Victor-J-1964 Reviews

Winter Castle (2019 TV Movie)

Hallmark starts 2019 with this hard to watch movie.

[4/10 · 15 January 2019]

The movie centers on a destination wedding in an ice hotel. Unfortunately the highlight of the movie was the awesome views of the hotel, but the all white background even got old.

Jenny (Emilie Ullerup) is the bridesmaid for her sister's wedding, and a romance develops between the best man Craig (Kevin McGarry). The chemistry between the leads, and the supporting actors is non convincing.

Rating: 2-Star - PASS (one watch is enough)

One Winter Proposal (2019 TV Movie)

Hopefully this sequel is the last!

[5/10 · 15 January 2019]

This is a sequel to 'One Winter Weekend' (2018). Unfortunately this movie lacks the charm of the first one. The first movie included the characters surprise meeting, while this movie centers on a more serious plot which wasn't as fun.

The lead characters, Cara (Taylor Cole) and Tyler (Matthew Enns), while likable the chemistry isn't convincing.

Supporting actors, Megan (Rukiya Bernard) and Sean (Dewshane Williams), again carried the movie.

Rating: 2-Star - PASS (one watch was enough)

Love in Design (2018 TV Movie)

No Hallmark magic in this one.

[5/10 · 27 September 2018]

Hannah (Danica McKellar) is a the star of a home make over TV show. She is assigned to conduct a make over for a historic building in her small New England hometown. She has to work with an architect Jeff (Andrew Walker), who just happens to be an old flame from her high school days.

The script is rather boring and most of the supporting actors provide little to spice this movie up. While McKellar and Walker are two of my favorite HM leads their chemistry is not convincing, so their isn't any HM magic in this movie.

Will I watch it again??? Not likely.

You Again (2010)

First half hour was great, but it drags on from there. LOTS of veteran actors.

[5/10 · 25 September 2018]

The movie begins with the successful marketing director Marni (Kristen Bell) providing a marketing presentation of a flashback when she was a clumsy and unattractive high school student. During the flashback she recalls being continually bullied by Joanna (Odette Annable), the popular cheerleading captain. Now several years after graduating high school she is informed that her brother Will (James Wolk) is going to marry Joanna.

The first half hour or so is entertaining as the story continues to develop. The remainder of the show drags along as we learn that Marni's mother Gail (Jamie Lee Curtis) has a similar rivalry with Joanna's mother (Sigourney Weaver), and then Grandma Bunny (Betty White) has a story of her own. While engaging at times it is just a little too much.

Supporting cast: Has a long list of veteran actors, Curtis, Weaver, White, Victor Garber, Reginald VelJohnson, Catherine Back, Cloris Leachman, Daryl Hall and John Oates. It is worth a watch just to walk down memory lane of so many actors over the years.

Will I watch again: Yes, once a decade, or if nothing else is on.

In the Land of Women (2007)

Love Story? Yes. But more about self discovery.

[8/10 · 24 September 2018]

Interesting movie with several people working their way to self discovery. This would be a great watch for those that are having relationship issues.

Personal opinion: Worth a watch.

Will I watch again: Yes, every couple of years.

Watched: 9/24/18 (first time) Review: 9/24/18 Victor J.

Once Upon a Prince (2018 TV Movie)

One of the best Hallmark movies of 2018!

[9/10 · 29 April 2018]

Professional gardener Susanna (Megan Park) skills are limited while she is working at her Truett Family Garden Supply in small-town Georgia. While driving Susanna has a flat tire; charming European Nate (Jonathan Keltz) stops to assist. Soon Nate is working at Truett's and is encourging Susanna to begin her own business.

Megan Park is realistic and beautiful as always, and the chemistry with Jonathan Keltz is believable and has you cheering that they will one day be together.

This has been one of my favorite HM movies of 2018. I will enjoy this movie many more times in the future.

Royal Hearts (2018 TV Movie)

It is only February 2018, but is possible this is HM's flop of the year!

[4/10 · 11 March 2018]

Montana rancher Hank Pavlik (James Brolin) inherits a estate in a fictional European country, and reluctantly becomes the King of the country.

Hank's daughter Kelly (Cindy Busby) is his daughter that stars along side of Alex (Andrew Cooper) the estates groundskeeper.

This is the most disappointing HM movie of the year, it had so much potential to be funny....... but it wasn't. The script is poor which required the actors to over act, and it is obvious that it prevented them from being even good. The chemistry between the leads is very poor.

Cooking with Love (2018 TV Movie)

Home Run! Ali Liebert! An instant HM Valentine classic!

[8/10 · 17 February 2018]

Week 7 -- Valentine -- Premiered: 2/11/2018

Hallmark hit a home run pairing kind hearted television producer Kelly (Ali Liebert) a producer for kid cooking show The Little Gourmet with the cocky hot-headed chef Stephen Harris (Brett Dalton). The chemistry between them almost feels real and very believable. What I really liked about this movie is: (1) Kelly and Stephen helped inspire the children chefs to achieve great things; (2) there were no intruding/competing girlfriends or boyfriends; (3) supporting actress Jessica (Kimberly Sustad) is always lovely and delightful; (4) child actor Becca (Aria Birch) won my heart from beginning to end.

Ali Liebert is beautiful and quickly becoming one of my favorite HM leading ladies, I hope we see her in many upcoming movies!

Through the first seven weeks of the Hallmarks 2018 movie season this is by far my favorite HM movie of the year.

Love on the Slopes (2018 TV Movie)

Hallmark kicked off 2018 with a winner.

[8/10 · 28 January 2018]

The filming was in British Columbia, Canada and the scenery is gorgeous and makes for great winter sports.

Alex (Katrina Bowden) aspires to become a travel writer and is given a chance to write a story about her fears of almost anything adventure related as she participates in overcoming them. Early in the movie she meets a sports enthusiast Cole (Thomas Deadoin) who has some weaknesses of his own. Cole becomes Alex's guide. As they conquer some of Alex's fears sparks flies. While the chemistry isn't the greatest, it is solid. Alex was a little annoying early in the movie but as it progressed I enjoyed her and hope to see her in more HM movies. This is a movie that I will enjoy again in the future.

Review submitted: 1/28/2018 --- Victor J.

Woman Wanted (1935)

Great Watch! Entertaining from beginning to the end!

[9/10 · 21 January 2018]

Ann Graves (Maureen O'Sullivan) is a woman on the run that has been accused of murder who hitches a ride with hot shot lawyer (Tony Baxter). The movie has several interesting characters that makes the journey interesting and entertaining. Maureen O'Sullivan is fantastic and charming and Joel McCrea is a perfect pairing for her. This movie is only 1 hour 15 minutes and if you like classic movies it will be well spent.

Victor J.

The Art of Us (2017 TV Movie)

Good Chemistry, fun watch.

[6/10 · 15 January 2018]

Dr. Harper Higgins (Taylor Cole) is an art adjunct professor hoping that an upcoming art show could be what she needs to earn her tenure. Because of her busy lifestyle she hires dog walker Tom Becker (Steve Lund). When the artist scheduled to do the show becomes unavailable by accident she discovers that Tom is an amateur artist, and she convinces him to be the feather artist for the show. There is only one hiccup because Tom said that his family line came from the same hometown as Vincent Van Gogh and rumor was he may be related to him. Harper uses this to help get the approval for Tom to be feathered. Taylor Cole is as lovely as ever and being starred with Steve Lund created a believable courtship. My favorite part of the movie is how they work together in dealing with the Van Gogh falsification. This is one that I could watch again.

Review submitted 1/15/2018 --- Victor J.

Holly's Holiday (2011 TV Movie)

It was a challenge to watch the entire movie, but I did.

[3/10 · 14 January 2018]

"Holly's Holiday" - Listed on UP as "A Perfect Christmas". New York executive Holly Maddux (Claire Coffee) falls an hits her head and Bo (Ryan McPartlin) who is a mannequin that has come to life comes to her aid. While Holly and coworker Milo Ames (Jeff Ward) are assigned to work on an important project Holly is distracted by her courtship with Bo. The story has potential but it never delivers. Usually when I don't like a movie I can still find characters that I enjoyed but this one doesn't even have that. Milo Ames was a cool guy, he was the only bright spot of this movie.

1/14/2018 --- Victor J.

Frozen in Love (2018 TV Movie)

Solid movie, but it could have been better!

[6/10 · 14 January 2018]

Mary Cartwright (Rachel Leigh Cook) a book-store owner struggling financially, and suspended hockey player Adam Clayborn (Niall Matter) needing to clean up his bad boy/hot temper attitude are paired together to achieve their objectives. The story is solid and the supporting cast is entertaining, especially Mary's brother Tyler Cartwright (Niall Matter).

While I am a fan of Rachael Leigh Cook and Niall Matter I don't feel that their chemistry was very convincing. I still give it a solid 6 but it isn't anything that I will look forward to seeing again.

1/13/2018 --- Victor J.

Family for Christmas (2015 TV Movie)

"It is never about changing the past, it is about changing the future."

[8/10 · 29 October 2017]

The movie begins with Hannah Dunbar (Lacey Chabert) faced with a decision between her career or her sweetheart Ben Matthews (Tyron Leitso). The movie fast forwards 10 years and she is an award winning news reporter. Out of the blue she gets a friend request through social media from Ben. With a chance encounter with Santa he asks her to wish for something that she wants, and then she wakes up she is married to Ben, with two children, a dog and living in the suburbs. It is a delightful movie that has Hannah trying to figure out which life is most important.

Victor J

Once Upon a Holiday (2015 TV Movie)

Hallmark Winner - Some people wish for the simple things.

[9/10 · 29 October 2017]

This movie has a feel good story of a runaway princess Katie Holiday (Briana Evigan) who just wants to have some time for herself to experience a Christmas as she remembered before her mother past. As she eludes her security team and ventures into the city she finds herself kind of down on her luck when good Samaritan Jack (Paul Campbell) offers her kindness and invites her to spend a few days with his family. While visiting with her new friends she keeps her true identity secret because she appreciates that they except her for her and not because she is famous. Jack wants to help Katie and throughout the movie their love grows in the process.

This is a must watch and I will enjoy it for years to come. For fans of Santa you will be pleased because their are lots of them.

Victor J

Christmas Incorporated (2015 TV Movie)

Unlike the other reviews. I enjoyed this movie!

[9/10 · 29 October 2017]

The movie begins with Riley Vance (Shenae Grimes-Beech) struggling to find employment when she gets a tip on a personal assistant job. When they call her name to be interviewed they call Riley V., and while in the interview she realizes that the interview was suppose to be for Riley Vanderdale but she was already committed and hired so she just goes with it. So Riley becomes the assistant to William Young (Steve Lund) who has inherited his father's massive company and is challenged to perform well to prove his worth. William is faced with possibly closing the company's flagship toy factory in Dover, New Hampshire. While in Dover several delightful characters are introduced such as Piper (Hannah Spear) who is resourceful, delightful and fills several roles for the town; Mayor Martin Keegan (Ron Lea) is cheerful, funny and provides William with wonderful advice; the sheriff, and several others contribute to the fun.

The chemistry between Riley and William feels real and you know they will be great together. This is a fun and romantic movie that shares to spirit of Christmas.

Victor J

A Wish For Christmas (2016 TV Movie)

Awesome HM Christmas movie. Fun watch!

[7/10 · 29 October 2017]

Sara Thomas (Lacey Chabert) is an awesome team player at marketing firm that is basically a pushover that allows others to take advantage of her good nature. At the company's Christmas party her marketing director promotes her project as his own. Santa offers to grant a Christmas list that would will only last for 48 hours. Sara wished for courage to stand up for herself. This wish takes Sara on a journey with her firm's CEO Peter Williams (Paul Greene) that includes a road trip, confronting an unreasonable client, strained family relations, and so much more.

The chemistry between Sara and Paul is believable and you find yourself cheering for them. Chabert is my favorite HM leading lady, and Williams is also a favorite.

Vengeance Valley (1951)

Worth a Watch, but not a classic.

[6/10 · 22 October 2017]

A cattle baron has as son Lee Strobie (Robert Walker) and an adopted son Owen Daybright (Burt Lancaster). Lee who is married fathers his mistress's child, and the blame falls on Owen to save grace because Lee is married. Lee and Owen lead a cattle drive when Owen learns that Lee has double-crossed all of his family members. The final showdown is rather uneventful, which is surprising since it stars Burt Lancaster. Lancaster was solid, but not powerful as usual. When you have Burt Lancaster and Robert Walker in it I just expected more. The name Vengeance Valley is rather confusing because there wasn't any revenge, but instead it is about hostile sibling relations that eventually boil over. It is worth a watch but overall disappointing.

Five Miles to Midnight (1962)

1950's Insurance fraud with Sophia Loren as lovely as ever.

[7/10 · 22 October 2017]

Suspense begins from the beginning with Italian wife Lisa Macklin (Sophia Loren) on the verge of splitting with her American husband Robert Macklin (Anthony Perkins). Prior to boarding a plane Lisa tells Robert she will not be here when he gets back. Before boarding Robert purchases an insurance policy for $120,000. The plane crashes and the papers report that there were no survivors.

The suspense really heats up when after the funeral Robert appears back at their apartment injured but very much alive. He brings Lisa into a scheme to keep his death a secret so that they can collect the money. Lisa is reluctant but Robert promises to allow for their separation and a share of the money if she would assist with the plane. Lisa is very torn and emotional as she labors through the process. The movie keeps you guessing what the outcome will be, and Lisa eventually realizes that she must end her trauma.

Sophia Loren is lovely and her facial expressions expressed her fear and emotional she experiences. Anthony Perkins is exceptional in being the creepy loner type. David Barnes and Tommy Norden provide great supporting roles as well.

Submarine D-1 (1937)

Old Navy Salts will enjoy this movie. GO NAVY

[8/10 · 21 October 2017]

What a delightful surprise this movie was. It had all of the stereotypes of the Navy and sailors, although most of them are true. This movie had lots of submarines, ships, port calls, bar fights, women, military friendships, practical jokes, friendly rivalries, military training, deaths, and daring rescues.

My favorite part of this movie was the fun and powerful actors. Sock McGillis (Wayne Morris) stole the show for me as he progresses from an immature senior Petty Office First Class to becoming a professional and dedicated sailor that gets promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Throughout the movie Sock McGillis and Chief Petty Officer Butch Rogers (Pat O'Brien) are competing for the love of the wonderful Ann Sawyer (Doris Weston). The competition for the girl is dedicated, heartfelt and usually comical. Sock's best friend is Lucky (Frank McHugh) who is an unpolished junior sailor who progresses to a valuable sailor while providing laughs along the way. This movie is so much fun even before I mention on of my favorite actors George Brent, who plays the always calm Lt. Commander Matthews.

While this movie was made 80 years ago it is amazing how so much of the challenges and routines illustrated in this movie are still relevant to today's Navy. I am sure that one of the reasons that I enjoyed this more than the average IMDb viewer is because I spent over 20 years in the Navy. I really believe this is a must see for Old Salts such as myself.

Victor J. --- USN RETIRED 2009

Ladies of the Jury (1932)

Not a Classic. Edna May Oliver saved it for me.

[4/10 · 5 October 2017]

While this movie was made 20 years before "12 Angry Men", it isn't near the masterpiece. Edna May Oliver is exceptional as usual and the cast is fairly solid. While this movie provides some laughs it almost makes a mockery of the jury system. I labored to the end.

Victor J.