Take some Christmas magic and add a pinch of Opry magic and you get the new Hallmark Channel film A Grand Ole Opry Christmas. Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha star in this story of love and family.

Winters and Wade was a popular country music duo thirty years ago. That was then, this is now, and Gentry Wade (DeLoach) is asked to honor her late father with his former partner at the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry. She is hesitant as there are plenty of memories there, leading back to her father who passed away when she was younger. 

Gentry, an aspiring songwriter in her own right, put that all aside a long time ago, but still harbors the feelings of writing a hit song. Her longtime friend Mac (Polaha) keeps encouraging her, but she has some bittersweet memories about her discarded dream – mainly that she never got to write a song with her father.

There is definitely magic at the Opry and when Gentry sits in one of the pews on stage, she is transported back to 1995 where, to her amazement, she has the chance to see her father again. And Mac is also transported back so the two of them get the chance to see the famous music duo at their peak. That Christmas was the last time Winters and Wade performed together.

As Gentry and Mac spend more and more time back in 1995, they also rediscover their feelings for each other. But, as Mac thinks, they must have been brought back to 1995 for a reason. And Gentry is happy to be with her father again, so she feels there might be a chance to fulfill her past dream of writing a song with her dad.

This is a fun time-travel story. Should they stay in 1995 so Gentry can fulfill her lifelong dream or should they return to their own time?  It’s a difficult decision.

It’s Christmas magic to the fullest, and the finale is a heartwarming ending to this sweet story. James Denton and Sharon Lawrence co-star with Rob Mayes playing Gentry’s father in 1995.

The story might touch the hearts of viewers who have lost a loved one. Returning to an earlier time to be able to spend time with your departed loved one is something many people would love to do. 

The history of The Grand Ole Opry is laid out for viewers who are not familiar with the place and its legacy.  

Brad Paisley and others appear in this musical story.

A Grand Ole Opry Christmas is definitely a magical story. It premieres on Hallmark Channel November 29, 2025 and will be available to stream on Hallmark Plus beginning November 30, 2025. 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image Courtesy and Copyright ©2025 Hallmark Media

Christmas Under Wraps is a fun and magical holiday film. Although it was produced in 2014, it is just as endearing today. Confession: I just discovered this on Hallmark Plus and cannot believe I never saw it before.

Candace Cameron Bure is always a delight to watch and she does not disappoint in this Christmas story. Cameron Bure plays Lauren Brunell, a doctor with plans of becoming a surgeon. She has her whole life planned out. First is a fellowship in Boston (following her father’s footsteps), then a career as a top-notch surgeon.

Everything is going to plan until her boyfriend breaks up with her because she is too structured. Then she does not get the fellowship in Boston. What else can go wrong?

At her mother’s suggestion, she decides to take a chance try and get out of her comfort zone of following her life’s plan. When she is offered a job as the town’s general practitioner in a small Alaskan city (it’s just a little town), she takes it. It comes with free transportation from her home in San Francisco, as well as  a house in Garland, Alaska.

When she arrives in Anchorage, she is met by Andy Holliday (David O’Donnell), who informs her he will be escorting her to Garland – via a plane. Garland is tucked away in a little corner of Alaska, accessible only by plane.

Her life then becomes a series of surprises. The house provided to her is rustic, not at all like her modern home in California. Her clothes are not suitable for the cold weather. When she orders a warmer wardrobe online she is told they don’t deliver to Garland. The hospital is a small building with a staff of four. Nothing is as she expected.

As the only doctor in town, she is inundated with dozens of patients on her first day. Lauren digs in and gets right to work, with all kinds of maladies and injuries to attend to.

She then discovers Andy is more than her escort to town. He is the handyman, electrician, do-everything guy in town. And his father Frank (Brian Doyle-Murray) owns the big business in Garland. Interestingly enough, Lauren tells him he looks just like Santa.

This town is filled with all kinds of secrets. And when she is asked to take care of the “mascot” Rudy the reindeer who has injured his leg, she senses things are not quite what they seem. Garland is definitely a different kind of town filled with wonderful people who welcome her with open arms but who are also hiding something – big.

This being a comfy-cozy Hallmark original movie, viewers expect Andy and Lauren to fall in love. While their romance takes off, Lauren slowly figures out what the town is all about. 

Christmas Under Wraps is a cute story. It’s fun and very enjoyable, with two actors who will definitely delight viewers. I cannot believe I never saw it before, but thanks to Hallmark Plus, it is available to stream.

Take a little bit of Doc Hollywood (1991) and a dash of Did You Hear About the Morgans (2009), and add it to a delightful Christmas story and you get Christmas Under Wraps.

Besides all the new Christmas movies that are showing and streaming this time of year, it is worth checking out some of the older ones as well. And Christmas Under Wraps is one of my recommendations. It streams on Hallmark Plus.

This movie was nominated in 2015 by the Online Film and Television Association for Best Motion Picture. 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

In the most recent retelling of the classic Christmas story A Christmas Carol, Christmas Above the Clouds brings a fresh look at the tale that has inspired generations to make changes in their lives for the better. Erin Krakow stars as Ella Neezer, a high-octane CEO workaholic whose mentor once explained that “distractions are the enemy of success.” And Ella took these words to heart. She wanted with all her heart to be a big success, and she is.

This woman who could be described as as The Devil Wears Business Suits, is no-nonsense, bottom line, get it done at all costs, providing the costs are low. On Christmas Eve she tells her employees they must work through the holiday to finish their job. Bah Humbug.

To skip Christmas, a holiday she used to love but that now she finds sad and unnecessary, she books herself on a non-stop flight from New York to Sydney, Australia, thus, with the time/date change, skipping December 25th all together. It is fortuitous that on the same flight is her ex-fiancé Jake (Tyler Haynes), the man she still loves but who she threw over in exchange for the job of her dreams. But dream jobs come with consequences, as Ella soon finds out.

While on the flight Ella is visited by three spirits, and that does not refer to the alcoholic kind. She is taken to her past where she learns about people and circumstances that helped create the woman she is today. Then when she is taken to the present and when she learns how others think of her, she is flabbergasted. How did she end up where she is?  Yes, she has the dream job, but that is all. She has nothing else in her life.

Finally, when she is taken to the future Ella sees the light. She is told “It’s never too late to change.” After seeing what might be, she immediately decides to do just that – change. She finally gets the Christmas spirit back that she lost so long ago.

For a woman who was “the antithesis of Christmas,” Ella Neezer finally welcomes the joys of the holiday, friends, and family.

There have been so many retelling of the classic Christmas tale. It seems like every year there is a new version. So, what makes one more interesting than another? The actors and situations. Hallmark stars Krakow and Hynes are among the most beloved in their stable of regulars. They have been part of the Hallmark family for years and continue to shine in the many films in which they star. The pairing of these two is a delight, and one their fans will enjoy.

Christmas Above the Clouds is now streaming on Hallmark+. 

 
About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image courtesy Hallmark/Crown Media

Dick Van Dyke is 100 years old, or as some people might see him, 100 years young. American Masters – Starring Dick Van Dyke on PBS is an in-depth look at the career of this man who has made an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Julie Andrews calls him the “consummate” performer.

With comments from Van Dyke himself, along with Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, Steve martin, Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Jim Carrey and more, this documentary is filled with plenty of videos from the long history of Van Dyke’s career. His early years are somewhat forgotten, yet he had several attempts to build his career, only to have each one fade out.

His big break came with his role in the Broadway play Bye Bye Birdie, which he later reprised in the film version. That role led producer Sheldon Leonard to cast him in the iconic role of Rob Petrie in The Dick Van Dyke Show, which is one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. 

After that show ended, Van Dyke built a film career as well as continued with television. His role as Bert in the beloved Disney classic Mary Poppins won him fame with not only his TV fans but younger fans around the world. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was yet another of his legendary film roles.

There is so much included in this documentary that delves into the long and legendary career of Van Dyke. It is amazing to see his rise to fame, his continued standing in the entertainment industry, and his zest for life at his age. 

Comedy, drama, singing and dancing are all wrapped up in the talents of Dick Van Dyke. Not only is Dick Van Dyke an iconic entertainer and a six-time Emmy Award winner, he is also an inspiration to many.

American Masters – Starring Dick Van Dyke premieres December 12, 2025 on PBS and the PBS app.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. Francine is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image credit: Calvada Productions, Paul Brownstein, Media Icons
Supplied courtesy PBS

They’re back! Those fun and bumbling elves, Wayne (voiced by Dave Foley) and Lanny (voiced by Derek Richardson) are back for their fourth escapade. They first gave viewers a thrill in 2009 when they were teamed together for Prep & Landing. They returned in 2010 for Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa, then again in 2011 for Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice. There were some shorts in the popular franchise as well: Prep & Landing: Tiny’s Big Adventure and Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice: Kringle County Fair. This year the two lovable elves are back for their most entertaining show yet, Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol.

This adorable film has the two screw-ups bumbling through some misadventures. First, they completely mess up their latest assignment, but Wayne insists on keeping it a secret from everyone. He invokes the duo’s code, “The Snowball Protocol,” which is their way of keeping a secret.

Then, the two are tasked by their boss Magee (voiced by Sarah Chalke) to babysit her pet baby seal named Nog. He steals the show! 

While they are looking out for this little pup, Nog takes off to explore the wonders of the building with its many areas of fun. With Wayne and Lanny on the hunt for this little fellow, he manages to find the fruitcake factory but does not know that this seasonal dessert does not agree with his sensitive stomach.  

Wayne and Lanny manage to retrieve him before Magee returns, just in the nick of time. But watching Nog’s adventure is just one of the highlights of the film.

Finally, there are the shenanigans from their time on the island where Magee has everything planned out for a wonderful vacation. This type-A boss is more than bossy, but when she sees Renato, the laid-back hunk that steals her heart, she leaves the plans in the not-so-capable hands of Wayne and Lanny. Wayne, of course, hands it all off to Lanny. Chaos ensues but all with fun and a little craziness.

The finale scene is heartwarming as Santa’s special message to Wayne finally becomes clear to him.

This is a delightful show for the entire family. It has all the ingredients for a memorable Christmas story that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol will premiere on Disney Channel November 27, 2025, on ABC November 30, 2025, and will be available to stream on Disney+ beginning November 28, 2025 and on Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas beginning December 13, 2025.

Gather your family for an enjoyable and entertaining experience with the beloved Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne as they continue with their mayhem but mostly discover the love of friendship. Toys are fun, but friendship is truly a wonderful gift.

Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol is rated G. Enjoy!

And there’s more!

• New “Prep & Landing”-focused “Chibi Tiny Tales” and “How Not To Draw” shorts will join YouTube, Disney Channel and Disney+. “Prep & Landing: As Told By Chibi” premieres Saturday, Nov. 15 (YouTube and Disney Channel), and streams Nov. 26. “How Not to Draw” short “Lanny and Wayne” premieres Saturday, Nov. 29 (YouTube and Disney Channel), and will stream in February 2026.

• An official single from the special, “Where Would We Be Without Magee,” will be available on digital platforms Nov. 21.

• A limited-edition merchandise collection from Toddland, inspired by the new holiday special, will be available for purchase.

All of the Prep and Landing films are available to stream on Disney+. This makes a fun family night of viewing pleasure. Grab some hot chocolate and settle in for a marathon of Lanny and Wayne.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. Francine is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image courtesy Disney