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 "Next Stop, Christmas" One Of The Season's Best!

Next Stop, Christmas Plot Summary 

Angie is determined to spend Christmas alone, but her usual commuter ride turns into a Christmas train that drops her off in her home town in 2011.

Starring:  Lyndsy Fonseca, Chandler Massey, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, and Eric Freeman

Next Stop, Christmas
Image:  Crown Media

Magical Storytelling!

Time travel stories can be tricky, so it's a good thing Hallmark enlisted the help of two people who know a lot about it:  Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson, veteran actors from the iconic Back to the Future trilogy.

If you recall, the third installment of Back to the Future was released in 1990, and Doc Brown (Lloyd) traveled through time on a steam engine locomotive.  How fitting and nostalgic of Hallmark to cast Lloyd as the conductor on another train that hurtles Angie Reynolds (Lyndsy Fonseca) back 10 years.  


Angie is tasked with making things right in the past so future problems can be avoided.  The challenge is she isn't sure exactly what needs fixed.  She assumes since she turned down Tyler Grant's proposal a decade ago, that maybe saying yes can change her trajectory.  It's an ironic twist that Lloyd, the conductor, encourages a change in fate, since his Doc Brown character would never approve; after all, he's the one who warned, Don't talk to anyone, don't touch anything, don't do anything, don't interact with anyone, and try not to look at anything.  Great Scott! 


Angie is stuck in the past until the return portion of her train ticket reappears, so she's shocked when she agrees to marry Tyler and her ticket remains blank.  What is she missing?

Christopher Lloyd & Lyndsy Fonseca in "Next Stop, Christmas"
Image:  Crown Media

Maturity Brings Wisdom   

While back in 2011, Angie notices so many nuances that had escaped her the first time.  She sees her parents' relationship fracturing, and she realizes how unsupportive she has been of her sister.

Isn't it funny how age and experience changes our perspectives?  If we all had the opportunity to go back in time, it's likely we would do at least some things differently.

Young people are consumed with their own lives, not necessarily in a narcissistic way, but they have a lot to plan and figure out as independent young adults.  This self-involvement clouds the development of empathy until life experience molds and shapes them into people who learn to look beyond themselves and connect with others outside their personal bubble.


How Did Your Spouse Propose?

When Angie first rejected Tyler's proposal, it had come as a ring in her champagne glass.  The second time around, she is surprised when he takes her to the same fancy restaurant, yet no ring appears in her glass.  Instead, he later throws a snowball at her that contains the ring.

When Ben pops the questions in 2021, the ring is ensconced in the Frosty box on a dinner platter.  

If you are married, what creative way did you spouse propose to you?  Share your story in the comment section!   

Lynsy Fonseca in Hallmark's "Next Stop, Christmas"
Image:  Crown Media

Fun Movie On Every Level

Time transitions flow smoothly in this movie, and the all-star, seasoned cast members provide viewers with stellar performances, unlike some of the newer and unimpressive actors Hallmark has used this 2021 season.  

Hallmark's "Next Stop, Christmas"
Image:  Crown Media

It's nostalgic, magical without being weird or non-sensical, and a reminder of how important it is to take a vested interest in the lives of those closest to us.  Angie isn't in the past just to marry the right guy, she makes the future better for her entire family.  

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Chandler Massey & Lyndsy Fonseca
Image:  Crown Media

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