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

Christmas at Grand Valley--The Starving Artist

Starring:  Danica McKellar and Brennan Elliott

Released:  2018

Summary:  An artist decides to leave the city for Christmas and returns to her hometown where she meets a businessman who's reviewing the local hotel for its value.


Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC

Some Jobs Just Aren't Profitable


Kelly Riley (McKellar) is living in Chicago, and "painter's block" is standing in the way of her securing an art show at one of the city's prestigious galleries.

No big surprise here.  Did you know that of our nation's 2 million art graduates, only 10% wind up earning a living as artists?  Hence, the meme aimed at arts/liberal arts majors:  get used to saying,  do you want fries with that?

The world is brimming with talented artists, singers, actors, dancers, and writers with the potential for making it big; however, the extensive competition makes it very difficult to stand out in the sea of creative geniuses.

We learn Kelly has gone from selling arts and crafts to answering phones at a museum to make end's meet.  Even when visiting Grand Valley for Christmas, she agrees to run the Christmas Camp, which is a paid gig.

Wouldn't we all love to make a living doing what we love?  The slogan, If you can dream it, you can do it, doesn't necessarily pan out for everyone.

How can someone with such artistic talent like Kelly not be able to think of something to paint?  Turns out, to fuel your passion, you need the right inspiration.  Kelly isn't inspired by Chicago, but she taps a creative vein when she visits her hometown of Grand Valley, Wyoming.

What inspires YOU?  What are your creative outlets?  Cooking?  Crafting?

Kelly's hometown isn't her only source of inspiration.  Teaching art at Christmas Camp ends up being a journey to self-discovery because she finds she absolutely loves working with children.  It's a good thing because she's about to be hurled into instant parenthood, since Leo has two kids.

Joy Over Judgment  

As an artist, Kelly is accustomed to her work being critiqued by the cultured brass, and their thumbs down on her work is disheartening.  Working with kids produces the opposite effect.  Kelly realizes kids bring joy to art instead of judgment.  

No matter what kind of work you do, someone has an opinion about it.  Maybe it's your boss, your co-worker, or maybe even the Board.  We all squirm under scrutiny.  Isn't it much more liberating to be commended for what you're doing right?

What I would like to know is who actually painted all the art for this movie?  The viewer sees an artist's rendition of Grand Valley, Frank's Diner, Leo and Max skating, and more, but a Google search isn't revealing who created these sweet pieces.

Speaking of Judgment...What's Up With Vera's Voice?

Angela Asher plays the spunky owner of Vera's, an antique and collectibles shop in Grand Valley.  When I first heard her speak, I was taken a aback because her voice sounds like a smoker's--the kind who has burned through a pack of cigarettes every five minutes for the last 40 years. 

Her husky voice is her trademark, and it's been compared to Lauren Bacall's and Kathleen Turner's, but I'd argue there is no comparison--it's one of the deepest I've ever heard spring from a woman.

Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC
  
Some might find a husky voice appealing and maybe even sexy, but personally, it seems out of place in a Hallmark movie where all the actresses have sing-song, Disney princess voices.  I kept feeling like she had a medical condition that deserved sympathy, and I wanted her to clear her throat to make her voice sound normal.

Regardless, Asher's voice has been more of a help than a hindrance to her career.  She started off as a model, did a slew of commercials, and has been in several movies with big-name stars, so good for her!  She has a very strong personality and fierce independence, which shines through her part as "Vera."

The Delayed Retort

When Kelly realizes Leo has come to assess the hotel's viability, he becomes public enemy number one; however, since she's artistic, she is more visual in her communication.  She wants to give him a piece of her mind, but she can't think fast enough on her feet.  She always ends up walking away, only to circle back to needle him with a zinger once she thinks of one.

The delayed retort is one of the things that Leo finds both amusing and charming about her.

Can't we all relate?  Some of us may be more quick-thinking than others, with truth bombs easily sliding off our tongues, but we all occasionally go blank.  How many times has the perfect comeback popped into our minds, and we kick ourselves, thinking, That would have been perfect!  Only, it's too late because the moment has already passed.

It reminds me of The Comeback episode from Seinfeld.  Anyone remember the one about George Costanza and the jerk store? 

Hallmark Tests the Waters With a Bi-Racial Relationship

Hallmark tries to evolve with our ever-changing culture, and in this movie, Hallmark affirms bi-racial relationships.  We learn that Mike (Kelly's cousin and manager of the hotel) and Lucy (Kelly's close friend) have a thing for each other.  They finally summon the courage to make their feelings known, and they even share a kiss.

Bi-racial relationships were once stigmatized and considered taboo, but there's a much wider cultural acceptance of them today.

Pancakes AT NIGHT?

Hallmark brazenly goes where no channel has gone before and normalizes eating pancakes at night.  This might be the most controversial aspect of this movie!

Leo's son, Max, is stunned when he visits Frank's Diner and gets to feast on Santa pancakes at night.  Some people call this "brinner," or breakfast for dinner, but my husband would call it "fix me something else."

To Move or Not to Move--That Is the Question!

Kelly and Leo both live in Chicago, but when Kelly decides to stay in Grand Valley where she is most inspired to paint, Leo makes a huge decision to buy Grand Valley Hotel and move there.....only for Kelly to change her mind when she finally scores her own art show in Chicago.

Oops.

Nothing like re-locating to be near someone you love only for them to high-tail it out of town!

Fortunately, Kelly comes to her senses and realizes she can have the best of both worlds.  She can live in her hometown, be near her new love, and paint til her heart's content AND commute to Chicago for the art gallery when necessary.

The hotel is saved, love is found, and it all ends happily--just as we love and expect.

Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC

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