Great American Family Movies

Image:  GAC Family Media A Kindhearted Christmas Plot Summary A woman enjoys covertly giving gifts to needy members of her community and appreciates the anonymity until she meets a handsome journalist who might expose her. Starring:   Jennie Garth and Cameron Mathison My movie grade:  C+ Imagine If the News Focused on Uplifting Stories This movie is a great reminder that it is better to give than to receive.  When we have the resources to help someone who needs it, our generosity can have a profound impact.  Scott Morris (Mathison) is a journalist assigned to reporting on the Secret Santa in Coopersville, and one reason he loves the job is this:    "People need to see there's good in the world."  If you watch the news, you'd think evil reigns, so human-interest stories showing the kindness of others is very inspirational. One relatable moment is when Jamie (Garth) meets Scott for the first time.  Having watched him every day for years on Wake Up Upstate , she feels

Image:  GAC Family Media A Miracle for Daisy Plot Summary An interior designer is happy to land a job decorating a house she has always admired in her hometown, especially since it would boost her company's exposure.  When she learns the home belongs to her ex-boyfriend and his daughter, she is less than enthused. Starring:   Jill Wagner and Nick Bateman  My rating:  A- Jill Wagner Delivers Jill Wagner is a pro, and she can be paired with anyone and still generate plenty of onscreen chemistry.  She's a little ornery, too, which adds to the fun, upbeat movie vibe.   Terrence Kelly plays Kris Kringles, who seems to be a hired Santa for the holidays yet who possesses enough magic to make you think he might just be the real deal. Hallmark fans will be thrilled to see Andrew Francis in this one, and his role is very much the boy-next-door.  Eric has been crazy about Whitney's business partner, Andi, for many years and has asked her out countless times.  Despite being sweet and

  Image:  GAC Family Media The Great Christmas Switch Plot Summary Sophia is a single city girl who is tired of the stress her demanding boss creates for her.  Kaelynn, her identical twin sister living in the Midwest, is burned out from the demands of motherhood and married life.  To escape the stress of their respective situations, the sisters switch places for Christmas.  Their charade ends up helping them discover what they've been looking for is right in front of them. Starring :  Sarah Lind and Dillon Casey (2021) My movie grade:  B+ Better to Live the Life You've Been Given The movie is fun because both sisters have completely different personalities, so they aren't always able to maintain the opposite persona, which makes them seem "off" to those who know them best.  This leads to some comedic scenes. It's also a heart-warming story to remind us all that the grass is never greener on the other side.  We may not always appreciate what we have, but when

Image:  GAC Family Media Much Ado About Christmas Plot Summary Haley is the daughter and sole heir to her wealthy mother's business empire, but she fails to disclose this to her new romantic interest, Claud.   With her charitable acts of kindness in the community and down-to-Earth demeanor, Haley certainly doesn't fit the stereotype of an elitist.  Although Haley's motives in withholding her true identity are understandable--she wants Claud to like her for her--he feels betrayed when pitching his company's campaign ideas to her mother and learns who she really is.  Lucky for them, Christmas is always a season of miracles. Starring:  Susie Ambromeit and Torrance Coombs My movie rating:  B Torrance Coombs "Makes" the Movie The staging is opulent, ornate, and altogether lovely for a seasonal movie.  Torrance Coombs has eyes  one could drown in, and he assumes an English accent for the movie, which adds another layer of sexy.  He is a seasoned actor who brings a