Querido Papai Noel Secreto

Just discovered this one and I absolutely loved it. Don't believe the scrooges, this story is entertaining, charming, and reaches into the heart of anyone who's ever felt love and joy for another person. Tatyana Ali is superb as always and the late, great Bill Hobbs is always a pleasure to see. Jordan Sparks also does a phenomenal job as the story takes us into unexpected and incredible directions. I also loved getting to hear Tatyana Ali sing. She's an all around talented artist who has become my favorite go to for the holiday themed films. So get into the Holiday spirit and show some love for Dear, Secret Santa!

If you've seen "The Lake House", then you have seen this movie. In it, Jennifer (Tatyana Ali) carries on a time-bending relationship with a dead boyfriend from the past via letters sent through a mailbox in front of his old house. She decides to try and change history in order to save him and if you've seen "The Lake House", you can predict know how its going to end.

If you haven't seen "The Lake House", you will like "Dear Secret Santa". If you liked "The Lake House" and wish they had made a sequel or are obsessed with time travel, you will probably like this movie. If you don't fall into any of those categories, you might want to skip this one and watch "Santa Clause Conquers the Martians".

As fan of Tatyana Ali from the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" days, I recently watched "Dear Secret Santa" on Lifetime. I was not disappointed. This is one of the best Christmas TV movies I've ever seen. Tatyana Ali plays a business woman who has to go home to take care of her dad during the holidays. Jordin Sparks from American Idol plays her best friend, a real estate agent, who she asks to help sell her father's house. While visiting, our heroine starts getting cards from a secret admirer. Before all is done, we've explored grief, faith, magic, wormholes, and time travel. Della Reese is a hoot as a science expert! My wife couldn't get through this movie without crying. Definitely check this one out.

The basic synopsis may sound quite formulaic and not much new, but when hearing and reading about the film, 'Dear Secret Santa' actually did sound like it was trying to do something different with a premise that may come over as typical to some. Tatyana Ali has been watchable and more in everything seen of hers so far (more to say) and was interested in seeing 'American Idol' winner Jordin Sparks in an acting role to see how a good singer would fare as an actress.

'Dear Secret Santa' turned out to me as a winner. While not one of my all time favourite Christmas films, it is one of the better faring made for television Christmas films from 2013 and one of the better ones seen recently. Have been on a Christmas film completest quest for a couple of years now and of a hit and miss but intriguing experience 'Dear Secret Santa' compares favourably. Those who like Ali won't be disappointed in her performance here.

It's not a masterpiece by all means. Despite it seeming like it was going to do things differently with something typical, there is not much that is original (as has been noted there are too many similarities with 'The Lake House' and it could have done with more imagination.

Some of the dialogue seemed on the ropey and awkward side and it is a little bit of a slow starter.

A lot works though. Ali is immensely engaging and full of charm in the lead role, while Ernie Hudson does sympathetic and dignified so well. Sparks is certainly much better than Kellie Pickler, another 'American Idol' contestant who has done some work for Hallmark and has not fared well in any of it), when it comes to the acting stakes. And Della Reese is a blast. The chemistry came over as genuine and at ease and the characters didn't bore or irritate.

Furthermore, it looks quite good, especially in the slick photography and beautiful locations. The music has varied in quality in all the recently seen Christmas films, 'Dear Secret Santa' fares better than most here. The soulfully uplifting and moving quality gave the film depth. Enough of the script flowed naturally and didn't come over as excessively cheesy, so it was easy to take things seriously, or too schmaltzy that it felt like overdosing on sugar. The story is not exceptional, but it did have charm and warmth and did appreciate that it did cover some mature themes and handled them with honesty and heart.

Bottom line, nice film. 7/10.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . I HAVE REVIEWED 400 FILMS WITH NO AGENDA!

Now I did not see "The Lake House" and I never will. I saw this film because I am a sucker for a "Christmas Film" and just like Santa this film delivers. I went into this film not knowing what is was about. After I was done I saw people said this is a rip-off of "The Lake House" (and it could well be) however this film it least has a cast that can act. (The Lake House Not SO Much)

In this film a young woman returns home because her father lives alone and just took a tumble putting up Christmas lights. The woman who is single makes a "Christmas Wish" to find true love a Christmas and she does.

To tell you much more would be a crime. However a bigger crime would be for Hallmark Channel to bypass Tatiana Ali when they make their new round of Christmas movies! She is a delight! She carried the film with ease! I look forward to see what she does next.