Hanukkah on the Rocks (2024) Hallmark Hanukkah Movie | The Critic and the Cynic

Dave (The Critic) and Hilary (The Cynic) take on *Hanukkah on the Rocks*, a Hallmark holiday movie that shifts the focus from Christmas to Hanukkah. While the film earns points for its cultural authenticity and attention to detail, lackluster characters and an uninspired script leave much to be desired. 🎥 *Hanukkah on the Rocks* at a Glance: - **Premise:** A recently unemployed lawyer, Tori, stumbles into a Chicago bar while searching for Hanukkah candles. She discovers love, new purpose, and the courage to transform her life—all over cocktails. - **Tagline:** “To life in a new light.” - **Highlights:** Accurate portrayals of Hanukkah traditions and bartending, but flat characters and stilted dialogue undercut the story. 🔍 Key Moments Discussed: - A proper depiction of menorah lighting: A refreshing focus on getting the details right. - Bartending authenticity: Actual cocktail recipes and techniques add a splash of realism. - Weak storytelling: A script that “tells” rather than “shows” leaves the characters feeling hollow. - Cookie catastrophe: A hilariously misguided attempt at baking realism. 🎙️ Listen to the full episode now: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-critic-and-the-cynic/id1779069458 ⭐ Final Verdict: - **Hilary:** 50% – “I appreciate the effort, but it wasn’t good.” - **Dave:** 50% – “A nice focus on tradition, but everything else fell flat.”