Christmas — Season 8 — The Black Case Diaries

How the Case Stole Christmas (2000)

Dr. Suess is one of the most famous children’s authors of all time. His wacky plotlines, made-up words, and iconic illustrations made his books into bestsellers. It would be hard to find a kindergarten classroom without any reference to his work, whether it’s the ever popular Green Eggs and Ham, or the challenging Fox in Sox. Suess’ work was known to illustrate difficult topics in a simplistic way, a skill he perfected while working as a political cartoonist. He addressed racism in The Sneetches, environmentalism in The Lorax, and war in The Butter Battle Book. But possibly Suess’ most celebrated creation is the Grinch, a lonely outcast who watches the Whos of Whoville from his isolated mountain, despising Christmas.

Due to the story’s popularity, it seems only natural that a film based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas was inevitable. Dr. Suess was reluctant to turn any of his books into full-length films, but at the urging of longtime friend Tex Avery, he did agree to help produce the animated special of the same name. When Dr. Suess passed away in 1991, his widow acquired the rights to his stories. She was willing to let studios purchase the rights, with a few stipulations of course. Just 9 years later, The Grinch would make his unforgettable big screen debut.
So, strap on your antlers and let’s make our way down Mount Crumpit! It’s time to learn How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Case of the Hallmark Christmas Movie

There are some films that go hand in hand with the holiday season. These are movies that we watch every year with our families because they remind us of our childhood and the spirit of Christmas. But in the past couple decades, a different kind of holiday movie has taken the season by storm. They’re known for their cheesy lines, simplistic plotlines, and by-the-numbers predictability. Many fans claim to watch these made-for-TV movies as a guilty pleasure, while others have fully embraced their comforting tropes. We’re talking, of course, about Hallmark Christmas movies.

You know the deal: He’s a small town business owner of some kind (Christmas trees/coffee shop/bakery) and she’s a successful woman from the city with a vague job title. Why don’t we know what she does? Well, that’s because it doesn’t matter; she’s quitting that job by the end of the movie. They were lovers once, or maybe she left him at the altar, and this Christmas, they may just find their way back to each other again. Each Christmas, these cookie cutter movie plots dominate social media because they are an easy target. But this got us wondering, when did it all start? Over the last twenty years or so, Hallmark essentially invented their own genre, which is honestly pretty impressive. So today, we’re getting a better look at the history of Hallmark Christmas movies and discussing the formula that has made them so successful.

So grab your favorite movie snack and cuddle up next to a roaring TV, it’s time to talk about Hallmark Christmas movies!