What better time for families to get together than the holiday season, even when they don’t know they’re family? That might sound a little confusing, but it’s not. It’s actually quite heartwarming. A Season for Family is the story of siblings united for the first time.

Stacey Farber stars as Maddy, a single mom living in San Francisco with her son Wesley (Benjamin Jacobson). Wesley knows he is adopted and just recently they discovered he has a biological brother. All Wesley wants for Christmas is to meet his brother.

Paul (Brendan Penny) is a widower living in a Utah ski resort, trying his best to keep his little ski shop afloat. His son Cody (Adriel Dalman) is a cute kid and just starting to get over the loss of his mother which was two years ago. Cody has no idea he was adopted.

Well, Maddy comes home to Utah with Wesley for a family holiday. And, you guessed it. The two boys meet at ski school and hit it off immediately. They become best friends and Paul and Maddy also become good friends. Then they discover the truth about their boys. They are siblings. While Paul struggles with first telling Cody he is adopted then possibly admitting that Wesley is his brother, he also struggles with his business and his feelings for Maddy. Would he be disrespectful to his deceased wife by starting a relationship with Maddy and also, what should he do about Cody? It gets too complicated for Paul and Maddy respects his feelings. She would like to have the two boys together, and she would like to be with Paul, but how can that work?

Actually, it really is destiny that these four got together. This story reminds me of something O. Henry would have written. And being a Hallmark movie, everyone knows there is a happy ending for all, and that’s not giving out any spoiler alert. We always turn to the Hallmark channels for happy endings, and this is one of them.

A Season for Family premieres November 22, 2023. It’s a heartwarming tale of miracles, or maybe it is more like destiny.

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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

What does a bright yet naughty boy do when Santa does not send him a Christmas gift? He gets mad and even. Well, sort of. That’s the story of The Naughty Nine.

Andy is a troublemaker at school with his schemes and conniving, yet convincing excuses. So, when he and some of his friends get axed from Santa’s gift list, they decide to do something about it. These kids are all on the “naughty list” yet they feel they deserve to get what they wanted for Christmas.

Andy concocts a plan to go to the North Pole and retrieve their gifts. His plan is very intricate so he sets out to find the right kids for each of the tasks that must work perfectly to pull of this heist.

This elaborate plan is actually very smart, but can they do it? After all, they each have a special talent and, thanks to one enterprising boy, know exactly where Santa’s Village is and where the vault is that stores the gifts that were never delivered.

Each having a specific talent is one thing, but can they work together to pull of this heist? 

Winslow Fegley stars as the conniving little Andy, with Madilyn Kellam, Clara Stack, Anthony Joo, Derek Thaler, Ayden Elijah, Imogen Cohen, Deric McCabe, Camila Rodriguez as the rest of the gang, and Danny Glover as Santa Claus. 

Yes, there is a lesson in all of this. Being naughty is not good. It’s a little impressive, but still very bad. That’s something they all learn eventually. And, the film leaves room for a sequel. 

The film is a fun story for youngsters and young teens.

The Naughty Nine premieres November 22, 2023 on Disney Channel and begins streaming November 23 on Disney+.

image:THE NAUGHTY NINE – Disney’s “The Naughty Nine”stars Winslow Fegley as Andy, Camila Rodriguez as Dulce, Derek Theler as Bruno, Deric Mccabe as Jon Anthony, Clara Stack as Rose, Anthony Joo as Lewis, Ayden Elijah as Albert, Imogen Cohen as Ha-Yoon, and Madilyn Kellam as Laurel. (Disney/Caitlin Cornenberg)

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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Another new holiday film on Great American Family, My Christmas Hero, brings together Candace Cameron Bure and Gabriel Hogan in a Christmas story the blends patriotism, family, and traditions.  It’s simply a good, family film that will have viewers craving hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream. And possibly a cherry on top.

Bure is Dr. Nicole Ramsey, an orthopedist and an Army reservist. While working at Joint Military Base Lewis in Washington, Nicole meets Major Daniel Ross (Hogan) who has injured his knee. Well, sparks fly immediately and even though it would be unethical for Dr. Ramsey to date a patient, they do agree to meet for hot chocolate. What’s a girl to do when she is invited for hot chocolate by a charming and adorable man? 

Anyway, as their romance blossoms, with a nudge from her meddling mother, Nicole’s desire to find out exactly what happened to her grandfather who died during World War II is nagging at her. He was killed before he even met his baby daughter who is Nicole’s mom. So Nicole decides to ask for help digging into the events that led to her grandfather’s death.

There are several stories going on simultaneously in this film. First, of course, is the budding romance between Nicole and Daniel. Second is the inquiry about her grandfather. And third is the way the armed services help each other whenever one of them is in need, like that of a young soldier who just returned from combat with injuries, PTSD, and a young daughter to entertain and get gifts for for Christmas. The military community all pulls together for each other and watching this is heartening.

So, during this season of giving and of family, My Christmas Hero blends plenty of heartfelt stories of love and compassion. Oh, and yes, Nicole did learn how her grandfather died and how he truly was a hero. Her heroes that year were not only her dashing beau Daniel who worked tirelessly to help others, but also her grandfather who was a hero in his own right.

My Christmas Hero premieres November 24, 2023 on GAF.

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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf star in a new holiday film. A Merry Scottish Christmas is filled with family drama, bagpipes, and a lot of Scottish cheer. 

Dr. Lindsey Morgan (Chabert) and her brother Brad (Wolf) have been requested by their mother to spend the holiday in Scotland. These two have basically been estranged from each other. While Lindsey has her medical practice in Los Angeles Brad is an accountant in San Francisco. So, when Brad and his wife join together with Lindsey they are practically strangers. 

What the siblings soon discover is the castle in which they are residing for the holiday is actually their family heritage. Yep, if their mother had not bailed on her own family and heritage all those years ago, she would have been the Duchess of Glencrave. But she chose a different life and throughout all these years she never let her children know about their family history.

Now that they are all together in the family castle, things change. Being in Scotland is a breath of fresh air for the two siblings who have been stressed and overworked back in the states. Here in Scotland they learn to relax, enjoy the scenery, the people, the traditions, the dances, the booze, and even the bagpipes. 

With the Duke of Glencrave recently deceased, it is up to their mother to decide what to do with the residence and everything associated with Glencrave. After all, a lot of people in the town rely on Glencrave. But are Brad or Lindsey ready to pull the plug on their lives and move to Scotland to take over the family business – the one they just learned about? Another option would be to sell the property. Are they willing to do that? Anything can happen. 

It’s not an easy decision. The town and their family is steeped in tradition and the country. As they let go of their stresses and learn to relax as well as learn about the town and their heritage, things come into focus. They must both look seriously at their lives and decide what is best for each of them. 

The movie was actually filmed in overseas so viewers get to see the landscape and the countryside, not to mention a glorious castle.

A Very Scottish Christmas premieres November 18, 2023 on Hallmark Channel.

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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Ooh la la. Jet off to Paris for a waltz under the Eiffel Tower with Matthew Morrison. How’s that for an image to remember? Well, that’s what happens in the new Great American Family holiday film A Paris Christmas Waltz.

Emma (Jen Lilley) is an upbeat woman filled with heart, charm, and a positive attitude. Leo (Morrison) has given up professional dance competitions to take over his friend Henry’s (Paul Freeman) Paris dance school after Henry falls ill. But there is something missing in Leo’s life. He is happy yet not fulfilled. So, Henry insists Leo finds a new partner to perform his own choreography program at the pro/am competition.

Well, Emma just happens to get the job. It’s not that she’s such a great dancer – yet – but it’s her attitude that captures the attention of Leo who decides together they will make a great pair – with a lot of practice. So off she goes to Paris to work with Leo and Henry and hopefully find a new direction in her life. 

Emma is definitely attracted to Leo but he never gets involved personally with his dance partners. There is a sweet chemistry between Emma and Leo, however, but when his old partner Giselle (Jade Ewen) comes on the scene, she throws a little salt into the mix causing Emma to closely examine her feelings for Leo.

In between practices, the pair discover what they have in common, or what they don’t have in common. How can they perform when they don’t know much about each other? On the other hand, how can they perform when one of them is frustrated about her feelings toward the other?

Leo’s mentor Henry gives him some great advice. He tells him not to look to the past but look towards his future,  and what – or who – that involves.

Great American Family’s A Paris Christmas Waltz is a nice combination of dance and romance. How would you like to spend your Christmas Eve waltzing under the Eiffel Tower? Check out this new film premiering November 19, 2023 and have a joyeux noel. 

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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

On November 12, 2023 travel to Heidelberg, Germany for a holiday romance courtesy Hallmark Channel. A Heidelberg Holiday shows off the storybook city of Heidelberg along with a cute, albeit predictable, little boy meets girl story. And that’s just what we need for the holiday season.

Ginna Claire Mason stars as Heidi Heidelberg (yes, apparently that is a common name in Germany), a glass blower who has been submitting requests to the prestigious Heidelberg Christmas Market for years, and each year she gets rejected. However this year is different. 

Heidi takes off to the city where her grandmother grew up with hopes of selling her handmade ornaments and learning about her family’s roots in Germany. She stays in the cottage of a nice family who just happen to have a son about her age who is also an artist. Lukas (Frederic Brossier) is a woodworker so the two have something in common. Plus Lukas is polite and helpful, offering to aid Heidi in setting up her booth at the market and showing her around the city.

Besides touring the city, selling her ornaments in the market, and completely enjoying herself while realizing her dream, Heidi and the other members of her host family connect and trade stories about their own holiday traditions. Heidi learns how they celebrate Christmas in Germany and they learn how her family does it in America.

Ok, so yes, this is a Hallmark Original Movie so you know there is a happy ending, but along the way there are some ups and downs when it comes to Heidi’s dream of selling all of her ornaments. Nevertheless, Lukas cheers her up every time she has a setback.

The locations are amazing and viewers see a kind of storybook city that rarely gets attention in the movies. This one does it well and by the time the credits roll viewers will have felt as though they were on a tour of the city while learning about the traditions and especially the food (don’t forget the chocolate) of the area.

A Heidelberg Holiday premieres Sunday, November 12, 2023 on Hallmark Channel.

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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Take one pinch of salt, add a cup of sugar, and a dash of nutmeg. Well, that’s not exactly the right recipe, but A Dash of Christmas is a fun and delicious new holiday movie on Great American Family’s Great American Christmas.

Laura Osnes stars as Megan and Christopher Russell is Aaron in this fun new Christmas movie. Megan returns to her hometown for the holidays after leaving her job. It’s there she accidentally meets Aaron, the owner of Home Town Bakery. 

Megan is up for a new job and with Aaron’s help she just might get it. But it will take a lot of work. Or, I should say, a lot of baking. Megan is a tech wiz and a publicity expert, but her cooking and baking skills leave a lot to the imagination. So she enrolls in Aaron’s baking class. If she can hone her cooking/baking skills, she just might nail this new job.

Together they work on getting Megan’s baking skills up to par while Megan works on helping Aaron’s bakery spruce up for the season. While they are both doing this, you guessed it, they fall in love. After all, this is a homey holiday film from Great American Family and what else would you expect except a fun-filled – and in this case mouth watering – story with some cute characters and an ending that will leave viewers happy and ready for the holiday.

Enjoy A Dash of Christmas when it premieres November 4, 2023 on Great American Family. It is a nice way to start the season. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and don’t forget to add the mini-marshmallows. Cuddle up and have some holiday cookies handy. This is a delicious way to spend the evening. Just don’t mix up the salt with the sugar. 

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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.