HotToastyRag

It's an age-old story, but it's still one audiences like to watch: an ex-con vows to go straight and gets lured into temptation. In London Boulevard, Colin Farrell takes the lead and blends strength and sensitivity to create a compelling protagonist. As he's pressured to stay in the slums by his pal, Ben Chaplin, and mob boss, Ray Winstone, he also tries to get a legitimate job as a bodyguard to shield a movie star, Keira Knightley, from paparazzi.

Ladies, I know you want to look at Colin's good-looking pan, but you're going to have to endure a whole lot of upsetting violence and nail-biting criminal tension. There is a little romance in the sidelines, but that's not the main focus. Honestly, Keira might have fifteen minutes of screen time. She doesn't even have to be in the film. Colin could go through his "will I or won't I?" inner turmoil about his criminal character entirely without his bodyguard job, Keira, or her perpetually stoned companion, David Thewlis. London Boulevard is far more of a man's movie than one to be solely watched for eye candy. The violence comes out of the blue, and it's gruesome. Sure, Ray always plays a bad guy, so you'll expect him to kill people as easily as breathe; but it's still intentionally jarring and nerve-wracking. I found myself fast-forwarding chunks because I couldn't stand it any more.

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to language and gritty violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

I love this one! In the grand spirit of "Destination Hallmarks", Lacey Chabert (who went to Rome the previous year) got to show audiences a pseudo-German Christmas in Vail, Colorado. This is such a delightful movie, I'd actually consider taking a destination Christmas (and that's quite a recommendation from a homebody like myself).

After not getting the promotion she deserved, Lacey makes an impulsive decision to quit her job. She packs her bags, leaves the big city, and drives to Vail, where she was recently left a house in her late uncle's Will. To her surprise, the house is in the middle of a total remodel. Spending the night in her new home is quite the adventure! Without a working heater, plumbing, or finished floors, she might be in over her head. It's a good thing the handyman works long hours. Not only can her house become livable, but Lacey can also fall in love!

I know, I'm making it sound silly. But Winter in Vail is delightful. On paper, the synopsis sounds like just another Destination Hallmark. Lacey and her costar Tyler Hynes turn it into a quality Christmas movie. They have such incredible chemistry together, it's hard to believe they didn't fall in love during filming. And although the characters don't know each other for very long, it's different than the usual "instant" love stories. They see each other in many different situations, and they admire each other's strengths as well as build up their weaknesses. Tyler teaches Lacey the importance of slowing down and appreciating the everyday moments, but when he sees her in "work mode", he's genuinely impressed by her dedication and capability. They bake together, talk about their dreams and regrets, and truly connect. This isn't your usual snowball-fight-leads-to-love romance. It's substantial, and truly heartwarming to watch. I'd love to see them in another movie together! Lacey doesn't usually take roles like this one, and it's a joy to see her let her hair down and enjoy life (instead of just asserting herself in the workforce).

After Hallmark made Winter Castle, filmed inside and outside the gorgeous (and real) ice hotel in Canada, they made a follow-up: Baby, It's Cold Inside. I'd love for them to make it an annual occurrence! Who will ever get tired of watching a Hallmark Christmas movie filmed at an ice hotel?

This one, however, is extremely unusual for Hallmark fare. For almost the entire film, Emilie Ullerup is under the impression that her love interest, Kevin McGarry, is in a relationship. She maintains that she has no desire to break up anyone's happiness, but everyone else is encouraging her to. I've never seen a Hallmark that encourages this type of infidelity. There have been countless movies that feature a new romance as an antidote to an obviously unsuitable match (the workaholic fiancé or the shallow girlfriend), but in Winter Castle, Emilie is an interloper.

Meghan Heffern was good friends with Kevin's wife, and in the two years since she died, Meghan became an important part of the grieving family. She brought casseroles to help him run the household, and grew close to his daughter. The three of them got along famously. She knew her daughter's likes and dislikes, bought her thoughtful presents, brushed her hair like a mother, and never had an unkind word to say. She has seen Kevin at his worst, and she has been there for him through thick and thin. Kevin got invited to a destination wedding, and she was enthused about the ice hotel so he invited her as his plus-one. While engaging in activities with the bridal party, she openly shared her feelings about Kevin; she said she wanted to marry him and expected him to propose someday, right in front of Emilie. The two flaws Meghan was given in the script were that she was a bit snippy with the staff when she asked for an extra blanket because she wasn't quite prepared for how cold it would be in the ice hotel, and she wasn't as full of life as Emilie. When Emilie first learned of the destination wedding, she hoped aloud it would be held in Hawaii and was disappointed she'd be surrounded by snow. Shouldn't both women be cut a little slack? Emilie was shown to be spontaneous and enthusiastic - but when Meghan randomly stood up in the lounge and belted out "Someone to Watch Over Me" along with the pianist, wouldn't that undercut Emilie's second edge?

Yes, Emilie is an extraordinarily beautiful woman, but Meghan is pretty, too. (No one can hold a candle to Emilie; it just isn't fair.) And yes, Emilie is spontaneous and enthusiastic. But she's on vacation! Most people transform into spontaneous, enthusiastic tourists while they're on vacation - let alone at a wedding. For Kevin to think he knows Emilie at all by seeing her vacation/wedding side for a few days is absurd. He's known Meghan for three years. Emilie might be able to tell his daughter some creative bedtime stories, but that's also her job. She's a children's author, so it's not difficult for her to tell tales. Meghan is kind to his daughter, and she even keeps the little girl's secret when Emilie doesn't.

I'm very surprised that Hallmark encouraged this romance. You'd think the main focus would be between Kevin and Meghan, and when he's temporarily infatuated with Emilie, Meghan hangs in there for the end "I've come to my senses" apology speech. Even if Emilie continually says she doesn't want to wreck their relationship and break Meghan's heart, she also continually gives Kevin moony eyes and flirty smiles. To be a truly likable heroine, she would need to put the brakes on her attraction to Kevin at all costs. I don't care that he's gorgeous. Reign it in, lady!

Besides that very large complaint about the story, this movie is full of eye candy. The ice hotel is exquisite, and the two leads are quite possibly the best-looking leads Hallmark has ever produced. So, if you don't care that the audience is supposed to hope that a kind, pretty, supportive, and generous woman gets her heart broken after investing two years of her life into a relationship, you might like it.