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Midnight at the Magnolia

 Hello, Internet! We're back for another season of holiday rom-com goodness! We've been busy watching movies and coming up with great recommendations so get your couch cushions and popcorn ready!


First up this year for me (Sarah) is Midnight at the Magnolia. This is more New Year and less Christmas but it's all in the holiday season, right? I love a good friends-to-lovers troupe and this is a pretty good one even if it is a little transparent from the start. Jack and Maggie have been friends for as long as they can remember. From playing together as kids to starting their own radio show in high school they are thick as thieves. Now they host a popular, banter-filled radio show in their hometown that's garnered national attention and is about to be syndicated. In order to seal the deal with satellite radio they agree to introduce their respective significant others to their supposedly crazy intense families on air. Things quickly go south when they both end up single- gasp! 

To add to the drama, their dads own a jazz club - The Magnolia- together which has seen better days. People just aren't listening to jazz like they used to *shakes fist like an old man*. In an effort to save their careers and the jazz club they hatch a plan to pretend they are dating and host a big New Year's Eve party at The Magnolia where they'll make a splash on national radio by announcing they're together. You can see where this is going, right? Their fake feelings soon become mixed up with real ones and things get complicated. Will they be able so save their careers? Will The Magnolia have to close? You'll have to watch and see for yourself!

My one gripe with this move is that they say each of their families are too crazy to introduce anyone to. Now, I get that that is just an excuse for not really liking the person they're with but their families do not seem crazy to me at all. They enjoy a number of cozy meals together at The Magnolia and not once did I see someone start a bonfire big enough that people call the fire department. Nobody get's injured in a violent game of continental rummy. Nobody's grandma is starting a water fight in the middle of a family party or telling slightly off color jokes. I thought Jack and Maggie's families were positively normal from my point of view. A bit overbearing at times, perhaps, but crazy? Not at all. Anyone else have a family that is truly insane? Just me? *crickets* 

Whatever the case, this is a great movie to add to your list this year. It feels cozy and familiar and I even laughed right out loud at one point so I'd say that's pretty good sign you'll like it too. 

Midnight at the Magnolia is available to stream on Netflix. 

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