The Worst Film Ever

the audience applauded

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

I loved this movie! It just shows you that you can't always trust ratings. We all have our standards I guess. I'm a lover of Hallmark movies and I hate sad endings. For me, this movie was incredibly heart-warming and gave the message that doing the right thing will always win. Jason Gray-Stanford (some of you may remember him from Monk as Lt. Randy Disher) was 100% believable in his character. At first the movie seemed like a slap-stick sort of comedy but it quickly became clear there was more depth to it after awhile. Don't shy away from this movie because of the beginning. Stay with it and you'll be pleasantly surprised. One of my top favs.

The story is totally predictable. I don't think there was anything the least bit surprising.The acting and production were also pretty average or maybe a little below for this type of movie. Even the humor lacked any dazzle. Elizabeth Berkley's Holly was very likable and her acting was probably the best for the film. It took me a long time to begin to forgive Mike and if it weren't a Hallmark movie, Holly wouldn't have forgiven him. One big complaint I have is that it is hard to disconnect the fact that she forgave him right when they found the ticket. I'm surprised she didn't clock Joe when he showed up at the door. Joe should not just be fired, but he belongs in jail, at least for a while. Mitchell Kummen did a pretty good job as young Max.Here's the thing. If you like this kind of movie and don't expect a lot, then you will enjoy it. If you have big expectations, or don't like the Hallmark sappiness, then you won't like this movie.

This is not really a Christmas film, it's a romance set at Christmas time. So there's no real festive spirit or seasonal joy.What you do get though is a more realistic, than normal, love story. Elizabeth Berkley does a great job playing the struggling mother who wants to give her son everything while having the job she dreams of. She works hard at three jobs trying to bring her dreams to fruition. So when she wins the lottery all her dreams come true... only to be ripped to shreds when her car is "borrowed", along with the winning lottery ticket. She does a great job showing the emotional roller-coaster she's on... and before things get better they get worse.Jason Grey-Stanford does a passable job of depicting the charmer who, unintentionally gets pulled into Elizabeth Berkley's life. There are a few laughs and heartwarming moments along the way, but I doff my cap to the writers and director for taking a more realistic storytelling path.In all the glitzy, schmaltzy, Christmas tales this is a breath of fresh air; one that I would recommend. If it's repeated in a couple of years I'll probably give it a second viewing.

(what Hallmark Christmas movie isn't predictable, folks?) I absolutely loved this movie! Nothing corny, air-headed, or drab like some HC movies. Elizabeth Berkeley played a realistic, down-to-earth person in realistic situations perfectly: if anything can go wrong for a good, decent person, it will. "Holly," a lovely, sincere female, who was dealt an undeserved and unfair shafting, is struggling to make ends meet, as well as raising her son alone to the best of her ability....while desiring to fulfill a major goal as a café owner. Yet, there is always some scoundrel who tries to take advantage of her with her potential fortune........"Holly" came across as a very likable person, someone who would make a good, trustworthy friend.I didn't care for "Mike's" looks. His eyes seemed sinister and insincere. (It was like you didn't want her to be burnt again). But his heart was in the right place, and Elizabeth's appearance and performance wonderfully countered his expressions.........And finally, Wow! that was a nerve-wracking close call to 12 midnight! ***Congratulations, Holly!*** "Happy LEON!"