Hallmark Heartbeats
Join host Camille Bonus as she reviews Hallmark movies year round, bringing in a unique voice as a woman of color, concentrating on diversity and representation need and accomplished in the movies. Listen as she not only review the movies but also interview those responsible for the movie making process. Linktree to support the podcast and listen in all platforms. https://linktr.ee/Hallmarkheartbeats
Episodes
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Episode 70b: An Unexpected Spirits Bright, Double Movie Review
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Another podcast reviewing two more movies that aired during the #MerryThanksgivingWeekend. Lol. The two movies we are reviewing this episode is An Unexpected Christmas starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Tyler Hynes, as well as Making Spirits Bright starring Taylor Cole and Carlo Marks.
An Unexpected Christmas was pure comedy. It was nothing but laughs galore. I mean 20 years from now, if someone were to ask me about this movie, all I will have to say is Tyler Hynes in a unicorn suit lol. That's all. Kayla gave it the highest praise comparing it to Elf with Will Farrell. Paul is seriously a comedic genius. Hallmark should make him write more movies.
Making Spirits Bright gave Romeo and Juliet vibes without the poison or the suicide. We share our laughs about the dads ready to throw punches and fight. Lol. We also give warning about the lights near the end of the movie. Strobe lights can cause seizures and wish Hallmark would take precautions to give warning in case a scene like that happens again.
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts.
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Episode 70a: Nine Kitten CEOs
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
This week, Kayla and I are back reviewing 8 movies. Pray for us as we deal with this #MerryThanksgiving weekend extravaganza. Let's just say we will be breezing through these reviews.
In this episode we review Nine Kittens of Christmas starring Kimberley Sustad and Brandon Routh, as well as Christmas CEO starring Paul Greene and Marisol Nichols.
Nine Kittens is the long awaited sequel to the 2014 classic Nine Lives of Christmas. We lament about how none of the actors age, laugh at the Superman references, and squeal at the cuteness of the kittens. As animal advocates, we do throw in the cautionary tale of please don't give kittens or puppies as Christmas presents. It should be something everyone involved is certain of. Also love the ending and throw out ideas of what the title of the next sequel could be. Shout out to our main man Paul Campbell for his cameo. (This is literally the weekend of Paul Campbell lol.)
Christmas CEO was an ok movie. We talk about Marisol's character's name, the Reindeer Games, how adorable his niece was, and how we feel about the rushed ending.
To be honest, neither of these movies really stood out for us especially after eight movies in a three day weekend.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts.
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats
Sunday Nov 28, 2021
Episode 69b: Five More Kisses Before Christmas, Double Movie Review
Sunday Nov 28, 2021
Sunday Nov 28, 2021
This is the first of five podcasts we are releasing this week. Pray for us.
In this episode, we reviewed "A Kiss Before Christmas" starring James Denton and Teri Hatcher, as well as "Five More Minutes" starring Nikki DeLoach and David Haydn Jones.
A Kiss before Christmas is the second Christmas movie this year where a main character goes back into an alternate reality and is tasked to find out why they were sent back to get back to their reality. Both of us liked this movie more than Next Stop Christmas. Better chemistry between the actors, and the reason why he had to go back was very clear from the beginning. There were some points of contention though, such as poor shaming. I mean Ethan had a loving wife, kids, and a big house and car, yet it still wasn't enough for him. I mean I get it that it's to keep appearances with the company, but his life was good. No one really needs a chauffeur or a Ferrari.
Five More Minutes was a tear jerker, and a perfect movie. We talked to Nikki in depth about this movie. It is beautiful story and great premise.
We gave A Kiss Before Christmas 3.5 stars and gave Five More Minutes 5 stars.
Giving a shoutout to Lisa, our first buymeacoffee supporter. She is Americano level, $1 a month. For $1 a month, you get access to unedited interviews. If you want a shoutout on the podcast and get access to unedited interviews, it's only $1 a month. Click on the buymeacoffee link.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts.
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Episode 69a: Nantucket Together with You Double Movie Review
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving to our American Listeners. Hope you enjoy your time with your family today.
This week we are reviewing Nantucket Noel starring Trevor Donovan and Sarah Powers as well as A Christmas Together with You starring Niall Matter, Laura Vandervoort and Harry Linux.
Not going to lie, both movies were duds for us this week.
Nantucket Noel was boring. It is the same story trope Hallmark has done a million times of evil developer comes to tear down a landmark, and local business owner fights them. I do have to say the ending was different. Unlike the other movies with the same trope, the developer still had to tear down the wharf. There were some points that had us cracking up though, like a topless mermaid on the mural of a children's toy store and grandpa was a Grinch. lol.
A Christmas Together with You was only slightly better. The storyline of the older couple was much better and in our opinion, Steve and Megan was an afterthought. Come on Hallmark, just tell the love story of an older couple without the younger one as a lead. It's a surprise.
I give Nantucket Noel 1 star, Kayla gives it 2.5 stars.
A Christmas Together with you got 2 stars from me. 3 from Kayla
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts.
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
Episode 68: Interview with Nikki DeLoach, Five More Minutes
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
This week we have the honor and the privilege to chat with the talented and beautiful queen of breaking our hearts but also giving us hope, Nikki DeLoach, star of many Hallmark classics such as Love Takes Flight, Reunited at Christmas and Two Turtle Doves. Her most recent Christmas movie is called Five More Minutes, also starring David Haydn Jones.
Oh man, like there is no words to describe this honor. Several times throughout this podcast, there were tears and laughter.
We had the honor to chat about the movie Five More Minutes, to talk about her dad, who recently passed from Pick's Disease, and working with David Haydn Jones. Also we briefly talked about her other movie of 2021 Taking the Reins and how both movies have helped Nikki with her grief.
We also shared our own struggles with our faith, our link to alzheimers and so much more. This was nothing but an honor.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts.
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats
Saturday Nov 20, 2021
Episode 67b: One Harlem Night, Double Movie Review
Saturday Nov 20, 2021
Saturday Nov 20, 2021
This week Kayla and I are back reviewing the last two movie premieres of the week: A Holiday in Harlem starring Olivia Washington, Will Adams and Tiffany Lifford, as well as One December Night starring Eloise Mumford, Brett Dalton, Bruce Campbell and Peter Gallagher.
We praise the representation in A Holiday in Harlem. From an all black cast to a curvy beautiful lead. We also loved the neighborhood feel of this movie. The block party was the bomb and the fashion show was very much like a black fashion show. (That's how it was in my neighborhood growing up anyway. lol.) Also we are very critical of Hallmark's lack of advertising this movie, which in our opinion was a big contribution to its ratings.
Kayla and I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars
One December Night was heavy, touching upon subjects of alzheimer's, alcoholism, abandonment and cancer. But it was beautifully done. You cried and you laughed. The actors all had chemistry and was believable. Also this had the right amount of singing, which was a critic we had with Christmas in Harmony. We wanted more singing in the movie since it centered around a choir. This storyline, singing only in the end made sense since both men were reluctant to work together
Kayla gives this one 5 stars. I give it 4.8. *My favorite is still Christmas in My Heart.
Sunday, November 21, we will be releasing our interview with Nikki DeLoach about her newest movie, Five More Minutes. It was an honor to interview her.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts.
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Episode 67a: Open Family Christmas Tree, Double Movie Review
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
In this podcast episode, Kayla and I review two of the newest releases from Hallmark Channel titled Open by Christmas starring Allison Sweeney, Brennan Elliot and Erica Durance. As well as My Family Christmas Tree starring Aimee Teagarden, Andrew Walker and James Tupper.
Neither of us like Open by Christmas. We both feel that the storyline with the supporting characters was much better and should have been the lead storyline. I personally feel that Brennan and Allison were used in this movie for their "names". That's it. Their storyline was boring.
My Family Christmas Tree was good. We both liked the movie. We just didn't like the DNA snafu and couldn't understand how that was solved. We both think it would have been better off if Vanessa wasn't a daughter and the family said "who cares. You're part of the family anyway." Or that the DNA snafu had never occurred in the first place.
Kayla gives Open by Christmas 1.5/5 stars. I give it 2 stars.
Kayla gives My Family Christmas Tree 3.5 stars. I give it 3.
Podcast reviewing One December Night and A Holiday in Harlem will be out on Friday.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts.
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats
Saturday Nov 13, 2021
Episode 66: Interview with Keith Powell, Director of A Holiday in Harlem
Saturday Nov 13, 2021
Saturday Nov 13, 2021
This week, we are joined by Keith Powell, director of newest Hallmark Christmas movie A Holiday in Harlem.
We talk about the making of the film, turning Connecticut to Harlem, his passion for telling important black stories, and Denzel Washington's name was also dropped.
We also talked a little bit about This is Us and the IATSE strikes, how crew of A Holiday in Harlem spoke up in support of how Mr. Powell ran his set and kept everyone safe.
Don't forget to tune in on Sunday night at 8 PM ET on Hallmark Channel to watch A Holiday in Harlem.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Episode 65b: Next Stop Treasure, Double Movie Review
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Kayla is back and in this episode we review two more movies this week. Next Stop Christmas and A Christmas Treasure. We both appreciated the throwbacks to Polar Express, Back to the Future, The Terminator, Star Wars and The Lake House in Next Stop Christmas. In Camille's opinion though, the movie was just lacking. The chemistry between the leads were missing, the ending was rushed and Camille wasn't cheering for Ben and Angie by the end of the movie. We both loved Jordin singing, but again, in Camille's opinion, this movie wasn't memorable. Camille gives Next Stop Christmas 2.5 stars Kayla gives it 3 stars Camille gives A Christmas Treasure 2.5 stars Kayla gives it 4 stars. November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Next week's movies: Friday 11/15 Open By Christmas Saturday 11/16 My Christmas Family Tree 11/16 One December Night Sunday 11/17 A Holiday in Harlem Next podcast out will be an interview with Keith Powell, director of A Holiday in Harlem
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Episode 65a: Mrs. Gingerbread Miracle Christmas, Wishes and Miracles
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
This week I am joined by Cally Younger, writer for the Hallmarks the Spot Blog and we talk about two of this week's newest Hallmark movies Gingerbread Miracle and Debbie MacComber's A Mrs. Miracle Christmas.
We fall in love with Jon Ecker, lament over where he has been hiding. We also discuss pressures of first and second generation immigrants, expectations and wishes. We praise Hallmark for the steps it's taken towards inclusion and diversity, in particular presenting and explaining the symbolism behind the Las Posadas.
As a former foster child, and Cally being a foster parent, we discuss A Mrs. Miracle Christmas from both perspectives. We share stories of being part of the system, the difficulties of finding homes for older children and more. We praise Hallmark for discussing this subject matter in the movie, also touching upon infertility and how it might affect marriages. Also we praise the comedic moments between Nana and Mrs. Merkel.
Cally gives Gingerbread Miracle 3 stars. Camille gives it 3.5 stars.
Cally and I both give Mrs. Miracle Christmas 5 stars.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Kayla has epilepsy. To donate to support the cause, click on the link https://www.epilepsy.com
Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433
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