All I want to say is…….there’s NO PLACE like a CCB Christmas Movie that does this sweet Hallmark queen justice!

I am most certainly a fan of Candice, but the last couple year’s movies she’s been in just haven’t been as amazing as they could have been.

Enter, Warren Christie. Merry Christmas to Us, one and ALL!

The writing of this movie was so clever, I spent most of my time loving on the two leads that I am certain I missed all the “Wizard of Oz” nods. After seeing previews, I was worried it was going to be really cheesy and over the top….but it didn’t play out that way at all, and I LOVED every minute!

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Darcy and Glenn/William…or my FAVORITE: Gwilliam! I could watch these two all day! The whole meet-cute where she didn’t know who he was at the bar: hilarious. Watching him fall for her was very sweet and realistic little by little….the pain in his eyes when he knew he about to break her heart…..ugghhhh!
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ The Wizard of Oz Easter eggs just never stopped! Subtle enough that you almost didn’t notice them too! I always love when you set up a movie like this because it makes you want to watch it again just to catch the references you didn’t the first go round.
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Jackie was the BEST “CROW”, Dr. TINsley was the HEART of that staff for sure! Her little speech about the real educational needs of the children grabbed my heart right out of my chest. Girl nailed it…plus, haven’t we ALL had a similar conversation in this the year of 2020? Super relevant. Riley Lions…very good fit to the character of the lion….after watching Christmas Waltz, though…the dancing left a little to be desired. 🙂 still cute anyway….Winona: loved to hate on her! She actually got me mad…which Was her job, I guess…….my FAVORITE, though, were Darcy’s brothers. How sweet were those sibling moments???

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Gwilliam & Darcy always got my heart a fluttering….mostly props to Warren 😉 But CCB was totally there step by step with him, it was a joy to watch. (my hubby even enjoyed it…but he’ll deny it if you ask him) That Christmas Lights Maze….I need to find one of these! “Glen’s” speech. Their reunion. ….basically anytime Gwilliam spoke to Darcy. swoon.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ The whole concept of the Wizard of Oz references was so well done! I know Hallmark has made other movies before mimicking classic storylines…but I don’t recall any of them being this well done!

25/25 TRIMUPH! Such a different movie than I thought it would be. I am all set up to watch again with a pen and paper to catch all the Oz goodies!

I always get uneasy for military movies. I feel like I have to psych myself up for them…emotionally, I fear getting thrown back in time to the early 2000’s when my boyfriend (now husband) was a Marine, serving overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I was happy to say, USS Christmas didn’t throw me into the bad feels…..

I’m sad to say….USS Christmas didn’t throw me into many feels at all.

The storyline wasn’t the problem….I think it was partly the sloppy research into military lingo (i.e. did you hear them refer to 8pm as 0800?!?!?!?…military time is easy, friends) AND partly the chemistry of the leads. meh.

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️ Lt. Billy & Maddie. I reeeeally wanted to love these two…but I just didn’t feel it. She was being so adorable and loveable in the beginning, while he was “The Grinch” and kept at a distance…..and THEN, he starts falling for her, and she cuts him off. Now listen, I was that girl who didn’t want a “military life”, so I thought I’d relate…..but even with the early kiss….it just didn’t resonate with me.
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️ Things I liked: The Tiger Cruise is such a cool tradition! What a beautiful way to share the Navy with family! The love story of Sam & Dorothy. The rest was kind of forgettable….
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️ Sam and Dorothy were adorable…..Maddie’s mom was super sweet….the Capt. was alright. To be honest, I had to look up the cast to even remember if there were people I missed

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️ It’s getting 3 hearts just for the USA. GOD BLESS AMERICA and all who have served! Also, so many pretty Christmas trees on a ship….do they really decorate it that well?

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️ They found Sam & Dorothy! But mostly, I was surprised just how little I cared about this pairing 😦

12/25 I barely made it through this one the first time….so, no to a second

ooohhh….I was nervous about this one…

I have seen many a dance Hallmark movie, and let’s be honest, they are never that remarkable. I love the idea behind them….as dance, when it is good, can be so very entertaining and romantic…

Well…..Mr. Will Kemp. Thank you for leading our Lacey in this wonderment of Christmas dance and joy. Our girl, LC, playing the recently dumped, Avery, she needed it! Whew! What a rough way to start Christmas being dumped weeks before your wedding!

Whoever is in charge of these Hallmark Christmas movies this year is NAILING IT! I love that they are utilizing all these actors true talents!

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I was leery at first….I mean, if you do have great dancers, the chemistry is on point. When you watch a couple dancing, if they are good…it’s like acing, right? They want you to believe in the story they are telling. All this to say….I loved Roman & Avery together on and OFF the dance floor. I had to deduct a heart only because…girl was just about to get married (and even though, her EX was the Douchey-est of Douches), it felt a little rushed. I’m a total romantic though, so when he tells her to look at him instead of to the left……I was all in!
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ So much AMAZING Dancing! I loved that Roman and Avery came from very different families and backgrounds…..very different career paths/goals…..opposites attract! NICKY!!!! (I’m saving him for below) The fact that this girl just started dancing…and after 10 lessons was able to fill in as his partner in the end was a bit of a stretch for me
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ NICKY!!!!! this kid. I wasn’t aware of who he was, but I knew he had to be somebody. He’s adorable…witty…and can DANCE EVERYONE’S SOCKS OFF! So, obvi, I looked him up. You might have heard of a couple little shows like “So you Think You Can Dance?” and “Dancing with the Stars”….yeah, he’s killed it on those. Woah, JT Church, I love ya, little man! Also, I gotta shout out to Avery’s friend, Molly! What a sweetheart! Brings a Christmas tree over to decorate to cheer her girl up…and gets her dressed and out of the house when she’s bummed…..SOLID BFF. And, DoucheBag David. he obivously played his part well, cuz I did NOT like him at all!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Have you ever heard such a heart-warming explanation of nesting dolls? LOVED that! The dancing made me smile the whole movie through…but Avery, when she turned on the waterworks,….I felt it. I mean, your wedding got a big fat “pin” put into it 3 weeks before it was suppose to happen….girl, never apologize for crying. You deserve a good sob fest. What made me tear up, though? The scene when Roman tells her to look left…._{little protest}….look to the left….._{silent crying}…..I couldn’t handle it 😦

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ David! This might be one of the rare Hallmark films where our “other man” was actually HORRIBLE. Like, mean and nasty. I clutched my pearls when he confronted Roman. However, it did make it a lot easier to believe she could move on so quickly. 😉 ONE MORE THING! Hallmark. YOU CANNOT KISS, BOW, and END MOVIE. GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE, please and thank you!

21/25 Loved it! I want to watch again with my hubby….maybe we will finally schedule those ballroom dance lessons we keep saying we want to take!

Kudos to Hallmark on another great ensemble cast flick!

This movie flew under my radar for so many reasons….mostly, I’m sure, as it was stuck in the middle of the Thanksgiving week marathon of movies. So, I was more surprised than anything at just how much I enjoyed it.

Did you notice the difference? An ALL adult cast? No cute children to pull at the heart strings? No rescue dogs?

You know what? They didn’t need them! Such a great job of Christmas and family nostalgia mix with all sorts of crazy shenanigans. This one was super fun!

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I know the “leads” are suppose Lucy (Bethany Joy Lenz) & Jake (Victor Webster), so let’s go with them. It took me awhile to get into them. They were suuuuuper cute once the movie got going. I loved her very forward approach in every aspect of her life…(can we say Oldest child?) Their make up at the end was painfully off-key but it made it that much sweeter when they just simply said I’m sorry. (more of a long -term-relationship apology than one just starting though)
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Hilarious. I loved this whole concept! The over the top acting by all the family members, the relationships between the siblings, the family stories, the memories of mom….oh my heart!
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Now, I chatted up Lucy & Jake above…..but we also had brother Will & wife Suzanne (SUUUPER ADORABLE and fun), Dad Ted…and guest Beth (SO SWEET) BUT my favorites have to be Grandma & Grandpa! I had a super fun and crazy grandma so seeing these characters made me so happy! Oh, one more: Chef Francesca! I loved her storyline too….finding her passion in the culinary arts…..also tied to her mama! So GooD!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Obviously FEELS were flying all over the place for me! Things I haven’t mentioned: the old video of Mama…..the Sassafras Candy Canes….the early kiss….Christmas morning present opening ( I LOVE GIFTS! They are my love language) But the moment that sealed the deal for me and brought real tears was Lucy’s toast, “To those who are gone, To those who are here, To those who are on they way….” yep….just cried again typing it.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ The execution of the ensemble cast in this movie was one of the best of seen in Hallmark. Each couple/family member held their own arc…..AND kept me engaged and interested! Love them all!

24/25 Family Nostaglia FOR THE WIN! It would be a fun one to watch with family

WOW.

Is it the highest praise to say….this was so good I forgot I was watching the Hallmark Channel?

I LOVE LOVE Hallmark, but the level of predictability and cheese is usually a given. Maybe it was the writing…or maybe it was the acting….but this movie was TOP NOTCH….

SO I WAS FLOORED to find out: the lead actors WERE the writers of this movie! Honestly, I didn’t know this little nugget of information until the Hallmark commercial mid-movie when they revealed the behind the scenes clip!

There must be something about acting out your own movie….perhaps the characters mean so much more?….Kimberley Susted & Paul Campbell! TAKE A BOW! I’m equal parts impressed, entertained, and thrilled with your Christmas by Starlight!

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ William & Annie. oh my heart. Annie is just hilarious. I could totally see us being BFFs. I love that she always put Mr. William Holt in his place. These two were so fun to watch their layers melt away. You know the chemistry is on point when just watching him look at her is almost better than a kiss…but that last “swoop” I felt lifted off my feet too!
STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ A-freaking-dorable. I thought to myself when watching I was getting “The Proposal” vibe….and also “Two Weeks Notice”vibe……so , then, maybe it’s just Kimberley giving me Sandra Bullock vibes. I’M ON BOARD either way! The main plot of saving the diner really was a familiar story, but everything else they brought along for the ride with their relationship and playfulness made it fun to watch anyway!
SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Annie’s parents were so sweet and supportive of her…and when dad delivered his heartfelt speech about family…memories…and walls….I legit cried. I loved the Ted the client and his doggo love! Lyle was the best assistant ever…so glad he got a real title finally!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I giggled out loud…by myself more times than I could count! On the other hand, I felt the Annie standing on the front porch declaring she would just take care of things on her own. I don’t know how many times I’ve been that woman standing in a ridiculous holiday outfit trying to just GET.STUFF.DONE. ;)….uh, did that just get too personal?……let’s see, movie feels: already talked about daddy already……but the skating….the toy store surprise….the snow globe….so so so GOOD!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(anything that really jumped out from the “norm” Hallmark Movie equation)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ It was kind of powerful when William had to sit in his guilt in the middle of that diner. My heart clenched. Was it a surprise that she heard every word??? (no….he was projecting like he knew she was behind the wall…..maybe that was intentional?) But…..my favorite part of the whole scene? Her response. It wasn’t eloquent…and it was a lot of words…all to end in “I would be sad.” perfectly simple.

24/25 This one is on my tippy top of the list this year. If I don’t ever watch it again, I will be sad.

P.S. Kimberley & Paul are SUPER sweet in Wedding Every Weekend too