A Review for Christmas

NEW SHOW: Book Watchers!!

Book Watchers is a podcast where we watch books. By that we mean we dive into the differences between novels and their screen adaptations.
In our FIRST EVER EPISODE we had to cover a classic: Jane Austen's beloved Pride & Prejudice. While there have been an abundance of adaptations, none stand quite as tall as the 1995 mini-series or the 2005 film. 
Because Ariel has read the book many many times she is our defacto expert for today's episode. Ariel will take Chelsea on a deep dive of all the changes, big and small and discuss whether they worked or not. She will paint the picture of the world of Austen and we will look on in awe and wonder. Chelsea will remain hyper-focused on the hand flex. IYKYK
Thank you for meeting us here and we hope you keep coming back.
Keep reading. Keep watching.
 
Just a heads-up - if any similarities exist between our podcast and others seem a little too close for comfort, we promise it’s purely coincidental! We’re just here to discuss something we are passionate about and share our own unique take on the world of adaptations. Any resemblance to other podcasts is absolutely unintentional, we have taken a vow to remain chaste, and by that I mean, we do not consume any content that has even a *whisper* of being close to what we do. And we hope you will enjoy the ride with us!

Season 4 Bonus Episode: Men I Would Marry

You never ask, but we always answer. Ariel and Chelsea dissect the men of season 4 to determine who among them is worthy of the shortest courtship known to man. 
 
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TikTok: review4xmas
YouTube: A Review For Christmas 

Season 4 Episode 12: Hot Frosty

When we saw that this movie *briefly* had a higher score on Rotten Tomatoes than the Godfather, we knew it had to be this year's finale. Kathy (Lacey Chabert) is a young widow just trying to get by. She gifts a scarf to a snowman in the square and he magically comes to life as Jack (Dustin Milligan). He streaks, he steals, he is constantly on the verge of melting, and we love him for it. This campy "born hot yesterday" tale takes us on a magical journey through the meaning of love and Christmas, but also ABS. Did we mention the snowman has ABS? If you forget, the movie will find time to remind you, over and over. 
Thank you for a magical season 4, and keep your eyes and ears open for the bonus episode: Men I would Marry in 10 Days coming at ya in 2025
YouTube: A Review for Christmas
Insta: areviewforchristmas
tiktok: review4xmas

Season 4 Episode 11: Christmas in the Spotlight

Welcome to Christmas 2024. This year, Lifetime made a movie inspired by a very public romance that is barely a year old. 
A young, successful popstar and a hot shot football player find romance in this kooky film. Bowyn Sykes (Jessica Lord) and Drew "Gonzo" Gonville (Laith Wallschleger) meet at her concert and he decides to shoot his shot. After a "lowkey" first date, these two decide to date for fun and not for love. The couple faces many challenges; a pesky ex-boyfriend, a quarterback brother who is a huge skeptic, and rude media attention, to name a few. With unending song and football references, Chelsea lapped this up because she is a mindless Swiftie and had to make sure Ariel and anyone else who may listen, knew all the LORE.
 
Homework: Hot Frosty
YouTube: A Review for Christmas
Insta: areviewforchristmas
TikTok: review4xmas
 
Round and Round review that proves Chelsea did NOT lose her mind: https://www.autostraddle.com/round-and-round-queer-review/
Additionally, if you want to watch the version of Round and Round that Chelsea watched last year, it can be found on Amazon Prime. We have no idea why Hallmark made a different edit for Philo. It's their world, we just review it. 

Season 4 Episode 10: Round and Round

Last year, Hallmark gave us a gift and a masterpiece. Today we share that with you.
Ever wondered what would happen if Hanukkah and Groundhog Day crossed over? Rachel (Vic Michaelis) is having the worst 7th night of Hanukkah ever, her boyfriend ditches her, the sufganiyot gets ruined, and the house catches fire. After spinning an antique dreidel she then gets to live that day over and over and over. She enlists the help of Zach (Bryan Greenberg) to help her break the time loop she is inexplicably trapped in.
Is this movie the BEST holiday romance of all time?
Homework: Christmas in the Spotlight
Insta: areviewforchristmas
tiktok: review4xmas
YouTube: A Review for Christmas

Season 4 Episode 9: Catch Me If You Claus

2023 Hallmark chose to ask a question not many of us consider..."What if Santa was hot?" 
Avery (Italia Ricci) is a budding News Anchor who might have finally gotten her big break. The night before her big Christmas broadcast, Chris (Luke Macfarlane) ends up in her house dressed as Santa. Thinking him a crook, they begin their wacky journey of her trying to save her career and him trying to save Christmas. Be careful, this movie might make you have some very strange feelings about Santa. 
Homework: Round and Round
Insta: areviewforchristmas
YouTube: A Review for Christmas
Tik Tok: review4xmas

Season 4 Episode 8: Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas

Blake Shelton meets Christmas (KIND OF) in this weeks film. A businesswoman and country music star find themselves stranded in a storm trying to get home for Christmas. They travel from New York to Tulsa and FALL IN LOVE. Join us as we discuss the blossoming love of Heath (Josh Henderson) and Cara (Megan Park).
Homework: Catch Me if You Claus
Insta: areviewforchristmas
tiktok: review4xmas
YouTube: A Review for Christmas

Season 4 Episode 7: Christmas Wedding Planner

In today's episode we are diving into Christmas Wedding Planner. While trying to plan her cousin's extravagant wedding, Kelsey (Jocelyn Hudon) comes face to face with Connor (Stephen Huszar), a PI who threatens to ruin it all. They team up, Kelsey hoping to prove him wrong but they soon discover that something may be amiss with the husband to be. This Christmas mystery may keep you on the edge of your seat or might not...Only you can decide. 
Homework: Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas
Insta: areviewforchristmas
tiktok: review4xmas
YT: A Review for Christmas

Season 4 Episode 6: Christmas at Pemberley Manor

Jane Austen meets Holiday Romance in this charming tale of an event planner and a billionaire falling in love. Elizabeth Bennet (Jessica Lowndes) teams up with William Darcy (Michael Rady) to throw a town Christmas festival at his up-for-sale Manor. Between Lizzie's charm and Darcy's unflinching eye contact, we were hooked. 
Homework: Christmas Wedding Planner
Insta: areviewforchristmas
YouTube: A Review For Christmas
Tik Tok: review4xmas

Season 4 Episode 5: A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale

WE ARE FINALLY TALKING ABOUT JONATHAN BENNET!!
Spoiled Luce (Lexi Giovanni) is walking a neighbor's dog for some extra cash when she meets Dean, (Jonathan Bennet) a handsome local dogwalker & veterinary student. The dog park is in danger of being turned into a Spa and Luce's boss is the developer in charge! Dean works hard to convince Luce to save the dog park which will somehow save the town and probably Christmas. 
Insta: areviewforchristmas
titok: review4xmas
YouTube: A Review for Christmas
Homework: Christmas at Pemberly Manor