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A Christmas Princess (2019)
She's a Jerk, But All He Sees is Confidence
I really like the beginning with all the beautiful shots of fine culinary artist preparing different cuisines. But it just kinda went downhill from there. I did finish it, so it was somewhat entertaining, but overall just wasn't very good.
The main character, Jessica, is a discouraged restaurateur, as her establishment is not gaining any traffic and will have to be closed by next month. Along comes Prince Jack, breaking away from palace rules to stop into this little restaurant of hers. With no customers or sign of life in the front, he ventures into the kitchen where he meets one of Jessica's two star struck coworkers. They're having a lovely chat, just to be interrupted by Jessica, who, when she sets eyes on him is stunned by his good looks for a few moments before she regains her composer and rudely corrects his behavior in coming back to the kitchen and mocks his being a foreigner by saying "Look Mister, I'm not sure how things work back in... wherever it is you're from, but in THIS country food is mostly enjoyed in the restaurant." He's starry-eyed and instead of taking it as the insult that is was, he just admires her boldness in telling a "Prince" what he can and can't do. "She's different! I've never been told no before." That's all he can compliment her on through the whole movie, besides her amazing culinary skills and creative ways of creating Christmas nostalgia, because there really aren't that many good qualities in her, making her not a very likeable protagonist. She's discouraged, then she's rude, then pessimistic, then switched to overly confident for no reason, then kinda sweet, but then blows up at the Prince for something someone else says, that he actually defends her on in a very bold way.
I just don't like these character arches where the girl is a jerk, but he likes her because she's "different/confident". It's not believable to me and I don't find myself rooting for them.
The King is a wimp, the Queen is manipulative, her parents are pushy, the old girlfriend feels forced & is cringe, her coworkers are the stereotypical couple in the background, and the Prince is naive. Is the Great Chef Gideon supposed to be from? The actor's from Ireland, but his accent in the movie seems to go in and out.
The Prince is a pretty good character except for a few things.
1. Why does he end up apologizing in the end? He did nothing wrong, defended her to his Mother, and she's the one who ended up blowing up at him and storming out.
2. The only reason he seems to like this girl is because she's not afraid to say "no" to him. Not the best foundation for a good relationship.
3. He's weirdly oblivious. I mean what's up with him walking out into the room while putting his shirt on? I think we just needed a reminder of the reason she likes him: his good looks. Again, not the best foundation for a good relationship.
But he is humble in treating everyone as equals, stands up for what's right, gives his money and resources to charity and worthy causes, and seems to have a genuine heart for others.
Nice idea, but the execution wasn't great in my opinion. Not the worst, not the best: 2/10.
Christmas Pen Pals (2018)
Sweet Classic Story, But Unlikeable Main Characters
People seem to like the chemistry between Sam and Hannah, but I wasn't seeing it. He was so reserved that I felt I barely got to know him. And where you do get to know him he's always upset. Hannah is a bit annoying most of the time. Both Sam and Hannah have their good moments, but overall it wasn't the funnest thing to watch.
One of my favorite characters, her father played by Michael Gross, was the best actor by far. I liked his storyline, it was sweet and sincere.
My other favorite character was her old best friend, Sarah. She was genuine, upbeat, kind, and I just loved her whole personality. I think we got to know Sarah more than Sam in the short time she was on.
The story is a take on the Christmas Classics of "Shop Around the Corner", "In the Good Old Summertime", and "You've Got Mail". I liked the small town charm where everyone knows everyone. The Vintage vibes of the old fashioned ideals in coffee shop and the WW11 tradition of Christmas Cupid pen pals.
I do have two (I think unanswered) questions though:
1. Why is his name Hutch? They literally make a point of wondering why and then never tell us
SPOILER ALERT!!!:
2. How did Sam know who he was writing to? He seemed to know from the beginning, but it was supposed to be secret. My theory is that he went to Martha and persuaded her to match him up with Hannah in hopes of rekindling their old romance.
Laverne & Shirley: Death Row: Part 2 (1982)
The second worst episode I've seen.
If Laverne on death row wasn't absurd enough, they put a full musical number in the middle of the show that was so out of place and weird. With the prisoners opening up their cells and coming out to dance.
Aside from that, I really don't think Lenny would be so callous about Laverne on death row. It seemed very out of his character.
Sylvia was, in my opinion, a bit annoying. Her character acted like a young teenager, but she's obviously in (at least) her late twenties.
The only thing that was any good about this episode was the part where Lenny and Squiggy visit the prison. It was right in character for them, as they mention doing this in an early episode.
Oh and let's not forget about the ending where Mr. DeFazio brings in the judge. The worst bit of acting and timing and writing I've seen in a long while.
If this is the first L&S episode you've watched, try again. They only go uphill from here. (except for 1 other episode, this is the worst I've seen)