My Must-Watch Christmas Movies {12 Days of Christmas}

You know those movies where it isn't Christmas until you've watched them?  Yeah, it's these for me.

Today, we're chatting about those movies that just make Christmas Christmas.  And personally, I think I've got some pretty iconic ones.

- White Christmas -

I mean, does it get any better than Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye?  No, no it does not.

- A Charlie Brown Christmas -

Why yes I do cry every time Linus does his Scripture monologue.

- Muppet Christmas Carol -

I will also cry every time Tiny Tim starts to sing "Bless Us All" and I have no shame.

- The Year Without a Santa Claus -

Three reasons I love this movie:

1) Mrs. Claus kicking butt

2) Vixen being generally adorable

3) The Miser brothers' songs ('cause they're absolute bops)

- It's a Wonderful Life -

You don't get more iconic or aesthetic than this classic.

- The Nativity Story -

Because, of course, this is what it's all about.

And there you have it!  What are your must-watch Christmas movies?  Do we share any favorites?  Let me know in the comments! 

Check out the other awesome 12 Days of Christmas posts from today! 

~ Abby

The Best of Hallmark Christmas Take 2 {12 Days of Christmas}

Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas!  (Or more like 7 around here... oops xD)  Today, I'll be recommending some of my favorite "comfort" movies; that's right, we're talking Hallmark! 

Now I don't know about you, but there's something about Hallmark Christmas movies that just brings me joy.  Maybe it's the typical small-town charm, maybe it's the predictable romance, I don't know why exactly I love them, I just know I do.  So here are 8 of my favorites.  (And hey, be proud of me, only one of these involves a royal. ... most of my faves with royals are on this list here, if you wanna know what those are, lol)

- One Royal Holiday -

We'll go ahead and start with the royals since this film features my favorite queen of any Hallmark movie hands down.  She's so cool, lol.  This movie was a ton of fun, and starred some true Broadway royalty in Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit, Victoria Clark, and Krystal Joy Brown, which led to some truly gorgeous singing scenes that made my Broadway-loving heart SO happy.  Plus, the story was adorable, which is always a plus.

- Write Before Christmas -

Chad Michael Murray Hallmark movies can be hit-or-miss for me, but this is by far my favorite.  It follows Jessica, who writes five Christmas cards to the people who shaped her life, and each of those cards, in turn, changes them for the better.  This one's just so sweet and lovely and gives me all the warm fuzzy feelings <3 

- The Christmas Bow -

This one is new this year, and it's maybe among my top 3 Hallmark movies ever, man.  I just adored everything about it.  The lead actress is actually a ridiculously talented violinist, Michael Rady is one of my favorite Hallmark leads (and this isn't the only time he's on this list), the story was unique, and I cried both times I watched it.  If I could recommend just one movie from this year's line-up, it would probably be this one.  (Also Gavin is #bestwingman and I love him, lol)

- Small Town Christmas -

Love story between an author and a bookstore owner?  Check.  Small town with an obsession with Christmas?  Check.  Love interest is the guardian of an adorable young child?  Check.  Kristoffer Polaha in sweaters?  Check.  Yep, it's a great one.

- Cranberry Christmas -

I didn't mean to put all the Movies & Mysteries recs together, but here we are. xD  This one was so unique!  Unlike most Hallmark movies, this one follows a married couple who have fallen out of love, but end up having to act like they're happily married in order to secure business for their small town.  And I absolutely adored it.  Nikki Deloach and Benjamin Ayres have excellent chemistry, and I'm just wondering how they've never done a movie together before, lol.  

- Christmas Waltz -

Say hello to my favorite Lacey Chabert movie since A Royal Christmas.  This one was so charming!  Was it the most realistic?  No, but I don't exactly come to Hallmark movies for them to make logical sense, am I right?  The dancing was so fun, and I actually thought the plot was pretty unique!  (Also can we talk about how proud I was that technically she broke up with her fiancé at the start of the film instead of the other way around?  Because yes, girl!)

- Two Turtle Doves -

See, I told you Michael Rady would be back!  This one gives me ALL the feels, as both the main characters deal with grief and find comfort in Christmas.  I laugh and I cry and it brings me so much joy.

- Christmas Town -

Candace had to make at least one appearance on this list, right?  This is one of my all-time Hallmark faves, another one that has all the feels.  I adore the adoption storyline, it's so sweet!  

And there you have it!  I think the lesson we've learned today is that some of the Hallmark movies coming out this year are so good, and I'm so glad.  I needed some good Christmas movies this year, y'know? 

Make sure you check out the other 12 Days of Christmas posts from today!

Have you seen any of these movies?  Let me know what you thought in the comments below! 

~ Abby

10 Books That Need Adaptations

Hi!  Uh... long time no blog!  With the world the way it is, one would think I'd have plenty of time to blog.  And they would be right, but for some reason my brain doesn't feel like putting words together to actually, you know, write a blog post.  But I figured it's about time I just post something, and since I've been watching a lot of movie/TV adaptations of books lately, I've been dreaming about what adaptations of some of my favorite books would look like.

Now, a lot of the time, adaptations can be really hit-or-miss.  I've always prided myself on my ability to separate an adaptation from its source material, but I these books could very easily be made in to fantastic movies or TV shows.  Let's jump on in to the list!

1. Three Times Lucky - Sheila Turnage

 

"never underestimate the power of stupid, dale."

This is the last audiobook I finished when I'm writing this, and it's part of what inspired me to put this post together.  It's been a long time since I've so desperately wanted a book to be made into a movie.  A middle-grade murder mystery full of humor and intrigue that kept me guessing until the last moment, I absolutely adore Mo and Dale, and it would be such a fantastic summer movie.

2. Lovely War - Julie Berry

 "the most ordinary mortal bodies are housed by spectacular souls."

This book practically begs to be a sweeping historical film, complete with gorgeous cinematography and a gorgeous score.  It's an incredible story about three love stories on the front lines of World War 1, and in my mind, Tom Holland would make an amazing James and Gal Gadot a perfect Aphrodite.

3. Heist Society - Ally Carter

 

 

"it is an occupational hazard that anyone who has spent her life learning

how to lie eventually becomes bad at telling the truth."

I need a Netflix film series please!  I don't know why a streaming service just feels like the right platform for this story to be adapted, but it does.  The world doesn't have enough heist movies, y'know?

 

 

4. Love You, Truly - Susan L. Tuttle

 

 

"your purpose helps focus you. it gives you something to concentrate on other than yourself."

"makes you feel whole?"

"no. only God can do that."

 

One of my favorite books of last year, this is a classic rom-com with a Christian twist.  This would be such a feel-good, cozy movie to watch again and again. <3

5. Peter and the Starcatchers - Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

 

"molly squeaked and clicked (the clicks were the hardest) something back,

which she hoped was "hello."

what she actually said was "my teeth are green,"

but the porpoise was too polite to point that out."

Now, this technically already has a stage adaptation, so it's probably too much to ask for a movie.  But I recently re-read this staple of my childhood and it's so wonderful and whimsical and fun that it would make such a fantasy, pirate-y, adventure-y classic and I'd love to see it.

6. When You Trap a Tiger - Tae Keller

 

 

"even if the tiger's stories upset me, i'm glad i heard them.

they made me feel like the world is huge, and i'm filled up with it.

like I could hear the stars, and listen."

Tae Keller has written two of my favorite middle-grade standalones, and this one is my favorite of the two.  This is a book of stories, the power they hold, and the comfort they can bring.  And it would be an absolutely beautiful, heart-breaking movie that would probably have me sobbing throughout it, but like, it would be worth it?

 

7. The Tradewinds Trilogy - Taylor Bennett

 

 

"it's okay to cry, sweetie.

it only means you have a heart so full it doesn't have room for tears."

 

I love this trilogy so much, okay.  I would love to see it get the movie treatment, if only to make heart eyes at the Hawaii setting and drool over the shave ice, haha!

8. Lockwood & Co. - Jonathan Stroud

 

 

"plan f, we follow plan f, right now."

"is that the one where we run away?"

"not at all. it's the one where we beat a dignified emergency retreat."

The Lockwood & Co. series would make such excellent TV I can't even.  There's action, there's mystery, there's humor, there's cake.  It's like teenage Ghostbusters and it's amazing.  Movies would also be great, but each book kind of reads like a separate season of a show, and it would be epic.

9. Romanov - Nadine Brandes

 

 

"the blood of our hearts spans miles, memory, and time."

 

A movie adaptation of this historical fantasy novel would be e p i c.  With the magic, the family bonding, the Russian setting, the plot twist, I'd probably watch the whole thing with tears in my eyes because it would be so dang beautiful.  Anyone else?

10. Navigating Early - Clare Vanderpool

 

 

"there are no coincidences.  just miracles by the boatload."

I LOVE THIS BOOK.  SO MUCH.  And seeing it as a movie, I'd literally just be sitting in the theater sobbing and it would be perfection.  The whole aesthetic of the book, the historical setting, each event that happens, Jack and Early's relationship, the story of Pi, I just really want to see this on the big screen, it deserves that.


And that's my list!  Do you agree?  Which books do you need to see adapted?  Let me know in the comments!

(And also, let me know how y'all are holding up right now! I know it's a scary time, but I hope and pray that you're all staying safe, healthy, and sane! <3)

- Abby

The Best of Hallmark Christmas

Also known as, "Abby's favorite Hallmark Christmas movies"!

Who else loves a good Hallmark movie around the holidays?  (Or three or four... or many more than that xD)  Yes, they're cheesy.  Yes, they all have a very similar plot line.  But good grief, they're fun.

I'd like to say I'm not easy to please with these but to be honest, I get sucked into them way too easily.  Particularly the ones with princes.  I don't know why I love those so much...

ANYWAY let's not talk about my type in men and just talk about the movies, yes?  *tries to keep a straight face and dies laughing*


1. The Mistletoe Promise

(also can we talk about how cute this poster is?)
The first time I watched this one, I walked away thinking "Wow... that actually had an original story-line!" They've made like... fifteen more with the "fake dating" trope since then but this one still holds up.  Fake relationships that turn into real relationships are just the cutest, oh my word.


2. A Royal Christmas


(this is not the only time Lacey Chabert is on this list xD)
Remember that thing about princes?  This was the one that started that for me.  The relationship in this one is just so PURE.  Also this one starts with them already dating, so there isn't any insta-love.  Which I appreciate.


3. Switched for Christmas

This one was just so. much. fun.  Two handsome guys, misunderstandings, twins who trade lives, it's jam-packed with great things.


4. A Nutcracker Christmas

Ballet!  The Nutcracker!  Feels!  This one has it all!  Just for the dancing portions alone, I love it, but it comes with a truly heart-warming story-line as well.  And all the costumes are just *heart eyes*


5. A Crown for Christmas

Bonus points on the royal front - this one is about a king. xD  No but really, I love the ones that have to do with kids and this one was just so darn cute.  It's my absolute favorite when the kid of the love interest start to love the main character and that's when he starts to realize that he loves her too... GAH it just makes my heart so happyyyy.


6. Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe

(see, I told you she'd be back, lol)
This one is new this year and other than using my least favorite trope (guy overhears something he wasn't supposed to overhear but leaves right before she explains herself and then he's all sad *rolls eyes*), it was really great!  I loved all the references to P&P, though I don't think Luke is the greatest genderbent Lizzie Bennet name. (I would have gone for Eli)  It was really cute!


7. Christmas Joy

I didn't know how I was going to feel about this one but like... it's got cookies, childhood friends-to-lovers, and one of the cutest couples I've seen on Hallmark in awhile.  What's not to love?  (no but seriously, they're really cute.  and their banter!  is so good!)


8. A Shoe Addict's Christmas

Was this really cheesy and kind of ridiculous?  Yes.  Did I adore it anyway?  Also yes.  It was a Christmas Carol-esque plot with a heart-warming message and hey!  there's faith content in this one!  Which is really cool!!


And there's the list!  Sorry about the short post, but you know... holiday craziness. 

What's your favorite Hallmark movie?  Do you have a soft spot for the royal ones like I do?

~ Abby

The LEGO Batman Movie (Film Review)

If you want to make the world a better place,

take a look at yourself,

and make a change.

Hooo.

- Batman

 

The LEGO Batman Movie

 

 

Over the past couple of weeks, I got the chance to see this movie twice, and as that's more than I typically see things in theaters, I figured I should do a review (and I will try to avoid spoilers as much as possible, but, like "The LEGO Movie", the trailers really tell you nothing about the actual plot of the film... what's up with that, LEGO?)

 

Brief Overview:

Being the coolest hero in Gotham City, Batman has almost everything he wants, though his butler and "father-figure" Alfred is convinced that he has yet to confront his biggest fear - snake clowns being part of a family again.  When he accidentally adopts a young orphan named Dick Grayson, he discovers that he may actually learn to care for someone else.

 

What I Thought:

This movie was so pleasantly surprising.  I was also pleasantly surprised by "The LEGO Movie" when it came out, so I guessed it might be a similar experience, which indeed it was.  Robin has stolen my heart (my precious son!!!!), Barbara Gordon is my hero, I want Alfred as a friend, and I actually sympathized with Batman (which is a first for me, honestly). 

 

The Characters:

Batman/Bruce Wayne -

 

This guy is so self-aware I love it.  The reason this is my favorite DC film ever is that Batman is called out for the way he deals with crime.  At one point (SPOILERS) when he goes to the Phantom Zone, he is confronted with the fact that his actions could make some think that he is indeed a bad guy. (END SPOILER) And I love that.

 

Robin/Dick Grayson -

This precious ray of sunshine!!!! I love him!!!!! Through a misunderstanding, this cutie ends up adopted by Bruce Wayne, and is equally excited when he realizes he's being "co-parented" by Batman.  Thanks to his agility and small size, his "Batdad" begrudgingly allows him to become something of a sidekick.  This adorable orphan is just happy to be part of a family and I just. I adore this kid, okay?

 

Batgirl/Barbara "Babs" Gordon -

A graduate of Harvard for Police and the daughter of the former police chief, Barbara has a vision of the Gotham Police Force teaming up with Batman.  Despite Bruce Wayne's misgivings, she never gives up, and is honestly one of the most determined female characters I've seen in a long time.

 

Alfred/The KickButler -

Alfred is awesome, but I've always felt that way.  Bruce Wayne isn't the easiest guy to work with, so the fact that Alfred has stuck around as long as he has will never cease to amaze me.  Plus he's voiced by Ralph Fiennes, so that alone makes him cool.


Favorite Quote:
Alfred - "Sir, I have seen you go through similar phases in 2016 and 2012 and 2008 and 2005 and 1997 and 1995 and 1992 and 1989 and that weird one in 1966."
Batman - "I have aged phenomenally."


Overall Rating: 5 abnormal villains out of 5


If you haven't seen this movie yet, I can't recommend it highly enough.  Honestly, the jokes have gotten me every time, even the ones I saw in the trailer:

If you have seen it, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

~ Mia 

Christmas Time is Here!

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME

HOORAY

HAVE SOME CHRISTMAS TUNES



Yes, this post was supposed to be up like two weeks ago.  But somehow this year's December has been even more busy and chaotic than most Decembers before.

So I thought I'd best pop in now that we're three days 'til Christmas (?!?!?!) and actually write a blog post. Yay.

Because I'm getting in the holiday spirit, I thought I would give you some things to watch that will bring you into it with me.  That's right.  I'm talking CHRISTMAS MOVIES. and CHRISTMAS EPISODES. and CHRISTMAS IN GENERAL YAYYY.

Let's begin with some Christmas Movies shall we?

1. White Christmas

Plot: Two famous radio actors and a pair of sisters go to Vermont for Christmas, only to find that the general they served under in WWII is down on his luck and needing a little Christmas cheer.  Much hilarity, sweet romance, and fabulous dance numbers ensue.

2. The Nativity Story

Plot: (if you didn't know this already...) Mary, a young woman from a small town, is visited by an angel and told that she will give birth to the Messiah.  Featuring Oscar Isaac as a much younger than was probably accurate Joseph but is still one of my favorite portrayals of him *cough* Also, the wise men are hilarious.

3. The Mistletoe Promise

(I couldn't find a gif *sadness*)
Plot: A divorced business owner teams up with a lawyer to convince everyone that they do, in fact, have someone to spend the holidays with, and end up, of course, falling in love with each other.
(random note: yes, this is a Hallmark movie. but my mom and sister and I have been watching so many Hallmark movies this season, and this has by far been my favorite)

4. It's a Wonderful Life

(can you have a list of favorite Christmas movies and this not be on it? I think not.)
Plot: A depressed man is guided by an angel to find out what would have happened if he had never been born. This leads him to the fact that despite all the hardships, he does, indeed, have a wonderful life.

5. Saint Nicholas

(couldn't find a gif for this one either *cries*)
Plot: When Junior has a bit of trouble giving away Christmas, Bob and Larry teach him about "Nick" and how he learned to give with a joyful heart.
(random note: I almost went with "The Toy That Saved Christmas" or "The Star of Christmas", as those are my childhood, but this one has so many puns I couldn't resist)


And now we move to what has become my personal favorite, Christmas-themed Episodes.

1. "The Ho, Ho, Ho Job" ~ Leverage (season 3)

(c'mon, you knew this was gonna be first)
Plot: While trying to take down a corrupt mall owner, the team goes undercover, making Parker a very happy elf and Eliot a very grumpy Santa.  And also confirming the status of Sophie and Nate as the team parents.

2. "Gus' Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy" ~ Psych (season 2)

Plot: Shawn is invited to spend Christmas with the Guster family, but ends up having to solve the murder of their neighbor, who has been known to argue with Mr. Guster.

3. "Santa's Midnight Run" ~ The Librarians (season 1)

Plot: Santa seeks the help of the Librarians when he is stranded without his sleigh, and Ezekiel keeps his magic hat safe, which means he is filled with Christmas spirit, which is absolutely hilarious.

4. "Girl Meets Home For the Holidays" ~ Girl Meets World (season 1)

Plot: It's Christmas in the Matthews household, which brings many family and friends back together, while Riley tries to figure out why Cory's best friend Shawn doesn't seem to like her.

5. "A Christmas Secret" ~ Murder, She Wrote (season 9)

(couldn't find a gif for the actual episode, so you just get Jessica's sassy face)
Plot: When a young Cabot Cove resident's fiancée is found to be more than he originally said, it's up to Jess to find out what he's hiding.  Also featuring Seth being a sarcastic grouch about Christmas.


That's all from me... no, wait, there's something else!  I have to extend an invitation!

Every year (for 20 years now, whaaaat???), my church puts on a drive-through nativity.  We all refer to it as "the drive-thru", but as many don't know what that even is, I shall endeavor to explain.  Basically, all over the church grounds, we set up 10 scenes, vignettes, if you will, that tell part of the Christmas story.  We furnish with costumed actors and live animals, set up a path of luminaries, and invite people from literally around the world to drive their cars through and see and hear the story unfold.  It is literally so hard to explain, wow.  I've been doing it all 18 years of my life, as my parents founded the ministry, so I like to call it my first lead role as a 3-month-old, playing baby Jesus. 

So if you live or will be visiting the Orlando area this Christmas, I encourage you to stop by one of the three nights!  And here's a link to the church's website if you need more information... plus teeny tiny pictures of what we do xD

And if you aren't going to be in the Orlando area, I have a favor to ask.  Pray?  Please?  It takes a lot to put this thing on, and more than normal as we had to completely rebuild the Inn scene this year.  God has blessed us in so many ways with this ministry, and we've seen so many people come to Jesus, and come to the church, because of it.  Boy, do I have stories I could tell!  But prayers are always appreciated, and then you can, in some small way, be part of what we do.  And that's always fun.



And so, we enter/exit another Christmas season.  I will leave you with a fantastic Christmas tune by the fantastic acapella group Pentatonix (if you haven't listened to their new Christmas album, I highly recommend it)

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS. OR NOT. IF YOU DON'T CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS :D CHRIST IS COME! GO AND TELL!

 

~ Mia