Review of Hallmark Holiday Movies

However, this holiday film factory has been chastised for its predictability and uniformity. That’s because the specifics of each film, such as the protagonist’s job as a teacher, baker, or investment banker, are frequently unimportant. Those are merely the accoutrements to the same story: Christmas magic aids in the unlocking of two hearts.

Review of Hallmark Holiday Movies

“It’s a 108-year-old, iconic American brand, and then you have a 70-year-old Hallmark Hall of Fame moviemaking legacy,” Vicary added. So all of that is about getting that script to meet that standard, on top of all of the other brand propositions that the Hallmark brand demands: emotional connection and relationships, community, family, traditions, and the seasonal excitement that everyone feels when fall arrives and we know the holidays are approaching.” When it comes to soliciting stories from the general public, Hallmark keeps its image in check by being selective: “We take solicitations from people who have representation.” That is one of the things to which we must adhere.” In-house pitches, on the other hand, can be much looser, ranging from simple loglines or anecdotes to ideas based on a true story or a bestselling novel adaptation. Some of Hallmark’s best triumphs come when it deviates from its normal frothy formula – big city career gal discovers love in her hometown or woman with eggnog in her veins charming workaholic gentleman.

The real-life story of a lady who faces death unless she receives a partial liver transplant from a living donor is the inspiration for this year’s “Once Upon a Christmas Miracle.” She finds a match for both her liver and blood type, as well as her heart, in the same guy. This “weird but true” drama starring Aimee Teagarden (“Friday Night Lights”) was the most-watched and highest-rated original movie premiere in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries history among households and women 25-54 and 18-34. Once the storylines are written, it’s just a matter of casting the proper star from Hallmark’s roster. Although there is no set formula, the performers occasionally express their preferences. Candace Cameron Bure, star of “Fuller House,” is Hallmark’s crown gem. She has nine “Aurora Teagarden Mysteries” and seven Christmas films under her belt, and she just added executive producer to her resume. Bure introduced “A Shoe Addict’s Christmas” to the network this year, based on a novel she loved that includes a hilarious “A Christmas Carol”-inspired premise as well as family and spiritual themes that are important to the actor.

Vicary also points out that Hallmark sometimes tries to pair stories about teaching with former “Wonder Years” star Danica McKellar, who produced a scholarly study and four books about arithmetic aimed at young girls. “She has incorporated that into part of her storyline when she is engaging with young girls or kids in a few of movies,” she said. Similarly, casting Kellie Pickler, a Hallmark newcomer and country star, in “Christmas in Graceland” or LeeAnn Rimes in “It’s Christmas, Eve,” a film on the value of the arts in schools, is a no-brainer.