Hallmark Movies-Seasons Of Love

Starring:   Erin Cahill and Brendan Penny Released:   2020 Summary:   A small-town baker receives the surprise of her life when she gets an opportunity to compete on a Valentine's Day baking show in New York City. Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC Movie Based on Nancy Naigle's Novel Nancy Naigle is the newest incarnation of Hallmark, following the trail of blazing love already hewn by Debbie Macomber and Karen Kingsbury. You might recognize Naigle's name as the author behind the  Christmas in Evergreen   books, which she novelized based on the original Hallmark movies. How does this author handle writing things in reverse?  It seems a little backwards for the movie to come first and then the book.  In an interview with Hallmark's  Home & Family,  Naigle shares that it takes her just as long to write the book based on the movie than it does starting her own novel from scratch! Watch her interview on penning  Christmas in Evergreen :      In addition to  The Secr

Starring:  Taylor Cole and Ryan Paevey Released:  2019 Summary:  As Valentine's Day gets closer, a matchmaker receives a task from her mentor to match an entrepreneur who believes that staying single is the key to success. Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC Would You Use A Matchmaker? Wouldn't it be interesting for you and your spouse to fill out a questionnaire, feed your responses into a computer, and then discover what percentage an algorithm spits out on your compatibility? Maybe it's best not to know.   If you are single, would you consider using a matchmaker, or would that feel too forced and unnatural?   Tons of websites exist to help you meet someone without leaving it up to chance or waiting for prayers to be answered.  Research shows, however, that people who meet online are more likely to break up within their first year, plus they are more likely to get divorced, compared to those who meet face-to-face. Your demographic and the s

Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC Starring:  Bethany Joy Lenz and Luke MacFarlane Released:  2020 Summary:  A woman gets fired from her job as a reality TV host and heads back home for Valentine's Day, but she finds herself in charge of the town festival's auction. Have You Ever Been Fired? If you've ever been fired from your job, this movie may open an old wound.  The ratings are down for Natalie Simmons' (Lenz) reality show, so she is axed minutes into the movie.  The reason?  She has lost her " authenticity " and her " oomph ." She loves her job, so what's the problem?  She jumps into her career with fresh ideas and gusto, but under the pressure and demand for ratings and pleasing the audience, she loses her originality and finds herself going through the motions. Is your heart in your job?   If it is, you undoubtedly head to work with a spring in your step, determined to do your best every day to make a differen

Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC Starring:  Kristy Swanson and Dean Cain Released:  2018 Summary:  When a teenage downhill skier asks a former champion for help, the past winner-turned-coach gains new passion for the sport and a budding romance. Don't you love when Hallmark movies feature veteran actors you've seen in prominent programs? Did you place Kristy Swanson?  She played Simone in Ferris Buehler's Day Off, Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer , and Marlowe in the TV series Psych.   Although Dean Cain has been in over 100 movies, including several for Hallmark, he will always be best known as Superman from the 1990's series, Lois & Clark:  The New Adventures of Superman.  Despite his 54th birthday being just around the corner, he's still as handsome as ever.                                                  The Pain of Defeat Kat Miller (Swanson) is a former ski champion who has happily resigned herself to working in her father'

Love On Iceland Plot Summary    A woman running low on inspiration for her job decides to get her college travel group back together, and they take a trip to Iceland. Starring :  Kaitlin Doubleday and Colin Donnell (2020) Image:  Crown Media Do You Have Wanderlust? Wanderlust is defined as a strong desire to travel. Does that describe you? People create bucket lists of vacation destinations.  For some, the goal might be to visit all 50 states in the U.S.A.  Others delight in discovering new cultures and prefer international travel.  If you pine for salt life, you might map out the world's best beaches for future getaways. People with wanderlust are always dreaming about their next adventure.  They would rather be anywhere other than home. Then there are those of us who would rather be home than anywhere.  Home is a peaceful escape from the rest of the world.  At home, you don't deal with long lines, layovers, bed bugs, language barriers, unpronounceable f

Starring:   Italia Ricci and Chad Michael Murray Released:   2020 Summary:   A woman is a final contestant on a dating show, but she realizes she must face her high school sweetheart after getting selected for the Hometown Date. My rating:   3/5 Snowflakes ❄❄❄ Love in Winterland is a fun story about a reality dating show.  Since reality programming is big business, Hallmark is smart to tap the vein. Image:  Crown Media The Interrogation Ally Wilson (Italia Ricci) participates in Hallmark's version of The Bachelor , but it's just a publicity stunt for the hotel for which she works.  Its success lands her a promotion, and she's surprised how many boxes Tanner Dillon (Jack Turner) manages to check from her list of ideal mate qualities.  Personally, I'm a sucker for an English accent, even if he does have two first names. Ally's dad, Tom, isn't convinced.  He says Tanner is P.O.P.--Perfect on Paper . Tanner is an entrepreneur (usually meaning without sta

You don't have to like winter to love Hallmark's Winterfest.  Despite the nip in the air, our leading lady never gives her man the cold shoulder, nor does he ever dismiss her as a flake .  They fall in love in three seconds, and we are snow happy if the final lip lock melts thick ice. Image:  Crown Media, LLC What Do You Love Most About Winter? Don't you dare say, when it's over! In Winter in Vail , Lacey Chabert's character is fascinated by all the stars that are visible in the night sky--they are so clear, unlike in Los Angeles where the city lights make them impossible to see. Her uncle's chalet is off the beaten path and insulated with snow.  She marvels at the absolute quiet. Quiet --that's one of my favorite things about winter.  If you live in a warm climate, you may never get the chance to notice it. The birds aren't singing.  An orchestra of mowers isn't playing.  Leaf blowers aren't whirring.  The joyful s

Starring:   Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes Released:   2020 Summary:   A woman inherits a house in Vail, Colorado, and soon stumbles across a man she develops a connection with, and together, the two of them put on a festival. My Rating:   5/5 Snowflakes ❄❄❄❄❄ Image:  Crown Media Change of Pace If you gorged on Hallmark Christmas movies for the last two months and have seen enough tree lightings, cookie baking, and gingerbread houses to last you until Christmas in July, then Winter in Vail is a refreshing change of pace. Even though Hallmark still includes hot chocolate, ice skating, and a carriage ride, something unique is added to the mix--a gondola ride up a mountain and then snow tubing back down it.  In lieu of perfectly decorated cut-out cookies, our love birds make a strudel together.       It might be the typical story of a girl from the big city escaping to a small town and finding romance that is sealed with a kiss at the end, but devout Hallmarkies not