Listen to or watch the episode here or read the transcript below.
Keywords
Hallmark, Christmas movies, Scouting for Christmas, movie review, family dynamics, character analysis, holiday themes, Tamara Mowry, podcast, entertainment
Summary
In this episode, Nick and Leslie review the Hallmark movie 'Scouting for Christmas.' They discuss their initial impressions, character dynamics, and the overall plot, which they found lacking in excitement and depth. The conversation touches on themes of family, community involvement, and the challenges of single parenting, while also critiquing the film's execution and acting. They conclude with their ratings and share information about their upcoming Christmas-themed tarot project.
Nick And Leslie (00:00.27)
Welcome to the third episode in the season of our Hallmark movie review. Leslie and I are coming to you today with matching Christmas Disney shirts we just bought yesterday at Epcot. Not varsity shirts. What are they called? Spirit jerseys. Spirit jerseys. And you know, business expense. Business expense. We're Disney adults and we love it. Yes. Dink. Dink. ain't good.
Alright, so this movie is called Scouting for Christmas, aired on Sunday. And because we had stuff to do, such as going to Disney yesterday, this episode is coming to you little more than 24 hours later. But hey, we don't owe you any type of timeliness, so. Or explanations. Yeah, true. Okay. I will tell you. Yeah. Okay, so Scouting for Christmas. Let's play that trailer.
first okay yeah play the trailer all right let's play that trailer now
What a fun trailer. Didn't really give much. First of all, I'd like to apologize for last time. thought we were, what is that called? Editing certain podcasts. So I apologize for the coughing that occurred. am so sorry. Well, we are learning on the best process for these apologies. yeah. So scouting for Christmas, disappointment literally fell asleep the last,
20 minutes, I was told to constantly have to wake up. And then also he was doing another activity. So it lost our interest. Well, spoiler alert, they got together. So the characters in Scouting for Christmas are Aunt Sarah, Dakota. Aunt Sarah was cute. Brooklyn is the daughter. Dakota is the dad. Mr. William Glass is the baker.
Nick And Leslie (02:01.262)
Yeah, and then Elizabeth is the den mother Angela Angela Bates and is that boy they love our nicknames on this show Yeah, so tomorrow
Mallory starred in this one. I wanted to say Tamara Weaving, but no, that's Samara Weaving who does all the horror films. Tamara Mallory starred in this one. So I was excited to see her. Big sister, sister from back in the day. Very much so. Seen her in some random things and it was great. She is a fantastic actress. But one thing that was weird is like her face is so dramatic. She's meant for comedy. I know her not being funny. You're like, that's like 38 emotions you just put on your face to get to.
Sure. I'll see you on Tuesday. Yeah. so, you know, maybe they, this was not the best fit for her. it was just not catching enough. was a little single mom sad is what they were trying to do. You haven't dated since. I'm going to talk about the family structure. Okay. So this is like, our dogs are fighting over food right now. If you hear some growling. So like,
You rarely ever have divorce as a plot point or as like, it's always like a widow or widower, but this time they had a divorced mom. also took them a while to say divorced because first they said separated. Then they're like, haven't seen your dad because we first thought the dad had, I'm going say ran away from them, which in a way he kind of did. And so like the little girl was telling her sibling or no, classmate, my dad's not going to to make it because he's.
away on some archaeological adventure. You're like, he's dead. She's making these dead or he's in jail or just gone. And so part of me got excited like, we're to hear this little girl constantly make up stories about where her dad is. he actually is an archaeologist on an adventure. And I also feel bad because my anyway, my bachelor's degree is in anthropology and I was like automatically jail.
Nick And Leslie (04:11.848)
Something's wrong. No one is an archaeologist in that nice of a house. Instead, she's a real estate agent. Yeah. So, okay, this is the family structure. It's really weird. So, Tamara Mowry's character, Angela, fell in love with Dakota, the archaeologist. Dakota already had a two-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. I forgot about this. And Tamara's like, she's wonderful.
I'm happy to adopt her as my own. Adopted her. Yeah. So then it's the three of them living together. And then he's like, I can't be held down by this family. I need to do my archeology. So they get divorced and he leaves his biological daughter with Tamara and Angela has been raising this girl as her own. And from the beginning, you're like, why'd they cast a non-white mom and a very white daughter? And that kind of, guess, explained it, but.
It just seemed to overly complicate the story, I think. I don't know. But then it brought in for aunt Sarah, who she was the best in my opinion, working with what she was given. tomorrow I'm so happy we had you, but aunt Sarah's comments of like, is this what we want? Like, your ex-husband's in the living room. Are we happy about this? It was just, she had some good comments to make. All right. So,
Overall the story was boring as hell, so you don't really need to catch this one. Brooklyn the daughter was very
unnatural acting. Are children really that determined to pair up their single parent? We didn't even talk about that plot. Okay, so the main part of the movie is the daughter Brooklyn is thinks that her mom needs romance. So she tries to hook her up with the baker in town that she apparently frequents about every day. And I feel like it's just wanting to get a free cookie gingerbread cookie, which I get we love some good cookies. But she's part of this.
Nick And Leslie (06:13.582)
sunny scouts, apparently something like girl scouts, true Beverly Hillsy though, because their badges are on like manners and etiquette. And I'm like, Jesus, how do we have to get like this? I'm not saying we need to tie knots, but you're saying I'm working on my manners badge. I'm working on my etiquette badge and they are planning a Christmas. Was it a Christmas or a holiday ball that is three weeks out? The Yule top. No. you already done.
I thought I did. That was just something that Sarah said, you'll tight splendor, and I liked it. use it for the poem. I know that was the reason. was like, for the... It was just a community ball that is held on December 23rd, and they have three weeks away of planning it. And Den Mother Elizabeth, whose nose is as, anyway, up and looking down at people as much as possible. She was a great actress.
She was really laying it on thick as this like cartoonishly villainous, maybe not villainous, but like perfect mom that makes everyone else feel inadequate. And I thought she did a wonderful job. Every time they filmed her though, I noticed they did it with a very long lens, like a 50 millimeter or something, so that it elongated her face, made it kind of like distorted.
And they were also going for very Wes Anderson shots every time that people, the, someone was wearing those, those uniforms. I did not catch any of that. the symmetry. What? symmetry. They were trying to make it look perfect. and so they have three weeks to play in this ball. Yeah. and as the single mom, is always late. Yeah. Yeah. So the den mother, Elizabeth says a lot of things about that and like, want, doesn't want to give.
and any thing to do with the planning of the ball. So somehow she convinces her to let her interview a baker for the, to cater the food, but yet they make their decision on the 21st of December, two days prior to the event. I don't understand these people's timelines. Yeah. And it's like, didn't, it, seemed like they were trying to get free food.
Nick And Leslie (08:34.958)
I don't know. They didn't really get into that, but it just... Well, also, so I think the reason for that is because the baker, William Glass, has a mother who is constantly trying to tell him to expand. if it's by a, you know, a new store or do... corn puppies? Mail order? Mail order food like Gold Belly. It was making me think of in Ratatouille.
where the mean sous chef was trying to make frozen food of the food. Anyway, so this mom's like, expand, expand, expand. And he's like, you know, I really like where I'm at right now. You know, maybe we can look at, you know, having another chain, you know, a few blocks away. But he's really hesitant of it because he's enjoying what he has now, apparently giving out free cookies to children. And so like he told this partner, he's like, and she's like, he's like,
He's like, I know you invested in the business and you've already gotten your investment back way ahead of schedule. And I'm like, why does this place not look more crowded? anyways, you're right. All we see are these two people. could not afford any extra free cookies. This little girl even give get a chestnut cart. We got a hot chocolate vendor. that plot point about no, that's why I was thinking of a different movie.
I'm like of the famous chef who was running the hot chocolate. That was two movies ago. That was good. We're only three in and I'm already mixing them up. It's Holiday Crashers. No, that's right. they went to the holiday market to get inspiration on what type of baked goods And pause. So the reason why we are here is that when Brooklyn the daughter was at her Sonny Scouts thing saying,
Can our parents bring, can you bring dates to the event? And they're like, okay, if your mom wants to bring a date, so embarrasses the mom. And then while the mom was late picking the girl up, she walked from school, she walked to the bakery and talked to Mr. Glass and was like, do you think my mom's pretty and funny? You should ask her out to the community ball. And then somehow they are working together. The little girl is plotting these two to come together. I swear, just because she likes cookies.
Nick And Leslie (10:53.602)
Just because she likes, we all love cookies. You don't gotta be together to enjoy cookies. Just learn how to bake cookies. Anyway, so that's whenever the girl puts in the idea about having the Mr. Glasses bakery. my God, sir bakes a bunch. You couldn't do sir bakes a lot. You did sir bakes a bunch. Maybe sir bakes a lot is already. It's probably already a company. Okay. Yeah. On us. anyway, so somehow, Mr. Glass is the bakery, the
that Ange is interviewing to see if they will cater for the community ball. And so all of a sudden they have to put together these vision boards. So now these three people are working together, Brooklyn the child, Ange the mom, Mr. Glass the baker to come up with a mini for catering.
Then no chemistry. No chemistry. I don't know if they both drove on the same side of the road. yeah. Okay. So let's just say I feel like the actor playing William had a little more time in the makeup chair than, than tomorrow. He was a good actor. He was. I just, they both weren't hitting it off together for they, they did the best they could. He looked like Pee-wee Herman.
I don't agree with this. He looked like a ventriloquist on me. He was really perfect looking. Like his skin, it was on point. Tall, tight, Yeah, very tight. like he looked great for who he was. Yeah. I'm not attracted to him. His hair looked like it was painted on his head. It was quite perfect. Some might say kin-like. One of them brings in a bag of coffee that says, I got that coffee. Like was totally empty the way she was just holding it.
Empty prop. Yeah. For the props for Hallmark, can we put some weight in the items? know those are things that are not top... Empty prop drinking game. Right. Empty prop drinking game. If it is a case of drinks or if it is to a cup of coffee, put some weight in that. Remind the actors, hey, let me drop a rock in there. Yeah. Let's see. Adopted kid, divorced, then kept the kid? Question mark. We talked about that.
Nick And Leslie (13:05.578)
Reaching the star stress of being a single. and Mr. Glass already has a tuxedo for The ball because he bought one a few years ago and didn't need to use it So obviously he was left at the altar. Yep. Yep. Yep. Yes. I think that's all my notes is probably because we Got bored and fell asleep. the entire time. We're fixated on this Christmas tree. That's in the living room That's like a little tilted or something. So I don't know if that was supposed to be like
symbolism to just a little bit crooked. the dad Dakota reappears out of nowhere. That's right. Yeah. God. He was they did get a good annoying actor or that actor did a good job playing an annoying person. Yeah. A guy who thinks he's the hottest guy in the world. guy who thinks he's hot. So he did a good job for what it was. Yeah, because he was annoying the entire time. then Williams. And then, of course, like Aunt Sarah sees
Dakota try to kiss Angela. It wasn't Aunt Sarah. It was William Glass's, yeah, mom. And then of course she didn't see him push him away, but yet the mom is still saying like, hey, why haven't you tried it with her? Don't lose your chance. an adult communicating that, okay, I don't know. It's just very strange. Like, is that something that people, that single parents desire is for their kids to find someone?
that they like. But again, it's only because of cookies. I feel like, and of course we don't have kids, but I feel like parents. Do you have time to think about that stuff? like parents, when they have a kid, that kid makes random ass friends and now you're stuck having to hang out with those random ass friends as parents. But with adults, that adult did not have a child. Yeah, that was weird too. So, and clearly the other adults were saying, Hey, children should be going to that bakery because there was no one in the bakery.
My last note was Baker to the rescue because of course they pick a different Baker and that let that Baker for the holiday ball Cancels last minute, you know because you get two days to prepare for this very well attended Scouting ball, you you think with the name like scouting for Christmas scouting would have been more of a plot point
Nick And Leslie (15:26.324)
I thought we would be doing some like more holiday, I want to say holiday. I thought the little girl would be like, I have to get my last five badges by the end of the holiday ball or something. And then we're doing even extra beef. is arts and crafts, helping a neighbor put up their decorations, learning about other religions at that time. Yeah, it all. I mean, I don't like what the movie focused on.
I didn't either. so did you have... Are they gonna be able to bake? Are they not gonna be able to It's like, how can we get another baking thing in here? Which I... Hold on. Was there even baking? It was just pictures. They were cutting out of magazines. We didn't actually see baking. Okay, so the montage for this movie was them building a mood board. A mood board? For the potential baked goods they would offer at this. Meanwhile, this guy already has a ton of Christmassy treats that he has in his shop.
but they needed to create a mood board of new Christmasy treats to have at this off of beverages. And their mood board is all just images cut out of magazines. Right. Not Their idea sounded fun, so let's see you all baking it together because you have the smallest commercial kitchen to be baking this amount of robust cookie. There's other things besides cookies, but bakery items. And then you want to expand.
With an empty store? So, I forgot to write down my numbers, but writing, I'm going to give this a three out of 10. acting probably also three out of 10. I feel like a three out of 10 for writing is quite high.
Well, yeah, you're right. There were no like, but I would definitely not go back there too. no jokes. There were no jokes, like falling asleep. We even had a nap earlier that day too. Two out of 10 for writing. It's more appropriate. There were like plot points that didn't seem to matter. Unnecessary convoluted character relationships. Yeah. Two out of 10. Acting, I'll do four out of 10. This must've been one like, hey guys, we need to add in one more.
Nick And Leslie (17:34.478)
we have two more days with these actors, how much can we put out? Or it's like, hey, looks like we finished filming early. We got about 90 minutes. Let's shoot one. Yeah. Directing four out of 10. All right. Writing to acting for directing for. And it is definitely the worst of the three so far. You don't need to see it. Yeah. I mean, unless you're a completionist. If you're a big fan of the oeuvre of Tamara Mowry.
then don't waste your time on that. You're going to taint your taste buds. On that note, I don't think we mentioned this in our other episodes, but Leslie and I also make or are making a Christmas themed tarot deck. yes. So if you don't already know who I am, I make tarot decks as well as board games, role playing games and stuff like that. I always fund them through Kickstarter.
And our latest Tarot project, Leslie's working on it with me. She's writing some delightful poems to go with each card that will appear in the manual for the Tarot deck. You can find out more about it at tarotchristmas.com. That's T-A-R-O-T Christmas dot com. Can I say the name of the Tarot deck? yeah. Yeah, it's called Sugar Plum. Sugar Plum Tarot. Sugar Plum Tarot. And the suits on it are mugs. Candy. treats. Mugs, treats.
toys and bells. Bells. So be there with bells on. Ding ding. Alright, thank you. We'll see you next week for the next batch of, what I guess this week, for the next batch of movies. Happy Holidays!
