I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Really Surprised!

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

This movie stands out in the Hallmark Christmas buffet as one of the best. Of course you have the usual Hallmark fare with a dose of Christmas magic. However, this movie is more subtle, intelligent, and thoughtful than most. They addition of the former boyfriend and his wife as significant characters in the movie added a dimension and a little bit of comedy to the picture.The heroine had to make a life choice to continue to follow a dream that did not seem to be working out, (but maybe could if she continues to work on it) or to follow a new path for another dream. That is frankly a much more realistic choice pattern than the usual you can have it all theme for most movies or the Disney movie premise you must follow your dreams and if you do your dream will come true. The question in this matter is what happens when the dream does not appear to work out? This movie could be funny at times and in the right places that gives it a less melodramatic tone than a lot of these movies tend to have, especially in hour 2.I have enjoyed Tis the season as much or more the third or fourth time around than when I first saw it. Which when you have a two month movie marathon is a good trait to have for Hallmark.Also of note my nine scored is based on the genre and style of movie. A perfect Hallmark Christmas movie would be a 10. If you do not like the genre you are not going to see this movie the same way as I. So to be clear this is not the second coming of Cassanblanca or Gone with the Wind (which I think is overrated). But its fun around Christmas.

This movie had many of the usual formulaic ingredients of a Hallmark Christmas movie, but I think they were combined in a slightly different way than usual.We had the down on her luck, even failing (insert occupation here) actress, Beth, that returns home. She asks Santa for a wish. But this Santa has no magic to grant her, only good advice. Beth meets her old high school flame, but guess what - he's married and happily. She rekindles what could have been an old flame. And the stage is set. ***SPOILERS starting to pile up from here *** You know the phone call is coming and it does. And while she goes back to New York, she doesn't wait until the last minute to return. But here's a little twist - the show is canceled because of a sprinkler disaster. But Beth saves it. The story was smoothly put together. The acting was decent although Sarah Lancaster played her role so quietly it was easy to miss the spark. In fact, the first half, or so, of the movie was a little bit sad as Beth looked back on her (lack of) career. The sadness was necessary, but I enjoy leading ladies with a bit more quirkiness and optimism.I'm glad I watched this one.

I actually had very low expectations about this movie. The title didn't make me excited, a neither did the plot or the few images I saw. I thought the same thing the first 15 minutes of the movie, but as it continued I found myself enjoying it. Both leads do a pretty good work, and so does the supporting cast. It's not the best Hallmark has made, and the end is very predictable, but it's a lovely movie to enjoy in a boring afternoon.Fact: The actors who play Barry and Dean perform as brothers in Hallmark's "Chesapeake Shores", and I think this was shot before or during the production of the show so it was nice seeing them, even though they are not goofing around.

Leading lady lives in New York City - check. Leading Lady is from a small town - check. Leading lady visits small town in movie - check. Leading Lady falls in love with some guy in the home town - check. Leading lady has a big fancy job in New York City that causes conflict - check. Santa appears with magical items - check. Leading lady gives up her lifelong dream - check. Mother of leading lady is really good at baking and encouragement - check. You get the idea this movie follows the same plot formula as all other Hallmark Christmas movies. The only things this movie does not have is that the leading lady is NOT a Marketing Director, this time around she is an actress. Also, the confident wise old grandpa character that spews philosophical sayings is missing from this movie, and this of all movies could have really used him. After watching this movie, I do have to ask - why are small towns better than NYC? Why are part time teaching jobs better than a Broadway acting career? Why does the leading lady always have to give up her career ambitions and dreams every time in these Hallmark movies?Beth seems a bit bored in this movie, or, really more so confused as to why she is even there. It seems to make no sense to her. Dean, the love interest is pretty wooden and does not really do much more than spout sweet nothings at Beth, or lecture her about what it means to be great. Both Beth and Dean are a bit odd, and maybe that is why they sort of have chemistry in this movie. The mother character is a bit overbearing in this one, and less endearing than other movies like this I've seen. The Dad is gone and like I already said, there is no grandpa, and both of those characters would make sense in this movie given how much everyone likes to give Beth advice about life and what is truly important.All in all, not a bad movie to have in the background while you make cookies or something, but certainly not something to spend a night focused on.