Movies
The Ultimate List of Hallmark's Best Christmas Movies Ever
2024-12-08
‘Tis the season to embrace the warmth and joy of Christmas with a cozy blanket, delicious cookies, and a heartwarming Hallmark Christmas flick. With a rich history spanning over two decades and dozens of films to choose from, selecting the perfect one can be a delightful yet challenging task. To assist you, we have curated a list of the all-time best Hallmark Christmas movies that are sure to enhance your holiday season.

Uncover the Enchantment of Hallmark Christmas Movies

Inventing The Christmas Prince

Hallmark has gifted us with a plethora of beloved Christmas movies, and creating a definitive list is no easy feat. Whether you're in the mood for a classic or a recent favorite, keep reading to discover the best Hallmark Christmas movies that will bring joy to your holiday season. "Inventing The Christmas Prince" takes us on a captivating journey where Shelby, a rocket engineer on the verge of quitting her job, finds herself entangled in a Christmas tale when her daughter believes her Scrooge-like boss is a real Christmas prince. With a talented cast including Tamera Mowry-Housley and Ronnie Rowe Jr., this movie is a must-watch.

The story unfolds with Shelby's daughter's unwavering belief and her determination to prove her boss's true identity. As Shelby navigates through the holiday season, she discovers the magic of Christmas and the power of believing in the impossible. The film's charming plot and endearing characters make it a standout in the Hallmark Christmas movie canon.

The Sweetest Christmas

In "The Sweetest Christmas," we follow Rachel as she finds herself stuck in a time loop, reliving the night of her parents' Hanukkah party. With the help of Zach, the nice boy her grandma is trying to set her up with, Rachel must find a way to make it to tomorrow and break free from the loop. Lacey Chabert shines in this heartwarming tale, along with Lea Coco and Jonathan Adams.

The movie beautifully captures the essence of Christmas and the importance of family and love. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the story keeps you engaged from start to finish. "The Sweetest Christmas" is a true holiday gem that will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Nine Lives Of Christmas

As the Christmas holiday approaches, a veterinary student and a stray cat embark on a journey that challenges a fireman's commitment to bachelorhood. "Nine Lives Of Christmas" tells a unique and touching story filled with love, compassion, and the magic of the holiday season. Kimberly Sustad and Brandon Routh bring the characters to life with their exceptional performances.

The film explores the themes of second chances and the power of connections. It shows how even the most unlikely pairings can lead to unexpected love and happiness. With its beautiful cinematography and engaging plot, "Nine Lives Of Christmas" is a must-see for Hallmark Christmas movie enthusiasts.

Ghosts of Christmas Always

Katherine, a Ghost of Christmas Present, is tasked with helping one soul rediscover his Christmas spirit. But this year, there's something unusual in store as she embarks on her mission. Kim Matula, Ian Harding, Beth Leavel, Reginald VelJohnson, and Lori Tan Chinn deliver outstanding performances in this enchanting tale.

The movie delves deep into the emotions and struggles of the characters, making you feel every moment of their Christmas journey. It reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of spreading joy and love. "Ghosts of Christmas Always" is a holiday classic that will leave a lasting impression.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Jennifer Cullen is a single, working mom who has become a bit of a Scrooge during the holiday season. Her six-year-old son Brian is also having trouble believing in Santa Claus. But when her Uncle Ralph comes to visit with a new friend, Morgan Derby, everything changes. Brooke Burns, Warren Christie, Woody Jeffreys, and Henry Winkler bring this heartwarming story to life.

The movie explores the themes of family, love, and the magic of Christmas. It shows how a simple act of kindness and the presence of loved ones can transform a person's holiday spirit. "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is a timeless classic that will make you believe in the power of Christmas once again.

The Holiday Sitter

Sam, a workaholic bachelor, finds himself babysitting his niece and nephew during the holidays. Completely out of his element, he enlists the help of a handsome neighbor and soon discovers an unexpected romance. Jonathan Bennett and George Krissa shine in this charming and lighthearted movie.

The story is filled with humor, heart, and the joys of the holiday season. It shows how sometimes the most unexpected things can lead to the greatest happiness. "The Holiday Sitter" is a feel-good movie that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Christmas with Holly

Maggie Conroy moves to Washington to open a toy store and meets a man whose priority is caring for his orphaned niece. Through her love and her store, Maggie opens their hearts and creates a magical Christmas. Sean Faris and Eloise Mumford deliver excellent performances in this heartwarming tale.

The movie showcases the power of love and the importance of community during the holiday season. It reminds us that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact. "Christmas with Holly" is a delightful addition to the Hallmark Christmas movie collection.

My Christmas Family Tree

A woman discovers her family tree during the holidays and meets her long-lost relatives for the first time. This heartwarming story explores the themes of family, heritage, and the magic of Christmas. Aimee Teegarden and Andrew Walker bring the characters to life with their chemistry and performances.

The movie takes you on a journey of self-discovery and reunification. It shows how our family ties can bring us together and create lasting memories. "My Christmas Family Tree" is a must-watch for those who cherish the importance of family during the holiday season.

The Holiday Stocking

A new angel gets the chance to address his one regret - that he didn't help his sisters reconcile while he was alive. Returning to Earth as a stranger, he sets out to revive their parents' old tradition of encouraging charity. Nadine Ellis, Tamala Jones, and BJ Britt deliver powerful performances in this inspiring story.

The movie emphasizes the value of forgiveness and the power of giving. It shows how a simple act of kindness can heal past wounds and bring families together. "The Holiday Stocking" is a touching and meaningful Hallmark Christmas movie.

A Royal Christmas

Emily Corrigan, a devoted seamstress at her family business, is madly in love with her European boyfriend, Leo. But as their first Christmas together approaches, Leo drops a bombshell - he is actually Prince Leopold, heir to the throne of Cordinia. Lacey Chabert, Stephen Hagan, and Jane Seymour bring this royal romance to life.

The movie combines the charm of Christmas with the excitement of a royal love story. It shows how love can transcend boundaries and bring two people together. "A Royal Christmas" is a delightful and enchanting Hallmark Christmas movie.

Christmas Under Wraps

After unexpectedly moving to Alaska, an ambitious doctor starts a new romance and discovers a holiday secret in her small town. Candace Cameron Bure and David O'Donnell shine in this heartwarming tale.

The movie takes us on a journey of love, adventure, and the magic of Christmas in a unique setting. It shows how sometimes we need to leave our comfort zones to find true happiness. "Christmas Under Wraps" is a must-see for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies.

A Christmas Love Story

A youth choir director must write the title song for the Christmas Eve show but becomes distracted when a gifted boy joins her choir unbeknownst to his widowed father, Greg. Kristin Chenoweth and Scott Wolf deliver outstanding performances in this touching story.

The movie explores the power of music and the magic of Christmas. It shows how a simple act of creativity can bring people together and create lasting memories. "A Christmas Love Story" is a heartwarming and inspiring Hallmark Christmas movie.

Take Me Back for Christmas

A Christmas wish gives Renee the successful life she'd always dreamed of, but she discovers that she is no longer married to her husband Aaron. Now, Renee must race against the clock to win him back before Christmas Eve. Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier bring this romantic tale to life.

The movie is filled with emotion and the urgency of the holiday season. It shows the importance of love and the lengths we will go to for those we hold dear. "Take Me Back for Christmas" is a must-watch for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies.

Three Wise Men and a Baby

Three brothers experience unexpected journeys of self-discovery and healing as they are forced to work together to care for a baby throughout the holidays. Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, and Margaret Colin deliver exceptional performances in this heartwarming story.

The movie shows the power of unity and the importance of family during the holiday season. It reminds us that sometimes the most challenging situations can lead to the greatest growth and happiness. "Three Wise Men and a Baby" is a touching and memorable Hallmark Christmas movie.

A Biltmore Christmas

A magical hourglass sends modern-day screenwriter Lucy Hardgrove to the set of the 1947 holiday movie classic "His Merry Wife!" But before she can return to the present, Lucy must make things right or risk altering the future forever. Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Polaha, and Jonathan Frakes bring this enchanting story to life.

The movie combines the magic of Christmas with the allure of a bygone era. It shows how a chance encounter can change our lives and the importance of following our dreams. "A Biltmore Christmas" is a must-see for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies.

Olivia Wilde: Girls Told to Act, Boys to Direct When Loving Movies
2024-12-08
Olivia Wilde, one of the few actresses in Hollywood to successfully transition into directing, shares her insights on the industry and the challenges faced by women. She emphasizes the importance of messaging given to children and the need for a cultural shift to encourage more female directors.

Uncovering the Path from Acting to Directing

Reasons for the Small Number of Female Directors

Olivia Wilde believes that one of the reasons for the small number of female directors in Hollywood is the messaging given to children. When little girls express an interest in cinema, they are often told to be actresses. In contrast, when little boys express the same interest, they are encouraged to be directors. This disparity starts at a young age and can have a lasting impact on a woman's career choices.She said, "I think for many young women, when we love movies as little girls, we’re told, ‘Oh, you should be an actress.’ I think when little boys say they love movies, people say ‘You should be a director.’" This shows the need for a change in the way we encourage and support young people in their creative pursuits.

Female Directors and the Financiers

Wilde also addressed the issue of female directors and the ongoing domination of men behind the camera. She believes that movies directed by women don't make less money. The problem lies with the financiers and the studios. They need to take risks and support more female directors.She said, "Movies directed by women don’t make less money. It’s not the audience’s problem. It’s the financiers, it’s the studios. They need to take what they perceive as a risk." A cultural shift is also needed to change the way we think about female directors and give them the opportunity to shine.

Raising Women to Believe in Themselves

Wilde believes that we need to raise women to believe that they are allowed to take up space and be leaders. She said, "I think we need to raise women to believe that they are allowed to take up space, that they’re allowed to be leaders. It’s difficult to run a production, and it’s difficult for men too. But as women, we’re sort of told that we should, in many ways, constantly apologize for our existence. And as a director, you can’t do that." By instilling confidence and self-belief in women, we can help them succeed in any field, including directing.

Wilde's Journey from Acting to Directing

Wilde also discussed her own journey from being an actress to a director. She wanted to be an actress from the age of three and moved to Hollywood at the age of 18. Her first job was as a casting assistant, and her first role was in the TV show "Skin." She then went on to star in "The O.C." and "House," which helped her profile grow dramatically.Her first feature as a director was "Booksmart" at the age of 34. She said, "The O.C. would be Wilde’s first break, but it was the five years she spent starring in “House,” which she claimed was reaching an audience of 27 million per episode, that would see her profile grow dramatically." This shows the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving one's goals.

The Impact of Fame on Creativity

Wilde also discussed the impact of fame on creativity. She said, "The damage that does to an artist is profound, because you stop being as fearless. I think once you fear that you will be judged, you become self conscious in a way that has never been good for any artist." She was lucky to have good mentors who showed her the "meaningless" of it.She added, "I director mentor recently said to me that directors have to decide at a certain point, do you want to be a celebrity or an artist. Because of social media, it’s become even more combined." This shows the need for artists to stay true to themselves and not be influenced by fame and social media.

Transitioning Behind the Camera

Wilde's transition behind the camera began as a producer on the 2015 feature "Meadowland." She said, "Part of Wilde’s transition behind the camera, which began as a producer on the 2015 feature “Meadowland,” she said was realizing that “acting is the only job where the more experience you have, the less valuable you become… with actresses, the older you get, the less valuable you become.” She wanted to become "more celebrated" for her growing wisdom and experience.She said, "For me, it was such a boost in confidence to know that I can actually walk into a room and sell a movie, get a movie financed, because I know what I’m talking about." This shows the importance of having confidence and knowledge in one's field.

Upcoming Projects

Wilde is next appearing in Gregg Akari’s provocative erotic thriller “I Want Your Sex” alongside Cooper Hoffman and Charli XCX. Her next turn as director is expected to be the feature adaptation of “Avengelyne,” with Margot Robbie tapped to star.She said, "Wilde is next appearing in Gregg Akari’s provocative erotic thriller “I Want Your Sex” alongside Cooper Hoffman and Charli XCX, while her next turn as director is expected to be the feature adaptation of “Avengelyne,” with Margot Robbie tapped to star." This shows her continued success and her ability to take on different projects.
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The IMDb Top 250: Only 5 Horror Films That Made the Cut
2024-12-08
It is truly astonishing to consider that in today's film landscape, there remains any form of debate regarding the legitimacy of horror as a serious cinematic genre. The very notion of "elevated horror," which this site has passionately opposed, seems to suggest from the very beginning that horror requires an additional element to reach the lofty heights of drama. However, aside from the absurdity of believing that confronting society's deepest fears through the art of film is less significant than other cinematic endeavors, the history of cinema is replete with masterpieces that proudly reside within the horror sphere.

Unraveling the Mystery of Horror's IMDb Ranking

Universal Pictures: The IMDb Top 250 and Horror Films

It is important to note that IMDb's top 250 films list is determined by user ratings. This fact alone makes the situation even more concerning as audiences, rather than some faceless corporation, have seemingly neglected the horror genre. Despite this, the list remains as it is. So, which horror films managed to secure a place in a ranking where "The Shawshank Redemption" still holds the title of the greatest movie ever made?The lowest entry on the list is "The Exorcist," which occupies the 228th position with a rating of 8.1 based on 461,000 votes from users. John Carpenter's "The Thing" follows closely in the 149th position, boasting an 8.2 rating based on 484,000 votes. "The Shining" claims the 68th position with an 8.4 rating derived from 1.1 million votes, while "Alien" makes it to the 51st spot with an 8.5 rating based on 991,000 votes. Finally, Hitchcock's "Psycho" takes the highest-rated spot among horror films, with an 8.5 rating based on 737,000 votes, placing it at number 34 overall.However, before one takes this list too seriously, it is crucial to consider that any registered IMDb user can vote on individual films, and there are internal processes at play that complicate the final ratings we see on the site. As IMDb itself states:"Although we accept and consider all votes received by users, not all votes have the same impact (or 'weight') on the final rating. When unusual voting activity is detected, a different weighting calculation may be applied in order to preserve the reliability of our system. To ensure our rating mechanism remains effective, we don't disclose the exact method used to generate the rating."

The Significance of Horror's Absence in IMDb Rankings

It is fascinating to observe that some of the horror films listed in the IMDb top 250 are not your typical horror movies like "Halloween" or "Nightmare on Elm Street." In fact, two of the films on this list could arguably be classified under another genre altogether: sci-fi. The slow-burning sci-fi horror elements of "Alien" and "The Thing" contribute to the greatness of these films and undoubtedly deserve their place on the list. Yet, the fact that these sci-fi classics are among only five horror movies in IMDb's top 250 suggests that the concept of "elevated horror" still holds sway among the general public, who may still view horror as needing an extra element to be worthy.Nevertheless, "Psycho" is the quintessential slasher film, and although "The Shining" is not exactly in the same category, Stanley Kubrick's seminal work is one of the best psychological horror movies ever made. In this sense, it can be argued that some straightforward horror films did make it onto the list. However, it is still disheartening to see that if one were unaware of the history of film and relied solely on this list, they would have no real understanding of the crucial role that horror has played in the development of cinema, from Georges Méliès's "The House of the Devil" in 1896 to modern horror films like "Skinamarink" that continue to push the boundaries of filmmaking.It is also disappointing to note that not a single film that could be considered horror or horror-adjacent made it into IMDb's top 10 movies of all time. Therefore, for those seeking to be reminded of the power of horror as a genre, it is recommended to check out /Film's own list of the 106 best horror movies ever made.
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