User reviews

The Cooper family (Jason Jones and Samantha Bee) accepted a video camera in 1985 in exchange for $2000 a friend (Dave Foley) needed to pay off a debt. They filmed the festivities, and 25 years later the tapes have been unveiled.

This film works off a few familiar premises... the found footage of "Blair Witch" or "Cloverfield", mixed with the humor of returning to the 1980s, as with "Wedding Singer" or "Hot Tub Time Machine". Perhaps, miraculously, Jones (both star and writer) seems to not repeat jokes already in the other films.

Crimped hair, New Coke, and more Star Was references than in any other film I've ever seen... and I've seen a lot of Star Wars references. I think this will appeal to a wide variety of people, both geeks and nerds, but also those who may want to relive the 1980s or see Dave Foley's bare behind.

There's a really great running joke about Viagra, where they ask, who would ever go to the doctor to get their penis to work? It's funny because it's probably true: what seemed outlandish in 1985 today seems common: male enhancement is constantly being advertised and I suspect is widely used.

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.

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.

Refers to Disney's fort wilderness, it was the campground. The lodge only opened in 1991. So he refers to a very expensive camping stay for 1985. This is the most disturbing movie family.

Made it to 25 minute mark then it got real messed up. Re-wound to make sure of what he said. Yup. Not.Funny. At. All.

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.

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,

watched this not expecting much and I have to say a much funnier film then the crap that Hollywood churns out every year.

It was original and the characters were amazingly too close to people most people are related to. Uncle nick was the funniest character of all.

Absolutely amazing film. Really enjoyed it I was rolling on the floor laughing. HILARIOUS !!! GENIUS!! compare this to "the other guys" just recently come out, and "Due date" which were massive let-downs, I would have been happier paying to watch coopers camera, because its actually funny. AWESOME!!!!

If you were an adult in the '80s, you might feel very nostalgic watching this, although you could also feel embarrassed to admit it! Anybody of any age though, that likes bit of crude and silly will love it! Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall) shows a side of himself we have never seen.

This movie is an instant Christmas classic!

For a little over an hour I found myself somewhere between laughing and cringing. If you remember the 80's or would have liked to - you should see this movie.

A good job by the following combined with some pretty rock solid editing made for a great film, specifically:

Mike Beaver - did an amazing job as Uncle Nick, steals the show really. Too many funny scenes to list from the tree crash to the drunk sledding

Jason Jones - was lovable as a drunken Gord Cooper and

Samantha Bee - was good as his pregnant wife

Dave Foley - although not starring in the movie, you'll see more than enough of him

Peter Keleghan - plays a hilarious (yet classy) Uncle Tim

I'd love to know where I can buy it b/c its going to be an annual movie right up there with A Christmas Story.

Loved it!

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!