My Grown-Up Christmas List

source: My Grown-Up Christmas List

I don't usually rate movies especially with 10 stars but this one... well I can't keep quiet about it. I know rating a movie 10 isn't taken seriously BUT this is the first one I've seen that warrants 10 stars. The acting superb. The script brilliantly written and executed by Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace as well as all the supporting cast and that's rare! This beautiful, family friendly romantic Christmas story is unique in that it has depth as well as all the feels that a Christmas movie should have plus the chemistry between Kevin and Kayla is tangible and genuine, not faked as some movies do and I can't recommend this film enough. If you do choose to give it a try I'm 99.9% certain you won't be disappointed and for me... well, Santa has come early this year!!!

Holy crap, My Grown Up Christmas List was just so bad! So very many things were major eye rollers that I can't see straight. She is supposed to be some fabulous journalist who is promised a cover story and the best she can come up with is some granny who crochets ornaments? These two meet on Christmas Eve and don't see each other for, what, a year or so. Yet yet they look exactly the same right down to the hair styles. And this "love affair" dragged on for how many years (it was so boring I lost track of that) and they never, ever change? Grandpa and his parents never age a day? And don't get me started on the long, decidedly unmilitary hair the dude sported. Or the military vehicles with civilian plates. Or the incorrect uniforms and the dude not wearing a cover outdoors. Virtually every military-related scene was so ridiculous. The super secret base is halfway round the world yet he manages to drop everything to run and save the soldiers because he's apparently the only person in the entire army capable of it and manages to arrive within minutes of the call - do they have teleportation in the miltary these days? And then she hops aboard some magic starship and finds her way to this super secret base as well, just in time to greet him. And what was with that hideous bridal gown that was riding so low that you could almost see her nipples except for the bath mat that she had wrapped around her shoulders. I realize that these two are apparently a couple in real life but, gah, what a lack of chemistry. Just when you think Hallmark might do something different, they botch it up yet again.

If you're going to do a movie based on the US military at least have the actors look and act the part. The star says he's a Captain of Infantry. Captains haven't looked like he did since Vietnam when guys tried to look like civilians. I watched 15 minutes and gave up. Just could not get past the optics. Come on Hallmark. At least require the actors to look the part. For what they're paid it's not asking all that much to get a haircut.

Like most Hallmark movies these days it looked like a good idea and the trailer gave us hope and showed us potential. But the execution fell very flat and the only good thing was that experienced actors barely salvaged at least their roles. The plot progression was ridiculous and most of the interactions were awkward. Things felt disconnected and at times unclear for the sake of lazy cookie cutter ad ins. Their first introduction felt forced and contusing as in many other scenes. And the dialogue? Again, I'm more impressed with actors who can make bad dialogue less painful even if unsalvageable. How is the name Luke not Christmas like when the most quoted version of the real Christmas story comes from the Gospel of Luke? The contriving is strong with this one. Up to and especially including the grand gesture. Like most things in this film, there was potential but it missed the mark by a lot. And despite screen tags some of the timeline was quite confusing. I could go on but I won't waste more time. I suppose it could grow on me but I'm not holding my breath. It reminds me of bad song-fanfics I used to write before I learned a good idea does not equal a good execution and not everyone is a writer no matter how much they wish to be.

First, I love Hallmark Christmas movies. This attempt was a miss. Story is a little far-fetched but acceptable because it's Hallmark. What does stand out as a glaring mistake: The long hair for the military is way off. The low, low cleavage of the wedding dress was a "what was I thinking" dress faux pas. Movie had some laughs for all the wrong reasons. Better luck next time, Hallmark.

Cute movie. Love these two together. They are dating in real life. I had trouble with the timeline. The last 20 minutes seemed to happen to all in one day when it should've been a week.

Holy crap, My Grown Up Christmas List was just so bad! So very many things were major eye rollers that I can't see straight. She is supposed to be some fabulous journalist who is promised a cover story and the best she can come up with is some granny who crochets ornaments? These two meet on Christmas Eve and don't see each other for, what, a year or so. Yet yet they look exactly the same right down to the hair styles. And this "love affair" dragged on for how many years (it was so boring I lost track of that) and they never, ever change? Grandpa and his parents never age a day? And don't get me started on the long, decidedly unmilitary hair the dude sported. Or the military vehicles with civilian plates. Or the incorrect uniforms and the dude not wearing a cover outdoors. Virtually every military-related scene was so ridiculous. The super secret base is halfway round the world yet he manages to drop everything to run and save the soldiers because he's apparently the only person in the entire army capable of it and manages to arrive within minutes of the call - do they have teleportation in the miltary these days? And then she hops aboard some magic starship and finds her way to this super secret base as well, just in time to greet him. And what was with that hideous bridal gown that was riding so low that you could almost see her nipples except for the bath mat that she had wrapped around her shoulders. I realize that these two are apparently a couple in real life but, gah, what a lack of chemistry. Just when you think Hallmark might do something different, they botch it up yet again.

source: My Grown-Up Christmas List

I am a fan of this director, Andrew Cymek, and he has directed yet another wonderful movie. The story covered a five year period of a blossoming love story. The two lovers are separated much of the time because of the one character's Army responsibilities. It is a tale of love, loss, duty, and the beautiful Christmas spirit, realistically portrayed by a talented cast. Kevin McGarry is Luke the soldier, Kayla Wallace is the journalist ,Taylor, who learns what's truly important in life and magical at Christmas. I was a puddle of tears twice in the movie as these two delivered a magnificent performance that reminded me of the quality we used to see in Hallmark Hall of Fame productions of years past. It is a shame that there were so darn many commercials we had to sit through in order to watch the movie ,and I am certain more magic between these two actors was left on the cutting room floor because of it. Do yourself a favor and experience this new Christmas classic. You will love the dance, I promise. I loved it.