Hallmark 2025 movie podcast recap. Thanksgiving pt 3 (Christmas Cup, Catnip Cafe) with Dara

·1 hr 3 min·5 clips

Film critic Rachel Wagner and Dara dissect the Hallmark Thanksgiving movies 'Christmas Cup' and 'Christmas at the Catnip Cafe'.

The episode begins with hosts Rachel Wagner and Dara introducing their review of two Hallmark Thanksgiving weekend movies. Dara notes the challenge of keeping up with the seven-movie Thanksgiving slate. Rachel mentions her other reviewing duties on the KSL Movie Show. They discuss the overall Hallmark season, finding it stronger leading up to Thanksgiving. The first movie reviewed is 'Christmas Cup', directed by Robin Dunne and starring Rhiannon Fish and Ben Rosenbaum. Rachel criticizes the movie's low-budget feel, particularly the cheap obstacle course games like eggnog chugging and light untangling. Dara agrees, though notes the fun cameos from 'When Calls the Heart' cast members like Kevin McGarry and Andrea Brooks. They discuss the weak villain subplot and an abrupt character turnaround. Rachel compares it unfavorably to other Hallmark competition movies like 'Road to Christmas'. They both give it 2.5 out of 5 crowns. The second movie is 'Christmas at the Catnip Cafe', directed by Lucy Guest and starring Paul Campbell and Erin Cahill. Dara watched it with her sister and found it cozy, despite being allergic to cats. Rachel questions the plot's central conflict, as selling shares in a successful cafe shouldn't necessitate its closure. They praise the leads' chemistry and mature conversation about wanting children, a rarity in Hallmark movies. They highlight fun details like a puppetry cameo by Kimberly Sustad and a subplot about a foster child getting adopted. Rachel appreciates the acknowledgment that leaving city life is a significant decision. The movie ends with the female lead choosing to keep the cafe. They rate it 3 to 3.25 crowns. The episode ends with promotional details for their podcasts, YouTube channels, and Patreon, which features watch-alongs with actors like Erin Cahill and Paul Campbell.

As heard by us

A relaxed Hallmark double feature weighs holiday romance logic through pursuit, gifting, a purple sweater, and one Hawaii detour.

The episode turns a Thanksgiving-weekend catch-up into a two-movie look at the comforts and quirks of Hallmark holiday romance. Rachel Wagner and Dara talk through Christmas Cup and Christmas at the Catnip Cafe, weighing the seasonal pileup of releases against the relationship…

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Why you'd press play

Press play when two Thanksgiving-weekend Christmas movies and one debatable purple sweater sound like a fine holiday evening.

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