REVIEW: The Hallmark Sequel "Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up" Is as Silly as the First One

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Emily and Jared are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together as a couple, and they prepare to work with their neighbors on Evergreen Lane to make this year's Christmas celebrations the best yet.  When a house on the block goes up for sale, the soon-to-be-neighbors are holiday royalty, but they are so competitive that they nearly ruin Christmas for everyone. Starring:   Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Ellen Travolta, Melissa Peterman, Seth Morris, and Jennifer Aspen Image:  Hallmark Media Haul Out the Holly:  Lit Up Has a Moral When the residents of Evergreen Lane learn that their new neighbors are the Jolly Johnsons--famous holiday reality stars--they are thrilled to welcome them to the block.  Everyone assumes the Johnsons will fit right in since they share their same affinity for elf culture. Emily, Jared, and the rest of the holiday crew quickly realize that the Johnsons aren't interested in joining in on the fun--they plan to take over. Image:  Tw
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What New Hallmark Christmas Movies Can’t You Wait to See?

Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC
Candance Cameron Bure just whet our appetite with a sneak peek of all 24 new Christmas movie premieres that will be kicking off October 26 on the Hallmark Channel.  The 16 movies airing on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries were not included.

Did you watch the Countdown to Christmas 10th Anniversary Preview Special?

My Top Five Hallmark Christmas Movie Picks

I’m sure we’ll be enthralled with all the new debuts, but I was looking for themes and story lines we haven’t already seen scores of times.  

1.      Christmas in Rome

Lacey Chabert, one of Hallmark’s top darlings, is an American tour guide in Rome who is fired right before Christmas.  She is hired by an American businessman to be his personal guide in the city.  Sam Page plays an executive trying to buy an Italian ceramics company, but the owner won’t sell until Sam grasps the heart and soul of Rome.

 This movie was filmed on location in Rome, so the backdrop and plot is much less cookie cutter than we’ve come to expect.

 Get a sneak preview here:  https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas-in-rome/videos/on-location-christmas-in-rome

2.      Christmas Town

Candace Cameron Bure will undoubtedly wow us in this story about a young woman who has never experienced “home.”  She grew up in foster care and longs for roots and a family. 

This movie is based on the 2016 bestseller of the same name by Donna VanLiere.


 (Paid link)


While some Hallmark characters have suffered the loss of one or both parents or on rare occasion become estranged, this may be the first one to incorporate foster care into the story.

In true Hallmark style, the viewer will feel deeper empathy for those who haven’t had the happy childhoods most of us take for granted.

3.      Check-Inn to Christmas

This movie breaks from the Hallmark mold.  It’s about two local inns in the Rockies that have competed against each other for years.  To prevent a chain resort from swallowing them up, both families must unite to protect their inns.

We also get to fixate on Wes Brown’s strikingly handsome face the entire time.  Win-win! 

4.      Write Before Christmas

After becoming single, a young woman writes letters to the five people who have impacted her life the most.  In turn, the recipients are inspired to make their own lives better.

How often do we let people know how much we appreciate the influence and support they’ve been in our lives?  Liberally doling out words of affirmation creates a chain reaction of positivity.
 
I have a feeling we will be stirred to action after seeing this movie.
Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC
5.      Christmas in Evergreen:  Tidings of Joy

This will be the third installment in the Christmas in Evergreen series.
 
While we are used to Hallmark leading actors and actresses pairing off in different combinations for the movies, this one is interesting because it blends all the same couples together we have gotten to know in the first two episodes in just one town.

While the focus will be on new central characters, it will be neat to bump into our familiar favorites.

Hallmark Honorable Mentions

The Christmas Club features a face you’ve seen before—Elizabeth Mitchell.  She was Mrs. Claus in Tim Allen’s Santa Claus movies.  She’s still been acting, but not in anything I’ve seen.  She shines brightest in Christmas movies!   

Christmas at Dollywood holds promise.  Dolly Parton will make an appearance, and she is a person who sparkles inside and out.
 
Niall Matter, the guy from both Father Christmas movies, is always a charming leading man.

In three new Hallmark Christmas movies (I'll let it be a surprise which ones), you will see appearances by Patrick Duffy, Bruce Boxleitner, and Priscilla Presley!  If you are too young to know who those people are, Google it! 

Hallmark Adds Diversity to Line-Up

Double Holiday is a story that incorporates the celebration of both Christmas and Hanukkah. 

A Christmas Duet will feature an African-American couple in leading roles.

A Christmas Scavenger Hunt boasts a charming and new plot we haven’t seen previously, but the romance takes place between an average-looking male and an ugly female.  Come on, Hallmark!  Leave these people in secondary roles!  Leading roles should only be filled with attractive people! 

In the same vein, much hype surrounds A Christmas Love Story with Kristin Chenoweth.  On one hand, it’s nice that Hallmark features love stories between older couples; on the other hand, eww.  I can’t pull my eyes away from her expansive forehead, and her screechy mouse-voice is like nails on a chalkboard.  Sorry if I offend her fans with that remark, but I’ll bet I’m not the only one who feels that way!
Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC
Been There, Done That
It must be very challenging to crank out scores of new Christmas movies year after year, so it’s understandable that the same story gets repackaged with different couple combinations and background scenery now and again.

The Hallmark Christmas movies this season featuring familiar stories include:

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses
Merry & Bright
Picture Perfect Christmas
Christmas at Graceland:  Home for the Holidays
Christmas at the Plaza
Holiday Date

It’s okay—we will watch and love them anyway!

Get the Hallmark Movie Checklist App

The Crown Productions checklist app allows you to track movies you want to see or have already seen.  Watch them, and then check them off! The app also allows you to watch trailers and set reminders.  You can receive alerts when your movies are starting.

Once you download the app, you select your zip code so the app can assess your time zone.  You also tap your TV service provider (Dish, U-Verse, etc.).  You can even allow the app to add movies to your phone’s calendar! 

There’s no reason to miss any of the upcoming Hallmark Christmas movies! 
  (Paid links)

Which Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Do You Want to See Most?

Take the survey below, and we'll see which movie gets the most votes!  

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