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Hallmark's "Hidden Gems:" Thoughts, Golden South Sea Pearls, & a Trivia Quiz

Hidden Gems Plot Summary While prepping for her sister's wedding in Hawaii, Addie loses her grandmother's ring in the bay.  She hires sailor Jack to scuba dive with her to find it and rediscovers her love for the sea. Starring:   Hunter King and Beau Mirchoff Image:  Crown Media Filming Location for Hidden Gems Hidden Gems was filmed in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the same resort featured in You Had Me at Aloha --the Kahala Hotel & Resort. As part of their Summer Nights 2022 promotion, Hallmark is giving a away a dream vacation for two at the same resort during their Summer Nights in Paradise Sweepstakes.  You can enter to win from now through June 30, 2022.   The Most Enjoyable Aspects of Hidden Gems The scenery in Hidden Gems is spectacular.  The gorgeous waters, a glimpse at marine life beneath the surface, dolphins, sailing, opulent grounds, and the beaches will have you longing for a trip to paradise. A Hallmark wedding with a gorgeous backdrop isn't a unique plot, but

Hallmark's "Heart of the Matter" Trivia QUIZ!

  Heart of the Matter Plot Summary Andie is devastated by an accidental death of a patient, but as she and the grieving mother overcome their own sorrows through forgiveness, they learn that acceptance leads to hope. Starring :  Aimee Teegarden, Gail O'Grady, Chandler Massey, and Andrew Zachar Image:  Crown Media Chandler Massey in a Different Role Hallmark fans may remember Chandler Massey from his leading role in 2021's Next Stop, Christmas .   In Heart of the Matter , Massey plays Henry, a mentally disabled young man who has taken Independent Living classes so he can live in his own apartment.  Though his mother checks on him frequently, he fails to mention that he's been experiencing increasing dizziness. At his cardiology check-up, he tells Dr. Andie Hodges about the spinning, and she places a heart monitor on him to determine what's causing it.  She gives him a list of instructions to follow along with her cell phone number. When Henry has another episode, he tri

Hallmark's "A Rip in Time" Trivia QUIZ!

  A Rip in Time Plot Summary An organic farmer meets a man who claims to be from 1787, named Rip Van Winkle Jr., and she soon discovers old-fashioned romantic feelings. Starring:  Torrey DeVitto and Niall Matter Image:  Crown Media Niall Matter Is Amazing in His Role Niall Matter often plays the sweet guy-next-door who is gentle and laid-back with a keen sense of humor.   In his role as Rip Van Winkle Jr., Matter gets the chance to venture beyond the Hallmark leading man stereotype and demonstrate his versatility as an actor.  He seems genuinely perplexed and amazed by 21st century life in America, and as he tries to adapt to the shocking changes from his own era, he hangs on to the gentlemanly customs of his period that makes him such an honorable man.  He can't help but notice the stark contrast between his behavior and that of modern men and comments, "I have something that men of this era have long forgotten."   He certainly does, making A Rip in Time a great tutor

Hallmark's "Warming Up to You" Trivia QUIZ!

Warming Up to You Plot Summary   A fitness pro must get a movie star in shape before he makes his next flim. Starring:  Cindy Busby and Christopher Russell Image:  Crown Media Kate Wolfe Has Two Rules Kate Wolfe (Cindy Busby) takes her job as a personal trainer very seriously.  To her, getting in shape isn't about losing weight--it's about making healthy lifestyle choices that become habits for the long-term. It's Kate's commitment to her professional values that gets her fired from Santa Monica Fitness.  Under new management, the company's philosophy has shifted to a new motto:  No sweat, no effort, no problem.  Nigel, the owner, feels surgery is the best option for celebrities who want to look good, not hard work and self-discipline. Kate is aghast when she discovers her latest client at Silver Spring Wellness Retreat, Rick Steele (Christopher Russell), is the same chocolate-shake-loving actor who ultimately cost her the job in L.A.  Rick's Hollywood studio

Hallmark's "A Tail of Love" Trivia QUIZ!

  A Tail of Love Plot Summary Bella and her grandmother operate a dog rescue center, but when they learn the new property owner plans to evict them and level the shelter, Bella turns to JR, a soldier who becomes attached to one of the rescues and her. Starring:   Brittany Bristow and Chris McNally  Image:  Crown Media The Main Star of the Movie You may tune into A Tail of Love to watch love blossom between Brittany Bristow (Bella) and Chris McNally (JR), but the real star of the show is Indie, the independent, military service dog back in the States from Kandahar. Bella knows better than to get attached to the rescues destined to be placed in forever homes, but there's something about Indie that tugs at her heart--and JR's.   In fact, Indie serves as a metaphor for Bella and JR's relationship.  When Bella laments how much Indie will miss JR when he's restationed, she's really speaking for herself.  JR and Bella shower Indie with love and attention, assuming their c

Hallmark's "Always Amore" Movie Trivia QUIZ!

Always Amore Plot Summary   A woman tries to keep her late husband's once acclaimed restaurant open, and so she is forced to work with a consultant to turn things around. Starring:   Autumn Reeser & Tyler Hynes (2022) Image:  Crown Media The Restaurant Name Sums It Up If you're not fluent in Italian, you may have missed the significance of the Campisi family's restaurant name.  Il Cibo E Vita  is Marco's legacy, and it means food is life. Food isn't only vital for healthy living, but food brings people together around a table to talk, connect, and build relationships.  Great food is associated with a good life. Marco has been gone for three years, and the restaurant is failing.  Antonio is the key in bringing Cibo roaring back with his creative culinary masterpieces, but Ben Elliott (Tyler Hynes) has his work cut out for him.  Antonio stubbornly resists changing the menu to honor his mentor's memory. A Good Example to Follow By nature, most people resist

Hallmark's "Just One Kiss" Movie QUIZ!

Just One Kiss Plot Summary   Mia is a newly divorced, single mom who meets a lounge singer through a series of chance encounters arranged by both of their mothers. Starring:   Krysta Rodriguez, Santino Fontana, Illeana Douglas, and Aida Turturro Image:  Crown Media A Throwback to the Classics Mia Rivera is a college professor who teaches romantic literature, so if you're an English nerd like me, you enjoy when she references the classical works of John Keats, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Emily Dickinson.  The most entertaining part about Mia's class is that her relationship status influences her literary interpretation.  When her love life is happy, her analysis centers on hope, but when she's an emotional wreck, her assignments are filtered through despair.  At one of her low points, Mia lectures her class, f alling in love is just common sense leaving your body .   Love can feel like that sometimes!  Mia's best friend, Nick, pulls the fire alarm to bring an end to one of

Hallmark's "The Presence of Love" Is Melancholy, Moving, & Great for Poetry Nerds!

The Presence of Love Plot Summary Adjunct professor, Jocelyn Lambert ("Joss"), travels to England to visit the farm where her late mother grew up and bonds with single father, Daniel, whose family now runs it. Starring:   Eloise Mumford and Julian Morris (2022) Image:  Crown Media Publish or Perish What is an adjunct professor?  Adjunct is a fancy-sounding term for a part-time or temporary professor.   Joss is seeking tenure at the college where she teaches, and although she's one of the best on staff in the English literature department, she doesn't have the edge she needs to advance beyond an interview.  Joss hasn't published enough works that have been cited or earned rewards, and this is a detriment for someone in her position.   Publish or perish is a maxim among academics--they are only as good as their last successfully published work.  Colleges rely on prestige to attract funding, and prestige springs from having works published in respected and visibl

Butterfly Farming Is More Interesting Than the Romance in Hallmark's "Feeling Butterflies"

Feeling Butterflies Plot Summary Emily's booming butterfly business delivers monarchs to a birthday party where she meets single dad, Garrett.  With the help of Garrett and his daughter, Emily's business begins to take flight. Starring:   Kayla Wallace and Kevin McGarry Feeling Butterflies leaves fans feeling disappointed. A Sweet but Dull Movie When Hallmark movie fans learned Feeling Butterflies paired a real-life couple for the movie, they expected the chemistry to be off the charts and the romance to feel more authentic.  It didn't work that way. Kayla Wallace and Kevin McGarry are completely ordinary.  No extra spark of passion.  Very little romantic tension.  An average kiss at the end.  Meh. It's the typical story of a widower trying to do the best he can raising his daughter on his own.  He's torn between moving to New York where Amanda has been accepted into a prestigious school and can be close to his ex-girlfriend or staying right where he is and start