Freaktana A Major Disappointment

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Catangro After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Jazzie-too Finding a treasure! That's how this made me feel! Every Christmas I search for the movie(s) of the season to add to other favorites. (Grandpa for Xmas; all the Peter Falk Xmas movies, I'll be Home for Xmas....and several more) This year is definitely the "Father Christmas" duo! I missed this one in 2016, and didn't realize that "Engaging Father Christmas" was like a sequel. And the lead man, Niall Matter, is ho ho hoo hoo....leaves me breathless! Sure hope we see more of him in Hallmark movies!! How this story begins and continues in the 2nd feature, I can see it, going forward, in at least two more features. Next the wedding, followed by whereever the author takes us. I noticed both of these stories have the same authors, Golden and Gunn, so keep it going, please! I've already watched both "Finding" and "Engaging" twice already this season! Just make me feel good all over and feel the holiday spirit at it's best!

Miss M This movie sounded special even by reading the title, and it was. I absolutely loved the main story - Miranda trying to found out who her father was after her mother passed away while performing on stage and never got to tell her- I, personally, haven't seen anything like it on Hallmark. Someone trying to find where they came from. The love story was not the main one, but yet it made the movie special as well. Both leads did an amazing job. I really enjoyed it. The only thing that bothered me was when Miranda saw Ian talking with Peter's mother with the photograph on his hand. That was very Hallmark of them to make the main character think wrong about the other lead's character. On the contrary, I loved the fact that there was not any major drama with the leads. These movies tend to create a problem between them and it's not until one of them is on the other side of the country that they realized their mistakes. I'm glad Ian and Miranda talked the morning she was supposed to leave. It might be a detail, but I noticed and I liked it! I also think that this movie was somehow not that predictable. Maybe the happy ending, yes. But there was a change in the order things happen - at least my thought - so I never knew when things were going to happen. I absolutely loved it. A must watch.

peterkoch-98114 This should read 'Finding my unknown father at Christmas time'. The actual title could mean shopping malls, low-rent bars, old people's homes and very occasionally somewhere very far north. In fact it's about a young woman who lost her mother very early in life and has grown up never knowing who her father was. She unexpectedly discovers a number of clues about her mother's secrets, the most important clue for us being that it's just before Christmas. From here we are presented with a mystery which she has to follow, with some of her own concerns; but for us it is most engaging and heart-warming.Early in her pursuit of answers she comes across a suitable interest. To test my observation I rewound, and sure enough, the expression and turn of her head gave it away. Unlike most other romances, he remains as a constant, providing a counter-balance for her fears and anxieties. Together, she is better equipped to handle what turns into a very complex situation.Set in a small Vermont town, the customs and Christmas activities of the villagers introduces us to all the main characters. Finding that one person who knows everything takes us down a winding path with a surprising ending. An ending that leaves the warmth from a good helping of Christmas delights.Conclusion: 8.0 Xmas points, for a delightful cast and a story to keep our interest throughout.

RNMorton Having said that I will note several good things about the movie. Krakow is really nice as the restrained lead, she has a sort of comfortable Sigourney Weaver look to her. Her mom dies and she heads to a Vermont town at Christmas time trying to learn more about an old picture she finds in her mom's stuff. Krakow appears good to absolute go for future Hallmark Christmas pictures. Matter was okay as the romantic interest, the obviousness of the potential hookup I can't blame on him any more than the writers. The rest of the crew was fine, Malick is good as the local wondering why Krakow's in town. I think my problem is all the developments seemed sort of destined from the beginning and it is always better if there is at least a little question as to where things are going. The wrap Is a little talky and complicated but nice.