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
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Hallmark's "Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas--" Is Holland Roden the Best Co-Star for Tyler Hynes?

Four days before Christmas, Elizabeth receives a voicemail from a number she doesn't recognize from a man who makes one final plea to the love of his life.

Starring:  Holland Roden, Tyler Hynes, Tenille Townes 

Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas
Image:  Hallmark Media

Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas Is a Compelling Story

The movie plot combines tragedy, triumph, love, and mystery--there's a lot going on to keep the viewer engaged.  Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas also uses my favorite trope:  The Misunderstanding.

Elizabeth (Holland Roden), Josh (Tyler Hynes), and Andrew (David Lennon) have been best friends for years.  

After college, Elizabeth has big plans to be a writer for The New York Times.  Three years later, she is working as an executive assistant at her mom's company instead of following her dreams.


When a man accidentally leaves Elizabeth a voicemail asking the woman he loves to meet him at "their spot" on Christmas Eve, she is determined to follow the few clues she has to reunite the couple.

Josh, who has since moved out of state to work for a publishing company, returns home for Christmas.  His relationship with Elizabeth is clearly strained, and it stems from the death of their friend, Andrew.  

Begrudgingly, Elizabeth accepts Josh's help to track down the mystery couple.  As the two pursue leads, they gradually recapture the closeness they once shared--and more--but a huge misunderstanding could ruin everything.

Holland Roden Isn't the Best Leading Lady 

Roden is best known for her roles in low-rated horror flicks, so it's not surprising that her performance in Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas lacks warmth and charisma. She delivers the dialogue, but her onscreen presence flatlines.  

After all, we can't let just anyone be with Tyler Hynes.  We fans are protective of him!  Hynes is such a wonderful Hallmark actor and personality that he's capable of compensating for a flailing co-star in order to score another homerun for fans.

Since Roden's Hallmark Christmas debut, she recently headlined a Summer Nights 2023 premiere, Making Waves, opposite Cory Cott.  Meh. 

If Hallmark is looking for fresh talent, they better keep looking.


Who Is Tenille Townes?

Tenille Townes has a small role in Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas and sings Blake Shelton's title song at the end.

You sense she must be a celebrity, but you've never heard of her.  You're not alone.

Tenille Townes is a Canadian country music star.  Who knew Canada even had a country music industry?

Tenille Townes
Image:  Hallmark Media

Townes moved to Nashville in 2013, but thus far, her songs have only charted in Canada and earned her awards at Canadian music shows.


Time to Come Home for Christmas--The Franchise

Let's hope Blake Shelton will continue to produce new movies in the Time to Come Home for Christmas franchise.  The quality stories are unique, dramatic, and intriguing.

To date, there are five movies in the series.  Vote for your favorite one!

online polls

Time to Come Home for Christmas Franchise
Vote in the opinion poll above for your favorite movie in this series!


Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 4, 2023 at 2:16 PM

    I love all of them and think Blake snd his mom did a great job on all of them. I just like Tyler!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 4, 2023 at 7:13 PM

    I love the music in all of the movies!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 5, 2023 at 8:41 AM

    I love Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas with Tyler Hynes. I take offense that the lead female character is flat. She portrays her charachter in a soft manner and brings the viewer into her heart. I felt the chemistry worked well and was believable. The kissing at the end was passionate and not the usual Hallmark fake. Tyler Hynes of course was awesome as he hides his true feelings under the guise of friendship.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 30, 2023 at 1:20 AM

      I agree, I thought they had a wonderful chemistry. The last scene where they are watching the stage performance close together was wonderful...

      Delete
  4. AnonymousOctober 26, 2023 at 2:35 PM

    Love this movie

    ReplyDelete

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