This was such a cute little Christmas caper!

If you are an avid Hallmark fan (like me) you may have had to double check the channel you were watching….this Christmas flick was very reminiscent of the mysteries found on Hallmark’s Movies & Mysteries channel year round—a lighthearted, who-dun-it with a romance thrown in….the only difference in The Santa Stakeout is we didn’t have to wait for 4 episodes into a series before the detectives declare their true feelings. And, since I’m the girl who is watching for the romance….I’ll take it!

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each: 

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️❤️Detectives Tanya & Ryan. Hmmmm….I like these two together. It was a very nice, sweet, budding attraction. However, I felt like the romance took a back seat to the mystery (very much like the usual Hallmark mysteries)….and while I enjoyed the two getting to know each other better throughout the movie, I just didn’t FEEL it until the dance scene…..and then BAM , in yo’ face right at the end. That, my friends, just wasn’t enough for this girl. (not sure how they acted so surprised with that tiny little peck under the mistletoe mid-movie….unless one of them had a static shock?) Guess what I’m saying….comedic chemistry= spot on. Romantic chemistry = spotty.

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️❤️Loved a Christmas Mystery! I loved the theme throughout repeating that people aren’t always what they seem….and you shouldn’t judge others so quickly, because they may surprise you. How true is that?!?! Was the fact that a police stakeout budget would include a fully decorated, cozy Christmas home complete with tree/ornaments/baking supplies/Christmas mugs/pillows/garland a little far fetched? Maaaaaaybeeeee…..Did I care? not one bit. I mean, how are they going to nab a fine art thief without first getting into the Holiday Spirit?????

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️Mr. Christmas & the Neighborhood Crew. Francis Miller is a treasure. I melted every time he talked about his wife. He was so sweet. Even when they were suspicious of him, it was hard to buy into it because he was so sincere in his love and devotion to her….and his love and devotion to Christmas. I’m not sure if this falls under here or Storyline, but who gets to do all this neighborhood FUN STUFF on MULTIPLE NIGHTS leading right up to Christmas. (I guess people without children….from the looks of it)

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️One heart for Mr. Christmas. 1/2 heart for the dancing scene. 1/2 heart for “I like our little neighborhood….Partner for Keeps” ending scene. I did laugh out loud many times though….so Paul & Tamara totally got me in my funny bone. Not sure if it was becasue I watched this with our 4 kids….either way, they made me laugh or, at the very least, SMILE a lot. What it lacked in romantic feels…it made up for in good ol’ fashioned Hallmark Christmas Fun.

HALLMARK SURPRISE ❤️❤️I have to admit, I had no idea who the thief was until the very end….so that was a surprise. I also didn’t see the true nature of Mr. Christmas’ secrets….so 2 surprises on me!

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. Giant PVC Candy canes!
2. Santa COFFEE….although, I have totally made coffee with cocoa & cinnamon before….I didn’t have a name for it.
3. TWO WORDS: CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE: you know, for caroling, party planning, and potlucks! This would be such a game changer for any neighborhood!
4. 3 layer North Pole Bundt Cake. I must try this!
5. Hot Cocoa Flight. Had this before in Hershey, PA. Recording it, because I must do this again!

16/25 This is a fun watch! If I’m feeling in the mood to giggle a bit, I would totally watch it again. Plus, my kiddos thought it was the best Hallmark movie they have ever seen. Detective Ryan had them rolling! I might just watch it again to watch their joy.

Edited because I Gotta add…(and thanks to my amazing Hallmark Christmas Showdown Bracketeers for the reminder). If you’re going to say you’re from WAAAAA-ScAAAAN-Sin….you gotta pronounce it right. 😉 if you start with a “WES” we know you aren’t from these parts, ya know?

The first “Miracles of Christmas” of the 2021 season….and for me, I couldn’t have been more pleasantly surprised with just how much I enjoyed it!

There is just always something about music in movies that speaks to my soul. Well, I guess I need to qualify that statement….there’s something about GOOD music in movies that speaks to my soul. In addition to that, Christmas in My Heart tackled some pretty heavy and important topics with honesty and ease. I really liked this one!

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each: 

 

CHEMISTRY (between the leads)❤️❤️❤️I love that Beth’s attraction was evident from the first meeting, and Sean really played the widower father so well that he was oblivious to all the attention given to him. This relationship really felt authentic as it matured. The reason I’m stuck on 3 hearts: this movie wasn’t really about Sean & Beth…at least it wasn’t the MAIN focus. And unfortunately, there is only so much you can convey in a couple hours….so the turnaround did seem a little rushed for me. Movies about grief are so hard to watch…I can’t imagine acting them out in scenes multiple times. Anyhow, I liked these 2 together. Seemed a bit forced in the middle….but I loved that the end was sweet and simple.

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️❤️ These Miracles of Christmas movies are always a challenge for me. (and truly, anyone who has experienced real, gutting grief in their lives) Sometimes I’m in the mood for a good cry, and sometimes I’m just not. I LOVED so many things about this storyline though. Even when the tough/relevant topics of grief and race were on the table…it was so honest and real. I loved the relationships explored between Grandma Ruthie & both Katie and Sean……how the story showed traumatic loss of people that are dearly loved can effect so many lives in a community….how music can be so interwoven in our lives that it is sometimes lost in grief but then can be so healing as well. My one critique was that the Hanukkah celebrations/gifts seemed to not fit….they didn’t even explain who Hersh was until almost the very end (I mean, I figured he was Sean’s agent…but was he family too? Was part of Katie’s family Jewish? Just saying it seemed like a big deal, but it was never explained).

SUPPORTING CAST❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I hate to even put “Katie Kat”…how cute is that nickname?!?!? (Maria Nash) in this category—that dear child was every bit a LEAD in this story, and she NAILED it! I loved how she portrayed the innocence of a child in all these hard places….how kind, loving, forgiving, and amazing kids can be. I can’t tell you how many times I thought of one of my girls when Katie spoke. What a sweetheart! And all of this was acting! Keep an eye on her. We’ll be seeing lots more of her soon, I’m sure. Grandma Ruthie!!!! Sheryl Lee Ralph is a GEM! I could listen to that woman talk, sing, and give advice all day! “You can’t just be here….You’ve got to live here.” And just when you think this movie was getting too serious….Sheila would pop in with a one liner and make you smile!

FEELS❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Ugh. Well, what feels didn’t I get from this one? My heart ached, it swelled, it wept….and when Heather Hemmens picked up her violin….the goosebumps were out in full force. Sean’s face at that concert was ALL of US. I thought her two very emotional performances were the best of the best…but then that last stage performance DID.ME.IN! I was holding it back until Grandma Ruthie joined the trio, and that was it. Flood gates opened. And the Heart-to-Hearts! Father/Daughter, Teacher/Student, MIL/SIL, Grandma/Granddaughter….so much emotion. ALL THE FEELS!

HALLMARK SURPRISE ❤️❤️❤️❤️ This might not be a popular opinion, but I’m nothing if not honest: Sean’s Christmas song was not good. It was painful to listen to….(not to be confused with the torture of the jam “On Christmas Day in the Morning” that they had playing on the radio earlier in the movie) I’m referring to the song that he wrote and performed for Beth. No good. But she actually kind of told him so…and I COULDN’T believe it! Facing down some real Hallmark tropes in this one!

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. Making your own Christmas Angel Tree topper to look like you/someone you love. That was just the sweetest.
2. Celebrating all the holidays= more presents? This might be a stretch, but this movie didn’t get too “out of the box” as far Christmas traditions or activities.

21/25 Very sweet, very emotional Hallmark Movie. Light on the romance….but HEAVY on real discussions that families face dealing with grief, social differences, love and healing. Strong like for me!

Welcome to the Hallmark Channel Raymond & Catherine!

I was not expecting the cheesiness of a “ghosts of Christmas Past” be so very NOT cheesy!

I almost want to skip right to the rating system because I feel like this hit so many hearts in all the categories, but I will take a minute to touch on a few things. The total and complete FRIEND ZONE that was so clearly being thrown at our man, Nate, had me squirming so much that I wasn’t quite sure how Lauren was going to be redeemed in the eyes of the viewer. Nate wasn’t just in the Friend ZONE…it was more like a PRISON! Poor guy. We all want someone to look at us the way Nate dreamly pined for Lauren….FOR LITERAL YEARS! AMIRIGHT!?!?!?

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each: 

CHEMISTRY (between the leads)❤️❤️❤️❤️As I said up top….if I was strictly voting off our our boy, Nate….this would be 5 hearts, for sure. From the opening scenes to the final kiss, he played the love struck fool to perfection! I’m just so hung up on Lauren and her avoidance. At first, I was thinking there was NO WAY she doesn’t see how Nate feels about her…so if they would have played it like that, I think the whole movie would have lost me. I’m so glad she acknowledged that she knew. That being said….the fact that it took the whole darn movie for her to have this epiphany….they get docked a heart. I said what I said.

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️❤️ This plot actually worked for me! It was so much better than I expected. Each visit from a boyfriend of the past showed Lauren just how abruptly she ended their relationship. The tie-in to the time of year her mother left actually didn’t even dawn on me until the end though. I mean, childhood trauma effecting the way you approach your adult relationships? RELATABLE, for $200, Alex! It still was hard to watch Nate waiting in the wings the whole movie. Man, that dude tugged on my heart strings!
SUPPORTING CAST❤️❤️❤️❤️ Appa=GOLD! I loved his relationship with his daughter…both silly and so heartfelt. Even her stepmother was the sweetest. ALL the boyfriends did a FAB job! My one beef was Lauren’s girlfriend not giving her the “what for” regarding Nate sooner. If this group of friends have been friends since college, they ALL should have seen this sitch, right?

FEELS❤️❤️❤️ Have a mentioned yet that Raymond Ablack KILLED Nate’s character?!?! This man had my heart wrenched the entire movie. Hence, why I thought I wasn’t getting out of here even liking Lauren. Welp, my girl did turn it around, and the few minutes from the conference room to the community center at the end saved her entirely for me. That kiss was worth it….and even the ending scene had me melt a little bit….but only because it was simple and more real than all wordy-like Hallmark normally does.

HALLMARK SURPRISE ❤️❤️❤️ The most surprising part of this one for me was we never had to see Lauren’s mother. I’m so glad they didn’t bring her into this. She wasn’t needed. Obviously so much of Lauren’s heartache was triggered by her leaving, and I’m glad the movie ended with Lauren & Nate getting their happy ending surrounded by her Appa & Yong. Of course, the all new Hallmark cast made me so happy to see…especially because we got to get a peek at new food, new customs, and amazing actors/actresses! I hope we see these two again soon!

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. Christmas Game Night complete with CHAMPIONSHIP HATS!
2. Tree Lighting…..but with FIREWORKS!

18/25 This was cute. Not sure I’d watch it again, but I will put any other movies starring Raymond Ablack and/or Catherine Haena Kim at the top of my watch list! That’s praise enough, right?

The NEW 2021 Hallmark Christmas Movies have begun, and I am here for all of it!

If you’re new to my blog/website, you may be wondering “Why in the world is she talking about Hallmark movies when I came here for crafts and sewing projects?!?” GREAT QUESTION! Simple answer: I have many interests….so instead of making multiple websites, you get all of me here.

I’ve been so busy, that I haven’t taken the time to review the “off season” movies as much….but I will NOT miss out on Christmas! So let’s get our Merry On, shall we?

First up this season, we have Danika McKeller & Benjamin Ayres starring in You, Me, & the Christmas Trees

I wanted so badly to LOVE this movie.

Look. I AM a scientist. 👩‍🔬 I SUPER appreciated the gigantic nod to science, the scientific method, the fact that science (and experiments in particular) 🔬 can take trial & error AND longer periods of time….so yay! Real Science REPRESENT! However, that leaves very little room for the MAGIC of Christmas and the MAGIC I’ve come to love from my Hallmark movies. Also, I never claimed that lab work was romantic….so not a huge surprise it fell flat there as well 🤣

Another REALLY REAL aspect I just LOVED: REAL TREES!!! My kind of Christmas trees! They weren’t perfectly shaped or colored…and I LOVED IT!

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each:

CHEMISTRY (between the leads)❤️❤️❤️ I feel like I’m being generous with 3 hearts here. Jack and Olivia had their moments, but if I’m being honest, I just wasn’t feeling much between the two of them. It was just meh for me. I love both Danika & Benjamin, so I’m so sad this combo didn’t work for me….

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️ Here’s the deal. I loved what they were trying to do with this. Real scientific method. A laboratory mystery….but, did you all notice that we ended this movie WITHOUT EVEN AN ANSWER?!?! We still don’t know what was wrong with the trees!!!! Did this bother anyone else? And the big conflict between Jack & Olivia just didn’t make me care at all. This seemed like a fight that a couple that had been together for years would have, not one that a newly dating couple would let halt their romance.
SUPPORTING CAST❤️❤️❤️ I was so excited for the Wonder Years reboot….but…..I’m sorry, was Kevin’s older brother much better to watch when he was younger? Sorry DuWayne…my bar must have been set much lower back in the day…. I’m giving 3 hearts to one person specifically, and that is Jack’s mom. She might have been my favorite character in the whole movie. She sounds like a fun time, and I’d love to hang out with her someday at her new senior living pad.

FEELS❤️❤️ The absolute only thing that gave me the feels this entire movie: Danika’s (sorry, Olivia’s) monologue to her parents. I’m not sure what Danika’s childhood was like…but it really felt like she pulled from a very personal space for that scene. I almost cried right along with her. Best scene of the entire film.

HALLMARK SURPRISE ❤️❤️The big surprise for me was the commitment to the REAL tree throughout. It was quite a refreshing change to almost all Hallmark Movies and their Balsam Hill ads. Also….the flatness of the whole story until Olivia sees her parents face to face. Oh, and one more thing …..was there an unusual amount of alcohol in this movie? Even morning beverages? Hmmm……no judgement….just surprising…

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. Cocktail Competition….not sure I want to participate, but I’d definitely be a judge!
2. Bake an ornament inside a Yulelog…and the first to find it gets to hang it and light the tree!

13/25 Oof! Not the way I thought we’d kick off the Countdown to Christmas Season….but I don’t think I could sit through this one again…I would probably rather sit in my couch all night and watch Christmas needles fall off my tree…