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Post by kims on Oct 31, 2023 0:27:39 GMT
This probably isn't news to anyone else. I wondered if Hallmark recycled films-after all they have (the dreaded word) plethora of new films each year and apparently the writers out of sheer exhaustion use the word "amazing" so they don't have to define the true feeling of their characters. Example: at a restaurant an entree looks amazing. What amazingly good? amazing disgusting, anything in between? I digress.
This year I watched FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS, which was - dare I say AMAZINGLY like A FAMILY THANKSGIVING. Woman is about to get the big promotion in the career she always wanted. Santa, spirit, magi, some sort of Christmas mystical character transports woman to alternate reality of husband, kids, and house in the suburbs and learns that she can never be truly happy unless she marries and has children.
Wow, I waited until I was 42 to marry and I didn't know I was unhappy all those years before. My husband and I decided not to have children, thinking we'd be having our own grandkids. I didn't know I was not completely happy because we didn't have children.
Okay, I'm being snide, but really, I thought this married and kids thing as the only route to happiness had faded away.
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Post by cmovieviewer on Oct 31, 2023 4:42:52 GMT
I saw this article on the more than 100! Christmas TV movies coming out this season. It's hard to believe that so many can be produced.
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Post by I Love Melvin on Nov 1, 2023 13:28:55 GMT
Hallmark is sort of the Monogram Pictures of TV, cranking out all those "programmers" with not a lot of originality or even thought put into them, just to push out product and get it on the screen. There's also a stable of "stars" who populate them and help build a fan base, so that people will tune in to see the latest Lacey Chabert movie, even though it's basically the same damn thing that someone else did last year (or even last month). Christmas turns out to have become their bread and butter now; this year the new Xmas product started the earliest ever and a month-long Christmas in July has become an annual event. Stick with what works, I guess. I claim to watch them to "unwind", but secretly I'm hoping "unwind" doesn't mean "deteriorate", because that ultimately seems to be the more inevitable result of allowing that amount of nonsense to parade through your brain. Pray for me.
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Post by BingFan on Nov 1, 2023 19:40:52 GMT
This probably isn't news to anyone else. I wondered if Hallmark recycled films...
In watching these movies, we’ve noticed some Hallmark genres that seem to be featured in almost every year’s Countdown to Christmas:
The “alternative reality” story: In this fantasy story, the main character wishes something significant about her life (it’s almost always the female lead) were different. Typically, it seems to have something to do with her marital status (wishing for the opposite of what she has now, usually), although there are other possibilities here. This genre always struck me as inspired by (or ripped off from) IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
The “fake couple” story: Here, as is probably obvious, the two main characters pretend to be a couple, often to deceive (in a well-intentioned way) their parents. Of course, they end up falling in love for real. One movie in this genre that’s actually pretty funny is HITCHED FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
The “corporate careerist” story: A workaholic is forced by circumstances to enjoy the magic of Christmas and learns to remake her life for the better (while also falling in love, obviously).
The “royal romance” story: The main character is thrown together by circumstance with a handsome young prince or king of a small country that no one has ever heard of - perhaps because she’s taken a job as the nanny for his young daughter. Of course, they end up in love.
The “stuck in a small town” story: An urban sophisticate ends up stranded in a small town, perhaps because she’s crashed her car nearby. The town’s overwhelming Christmas spirit, and the love interest she meets there, convinces her to give up her less satisfying city life.
The “time travel” story: A person from another time somehow ends up spending Christmas decades into the future with the people he or she meets there.
The “military” story: Someone with a connection to the military (veteran, widow, active member) encounters romance during the holidays.
The “back in your old hometown” story: The main character, who lives in the big city,goes back to her old hometown at Chr
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Post by BingFan on Nov 1, 2023 20:00:38 GMT
[Having technical difficulties while trying to finish my message above. Here’s the rest of it.]
The “back in your old hometown” story: The main character, who lives in the big city, goes back to her old hometown at Christmas, either for a visit or permanently because things didn’t work out in the city. Love ensues.
The “inheritance” story: The main character, who has established her career in the big city, inherits some kind of Christmas-oriented business in a small town (e.g., cookie factory) from a late relative (aunt, grandmother, etc.).
Clearly, I’ve spent way too much time in the presence of Hallmark Christmas movies...
But we still watch all of our favorite “real” Christmas classics, like THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, REMEMBER THE NIGHT, and CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT, among many others.
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Post by kims on Nov 1, 2023 23:36:02 GMT
Hallmark must have some big bucks. I'd be just as happy watching the old ones rather than retreads. I miss the Gary Sinese film FALLEN ANGEL. They replay my favorites WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, THE CHRISTMAS CARD, AND DECEMBER BRIDE. Oddly, I wouldn't like those films except near Christmas. I can't believe Hallmark has the money to make so many new films each year.
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Post by kims on Nov 5, 2023 10:11:07 GMT
I just realized from tonight's fare: you must have a real Christmas tree. An artificial tree is almost worse than no tree at all. If there is some spec sheet for the scripts of a Hallmark movie, one must be "Get a real tree" Makes some sense. Those shots of Hallmark ornaments look better against a real tree.
Being in a silly mood, I compare Hallmarkland to the Stepford neighborhood. The characters always seem to have houses/apartments way beyond the possible income. Clothes are usually stylish. I love this place. I'm imagining Yul Brynner showing up dressed in black, gold chain--like he dressed in later years to be the Hallmark Grinch--because someone has a fake tree. Yul (oh that's funny:Yul/Yule)returns Christmas when the little girl gives him this year's heritage ornament.
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Post by Fading Fast on Nov 5, 2023 12:39:12 GMT
I just realized from tonight's fare: you must have a real Christmas tree. An artificial tree is almost worse than no tree at all. If there is some spec sheet for the scripts of a Hallmark movie, one must be "Get a real tree" Makes some sense. Those shots of Hallmark ornaments look better against a real tree. Being in a silly mood, I compare Hallmarkland to the Stepford neighborhood. The characters always seem to have houses/apartments way beyond the possible income. Clothes are usually stylish. I love this place. I'm imagining Yul Brynner showing up dressed in black, gold chain--like he dressed in later years to be the Hallmark Grinch--because someone has a fake tree. Yul (oh that's funny:Yul/Yule)returns Christmas when the little girl gives him this year's heritage ornament.
Like you, I laugh at the houses and apartments in Hallmark movies, too, but mainly at the city apartments the young characters have. I live in a city, was young once and have young friends today - the apartments they show are insanely nice compared to what young people (or I) can really afford.
But that's the case in so many TV shows and movies, you kind of just chuckle and go with it. "Friends" was a great example of this. |
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Post by kims on Nov 5, 2023 16:58:47 GMT
I've printed Bingfan's breakdown of Hallmark Christmas films for reference when I next watch the movies.
I wonder about the target audience for these films. I would have guessed an older audience, but there are so few plots about older couples. Do twenty and thirty somethings watch these films?
I'm really getting into this now. I want to discover any other "must have" moments like the real tree.
And I'm still curious how they have so much money for film when the theatrical producers need to find a dozen financiers. Is it really cheaper to make tv movie?
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Post by Fading Fast on Nov 5, 2023 18:47:30 GMT
I've printed Bingfan's breakdown of Hallmark Christmas films for reference when I next watch the movies. I wonder about the target audience for these films. I would have guessed an older audience, but there are so few plots about older couples. Do twenty and thirty somethings watch these films? I'm really getting into this now. I want to discover any other "must have" moments like the real tree. And I'm still curious how they have so much money for film when the theatrical producers need to find a dozen financiers. Is it really cheaper to make tv movie? |
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Post by BingFan on Nov 6, 2023 1:46:32 GMT
... The “alternative reality” story: In this fantasy story, the main character wishes something significant about her life (it’s almost always the female lead) were different. Typically, it seems to have something to do with her marital status (wishing for the opposite of what she has now, usually), although there are other possibilities here. This genre always struck me as inspired by (or ripped off from) IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
The “fake couple” story: Here, as is probably obvious, the two main characters pretend to be a couple, often to deceive (in a well-intentioned way) their parents. Of course, they end up falling in love for real. One movie in this genre that’s actually pretty funny is HITCHED FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
The “corporate careerist” story: A workaholic is forced by circumstances to enjoy the magic of Christmas and learns to remake her life for the better (while also falling in love, obviously).
The “royal romance” story: The main character is thrown together by circumstance with a handsome young prince or king of a small country that no one has ever heard of - perhaps because she’s taken a job as the nanny for his young daughter. Of course, they end up in love.
The “stuck in a small town” story: An urban sophisticate ends up stranded in a small town, perhaps because she’s crashed her car nearby. The town’s overwhelming Christmas spirit, and the love interest she meets there, convinces her to give up her less satisfying city life.
The “time travel” story: A person from another time somehow ends up spending Christmas decades into the future with the people he or she meets there.
The “military” story: Someone with a connection to the military (veteran, widow, active member) encounters romance during the holidays.
...The “back in your old hometown” story: The main character, who lives in the big city, goes back to her old hometown at Christmas, either for a visit or permanently because things didn’t work out in the city. Love ensues.
The “inheritance” story: The main character, who has established her career in the big city, inherits some kind of Christmas-oriented business in a small town (e.g., cookie factory) from a late relative (aunt, grandmother, etc.) ...
The “amnesia” story: As the name suggests, the main character here suffers from amnesia, perhaps because of a car accident while away from home. Of course, she meets up with some kind-hearted, Christmas-minded folks who help her figure out who she is as she falls in love with one of them.
The “cross-country trip” story: The two main characters are thrown together during a long trip and fall in love, of course. (One example of this genre, which I saw just the other night, was heavily influenced by the Steve Martin/John Candy comedy PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES, except that it wasn’t nearly as funny.)
The “ saving a small business” story: The main character helps save a Christmas-oriented small business, while falling in love along the way. This genre can overlap with “inheritance” category above.
The “angel” story: A fantasy in which an angel plays a key role in helping the main character find love during the holiday season. Hallmark has had some surprisingly well-known performers in the angel role over the years: Shirley MacLaine, Wallace Shawn, Willie Nelson, and Cindy Williams, among others. (Willie was in a very good movie called ANGELS SING, which actually was made as a theatrical feature before it was added to the Countdown to Christmas rotation.)
While the better of these genre movies can be moderately entertaining, I’d say that the best of the Hallmark Christmas movies (which are still pretty slim fare) are the one that break out of the genres, like the recent THREE WISE MEN AND A BABY (which still wasn’t entirely original, obviously) or the long-time favorite THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (which features the always-likeable Henry Winkler).
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Post by Fading Fast on Nov 6, 2023 3:03:40 GMT
... The “alternative reality” story: In this fantasy story, the main character wishes something significant about her life (it’s almost always the female lead) were different. Typically, it seems to have something to do with her marital status (wishing for the opposite of what she has now, usually), although there are other possibilities here. This genre always struck me as inspired by (or ripped off from) IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
The “fake couple” story: Here, as is probably obvious, the two main characters pretend to be a couple, often to deceive (in a well-intentioned way) their parents. Of course, they end up falling in love for real. One movie in this genre that’s actually pretty funny is HITCHED FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
The “corporate careerist” story: A workaholic is forced by circumstances to enjoy the magic of Christmas and learns to remake her life for the better (while also falling in love, obviously).
The “royal romance” story: The main character is thrown together by circumstance with a handsome young prince or king of a small country that no one has ever heard of - perhaps because she’s taken a job as the nanny for his young daughter. Of course, they end up in love.
The “stuck in a small town” story: An urban sophisticate ends up stranded in a small town, perhaps because she’s crashed her car nearby. The town’s overwhelming Christmas spirit, and the love interest she meets there, convinces her to give up her less satisfying city life.
The “time travel” story: A person from another time somehow ends up spending Christmas decades into the future with the people he or she meets there.
The “military” story: Someone with a connection to the military (veteran, widow, active member) encounters romance during the holidays.
...The “back in your old hometown” story: The main character, who lives in the big city, goes back to her old hometown at Christmas, either for a visit or permanently because things didn’t work out in the city. Love ensues.
The “inheritance” story: The main character, who has established her career in the big city, inherits some kind of Christmas-oriented business in a small town (e.g., cookie factory) from a late relative (aunt, grandmother, etc.) ...
The “amnesia” story: As the name suggests, the main character here suffers from amnesia, perhaps because of a car accident while away from home. Of course, she meets up with some kind-hearted, Christmas-minded folks who help her figure out who she is as she falls in love with one of them.
The “cross-country trip” story: The two main characters are thrown together during a long trip and fall in love, of course. (One example of this genre, which I saw just the other night, was heavily influenced by the Steve Martin/John Candy comedy PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES, except that it wasn’t nearly as funny.)
The “ saving a small business” story: The main character helps save a Christmas-oriented small business, while falling in love along the way. This genre can overlap with “inheritance” category above.
The “angel” story: A fantasy in which an angel plays a key role in helping the main character find love during the holiday season. Hallmark has had some surprisingly well-known performers in the angel role over the years: Shirley MacLaine, Wallace Shawn, Willie Nelson, and Cindy Williams, among others. (Willie was in a very good movie called ANGELS SING, which actually was made as a theatrical feature before it was added to the Countdown to Christmas rotation.)
While the better of these genre movies can be moderately entertaining, I’d say that the best of the Hallmark Christmas movies (which are still pretty slim fare) are the one that break out of the genres, like the recent THREE WISE MEN AND A BABY (which still wasn’t entirely original, obviously) or the long-time favorite THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (which features the always-likeable Henry Winkler).
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Post by BingFan on Nov 6, 2023 18:00:25 GMT
...This is great - really well done, kudos. My only tiny addition would be to note that the "Cross-Country Trip" story, which you are so right is a take on "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," also goes back to 1934's "It Happened One Night," which is the antecedent movie to almost every roadtrip picture since. |
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Post by I Love Melvin on Nov 8, 2023 18:14:31 GMT
Regarding budgets and profits, it seems to me that a lot of the movies are financed and filmed in Canada, though they usually show establishing shots of American cities and towns. I think the Canadian government provides financial incentives for productions filming there, so that would also help alleviate some of the cost. They cut corners in other ways too. A couple of years ago I had to buy a new truck and it came with six free months of Sirius Radio. Hallmark has a station with some of the "stars" as hosts and DJ's, one of whom had just made Christmas in Rome but let slip that the production filmed extensively in Romania. I'm assuming that means that a lot of it was faked Roman settings interspersed with second-unit stock footage of Rome. I don't know whether the Romanian government offers deals to film companies but, regardless, it probably meant a significant savings. That's show biz.
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Post by kims on Nov 16, 2023 14:06:13 GMT
Lots of Hallmark films are about going home, usually a small town. First problem I have with the premise is that a person is apparently not allowed to move away from the place of birth. Second problem I have is that these small towns are more like the suburb of big city values.
I want one written about the rural small town, where everyone must own a gun because most likely the closest deputy is 45 minutes away. (oh yes, like Hallmark would ever have a gun in their film). I want John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara to yell at the suffering soul to take care of responsibilities, get chores done, take care of family. There's plenty of time at end of day to mourn. I'm certainly a different generation, but I would like to see man in these films who displays more confidence, okay, more macho characteristics. Frankly, I've never understood tales of men who hold in all emotions. Somebody hasn't been paying attention. My father was a John Wayne type. He has to cry in front of everyone to be seen as human?
Most of the men in the Hallmark movies are too vulnerable. So are the women. I predict a future for these couples: lots of crying in their pretzels together. I like the couples who know the other is capable of tending to matters alone, but why do life alone when you can help each other?
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