Kurt
kurtclement.bsky.social
Kurt
@kurtclement.bsky.social
Just a religious guy who leans left and likes football and books
Hallmark’s
“Miracle in Bethlehem PA”
A
Loved the slow development of romance the baby interrupting their moment. I even love the religious sprinkling. “That was my father’s favorite scripture” This booted a former top 10 to make it into my list. I am looking for more Benjamin Ayres movies now
December 7, 2024 at 9:47 PM
I think my son would like me to understand trans issues better. I am about kindness first. I am a huge fan of Natalie Wynn. It is a luxury of not having to think about the issues while recognizing that there are. I have friends on both sides (pretending there are just two) How do we talk, we don’t
December 5, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Hallmark’s
“Joyful Mrs Miracle”
C+
I am afraid that people will see this movie and say “typical Hallmark, It’s not bad, but there is so much better out there. The main character who is a Mary Poppins is more silly than whimsical or magical This had all the right elements but fell way short of good
December 5, 2024 at 10:45 PM
Where are the Trump fans? I need to get out of my echo chamber. My most pressing lack of understanding is when did protectionist policies trump pro business leanings? I honestly want to understand not devolve into name calling or nitpicking at meaningless anecdotes.
December 4, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Hallmark’s
“A Taste of Love”
B-
I expected a lot worse. Food shows are tough. It was a little bland. Erin is a treat. Production was good especially the sound. Could’ve skipped the romance and it wouldn’t have affected the movie. That is not a compliment. All characters were solid even the kids
December 4, 2024 at 5:32 AM
Hallmark’s
“A 90s Christmas”
B-
Chandler is great as always. I love time travel and magic There are some emotional scenes. Probably my favorite was Alex’s coming out arc. So why not a higher grade? The rules and motivation for time travel and relations were blah “The Family Man” much much better
December 2, 2024 at 10:10 PM
Where has all the good conversation gone. Most (not all) I interact with are conservatives. I had a good conversation with one. Yes she said some hurtful and hateful things but it helped us get to a good place because she knew it was safe place for her to share how she was feeling and it helped.
December 2, 2024 at 4:32 PM
Hallmark’s
“Holiday Touchdown”
B-
I can’t tell you how bad I wanted this to be a good show it was not. The promos for the show were so good. Sorry Ed was just awful and feel bad saying that. Cute cameos like Donna Kelce were great. The story was good. Production was solid. Romance was mediocre
December 1, 2024 at 7:40 PM
No one asked for it but here it is:
Top 10 Holiday Movies
(No particular order)
Round and Round
Spirited
While You were sleeping
The 5 Year Christmas Party
Ghosts of Christmas Always
I Believe in Santa
The 12 Dates of Christmas
Miracle on 34th street
It’s a wonderful life
Holiday Hotline
December 1, 2024 at 2:07 AM
Hallmark’s
“Ghosts of Christmas Always”
A-
In my top 10 Holiday movies. Michael Harding is so good that I’m looking for other movies he has been in. Locations crowds minor characters story all very good. The nice reference to Bill Murray’s Scrooge was subtle and added to the tone. Really liked it
November 30, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Christmas Twister
F
This movie is so bad it makes me feel bad for the people who took the job seriously and tried to make a good movie. There were some nice camera shots that lead me to believe that someone was capable and yet the end product was absolutely terrible. Not even ironically enjoyable
November 28, 2024 at 10:04 PM
One of my favorite Christmas movies “I Believe in Santa”
A+
A deep philosophical reflection on God and religion. Not everyone agrees. “I guess I’d rather be wrong having faith in something wonderful than wrong because I didn’t have any faith” “it is empty rituals and sometimes it doesn’t feel good”
November 27, 2024 at 7:53 PM
Hallmark’s
A Novel Noel
B-
The critical problem is his book doesn’t do enough with the romance. That is what is lacking in the movie. Acting A+. The bookstore set was weak. One minor character was tolerable. Story had some nice surprises but never made me want more or wonder what might happen next
November 26, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Hallmark’s
3 Wiser Men and a Boy
B
It must be hard to make a sequel better the original. A lot to like in this movie. It had the typical Hallmark problem with small crowds and not hiring great kids. They could’ve made the video game dance a lot better. Glad to see a lot of carryover from the first
November 26, 2024 at 12:15 AM
Hallmark’s
“3 Wiseman and a Baby”
A
We rewatched this in preparation for watching the sequel tonight. I forgot how funny it was. The dance scene is one of all time favorites. Not perfect but this probably goes on my to watch every Christmas list. The minor characters were great when Fiona, darling
November 24, 2024 at 8:04 PM
Hallmark’s
“The Christmas Charade”
C
I love the actors in other movies, not this one. Rachel Skarsten is wonderful. Corey Sevier is not. He isn’t helped by the story. We’ll put up with some nonsense (sliding down a rope) but there was too much (FBI breaking and entering, come on)
November 23, 2024 at 10:59 PM
Hallmark’s “Once Upon A Christmas Miracle” 2018
B
Great moment midway through that made the end seem a little flat that moment was great. Characters were very good except the main man. There was a scene early on where he couldn’t get a drink at a bar so making him kinda boring seem to be a choice
November 23, 2024 at 1:10 AM
Hallmark’s
Trivia at St. Nick’s
C-
I had a hard time finishing. None of the characters were interesting even the minor characters were mostly silly the most interesting character was Ruby. The romance mystic (will they, won’t they) was not there I didn’t crave to know what was going to happen next
November 21, 2024 at 7:53 PM
Hallmark’s “Our Holiday Story

B

Why didn’t I rate this higher. It has all the right elements but something was missing. Chemistry? Story? It seems to have been written by committee instead of a single vision of what needed to be said. It was harmless and that is not a compliment. Didn’t hate it
November 21, 2024 at 1:35 AM
Hallmarks The 5-Year Christmas Party
So much good to say about this show definitely an “A” it’s the little things that really made it stand out. The moving titles, the great minor characters, the great banter, the year passing montages, the sets. Great Job
November 19, 2024 at 8:33 PM
Review Hallmark’s
Jingle Bell Run
B+
I love Andrew Walker and Ashley Williams can do no wrong. The romance is believable the conflict isn’t forced and their interactions are fun. The only reason this is not an “A” is that the background game they are playing is kind of uninteresting
November 18, 2024 at 9:20 PM
Finished Octavia Butler’s “seed to harvest”. I was always on the verge of dropping it. Then it was done. I drop books quickly so that says something but I wouldn’t recommend it. I was surprised by the interaction between our known history and what I guess is science fiction fantasy.
November 15, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Money Monday
When living in France our friends confronted us asking why we always talked about money. When looking for an apartment the first thing we asked was how much. When we went to the dentist we asked how much when we were looking for an outdoor grill we asked how much. So American we were
November 12, 2024 at 6:01 PM
Contention is of the devil.
I don’t know how to be agreeable while not agreeing. This seems especially important today. I hold my tongue or maybe offer a different point of view but then only listen. But I’m not where I want to be. I want to be better
November 11, 2024 at 2:38 AM
Wellness Wednesday
My 89 year old mother doesn’t like sharing her age because she feels that is all that will be seen. Getting diagnosed with Parkinsons I now see what she means. I am not my diagnosis (but sometimes it feels that way)
November 7, 2024 at 12:20 AM