Watching the Lifetime channel’s airing of “Rebuilding a Dream Christmas,” the movie filmed in Weston during the summer of 2020, was gripping. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t the plot or the pacing. I was gripped to the screen trying to pick out local faces and local Weston landmarks and such. For that reason, I hung with it and really enjoyed the experience of seeing familiar spots in a nationally televised flick.
At times it wasn’t easy to hang in there, and I know you know what I mean.
I thought the cinematophraphy and all filmmaking aspects were outstanding for a holiday movie shot in the heat and the humidity of a Missouri summer. Kudos to the filmmakers for the production quality.
The City of Weston got a tremendous amount of value in free advertising in the film. We all knew it was filmed in Weston, of course, and would feature familiar (to us) surroundings, but who realized the filmmakers were going to use the real town name of Weston in the movie? What a cool surprise and a treasure trove of positive publicity for Weston tourism. Awesome.
I thought the leading actress, Ashton Leigh, did a fine job in her role as Abby. I thought the actress who played Josh’s mom did a fine job in a small role. I thought Teance Blackburn, the actress who played Joyce–the downtown shop owner where Abby was always “attached to a device”–did a fine job. And not just because Teance requested my ‘friendship’ on Facebook several weeks ago (I can only assume she made that request because she had read Landmark coverage on the upcoming film in which she had a role).
I’m no trained movie critic, but I don’t think we’ll see the actor who played the lead role of Josh winning an Oscar nomination anytime soon. Or at any point in the distant future, to be honest, but that’s just one man’s opinion.
Our office manager thought he was good, so what do I know.
You didn’t record the movie and want to see it again? My new Facebook friend/actress Teance Blackburn posted some information about some options for you.
Blackburn says “Rebuilding a Dream Christmas” is now available as a rental option on Amazon Prime. Another source says the movie is available at no charge through the Lifetime app. Apparently you can sign into the Lifetime app using your television provider information and if Lifetime is part of your television package, you can find the movie and give it a viewing at no cost.
It’s impressive how much interest there was/is in the Weston Christmas movie. Every time we posted about it on our web site at www.plattecountylandmark.com our site would get pounded with hits.
Our new web site has been in business for a year and half and the top story in terms of readership during that time is a feature article on the movie, written by Valerie Verkamp in our Nov. 17 edition. The story, headlined “Christmas movie filmed in Weston to air Dec. 23,” has had nearly 25,000 readers. It featured an interview with the cinematographer, Isaac Alongi. Here’s the link if you haven’t yet read the feature: plattecountylandmark.com/2021/11/18/christmas-movie-filmed-in-weston -to-air-dec-23/
And that’s just one of the stories we did on the topic. We did several pieces on the movie over the past 16 months and each time it would attract a crazy number of hits.
Speaking of plattecountylandmark.com, I want to give a shout out to Tech Man Schneider for developing that kick-ass project for us. It has really taken off in terms of popularity. We are currently experiencing our most beneficial month ever in terms of readership and advertising revenue from the site. You’ve seen ads on our site from many national brands, including Best Buy, Manscaped, Men’s Wearhouse, Staples, Office Depot, YouTube TV, just to name a few.
Thank you, Schneider.
Schneider is also the man responsible for all the cool graphics and other production visuals and enhanced audio quality on Landmark Live these days. Thank you to the 4,000 local folks who viewed last week’s episode previewing the Weston Christmas movie.
If you’re watching the games and you don’t think Aaron Rodgers deserves to be this year’s NFL MVP then are you really watching the games?
Rodgers’ pinpoint accuracy is amazing. He is carrying that team. Can he carry them to a Super Bowl title? I don’t know but I do know watching a Packers/Rodgers vs. Chiefs/Mahomes Super Bowl would be a blast.
Oh yeah, on Sunday the Raiders officially went over their win total by getting their eighth victory. Back in August, Vegas listed the Raiders’ projected win total at seven. I urged you to head to Vegas and bet the over in a large way. You’re welcome, degenerates.
I just wish I had made it to Vegas to take my own advice.
(Admit it, after watching “Rebuilding a Dream Christmas” you want to make a trip to Weston, right? Tell Foley about it via email to ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)