Hallmark Brings a Gift and Coal

         On November 21, 2024 and November 23, 2024, Hallmark Channel premiered two movies that received polar opposite reactions from critics, 'A Novel Noel' and Three Wiser Men and a Boy'. Having personally watched both, I agreed with the critics on both, even though 'A Novel Noel' had the stronger performances in my opinion. 

Credit: @2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Allister Foster

        In 'A Novel Noel', "A NYC book editor takes on a temporary gig running a Maine bookstore. Battling with the owners' son, she rediscovers her passion for nurturing creativity." The ensemble cast includes Brendan Penny and Julie Gonzalo. Maddy Casale of Decider writes, "Julie Gonzalo gives a committed and emotionally open performance as Harper. She’s got an easy charm as Harper that makes you root for her." Adding, "As charming and cute as I find any independent bookstore, including The Book Cabinet, that same charm doesn’t seem to extend to the rest of A Novel Noel. While Julie Gonzalo does her best to carry the film, Harper’s romance with Sawyer doesn’t make for the most riveting or romantic viewing. I’m sorry, but she gives him so much more than he ever gives her. I mean, for Christmas, she got his manuscript PUBLISHED, while all he got her was… an impersonal necklace from the same market he goes to every year. Look, I know that many of us enjoy a good enemies or rivals-to-lovers story (myself included!) but having characters argue and disagree doesn’t automatically equate to romantic tension. In fact, many of those exchanges just made Sawyer come off as a bit of a snob or immature compared to Harper. You’re too good for him, girl! And when he continually teasingly calls you “city girl,” it isn’t as cute as he thinks it is! A Novel Noel also has a bit of an issue with showing versus telling, doing so much more of the latter that it can be hard to fully buy into some of what the movie is selling. For example, we’re told that Sawyer is this gifted writer, but never hear any of his actual work. We just get a brief shot of him clickity-clacking away on a laptop with a focused look on his face and have to assume he’s penning the next great American novel. I’m sure you did, Sawyer, I’m sure you did."

Credit: @2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

        In 'Three Wiser Men and a Boy', "The Brenner brothers are back and putting on a holiday pageant for young Thomas, while trying to cope with life's curveballs, including their mom's new boyfriend." The ensemble cast includes Andrew W. Walker, Paul Campbell, and Tyler Hynes. Fortunately, this film received rave reviews from critics, much like the first film in the series that united the three Hallmark fan favorites in one film for the first time. Movieguide writes, "THREE WISER MEN AND A BOY is a hilarious Christmas comedy on the Hallmark Channel. A sequel to THREE WISER MEN AND A BABY, the movie follows three brothers, Luke, Stephan and Taylor. They work to help Luke’s son put on a school Christmas play. Complicating matters is their mother’s new boyfriend, Roy, a pastor. The brothers aren’t taking it well. They resent Roy for invading their family’s Christmas traditions. Producing the Christmas play develops some big problems. A small school fire endangers the whole production. Can the brothers save the play and figure out how to coexist with their mom’s boyfriend in time for Christmas? THREE WISER MEN AND A BOY has high production values. The script is funny and heartfelt. The three lead actors give wonderful comedic performances. THREE WISER MEN AND A BOY has a strong moral worldview with positive references to Christmas. It stresses kindness, strong relationships with family and friends, and forgiveness. THREE WISER MEN AND A BOY has no violence, foul language or crude content. So, it’s suitable for nearly all ages." Adding, "The three lead actors, Andrew W. Walker, Tyler Hynes and Paul Campbell, deliver perfect comical performances. The movie’s humor is balanced with its emotional message of appreciating family, new and old, showing kindness, and forgiving other people." 

'Jingle Bell Run' Reviews: "In this case, a holiday reality TV racing competition that takes place in real time right before Christmas is definitely something I’d watch"

         On November 16, 2024, Hallmark Channel released 'Jingle Bell Run', which has received rave reviews from critics. In the film, "Self-described bookworm Avery is paired with retired hockey star Wes to compete in a holiday race across America. The team struggles through themed challenges until romance runs its course." The ensemble cast includes Andrew W. Walker, Ashley Williams, Jinjara Mitchell, and Michelle Brezinski. But what did the critics say?

Credit: @2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Allister Foster

        Liz Kocan of Decider says, "Obviously they hate each other… at first. But then, as they travel by map all over the country, solving puzzles and racing to their next challenge, they begin to grow on each other. She’s the brains, he’s the brawn, and over time, they begin to share more of themselves with each other and form a bond. But when a producer asks Wes – behind Avery’s back – to play up a romance angle to hook more viewers in to the show, he obliges because, let’s not forget why he got into this, for the eyeballs." Adding, "Jingle Bell Run cleverly combines the reality TV show confessional with a rom-com, so we’re not only watching a movie version of events, but the reality show version, too. The show also introduces us to a few of the other competing couples, including an older woman named Shirley and her partner Katie, and Ramon and Brad, who were all strangers when they joined the show, but who have developed close relationships with each other with every passing challenge. By the end, it almost seems unnecessary for Avery and Wes to win, because the movie has us rooting for everyone. (Avery and Wes do win though, but ultimately they give some of their winnings to each of their competitors because that’s just the vibe they’re giving out.) While I don’t necessarily need a competitive aspect to my holiday films, there’s something really fun when movies like this introduce a concept that I wish existed in real life. In this case, a holiday reality TV racing competition that takes place in real time right before Christmas is definitely something I’d watch. (Similarly, in the recently released ‘Twas the Date Before Christmas, that movie prominently features a Christmas Day “Family Christmas Olympics,” which sounds incredible… if anyone in my family had the time or energy to execute such a thing.) That a reality TV competition is the construct around which the whole premise is based is a really fun way to bring a group of characters together and help each other find the true meaning of Christmas and all that good stuff." 

Movies that Deserved Better: 'Christmas Island' (2023)

         On November 11, 2023, Hallmark Channel premiered 'Christmas Island' as part of it's largest grouping of holiday film offerings to date. Unfortunately, with such a large amount of offerings it seemingly has slipped through the cracks despite being one of the best holiday films from the family friendly network. In the film, "When a snowstorm diverts Kate's first private flight to Christmas Island, she must team up with an air traffic controller to secure her dream job as the family's pilot." The ensemble cast includes Rachel Skarsten, Andrew W. Walker, Kate Drummond, and Jefferson Brown. But what did the critics say?

        Gissane Sophia of Marvelous Geeks Media notes, "In order to fully invest in and enjoy Hallmark’s Christmas Island, viewers must first suspend disbelief and omit asking questions. The logistics here don’t matter. Yes, it’s all conveniently working out in favor of this couple because it’s a Christmas movie, and that’s how it needs to happen. In some cases, Hallmark movies try mapping more out, but here it just feels like they gave all the chemistry to the actors and told them to go running. (We can maybe blame the strikes. Maybe. I’m not sure.) That said, Christmas Island is indeed one of the year’s better films so far." Adding, "The film takes a charming turn halfway through when Oliver proves to be peak boyfriend material and switches his snark for kindness, resulting in a lovely little date and moments of vulnerability with so much heart that only Andrew Walker could pull it off at this point. The chemistry starts to sizzle into something delightfully dorky, making it easy for viewers to find themselves grinning from ear to ear despite how saccharine everything gets."

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

       Maddy Casale of Decider says, "While I think Rachel Skarsten did a great job bringing genuine emotion and charm to her lead role as Kate Gabriel, for me, the scene stealer was ultimately Lincoln MacNeil as Finn Sharpe. Every time he was onscreen, he did something or had some sassy little quip that made me laugh and felt so natural I almost wondered if it was ad-libbed. One of my favorite scenes from the whole movie is just a brief shot of him through a window where he’s in front of what appears to be a green screen background trying to catch fake snow on his tongue. He’s just so committed to the task, how could anyone not be delighted?" Continuing, "STREAM IT. While you can expect a certain amount of cheesiness with any Hallmark movie, Christmas Island has enough charm and original touches to make for an entertaining viewing experience this holiday season."