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roseytimmisnorton
Reviews
Father Brown (2013)
This 2024 series was truly the worst.
I have always loved this show, a bit of light, winter relief to dream of summer days to come.
This 2024 season though was appalling, it couldn't even be saved by the excellent returning characters.
Claudie Blakely is a talented and pleasant actor, who seems to have been given some very weak lines and an even weaker wig, which doesn't look right perched on her head. A waste of a real talent with her.
The newish support actor when interviewed has a pleasing voice but in the show seems to be still stuck in student stage performances. She gurns a lot and seems to have some very odd and awkward mannerisms.
Even the lovely weather could not save this one!
Hearts & Horses (2023)
Not even the horses could save this film!
I'm not sure if this was a home video, amateur actor promo film, but it certainly felt like it! The script and performances were so bad, it felt like an amateur dramatic society's B cast. It had so much potential but sadly the horses and scenery couldn't improve the film. I am surprised such dross was on prime to be honest.
If you like good films avoid this dross if you can, if not, turn the sound off and enjoy the scenery because that's by far the most enjoyable part of the film. The horses were decent actors, maybe the casting directors and screenwriters should find other employment, better suited to their talents.
Christmas in the Cotswolds (2023)
Terrible in every way.
This movie had a good premise and a little different but I couldn't watch it all the way through. First of all there were the half sisters, one of which was getting married, she had a smaller sister as well, the older half sister, an events planner was going over to organise the wedding. She had never met her father's partner or the youngest half sister but was close enough to the older half sister to organise the wedding. The bride was about 25 and the youngest sister, probably about 12, so it seemed she wasn't that close!
The script and the level of acting was amateur dramatic level and absolutely no chemistry between any of the characters whatsoever. This was awful.
A Kiss Before Christmas (2021)
Oh I loved this!
It had one of my favourite actors, Marilou Henner in and a stellar cast with Terri Hatcher and James Denton taking the leads.
Both the leads are old hands and deal with a fairly typical script in a fresh way. The chemistry is fantastic and clearly the entire cast worked hard to produce something above the norm for Hallmark. It was lovely to see an older couple take the lead, Hallmark has a habit of forgetting its older viewers. It was also nice to see Joyce, going to work towards being a lawyer and not a cookie shop owner or something equally stereotypical.
Well done Hallmark, you hit the bullseye with this one!
Joy & Hope (2020)
Beautiful scenery but some of the worst acting
The scenery was wonderful, I started to watch this as a nice gentle film with fabulous scenery but a few minutes into it showed a really weak script which was only surpassed in the acting.
The dialogue was forced and the actors struggled to find a natural flow to their speech or any depth to the characters.
This was so bad, I only managed a few minutes. Next time the director needs to stick to one job as she cannot write at all. The actors maybe need to find different jobs or try again with a better script and hope it shows their acting skills in a better light.
Poor horses and scenery, both deserved much better than this rubbish.
Almost Paradise (2020)
Okay but the potential love interests are 20 years younger
The show is light hearted and Christian Kane is not the strongest of actors although he is personable enough and love the stunts. The only really uncomfortable thing is most of the love interests are 20 years his junior and makes difficult watching. Love the supporting actors though, they are all strong and although it's very much tongue in cheek, it's a lighthearted, easy watching. I will continue watching but must admit to hoping they move aware from the ultra young women supposedly interested in a middle aged, economically poor and emotionally detached man. At least his hair is better in season two.
Love, Classified (2022)
Ignore the first few minutes and stick with it
I nearly gave up on this in the first few minutes with gen z and ads thing as it was quite annoying, however this evolved into a refreshing story and film.
I loved the development of the storyline with the mother, from the normal shallow character, she showed hidden depths to her personality and the actor played it with a fluff and lightness, not dwelling too much on the health issues.
The two romantic leads showed chemistry and it was a nice, gentle approach to their romance. Both actors certainly have a future! I loved the supporting cast, although it is quite sad to see one of the two previously Hallmark lead males only doing a cameo as a barman. Older women watch this too. The mother/old friend romantic story was lovely to see. Overall, a well balanced and written film, which will appeal to all ages.
Making Something Great (2021)
Two Hallmark stalwarts making good tv.
Not the strongest film I have seen them in but they always make the most of a weak script. A fairly decent supporting cast and some lovely scenic shots, I like the way Hallmark is moving in the more natural settings, we can only hope they can get some more varied careers for the female leads.
Two things caught my attention in this film, what an earth has Erin Cahill done to her teeth? Overly white and very unnatural, it sort of detracted from an otherwise good performance.
Last thing, coming from a British sheep keeper, what were the sheep? Some looked like Lincoln Longwools and really caught my attention.