Campfire Christmas

We started this movie for the idea of a Christmas in July, which was evidently filmed last year to go with the Christmas in July deal Hallmark has done the last couple of years (at least).

We have a young women frustrated by the continual rejection of books (or book ideas) she floats to her boss. Okay, I could get interested in her finding one that works, and her boss tells her the pitches need a 'personal approach'.

So there's two things that could have made this movie a go for me.

The problem is nothing else did. The boss was just flat, with no personality and no upside, and for us, that pretty much applied to everyone in the film, and the otherwise tired romance cliches. We've seen all of them done with more inspired acting and better crafted stories. We gave up a half hour in.

The idea is silly, the cast is mismatched, and the movie is boring! Tried to watch it and could not go far into it twice. I used to long for Hallmark new Christmas movies and some I have viewed repeatedly. Last year productions mostly missed the mark. I dread to think of what's coming this Holidays season!

Aspiring writer Peyton (Tori Anderson) works at a publishing company as an assistant. Her boss says that she has no personal connections to her writing. Her parents are retiring and giving up their summer camp. They would like Peyton to take over, but she is desperate to be a writer. The camp is throwing one last Christmas in July for the alumni. Peyton is surprised to see her former flame Thomas (Corbin Bleu) attending. She decides to write about the camp.

It's another Hallmark Christmas in July. Tori Anderson is fine as the leading lady with issues. I don't know what happened to Corbin Bleu. He seems to have lost his mojo after cutting his hair. None of the other side characters really popped. The story is bland. The camp itself is a little too clean. It's well-manicured family cottages. A rustic camp is much more charming cinematically and visually. This is Hallmark at its most average.

IN A NUTSHELL: If you want Christmas cheer in July with a family-friendly story, this one is for you. If you can't handle the over-the-top saccharine of Hallmark movies and how everything is always tied up with a pretty bow at the end, you definitely won't like this.

THINGS I LIKED: The cast includes Tori Anderson, Corbin Bleu, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Caitlin Stryker, Matt Hamilton, Alec Santos, Iris Quinn, Fred Henderson, and a young cast that plays their characters when they were teens.

There are a lot of flashbacks, utilizing both casts of characters fully.

As an author of 31 books, I always enjoy movies that feature writers and publishers. I love seeing how other authors go through their process and what inspires them.

Dance number! Ha ha The movie is clean and appropriate for family viewing.

I was hoping the dialogue and scenario would be more realistic, but it's not a terrible thing to say this movie is too happy and perfect.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: The dialogue is very cheesy.

There are some cringe-worthy acting moments. Most of the characters are just too smiley all the time.

The humor is just silly, nothing laugh-out-loud funny.

There's not very much romantic chemistry among any of the couples.

The adults act a lot like giggly teens. Example dialogue: "You KISSED?" - woman 1 "And it was a good one!" - woman 2 It felt very old-fashioned. This movie would have been a big hit in the 1950s.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: A gay couple hugs and almost kisses Other couples kiss No profanity Jealousy is portrayed Friendly competitive games and behavior Nothing dangerous

THEMES: Family Traditions Friendship Romance Memories Community Retirement Rivalry First love Second chances Reunion

Listen, I know Hallmark movies (especially Christmas movies) are utterly predictable... BUT...

There is no big city business boyfriend nor uptight exec trying to buy the camp, Peyton's job doesn't leave her too stressed to enjoy the week, and the side characters actually have decent storylines. As an added bonus, the younger actors in the flashbacks do a great job at mirroring their older counterparts.

Hallmark movies are typically my background noise while I clean and I hardly ever sit down to rewatch ones I've seen before, but this is one that has made the rewatch list.