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Cup of Cheer
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Wikipedia article
'Cup of Cheer' is a Canadian comedy Christmas film, directed by Jake Horowitz and released in 2020.Barry Hertz, [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/reviews/article-supremely-silly-cup-of-cheer-parodies-the-spoof-proof-hallmark/ "Supremely silly Cup of Cheer parodies the spoof-proof Hallmark Christmas movie canon"]. 'The Globe and Mail', November 2, 2020. A parody of the Hallmark Channel lineup of romantic Christmas television movies, the film stars Storm Steenson as Mary, a journalist who returns to her hometown of Snowy Heights to write a story about smalltown Christmas cheer, only to meet and fall in love with Chris, the owner of a hot chocolate shop at risk of failing due to the impending launch of a corporate chain competitor next door.Chris Knight, [https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/movies/cup-of-cheer-is-a-naughty-christmas-comedy-and-thats-nice "Cup of Cheer is a naughty Christmas comedy, and that's nice"]. 'National Post', November 5, 2020.
The cast also includes Liam Marshall as Chris's brother Keith; Jacob Hogan as Arthur, a British time traveller who insists that everybody must pronounce his name Authuh; and Helly Chester as town busybody Mrs. Clovenwitch.Jonathan W. Hickman, [https://times-herald.com/news/2020/11/cup-of-cheer-christmas-spoof-is-profane-throwback "Cup of Cheer: Christmas spoof is profane throwback"]. 'Newnan Times-Herald', November 6, 2020. The film's broad humour, and parody of genre tropes, have been compared by critics to 'Airplane!', 'The Naked Gun' and the 'Scary Movie' series.
Production and distribution
The film was shot primarily in Orillia, Ontario in early 2020,Nathan Taylor, [https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/trailer-released-for-x-mas-rated-comedy-shot-in-orillia-2692775 "Trailer released for 'X-mas-rated' comedy shot in Orillia"]. 'Newmarket Today', September 7, 2020. and was acquired for distribution by IndieCan Entertainment.Lauren Malyk, [https://playbackonline.ca/2020/09/08/deals-sinking-ship-violation-cup-of-cheer/ "Deals: Sinking Ship, Violation, Cup of Cheer"]. 'Playback', September 8, 2020. With social distancing protocols still in place at movie theatres due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film had its theatrical premiere on November 5 at the 5 Drive-In in Oakville, as the first half of a double bill with the 2003 Christmas comedy film 'Bad Santa'.Tyler Collins, [https://oakvillenews.org/oakville-culture-and-lifestyle/local-cinemas-ready-for-holiday-events/ "Local cinemas ready for holiday events"]. 'Oakville News', October 30, 2020. It was screened for the next three days at the Sunset Barrie Drive-In in Oro-Medonte between Orillia and Barrie, again as a double-bill with 'Bad Santa', and was commercially distributed in the rest of North America with a two-week free screening period on Tubi.Nathan Taylor, [https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/cup-of-cheer-gets-toasty-reception-at-drive-in-2858993 "Cup of Cheer gets toasty reception at drive-in"]. 'Orillia Matters', November 7, 2020.
Reception
Going by review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of with an average rating of from critics, based on reviews.
Chris Knight of Postmedia rated the film four stars out of five, writing that "In the spirit of spoofs (and of Christmas!) Horowitz packs his movie with all manner of silly humour, from running gags to blink-and-miss-it background wackiness, and leaps of illogic. Its also the first movie Ive seen make comedic hay of the 1944 Morgenthau Plan for post-war German disarmament." He ultimately concluded that the film would be best appreciated by people who enjoy Hallmark Christmas films in principle, but need an irreverent break from them and want to spend some time with "the holiday equivalent of a tipsy relative telling off-colour jokes after dinner".
For CTV News, Richard Crouse rated the film three stars, opining that "Essentially 'Cup of Cheer' is a series of bad puns strung together with tinsel. Its commitment to Christmas clichs, wordplay and double entendre gags is truly remarkable but Jake Horowitz, director and co-writer (with Andy Lewis), keeps things lively with quick pacing. If you care for a joke, dont worry, there will be another one in ten seconds. Dont be a Grinch. Its a dizzying onslaught well delivered by a game cast. 'Cup of Cheer' feels like a sketch blown up to feature length and may be best enjoyed after a glass or two of your own cup of cheer of choice (unless youre going to the drive in!)."Richard Crouse, [https://www.richardcrouse.ca/tag/cup-of-cheer/ "CTV NEWS AT 11:30: MORE MOVIES AND TV SHOWS TO STREAM THIS WEEKEND!"]. CTV News Toronto, November 8, 2020.
See also
* List of Christmas films
References
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