ThiefHott
Too much of everything
Greenes
Please don't spend money on this.
Smartorhypo
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Portia Hilton
Blistering performances.
Jack Vasen
I will give this movie credit for having maybe one of the most horrible breakups ever, making Stephanie "homeless".I would also say that the story premise was somewhat unusual except that Hallmark had the exact same premise the same year as this movie. Still those are the only two movies I've seen with it out of hundreds I've watched.But beyond the premise, the story was not good. And the dialogue was also bad. I especially hated the heart to heart conversations each of the leads had with the innkeepers. And in the first 1/3rd of the movie, Stephanie was so annoying, crabby, and rude, that I wanted to shut off the movie. Her behavior ran deeper than just a bad breakup. Then suddenly she was empathetic and caring.Mayim Bialik has so much experience but in this movie she delivered her lines like an amateur. It looked like she was trying too hard. Ryan McPartlin was better but there was still no chemistry between them and certainly no reason for him to do what he did. Reginald VelJohnson and Jo Marie Payton were also bad. Again it was like they were trying too hard. Perhaps it was the direction that made it look the same for all of them.
bikerdadhlv
Harsh summary, but it fits. Simply put, the lead character establishes herself as an unattractive shrew for the first 1/3 of the movie. Perhaps there are a lot of women out there that believe a woman like this would get a dreamy guy, but it ain't gonna happen. It's not that she's angry about getting dumped by a butt-nugget. No, her fatal character flaw is that she takes that anger out indiscriminately on others.The movie would perhaps be more believable if she were unattractive and sweet. Or attractive and bitchy, maybe. But, unattractive AND bitchy? (Yes, I know, it's "Hollywood Unattractive", but the bitchiness brings it out.) Not even chime rills and santa's magic can do the trick. (BTW, can we PLEASE find something other than the chime rills anytime Santa or an elf or angel does some magic??)The failure of this one falls on the producer and writers. The "harried guy/gal who's life falls before the holidays" is a staple, but the poor harried sap has got to be Likable at the start. I dunno, perhaps they nailed it if their intended audience, the lonely woman who thinks that being bitchy is being a "strong woman", who can't really figure out why her personal life isn't working out, and is hoping for some magic to fix things. I suppose that may be Lifetime's spin on the Hallmark Christmas romance.
phd_travel
Two people meet on a flight from LA back East. She has recently been dumped and he is an a long distance relationship. But of course romance ensues.The dialog is a bit more interesting than the usual Christmas TV movie. There seems to be a subtle message about compatibility of personality over looks. " This is Mayim Bialik's movie. For fans of "Big Bang Theory" where she plays Amy Farrah Fowler - it's a treat to see her. Usually Lifetime or Hallmark Christmas movies don't feature lead romantic actresses who look like or are shaped like her. It's nice to see someone like her leading this type of movie. Ryan McPartlin of "Chuck" is a good enough comedic actor to make his role believable. If you are going to watch one Xmas movie this year this is a good choice.
maslmichelle
Starring Amy/Blossom (Big Bang Theory & Blossom) Mr. Awesome (Chuck), Carl Otis Winslow, Harriette Winslow (Family Matters), and Lou Loomis (Caddyshack). I mean... Starring Mayim Bialik, Ryan McPartlin, and even Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters), Jo Marie Payton, and Brian Doyle-Murray.Short Synopsis: Two strangers share a room at a bed-and-breakfast when an unexpected snowstorm delays their flight on Christmas Eve.My Thoughts: First, props for showing this shot at the beginning. It's not just Staples Center here, home of the Kings and Lakers (and the Globetrotters), but it also has an Outdoor Ice Skating Rink (my favorites)!Second, props to the casting involved. A lot of actors from shows (and movies) that I really loved."Of course I can book a cross-country flight the day before Christmas Eve, with less than a day's notice. It's called "power of positive thinking."And low and behold, the "Last Minute Flights" prices is more than her rent! No surprise there. And Mayim was able to make that whole situation a little funny too.But enough of all that nonsense with the flights, because it's Mr. Awesome time. My Grandpa and I are fans of the show Chuck, so we know Michael (McPartlin) as Mr. Captain Awesome. He played the dream-guy in that show, and once again plays a dream-guy in this movie too. I don't think he'll ever escape being Mr. Awesome (although Zachary Levi is doing pretty good).His role as Michael Nolan is a pretty likable on IMO. And he has a really nice smile too.And from there, everything gets wrapped up into a Christmas Detour, only a lot better!!! I really didn't like Hallmark's Christmas Detour. Lifetime was able to use a somewhat similar story-line and make it 10 times better in my opinion (IMO).Plus, I really wouldn't mind sharing a hotel with Mr. Awesome too.Now I won't go on and compare the Hallmark movie to this Lifetime movie. If you're curious about the comparison, this Yahoo TV, Mandi Bierly (Deputy Editor) did it perfectly I thought. And they even agree with Mr. Awesome being better Eye-Candy than Paul Greene in a robe in a Christmas Detour.I really think The Flight Before Christmas was better because of the actors, and a better script. And I liked really liked this movie (my grandpa liked it too).The lead actors are both my favorites. And I know Paul McPartlin is his name, but my grandpa and I just know him as Mr. Captain Awesome from our favorite show, Chuck. I grew up watching Blossom (and Family Matters), and love Mayim as Amy in the Big Bang Theory!And as for the ending... there was a Happily Ever After. But at least it wasn't one of those insta-love things where they say that they love each other after a couple days (Christmas Detour). Nope. It took them a little more realistic time to declare their love.