Making Spirits Bright

I've seen Taylor in so many movies, I've always liked her with shorter hair. The long hair seemed off to me. Decent acting, storyline was so so. Not my favorite but at least the 3 regulars weren't on (Lacey, Danica and Candice) and Barbara Niven wasn't the mom again.

Light hearted, good acting, fun, lovely Christmas movie. It's more about friendship and making peace with our friends. The story was sweet and the romance was easy and believable. The acting and chemistry was at an all time high for me. Maybe it's bc they are just too cute!! Would watch again and I don't like watching things twice!!!

This is a pretty common take on the Christmas decoration feuding families. The one slightly fresh angle is celebrating the traditional approach over the noisy techy approach. The techy contest entry in this movie would definitely get annoying after a while, maybe after as little as two times through. The broad strokes of the story are definitely predictable and as is common for Hallmark, they wrapped up too many threads in HEA bows.

When the story is mostly same old stuff, I enjoy these movies when the leads' relationship has a chance to shine. In this movie, Grace and Tony got shorted on screen time. Maybe it was too many threads. Maybe it was too much contest.

I'm also not a fan of the arrogance and trash talking which in this movie almost reached the point of physical violence. The whole feuding angle was more than I would like to see, especially if, as I said, the relationship was shorted as a result.

There is a nice theme of reconciliation in more than one thread.

"Anybody can string a bunch of lights and enter a computer code. Where is the soul in that?"-Frank I feel exactly the same way about those computerized light displays with their mega trees and pixels...boring! Give me displays with meaning, interest, history, personality any day.

"That spark of joy in their eyes. All because of something we've created."-Frank

"They were a great partnership."-Arlene "We brought out the best in each other."-Bill

Two families are brought together to compete in a town Christmas light competition and this year the stakes are higher, a $50,000 cash prize. The patriarchs, Bill and Frank, of two families used to run a business together until Frank accused Bill of putting quantity over quality. Bill was so offended he dissolved the partnership immediately and the two started their own businesses. Their kids, including Grace and Tony, used to be friends but have become strangers. With there families pitted against each other, their initial amicable reunion turns contentious.

Bill expanded his business and may have bitten off more than he can chew, making this year's competition monetary reward even more important. The competition is important for Frank as he hasn't competed for the last seven years and feels like he has a lot to prove.

Meanwhile, Grace and Tony keep being drawn together...and discover their moms have secretly maintained their friendship this whole time...meeting clandestinely and taking an annual trip together. Inspired by their moms' secret relationship, Tony volunteers to put his MBA to work reviewing Bill's financials secretly.

Frank confesses to Tony how much he gets into his head and how that prevents him from being able to execute his plans.

"A real partner will value all of your opinions. Even if sometimes it may be wrong."-Bill

"Mutual embarrassment kind of tears down the walls."-Tony.

I almost didn't watch this based on the negative reviews but it was pleasant enough to watch. I liked the seemingly easy compatibility of the leads and the other family members seems genuine, The tech lighting guy was annoying as he was meant to be - I'm glad I don't have lights like that in my neighborhood. I don't really pay any attention to the snow situation that seems to bother others. I would agree that the subplot with the business partner seemed unnecessary.