A Cookie Cutter Christmas

source: A Cookie Cutter Christmas

A Cookie Cutter Christmas.2014.720p.HDTV.x264_TTL

A Cookie Cutter Christmas.2014.720p.HDTV.x264-SAMPLE_TTL

Moviecut—A Cookie Cutter Christmas

Big mansions... small Christmas trees. No snow but winter jackets with scarves, perfectly green grass with trees full of beautiful leaves.... What season is it?? Tiny little bites of each cookie to decide the winner. Not sure Alan Thick even got a taste. And are we kidding with the host of the contest also being a contestant??? Could the movie not afford one more "actor/actress". The budget was clearly blown on all of the tinsel from my grandmas Christmas decorations from the 80s and did I mention the size of the Christmas trees? Thankfully an incredible heartwarming speech in put an end to an awful childhood feud and a shocking surprise when the girl gets the guy.

7.6 stars. I don't understand why Erin Krakow gets stuck with such horrific roles. Talk about hiding the candle under a bushel... However, in light of her character's obvious struggle to be civilized while under constant pressure from a bully, she seems to make the best of it. This does not negate the fact she is continuously making a spectacle of herself and degrading her own self-respect. The nonsensical behavior ranges from cringe-worthy to downright repugnant. It was quite awkward to watch, and kudos to the actors for eliciting such disgust and tense emotions, albeit with the intent of being blithe. I guess it takes the attention of a good and charming man to shake her out of this strange and endless competitive loop of cattiness, frustration, and futility. Take away the absolute silliness and absurdity and you have a fairly decent and entertaining film. The acting was above average, the chemistry between our leads is palpable, and the teacher/child connection was very heartwarming and sweet. As she learns some difficult lessons, and through some introspection, eventually she brushes the shallow rivalry aside... forgiveness overcomes and her kind soul wins the day...and the man. Hallmark gives our two leads and a lovely and bright little girl the opportunity to spread their wings just enough to make this an entertaining and special experience. No trophies to be won for this film, but it's on my triennial watchlist.

There is one scene in this movie that makes it worth watching despite its problems. Or better yet, when it comes up again on TV, fast forward to around the last 45 minutes. Two elementary school teachers have been engaged in a rivalry since childhood when one horned in on the other's song solo. Whatever one does, the other one has to better it. Each cannot stand the other to be in the spotlight. It's fairly harmless until a handsome widower with a daughter comes to town. The story is mostly told through Erin Krakow's character, so we know that she is the one we are supposed to root for with the actresses trademark sweet, gentle, sincere demeanor. Despite her questionable behavior throughout, we know she is a good person at heart. Her rival is effectively played by Miranda Frigon best known for playing the grumpy police chief in the Aurora Teagarden mysteries. Skipping to the scene in question. Miranda has invited all of the festival (there's a festival) volunteers to a party at her home and is forced to invite Erin ("Your invitation will be *shoved* in your In-box") Miranda is very proud of her singing ability and announces that she is going to favor the group with her solo rendition of Silent Night, snagging the handsome widower to accompany her on the piano. She has no shame, but as soon as she starts singing Erin starts sneaking up to her side as if she is under the Confundus charm and joins in. I'm like, "Oh no she is not going to...." But she did! Silent Night gets louder and louder as the two try to drown each other out, to the total befuddlement of all the guests, and the horror of Erin's mother. When they get to the last line "When Chri-ist was born", "Christ" comes out so loudly and aggressively as each of them vie for supremacy, that it's almost sacrilegious. Then Miranda ends with a pose like she is the Madonna cradling Baby Jesus in her arms. It is the most irreverent and intentionally funniest performance I have ever scene in a Hallmark movie. It provides the turning point in Erin's journey. She walks out of the party with her deer-in-the-headlights look thoroughly shocked at her own behavior. She has finally gone too far. After some skullduggery on Miranda's part to get through, the two former friends make up, and Erin gets her man.

Loved the idea and concept of the movie, broken then mended friendship, caring for the community, sprinkle in cookie baking competition and it's a sweet movie . But... so couldn't stand watching the guy character so childishly upset over a cookie recipe that he thinks she took from him, he was so rude to her, so angry, who ever wrote the script really thought that this will end with a good outcome of love and a kiss at the end when he was so mean to her about it? We'll it did end that way, a quick sorry and kiss at the end.. So odd.

The friendship of two young girls develops into a deep-seated rivalry that festers over twenty years. They become elementary teachers who are always trying to one-up each other. The action revolves around a school-sponsored baking contest that, somehow, drags over three days. As they keep their eyes on the winning cash prize, they become interested in an attractive, unattached man who moves into town with his daughter. I found the early going in this Hallmark holiday romance to be tame and plodding. And the story offers no surprises. You might call it "cookie cutter." The acting is actually okay, though the central character, Christie, is played by Erin Krakow as perhaps too subdued. Christie is a gentle spirit and likable, but this script could have used more energy. However, the final act of the film is satisfying, even touching. And Krakow shines in those concluding scenes.

Clichés big as the sun, unlikeable bratty characters. I mean these two childish teachers are a shame. We should like the characters but they both are bitter and stupid and I mean how hard is is to set a timer on an oven. I did not made it past the half an hour mark.