NEVER BEEN CHRIS'D | a review | Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas 2023

[@joyceshing5664]

I agree with you on the childish behavior of the two female leads when they are supposed to successful business tech wizards. I felt too many plot lines were going on , high school angst, mother issues, feeling not in the “in crowd”, the romance and personal growth issues, in addition to Xmas events! I think the actresses did a great acting job with what they had. I agree Tyler needs to be in more challenging scripts. I thought when I read the premise of this movie, and actually saw this movie as a “ mirror” of how his “ enthusiasts” cluster around him at the conventions. I thought the Chris character had a vulnerability and development arc. I felt the camera work was excellent in this movie, but overkill on the Xmas decorations. When I first saw the story line, I thought the girls’ friendship would win over the romance and Chris would be dumped, then I realized this is a Hallmark movie and a big “ kiss” at the end has to happen. That one of the girls chose Chris triggered the plot line that the two girls had to stop the co dependent relationship in order to grow. I found watching it again, the movie got better! Never can complain seeing Tyler act and be the romantic hysterical male!

[@olympiafitzgerald]

Dara, I agree with you that Tyler Hynes should have been in a better Hallmark movie. I have been a fan of Tyler since 2018 and always loved his movies. It Was Always You was one of his best, then An Unexpected Christmas, A Picture of Her, Time for Him to Come for Christmas, On the 12th Date of Christmas, Three Wise Men and a Baby. He is such a talented and handsome actor. He always has a fabulous wardrobe. I love his beard and current hairstyle and his voice is beyond believably hot. I hope he will be making Hallmark movies for a long time.

[@treelining442]

I liked it..on a basic light hearted note, I thought it was cute, well paced and dealt with some real themes (family dynamics at holiday time, friends who hold each other back but dont mean to, findinfg out what people really thought in high school and realize we all wasted so much time worrying about it..all themes we can relate to). Some 35ers do act this way and the chemistry and quick dialog was refreshing. On a light hearted level, I thought it was a win, but I really do enjoy and respect your reviews and opinions, Dara!😊 you are a Pro form Go! Thanks for your posts!

[@bettylouvarady5626]

I thought was cute Highschool yes but it’s a movie. Tyler u rock no matter what

[@EverythingAboutHallmark]

Thank you. You are spot on.’Great review with detailed examples.

[@heatheryoung2213]

I agree with everything you said. I was disappointed with the juvenile behaviour of not just the lead girls, but the whole group of their friends. I also think that Tyler’s part didn’t give him anything to do really, except to react to the stupid antics of the girls.

[@brendalewis63]

You are so spot on with this review. I agree with you whole-heartedly.

[@pilaratencio6255]

Hallmark forgets that the competition for a younger audience is hard because they do not watch TV. And when they do, it is a different type of programs, unfortunately.

[@ChristmasAficionado]

I really loved this movie. The dialog and the humor were good and I was never a 35 year old woman so I have no idea how accurate it was. I wish they would have slowly made Chris a real loser by the end and nobody was with him. That guy in highschool that was popular but now lives in that high school world. A good friend movie is needed and would have been so different.

[@DearHallmark]

I am all here for a good friendship movie, so I'm down for that!

[@Starr4Christ]

Spot on!!

[@pilaratencio6255]

Great review!! Feel bad for the cast in general. Thank you!!

[@EverythingAboutHallmark]

Also, the dialogue between the women was silly and gave me anxiety. I would cringe and wanted them to stop.

[@magpie388]

I completely agree with you on this one.

[@leeannehauser6720]

Very well said. 100% agree,

[@eileenwest4263]

Good review right on with everything just didn't do justice for the actors

[@DearHallmark]

Yeah, I'm hoping for better ones in 2024, and that we'll get to see Pascal again.

[@aidenharmston402]

I didn’t read the premise, I didn’t watch the promos. So I didn’t have expectations other than I knew Tyler Hynes was the male lead. I didn’t like how giggly the ladies were early on. It was ridiculous. I didn’t like how Janel’s character was so silly w her mom - like, just have an adult convo w your mom! But overall the movie kept my attention. And I enjoyed the acting (minus the giggly scenes).

[@MC-lb2nr]

I disagree. I loved it. It was not the normal type of Christmas movie and it was a nice change. When I go back home, this is exactly what it’s like at the local bar and with mothers and hook up with an old crush….so relatable.

[@DearHallmark]

I can definitely appreciate not having the normal type of Hallmark movie, like Santa Summit, for instance, That one was excellence! I guess there's just different strokes for different folks, lol

[@marvelboi3416]

Hey Dara, In my opinion I glad Hallmark is doing these silly type of goofy movie like "Never Been Chris'd" instead of always the warm and fuzzy. I understand your opinion but to reach out and bring in new audience you have to switch it up a little bit. For example the Lifetime Channel used to catered only for older women demographic but nowadays they switch it up and focus on the younger demographic with their movies. It's all about branding and bring in the new people to the Hallmark. I think when it comes to Hallmark the demographic is women but if they have a more comedic momemt or films like "Three Wise Men and a Baby" then it would bring in more males to the Hallmark brand. Maybe in the future I probably want to see more movies focus on teens love and drama story to bring in the younger generation to the channel.

[@DearHallmark]

Thank you for this! I can totally appreciate this perspective and the understanding of wanting to do something different, but I think in wanting to do something different you should still be able to honor and recognize the demographic that brought the network to where it is today. It's been a jarring adjustment and mostly all of the series that we've known and loved had been cancelled and we haven't really received anything in return (consistently) that's been able to replace what we've lost. And I would say this movie is a different type of silly than, let's say, Haul out the Holly. I think that movie is comedic gold while being a few steps away from what Hallmark typically does, but it was done in a way where you can still retain your core audience...if that makes sense.

[@mariamelendez1553]

Yeah It was not I expected

[@DearHallmark]

Has there been a movie that you've loved so far this Christmas season?

[@mariamelendez1553]

@@DearHallmark Bringing Christmas Home with Jill Wagner and Paul Greene 😍😍😘😘😘😍😍😍😍😍

[@mariamelendez1553]

I been watching all the older Christmas movies 2018,19,20,21, and 22 catching up or reminiscing

[@mariamelendez1553]

The other movie that was a hit with me is "Christmas Island" that awesome and it stayed on point it had it all storyline, comedy, Christmas nostalgia and the love of family no matter the situation 😁🤩

[@Gigis5]

Hated this movie and I am a very big Tyler Hynes fan

[@bluedrummajor2876]

Right there with you Sheryl.

[@markm2793]

Hi Dara, always good to see you. I have not seen this movie since after watching the trailer I was so disappointed and had no desire to watch it, pretty much for the reasons you outlined. Will you be reviewing any others from this past weekend?

[@DearHallmark]

Hi Mark! I definitely plan to talk abut the other movies that premiered this past weekend. I'm going to divide it up between KZbin and the podcast :)

[@DearHallmark]

Were you able to watch any of the others that premiered this same weekend?

[@markm2793]

@@DearHallmark Hi Dara, yes I watched Flipping for Christmas and The Santa Summit. I enjoyed both. I agree with your rave review for The Santa Summit. Benjamin never disappoints and is so underrated and the entire cast was excellent. Did you see the Marcus Rosner one?

[@DearHallmark]

@@markm2793 I haven’t seen the Marcus Rosner one yet, but I’m planning to watch it soon!

[@rokitt5142]

I respectfully disagree. I kinda liked the movie. They did mention early on that both women had traumatic events happen while in high school, kinda creating their sometimes unhealthy bond. I felt like the high school crush angle was a catalyst for change in their lives, not necessarily them wanting to relive HS. Chris Silver, cool and sweet on the outside, was still a bit insecure and cheatin' on his vegan diet and lying about it, so not perfect. My complaints with the movie were, I never felt like that Tyler and Janel's characters were "meant to be" Hallmark style and I can't see 30 something year olds wanting to be crowned Jingle king and queen. Overall I'd give it a B. Loved Tyler, Janel and Pascal.

[@DearHallmark]

I can appreciate your perspective for sure...I think it's hard for me to really find a silver lining in this movie though because I've seen the excellence that Hallmark is capable of, you know: Just One Kiss, Hearts in the Game, The Wedding Cottage, etc. I understand that not every movie will be perfect, I think this one just became a big disappointment unfortunately.

[@tawrightDE]

I agree the story was not vetted the best and off brand a touch. I think the relationship between the friends was a bit cringe for 35 yr olds ( I am older than that, but have friends in that age range and this is not how they act) and it made them look silly and immature. But yet still trying to tell me they are accomplished business women in their mid thirties -not?? I personally liked the Liz character better than Naomi and if anyone had to end up with Chris Silver I was rooting for Liz. Chris Silver was a confusing character for sure. He first came off as nice, generous friend of many of the classmates. But has some insecurities of his own trying to give him flaws to humanize him maybe But the vegan/pescatarian thing maybe was an attempt at humor but was it really ? To me it was not, it was simply odd and not in that cute quirky way and so many things never got explained well. Also the king/queen thing it's on its off why what? Whoever is reviewing story lines and green lit this one maybe was having an off day and actually didn't read it through. I agree with you that Tyler's character while called out in the title and prominent in promotion was almost a minor character. He was 100% why I watched though but it's not going to be one of Tyler's movies permanently stored on my DVR, which is not his fault. He played Chris as written and again I liked him with Liz their fist bump at the end was cute Tyler innate charm made you not despise Chris and maybe that's why they picked him because who else could have pulled that off. So while marketing genius but not the best for the craft. You know not every movie can hit even with the male lead being a star. I wouldn't mind a lifelong friendship story about how the friendship is evolving and changing and that's ok and not necessarily a bad thing but this script did not deliver well on that. So yeah 2 or 2.5 crowns would be all I would give it. On another note so I missed your review of A picture of you earlier but sounds like that was not a fave of yours. I have to respectfully disagree I absolutely loved that one and yes Tyler's character gave his core fans all the things they love about him. But I loved his and Rhiannons chemistry and it's a permanent save for me of Tylers work. Have you reviewed Santa Summit already? I thought that was a cute seasonal one that was a fun watch, plus Ben Hollingsworth is a top fave of mine.

[@DearHallmark]

I did watch A Picture of Her and enjoyed it when it aired, but pairing that movie with this--that's where my sentiments came from, it just felt like it was too much.

[@tawrightDE]

@@DearHallmark ah I understand. Have a great day Dara.

[@Nita98]

The best thing about this movie were the kisses. Tyler’s kisses with the dark-haired girl were really really nice. Other than that this movie blows. I just couldn’t get into it but I knew before I watched it it wasn’t gonna be that great but I’m a huge Tyler Hynes fan so he could be in a Winnie the Pooh sitcom and I would watch it. Lol.😅 Thanks so much for the review. I was wondering what you thought and I agree with you, but I’ve said this in previous post about Tyler. I need him in other stuff besides Hallmark goody two shoes movies. I love them; don’t get me wrong but I want to see some other side of him even on a Hallmark movie I believe they can do it . He’s nice to look at, but I want to see something more.

[@DearHallmark]

Not Winnie the Pooh, LOL! I'm hoping we'll get that movie that we want for Tyler in 2024.

[@pgibbons25]

I am 100% NOT the demographic for a movie about adult women fawning over a high school crush, so I skipped it. First Hallmark premier I truly am never going to watch, in years. I hope this isn’t their new storyline direction.

[@angelaglidewell]

Spot on! 😊