servicemen as a goodwill effort.
Edward Asner, John Newton and Alice Evans
T
5.5
Call him a city slicker. Call him a tenderfoot. But don't call him a member of the family--yet. Rising L.A. lawyer James White is going home for the holidays with his fiancée, Sadie Ryder, to finally meet her family in rural Pine Gap. After blundering through a bad first impression, James attempts to win over Sadie's lawyer-loathing father Karl by pretending to be a horse-riding, hay-baling, game-hunting, seasoned square dancer. But a pair of worn jeans and a ten-gallon hat don't make a cowboy, and it's going to take more than mere posturing to charm Mr. Ryder...in fact, it just may take a miracle.
Jeremy London, Dorie Barton and James Gammon
2007
6.3
Bert is an old-time movie-star singer/ hoofer, who's retired from showbiz and estranged from his daughter and 9-year-old granddaughter, Becca. Bert, about to sell his house and move into a retirement home, suddenly finds himself caring for Becca when her mom is hospitalized - and the bond between the two of them grows.
Ernest Borgnine, Katherine Helmond and Juliette Goglia
T
5.5
Anxious to help his struggling, widowed mom Sara, 10 year old Jessie enters a national video contest. But Jessie's winning entry, "All I Want for Christmas is a Husband for my Mom," has unforeseen consequences as Sara is vaulted into the national spotlight and dazzled into accepting a proposal from a wealthy man she may not love.
Gail O'Grady, Greg Germann and Robert Mailhouse
T
6.5
After a tragic plane crash, a local journalist discovers a note that she believes was written by one of the passengers. She seeks the note's intended receiver, but the journey is more revealing of her own past.
Genie Francis, Ted McGinley and Rick Roberts
2008
5.3
It’s always Christmas in Santaville! But now, tiny Chester, Vermont’s year-round yuletide attraction is losing its widespread appeal. On the verge of bankruptcy, the resident St. Nick is hoping for a Christmas miracle to keep his dream from being bulldozed into another mini mall. Nick Crosby (Tom Arnold) is the owner of Santaville and head Santa. One day he is smiling with visitors, the next, he is juggling a cascading stack of bills, unable to pay the rent and blissfully thinking a solution will magically appear. When his daughter – and onetime Number One elf, Holly (Candace Cameron Bure), returns home, she is shocked to learn of her father’s situation. Holly recruits Peter, Nick’s employee and master wood craftsman, to devise a solution to the money woes.
Tom Arnold, Candace Cameron Bure and Barbara Niven
T
6.2
Based upon a true story of a man who volunteered to work at a homeless shelter and started a choir with its residents.
Jason Gedrick, Tyrone Benskin and Michael Sarrazin
T
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
6.6
(I could find no good short synopsis of this story, but I know it’s about a single mom who has become cynical about Christmas, and her cop father brings home a visitor who helps change her mind.)
Brooke Burns, Henry Winkler and Warren Christie
T
5.5
Christmas plans are destined to be ruined when two families come together.
Dixie Carter, Julie Warner and John Ratzenberger
T
5.5
They say the cobbler's children go barefoot, but must the matchmaker's children go motherless? After their widower father moves to a new town and sets up a computerized matchmaking business, two girls set out to find a stepmother. They create a dating application in the company computer for him. Then they cull through all new women applicants to hand pick the perfect woman for him and force the computer to match them. They don't know the woman they picked is the proprietor of the old-fashioned matchmaking service in town who is planning to prove the computer matching is incompetent.
Faith Ford, Cameron Daddo and Hal Linden
2009
A teenager has his Sitka Spruce tree chosen to be planted outside the White House as the new national Christmas Tree.
Andrew McCarthy, Evan Williams and Kari Matchett
T
Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle
6.2
Overwhelmed widower Seth Webster is searching for a housekeeper to help him with his unruly six year old twin sons. "Mrs. Miracle" mysteriously appears and quickly becomes an irreplaceable nanny, chef, friend... and matchmaker.
James Van Der Beek, Erin Karpluk and Doris Roberts
T
6.0
DJ and Rodney don't like each other from the start. Rodney thinks DJ is an ignorant white farm boy, and DJ thinks Rodney acts too smart for his own good. After a school bus scuffle between the two, DJ's father and Rodney's grandmother come up with a clever solution that brings the boys closer than either of them would like. Living in Canaan, Texas in the 1960's does not make it easy for a black boy and a white boy to forge a friendship. It is only amid the magic of an unforgettable Christmas that DJ and Rodney discover a land of milk and honey where hope and love make all the difference.
Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom Heaton and Jaishon Fisher
T
5.8
Jack Green inherited a southern Californian horse ranch and an all-natural toy factory in the barn. With his wife Cherie, he accepts taking in the three 'holy terrors' from his bossy aunt Rita's orphanage during renovations, until the holidays. Resourceful Mike and his buddies, Henry and Ray, prove handfuls, but Jack proves father-potential. The trio even goes on best behavior after overhearing the couple considers adopting, but that also means rivaling, resulting in trouble for everyone.
Dean Cain, Jean Louisa Kelly and Mimi Kennedy
2010
The Night Before the Night Before Christmas
5.4
When Santa sets off on his Christmas duties a day early, crashes into the Fox family's house, ends up with amnesia and loses his magic sack of presents, he needs help! But the Fox family are a modern and broken family. Can they help him? The parents are preoccupied with work and the kids aren't very festive. But it's up to them to help Santa find his magical bag of toys and the clock is ticking or Christmas will be ruined. Forced to set their own problems aside and work together the Fox family rediscover how much they enjoy being together and realize that maybe they need to reprioritize their lives. The Night Before The Night Before Christmas is a crazy Christmas fantasy for all the family, brimming with festive spirit.
Jennifer Beals, Rick Roberts and R.D. Reid
T
5.5
An urban family that can’t seem to get along gets stranded in a remote, impoverished lumber town two days before Christmas. When they become involved in the town’s home-grown Christmas pageant, they not only help solve the town’s problems but learn to connect with each other just in time for the holidays.
Lauren Holly, Rick Roberts and Azer Greco
T
Debbie Macomber's Call Me Mrs. Miracle
5.7
No one celebrates the holidays like Emily Merkle (Doris Roberts) – or Mrs. Miracle as she is known by some – who is back to ensure that this Christmas is the most magical and meaningful of all. When Mrs. Miracle appears as a seasonal employee in the toy department at the financially troubled Finley’s Department Store, neither the store’s owners, nor the customers, have any idea of the events that are about to unfold. Just when it seemed Christmas might not come at all this year, Finley’s favorite employee proves they don’t call her Mrs. Miracle for nothing! Also starring Jewel Staite, Eric Johnson and Lauren Holly.
Doris Roberts, Jewel Staite and Eric Johnson
T
6.4
Drake Hunter, the president of Hunter Marketing, has the perfect plan to boost sales for his father's toy company over the holiday season--hire department store Santas to promote his father's merchandise. When the real Santa Claus turns Drake into a Santa lookalike, Drake finds himself working as a dress-up Kris Kringle to make ends meet. Stripped of power and position, Drake discovers the importance of honesty, compassion, and respect as he helps an unprivileged girl enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Kevin Sorbo, Jodie Dowdall and Derry Robinson
T
5.1
Annabelle (Christine Taylor), a widowed journalist, begrudgingly accepts an assignment on Kris Kringle, a Santa Claus impersonator who lives in a small, Christmas-themed town. To her surprise, Anna is enchanted by Kris and the townspeople who love him. As her involvement with the town grows, Anna is able to put the past behind her and open herself up to love again.
Christine Taylor, Christopher Wiehl and William Morgan Sheppard
T
4.5
Santa is marooned in a small town when his sleigh is mistaken for a UFO. He is rescued by two children and tries to prepare for Christmas while stranded far from the North Pole. To make sure Christmas isn't ruined this year, Santa must find a way to take flight by Christmas Eve.
Ione Skye, James Cosmo and Jonathan Kerrigan
T
5.3
The story of An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, based on a short story by American novelist Louisa May Alcott, continues with An Old-Fashioned Christmas. Isabella and Tilly pay a visit to Ireland, hoping Isabella's long-ago suitor, the Earl of Shannon, can assist Tilly in getting her writing published.
Catherine Steadman, Jacqueline Bisset and Leon Ockenden
T
4.4
Liz is a successful, thirty-something doctor who doesn't fully realize she is settling for less than ideal with the man she is about to marry. Her guardian angel travels through time and enlists the help of Liz as both a late teenager and an older woman to steer her clear from making this mistake.
Amy Huberman, Hugh O'Conor and John Rhys-Davies
T
5.0
A newlywed couple burdened with economic hardship decides not to exchange Christmas presents to save money over the holidays. Secretly, they make sacrifices to buy the other a special gift.
Marla Sokoloff, Mark Webber and Michelle Beamish
T
5.6
Bob Wallace makes sure to go all out every year on Christmas decorations so that he can have the brightest and most festive house in his neighborhood. This year, he notices that his new neighbor has put up an even brighter and more lavish display. The fight is on when they declare war for the best Christmas decoration display in the neighborhood.
Daniel Stern, Matt Frewer and Allison Hossack
T
5.3
The story of An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, based on a short story by American novelist Louisa May Alcott, continues with An Old-Fashioned Christmas. Isabella and Tilly pay a visit to Ireland, hoping Isabella's long-ago suitor, the Earl of Shannon, can assist Tilly in getting her writing published.
Catherine Steadman, Jacqueline Bisset and Leon Ockenden
T
4.9
Imagine Santa’s (Judd Nelson) surprise when the Christmas Board of Directors issues an ultimatum to holiday’s top Elf: In 30 days or less, make Christmas less commercial and material, or lose it forever. The Board is so sure the turnaround is hopeless that they give Santa the task of changing the hearts of privileged kids so they, in turn, will reach out to help a less fortunate boy. Is Santa's task a daunting one? No more so than making reindeer fly. If ever there was a force for joy, goodness and sharing, it is the mythical man in red. After all, it’s Christmas – believe with all your heart!
Judd Nelson, Justin Landry and Natalie Brown
T
7.2
With the support of his small town, a father’s wish for his very sick daughter is realized.
Sam Elliott, John Corbett and Sarah Paulson
2011
5.2
Rebecca, Mrs. Claus (Tedde Moore) is worried that her exhausted, workaholic husband (Mairtin O’Carrigan) has lost his holiday spirit. She believes she can help him recapture his bliss and secretly heads to the one place she knows the spirit of Christmas must still exist: New York City, where she first fell in love with Nick.
Tricia Helfer, Greg Bryk and Tedde Moore
T
5.4
A terminally unlucky single mother wonders if she will ever be lucky as Christmas approaches.
Elizabeth Berkley, Jason Gray-Stanford and Mitchell Kummen
T
4.9
Santa Claus discovers children have become too greedy and must prove otherwise before his favorite holiday is canceled
Judd Nelson, Justin Landry and Natalie Brown
T
4.2
When Rusty the Labrador and Cheri the Poodle's owners fall in love, the household is in total chaos, so it's up to the dogs to perform a Christmas Day miracle.
Jennie Garth, Brad Rowe and Tom Arnold
T
5.5
A lawyer finds himself defending Santa Claus in the biggest trial in history.
Dean Cain, Rachel Blanchard and George Buza
T
4.9
When Martha Evans (Kristy Swanson) finds herself homeless with her two young daughters and stepson just a week before Christmas, she puts her trust in a new town full of friendly strangers and prays for the best.
Kristy Swanson, Edward Herrmann and K.C. Clyde
T
Jingle All The Way (Animated)
7.1
A spirited Husky puppy looking for a home at a Christmas tree farm instantly bonds with a young boy visiting with his parents. As the boy rides away, unable to keep him, the pup escapes and embarks on a snowy journey to find his friend again.
Chad Darrow, Ryan Bley and Jonathan Lipow
T
Debbie Macomber's Trading Christmas
6.2
In this holiday tale about twists of fate, Emily and Charles find love at the most unexpected time and have the best Christmas season ever.
Gil Bellows, Noah Bjorgan and Aren Buchholz
T
5.4
Always struggling in life and love, Hillary Burns constantly feels the pressure to marry from her demanding mother, Meredith. Finally, this holiday season, she thinks she finally has it right. Hillary assures her meddling mother that her handsome new fiancé is coming to the Burns’ family home for Thanksgiving weekend to finally meet her crazy clan. But when the workaholic lawyer suddenly breaks up with her, Hillary has to scramble to find a replacement or risk facing her mother’s wrath. After posting an ad online, she hires David, an out-of-work actor to pose as her fiancé in front of her mom, her dad and her snobbish sister Trish. Soon, her fake engagement starts to feel real when she begins falling for David. Can Hillary find a way to turn this replacement into the real deal? Or will her overbearing mother find out the truth before the holiday is through?
Bonnie Somerville, Shelley Long and Jordan Bridges
T
5.6
At the invitation of an estranged relative, a young woman travels with her niece and nephew to a castle in Europe for Christmas where she unwittingly falls for a dashing Prince.
Katie McGrath, Roger Moore and Travis Turner
T
5.1
Santa's daughter Annie Claus travels to Los Angeles in search of love. Little does she know one of Santa's helpers has hired an actor to win Annie over so she leaves the north pole permanently.
Maria Thayer, Sam Page and Randy J. Goodwin
T
5.4
When a temperamental Broadway director is fired from yet another job, she is forced to direct a community Christmas pageant.
Charlene Amoia, Candice Azzara and C. Stephen Browder
T
Christmas Comes Home To Canaan
5.4
Daniel Burton who takes his disabled son to San Francisco for an operation that may help him walk again. There Daniel meets a beautiful doctor and falls in love, but will their love survive? Sequel to Christmas in Canaan.
Billy Ray Cyrus, Gina Holden and Emily Tennant
T
5.6
After a terrible car accident, Carrie Blackford must earn her wings in heaven as a guardian angel to Scott Walker and his daughter Abby. But she might lose her wings when she falls in love with Scott.
Lindy Booth, Paul McGillion and Derek McGrath
T
5.2
While mourning the loss of her husband and daughter, recently widowed Ellie King visits her brother Aaron Davis and his children for Christmas. Ellie does her best to enjoy the holidays, making new friends with Mrs. Thompson, a local shop keeper, and handsome admirer Deputy Strode. When Aaron travels out of town to purchase land, Ellie agrees to watch his children, but the season's festivities are threatened when Aaron goes missing.
Natalie Hall, JoBeth Williams and Greg Vaughan
2012
5.2
Due to budget cuts, two high school musical teachers face losing their jobs. Their fate is to be decided in a televised city-wide Christmas Carol Contest. While the teen students begin separately, the teams join in a finale that is so impressive that a wealthy alumnus pledges to keep the joint music program going as long as Ken and Amy stay put as teachers.
Gabriel Hogan, Ben Mulroney and Brittany Adams
T
Love At The Thanksgiving Day Parade
5.6
Two rivals must come together to throw the best Thanksgiving Day Parade Chicago has ever seen.
Callum Seagram Airlie, Ben Cotton and Richard Ian Cox
T
5.7
A special Christmas tree decorated with handwritten wishes helps Dennis and his group of orphaned students develop a connection and a sense of family.
Jason Gedrick, Erica Cerra and Carrie Genzel
T
6.0
Plans go awry when a mysterious Santa strands a woman with her boyfriend's best friend in a small town.
Lacey Chabert, Elizabeth Ann Bennett and Nikki Hahn
T
5.8
Ruthless tycoon Carol is visited by the ghost of her old boss on Christmas Eve to help change her heartless ways.
Emmanuelle Vaugier, Olivia Cheng and Rebecca Davis
T
Jingle & Bell's Christmas Star (Animated)
6.6
Jingle the Husky Pup is back in his latest holiday adventure, and this time he and his buddy Andrew have some new friends. A little girl named Sofia and her Husky Pup, Bell, have moved from sunny Palm City to Pineville just before Christmas. With their world turned upside down, this looks to them like it could be the worst Christmas ever, but with a little help from Jingle and his pal Andrew, Sofia and Bell will soon discover that Christmas isn’t about where you are, it’s about who you’re with.
Sam Adler, Thomas Stroppel and Ryan Bley
T
5.8
When Krissy Kringle finds the magical "Naughty or Nice" book by accident, the discovery changes her life.
Hilarie Burton, Matt Dallas and Danneel Ackles
T
5.7
An attractive pair agrees to be each others supposed significant other throughout the holidays to keep their meddling families at bay.
Joseph Lawrence, Emily Hampshire and Linda Darlow
T
6.0
Jessie has called off three engagements, but when she's pursued by a new suitor, things get complicated.
Arielle Kebbel, Andrew W. Walker and Kimberly Sustad
T
5.8
A family with a son in need of a new heart learns the meaning of miracle at Christmas.
Teri Polo, Paul Essiembre and Samantha Kendrick
T
5.8
When Jack joins a dance class to impress his girlfriend, the dance instructor changes his plans.
Andrew McCarthy, Michelle Nolden and Stephanie Mills
T
7.0
Santa's elf Christine is sent on a special assignment to Los Angeles to help a family in need of a wake-up call.
Summer Glau, Ben C. Adams and John Brotherton
T
5.0
Two lawyers visit their siblings over the holidays find romance in the middle of Christmas Eve chaos.
Casper Van Dien, Rachel Wilson and Ella Ballentine
T
6.6
Traumatized by her mother's death, a 6-year-old girl stops talking but is cared for by her three uncles. The story unfolds as all of them find the importance of family.
Catherine Bérubé, Wade Carroll and Sean Faris
T
5.8
A family with a son in need of a new heart learns the meaning of miracle at Christmas.
Teri Polo, Paul Essiembre and Samantha Kendrick
T
5.3
When a temperamental Broadway director is fired from yet another job, she is forced to direct a community Christmas pageant.
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