akiwigirl Reviews

A Whitewater Romance (2024 TV Movie)

Give it a miss

[1/10 · 12 May 2024]

So I have watched this movie for 40mins, that's 39mims too much. I just couldn't do anymore.

The backdrop was stunning that is the only positive I have.

Hallmark generally want us to suspend belief so I did expect a ridiculous storyline BUT so many holes in this story plot - number one who goes on a wilderness trip on one day's notice! With no research! And without appropriate gear! And why would Matt find anything attractive about Maya - she's stupid judgemental and hello you are out in nature tie your hair back!!

The main problem with this film is the lead. Cindy will always only be a Hallmark actress she only has a limited range she always acts the exact same way in every role she acts in. Dull and predictable.

An Easter Bloom (2024 TV Movie)

Flowers, forgiveness and romance

[7/10 · 31 March 2024]

As per Hallmark there were holes in the storyline like Constance just giving away the prize money to people she didn't know well to save a business. It's not like they were a charity At the very least a normal person would check the financials to see how viable the business is. It made no sense.

Still I find myself saying I liked this movie. The Easter message was spot on, Aimee and Ben were delightful and I liked their pairing. The acting was alright all round actually. And there a load of nice moments like when Derrick ordered his very specific drink. Weird combo but loved the exchange he had with Amanda.

Also loved the flower theme with it being Spring it made me happy.

Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch (2024 TV Movie)

This had potential but what a letdown

[21 March 2024]

This is obviously a vehicle for Brooke but it was too much her acting was OTT but to be fair the writing didn't help - a fashion psychologist turns detective and of course is better at the investigation than the actual detective - so predictable. And her job title what was that about!

The casting of Gilles Marini and Paloma Coquant is super! Both are enjoyable to watch and can actually act that's always a surprise in a Hallmark production. Also Paloma est très belle.

Can't work out if this was filmed in Paris at all But I enjoyed the illusion of it being Paris and the use of French throughout was a nice happenstance as I speak French I don't know if non speakers would feel the same.

That said it didn't make sense that Lauren traipsed around Paris solving a crime without bothering to try to speak French. Talk about unrealistic

I'll just add Mohamed Belhadjine is a revelation I hope he has a long successful career.

Sense & Sensibility (2024 TV Movie)

What Did Jane Austen Do To Deserve This?

[1/10 · 25 February 2024]

One question - why?

Why on earth did this remake have to be made?

I say this as one who loves this book it is my second favourite Austen novel (after Persuasion) and I have read it multiple times and seen various versions on screen. And this... this drivel is an insincere adaption and the acting is awful, the accents iffy and it seems hurried and forced.

There's no romance at all you never feel the couples falling for each other. Wooden as. Poor poor Jane! Even the presence of the brilliant Martina Laird did nothing for me.

I kept on comparing it to the Ang Lee masterpiece. I have long believed Emma Thompson is Elinor Dashwood no one else will ever be able to fill those shoes. And this proves it.

Simply awful.

My Norwegian Holiday (2023 TV Movie)

This was a bit of alright

[2 December 2023]

An actual plot line - Hallmark can do it - I was beginning to doubt it.

I like this film. The setting was special. I travelled through Norway about 20 years ago and so know Bergen a little. Such a lovely city and Norway has such an unique interesting culture and I thought this film showcased it beautifully.

Of the acting; I love the character of Nora she was fun and I loved watching her dance with Henrik. I know Rhiannon from Home and Away so to have her rock up in Hallmark films has been a transition cos she has tended to play the exact same character in every film she has been in which feels staid, however is her best thus far.

The meet cute was ridiculous but I liked Henrik and JJ together they were sweet. All in all a nice way to waste away a few hours.

Ms. Christmas Comes to Town (2023 TV Movie)

This is a goodie

[7/10 · 27 October 2023]

Ohhh I liked this movie a lot.

I really liked the plot line - it produced all the feels and I liked that the romance wasn't the main story.

I have only ever seen Barbara Niven as a support actress (of which she excels every time) so it was lovely to see her take a lead role, and she is such a dote in this that you really can't help but care for her character.

I really like Brennan Elliott and Erica Durance individually so this pairing was a win for me. They had this easy natural rapport which made the romance inevitable. I will say though the movie could have done with exploring Travis' backstory a bit more. His character wasn't developed enough for me.

All in all even though there was a serious element to this I thought it was a nice light watch.

Twas the Text Before Christmas (2023 TV Movie)

Nah!

[3/10 · 24 October 2023]

Can't believe I watched a Christmas film in October.

This movie expects the viewer to be stupid

• The work collègue of Addie put in an offer for a house in the suburbs and had it accepted and already gave her notice without actually exchanging and moving in! Seriously I'm suppose to believe this how!

• Addie gets a job at Christmas in Aus and she has to start early January - yeah right has anyone heard of visas!

So funny the way Americans say Australia. Nobody who actually knows Aus would say Australia in long form as many times as they do in this movie. It's Aus or Oz people!!

And that accent from the voicemail when Addie gets her job offer - the worst try hard Aus accent ever!

I did like the concept of this film and the dog was so cute - that's all I liked about it.

Field Day (2023 TV Movie)

Alright way to kill some time

[6/10 · 16 October 2023]

Rachel and Benjamin are sweet in this. But something didn't gel with the story of their falling for each other. I got that initial attraction but then the drama of going on a date then it not being a date and then the next scenes.. all a stupid plot.

What works in this is the friendship of the three women, lovely how they came together and forged something meaningful and lasting. As a non American I didn't get the big deal of Field Day. We called it athletics in my day and it was run by the school and I don't recall any mothers organising any part of it. They seem to have too much influence on school activities in this film - is this the norm in the States?

Fourth Down and Love (2023 TV Movie)

Love the leads in this

[7/10 · 1 October 2023]

This one was kind of alright.

And largely because of the two leads Pascale Hutton and Ryan Paevey. Each individually are always a joy to watch but together in this they were so sweet, I enjoyed their coupling and thus seeing their story unfold. Just wish it went a bit deeper but hello it's Hallmark who don't seem to care about silly things like characterisation, hooks or gripping storylines. I also thought the support players were well cast. And the football story different.

All in all a fun light watch tad predictable but again it's Hallmark. I'm going to go look up this flag football concept now.

Mystery Island (2023 TV Movie)

mystery island not such a mystery

[5/10 · 30 September 2023]

Hmm did I like this... I'm not sure.

Negatives: It felt a bargain basement Knives Out II. And as with most Hallmark fodder the story wasn't fleshed out enough as such I didn't care enough about any of the suspects to want to know who the murderer was; could have done with being a bit longer if it meant better characterisation.

Positives: I really like the female lead. She brought an innocence to her role that made her endearing. So often Hallmark female sleuths are written as know it all/nosey characters.

I like seeing Kezia Burrows. I remember her from Apple Tree Yard and Dr. Foster. She brought the zany which you need when you have a mystery to solve. And major plus for me was the decor I love the doors in the mansion - the lattice work was divine.

Guiding Emily (2023 TV Movie)

A goodie

[8/10 · 9 September 2023]

Firstly there's a dog in this film.

Secondly Sarah and Antonio are wonderful together. To be fair I like both actors anyway but in this I Felt their friendship immediately and willed their romance on from the beginning. It's a sweet sweet tale, a decent offering from Hallmark after quite few recent duds. Made me feel happy start to finish and actually could have done with being a bit longer. A few mentions: Matty Finochio and Peter Benson were great in their roles as support actors also.

Thirdly in case I hadn't made it clear there's a dog in this film. Not enough of him but still enough to make me smile.

Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance (2023 TV Movie)

Absolute snoozefest!

[2/10 · 3 September 2023]

This was soooo predictable!! Which I know these films pretty much are but this one I knew exactly what would happen within the first 5 minutes... and unfortunately I was right.

I have always liked Arielle Kebbel, she is a great actress. BUT She was too much for this drivel - too talented too confident too dominating. Total waste of this actress. The other actors may well be talented but this didn't showcase their wares at all in particular the chick who played Sky was dull dull dull. However I did think the actor who played Troy brought a sweetness to his role.

The writing never held my attention and I never bought into the romance so didn't care about the ending nor did it make me want to explore the mountains.