Marc Summers steals the show in “Hanukkah on the Rocks”.
(Steven Ackerman/Hallmark Media)
IN “Hanukkah on the Rocks,” a Chicago lawyer (Stacy Farber) loses her job and fills in at a local bar, described as a dive but with gourmet food, fancy drinks and a Pabst Blue Ribbon tallboy in sight. She plans a bunch of Hanukkah events, like speed dating, that somehow come together via Instagram in a matter of hours. (Beating the algorithm is the unsung holiday miracle in this one.)
The film’s meet-cute happens when fighting over the town’s last box of special Hanukkah candles, but it’s her love interest’s grandfather and resident barfly Sam, played by Marc Summers, known to many as the former host of Nickelodeon’s game show “Double Dare.” that steals the movie. I want a whole spinoff series with Sam in the bar.
Hallmark’s second Hanukkah offering, “Leah’s perfect present,” focuses too much on a Jewish woman trying to fit in as she celebrates her first Christmas with her boyfriend’s incredibly uptight parents. Leah, and the viewers, deserve better.
“Hanukkah on the Rocks” airs on the Hallmark Channel on December 22, 26 and 31.
“Leah’s Perfect Gift” airs on Hallmark Channel December 19, 24, 28 and January 3.
