Girls Gone Hallmark | Hallmark Movie Reviews

There haven't been many movies that Megan and Wendy disagree on this Hallmark holiday season but they are certainly NOT on the same page with "A Dickens of Holiday!" starring Brooke D'Orsay and Kristoffer Polaha. Would you rather a re-telling of A Christmas Carol or a movie about the making of A Christmas Carol? Email us at [email protected]. Megan and Wendy review Hallmark Channel movies including the new, original "A Dickens of a Holiday!" starring Brooke D'Orsay. News and Notes About "A Dickens of a Holiday!" This movie was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia. Its original title while filming was “The Christmas Stand-In." The budget for this movie was estimated at $2.6 million, according to IMDb. Directed by Paul Ziller (Roadhouse Romance, Beverly Hills Wedding), written by Mark Hefti (My Christmas Family Tree, Beverly Hills Wedding) and Julie Sherman Wolfe (You, Me & the Christmas Trees, Right in Front of Me). Kristoffer Polaha is a Published Author At the time of recording we weren't aware that Kristoffer Polaha writes novels. He announced on his Instagram in September 2021 that the forthcoming "Where the Sun Rises" will be released in March 2022. This is the second book of five in the series "From Kona with Love" that he co-wrote with Anna Gomez. View this post on Instagram A post shared by kristoffer polaha (@polahaha) The first book is titled "Moments Like This" (also co-written with Anna Gomez) is about a multicultural romance, love, loss, and redemption woven into a family saga set in the beautiful islands of Hawaii. "Where the Sun Rises" is available for pre-order. Shop now Is Kristoffer Polaha a Wowie-Zowie? On the pod, you'll hear Megan suggest that we need to modify our Dudes of Hallmark t-shirt to include Kristoffer Polaha who played Jake in A Dickens of a Holiday! Wendy disagrees and stands firm that Polaha doesn't check the wowie-zowie box. We'll need the listeners to weigh in! We did find this scene of Polaha in front of a green screen as one of Hollywood's biggest action stars pretty dang funny. View this post on Instagram A post shared by kristoffer polaha (@polahaha) Where to Find Megan and Wendy Visit our website – tons of great holiday related content and things we are into! Instagram – Megan and Wendy in real time Join our free Facebook group Subscribe to Patreon for additional exclusive content, including bonus podcast episodes, videos and Hallmark movie reviews. Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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Megan and Wendy review Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday starring sisters Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashley Williams. In a Hallmark Channel first, the Sister Swap movies have a parallel storyline that happens at the same time but in different cities and with different sisters. It's a little bit confusing but a little bit awesome, too. Do you love the Williams' sisters? Email us at [email protected] Megan and Wendy review the Sister Swap movies which first premiered on Sunday, December 5, 2021 and stars Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashely Williams. News and Notes About Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday Filmed in Utah, with some scenes shot in Vancouver. This movie was filmed under the working title “Christmas at the Madison.” Movies were filmed back-to-back in April 12-May 22 and from June 5-July 5. This was the first time the sisters have worked together. Kimberly Williams-Paisley said the movie was sister Ashley’s idea and they pitched it to Hallmark about five years ago. Anna Holbrook (Another World), who played their mom in this movie, was the real-life best friend of the sisters’ mom who sadly passed a few years ago. They knew they wanted to cast Anna as their movie mom because of their close connection. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ashley Williams (@ashleywilliamsandcompany) The First Movie for the Williams' Sisters The natural chemistry between Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashley Williams was very obvious in Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday. We'd love to see them work together again in future Hallmark movies. Maybe even a seasonal Sister Swap series? We'd love that! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kimberly Williams-Paisley (@kimberlywilliamspaisley) Want More Hallmark Movie Reviews? Subscribe to our Patreon and get access to even more Hallmark movie reviews from the Countdown to Christmas lineup! Starting a $3/month, sign up for Shorties Gone Hallmark and get immediate access to the full library of bonus Hallmark movie reviews, plus new episodes for December. Related Episodes: Our review of Ashely Williams' 2020 Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater What's the line up for New Year New Movies 2022? We've got the entire list! Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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Megan and Wendy wrap up a week-long of Hallmark Christmas movie reviews with a list of Hallmark movies gift ideas for the biggest fans. Everything from Countdown to Christmas wines (for real), blankets, t-shirts, board games and more. Plus, an exciting announcement!

What are you shopping for? Email us at [email protected].

Megan and Wendy share gift ideas that every Hallmark Channel movie fan will love.

Gift Ideas for the Hallmark Movie Fan

We shared an edited version of our big Hallmark Gift Guide during this mini-episode. Click that link to see the full list, but the items we mentioned are listed below.

* Hallmark Channel wines Joy and Jingle, available at World Market and Total Wine

* Hallmark Channel Wine Club

* Countdown to Christmas teas, Gingerbread Cookie and Cardamom Cinnamon

* "This Smells Like a Hallmark Christmas Movie" candle

* Have a Very Merry Movie Holiday hardcover book

* Hallmark Channel Holiday Edition Monopoly Game

* Monopoly Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Board Game

* Watch Hallmark Movies All Day blanket with red truck

* Tyler Freakin' Hynes t-shirt

Megan and Wendy duke it out in their review of Hallmark Channel's "The Christmas Contest" starring "Fuller House" alums Candace Cameron Bure and John Brotherton. This movie premiered on Sunday, November 28th, 2021 as part of the Countdown to Christmas line up. Are you a Fuller House DJ and Matt stan? Email the show at [email protected]. Join Patreon today for as little as $3/month and get access to even more Hallmark Channel movie reviews from us! Megan and Wendy duke it out in their review of The Christmas Contest. One thing they do agree on - the hair. Woof. News and Notes Insider.com reported that reuniting Candace Cameron Bure and John Brotherton was for the fans who wanted to see DJ and Matt together on Fuller House. This movie was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in September. Apparently there were several Fuller House Easter eggs dropped throughout this movie. The only one we caught is when Ben was playing cards with the ladies and yells "full house!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) Related: Review of If I Only Had Christmas (2020) Mentioned in this Episode Did you see the pillows in Lara's home? At the time of recording the podcast episode, we didn't know for sure if they were from the Candace Cameron Bure line of pillows available on DaySpring.com. But, they are! You can get your own "Be Still" pillow too! It comes in a set of 2 for $60. These pillows were used on the set of The Christmas Contest. They are from Candace Cameron Bure's line of holiday pillows and are available for purchase. BJ Harrison plays Martha in this movie. She has a pretty deep resume, including a ton of Hallmark movies. Check her out in Maid on Netflix as Denise - so good. We weren't fans of CCB's hair in this movie. Here's a look back at some better hairstyles. Did the writers of this movie lean in hard for the conservatives likely watching this movie? Hear us out: "Special Snowflake" was the name of a fellow contestant. There was a Ted Nugent quote used by Candace Cameron Bure. Nugent is often viewed by others as a controversial conservative. Here's a Yule Log recipe that doesn't require blueprints to make (via Pioneer Woman). Never miss another podcast episode from Megan and Wendy! Subscribe today. Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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Megan and Wendy review Christmas in Tahoe starring Laura Osnes and Kyle Selig. This original Hallmark Channel movie premiered on Sunday, November 28, 2021 as part of Countdown to Christmas line up. The biggest takeaway from this movie is the following question: Was Pat Monahan from Train the draw for this musical Christmas movie? Ton of mixed reviews on Christmas in Tahoe. Did you like movie? Email the show at [email protected]. Sign up for Patreon today for just $3/month to get access to even more Hallmark Channel movie reviews! Megan and Wendy review "Christmas in Tahoe" in this brand new podcast episode! News and Notes This movie was written by Nina Weinman, Zach Lewis and Stephanie Jackson. Weinman told Girls Gone Hallmark that some of the script was from her but "had to let go of this one since the production happened at the same time as two others." She also thought the new writers did a great job. The film was shot in the Vancouver region of Canada, not along the state line of California and Nevada where actual Lake Tahoe is located. Lynda Boyd and Paul McGillion appeared in two movies over Merry Thanksgiving Weekend. This film as well as An Unexpected Christmas starring Tyler Hynes (they played his parents). Lynda Boyd and Paul McGillion starred in both "An Unexpected Christmas" and "Christmas in Tahoe." Apparently the movie was based on Train's 2015 Christmas album titled "Christmas in Tahoe." Train has two songs that appear in this movie, including "Shake Up Christmas" and a new single called "Mittens." Mentioned in this Episode The George Lopez Show aired for six seasons from 2002-2007. The character Ricki Page played by Alex Gullason made us wish Hacks was back for a second season already. Cookie mug hangers is an actual thing. Trader Joe's sells a version that are shaped like gingerbread men Target has a cookie trio of Santa, tree and a reindeer ($6) Williams Sonoma has gingerbread houses ($14.95) Or you can buy your own cookie cutters and make your own! (Amazon $12.99) Never miss an episode! Subscribe today. Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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Megan and Wendy review "Christmas at Castle Hart" which premiered on Saturday, November 27, 2021 as part of Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas line up. This movie stars Lacey Chabert and Stuart Townsend and was filmed entirely on location in Ireland. How do you feel about Hallmark movies set in European countries? Email us at [email protected]. Megan and Wendy review Christmas at Castle Hart starring Lacey Chabert and Stuart Townsend as part of Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas. News and Notes About Christmas at Castle Hart This Hallmark movie was filmed in Clare, Limerick and Ennis counties in Ireland. Filmed in September 2021, Lacey Chabert gave an interview to Southern Living that it was warm and not raining while in Ireland. This was Lacey Chabert's first trip to Ireland. In sad news, Lacey lost her sister just days before the premiere of this new Hallmark Christmas movie which was about two sisters who travel to Ireland in search of their father's Irish roots. She memorialized and dedicated the movie to her sister in the Instagram post below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lacey Chabert (@thereallacey) Stuart Townsend is from Howth, County of Dublin and plays the part of Aiden Hart. Three actual castles were used during the filming. Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club is described as a 5 star castle hotel located in Clare county with rooms priced at upwards for $1000/night. Lough Cutra Castle in Galway is a private family home known for its privacy and has hosted guests such as Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla, Bob Geldof and poet WB Yeats. Its website also mentions that many film and television productions have been filmed at Lough Cutra Castle. A third castle was used in Kinvara in Galway Bay. Mentioned in this Episode Listen to our podcast episode "Do You Believe in Ghosts" where Megan shares her ghost experience while staying at Adare Manor in Limerick county, Ireland. Our review of As Luck Would Have It Riverdance Balsalm Hill - artificial trees Want More Hallmark Podcast Episodes? For as little as $3/month, join our SHORTIES GONE HALLMARK level and get immediate access to Hallmark Channel Christmas movies reviews not available anywhere else but Patreon. Join Patreon here. Visit our library of Hallmark Channel movie recaps (coming soon). Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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"An Unexpected Christmas" starring Tyler Hynes and Bethany Joy Lenz premiered on Friday, November 26, 2021 as part of Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas line up. Listen in as Megan and Wendy recap and review this year's highly anticipated Tyler Hynes movie. Let's talk about Tyler's new haircut! Email us at [email protected]. Subscribe to the Podcast and Never Miss an Episode Megan and Wendy review the highly anticipated An Unexpected Christmas starring Tyler Hynes and Bethany Joy Lenz. What is An Unexpected Christmas About? Hallmark is not exactly reinventing the wheel with An Unexpected Christmas. A couple pretends to be in a relationship for the sake of the holiday and keeping the family happy is a storyline we've seen done. Sure, with slight variations. Here's the official synopsis from the Hallmark Channel: A writer convinces his ex-girlfriend to pose as a couple for Christmas. Of course this is a brand new movie from fan favorite, Tyler Hynes. This is his eleventh movie for Hallmark Channel. In fact, Hynes starred in three Hallmark movies in 2021, including Roadhouse Romance, Sweet Carolina and It Was Always You. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🎥🏴🔌📓 (@tyler_hynes) Fun fact: Blink and you'll miss him, but Tyler Hynes appeared for a matter of seconds in this year's My Christmas Family Tree. He played a waiter who served Aimee Teegarden and Andrew Walker. Tyler Hynes surprised fans when he appeared in a movie that wasn't one of his own! Here he is as a waiter in My Christmas Family Tree. This is also a really good, behind-the-scenes video Tyler shared on his Instagram about his special appearance. Did you happen to catch the Andrew Walker cameo in An Unexpected Christmas? View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🎥🏴🔌📓 (@tyler_hynes) It also co-stars Bethany Joy Lenz who is best known as her role as Haley James Scott on the teen drama One Tree Hill (she also currently co-hosts a podcast called Drama Queens with her fellow OTH stars where they talk at length about each episode). This is her seventh Hallmark Channel movie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bethany Joy Lenz (@joylenz) News and Notes An Unexpected Christmas was filmed in Canada, outside of Vancouver. Filming began at the end of August wrapped in September 2021. Tyler Hynes recently announced he will be in attendance at RomaDrama, a fan event to be held in Palm Beach, FL on January 7-9, 2022. Matthew R. Brady is the producer and An Unexpected Christmas is his first Hallmark Channel film. Bethany Joy Lenz wrote and sings the holiday song "Snow" which plays over the movie's end credits. Tyler Hynes' Hair We have talked about Tyler Hynes' hair all year long. Why is it so long, is it a wig, what's with the Eddie Munster hairline? Fans - including us - were SHOOK when we saw his shorter hair in the first images that came out for An Unexpected Christmas. The internet tells us that he started growing it longer for a 2019 Hallmark Channel movie called Flip That Romance. If you read the tweet replies you'll see that we aren't the only ones who thought maybe he might be wearing ill-fitting wig. Appreciate all the beard and long hair support. Spent 6 months growing it in preparation for this role. I get al my acting powers from it https://t.co/kEJNBpS9OY— Tyler Hynes (@tyler_hynes) March 17, 2019 Short hair, long hair - we don't care. We're just happy to see Tyler Hynes in a starring role on Hallmark Channel during Merry Thanksgiving Weekend. (Guaranteed Wowie-Zowie) How Many Hallmark Movies Has Paul Campbell Written? You'll recognize Paul Campbell from Hallmark movies such as The Santa Stakeout, Wedding Every Weekend, Holiday Hearts and A Godwink Christmas. But did you know he is a Hallmark movie writer as well? According to IMDb, Paul Campbell has two writing credits, Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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Megan and Wendy wonder if Hallmark buried their stinker movies the week before the heavy hitters premiere. Listen in as they review "A Christmas Together With You" starring Laura Vandervoort and Niall Matter. Looking for something else to listen to? Check out our library of episodes! Which Countdown to Christmas movie has been your favorite so far this season? Email the show at [email protected]. Megan and Wendy recap and review "A Christmas Together With You" which premiered on the Hallmark Channel on November 20, 2021. News and Notes This film was previous titled Christmas Alone Together. Wendy was talking about this magnetic poetry kit when she asked about how Hallmark writers name their movies. As many other Hallmark movies, this one was also filmed in Canada, including the Vernon and Okanagan Valley regions of British Columbia. Wildfires burned nearby while filming A Christmas Together With You. IMDB reported that this film had an estimated budget of $2.5 millions dollars. MentalFloss.com reports that most Hallmark movies have a $2 million dollar budget and the reason they shoot in Canada is because tax breaks can stretch the dollar. MrDustbin.com reports Hallmark actors make between $30k to $1mil on a movie. Max the Dog, played by Dax, was super cute in this movie and this photo pretty much sums up how Megan and Wendy felt about A Christmas Together With You. Campbell's Soup Product Placement in Hallmark Movies Did you catch the Campbell's soup product placement in this movie? It was like a one-minute commercial within the movie for mushroom soup. In case you missed the real star of A Christmas Together With You, we've included Campbell's Green Bean Casserole recipe below for you. Green Bean Casserole Want More Girls Gone Hallmark? Looking for even more Hallmark movie reviews? For just $3/month you can join our Pateron to get access to super bonus episodes. We've reviewed the following: My Christmas Family Tree (LOTS TO SAY ABOUT THIS Aimee Teegarden movie!)A Christmas Sail (This one is top of our favorites list this holiday season!)You, Me and the Christmas Trees ("Science for the win!" from one of our favorite Hallmark movie writers!) Check Out More from Megan and Wendy We are so much more than Girls Gone Hallmark. Catch up on our regular Tuesday episodes if you're looking for a couple of new girlfriends to hang out with. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in the platform of your choice. We've got a ton of Hallmark Channel movie reviews coming up to cover the amazing Thanksgiving movie schedule! Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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Megan and Wendy recap and review Open By Christmas which premiered on the Hallmark Channel on November 12, 2021 as part of the channel's Countdown to Christmas holiday line up. The movie stars Alison Sweeney, Erica Durance, and Brennan Elliott. Nicky finds an unopened Christmas card in an old textbook while helping her parents downsize. Will she find the person who left her the card or will spend another holiday single and lonely? What did you think of Open By Christmas? Email the show at [email protected]. Megan and Wendy are Girls Gone Hallmark! A bonus podcast episode where they recap and review Hallmark Channel movies. This week, listen as they review "Open By Christmas" starring Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives). News and Notes for "Open By Christmas" Open By Christmas was filmed in Vancouver and Vancouver Island in September 2021 Original working title was called “Christmas Be Mine” Alison Sweeney was one of the Executive Producers on this movie View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ali Sweeney (@alisweeney) Ali Sweeney is definitely one of Hallmark Channel's sweethearts. She has been in 16 Hallmark movies and you can see the complete list here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Husband/father/actor (@brennanelliott2) We love that Brennan Elliott has already decorated for Christmas! He's definitely Megan's kind of people. Elliott last stared in Christmas in Vienna in 2020. Was That the Gilmore Girls House? Wendy thought that the home purchased for Simone might be the Gilmore Girls house located on the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles but all signs point to no. First, because the movie was shot in Vancouver. And, two, take a close look. They aren't the same house but they sure do look similar! Join Patreon For More Hallmark Reviews We're reviewing even more Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas movies over on Patreon! For as little as $3/month, you'll get 3 additional movie reviews! Already available is: You, Me and the Christmas Trees A Christmas Sail My Family Christmas Tree (available this week) Sign up here and listen today! Check Out Our Podcast Episodes Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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Megan and Wendy welcome back Cally from Hallmark's the Spot to review "Next Stop, Christmas" in this week's bonus Girls Gone Hallmark episode! This movie was full of daytime soap actors, a very familiar sitcom face, and two iconic actors from a 80s movie with a somewhat similar storyline. Listen in to find out if "Next Stop, Christmas" is worth revisiting. What do you think of Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas movie line up so far? Email us at [email protected]. Megan and Wendy recap and review Next Stop, Christmas which premiered on Saturday, November 6, 2021 as part of Hallmark Channel's annual Countdown to Christmas. Podcast Guest Cally from Hallmark's the Spot We are so excited to welcome back Cally to the podcast! She appeared earlier in the year to recap and review A New Year's Resolution (which is still one of Wendy's least favorite Hallmark movies). Cally can be found on her blog Hallmark's the Spot and Instagram of the same name. Cally can be found at her Hallmark’s the Spot Instagram giving all the snarky commentary many of us think while watching Christmas movies and her blog of the same name where she reviews A LOT of the Hallmark movies. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cally Younger 🎄🎄 (@hallmarksthespot) News and Notes Next Stop, Christmas This movie was filmed entirely in Connecticut. Director Dustin Rikert shared that the movie started filming in August and wrapped in September. The original working title of this movie was The Christmas Train but, of course, another Hallmark movie of the same name has already been produced. The train seen in this movie is the Essex Steam Train located in Essex, Connecticut. It was reported that the weather was 80-degrees when they filmed in Chester, CT. Lyndsy Fonseca (Angie) played Ted Mosbey's daughter Penny on How I Met Your Mother. She appeared in 65 episodes of the sitcom from 2005-2014. Chandler Massey (Ben) played Will Horton on Days of Our Lives and has been nominated six times for a Daytime Emmy Award. He was won 3. Massey will reprise his role as Will in the Days spin off called Beyond Salem available on Peacock. Erika Slezak (Aunt Myrt) played Victoria Lord on daytime soap opera One Life to Live from 1971-2013. She is a six-time Daytime Emmy Award winner and has the most wins of any daytime drama actress. Mentioned in this Episode: Land of the Lost (1974 television series) The Sleestak are an extra-dimensional race of reptilian bipedal humanoid species native to the Land of the Lost. Sorry Erika Slezak, it's not spelled the same as I thought - Wendy Land of the Lost (2009 film starring Will Ferrell) The Christmas Train by David Baldacci The Christmas Train starring Dermot Mulroney and Kimberly Williams-Paisley Sleepy Kitty Paw on Twitter (for all the inside scoop on Hallmark movies and more!) More Reviews on Patreon Can't get enough Hallmark Christmas movie reviews? Well, we've got them for you on our Patreon! For as little as $3/month, subscribers will receive up to three additional Countdown to Christmas movie reviews. Sign up today at www.patreon.com/meganandwendy So far you'll find reviews for the following: You, Me and the Christmas Trees A Christmas Sail Catch Up on our Latest Podcast Episodes Looking for a great throw-on podcast? We've been told our episodes are like hanging out with friends. We'd love to have you give our regular Tuesday episode a listen! Find all episodes and shownotes on girlsgonehallmark.comFollow us on Instagram Email us! [email protected]Join our Facebook Group! 

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