TV Movie Review: Angel of Christmas (2015)

Christmas isn't Susan's (Jennifer Finnigan) favorite time of year. That works out just fine, especially for Derek (Tahmoh Penikett), a fellow newspaper staffer who wouldn't mind starting up a romance with the vibrant blonde.

When Yvette (Holly Robinson Peete), her editor, announces she needs a fabulous human interest story for the Christmas edition of the paper, Susan knows this is the chance she has been waiting for. As Susan struggles with a story idea, her parents suggest telling the story of the family's 100-year-old heirloom Christmas angel, whose legend includes the power to bring people together.

Along her journey to writing the article of the Angel of Christmas, Susan meets Brady (Jonathan Scarfe), a handsome, upbeat artist who decides he will help Susan rekindle her Christmas spirit.

Angel of Christmas will most likely end up being my favorite 2015 Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas movie. A healthy dose of romance, writing, and a family legend that blends past and present are mixed together to create the perfect Christmas romance story.

A past heartbreak had stolen Susan's Christmas spirit, but Brady is determined to rekindle it. Derek on the other hand is an ambitious newspaper staffer who believes Christmas is overrated. Typical parental interference comes into play as Susan struggles to come up with her story idea and her parents suggest the family's angel will be the perfect subject because of its storied history--they would be happy if their daughter were settled and maybe the angel could help out. As Susan learns more about her grandfather, Owen (Marc Bendavid), and how and why he created the angel, what Susan believes is put to the test while her attraction to Brady grows.

A sweet ending that brings the past and present together leaves the viewer more than satisfied.


This movie will air again on Christmas morning at 6 a.m. Eastern.

I watched this show on Hallmark Channel. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

TV Movie Review: A Christmas Detour (2015)

Candace Cameron Bure (Full House) and Paul Greene (Wicked Wicked Games, CSI) star in this romantic comedy about an anxious bride-to-be and a broken-hearted guy who join a married couple on an emergency road trip to New York City during a blizzard.

Paige Summerlind (Cameron Bure) is on a flight to New York City to meet her fiance's parents for the very first time. While on board, she meets the handsome and irritating Dylan (Greene) along with Frank and Maxine (David Lewis and Sarah Strange), a couple whose marriage has seen better days. As a blizzard moves in, the plane is grounded and Paige is afraid she won't make it to her fiance's house in time for Christmas. So Dylan rents an SUV and agrees to get everyone home for Christmas, giving this odd group of friends a chance to get to know one another.

I love this time of year if for no other reason than the sweet, romantic comedies that Hallmark Channel produces. Cameron Bure is the perfect actress for this channel and it's wonderful to see her back on screen. In Paige, she captures that peppy, anxious go-getter viewers saw in 2013's Let It Snow. This is definitely a character type that plays well to her strengths. Greene is realistic and funny as the romantic lead who is intrigued by Paige as she writes articles about the perfect husband and carries around her vision board. He's got a story all his own that slowly unfolds as Paige gets to know him better.

Frank and Maxine's relationship makes for a wonderful side story. Married for decades, they no longer sleep in the same bed and find fault with one another constantly. Their characters add a great deal of humor and some heartwarming moments to this movie.

Viewers will enjoy the journey as each character learns a great deal about life, love, and happiness.

This movie will air again on Tuesday, December 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern. It is also available on DVD from third party sellers at Amazon.

I watched this show on Hallmark Channel. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

TV Movie Review: Crown for Christmas

Danica McKeller (The Wonder Years, DWTS) stars as an out of work maid turned governess in the sweet and romantic, Crown for Christmas. Having premiered on Hallmark Channel in November, this is the story of Allie Evans (McKellar) who after being fired from her job as a maid in a ritzy New York hotel reluctantly accepts a job as governess to a powerful family in Europe. Little does she know that her new little charge is a princess and her father the King of Winshire (Rupert Penry-Jones).

As Allie bonds with Princess Theodora (Ellie Botterill) and brings King Maximillian and his daughter closer together, sparks fly between Allie and the king. The jealous Countess Celia (Alexandra Evans) is not about to let some silly governess get in her way, though. A marriage was arranged between Maximillian and Celia when they were children and she plans to see that the king fulfills his obligations.

This was a beautiful movie. Classic Hallmark Channel when you consider two unlikely people meet under odd circumstances and fall in love while others work to help the cause or stand between them. Great performances by all, especially Ellie Botterill, who makes her television debut in Crown for Christmas.

In some ways this is a modern retelling of The Sound of Music--minus six children and the singing. The cold King Maximilliam warms as he watches Allie and Theodora bond. Their relationship forces him to reconsider his duties and soften to become a better father.

A lovely setting, a great storyline, and fabulous costumes make this a must see holiday romance.

Crown for Christmas will air again on Saturday, December 12 at 4:00 pm Eastern. It is also scheduled for a DVD release on December 20.

Format: Widescreen, Color, Dolby
Subtitles: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Hallmark
Run Time: 87.00 minutes
ASIN: B018TNBX50
Pre-order here!

I watched this movie on Hallmark Channel. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

TV Movie Review: Window Wonderland (2013)

Photo credit: Hallmarkchannel.com

Chyler Leigh plays Sloan Van Doren, a driven young woman determined to become the next window dresser at McGuire's Department Store. Also interested in the job is artist Jake Dooley (Paul Campbell). Mr. Fitch, who heads up advertising and promotion, challenges Sloan and Jake to create a series of seasonal storefronts. The creator of the window that gets the most attention from passersby will get the job.

As the competition moves along, a mutual attraction develops between the serious and professional Sloan and the happy-go-lucky Jake, which is hampered by the contest and Sloan's rich boyfriend. With support from the store's window washer, Mac (Terence Kelly) and bathroom attendant Rita (Naomi Judd), it's anyone's game to win.

This romantic seasonal comedy is another new movie in Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas lineup. I loved every minute of it. Sloan and Jake work for an extravagant department store in the city vying for a chance to become the new window dresser. Sloan has the college education, but Jake has natural artistic ability, which irritates Sloan to no end.

Sloan's boyfriend, Kenneth (Cameron Mathison) is a wealthy businessman. He doesn't take Sloan's job seriously and can't understand why she does either. It doesn't help that Sloan is so embarrassed by her family that she can't even bring herself to introduce them to Kenneth.

Window Wonderland has all the trademark elements of a great Hallmark Channel movie: romance, conflict, humor, a great setting, and a cast of actors who play their parts superbly. This seasonal movie would be nice to unwind with by the fireplace or to watch while trimming the tree. The storefront windows definitely inspire. And the surprise ending is a nice treat.

You can catch it again on Christmas Day at 6/5C.

I recorded this movie through my cable provider. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

This Week's Countdown to Christmas Schedule

I've been enjoying some of the great seasonal movies that are part of Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas. Here is this week's schedule.

Week Seven: Monday, December 16 - Sunday, December 23 Monday, December 1612a/11c: Help for the Holidays 2a/1c: Farewell Mr. Kringle 4a/3c: Twice Upon a Christmas 6a/5c: Karroll's Christmas 8a/7c: Let it Snow 2/1c: Christmas Dance 4/3c: Twice Upon a Christmas 6/5c: Help for the Holidays 8/7c: Window Wonderland 10/9c: Farewell Mr. Kringle Tuesday, December 17 12a/11c: Christmas Dance 2a/1c: The Santa Suit 4a/3c: Karroll's Christmas 6a/5c: Once Upon a Christmas 8a/7c: Angel in the Family 2/1c: The Santa Suit 4/3c: Window Wonderland 6/5c: The Christmas Spirit 8/7c: A Bride for Christmas 10/9c: A Boyfriend for Christmas Wednesday, December 18 12a/11c: Christmas With Holly, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame 2a/1c: Once Upon a Christmas 4a/3c: Angel in the Family 6a/5c: It's Christmas, Carol! 8a/7c: The Christmas Spirit 2/1c: A Bride for Christmas 4/3c: A Boyfriend for Christmas 6/5c: Christmas With Holly, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame 8/7c: Hats Off to Christmas! 10/9c: Santa Switch Thursday, December 19 12a/11c: A Season for Miracles, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame 2a/1c: Debbie Macomber's Trading Christmas 4a/3c: It's Christmas, Carol! 6a/5c: Gift of the Magi 8a/7c: A Season for Miracles, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame 2/1c: Lucky Christmas 4/3c: The Wishing Tree 6/5c: Debbie Macomber's Trading Christmas 8/7c: All I Want for Christmas 10/9c: Finding Christmas Friday, December 20 12a/11c: A Christmas Wish 2a/1c: The Christmas Ornament 4a/3c: The Wishing Tree 6a/5c: A Carol Christmas 8a/7c: Lucky Christmas 2/1c: Annie Claus is Coming to Town 4/3c: All I Want for Christmas 6/5c: A Christmas Wish 8/7c: The Christmas Ornament 10/9c: Moonlight & Mistletoe Saturday, December 21 12a/11c: Let it Snow 2a/1c: Annie Claus is Coming to Town 4a/3c: A Carol Christmas 6a/5c: Santa Jr. 8a/7c: The Santa Incident 10a/9c: Moonlight & Mistletoe 12/11c: Hats Off to Christmas! 2/1c: Let it Snow 4/3c: Finding Christmas 6/5c: Fir Crazy 8/7c: The Christmas Blessing 10/9c: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Sunday, December 22 12a/11c: Christmas Magic 2a/1c: Hitched for the Holidays 4a/3c: The Santa Incident 6a/5c: Naughty or Nice (2012) 8a/7c: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year 10a/9c: Fir Crazy 12/11c: Finding Christmas 2/1c: The Christmas Blessing 4/3c: Christmas Magic 6/5c: Naughty or Nice (2012) 8/7c: A Boyfriend for Christmas 10/9c: Hitched for the Holidays

This Week's Countdown to Christmas Schedule on Hallmark Channel

Schedule of Movies and Specials
Check out the complete 2013 schedule of holiday movies and specials from Hallmark Channel. Enjoy our Countdown to Christmas!

Week Five: Monday, December 2 - Sunday, December 8

Monday, December 2
12a/11c: Catch a Christmas Star
2a/1c: An Old-Fashioned Christmas
4a/3c: The Santa Suit
6a/5c: Farewell Mr. Kringle
8a/7c: Gift of the Magi
2/1c: The Christmas Ornament
4/3c: The Santa Suit
6/5c: A Princess for Christmas
8/7c: Farewell Mr. Kringle
10/9c: The Christmas Card

Tuesday, December 3
12a/11c: Gift of the Magi
2a/1c: Love's Christmas Journey Part 1
4a/3c: Love's Christmas Journey Part 2
6a/5c: The Christmas Card
8a/7c: A Christmas Wedding Tail
2/1c: Love's Christmas Journey Part 1
4/3c: Love's Christmas Journey Part 2
6/5c: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
8/7c: Help for the Holidays
10/9c: Hitched for the Holidays

Wednesday, December 4
12a/11c: Snow Bride
2a/1c: A Town Without Christmas
4a/3c: A Christmas Wedding Tail
6a/5c: Help for the Holidays
8a/7c: Once Upon a Christmas
2/1c: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
4/3c: Hitched for the Holidays
6/5c: All I Want for Christmas
8/7c: Snow Bride
10/9c: Fir Crazy

Thursday, December 5
12a/11c: Once Upon a Christmas
2a/1c: Twice Upon a Christmas
4a/3c: Karroll's Christmas
6a/5c: All I Want for Christmas
8a/7c: Fallen Angel, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame
2/1c: Karroll's Christmas
4/3c: Twice Upon a Christmas
6/5c: Moonlight & Mistletoe
8/7c: Let It Snow
10/9c: Window Wonderland

Friday, December 6
12a/11c: Fallen Angel, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame
2a/1c: Christmas Magic
4a/3c: Moonlight & Mistletoe
6a/5c: Lucky Christmas
8a/7c: Santa Jr.
2/1c: Meet the Santas
4/3c: Christmas Magic
6/5c: The Christmas Spirit
8/7c: The Three Gifts
10/9c: Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus

Saturday, December 7
12a/11c: Meet the Santas
2a/1c: Santa Jr.
4a/3c: The Three Gifts
6a/5c: Battle of the Bulbs
8a/7c: Come Dance With Me
10a/9c: Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus
12/11c: Let It Snow
2/1c: The Christmas Spirit
4/3c: Window Wonderland
6/5c: A Very Merry Mix-Up
8/7c: Santa Switch, a Hallmark Channel Original Premiere!
10/9c: Let It Snow

Sunday, December 8
12a/11c: A Season for Miracles, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame
2a/1c: A Very Merry Mix-Up
4a/3c: Christmas Dance
6a/5c: Silver Bells, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame
8a/7c: A Season for Miracles, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame
10a/9c: Jingle All the Way
10:30a/9:30c: Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star
11a/10c: hoops&yoyo Ruin Christmas
11:30a/10:30c: Jingle All the Way
12/11c: Fir Crazy
2/1c: Santa Switch
4/3c: Christmas With Holly, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame