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

Here's Why Hallmark's "My Grown-Up Christmas List" Is a Hit with Fans

My Grown-Up Christmas List Plot Summary 

A journalist and a military officer share a special bond that grows between them over the course of several Christmases that they spend together and apart.

Starring:  Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace

Image:  Crown Media

A Hallmark Movie with a Classic Feel

Since Bill Abbott left Hallmark at the end of 2020 and was replaced by Woke Wonya Lucas as CEO, many fans have noticed and commented on the steady decline in movie quality.  Giving Hallmark the benefit of the doubt, fans surmised the vast number of movies Hallmark produces annually might be contributing to the lackluster vibe, but it's now clear that quantity over quality isn't the only thing adversely affecting the brand--it's the left-leaning, political wokeness of the company's leadership.  Everything woke turns to crap.  


Lucas uses all the politically correct buzz words to describe the direction in which she is steering the network:  inclusivity, equality, diversity, social justice, feminine empowerment, LGBTQ.  Translation Hallmark is more focused on ramming a political ideology down your throat in an attempt to indoctrinate you rather than simply entertaining you.  

Wokeism isn't just infecting Hallmark--nearly the entire entertainment industry has been hijacked by the far-Left movement to subvert our culture (though Bill Abbott's new network, Great American Family, is quickly becoming an oasis for those craving clean, family-friendly entertainment).

For more on this subject, but sure to check out these two articles that go more in-depth to describe what's happening with Hallmark:



My Grown-Up Christmas List received RAVE reviews from fans because it's one of the more recent Hallmark movies to recapture the magic of Hallmark from the pre-Lucas era.  Here are four ways My Grown-Up Christmas List stands out from the more anemic movies produced by Hallmark over the last few years.


1.  My Grown-Up Christmas List Centers on Storytelling

One thing older Hallmark movies possess that new ones lack is a solid, heart-felt story, or plot. Hallmark movies used to weave tales that engaged viewers emotionally by tapping into relatable issues, and it was done so well that viewers could lose themselves in the story and only come up for air when it was over.

These days, the characters, plots, and issues are too often out of touch with viewer experience.  Hallmark doesn't seem to care.  Identity politics is their focus, so if you can't relate to a biracial gay couple who are empowered business owners fighting for social justice issues, that's your problem.

My Grown-Up Christmas List marks a return to good storytelling rather than the propagation of an agenda.  Not only does it remind viewers of the great sacrifices our military families endure, but it celebrates family, giving back to the community (the annual Veteran's Dinner, gift baskets), loving your neighbor as yourself (Luke choosing to save his team, even though it means delaying his wedding), and the long-distance relationship Luke and Taylor maintain demonstrates the meaning of true love.  Their relationship isn't based on physical attraction alone (like we see in so many movies today), but on their characters.  They are devoted to one another and not quick to bail out when times are tough.  Even when Taylor realizes her wedding must be postponed, she loves Luke too much to ask him to stay instead of returning to his mission.  It's such a refreshing message in our society of self-centered narcissists!


Once Taylor and Luke do tie the knot, they know the road ahead won't be easy.  He will miss many important life events and holidays due to the demands of his military service, but they are committed to making it work.  This grit, determination, and commitment embodies the values and attitudes our culture used to take for granted, but now too often rejects.

Anyone who has ever lost a loved one can also relate to the emptiness Taylor feels from not having her mother to come home to at the beginning of the movie.  She shares that every time she comes home at Christmas, she feels like someone on the outside looking in.  Luke understands.  He tells her that home is a mirror into your past, reminding you who you are. If you moved away from your childhood hometown, you know exactly what he means. It's a great line. 

2.  My Grown-Up Christmas List Has Chemistry

In Hallmark's pursuit of affirmative action, selecting a cast is relegated to "checking boxes" instead of choosing actors based on experience, talent, and onscreen compatibility with co-stars.  

Fans frequently complain about the lack of chemistry between Hallmark couples.  It's no wonder.  In the spirit of wokeness, Hallmark tries to include gays, every skin color on the planet, feminists, the handicapped, enough old people, etc., regardless of ability, to make sure no one feels left out or offended.  The result?  Zero spark between couples and no cohesive chemistry among the cast, equaling another ho-hum, uninspiring movie.

Because Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace are a real-life couple who are very much in love, the chemistry they create onscreen is pure magic.  You, the viewer, can feel the fireworks exploding between them.  The synergy is captivating! 

Kevin McGarry & Kayla Wallace

3.  My Grown-Up Christmas List Honors the Military

In light of Hallmark's insistence on a political agenda, it's shocking they still create movies that honor our military.  We are living in a time when the police, border patrol, and veterans are vilified and disrespected, but thankfully, Hallmark hasn't abandoned these brave men and women, too.

My Grown-Up Christmas List gives viewers a more realistic glimpse of what military life looks like.  It means being away from home for long stretches at a time and missing a lot of milestones and important family functions.  It means being dropped behind enemy lines and risking injury or death to serve and protect our country.  Those who wait at home must remain strong and resilient, manage all the family affairs, and never lose hope while those who are serving must continually battle homesickness.

We all know Luke would never be allowed to have such a flowing mane of hair in the military and that Taylor would never be authorized to enter a secret base and lounge in his bunk.  We overlook these obvious inconsistencies because we are patriots who love and honor our veterans!


4.  My Grown-Up Christmas List Shares a Positive Message

My favorite line from the movie is this:

The best gifts don't have bows.

It's a statement that causes us to pause and reflect on what really matters in life.  We live in a materialistic society, but the most priceless gifts we can give to others can't be bought at the store.  Sometimes, we just need reminded.  

My Grown-Up Christmas List
Image:  Crown Media


Is My Grown-Up Christmas List a Sign Hallmark is Returning to Its Roots?

Just because Hallmark finally returned to classic storytelling for one movie, don't get your hopes up that it will continue.  

Campfire Christmas premiered one week after My Grown-Up Christmas List, and it was laden with all the woke elements not appreciated by the majority of fans.  

It appears Hallmark is learning how to dangle the proverbial carrot.  Despite the pushback and disappointment fans have expressed over recent movies, Hallmark continues to push forward with its agenda, much like Disney.  However, if Hallmark occasionally treats viewers to a "normal" movie, fans might keep coming back.

Great American Family channel is gaining tremendous traction and promises to be a huge competitor. As Hallmark fans migrate to this new network, Hallmark will have to decide which is more important:  a woke agenda or ratings.

Comments

  1. I agree with this article. Hallmark used to have a large core of its fanbase that were conservative in both politics and religious or Christian in every day practice. We were looking for content that we could all sit down as a family and watch and discuss together without having to be faced with questionable practices seen in our culture today...more "keep in the middle of the road" type movies that are found to be offensive by anyone. Hallmark's new CEO is as anti Christian, faith, and anti conservative as you can get and she appears to be using the network for her own personal gain and career promotion rather than serving the company and making decisions that is best for them! Since she is trying to make the company just like the other networks out there but slightly cleaner, then they are no longer special at all. WONYA is getting what she wanted in taking over this company, but the company has lost what it had that made it unique and special.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Agree wholeheartedly. I love my grown-up Christmas list. We need more movies like this. Wake up Hallmark.

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