Coopers' Camera

I don't know where to start. I just finished watching the movie at its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and I am still recovering from over 90 minutes of non stop laughter. Imagine, if you could, every family dysfunction that you have ever experienced condensed into 90 minutes.

Between cringing, laughing and dying from emotional flashbacks I have never enjoyed a movie more.

I have to commend a cast that was able to pull this little gem off as according to the director it was shot in 11 days. The characters ranged from the repressed and emotionally stunted father to an alcohol fuelled, racists, mullet sporting, date rapist and multiple vehicular homicidal maniac uncle.

This is a unique film and deserves a wider release than it will get. I can only hope that it will become a cult classic to be referenced and plagiarised at will.

Go see this movie you will not regret it and you too shall appreciate the phrase "Balls deep" and you will never look at a mannequin in the same way again.

Relentlessly funny, with scenes that I know I'll never forget, I just can't fault this movie, you tune in not expecting much and it just pummels you from start to end. This is one cult-classic sleeper hit and a whole new xmas movie tradition.

And I just have to rave over the 'piney-puke' scene, and you will too, but that had to be some story gag that never found a good home till now, because it's simply priceless...

And to Jason Jones and Mike Beaver, please, please, please, walk away, never even think 'sequel', it can't be done, and on the other hand, I so hope to see more from you guys... bravo to cast and crew,

Although the movie concept was an interesting one, it failed to generate many nostalgic laughs, nor did it remind me very much of the 1985 era, or of my own family Christmas's, thank goodness. The movie's concept is supposed to be that dad wraps up a used VHS video camera for the family Christmas gift that he had to settle taking in lieu of a $2,000 debt owed to him by a shady friend played by Dave Foley who used the video camera to make his amateur porn.

Grandma is played by Jayne Eastwood, and she is just not happy with anything about Christmas other than the hard liquor. Grandpa is deaf as a door nail, and his three daughters do not have much use for him as they are reminded how awful their childhood was with him as their dad.

Jason Jones is the sad sack dad, whose Don Juan smarmy brother played by Peter Klegehan continues to make passes at his sister in law who just happens to be about four months pregnant when coincidentally was the last time the two secretly met. Rounding out the dysfunctional adults is the heavy drinking mullet head brother in law played by Mike Beaver.

So by now you have probably figured out that when you mix a lot of heavy drinking, a dysfunctional family with a few teenage kids who are also a bit warped. and provide them with their first ever video camera, nothing is off limits. In one particular scene dad, played by Jason Jones is sitting on the toilet doing what comes naturally and this is where I thought the movie should have ended......on the bathroom throne.

This is a two star flusher, with a pretty bad smell. Don't waste any more time watching it than you would exert on a good bowel movement.

This Christmas movie is not for the faint of heart!

I watch this movie every Christmas season and I swear it gets better each viewing.

Crude, harsh, no holds barred dysfunctional hilarity throughout! I literally laugh til I'm crying every time I watch!

As some of you might know, I write for and orchestrate Ruthless Reviews. O.K., I know, big deal. Sometimes our readers throw us a pearl. This time the pearl bore fruit in the form of this deliciously vulgar but infinitely watchable movie.

The only reasonable way that I can describe this VHS film is the joy that a dog incurs when it eats its own vomit. Yes, it is that good. From the endless mullets to the crazy Family Values, this film separates the wheat from the chaff. You are either all-in for Christmas mockery, or you are not.

Unless you are some sort of hard-core, Born-Again Christmas Freak, you should give yourself a chance to enjoy this movie. Drinking is HIGHLY recommended if you are to fully enjoy this masterpiece.

What a wonderful surprise. Thank you Winston Smith for drawing this to my attention.