weniwuna's Reviews

Holiday Road (2023 TV Movie)

10/10

6 February 2024

I can't remember the last time I rated a Hallmark movie at 10. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed quite a few Hallmark movies, but those of us who have watched more than 5 will probably put together that the beginning, middle and end are all quite predictable. Actually, that's usually why I watch them when I watch them. If I'm just exhausted and stressed and don't want to think too hard, It's nice to watch some thing that you know will have a happy ending, albeit very very quick! Usually a kiss, then panning out, then it's over.

That's what was such a wonderful surprise about watching this movie. There were multiple characters with multiple storylines. You never really knew how any of them would end, at least specifically. It was a different premise than usual, and certainly had quite a few unpredictable moments.

That's all I really want to say, or I will be getting into spoilers. I think it's best if you enjoy this movie without knowing any more details. As a matter fact, I didn't even watch the trailer and I would probably suggest the same because they usually throw too much in it and then there's no surprise whatsoever. So have a happy, merry, and unexpected time!

0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Love Advisor (2023 TV Movie)

5/10

I really wanted to.rate this higher

22 January 2024

I had absolutely no problem with the storyline, and honestly, most of the actors were very good and believable. However, I feel maybe I should be writing this to the movie's director. I don't understand how you could let the woman who played Abby's boss be so extremely one dimensional and typecast. The fact that everyone else was trying to be authentic and worked on their character's desires and personalities made her stand out so much more obviously fake. And because she was featured in most of the scenes in the film made it much harder to watch. There are ways to play a difficult, demanding, phony, and unappreciative boss without being so over the top that it ruins any possibility in believing the character. Too bad. With the right actress or direction, it might've been a very nice piece.

2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Love in Wolf Creek (2022 TV Movie)

5/10

Quite a yawn

20 January 2024

If this movie lasted an hour, I may have been able to give it a much higher rating. But it was beyond slow, and so extremely predictable. And I'm not just talking about the love story. Hallmark and Up movies always have predictable stories, where you know that the two main characters are going to fall in love, but that isn't what bothers me about this film. Because it dragged so extremely slowly, without much happening, and the characters were so black and white in there good and evilness, it was clear within the first 15 minutes how the whole thing would play out.

And actually, I only watched the entire movie, because the theme was one that was important to me - caring for animals. I work at a domestic animal sanctuary, so I was really hoping for some warmth and may be more of a complex storyline. It made me sad that they could've done so much more here to bring awareness to the need for animal rights and care.

0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Silver Bells (2013 Video)

8/10

An uplifting holiday movie!

10 December 2023

After reading most of the other reviews, I really felt compelled to write my own. I love watching movies this time of year because they can reach all people. I happen to be Jewish, and I appreciate that in the last couple years, there have been some Hanukkah movies, or Hanukkah/Christmas movies sprinkled in. But what this film had in its favor was the message of love and giving. We are living in very troubling times where people are being more torn apart due to religious views, among other things. When I watch the Christmas movies, it usually is about a couple eventually in love at Christmas time, not religion. I did not at all think of this is a movie for the Salvation Army. But why not? The Salvation Army is about giving to the masses, giving to those in need. Christ was a Jew, and my family has always celebrated Judeo-Christian values. But not in an in-your-face way! We were taught about unity and family and love. This film focused on a man without that understanding, and the Salvation Army was simply one way to showing sacrifice, and the important message of giving and caring for others apart from yourself. I thought the acting was good and I thought the message was perfect for these troubling times.

1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Christmas Next Door (2017 TV Movie)

4/10

The director was clueless

2 November 2023

I am so tired of watching Hallmark movies that have potential except the Director doesn't even bother to do any research. I read one of the reviews here that commented in discuss about how many people are complaining about the fake violin playing. They said something like "it's a movie not a documentary"! The lead character is a TEACHER of violin. Early in the movie her sister is playing piano in a restaurant, and she is accompanying her on the violin. She is playing a very, very famous piece of music and clearly the notes move. So why did not one single person in the cast, or the crew, or especially the Director tell the leading lady that you can't hold the violin tightly and not move your fingers. At all! It's worth watching 12 minutes of the movie to just see how ridiculous this is. And on top of that, her sister wants her to audition for the orchestra! I assume she does this, but I have seen so many Hallmark movies so far where they are playing instruments at some point, and no one even clearly watches ONE video to see that people move their fingers when they play a violin. No, i'm not saying she needed to study the peace completely and work with a teacher, etc. For the majority of the audience, she probably just could have moved her fingers around up and down, and no one would've noticed. But this has happened in so many movies that I can't even watch the rest of this. And the only one other time have I stopped watching a Hallmark movie!

2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

My Southern Family Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

6/10

Interesting stories it keeps you wanting to see what happens

16 September 2023

I really enjoyed the new take on a Christmas movie here for Hallmark! There was no looking for love, or finding love, or running into an old love, as in every other Hallmark movie. At least not in the typical sense. And that's what made it interesting for me. Waiting until almost the very end to reveal the secret made you wonder throughout the movie how it was going to happen. Like another review here, I really appreciated that they didn't use fake Cajun accents, or attempted Cajun accents, which are quite difficult to do accurately. I lived in Louisiana for 12 years, and so I would immediately have hooked onto a bad accent, which would have definitely had me turning off the TV, as it would have been like hearing nails on a chalkboard.

The only things that I wish the Director would have done is to have pulled out more range from the lead female actress. She was very one note in her emotions. The dialogue may have shown anger or frustration, but her face never did. And the only thing that revealed her happiness was a smile. But all smiles were the same! And also the love connection was either edited way, way back in the final screenplay, or didn't happen at all. These two people who barely said two words to each other, and maybe spend 20 minutes together were in love? There should've been a rewrite for that part for sure.

1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Make Me a Match (2023 TV Movie)

7/10

A 5.5 that became a 7

5 July 2023

I really do wish that they had half scores here, such as 7 1/2 or 8 1/2. As I wrote in the title, this movie started out very middle of the road. I felt the lead actress came across as though she just got the script and was "acting" rather than being true to the character. Slowly, but surely, as the movie went on, I found myself becoming involved and caring about the characters. As in most romcoms, you know who is going to end up with whom, but it was not until the last half of the movie that you could see the reasons. The script became more specific, as well as the acting becoming more believable. I really liked the fact that her parent's marriage, without being a spoiler here, ended up the way it did. Things like this portion of the movie, and the details in delving deeper into characters, made it worth watching until the end.

5 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Autumn in the City (2022 TV Movie)

8/10

Much better than the usual!

20 January 2023

I am very surprised at the overall low ratings! Hallmark movies have a special part in my life, in the sense that they are the go-to movies I will turn on when I am feeling overwhelmed, and just need a bit of a lift. Also, if I want nothing complicated. Almost all of the Hallmark movies I have encountered have pretty much, the same idea, but with a bit of a different storyline. For example, all Christmas movies have a tree lighting, a Christmas market, somebody who hasn't been home for Christmas in a very long time, but finds themselves there. You get the idea. But even when it's not Christmas themed, somebody ends up usually in a very small town and are either getting away from something or have a strong purpose and meet up with someone who is the very person who is trying to stop them from achieving their goal. Of course, these are the two that end up together in the end, but not without a misunderstanding right before the final few minutes. Then it ends in a kiss which pans out quickly. The end.

But surprisingly this movie takes place in New York City, far from a small town! And even though you get the idea who's gonna end up with whom, it's still fun to be along for the ride. Also, there is no misunderstanding or a big fight, and even though things work out in the end, they don't have a random kiss out of nowhere, and then the movie is immediately over. Rather they skip to the following year, even briefly, so you feel that there is an actual ending to the movie that doesn't come out of nowhere. I thought the female lead was wonderful in her role, and I believed the growth of the relationship. A nice treat!

1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

1899 (2022)

10/10

Completely fascinating!!

8 January 2023

I am so very confused at the negative reviews I see here! I almost never rate shows a 10. I was hooked from the beginning and kept getting pulled in deeper and deeper. The mystery grows stronger and stranger with each episode, and unlike some shows, you have no idea what is really going on, even though you aren't confused. I hope that makes sense. And that child? What an amazing face! Is he good/evil/the most evil? I feel the casting is brilliant all around, and I honestly can't remember when I've seen anything more creative since Lost. It's eerie, strange and wonderful. What a worthwhile experience.

5 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Bliss (I) (2021)

8/10

Sooo glad I didn't remember the movie description!

28 December 2022

I always intentionally watch a movie months after I see the trailer. Why? Because they show so much more than needs to be seen. Its basically watching spoiler after spoiler after spoiler. I guess I'm lucky that I have a very short memory so it doesn't ruin it for me when I actually end up seeing the film!

In this case, I was shocked afterwards to read the description on both IMDb and prime video, that they summarize the ENTIRE movie. The film was extremely unique, and the actors were wonderful to see in such unusual rolls. There were many surprises and unanswered questions, that is, unless you read the synopsis first!

1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Fly Away with Me (2022 TV Movie)

7/10

Almost an 8, but...

28 October 2022

Because the acting was quite good, I overlooked the fact that the plot was probably not very likely in reality. The leads were really fun to watch and see the slow progression of their relationship. However, when the female lead felt betrayed by a situation that could not have been helped without the male lead being put in a terrible position, I actually said out loud, "You've got to be kidding!" I don't know why almost ALL Hallmark movies seem to need a major misunderstanding or disagreement between the lead couple. You would think with some imagination the writers could developed their relationship in a more interesting way so that all the movies aren't alike with this same plot twist. So I'm sorry to say that what I was enjoying really let me down.

1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Fishing for Love (2021 TV Movie)

6/10

What??

17 January 2022

Warning: Spoilers

I was completely on my way to give this an 8. I thought the lead female was completely enjoyable in the scenes all the way through, as was her dad. Her brother came across like he needs more acting experience I hate to say. Everything from him was over the top. But that wasn't the problem for me.

I was thrilled to actually see Kendall and Zach hit it off right from the start instead of typically what happens in these movies, where they argue with each other most of the time and in the last 16th of the movie decide to spend their lives together. But then when Kendall and her dad are taking a walk past their boat, they see Zack and overhear him talking to the man who wants to chop the boat up and sell it for parts. This was the beginning of a number of things that went wrong for me. First of all it was so poorly written I had to rewind it to see why the father just took this so lightly knowing how strongly his daughter felt and what she went through to help Zack. He was so extremely blasé about it. At the end when Kendall finds out that Zack not only helped her brother and in the process hurt his own recipe, it didn't even occur to her to see all the good things he has done for other people and for her making that anchor which was so important to her becoming unstuck with her new client. So although I understand her not wanting to say goodbye to him, I can't imagine that she wouldn't of at least written a note about her anger but also recognizing how he helped the town.

The worst however which really dragged my score down to a 6 was when she goes to say goodbye to her father and sees Zack with him. Her dad explains that it was a misunderstanding and Zack was actually trying to fix the boat. She cared deeply about this man from the start. Where was her apology??? I blame the editing and the writing, but couldn't go beyond a 6 even though much of it was enjoyable. It sped up and took too much of a detour throughout most of the end.

6 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Mistletoe Magic (2019 TV Movie)

5/10

I guess I blame the director

6 January 2022

I watch a lot of Hallmark movies, as well as movies on the UP TV channel, which are very much the same. Even though most of the time they are predictable, when I'm not in the best of moods or I just want to relax and not think too much, they still make me smile. However as much as I usually enjoy them, here I had one major problem - The two leads were quite believable in their roles, but all of the other minor characters were so over-the-top it was like their bodies were on helium. The super annoying neighbor, the aunt, the sister, the lovebirds at the Christmas tree shop, etc. It was like bad acting 101. There was nothing believable the way they interpreted the script and I don't understand why the Director didn't pause and ask them to re-read their lines as though they were honestly happy or honestly in love, and not playing a caricature. I really have never seen one of these similar movies that was so painful to watch the cartoon going on. But like I said, the lead characters were very good, and the storyline kept me watching. I was split down the middle so I gave it five stars.

2 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

12 Days of Giving (2017 TV Movie)

6/10

Many positives, many negatives

25 December 2021

The main message of this movie is about giving selflessly. And it comes about so automatically that I think it's a wonderful thing to remember all year round, not just Christmas. However the script leaves much to be desired. I don't want to use details that would be spoilers, but a little boy blackmails, and he does so repeatedly without this seeming in anyway to be the wrong thing to do. A man takes secret pictures of people without them knowing it which is a bit creepy considering who he is. It never does say whether he's going to suddenly post them or if it's just for his own benefit, but either way it just felt off. And the pace could've been more uplifting in spirit rather than so low-key considering the positive all-around message. So I had definitely mixed feelings. I wish this was remade in a different way because I think it is a great idea, but it just needed to be handled differently.

3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Christmas at Castle Hart (2021 TV Movie)

8/10

I loved it!

20 December 2021

I have to say that I don't understand why everyone had so much difficulty with the sister when I read the reviews! I thought she was absolutely charming and actually looked her up on IMDb to see what else I could see her in. Unfortunately, she hasn't done anything that I can watch in this country. But I thought she was quirky and adorable and not just the typical Hallmark dull side kick. Usually, a secondary character simply highlights the lead and doesn't have much going on. I really did think that she was the best part of this and made me want to keep watching. I thought it was a storyline that kept you watching because I really wanted to see how they were going to pull the whole thing off! No spoilers here, but I truly felt uplifted at the end. I just wish every Hallmark movie didn't end with a kiss and then abruptly have the credits roll. Every. Single. Movie. Why can't they show a little bit more of what happens between the characters?

12 out of 17 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Runaway Romance (2018 TV Movie)

7/10

Unique, but it ended without telling the whole story!

22 July 2021

I really enjoyed this movie the entire way through. But the reason I couldn't give it a higher rating is because it wasn't resolved completely. Without spoiling anything, there is a secondary storyline that is completely left up in the air. What happens to the secondary character and her hopes and dreams? They say they are going to fix it, and everything will work out because the lead character has a plan. But as in all Hallmarkor Up movies, after the kiss, the story and the film ends abruptly and you never know What happened to the very important secondary character and her life. She is so likable and such a major part all the way through that I was so disappointed! I will have to read other reviews and see if this bothered anyone else, or if they were just so happy with the lead characters story that it didn't occur to them when they wrote their review.

10 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

You Had Me at Aloha (2021 TV Movie)

9/10

Very enjoyable

6 June 2021

There is a Hallmark series that I watch and the two leads here are in that program. I guess it wasn't a surprise that the chemistry and ease of acting together was superb. So often I will watch a Hallmark movie that has at least one character that seems to have just been dropped right into the cast without a lot of acting experience. It becomes very distracting. I guess the main thing I enjoyed about this movie was that I could just watch it from beginning to end and believe it! Throughout, there were a lot of comic elements in the script, and that's what made it a very enjoyable romcom as well. I highly recommend it for a low stress, fun watch!

13 out of 20 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Right in Front of Me (2021 TV Movie)

8/10

Chemistry anyone?!

25 April 2021

I've been watching Hallmark movies for a long time. They really are feel-good films. Sometimes the romance works, and sometimes I just have to give into it. But in this case there was quite a lot of heat coming from the two lead characters! Right from the start. It was like watching a real romance unfold. Nothing was in your face or forced, just very natural and simmering. If they aren't a real couple, then big props to these two marvelous actors!

22 out of 26 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

A Love to Remember (2021 TV Movie)

8/10

Why all the bad reviews??

21 April 2021

Do any of you watch Hallmark??? Almost every movie is predictable in that you know right from the start that somehow these two people are going to end up together, whoever that couple is. It's the journey and imagination that makes it enjoyable. Someone said the lead actress was annoying, but I thought she was absolutely quirky adorable. Someone else said there was no chemistry, but I disagree. Yes, the premise was stolen to some degree from a Sandra Bullock movie. However what happened and how deeply she got her self into the mess and why was not the same. The only thing that bothers me, and it always bothers me in these TV romcoms, is when the two people get together finally after two hours, they kiss and the movie is abruptly over. It would be nice to see a little bit more of what happens next. Even five minutes more! But as soon as there is a kiss, the movie end. That being said, I still recommend it.

14 out of 17 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Good Liar (2019)

6/10

The trailer ruined it!

12 February 2021

Warning: Spoilers

I saw the trailer for this movie a year ago and was very excited as it was playing because of the brilliant cast. However they absolutely told you what the twist was, and I remembered because it left nothing to the imagination! I don't know Who decides these things but it happens all the time. You watch a trailer and it tells you the entire movie down to the last 10 minutes, which is with the did. Personally I would've been very wrapped up in the film had I not seen that, and then when it turns out that she is playing him as well in her own scheme I would've been so shocked and so very happy that she got the revenge that she deserved. I watched the movie tonight, a year later, and afterwords went back to see the trailer again. I was even more disgusted because I realized that even though so much time has gone by since I first saw the trailer, it was such a blatant exposure things that didn't happen until the END of the movie I had to write this. 9 for acting chops, 0 for a destroyed plot. Shame on the producers.

0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Project Christmas Wish (2020 TV Movie)

9/10

Surprisingly wonderful film!

3 February 2021

I saw the trailer for this on Hallmark and it just looked like a cookie-cutter version of so many of their films. I do enjoy Hallmark movies very much but I save them for when I just need to watch some thing that is not going to be upsetting if I'm in a bad mood, since they are a usually sugary and safe. I DVRed it anyway and pretty much forgot about it until last night. I was completely surprised at how very warm and realistic it was right from the start. I really wanted to see how things would turn out, and was most thrilled that unlike any hallmark movie I've seen, the first kiss didn't end with rolling credits!! I'm not going to add a spoiler and say what did happen, but it was such a pleasant surprise to see the movie continue for about 20 or 30 minutes after that first kiss. It made me become even more invested in the characters, and I look forward to watching it again if they repeat it next year!

14 out of 16 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Picture a Perfect Christmas (2019 TV Movie)

7/10

Could have been more perfect

30 January 2021

I truly enjoyed the story of the movie. Unlike most Hallmark scripts, there was no tree lighting ceremony, and no love story that had a big misunderstanding towards the end where everyone is angry with each other, and then get back together with a kiss which ends the movie! So I completely appreciated the deviation from the norm. However, the leading man and nephew had not too long ago gone through an extremely difficult time. David has many dimensions and his nephew does as well, but Sophie just didn't cut it for me. She has one level - smiling. Her grandmother tells her the story of what her neighbors have gone through and Sophie listens and smiles. It is not a happy story, and even when David talks to her about how his nephew came into his life Sophie, you guessed it, smiles. It's the oddest reaction to me and it is not until about 15 minutes before the end that she actually keeps a straight face when he pours his heart out to her again, but there is no emotion! I would've given it a lower rating, but I feel that all the characters in this movie acted top notch and we're very believable. The fact that Sophie was so miscast is why I couldn't give it a higher rating.

2 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Call Me Kat (2021–2023)

7/10

Look forward to this each week!

29 January 2021

First of all, I never saw what apparently was the original show "Miranda". And I know it is probably difficult to fall in love with a TV show based on one that you've watched and loved. But I think this is absolutely adorable, and perfect for getting through 2020 and still finding no end in sight. It's a very original promise, and I think that each of the actors are very clever, funny, and very natural! I don't need another murder mystery or hospital show thank you. What I need is a pleasant escape with a unique premise. I didn't know it was a remake until I read other reviews. I adored LOST, and can't imagine watching a remake with different characters. And it would be very unfair for me to compare them because it wouldn't be possible. Enjoy it for what it is people! A really wonderful ensemble cast having a good time and making the audience feel good.

18 out of 30 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

A Bramble House Christmas (2017 TV Movie)

9/10

The right kind of Christmas movie

14 January 2021

I watch a lot of Hallmark movies, especially these days which I called the Covid days. It's always a great escape. However, sometimes they are very formulaic and it can seem very repetitive, with just a different cast. I think what this movie had that put it in a higher category was a great deal of heart (no pun intended)! I often care for the characters but these definitely stood out. The female lead had a very detailed backstory which was hinted at but never exposed for quite a while. This really held my interest. And the male lead, who wanted to get to know her for his own angry and personal reasons was able to let them go slowly but surely. He also had a more in-depth backstory that you didn't find out about for quite some time. It really made you want to know these people so much more the way the script played out. Plus the acting was very believable, and the rest of the cast was fun to get to know. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would have no problem recommending it to someone else, even if they are not a typical Hallmark fan!

1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Taking a Shot at Love (2021 TV Movie)

9/10

Major Chemistry!

9 January 2021

I love watching Hallmark movies, even though in most you can pretty much figure out early on what's going to happen and who's going to end up with whom. I've seen a couple movies with the actress who played Jenna, and both were with her real life husband. They just didn't remain memorable in the least. It seemed to me that she and MacFarlane had so much more believable chemistry in this movie then quite a few couples I've seen in other Hallmark movies! Their relationship grew at a good pace, a natural seeming pace, and it made me wish this was a series rather than just a two hour film. I liked what they were able to teach each other and become better people because of it. Thoroughly enjoyable!!

26 out of 28 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

weniwuna

Reviews

Tell Your Friends

Recently Viewed