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

Take This QUIZ On Hallmark's "You, Me & The Christmas Trees!"

Starring:  Danica McKellar and Benjamin Ayres

Released:  2021 (Countdown to Christmas)

Summary:  An arborist falls in love with a farmer as she tries to save his trees before the town tree lighting.

Image: Crown Media

A Very "Pun-y" Movie!

One thing Hallmark script writers do well is include playful puns in many of the movies when the scene fits.  Puns are clever and unique, and they add whimsical fun to lighten the mood.

Contrast pun usage to a horribly overdone trope:  sipping hot cocoa and getting the face lathered in whipped topping.  Dr. Evil first made that funny in an Austin Powers movie several years ago; he termed it the Belgian Dip.  Hallmark copied the idea and has used it it so many times it has become obnoxious.  It's like when a small child says something funny enough to earn a belly laugh from a parent; the child will repeat the line over and over and over to garner a repeat response, until the parent explains it was only funny the first time.   


Benjamin Ayres is forced to take the face dunk in You, Me, & The Christmas Trees, even though Hallmark should offer a seasonal reset for the fresh "crop" of holiday movies to give fans something a little different.

Still, we can forgive the writers because they include several fun quips, like Olivia being stumped by the tree issue and Jack loving the woods because he was born in Septimber.

Roundabouts

Jack and Olivia meet for the first time when they collide in a roundabout.

Are there roundabouts where you live?

Roundabouts are very prevalent in some areas, but in general, they've never really caught on in the USA.  They are designed to keep traffic flowing in a circular motion, but if you aren't used to them, they can be intimidating!  

Every time my family has encountered a roundabout while traveling, I half scream the whole time I'm circling, just like the movie Elf when he first discovers a revolving door.  My knuckles turn white on the steering wheel, and my husband raises his voice in panic as he helps me navigate the circle from hell.  He can't understand why I have such a mental block when it comes to roundabouts.  As an engineer, he thinks they are efficient and straightforward, and I think they are diabolically designed to create doom on the roadway.  


Danica And Benjamin Click

In recent movies, Hallmark casting directors keep pairing people together who aren't well-matched, but in You, Me, & The Christmas Trees, it's done right.  Jack and Olivia not only have a love of trees in common, the audience can feel the sparks between them.

Danica McKellar and Benjamin Ayres in Hallmark's "You, Me, & The Christmas Trees"
Image:  Crown Media

Christmas is a very busy time for most of us, but rather than get stressed by the whirlwind of activity, remember this movie line:

Nature does not hurry, but everything is accomplished.

 

More Christmas Movies with Danica and Benjamin!


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