Re: Selected programming for Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2024

On 11/30/24 2:48 PM, Robin Miller wrote:

RM: I'll post the rest of the week tonight or in the morning.
            Previously released:
  Afraid     (movie)        (Netflix, Nov. 28)
 Testing a household artificial intelligence system, a family of five gradually falls victim to its invasive methods and overprotective personality. Stars  John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, Ashley Romans, and Greg Hill. 2024 film; 1hr 24m. Not available on the ad tier.
 https://www.netflix.com/title/81950625
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24577462/  [rating 5.1]

This plot has been done before!

         Saturday, Nov. 30
  Believe in Christmas         (movie)         (6 pm, Hallmark Channel)
 When Beatrice reluctantly joins her best friend on a trip to the enchanting Christmasland, she’s skeptical of the holiday magic surrounding them. But as she experiences festive traditions and meets a charming stranger named Ethan, she begins to question what’s real and what’s part of the experience. In the end, Christmasland helps Beatrice rediscover hope, love, and the magic of new beginnings. Stars Meghan Ory and John Reardon.
 https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/believe-in-christmas
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31987262/

I am glad Meghan Ory is still getting work.

BeBe Winans’ We Three Kings      (movie)        (8 pm, Lifetime Channel)
 In "BeBe Winans’ We Three Kings," Bebe plays Lincoln, retired musician turned record store owner, and proud father to the three King sisters, Lydia, Gracie and Abigail. For the first time since their mother’s death, the three estranged King sisters return home for the holidays. Lincoln hatches a plan with family friend, Genelle to bring his girls back together again this Christmas. Living under the same roof and hearing their father sing joyful Christmas melodies sparks old family memories. Holiday love songs and mistletoe are found around every corner, and the sisters end up finding love in the very town they tried so hard to leave behind. It isn’t long before the sisters face the facts; life’s better when they are together. Stars BeBe Winans, Lisa Berry, Faith Wright, Bethany Brown, and Deborah Joy Winans.

Pass.

Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story       (movie)         (8 pm, Hallmark Channel)
 Alana Higman is sure that her family’s lifelong history as Kansas City Chiefs superfans makes them a frontrunner to win the team’s “Fan of the Year” contest. Derrick, Director of Fan Engagement, is tasked with evaluating how Alana and her family stack up against the other two finalists. As the pair spends time together, it’s clear there’s a spark between them but when her grandfather’s vintage Chiefs good-luck winter hat goes missing, Alana begins to doubt everything she believed about fate, destiny and even questions her future with Derrick – unless, that is, a little Christmas magic can throw a Hail Mary. Stars Hunter King and Tyler Hynes.
 https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/holiday-touchdown-a-chiefs-love-story
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32752472/

I am probably going to leave this on while I do grading...

         Sunday, Dec. 1
  The Finnish Line        (movie)           (6 pm, Hallmark Channel)
 Inspired by her father’s acclaimed legacy in dog sled racing, Anya decides to follow in his footsteps. After his passing, she heads to Finland to participate in the 40th annual Joulurauha race, her father’s final race where he fell short of the victory. Following an injury to her lead dog during the qualifying race, Anya finds herself partnered with a new canine companion owned by journalist and former racer Cole, who aims to pen a story about her journey. Struggling to build trust with her new dog and facing her father’s rival, Monty, Anya must navigate many challenges as she strives to win the race. Stars Kim Matula, Beau Mirchoff and Nichole Sakura.
 https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/the-finnish-line
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31841975/

I might try to check this out for the lovely Kim Matula...

A Bluegrass Christmas        (movie; linear premiere)         (7 pm, UPtv)
 Katie’s family’s horse sanctuary is on the brink of closure, but in a last-ditch effort to raise the money, Katie [Amanda Jordan] must coax her reclusive grandfather, Bluegrass legend Ben Pendleton [Shaun Johnston], back onto the stage for a Christmas benefit concert. Also stars David Pinard and Mike Shara. Released for streaming on November 12.
 https://uptv.com/movies/a-bluegrass-christmas/
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30816463/

Amanda Jordon is really cute. But it's UP, so...

Make or Bake Christmas      (movie)        (8 pm, Lifetime Channel)
 With Christmas fast approaching, Leslie (Vivica A. Fox), known for her expertise in all things domestic and top lifestyle brands, is looking to expand her business. She sets her sights on the bakery, Sugar Bakers, owned by Denise Sugarbaker (Jackée Harry) and run by her son, David (Landon Moss). Determined to make a deal before the end of the year, Leslie sends one of her top employees, Emma (Jasmine Aivaliotis), to go undercover as a seasonal employee in order to convince them to sell. Emma unexpectedly finds herself falling in love with the quaint bakery with its Christmas spirit, staff and especially, David. ‘Tis the Season to make or bake Christmas and discover everything sweet during the holidays, including love.
 https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/make-or-bake-christmas
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33998843/

If I watch this, it's only for Jasmine Aivaliotis (glad Vivica and Hybrid keep giving Aivaliotis work!!).

The Christmas Quest         (movie)         (8 pm, Hallmark Channel)
 An archeologist and her ex-husband, an expert in ancient Norse languages, are sent to Iceland at Christmastime to search for the legendary treasure of the Yule Lads. When others join in the hunt, the pair find themselves swept into a thrilling adventure as they race to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Stara Lacey Chabert and Kristoffer Polaha.

No...

Home Sweet Christmas       (movie)          (8 pm, Great American Family)
 In "Home Sweet Christmas," Sophie Marlow (Candace Cameron Bure), a successful mergers and acquisitions attorney, is called home to Waynesbridge, Washington, following her great uncle’s passing. Uncle Henry left Sophie 60% ownership in his Marlow Maple Meadows, a sprawling patch of sugar maple forest. Though Sophie hasn’t been on the property in decades, she immediately begins retracing the happy steps of her youth before encountering Sam (Cameron Mathison), her long-lost, childhood friend. Sam has returned to the farm after learning Henry left him the other 40% of the property. The legacy property means a quick sale is likely, though Sophie and Sam will discover neither of them is ready to let go just yet.

No!

The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular        (special)     (8-10 pm, ABC)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlAFZS36i8

Wow - ABC couldn't even cough up a blurb for this!

Earth Abides          [new]          (9 pm, MGM+)
 In "Earth Abides," when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out. In the aftermath, as the great machine of civilization slowly and inexorably breaks down, only a few shattered survivors remain to struggle against the slide into extinction. The six-episode miniseries (running through Dec. 29) is based on George R. Stewart's classic sci-fi novel of the same name. Stars Alexander Ludwig and Jessica Frances Dukes.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glHe-86W-4c
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26443935/

I would have watched this, but...
NOBODY gets MGM+!

The Agency           [new]          (9 and 10 pm, two episodes, Showtime)
 Undercover CIA agent Martian (Michael Fassbender) is called back to London Station, but things become complicated when the lover he left behind appears and they resume their relationship in the espionage series based on French drama series The Bureau. Regular time is 9 pm only. Ten episodes running through Jan. 26.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAxMy31nffA   [trailer 1]
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv817ouw7qE    [trailer 2]
 https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-agency-2024/     [score 62]
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26656917/      [rating 7.3]

I will get to this at some point...