Review This Reviews!

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Rick Mercer Road Years Book Review

The Road Years: A Memoir, Continued… a book review.

In my review of Rick Mercer’s first book, Talking to Canadians, I said “…anyone who is familiar with Rick's television programs and comedic abilities will love this book. If you know his work, you will particularly enjoy learning about his background.” In his latest book, The Road Years: A Memoir, Continued…, I came away feeling that it was a bit less memoir and a bit more the story of his second television program, the Rick Mercer Report (RMR), which spanned fifteen very successful television seasons.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in which you are privileged to join Rick's journey to discover what a Canadian is. Whilst on that journey, you will discover what happens behind-the-scenes of his encounters with Canadians that have included the likes of the (much younger then) current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; the former Prime Minister Jean Chretien; the world renown members of the rock band Rush including Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart; the guitarist, singer and songwriter Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and Bachman Tuner Overdrive; and, the singer, songwriter, author and comedian Jann Arden. Not all of the spots are about famous Canadians. Instead, they might be about Canadian things and places including animals, cities and famous destinations.

A bonus with this book is that after you read about one of the episodes, you can google the Rick Mercer Report and the relevant individual or item and watch the original television spot.

RICK MERCER REPORT VIDEOS

TAGGING BEARS IN ALGONQUIN PARK

You can read about and then watch Rick’s spotlight on Algonquin Park in which he is invited to help the bear experts tag wild bears:

WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CN TOWER WITH JANN ARDEN

Or you can read about and then watch Rick and Jann Arden outside on the ledge of the tallest freestanding structure in the western hemisphere, Toronto’s CN Tower.

TAKING DRUM LESSONS WITH RUSH'S NEIL PEART

Finally, you can read about and then watch the episode that included the iconic musician and Rush’s drummer, Neil Peart. According to Wikipedia, Peart was known for his extreme “technical proficiency and the exacting nature and stamina of his live performances” and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. Watch here:

Anyway, these videos will give you an idea of who Rick Mercer the comedian is and will reveal some of the contents of the book in which Rick celebrates our beloved Canada and shares how the Rick Mercer Report show was made.

WHO SHOULD READ THE ROAD YEARS: A MEMOIR, CONTINUED...

Once again, I highly recommend this book for anyone with a Canadian connection, who watched the Rick Mercer Report and/or who simply enjoys Rick’s comic talent.

CBC Books says, this book "tells the story of the success of The Rick Mercer Report and all the great encounters and other adventures that making the show allowed Rick Mercer to experience. It's a celebration of happy moments told in Mercer's trademark positivism and humour.” I agree.

I highly recommend you set out on this road trip with Rick or that you gift it to a family manner. It is an easy and very entertaining read especially for anyone who was a regular watcher of the very popular television program.

Find your copy of Rick Mercer’s The Road Years: A Memoir, Continued… here, on Amazon.

See you
at the book store!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Monday, December 16, 2024

Reviewing Fast, Easy, and Beautiful Crochet Hats with Premier Puzzle Yarn

I have always thought Premier Puzzle Yarn was a beautiful yarn and I have used it occasionally to crochet throws. Premier Puzzle is a 5 weight yarn. I typically prefer 4 weight yarns for crocheted hats. But I recently gave this chunkier yarn a try with a Bag-O-Day crochet hat pattern and I couldn't be more thrilled. If you are looking to make an easy crocheted hat, in a beautiful colorway, this pattern and yarn combination might be exactly what you are looking for.

text and photos of yarn and crocheted hats

Premier Puzzle Yarn

Premier Puzzle yarn is advertised on the Premier Website as: "soft, washable, bulky weight acrylic in spectacular colors... Each ball is made with 4 coordinating colors that combine in ever-changing, softly blended stripes".

It comes in 35 colors (at this time)
100% Acrylic
200g/7 oz - 300m/328yds
#5 bulky weight
machine washable (cold-permanent press, tumble dry with low heat)

While looking up the specifications for the familiar Premier Puzzle gradient yarns, I only just learned that they also now make Puzzle "Solids" and Puzzle "Shimmers". Such exciting news !!!

Bag-O-Day Crochet Pattern

Bag-O-Day is one of my favorite crochet tutorial YouTube channels. She goes slowly, is easy to follow, and she is always reassuring. During the tutorials, she often gives tips about making things larger or smaller, which I find to be very helpful. Even if she says something such as "to make this hat smaller, leave off this last increase row and continue with 50 stitches instead of 60". Okay, that quote was loosely paraphrased. But it is similar to many of the tips she gives.

I chose this particular hat pattern, Easy Crochet - Bag O Day Crochet Tutorial #686, because I had found my Premier Puzzle chunky yarn and needed a pattern made for chunky yarn. Once I started the pattern, I realized that the pattern and yarn were perfect for each other.

This Easy Crochet #686 pattern is a continuous round pattern. Meaning, each row does NOT have the slip stitch join on each row - which often leaves a visible seam. In this pattern, you continue crocheting around until you have the length you want.

This pattern is also a half-double crochet stitch (HDC). I love using HDC because it builds the piece more quickly than rows of single crochet (SC) and is more tightly woven (small gaps for cold air to move through) than double crochet (DC). I understand, if you don't crochet, this all sounds like gibberish. But hopefully, it will make sense to those who do crochet.

And, for those who are beginning crochet, I think this is a very easy hat pattern for beginners to create.

Personal Thoughts

Personally, I think a lot of chunky yarns produce hats that just look too bulky. This is only my opinion of course. And I'm not really a person who wears hats to begin with; unless the brutal cold forces me too. Recently, I've been attempting to make a pile of hats in children's and adult sizes, to offer to the children at work. But I am a slow crocheter. And I didn't have anywhere near the 45 hats that I wanted. So I thought I'd try a chunky yarn (5 weight) pattern - which would take less time to complete. I just happened to have 2 different colors of Premier Puzzle in storage. I dug those out of storage. I ended up whipping up one hat in just a couple of hours for me (blazingly fast for my normal speed). And the blue and red stripes that occurred were perfect! Because of the gradient, I should be able to make several hats from one skein and each hat should be striped differently.

Easy Adjustments

The first two hats I made are for large adult heads. Or people, like me, who have large heads and thick hair. By the way, did you know that most teenagers and older children have adult-sized heads when it comes to hats? So many of the hats I'm creating are considered adult-sized. To make some of these Premier Puzzle yarn hats for the smaller children, I'm simply leaving off the last row of increases. That will make a hat that fits a little tighter and should fit most of our younger students.

Thinking Ahead for Next Year

When I found my Premier Puzzle yarn in storage totes (untouched following my last move), I also found two skeins of "velvet" yarn. I found a green Premier Parfait yarn and a silver Bernat Crushed Velvet yarn. I made a hat using those two yarns with this Bag-O-Day pattern. I created the most luxurious hat. The resulting size is too larger. I'll have to remember to downsize it. BUT, using greens, reds, and whites will make PERFECT holiday hats for the kids next year!

Where I Find My Yarns

I often buy my yarns from JoAnn, Amazon. Also, for in-person touch tests and color selections, I always am able to find 2 to 3 colors of Premier Puzzle at my local WalMart.

The Premier Yarns Shop on Amazon

JoAnn.com

Easy Crochet - Bag O Day Crochet Tutorial #686

FOLLOW US ON:

Sunday, December 15, 2024

A Sci-Fi Time Travel Series With An Interesting Twist

When I first stumbled upon Travelers, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.

This Canadian sci-fi series, which premiered in 2016, ran for three riveting seasons and immediately drew me in with its unique twist on time travel.

The premise? A group of highly-trained operatives from a dystopian future are sent back in time to our present day. Their mission is to save humanity from the catastrophic fate that awaits.

What's fascinating is the way they do it — by transferring their consciousness into people who are moments away from death, taking over their lives while covertly working on their mission.

With three seasons of drama, mystery, and moral dilemmas, this show is a hidden gem for any sci-fi enthusiast.

The Storyline of Travelers – Time Travel With a Twist

The story starts with five strangers who suddenly begin acting out of character, which is how we're introduced to the concept of Travelers.

Each team member has a specific role, from the leader to the medic, the historian, and even a tactician.

These people are chosen because their hosts' deaths were imminent, meaning no timelines are disrupted.

What I loved most about Travelers was how it blended personal stories with the broader mission. As the series progresses, the team faces increasing challenges, both from external forces and the complexity of pretending to be their host's original selves.

The show masterfully balances action, ethical dilemmas, and emotional depth, keeping you hooked from episode to episode.

The Cast – A Stellar Cast

The cast of Travelers is another reason the show shines. Eric McCormack leads the series as Grant MacLaren, the team's determined leader and an FBI agent in his host's life.

MacKenzie Porter plays Marcy Warton, the team's medic with a complex backstory.

Jared Abrahamson stars as Trevor Holden, the team's historian and a high school student in his host's life.

Reilly Dolman plays Philip Pearson, the team's tactician and a recovering heroin addict.

Finally, Nesta Cooper portrays Carly Shannon, a single mother and the team's strategist.

Each actor brings depth and nuance to their character, making their struggles and triumphs feel incredibly real.

Why I Enjoyed This Series

Time travel has always been one of my favorite genres, so it's no surprise that I was glued to Travelers from the start. But what set this show apart was its originality.

The concept of taking over the lives of people moments before their death was just strange enough to be intriguing, and the ethical questions it raised kept me thinking long after each episode.

The series was compelling, dramatic, and emotional, with just enough mystery and action to keep me on the edge of my seat.

I looked forward to each new episode, eager to see how the story would unfold. By the end of the third season, I was completely invested in the characters and their journey.

Travelers was more than just a sci-fi series for me; it was a thrilling escape from everyday life. An out-of-this-world series is a perfect escape!

FOLLOW US ON:

More Good Today Day - Holiday Review

Looking through a list of wacky, wild and funny holidays for December, I came across one for December 14th called "More Good Today Day". Reading that it is a gratitude/share kindness/caring kind of day, it seemed to fit in this mid-December counting the days until Christmas time. We are all feeling 'good' as we prepare to celebrate the holidays with family/friends and it seems appropriate that we take a bit of time on December 14th to share those good feelings.

Holidays That Celebrate Kindness, Generosity and Caring

Learning about the More Good Today Day holiday, I discovered that there are a number of holidays throughout the year which focus on the positive words and acts of kindness that belong under the umbrella of More Good Today! Check out the following dates that encourage us all to be more caring and extend acts of kindness that help make this old world of ours a better place to live.

Image: Pixabay

January 24th is known as National Compliment Day, a day to promote positivity by brightening someone’s day.
February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day
June 1st is National Say Something Nice Day
June 7 - World Caring Day
October 5th is National Do Something Nice Day
On the 4th Saturday in October, we are encouraged to participate in Make a Difference Day – which is a “national day of doing good”.
November 13 is World Kindness Day
November 28 is GivingTuesday - A day of global generosity
December 1st is known as World Generosity Day

Summary

So, pick a day to be extra kind, or caring or generous and discover how giving out positive vibes also makes YOU feel GOOD. That would seem to be the positive message behind this More Good Today Day!

*More Kindness and Caring Reviews to Read and Embrace:

Embracing the True Spirit of Christmas Through Acts of Kindness by Barbara Tremblay Cipak
Embracing the New Year: A Journey of Kindness, Tolerance and Authenticity by Barbara Tremblay Cipak

*Holiday review of More Good Today Day written by Wednesday Elf

Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde (2014-12-23)

Share a Little Kindess: A Children's Book about Doing Good in the World

Feeling Grateful: How to Add More Goodness to Your Gladness

FOLLOW US ON:

Friday, December 13, 2024

A Hot Cocoa Christmas Movie Review

A Hot Cocoa Christmas is a delightful holiday movie about a woman from a wealthy home who hides her true identity in hopes that a man will want to date her for herself. It becomes even more fun when she has to sneak around to keep him from finding out that the new marketing account his company hopes to land, is with her mother.

We frequently see movies about rich men who want to find a wife that will love them and not their money. They keep their wealth a secret when dating. I liked the twist of it being the female who withholds her true identity this time.

It does seem that one lie leads to another though in order to keep the secret. Plus, the question of when to reveal the secret definitely becomes a problem in a blossoming relationship.

_____

Once again, a movie undergoes a name change. A Hot Cocoa Christmas was released in 2021 and originally named Much Ado About Christmas. In my case, I am certain I selected this movie to watch because "hot cocoa" was in the name. Therefore, I think it was a great name change.

A Hot Cocoa Christmas Movie Synopsis

A Hot Cocoa Christmas

When Haley Logan Lloyd (Susie Abromeit) steps in to help serve hot cocoa at a Christmas party, she has a rare opportunity to meet two men who have no idea who she is. That is an awesome advantage for her because both men are more honest about who they are when interacting with a nobody barista making and serving them hot cocoa.

With one, Claud Miller (Torrance Coombs), she experiences instant attraction. The other shows his less attractive side which keeps her from falling for his "gentlemanly facade" after he finds out her real identity.

Unbeknownst to Haley, both men are at the Christmas party to curry favor with Leona Lloyd, owner of Lloyd Industry, and Haley's mother. They both work for advertising agencies that are vying for her new fragrance line account.

Before Claud leaves the party, he spots Haley and asks her for her number. She writes her name and phone number on a napkin for him, but she leaves her last name off. She just wants a "real" relationship based on attraction and love, not prestige.

Just to add a little more fun to the movie, Haley's best friend, Beatrice, previous dated Claud's co-worker, Ben. When Haley and Ben play matchmakers by inviting them to join them for Christmas karaoke, Beatrice and Ben find they are still attracted to each other. For those of us who are hopeless romantics, having a second happy couple in the movie, is like adding whipped topping on hot cocoa. Just makes it all the better!

Haley and Claud make a really cute couple. Your heart breaks a little when Claud finds out who she really is and feels betrayed.

Check Out More Great American Family Christmas Movie Review

The Great American Family Channel (GAC) has become my favorite streaming service. GAC offers family-friendly programming with movies that pure entertainment without disturbing scenes or foul language.

Here are some of the GAC Christmas movies that I have previously reviewed. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I did!

A Royal Date for Christmas
Lives are changed forever when a European duke's luggage is lost & he goes to a local store to buy a suit. He realizes he needs more than just clothes.

A Paris Christmas Waltz (2023) Movie Review
A really sweet & uplifting movie about 2 people whose sacrifices for others result in significant changes to their lives that lead them to each other

A Brush With Christmas
When the demands of her restaurant increase for the holidays, Jillian must choose between her commitment to her family & her art due to limited time.

Twas the Text Before Christmas (2023) - Great American Family Movie
A grandmother sends a text to wrong number & ends up making friends with a woman who replies. A Christmas invite is a chance for fun, family & romance.

A Dash of Christmas
Great American Family channel delivers "A Dash of Christmas" in time for the season. A delightful romantic movie with lots of cooking, baking, & fun.

Check Out More Movie Reviews at
ReviewThisMovies.com

A Hot Cocoa Christmas - Movie Review by:

FOLLOW US ON:

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Reviewing Calendars for Christmas Gifts

Calendars can make great gifts, particularly if you find a subject that resonates with the person that will be receiving the gift. Do you have a bird lover on your Christmas list, then the calendar listed above may be just the thing. The calendar above was created from photographs I took in my backyard of eastern bluebirds throughout the year. It can be purchased at this link on Zazzle Bluebird Lovers Calendar

Lighthouses

I love lighthouses and after I retired my husband, and I traveled the country photographing lighthouses. I have created calendars from many of those photographs. Here is a page from my calendar on Michigan lighthouses.

You can find the above calendar at the following link. Lake Michigan Lighthouses

Travel Destination

I really enjoy traveling and sharing my travel with others through my photography. Calendars are a great way to share places you have visited. Here is one I made after our visit to Quebec City in Canada. It is such a great place to visit and the old town was a great place to capture some unique photographs.

Here is a link to the above calendar, where you will be able to see 12 months of different scenes from Quebec City. Scenes from Quebec City

Covered Bridges

In our travels another subject that caught our interest was covered bridges. These bridges are becoming a thing of America's past, but there are still many scattered around the country that give you a wonderful feeling of days gone by. I have read that bridges were first built covered so that the horses that traveled over the bridges would not be scared by the rivers below. In the calendar above, I have captured photos of the bridges of Madison County. You can find a link to the calendar on Zazzle at this link Bridges of Madison County

Sports Teams

Sports calendars are favorites for fans of many teams. Whether your team is MLB, NHL, NFL or college teams you are sure to find a calendar on Amazon. Here is a link to a calendar of my favorite team the St. Louis Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinal Calendar

More Calendars on Review This

Here is a link to more calendar reviews on Review This.

Photographs on Calendars

Reviewing A Folklore Calendar

Inspirational Calendars for Women

Happy Shopping....Best wishes to find a perfect calendar or everyone on your shopping list!!

FOLLOW US ON:

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Advent Wreaths ~ A Special Way to Countdown to Christmas~ From the Heart

For many people Christmas is a time of gift giving and holiday cheer, but for Christians, this time before Christmas marks a very special time to get ourselves ready for the Birth of the Christ Child.

A great way for family's to do this preparation is with a Christmas Wreath.

What exactly is this Christmas Wreath?

It's not just a door decoration but rather a decoration that sits on the Family's Dining Room or Living Room table.

It is a wreath made usually from evergreens and possibly decorated with some poinsettias or berries in between. There is place on this wreath for 4 candles.

What is the meaning of all this? Well from a Christian perspective, there is lots of traditional symbolism involved with the Advent Wreath.

So let's break it down!

A wreath is round, a circle symbolizing no beginning and no end.
It is usually covered with evergreens, either cedar or pine, again symbolizing everlasting life.
All Advent Wreaths should have 4 Candles around the perimeter of the circle.
4 Candles, 3 purple and one pink. Sometimes Christians will add a 5th candle in the middle of White.
3 Purple candles symbolize, Faith, Hope and Love with the pink candle symbolizing Joy!

The White Candle if added is a symbol of Christ and the Light of the World.

How do you use the Advent wreath? Well for most Christians, each Sunday before Christmas is a countdown to the Big Event! Not the coming of Santa Claus, but rather the coming of the Christ child.

Each Sunday for the 4 weeks before Christmas, a candle is lit and the family sometimes will read the Bible story of the coming of Christ.

Week 1 will see one purple candle lit, week 2 two purple candles are lit, week 3 the pink candle is lit, and week 4 the last purple candle is lit. Why the Pink candle? Well as it gets closer and closer to the actual Christmas day, you can feel the Joy of the family waiting in anticipation. By Christmas all 4 Candles are burning brightly. Some family's will add that 5th candle, a White One, on Christmas Day symbolising the birth of the Christ Child.

Many times some of the symbolism will be scrapped and white or gold or red candles will replace the purple and pink, or a color of your choice to match your decor. It is entirely up to you and your beliefs if you have an traditional Advent Wreath in your home.

Christmas will come one way or another, but sometimes it's nice to have the reminders of the reason for the season and help your family understand the story!

Amazon has a lovely Advent Wreath that can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/4gx2alv

Candles must be purchased separately here: https://amzn.to/4fsLY3T

FOLLOW US ON:

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

The Magic of Lite Brite

In the age of screens and endless digital entertainment, Lite Brite stands as a beacon of simple, creative joy that has endured through generations. Introduced in the 1960s, this classic toy continues to entertain children and adults alike, blending art, design, and a little bit of magic.

The Lite Brite in the photo has been in our family since our first-born grandson who is now 18 years old, and continues to entertain our youngest granddaughter. Lite Brite has been enjoyed and used by all four of our grandchildren.

What is Lite Brite?

Lite Brite is a timeless art-and-light toy that allows you to create glowing images by placing colorful translucent pegs into a black pegboard. A small lightbulb or LED light illuminates the board from behind, each peg shines vividly, turning your design into a luminous masterpiece.

The original version came with paper temples for easy tracing, but modern versions also encourage freehand designs, inspiring endless creativity.

Unlike high-tech toys, Lite Brite doesn't require Wi-Fi or apps. The simplicity makes it appealing to all ages. Lite Brite is simple yet addictive. The latest editions come with features like LED lights, and reusable templates.

It's an excellent family activity and a way to share creativity with your children. We have spent many hours with our grandchildren designing and having fun.

Lite Brite is a wonderful gift idea for children and adults alike. It's a must-have for anyone seeking a scree-free source of entertainment and inspiration.

Find more Toy Reviews on ReviewThis here:

ReviewThisToys.com

Lite Brite Ultimate Value Retro Toy, 12 Seasonal Templates, Peg Pouch, Amazon Exclusive, Light up Creative Activity Toy, Educational Stem, Gift for Girls and Boys, Ages 4+

Lite Brite Super Bright HD - Creative Retro Light-Up Screen – Educational Play for Children – Enhances Creativity & Fine Motor Skills, Gift for Boys and Girls Ages 6+

FOLLOW US ON:

Monday, December 9, 2024

Three Wiser Men And A Boy Hallmark Movie Review

Hallmark's Three Wiser Men And A Boy is a sequel to Hallmark's very successful Three Wiser Men And A Baby in 2022. The original was the most watched Hallmark movie in 2022 and fans were eagerly awaiting the sequel.

Time fast forwards five years from the end of the original movie; hence, 'and a baby' becomes 'and a boy'. In the original movie, three brothers with the help of their mother take on caring for an abandoned newborn during the holidays. Comedy prevails as the bachelor brothers accept their mission with limited skills. In the interim between original and sequel, the baby is a member of the family.

The school Christmas musical plays a pivotal role in the storyline as the brothers volunteer their talents to save the musical the Hallmark way!

The Hallmark A Team

Hallmark fans will immediately recognize the three stars: Andrew Walker, Paul Campbell and Tyler Hynes. Each are Hallmark favorite actors who are on the top of the list of popular Hallmark films. Hallmark star Kimberly Sustad makes a small cameo as her contribution to this film is as a writer.

Margaret Colin plays the mother of the three brothers and is a welcome addition with comedic flair and a seasoned pro of film and television.

The Chemistry

The chemistry between the three brothers and Colin as the mother definitely shines in this movie. Each brother has a definite and different personality lane, but it is the chemistry between all which helps ensure a successful Hallmark movie. The storyline with the mothers' boyfriend and his interactions with the brothers and the musical was not particularly believable, but the great chemistry between the rest of the cast overshadows the minor boyfriend storyline.

The Writers

The same team which wrote Three Wiser Men And A Baby (who coincidentally happen to be on the Hallmark A team actor list) also wrote Three Wiser Men And A Boy. Paul Campbell stars in both movies and Kimberly Sustad has a supporting role in each movie also. Russell Hainline also cowrote the second movie.

Which Movie Is Better?

That is the inevitable question! Which Do You Prefer? Does It Matter?

Both movies are very enjoyable and worth bookmarking for the holidays. The storylines are not apples to apples. The first movie does have the benefit of viewers tuning in not knowing what to expect and finding great chemistry between the actors. Hallmark fans report the original is a movie they will rewatch multiple times. The sequel has the benefit of viewers coming to watch because of the proven chemistry and success of the original.

Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews

Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews 2024

Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews 2023

Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews 2022

Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews 2021

FOLLOW US ON:

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Don't Miss This Holiday Movie! Love The Coopers

The Storyline of the Movie "Love the Coopers"

Narrated by the family dog, Rags (voiced by Steve Martin), the film takes a whimsical yet insightful perspective, making it stand out among holiday movies.

"Love the Coopers" unfolds during a chaotic Christmas Eve, when four generations of the Cooper family gather to celebrate the holiday.

Each family member brings their own baggage—strained relationships, life struggles, and unspoken truths—which set the stage for both humor and heartfelt moments.

The mood is a balance of lighthearted humor and poignant realism, as it captures the messiness and unpredictability of family life. What struck me most was how authentic the film felt—highlighting both the love and dysfunction that can coexist in any family.

The Cast - An Impressive Ensemble of Actors and Actresses

"Love the Coopers" boasts a stellar cast that brings the story to life:

Diane Keaton is Charlotte Cooper, the family matriarch determined to create the perfect Christmas but is questioning her marriage.
John Goodman is Sam Cooper, Charlotte's husband, who also questions their relationship after forty years but wants to keep going and trying.
Ed Helms as Hank, their son, who is struggling with divorce and unemployment.
Olivia Wilde as Eleanor, their daughter, a playwright hiding her loneliness with sarcasm.
Alan Arkin as Bucky, Charlotte's father, whose bond with a young waitress (played by Amanda Seyfried) adds a touch of warmth.
Marisa Tomei as Emma, Charlotte's quirky sister.
Anthony Mackie as Officer Williams, a reserved cop who crosses paths with Emma.
June Squibb is Aunt Fishy, the family's elder relative.
Timothée Chalamet as Charlie, Hank’s teenage son navigating young love.
Jake Lacy is Joe, a soldier who spontaneously connects with Eleanor.

This ensemble cast brilliantly portrays the complexities of their characters, making each storyline engaging and relatable.

Why I Love This Movie

What I love most about "Love the Coopers" is how it delivers a moving holiday message despite the family's apparent dysfunction.

It's not a Hallmark-style movie with a picture-perfect family but rather a story that feels real and grounded. Each character's perspective adds depth, and we begin empathizing with their struggles and triumphs.

The ending truly stayed with me—a beautifully unexpected moment of joy in an unexpected place that brought everyone together and reminded us what the holidays are all about.