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

Hallmark's "A Homecoming for the Holidays"

Starring:  Laura Osnes and Stephen Huszar

Released:  2019

Summary:  A country music singer comes home for the holidays, and while she's writing her new album, she works with an ex-soldier to build a house for a friend in town.


Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC

That Was Quick!

Charlotte Quinn is trying to make it big in country music (in real life, Osnes is an actress and singer on Broadway). She joins her parents in sending off her brother, Eric, on his next deployment.  Just before she takes the small-town stage to sing a Christmas carol in Canyon Pass, Montana, she meets another solider, Matt, who retrieves the patriotic guitar pick she drops.  She tells him to keep it for luck.

Three seconds later, Charlotte is a wildly successful and famous star, she has ended a relationship with a fellow country singer, her brother comes back from his tour, and she finds Matt living in her hometown running "Operation Homefront."

Is this what an acid trip feels like, life flashing before one's eyes, or a futuristic trip in a Delorean?

Since Matt's parents have passed away, he is included in all the Quinn family Christmas festivities--the standard decorating, cookie baking, tree lighting, gift wrapping, and town reindeer games.  All the merriment allows Charlotte and Matt to grow closer.

Ode to Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton enjoys her time in the Hallmark spotlight during the premiere of Christmas at Dollywood, but her shadow hangs over this movie, too.  Charlotte and Matt both love Dolly and reference her famous quotes like:

You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try.

Maybe Hallmark assumes Dolly Parton and country music are synonymous.

Operation Homefront

I love when Hallmark honors our military!  Operation Homefront is not a fictional organization, but a real charity that helps military families.  Kudos to Hallmark for creating awareness of this wonderful program.  Here are some impressive statistics for this organization:

  • 650 military families accepted into their permanent housing program.
  • Helped military families with utilities (34%), rent/mortgage (23%), and food/groceries (15%).
  • Served 95,000 military families holiday meals
  • Distributed 350,000 backpacks with school supplies for military children
  • Supported 17,000 expectant parents 
Operation Homefront is dedicated to relief efforts, long-term assistance, and recurring family support for military families.

In the movie, Dana Alvarez's husband dies in service to his country so she and her daughter, Hadley, receive a beautiful home built just for them. Are you surprised by how big and beautiful this house is for just two people?

Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC

Top That!

As if Charlotte's celebrity doesn't already overshadow her brother enough, she pays off her parents' mortgage as an early Christmas present.  Who's the favorite child now?

Not sure what Eric plans to get them, but pretty sure it will pale in comparison.  Yet, the two siblings are as close as two peas in a pod with no hint of jealousy.

Charlotte's generosity doesn't end there.  When she sees the untapped music potential in Hadley Alvarez, she decides to start a scholarship fund and gives Hadley $40,000 towards tuition at Julliard.  My question is, what happened to students picking colleges they can actually afford?  With tuition, board, books, supplies, and personal expenses, Julliard costs roughly $73,438 for just the first year.  Unless they discover a money tree, Hadley's mom can't even afford to buy her own house, so Julliard shouldn't even be an option.  


A Little Forward, Are We?

Charlotte wants to reassure Matt the news of her getting back together with Taylor Robb is untrue, so she communicates this by pouncing on him with a big kiss.  Then, she sees he's packed to leave town for another job.  She's surprised, but not blushing at her wantonness!

Charlotte is also very forward initially in addressing their budding relationship and what direction it might take.

What happened to the good old days when a man took the lead on relationship issues?

The feminist movement disservices femininity.

Charlotte's final blow to the male ego is she decides Matt will run her scholarship fund, and like an obedient pup, he agrees.

God designed men and women differently, not to dominate each other, but to complement one another.  A real man takes the lead, and a real lady waits patiently, rather than aggressively tackling a potential mate or plotting his career path.

Just an Okay Movie

I give this movie a 2/5 Christmas stars. 🌟🌟

Positives:  The movie honors our veterans, and Laura Osnes sings like a Disney princess.

Negatives:  The female character is too aggressive, there is very little chemistry between the leading couple, Hadley epitomizes the next generation of entitled socialists.

We Have Hallmark Movie Facebook Groups!

You might already be a member of one of our Hallmark movie Facebook groups, but if you're not, we would love for you to join us!  We have two groups--one for discussing Hallmark Christmas movies, and one for discussing all the non-Christmas ones!  Find us here:

Hallmark Movies-Seasons of Love

Hallmark Movies-Christmas Magic

#ahomecomingfortheholidays #hallmarkies

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