Natale a Winters Inn

Have said many times about my love of Christmas and getting a lot of pleasure out of in particular watching films, cartoons and specials during this period, something that most years has been much needed. Wanted to see some more festive films that were more recent, lower in budget and were not childhood favourites, so in a way to broaden my horizons and have been doing so since November 2019. The idea of the film did sound predictable and similar to other hotel etc-set Lifetime/Hallmark films.

Some though have had formulaic stories but managed to have not over-simplistic or formulaic. 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' turned out to be one of those films and was a lovely surprise. It does a lot right and avoids, or at least to me it did, most of the traps that Christmas films with similar basic plotlines or follow a certain formula often do. Don't be put off by the pretty terrible and incredibly cheesy title which doesn't do the film justice in any shape or form. The title indicates a film that would be very cheesily and sappily written and something more of the same, but 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' was more than that and is one of Lifetime's better films in recent years.

It doesn't fit my definition of a masterpiece, something that nobody should expect from Lifetime. Is predictable, no doubt about it, with an ending that can be seen a mile away and story elements seen many times before.

Really though, to me there was very little wrong (the only other problem being some of the dialogue being on the contrived and cheesy side). Of the recently seen Christmas films from recent years with similar plots and similar budgets, 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' is easily one of the best ones.

Moreover, 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' looks lovely, with scenery that captures the festive spirit very well pleasingly shot. The soundtrack also adds to the atmosphere and is easy to remember, the music does vary in Lifetime films and can be intrusive but it wasn't here for me. The script mixes amusing comedy, sweet romance and not too sentimental drama with ease and good balance, having personality too.

The story is predictable but also very charming, easy to engage with and heart-warming. Any tensions never got too dark or complicated and there wasn't anything that felt aimless. The characters were more likeable and interesting than most similar characters and are further advantaged by strong performances from Bethany Joy Lenz (spirited and charming) and Andrew W. Walker (easy going and never stiff), who shares a chemistry that rings true and is sweet. Belinda Montgomery and John B. Lowe are solid support. The characters are not too perfect but any not so positive character traits are not overwritten at the same time.

Overall, very lovely surprise. 8/10.

By this time of year..a week before Christmas, one can pretty much expect to have seen every movie plot permutation possible. The formula is time-tested, it is comforting in its familiarity, and always gives the viewer a smile when the happy ending arrives. While this film meets all those criteria, it stands out because of the excellent acting involved, as well as the intelligent, snappy dialogue. Andrew Walker is a marvelous actor, with a vast store of acting talent..He has a range of facial expressions, delivers dialogue with appropriate feeling, and is extremely attractive and appealing..In all his movies, he offers a true depiction of his character..There is never anything bland or repetitious about his acting...Bethany Joy Lenz is gifted in any role she undertakes. She has an intelligent demeanor, she has a range of expressions..and to her credit, unlike other holiday movie actresses, she does not spend her time on screen giggling or frantically smiling. One feature of this type of movie that might be thought about more carefully by the writers or producers is the cliche moment when the male and female leads are a moment away from their first kiss..the heroine's ex always appears. It is predictable, it is almost a joke by now, and it really interrupts any originality of the moment..There must be a way to re-think this cliche moment because the viewer is so used to it, it is actually comical when it happens in every film.

This is a really appealing movie..Give it a chance..You will smile , for sure.

While I think this movie has a terrible title and also I do not like the subplot about the owners of the inn and their connection to the real life Santa Claus, this move works much better than the standard Christmas fare. In large part, as has been noted this is due to the main actors who are both very good actors (and actually will someone give Andrew Walker a non lifetime / Hallmark movie? He has earned it). Bethany Joy Lenz and Walker play fellow reporters at an online magazine. As you do, they live in their own little work world hardly even knowing each other until they are pitted against each other at Christmas, tasked with writing a story or losing a job. Both are determined to win but get diverted from their original location to the small town of Santa Claus Indiana. While there they get to know each other they fall in love. Without giving too much away these stories typically do not have enough plot to establish a real feeling relationship but this did and the actors sold it pretty well. There is one sour note right at the very end but still the vast majority of the move is worth it.

Why did it took me like 2 weeks to find out about this movie? About Andrew W. Walker and Bethany Joy Lenz working together?

I'm used to watching more Hallmark and I saw a few Lifetime movies that I did not like and i'm glad this changed that. I finished this movie with such a smile that I was already thinking when I could see it again. The story itself it's good but the performances and chemistry take it to another level. Both Andrew and Bethany nailed their performances in every aspect.

I really hope these two get to work together again.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 ( C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". If a story is bad "I will mention that" So why am I being "picked on"? IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to the review

"Christmas Theme" films seem to cast the same people regardless of who makes them. Andrew Walker is one actor they pops up frequently. I first saw and liked him in "A Bride For Christmas". Since then I have seen him in 3 or 4 other "Christmas Movies" . I can see why he is cast. He is nice looking and has "Chemistry" with every leading lady. This film is no different. However it is Above Average.

Now in this film Andrew plays Kevin Jenner. a Co-worker of his named Jenna Hudson volunteer for a special assignment at Christmas. After they become stranded by a snowstorm in Santa Claus, Ind., their original plans on stories change and the storm re-sets their lives.

This film is a very sweet. Again this is Andrew Walkers chance to shine again but he is so good in every scene and he makes you really care about every thing that is happening to him.

This is a winner