Happy Howlidays

I liked the lead actor. Knowing iit was his first movie, I cut him some slack. He was actually pretty good. His character was exactly what he was - unhappy and grouchy after a bad breakup. Jessia Lowndes is as wooden as always. She seems to be awkward all the time. She is a beautiful woman, but not an actress. She is stiff and never seems invested in anything I've seen her in on Hallmark. The dogs were cute, and stole the scenes they were in together. I'd like to see Mr. Christmas with a different - less wooden - actress to see what he's got. It's hard to learn to act opposite someone who isn't very good at it - so I thought he did well for what he had to work with. He needs a seasoned actress to act with, someone more relaxed and more invested would help him loosen up and be more relaxed and invested as well. He's easy on the eyes and hope to see him again.

Mia finds a dog in the rain one night so she takes to the shelter because she can't take him on. Max, the owner of the said rescue shelter rejects them. Because the world works in mysterious ways they meet again with their dogs who developed an instant attraction.

It's safe to say the dogs had more chemistry than the leads. Which is a shame. With a new face in Hallmark I was looking foward to this one but was disappointed. I'm not gonna judge Ezra because it's his first one, but maybe he should have started with a secondary role and the go from there. Like many leads nowadays did.

The plot of the movie is quite flat, maybe with other actors it could have worked. And it wasn't even necessary the Christmas factor. It could have been a summer movie.

I can't help but notice that this is the second actor to come back to Hallmark after the fail that is GAF. I just hope it ends there. And that's all I'm gonna comment about it.

My friend and I watched Finding Mr. Christmas together, a reality competition to find the next male lead for a new Hallmark Christmas movie. The show was sweet and warm, like being wrapped in a cozy blanket for an hour. The ten guys truly rooted for and supported each other which was refreshing to see. The ultimate winner ended up being model Ezra Moreland.

My problem with the series was that there were just not enough challenges to fully show the men's acting chops. We watched very brief acting scenes as well as talent, dancing, and improv challenges. The second placer, Hayden, was seemingly the best actor but ultimately the crown went to the best looking guy with the best body.

I had high hopes for Ezra and wanted him to succeed. But watching Happy Howlidays is like watching someone drowning. Ezra looked great for sure, but the acting was tentative, flat, and one note from beginning to end. The poor guy was clearly in way over his head, not having acted before and having to carry a film. On top of that he had to work with dogs, a so so leading lady, and a bottom of the barrel script.

It was an incredibly disappointing ending to a terrific series. Hopefully lessons were learned for next years Finding Mr, Christmas. Meanwhile, I hope this at least leads to more modeling jobs for Ezra. And just maybe Hayden can be given a well deserved spot in an upcoming Hallmark film.

The acting in this film was truly dreadful. Both main actors delivered wooden and one-dimensional performances. Their lack of chemistry was palpable.

Ezra's portrayal of the pet adoption agency manager was particularly jarring. His rude and condescending behavior was completely unrealistic and off-putting. He displayed a complete lack of empathy for customers and seemed utterly devoid of any warmth or personality.

Jessica's performance was equally unconvincing. Her lines were delivered without any emotion or connection to the other actors.

Her lack of common sense was astounding. It was baffling that she couldn't understand the basic needs of her dog and repeatedly stepped in dog urine every morning.

Ezra's appearance in this film was a significant departure from his look in 'Finding Mr. Christmas.' Lose the beard Ezra!

The writer and the director didn't do this film any favors.

The storyline was kind of slow. The lead actress was bitter and we didn't know why for quite a while. If we knew what had been going on in her life, it would have made it easier to continue to watch. I still muddled through. The lead (new) actor was given a role that was worried and angry most of the time. He never really had the opportunity to shine. Sure, the saving of a dog rescue is serious business. The one time it looked like he smiled the most the camera was at his back. When he said he fell in love with her the moment he met her, I would have never known. Put these two together again with a more lighthearted story. That might work.