Overall, a good, average holiday film worth putting on your list for viewing!
Click here to watch “Cupid’s Christmas” on Amazon
TITLE: Cupid’s Christmas
FILM YEAR: 2022
DURATION: 84 Minutes
COMPANY: Gravitas Ventures
Directed by D.B. Dickerson
Written by Cody LaRue
Producer: Sam Logan Khaleghi
Co-Producer: Marla Moore, Caleb Silvers, Teddy Van Gough
Associate Producer: George Gonzalez, Garrett Hoffman, Alexandra Kaplan, Neal Mozen, Jerry Narsha, Marty Nicholas
Music by D.B. Dickerson
Cinematography by Nolan Rhys Elias
Edited by D.B. Dickerson
Production Design by Jason Waugh
Starring:
Marla Moore as Katie Valentine
Joe Kurak as Luke Murphy
Kevin Ridsdale as Santa Claus
Jerry Narsh as Chief Murphy
Lila Teall as OIlivia
Nicole Bopp as Judy
Kendall Strong as Veronica
Donnell J. Clayton as Tony
Actor D.B. Dickerson (“Moontrap: Target Earth”) makes his film directorial debut with “Cupid’s Christmas”, along with a screenplay by Cody LaRue (“Christmas on the North Pole Express”, “Regular Dudes”).
The film stars actress/producer/singer Marla Moore (“Christmas on the North Pole Express”, “A Pumpkin Spice Holiday”), Joe Kurak (“Christmas at the Holly Hotel”, “Deck the Heart”), Kevin Ridsdale (“Christmas on the North Pole Express”, “A Pumpkin Spice Holiday”), Jerry Narsh, Lila Teall and more.
“Cupid’s Christmas” revolves around Katie Valentine (portrayed by Marla Moore) who is trying to move the town’s old railroad depot (as the railroad tracks are being widened). Because the depot is important to the town, Katie has been tasked to lead the fundraising effort. Problem is that the cost to move the depot is quite expensive and short on time, Katie needs to pull of a miracle.
Meanwhile, Katie’s old boyfriend Luke Murphy (portrayed by Joe Kurak) has ended his service and returns home to pursue a career as a fire fighter. Both Katie and Luke were very close when they were younger but he chose to pursue life somewhere else and left Katie. But what happens when these two rekindle their romance?
For the most part, this continues the trend of Christmas holiday films set in a country setting. Katie represents the person who loves the small town life and is looking to preserve some of the town’s history, but she is caught by surprise when her ex-boyfriend returns back to town and while the two are quite obvious that they care for each other.
While it’s a bit of a cliche for holiday films, I do like seeing these smaller productions taking on holiday films. As a guy who grew up in a small agricultural town and seeing it grow to a growing city, I definitely understand the characters. Those who sympathize with Katie wanting to stay home because she loves that small town life. And those who can’t wait to leave that small town and make life happen somewhere else. And some who return back to where they grew up. I do get it!
I have to give props to the staff of this small production, D.B. Dickerson who directed, edited and even did the music for this film, but also to producer Marla Moore who has more producing credits than acting, but she did a very good job and she also has a beautiful voice. And of course, you have actor Joe Kurak who has done numerous holiday films.
But I do like the fact that they shot this film during the winter (yes, there is snow in the landscape – thus not filmed during the summertime) and the Holly, Michigan small town shots are pretty cool seeing! And you get a few beautiful holiday/Christmas sets and of course, thrown in a Santa and you get a fun, holiday film.
For the most part, while the holiday story is quite familiar for holiday film fans (guy or girl return back to their hometown, meet up with an ex or former classmate and fall in love during the holidays), while holiday films are dominated by established channels known for their yearly holiday films, again, I like to see these smaller productions get involved and creating their own holiday film among friends/staff (I’ve directed and produced before, so I totally understand) and be supportive of these indie holiday films.
Overall, a good, average holiday film worth putting on your list for viewing!
