medormer Reviews

How to Fall in Love by Christmas (2023 TV Movie)

SO symptomatic of Hallmark's current Christmas movie offerings

[2/10 · 11 November 2023]

This badly plotted/written and lamely acted movie is SO symptomatic of Hallmark's current Christmas movie offerings, being not just utterly predictable (okay, they always have been!) but also totally lacking in fun and the sparkle of the season. Everything these days has to be so serious, with flawed leading characters grappling with problems which are then solved simplistically in the last five minutes after the most contrived of crises.

Whatever happened to a good, simple story told without resorting to in-your-face moralising and cheesy philosophy of life quips? When did humor and a light touch get completely thrown out the window? To see what I'm getting at, watch the 2008 film "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" with Henry Winkler. That is what Hallmark did back in the early days, i.e. Great straightforward tales told with wit, nothing too heavy and a touch of Christmas magic.

Love Again (I) (2023)

Seriously? All those 10/10s? What are they smoking?

[1/10 · 25 May 2023]

I cannot believe how many 10/10 ratings there are for this dire, badly plotted/written/directed piece of melodramatic nonsense. The premise is fine, but from very early on the whole idea is mishandled in a really labored fashion. Her grief seems endless, his seems forced and pointless. The texting idea could have been a great touch, but is allowed to drag on and on and on until it becomes like an albatross around the possible chemistry between the leads. And as for that chemistry? Not much doing, I'm afraid. She's okay overall, but he's poor. It probably says everything you need to know when Celine Dion seems more convincing than virtually everyone else! Avoid!

Made for Each Other (2023 TV Movie)

Pygmalianna?

[2/10 · 5 March 2023]

This thinly disguised remake of the 2011 Hallmark film "Holly's Holiday" gives a Jewish AND gender twist to the Pygmalion story, and manages to mangle every aspect of it despite some deft humor. It has an edgier feel than most Hallmark offerings in places, but completely blows it with one of the stupidest, most unbelievable, badly staged endings in Hallmark history. When will Hallmark learn that the public airing of the romantic finale in front of a fawning audience is a real turn off? No doubt die hard fans of the channel will laud it to the skies, but more sane observers will wonder why they watched it at all.

The Seven Year Hitch (2012 TV Movie)

When Hallmark at least tried!

[9/10 · 4 June 2022]

An early Hallmark movie, and a lot of fun it is too. A different plotline, with a solid, often humorous script, and a standout performance from the male lead make this very watchable - more than can be said for most Hallmark fare. Along with The Dating Coach, it's one of their few movies to show that decent films can be made on a low budget.

Toscana (II) (2022)

A Good Year Danish style - yuk!

[2/10 · 4 June 2022]

Not very original, I know, comparing this to A Good Year since many others have already done so, but A Good Film it certainly ain't! It's way too ponderous, the male lead is thoroughly unlikeable, and my God is it Danish in its morality. The two leads French kiss the day before her wedding?!!! He barges into her room as she's getting dressed for the ceremony?!!! He buys the place she lived and worked in all her life to be close to her after the wedding?!!! Pretty sick if you think about it, so thanks but no thanks, Netflix.

A Perfect Pairing (2022)

Downhill all the way

[2/10 · 4 June 2022]

After a bright start, this movie is a one way ride from reasonable to outright awful. With a dreadfully first order script and acting (especially from the lead female), it thinks it's funny when it's merely excruciatingly embarrassing, and it's even more predictable than the most predictable Hallmark movies!!! Seriously Netflix, keep throwing your money away on this level of rubbish and you'll be gone in a year or two.