Hallmark Movies-Seasons Of Love

Starring:   Sam Page, Sarah Drew, Amanda Schull Released:  2021 Summary:  After recovering from an illness, a husband and father returns to his late wife's beachside hometown, with his children, to spend summer in her childhood home. Sarah Drew and Sam Page Image:  Crown Media Finally, Some Wonderful Acting! In Hallmark's quest for new talent, they have repeatedly disappointed fans by slapping couples together who don't belong and hiring based on affirmative action rather than acting ability.   One Summer is a welcome relief.  Sam Page, Sarah Drew, and Amanda Schull nail their roles in this movie and take viewers on a very emotional journey through the pain of loss.   One reason this movie stands out among the status quo is because it's based on a novel of the same name by David Baldacci. You may remember Baldacci from his book, The Christmas Train , being made into a Hallmark film back in 2018. After miraculously ...

Starring:  Katie Findlay, Wyatt Nash, and Marshall Williams Released:  2021 (Fall Harvest) Summary:     Maggie is a workaholic who is having marital issues.  She makes a wish for a do-over and time travels to 15 years in the past.  She must choose between staying with her husband or her old boyfriend. Image: Crown Media You Can't Judge a Movie by Its Cover My expectations for this movie were low, solely based on the movie poster and previews.  Katie Findlay, the 31-year-old actress playing the lead, did not seem like Hallmark material.  She struck me as a cross between a vintage Cupid print and Betty Boop. This antique Victorian Cupid print is from 1912. Before she played "Aunt Bethany" in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Mae Questel was Betty Boop. Katie Findlay.  Image: Crown Media I was wrong, and I admit it.  In fact, no other actress on Hallmark's bank roll could have done the part better. Straightening Findlay's hair, ar...

Starring:  Nikki DeLoach, Scott Porter, and Corbin Bernsen Released:  2021 (Fall Harvest) Summary:  A writer looking for a cover story returns to her family's ranch to write an article about an equestrian event.  She rediscovers her passion for riding and her ex-husband.   Samantha and Luke get a second chance at love.  Image: Crown Media Taking The Reins Is The Perfect Movie Title If ever Hallmark picked the perfect title for a movie, it's this one.  Taking the Reins  serves a literal and metaphorical purpose.   On the surface, the idea of  taking the reins  refers to Samantha (DeLoach) and her father (Bernsen) guiding a horse, Rascal, during an equestrian competition.  The concept runs much deeper, however. Why are reins necessary?  Without them, riders would have little, if any, control of their horses.  In the movie, many of the characters are grappling for control and direction in their own lives....