Author: ladybeezdesigns

Hallmark Movie Review: In Merry Measure
My Hallmark Obsession

Hallmark Movie Review: In Merry Measure

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Oh my goodness. This was a sleeper movie. I didn’t see it coming!

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ So there’s intense, steamy chemistry….and then there’s laugh-a-minute comedic banter…and honestly, I forget just how much I love to laugh until a couple does it right. Brendan Penny & Patti Murin as Adam & Darcy…well, let’s just say I don’t NOT like them. They were super fun as “rivals” and even more adorable when they were honest about their true feelings. Sometimes a good dose of playfulness & ribbing is the perfect combination! Loved these two!

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ there didn’t seem like a whole lot was on the line….I liked the storyline well enough. Usually mixing music into a Hallmark movie is usually a giant PLUS or a major flop. Acapella is my jam…..but as far as the music went, it was very middle of the road for me….but that didn’t even matter because the writing made up for EVERYTHING! The whole idea of building each other up and being the encouraging positive voice for someone….it really does make all the difference! And sign me up for some Random Attacks of Encouragement! Who doesn’t need that?

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Gretchen was hilarious. Gretchen and Darcy together were LIFE! I want to be their sister. I feel like I could be their sister. Funny voices. Harsh honesty. Sarcasm at every turn. It took me forever, and I still had to look up Jennifer Robinson to see where I had seen her before: Ginny & Georgia!!!! I just LOVE this woman! Even Adam’s friend Rick had me rolling! Kudos to the entire cast and crew on this one! I love your work, PLEASE KEEP GOING!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Oh my, was I giddy watching Adam & Darcy reunite! That aaalllmost finger hold got me good! My only gripe was that first kiss could have lastest juuuust a beat longer. I also really just loved the family dynamic of Gretchen/Megan/Darcy right down to the matching pj photo shoot….and you know, I’m a sucker for a Movie montage set to music at the end. My heart!

HALLMARK SURPRISE (what made this different from typical Hallmark movies) ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Just the SOLID fact that there was NO drawn out misunderstandings throughout the entire story. Whenever someone was about to be upset/overreact they all talked it out open and honestly. I actually had a few head turn/sideways glances at my screen….was this on Hallmark?? 😉 I also have to give a shout out to one of my friends who lovingly pointed out Brendan Penny= Clark Kent. I’ll take that Superman anyway!

23/25 My only serious issue with this movie was them serving chili over spaghetti noodles….what? I sure hope Brendan Penny & Patti Murin are paired up again soon! Loved the whole thing! Certainly on my must watch again list!

My Hallmark Obsession

Hallmark Movie Review: All Saints Christmas

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I will be honest and say that I had never heard of Ledisi before this movie was announced. I’m a Country and Christian music fan….also a child born in the 80’s….raised on 90’s and early 2000’s pop music….so don’t hate on me.

That being said…..Ledisi’s Christmas music is added to my playlist now. LOVE HER VOICE!

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️❤️ I really want to give these two more hearts….I TRULY DO. There was juuuuust something a liiiiitttle off. Every once and awhile there was a spark….a teeny flutter, and then it would pass. The banter between Lysette & Matthew was actually great, it just fell short for me when the romance started for real between them for me.

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️ Although the fake fiancé bit has been done many times, this modern twist with a popular music artist and social media rumors was fun! I loved that they were in on it together and that Matthew never had stopped loving her. Plus, Lysette’s entire family was amazing! Loved seeing New Orleans at Christmastime…..and all the song breaks!

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Oops! I guess I started addressing this already….but really, the whole cast was fun to watch. The relationships seemed genuine….even the feuds were well acted between parents/children…and old friends/rivals. Really liked this group. Dad’s reaction to finding out the “good news” was too adorable for words!

FEELS ❤️❤️ Every time Ledisi opened her mouth to sing…I melted. GURL. That Joy to the World brought So MUCH JOY TO MY WORLD. The other heart is for Matthew. I was routing for him the entire time.

HALLMARK SURPRISE (what made this different from typical Hallmark movies) ❤️ This was a very run-of-the-mill Hallmark movie. I was entertained…..but nothing “surprised” me….except for how much I want that GREEN DRESS 👗 in the opening number 🔥

13/25 If I couldn’t just listen to Ledisi on my iTunes, I would definitely watch this again to hear her….but the storyline didn’t stand out to me enough to put in my “watch again” pile.

Hallmark Movie Review: A Maple Valley Christmas
My Hallmark Obsession

Hallmark Movie Review: A Maple Valley Christmas

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A Maple Andrew Christmas…..

ahhhh…..

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Andrew Walker. ‘Tis the season for us all to enjoy your presence on the screen. And enjoy we did. Apparently so did your co-star….that early movie, bold move by Ericka on Aaron really shocked my whole family into this one. Woah…..like…..WOOOOAHHHHHH NELLY!!!! I mean, even if 95% of the viewers are thinking that’s what they want to happen….it was a tad jarring. As always, Mr. Walker brings the smolder to almost every scene. I enjoyed witnessing that……however, apart from the kiss I just wasn’t prepared for….the rest of this pairing was too one-sided for me :(. I’m so sad I have to type that.

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️ Cripes! Give AW a fresh script! I know the man can carry any and all things Hallmarky on his back….but a version of this story has been told so many times….in fact he’s even done one or two….I did love the scenery..the horses, the woods….that barn dinner….all the decor though.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️ Meh. There was a lot of tension happening all around….and honestly EVERYONE in both these families needs some serious therapy. What didn’t make sense to me is that by the end nothing really seemed resolved.,

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️ Once my heart and other parts calmed down after that kiss on the porch…..the romance portion was really lacking. The dance was alright…the horse ride was ok…the final scene was beautiful….but I have to be honest, if it wasn’t Andrew Walker in this flick, I would probably forget about the whole movie.

HALLMARK SURPRISE (what made this different from typical Hallmark movies) ❤️❤️ ❤️ I’ve now mentioned it multiple times. Huge HUUUUUGE move my Ericka right away ….wowzers. that took all my surprise right outta me.

16/25 Andrew!!! Please don’t read this. I WILL watch this again….just up until the porch kiss though 😉

P.S. if you do ever read this….I would never make you earn my hat

Hallmark Movie Review: Lights, Camera, Christmas!
My Hallmark Obsession

Hallmark Movie Review: Lights, Camera, Christmas!

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A Hallmark movie about a clothing designer?

I’m always up for the combo of two of my loves!

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ when your two lead actors are both hilarious and smoking hot together….you just cannot beat it. Kimberley Sustad & John Brotherton are both so amazing at comedic timing….and now we know that they light the Hallmark screen on fire 🔥 in the romantic scenes as well. Um, that Balsam Hill commercial …..uh, I mean, dancing scene . Dead.

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This was so clever! What a perfect way to film a Christmas movie out of season…by just filming a Christmas movie made out of season and embracing the “fake” everything! I just loved all of that! AND…how it was all told in retrospect by the TV panel?!?? GENIUS! The love story was amazing. The conflict was believable. YAAASSS!!!!!

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ oh my goodness. I am Kerry’s mom, Nancy. 😂 She loves her King of Christmas! Between her and the side romance of Caleb & Jill…the cast was just as much fun to watch as the leads were!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Brad and Kerry really brought the heat….and the giggles. The only reason I had to take one heart away was the ending was just a tad too much for me. It was real dramatic and rushed….and then whiplashed into a spoof…I couldn’t keep up

HALLMARK SURPRISE (what made this different from typical Hallmark movies) ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Somehow within the context of this flick they were able to poke fun of all the Hallmark troupes and still be sincere. I was legit laughing out loud in places and then the dancing scene got me like 😳🔥😍 this whole movie was just a darned good time!

23/25 So fun. So clever. Loved these two together! On my list to watch again!

My Hallmark Obsession

Hallmark Movie Review: Christmas Bedtime Stories

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Military Movies and me are not the best of friends. I feel like I need to admit this right up top, because….I dread watching them. So, if I wasn’t committed to reviewing this….I guarantee I either wouldn’t have watched this OR I would have turned it off half way through.

The emotions and memories that military movies stir up in me are strong…even though my husband ended his military service 16 years ago….once a Marine, always a Marine….and living & loving through deployments during a war is something that stays with you for life.

ok, now that I got that out….I will tell you what I thought of this one:

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

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️❤️ This is really hard to judge. Erin Cahill was very good. I truly believe that the chemistry between her character & Steve Lund’s (Pierce) was meant to be off for the purpose of the story. So, in that respect, BRAVO! The flashbacks & “such” of Danielle & Colby felt much more relaxed and natural….and so that Chemistry was great. My issue lies with feeling off the whole movie. I didn’t like it. I know that was the point. So, the actors did their job well….but it didn’t make me feel good. Does that make sense? And I want to feel good when I watch these movies. I want to root for the main characters.

STORYLINE (overall plot of the movie) ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’ll give it to Hallmark…this was a very original way to tell a love story. The bedtimes stories were so sweet with Audrey. Watching a mother and daughter struggle with grief and memories just to have a crazy miracle turn it all around….it was too much for me. There’s Christmas magic and then there’s Real World Unbelievable…..I just felt icky the whole movie and could not accept the ending.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Audrey, that little sweetheart. How could you not love her? I feel like we need to put Pierce in this category too. He played his role well. Let’s get him a love that will SHOUT from the mountain tops!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ So many feels….and very few if any of them were warm and fuzzy. 85% of the time I felt icky…which is really what I think they were going for. My heart just ached the entire time. It’s funny I wanted to completely accept the ending for Audrey, but in my head, I could accept it for Danielle. (I guess that’s the mama in me)

HALLMARK SURPRISE (what made this different from typical Hallmark movies) ❤️❤️❤️ Were we really surprised? I guess, yes….but I was more surprised at the audacity of it. It was too much for me. Too serious of a topic to just willy nilly pull a 180 on.

18/25 I am actually shocked that I am scoring it this high. My kids and I agree….we will not be watching this again.