Okay… who’s working today? I’m writing this before work, and I know things will be quiet once it’s time to log on. I’m the person who always takes time off earlier in the month and holds down the fort during the holidays.
Although I am a little jealous of my team members who are likely still asleep right now, I can’t complain for only having to work two days this week!
Anyway, since we’re approaching that time of year when no one knows what day it, I figured it was a perfect time to share what I’ve been watching on the Hallmark channel lately.
For context, I have LOVED watching Hallmark movies for years. Of course, I enjoy the Christmas movies, but there was a time when I watched the movies all year long, and have even written a few (they haven’t made it beyond the critiques of my writing group yet).
Since I was working on writing Hallmark-esque scripts, I have studied the movie-of-the week format. And, a few years ago, I noticed Hallmark actually changed some of the crucial pieces of that 9-act structure. For example, they used to strictly stick to ONLY a kiss in the final act, and have recently moved that up to act 7.
This isn’t a big deal, and, if you’ve been paying attention, Hallmark has made a lot of changes in the last few years to embrace more diverse characters and storylines, which I love. But, there’s been times I’ve felt they strayed too far from the formula we all love. Specifically, some of the plots seem almost… stressful… which is the exact opposite thing I’m looking for when I turn to Hallmark.
Between that and getting rid of cable, I haven’t watched Hallmark in at least a year, if not a little longer. But, when the holiday season came ’round this year, I decided to add it to my Sling account. And… It’s been $6/ 6/month, I do not regret spending.
Here’s what I’ve been watching:
Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story
This movie follows neighboring families who love cheering on the Buffalo Bills, and this holiday season is the last one the team will have in Highmark Stadium.
Pediatric doctor Morgan and Bills’ VP of Stadium Development Gabe have always been close friends, but Gabe has always held a torch for her -a fact obvious to their families…and everyone else who crosses their path.
When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy that someone anonymously helped her family get by after he was drafted more than 60 years ago – and that he continues to receive a Christmas gift each year to this day – she decides to find his benefactor and give her uncle a Christmas he’ll always remember.
Aided by Bills Mafia friends of theirs, Morgan and Gabe work together to unwrap the gifter’s identity. Along the way, Gabe’s love for Morgan deepens and in turn, she begins to see him in a new light though neither is daring enough to admit their feelings.
Will they be able to pull of the surprise for Tommy and have one last memory in Highmark?
This movie has so many Buffalo gems that made me smile, including Morgan’s job at the children’s hospital. But there’s also beef on weck, peanut sticks, and near-perfect WNY accents. It’s a fun one to watch even though there’s no table jumping (there’s beer, though!).
The Snow Must Go On
This movie centers around Isaiah, who last appeared on Broadway almost 10 years ago. Since then, getting back on Broadway has been a challenge.
To escape the grind of the city and re-evaluate his life, Isaiah visits his sister, Jess, and teenage niece, Aurora, in upstate New York for the holidays. But his yuletide respite is interrupted when he learns Aurora’s high school may have to cancel their annual Christmas musical because they can’t find a director.
With a nudge from Aurora and the school’s guidance counselor, Lilly, Isaiah decides to save the Christmas show and jumps in as director. Isaiah’s situation gets a little more complicated when he learns that an influential Broadway producer’s daughter is in the school production, so Isaiah decides to cast himself as the lead in order to land a part in an upcoming Broadway show.
But while the curtain rises on rehearsals and the Christmas Eve opening night fast approaches, Isaiah finds some Christmas surprises of his own, as he stumbles upon an unexpected romance with Lilly-Anne, creates an unanticipated bond with his students, reassesses his priorities and ultimately discovers that the greatest holiday gift is found when love, family, and friendship take center stage.
Maybe it’s because I love Broadway, but this movie is so good! I’ve watched it a few times, and, although it’s the classic Hallmark plot with a main character down on his luck, when, aha! the perfect partner and job are waiting for him in the suburbs! I did think it was a nice little twist that it was more of an artistic career path. Plus, the play he puts together is adorable.
Christmas Above the Clouds
This movie is Hallmark’s take on “A Christmas Carol,” following workaholic CEO Ella Neezer (ha), who tries to skip Christmas by flying to Australia, she’s in for the flight of her life.
Haunted by her past, present and future, she’s forced to confront the choices that led to her success yet left her flying solo.
With the help of three quirky spirits and a surprise reunion with her ex, she might just rediscover the magic of Christmas – and the love she thought she’d lost.
Okay, so this is a little cheesy but in the best way! Most of the film takes place on the plane – one of the spirits is a flight attendant – which I love, and it’s an interesting, modern take on a classic tale.
We Met in December
Based on the romance novel by Rosie Curtis (with the same title), this movie begins on an unexpected layover in mid-December, Annie and Dave meet as strangers in a beautiful hotel all decorated for the holidays.
It’s love at first sight, and they end up having a magical night of sharing hopes, dreams…and a perfect kiss. But when they fail to exchange numbers and miss each other the next morning, Annie and Dave fly back to Chicago with no easy way to track the other one down.
The only clues they have are those shared about plans for the upcoming holiday season, and the two embark on separate quests to find one another. Along the way, insightful wisdom shared during their time together leads Annie and Dave to make important changes in their lives, leading them both to find ways of making this Christmas special for themselves, their families, and their loved ones.
Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas
This is a new 6-episode Hallmark limited series starring Mae Whitman as Kate, a London designer pushed by friends into a holiday matchmaking service, going on 12 dates before Christmas, navigating romance and family.
At the same time, Kate is focused on helping her dad recover from an accident. Kate reluctantly goes on dates, finding unexpected connections and self-discovery, while her dad starts his own romance with a neighbor.
The series explores messy relationships, family dynamics, and finding love amidst holiday chaos. It’s been well-received because of its relatable characters.
Finding Mr. Christmas
This holiday, we were treated to the second season of Hallmark’s first-ever reality competition series, “Finding Mr. Christmas,” which follows 10 promising Hallmark “hunks” who live together and compete against one another for the lead role in an upcoming original holiday movie.
From festive physical challenges to emotional acting scenes, co-creator, executive producer and host Jonathan Bennett will be Finding Mr. Christmas in this new, eight-episode competition series filled with heart.
As far as competition series go, this one is pretty lighthearted and gives an interesting behind-the-scenes look at how Hallmark movies are made… plus, all the contestants are gorgeous.
And that’s what I’ve been watching on Hallmark so far this season! I’d love to know what you all have been watching; I do have some time off this week and next, so I can catch up on anything worth watching.
Happy holidays!
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