Not Quite Cruel Summer Nights — fangirl, interrupted

How are we already in the summer nights of Hallmark? That just means we’re already halfway through the year and that means we’re practically in Countdown to Christmas. Nevertheless, I am easy to please and it’s summer movies, so it can’t go too wrong — or can it?

You Had Me at Aloha

When the host of a popular travel show resigns, the network enlists Paige (Hutton), to step in for the next season set in Hawaii. Unbeknownst to her, they have also hired Ben (Smith), who likes to push everything to the extreme. As these two new co-hosts clash over their opposing ideas for production, they grapple with the fact that not only do they need each other to further their careers, but they also balance each other on and off the screen. Starring Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith.

Pascal and Kavan can do no wrong. Ever. I’m so happy we get another turn with them in modern clothes and this time set in Hawaii. I always love Kavan movies because they’re always so mature and by that I just mean realistic and non-childish (by Hallmark standards). And this time, they play the banter of opposites attract so well with all the teasing and fighting and doing beach activities.

I really do wish we get more of these two cause even if they’re already staples on When Calls the Heart, we clearly need more of them. Their chemistry is just right and not forced and I enjoyed it so much, I actually watched it in 1x speed — a rare feat for me and Hallmark. So please, Hallmark, give these kids whatever they want, because I want more.

Rating: ⛱⛱⛱⛱⛱

The Baker’s Son

Matt’s passion transforms his bread from bland to brilliant. But when his bread loses its magic, the island locals panic and turn to Annie –- Matt’s childhood friend and true love –- for help. Starring Eloise Mumford and Brant Daugherty.

I love when Hallmark tries something new and they did with not just fresh ish faces for this one but also a slightly magical realism plotline. Brant Daugherty’s arms are the star of this show and he shows them off with all that bread kneading. It’s also quite nice to see a new girl with Eloise Mumford and her slightly manic pixie dream girl schitck but make it Hallmark.

I also really enjoyed the townsfolk and secondary characters that made up the town! It felt very reminiscent of Gilmore Girls in the way they colored the scenes but didn’t take away from the main characters but also like a Dawson’s Creek with all the best friend angst between the two leads. Over-all, I’m just glad it wasn’t treacly and instead quite whimsical. Here’s to more of this.

Rating: ⛱⛱⛱⛱

Her Pen Pal

Event planner Victoria can't wait to attend, and plan, her best friend's Paris wedding. But when she finds out that her ex is bringing a date, she reconnects with her French childhood pen pal. Stars Mallory Jansen and Joshua Sasse.

Give me Paris any day of the week and I’m so glad we got some Mallory Jansen to go with it, because I loved her in 12 Dates of Christmas and she was delightful here. It felt like an extended cut of the Begin Again video by Taylor Swift where Mallory looks beautiful in her wardrobe walking along the Seine and flirting with this very handsome “French” man played by Joshua Sasse (who is spoiler alert: British! Kudos on that accent!)

So why not a perfect score for this then? because there was too goddamn much going on in the periphery. They should have just let Paris and the lovers do the talking — what with their long distance problems and personal shit, they didn’t need to add a best friend getting married with her issues, another friend with pregnancy issues and an ex with more issues. Like how many issues can we truly care about? None for me.

Rating: ⛱⛱⛱⛱

Sand Dollar Cove

Stamford developer Elli works on acquiring a beachfront property in Sand Dollar Cove, a quaint Connecticut beach town, but falls for the town's charm and property owner in the process. Starring Chad Michael Murray, Aly Michalka and Clare Bowen.

How could this movie turn out so wrong in all the ways it could when it had all the right elements. Apart from the usual trope of big city developer coming to destroy a small town, we were gifted with Chad Michael Murray and Aly Michalka whom I actually really enjoyed on iZombie so I had really high hopes for this one. But this just wasn’t any fun. At all.

They seemed pained to be there — almost like a hostage video and they just didn’t look like they were enjoying it. though the visuals were pretty damn great — a seaside town with a nice pier and lots of sailing? You can’t go wrong right? Well, they were just a tad too serious, looked like they weren’t having fun and I did not find myself feeling any feels apart from, please let this be over. Such a letdown for the last movie of the season, too.

Rating: ⛱⛱