What about those who say the stories are all too similar, that the happy ending tends to make the plot predictable, or that the holiday season starts too early in October? Sue Beronio, from Eatontown, had her answer ready. “I watch Hallmark because they are feel-good movies where everything works out, the guy gets the girl, the monarch thaws to her son’s love, and I get to see Henry Winkler. Last Friday was cold and rainy. I told someone at work I couldn’t wait to get home, put my jammies on, curl up on the couch and watch Hallmark with my hubby. She laughed and said, ‘it’s not even Thanksgiving yet’. I told her it didn’t matter, the movies should be watched all year. Turns out, she went home and put Hallmark on too. We chatted about it on Facebook. Another happy convert.”
Mingle All the Way Photo: Jen Lilley, Brant Daugherty Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Pooya Nabei
The holidays are filled with love and good will, but also sadness and longing for missing those no longer with us, plus stress from the added demands. Hallmark movies seem to make the season a little brighter as the go-to cure for holiday blues. “Some of the movies make me cry, others make me nostalgic, and then some just make me smile,” said Grace Magee, a Shrewsbury resident. “I love getting into the Christmas spirit with these films. After a long day at work, or a stressful day of Christmas shopping fighting the crowds, I look forward to relaxing with something I know will have a happy ending.”
Mingle All the Way Photo: Jen Lilley, Lindsay Wagner Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
Christmas at Grand Valley Photo: Brennan Elliott, Danica McKellar Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ben Mark Holzberg
Not only a pick-me-up, the movies are filling a void left by the demise of the romantic comedy in Hollywood. In the 1990s romcoms comprised nearly 10% of all films made, today they account for less than 1%. The days of Hanks and Ryan being over have left a considerable portion of the population avoiding movie theaters on Saturday night. With romance being the top-selling genre in books and a billion-dollar industry, Hallmark has discovered romance is not only still alive, but as popular as ever. Good will or good business sense, Hallmark movies are here to stay and have become a favorite part of many local families’ holidays. _
Note to our readers - visit our CM Facebook page each week in December for an exclusive interview with a different Hallmark Channel or Hallmark Movies & Mystery movie star and a chance to win a signed album cover from Jen Lilley! Pride, Prejudice & Mistletoe Photo: Brendan Penny, Lacey Chabert Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood