Un Noël à New York

Has much of the usual Hallmark Christmas movie plot points but the ornaments do put a bit of a different spin on it. Hallmark Christmas movies are all about predictability and comfort so if you're not into that sort of thing then Don't Watch These Movies. Also, if you're the type of person who buys Hallmark ornaments buy them and if you don't like them then don't buy them. You accuse Hallmark of being cynical but the true cynics are those who dwell on this Hallmark commercialism issue. Nobody is chaining anyone to a chair and making them watch a Hallmark movie. You don't like it don't watch. And for that person who boldly watches dozens of Hallmark movies even though he clearly dislikes them, just get a life. I have a sneaking suspicion that of the millions of people who watch Hallmark movies about 95 % of them like what they see and are okay with Jessica Lowndes being in Hallmark movies. I happen to like feel good movies, especially Christmas ones, so I watch these movies. For all those people who don't like Jessica Lowndes make-up how would you suppose a successful single career woman from New York City would look. Jessica Lowndes' make-up is certainly a bit of a signature for her but it certainly fits in this role. She has done several movies with wilder make up. For those of you who don't like her speech her style evokes New York City in this role. On "Over The Moon In Love" she has a slower, more toned down style. For those people who don't think she can act you need to check out her work on 90210 (the 2008-2013 series) and any one of her Lifetime Channel dramas. The roles she played are all polar opposites to the person she really is. She is a more accomplished actress than most of the other acting talent in Hallmark's movies and is a genuinely talented, hard working, and very well rounded individual in her actual life. If you didn't like her in a particular movie that's fine and it's okay to comment on that. But ripping her for her appearance or falsely accusing her of multiple plastic surgeries is unnecessary B.S. And Jessica is a spectacular musical talent as well, better than pretty much anyone else who's done a Hallmark movie in a major role with the possible exception of Kelly Pickler and even that could be up for debate. I would suggest that Jessica Lowndes' has a significantly large following for her Hallmark movies otherwise Hallmark wouldn't keep hiring her to make new ones.

Have actually seen a fair share of Hallmark Christmas films that have been surprisingly good and more, so they are absolutely capable of having a good film in them, hence why they keep getting watched by me. Despite giving 'Magical Christmas Ornaments' a mixed rating and am going to give it a fairly lukewarm review, it did have some potential even if expectations weren't entirely high. Seeing as Hallmark's Christmas offerings are so hit and miss and the overall quality very inconsistent.

'Magical Christmas Ornaments' is neither one of the hits or one of the misses. There are definitely worse Christmas films from Hallmark, as it is not in the mediocre at best or dud category, but there are also better as it is not quite surprisingly good level or particularly good. 'Magical Christmas Ornaments' is one of the just about watchable in between films of theirs, while not really living up to its absolutely lovely name that really grabbed my attention.

Am going to start with the good things, as 'Magical Christmas Ornaments' is not a complete humbug. It is graced by an immensely likeable Brendan Penny, who doesn't make his character too perfect or overplay his weaknesses. The supporting cast are also solid and make a lot of effort making on paper cliched characters interesting and like real people and not like flat caricatures.

It looks good, Hallmark always delivers on the scenery which always looks lovely regardless of any authenticity. The photography is not drab or gaudy, and while it is not showy as such it isn't too static. There is a nice festive atmosphere at times later on and the ornaments were a nice touch and not overused or gimmicky.

Jessica Lowndes didn't do it for me sadly however. Have nothing personal against her and am certainly not going to make personal comments about her appearance, as it is shallow and has no place in a review, but she has never sold it to me as an actress and this is another example of why. The performance just felt rather affected and also lacking in expression, plus her character is dull and never goes beyond a typical Hallmark cliche that doesn't really grow all that much or come over as easy to relate to (was actually frustrated by her behaviour early on). Her chemistry with Penny is mostly lacking, it has moments later on but could have been featured more and developed more. It feels like it goes nowhere for a while and then has a little development just like that.

When it comes to the dialogue, it is very awkward in flow and there is no heart to it. Both the cheese and sentiment go overboard, and there is too little in 'Magical Christmas Ornaments' to connect with emotionally. The story is not much of one at all for most of the length, much of the first portion is endless and pointless filler and what there is of the story is very dull, excessively predictable and at times silly with senseless motivations and rushed character development. The too neat and contrived ending can be seen from miles off. The direction is routine on the whole and the music is overbearing tonally and in placement.

Concluding, watchable but could have done with a lot more magic. 5/10.

Another Brendan Penny film and I don't mind one bit. He is just so charming and lovely. I'm not sure what he sees in Jessica Lowndes character though, I might have found it more likely if she'd ended up with her ex (Also hot by the way).

I did like the idea of the potential magic in the ornaments, it made the story flow well, without it actually being a fantasy story. The hospital element was also a nice touch and I love any reference to 'A Christmas Carol', but I've never understood why there is a toy drive for kids in hospital? Just because they broke their leg, it doesn't make their parents paupers who can't afford to buy a book or something? All I'm saying is that there might be other charities out there that need help more? Ones that provide water, food and shelter maybe?

It's not a bad film overall, I've made it sound a bit off in what I've written above, but with Brendan in it, how could we go wrong?

Jessica Lowndes puts me in bad mood (hence the review). She needs speech therapist, acting lessons And new make up artist. Totally lifeless and annoying. Hard to imagine that some sweet handsome guy could be interested in her. Rest of cast good. Why would Brendan Penney agree to working with her? Hate to be negative. Hope she's independently wealthy. Forgot to mention that she never takes her dog out when she gets home. Boy, really annoying

Marie finds her Christmas spirit reawakened when her mother begins sending her the family's Christmas ornaments. As each ornament arrives, it brings a positive change to Marie's life, including an introduction to the handsome man from next door.

I have said this before but Jessica Lowndes has had to many surgical procedures and she looks frighting. It is hard to be charmed by that. In fact its a distractions!