I and my daughter just watched this movie. So I am reflecting our opinions. They don't really jive very well with some of the very negative reviews I am reading here, and I am wondering if we watched the same movie.We have been watching the Hallmark Christmas movies for a few years now, along with offerings we are seeing from some of the other stations. I have even posted a couple of other reviews last year. In the grand scheme of specialty channel Christmas movies, we felt this was one of the better offerings.We found the leads charming and believable. Rachel in particular we thought was very good - she is able to convey a lot with her eyes, facial expression and slight body movement - she can actually act. She is a very attractive woman (that's me talking on that observation! LOL). The male star is also handsome, and we thought he did a good job. The supporting cast was fine.These movies are made in a very short period of time and a very tight budget, sometimes filming is only 7-10 days! I am aware of this when I watch these movies, and sometimes its evident when you see a scene end a bit abruptly. And you can't blame an actor for the sometimes banal dialog - they have to work with what they get, and sometimes its only one take and then they have to move onto the next scene.I thought the conclusion was a bit rushed and underwhelming, if only as I would like to have savored how it played out in a bit more depth. But all-in-all we enjoyed the movie. We sat through a real stinker the other day (Sweet Home Carolina with Heather McComb) and Marry Me at Christmas was superior in every respect.You just have to know that all the Hallmark movies follow a very similar script - even when the concept is potentially somewhat original they always play it out via a formula. You will never find romance/Christmas movies with less sexual tension in them then a Hallmark movie, many of which only have one kiss at the end.Another review noted the move Christmas Cookies with Jill Wagner. Both movies were the same - a beautiful woman trying not to find love finishes the movie with one kiss with the handsome interloper, said kiss intending to convey eternal love and happiness to the audience and the rest is up to us to fill in the blanks.If you don't like the formula, don't watch the movies....

This is one of the best Hallmark Christmas movies ever, in spite of what some of the reviewers say. My question to them would be "did you actually watch the movie?". I have over 300 Christmas movies in my collection, including most of Hallmarks, and this one rates a solid 9.5. I have watched it 11 times, and will probably watch it more. Casting was perfect, plot moved along nicely, Rachel's hair could have been better. In some scenes it was combed and others it was stringy, messy, and in need of a comb or brush. This movie sets the bar really high for the rest to follow.

Nothing special here. Same old same old story partially redeemed by the character of Johnny Blake played by a well cast Trevor Donovan. The secondary characters were played by Hallmark perennials, though the 2 female leads were relative new comers to the Hallmark stable. Emily Tennant, the bride who provides the #2 lead was fresh and appealing. I see Hallmark in her future. I wish Hallmark would steer away from extravagantly beautiful heroines towards more down to earth girls . I just can relate to cute more than impossibly gorgeous. All though this is a backhanded compliment to the physical beauty of Rachel Skarsten, I was distracted throughout most of the movie by her over processed long ringlets. What is this? 1989?The success of these things, for me, depends on the existence of some dialogue with some snap to it, some humor, some surprises(a little suspense?), appealing casting, good acting, enough non-phony not needless conflict to provide some catharsis, or the comeuppance of evil-doers. Do I ask for all of these things at once? No, that would be asking too much. (though it has happened, rarely). But I need at least 2. The "supercute" (gag me) snowball fight kicked off a big fail for me.On a side note, when, oh when, is Hallmark inc. going to get on the bandwagon and start starring a few of the talented and numerous black actors and actresses as the romantic leads? And I'm not talking about black bosses, black millionaire clients, or black best friends. A.) It seriously calls into question their values, And B.), it's super stupid business wise. The most popular and profitable romances and dramas in the theatres today feature black people in the leads. Tyler Perry anyone? What about Malcom D. Lee and his Best Man movies? There are dozens of examples. Come on. I have more than a few black women friends who would jump on such a Hallmark movie like white on rice. I can't believe they have seldom been called on this. WTH?!

I can't resist Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas. As a result, I was psyched for the first premiere movie. I enjoyed getting to know Maddie and Johnny and watching them get to know one another. I especially liked that Johnny didn't start out as a arrogant celebrity, despite a couple of instances where he assumed he was the center of attention when he wasn't.I was liking Rachel Skarsten and Trever Donavon as the leads, even though I wasn't familiar with either one's work. Early on their chemistry was clicking. I have seen Emily Tennant previously and she was also clicking with Skarsten as a friend. I'm ready to see Tennant in a lead role of her own in one of these TV movies.But as the movie progressed, the leads were trying so hard not to "date", or at least Maddie was, that it was unnatural and the movie started to drag for me.The dual conflict situations were forced. Neither one resonated as natural.Overall, I enjoyed it, but I didn't think it finished as strong as it started.