Rock N Roll Christmas

Rockin, Rollin, and Family

Rock And Roll Christmas
Network: UPTV
Year: 2019
Starring: Beverly Mitchell, Catherine Mary Stewart, David Pinard, Michael Dickson


Summary: 
Ashlyn and Bonnie Rose are a mother/daughter duet that haven't seen each other in 10 years but with the help of their manager (Michael Dickson) they are flung back together for a reunion - and a chance at forgiveness and restoration. But these two ladies have their issues, and adding a romance with a certain songwriter (David Pinard) doesn't make Bonnie any happier. 
Can these two forget the past, face each other, forgive --- and at the very least, come together to make music again? 

I wasn't too keen on this movie based on the trailer, it looked like it could be cheesy. TOTALLY WASN'T!

Sometimes I think I confuse cheesy with emotional. Maybe because it can be uncomfortable. Ever feel that way?

Emotions can't be your whole life though, they aren't reliable. How many times have you thought you left the garage door open and spent the whole day at work slightly panicked until you finally (and speedily) pulled into the drive way to see ... that you had indeed closed the garage door. Your feelings freaked you out, and they were wrong.

At the realization that the movie starts with a duo concert that neither one of the duo are aware it's in fact a duet, that got my interest. When my sister saw the romantic lead played by handsome David Pinard, that got her interest.

There will be times you want to shake Ashlyn's mom but keep in mind she's probably acting this way for a reason, right? She also gets a love interest and it's very cute, and irritating because this guy has been love with her for like 22 years! And she barely has a clue. How much does he need to do for her? (He even asks this question, which is so fantastic!)

Beverly Mitchell and Catherine Mary Stewart have great mother-daughter chemistry, you forget that these two are acting - and it's believable they are musicians. I wish they had picked a few different songs because since it is Christmas time we are hearing a lot of the same songs (I love Christmas songs! But having them sing classic songs kind of slowed their music scenes down, I felt like it wasn't a different take. Thankfully near the end they write their own song). 

The ending seemed cut short, definitely would've liked more but all in all, this is a good movie. It is about mothers and daughters, forgiveness, love and Christmas. 

I give this movie ... 8 out of 10. It has a 6.1 out of 10 on IMDB, I couldn't pull it up on Amazon as of yet. To me this is a movie I'd watch again. 

What about you? Did this mother-daughter relationship cause a stir in your emotions? Are you amazed at Bret's patience? 

Happy Finding, Happy Found

The Secret Romantic 

The Nine Lives of Christmas

A Film Even Dog Lovers Will Enjoy

(Unless you really don't like cats.)

The Nine Lives of Christmas
Network: Hallmark
Year: 2014
Starring: Kimberly Sustad, Brandon Routh


Summary:

Zachary (Brandon Routh) is a committed bachelor that gets stuck with a rescued cat. On his way to get cat food, he meets Marilee (Kimberly Sustad), a soon-to-be vet that believes in true love but only after graduation. It's obvious these two spark a connection, but a mean girlfriend isn't the only thing hindering their potential romance ... can Zach commit? 

Marilee, to me, is somewhat of a Meg Ryan - quirky, relatable and says what she thinks (by accident of course, which adds to the humor. She blurts about his warm eyes!) and every time she's in a scene you want to know what she's going to do (or say) next, because you know you're gonna laugh. From the get-go (did anyone else think it was pronounced gecko?) this movie is enjoyable to watch, and I want a sequel!

With the pressure of her sister wanting her to get a boyfriend, Marilee lies about dating a fireman (*cough* Zach) and she says this while he's in the same restaurant as she! 

Kimberly Sustad, please do another role like this one!

*Warning* you may want to get the claws out for Zachary’s model girlfriend – she is so mean! Take deep breaths … things get better.

Zach is interested in Marilee but he knows that she’s for true love and marriage, which goes against his bachelor lifestyle (just wait till you hear what he describes dating as). He’s a little hard to read at times but he’s likeable and really cares for Marilee – though it takes him time to unravel his feelings. Plus, she’s got this whole plan that she’s not gonna get into a relationship until after she graduates veterinary school.  

This movie is a surprise roller-coaster – so hop on board. Whether you’re a designated dog person or neutral Nellie, if you’ve got a romantic bone in your body, you will enjoy this movie. To be honest (and don’t throw a stone) I didn’t think I’d like this movie so much because of the title but I was wrong. It is one to keep around.

I give this movie 10 of 10!! 

It currently has a 7.2 out of 10 on IMDB, and a 4.9 out of 5 on Amazon -- and this is from 592 reviews! Come on Romantics, you gotta check this one out.

How about you? After watching this movie, is Marilee a Meg Ryan-type to you? How would you feel if a guy like Zach took interest in you yet kept pulling back to his bachelor lifestyle? And who is ready for that sequel? (It's been five years!)

Happy Finding, Happy Found

The Secret Romantic 

A Very Nutty Christmas

Surprisingly Delightful 

A Very Nutty Christmas

Network: Lifetime 

Year: 2018

Starring: Melissa Joan Hart, Barry Watson

Summary: 

Kate Holiday (Melissa Joan Hart) is a baker in the midst of a crisis. Her boyfriend just broke up with her, and she has thousands upon thousands of cookie orders to fill. In hopes to get her mind off things, she goes into a tent shop and is given a Nutcracker. When that Nutcracker, (affectionately known as Chip - played by Barry Watson) comes to life, Kate mistakes him for a house guest and ends up hiring him to help with cookie orders. As the two spend time together, Chip begins to draw out Kate's joy for the Christmas season all the while making her ex jealous. But what will Kate do when she finds out her budding romance is with a Christmas ornament? 

I'll admit, when I saw this trailer I was thinking - How can she take this guy seriously in that uniform? (No offense to those who love a man in uniform - of any kind. I myself have found a guy pretty cute just because of how he wore his badge on his sleeve. I was in an airport.) 

BUT .... fast forward a year and when I saw this playing I got so excited! A Very Nutty Christmas is fun, quirky and only with a sprinkle of cheese. Parmesan, not cheddar. 

On top of the two leads having a romantic story, their supporting characters have one as well. Marissa Jaret Winokur plays Kate's best friend and fellow baker, Rosa, who is oblivious another co-worker's affections. Rizwan Manji plays Justin, and he adds some of the funniest specks to this upbeat film. 

I find the quality of the film clean-cut, good lighting, good acting and believable. Melissa Joan Hart seems to be able to pull off every movie I've seen her in with warmth and genuine heart (pun intended?), all the while making what could've been a very cheesy film into a cute movie. 

Barry Watson (Chip) pulls off the role of the Nutcracker (when he first arrives to town it is a bit much, but he's a nutcracker in the real world so ... ya know) and his character gives the same feeling you get when staring into a puppy's big brown (or blue) eyes. Like with Melissa, he adds warmth to the movie. 

Right now it has a 6.4 rating out of 10 on IMDB, not many reviews on Amazon. 

I give this movie 8 out of 10.

It's one I wasn't sure about when I first saw the trailer but now that I've seen it at least two and half times, I totally recommend it as one for the Christmas Collection. 

Tell me, what did you think about it? 

Happy Finding, Happy Found, 

The Secret Romantic 

Welcome, and Big Side Note - There are only 53 Days Until Christmas!

Greetings Readers!

It's been bubbling in me to start up a blog of some kind. I thought of documenting how to get my dog to eat vegetables (vet recommended) but after two blog posts, I didn't see much left of the forest. (Hint: dunk anything in yogurt and he will eat it). With the recent influx of Christmas movies (a favorite of mine!), the idea came to me: why not blog about them? There are other romantics out there, secret and not-so-secret.
It might come as a surprise to some people that I am a romantic, and perhaps as you explore more movies, the romantic in you will spring up anew.

Christmas movies range from cookie-cutter, cheesy-cut (or is that the wrong expression? Cheesy, some are cheesy. Those can be fun, too.) Then there are other movies that are more ... vanilla. Chemistry is a big factor (goes without typing, but ya know), and hopefully most of the movies I come across have the more exciting elements.

I'll try to note when I've seen a movie previous to my review, and when I'm watching one for the first time.

Thank you for checking out this blog. I hope it inspires you to see movies you may not have watched before - and if there are movies you want to suggest, please comment.*




*Disclaimer* 

Please keep comments friendly, clean and uplifting. The same said for movies you recommend. Comments that don't follow the guidelines will be deleted. Thank you for helping keep this blog a safe space for chatting about movies we love, and have fun!