Podcasts by Category
You don't have to love Christmas to love this podcast. Film critic Collin Souter and renowned sheep expert Kerry Finegan delve into every type of Christmas movie they can find. Classics, non-classics, horror, Hallmark, obscurities, foreign, shorts, TV specials, unnecessary sequels and remakes. Even films that you might not think of as traditional Christmas movies. The great, the awful and the unusual, all year round.
- 169 - 168: Tokyo Godfathers (feat. Christine Sellin)
First-ever CMA guest Christine Sellin joins Kerry and Collin for a deep dive into the anime classic, "Tokyo Godfathers" (2003). The film was a new take on an old tale, first told in 1936, then again in 1948 ("3 Godfathers") as a western. Here, the story of three homeless people who find an abandoned baby and try to find the parent responsible, is set in Tokyo on Christmas Eve. Is this a Biblical parable? Why the reoccurring use of "Ode To Joy"? How many more versions of this story are there after its release, and does "Three Men and a Baby" count? All this, plus a stack of blu-rays for the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Read Collin's feature article, How I Spent Another Summer At The Drive-In
Watch and subscribe to Collin's YouTube show, O Blu-ray, Where Art Thou?
Blu-rays covered:
Criterion:
"Safe" - 4K (2005)
Lions Gate:
"Power Ballad" (2026)
"Are You There God? It's Me Margaret" - 4K (2023)
Warner Bros:
"Mars Attacks" - 4K (1996)
"Perfect Strangers" The Complete Series
Sony:
"I'll Do Anything" (1994)
Warner Archive:
"Wag The Dog" (1997)
"The Bad Seed" (1956)
"Auntie Mame" 4K (1958)
"Random Harvest" (1942)
"Presenting Lily Mars" (1943)
Sat, 05 Sep 2026 - 1h 56min - 168 - 167: Becoming Santa (2011)
Kerry and collin look at this 2011 documentary starring a very likable guy named Jack Sanderson who decides to get into the Christmas spirit by learning the ropes on what it takes to be a Santa Claus. He tries to bring joy to kids on a Polar Express, at a parade and by being a sidewalk Santa for charity. Does he have what it takes to be one of the great Santas of the world? Did Jack ever go back to being a Santa after this film was made? What in heaven's name is a Sneak-and-Peek and what is the benefit for children who experience such a thing? Plus, a tribute to the late make-up artist Screaming Mad George, as well as three more movies from 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Read Collin's feature article, How I Spent Another Summer At The Drive-In
Watch and subscribe to Collin's YouTube show, O Blu-ray, Where Art Thou?
Book movies covered:
All That Heaven Allows (1955)
Deewaar (1975)
Nostalgia For the Light (2010)
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 - 1h 19min - 167 - 166: Millions (2005)
Kerry and Collin dig into this oddball Danny Boyle film and come up with different takes. Collin loves Boyle's infectious and inventive style, while Kerry found it to be a bit much and a somewhat lacking in true Christmas sentiment. It's certainly different from many of the films talked about recently. What invisible signal can cats actually see (supposedly)? What is the appropriate amount of money to give to the poor when you have money to give away? What is the 180-degree rule? All these questions, plus another round of the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Read Collin's tribute to Glen Hasard.
Blu-rays featured:
Criterion:
"Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (1974)
Sony:
"I Swear" (2026)
"7th Voyage of Sinbad" (1958)
Warner Archive:
"Start The Revolution Without Me" (1970)
"Last Summer" (1969)
"Bonnie Scotland" (1935)
"Lilly Turner" (1933)
Universal:
"The Song of Songs" (1933)
"The Flame of New Orleans" (1941)
Wed, 05 Aug 2026 - 1h 35min - 166 - 165: The Long Kiss Goodnight (feat. Nick Digilio)
Nick Digilio joins Kerry and Collin to talk about one of his favorite directors, Renny Harlin, and the 1996 action flick, "The Long Kiss Goodnight," starring Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. With a script by Christmas enthusiast Shane Black, the film absolutely belongs in the pantheon of great Christmas-based action films as it offers some of the best '90s-brand mayhem along with some holiday music and twinkling lights. Before they get deep into that discussion, Nick treats us to an exclusive update on his podcast and some of the changes to come. After the discussion on "The Long Kiss Goodnight," the three pay tribute to the late, great Bonnie ("Stay a little Jesus") Tyler. And of course, there is the Book segment, in which Kerry talks about three movies from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
NOTE: Early in the show, Collin mistakenly says he's waiting for Warner Archive to release a film called "Bad Ronald" on blu-ray. Warner Archive did release it on blu-ray in 2018 and you can buy it at MovieZyng.
Buy Nick's book "40 Years, 40 Films" from Eckhartz Press.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Book films covered:
"L'Avventura" (1960)
"The Spirit of the Beehive" (1973)
"Center Stage" (1991)
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 1h 42min - 165 - 164: Christmas In July (1940) (feat. Peter Sobczynski)
Of all the Christmas films that have been covered on this show that feature little to no actual Christmas in it, the Preston Sturges comedy "Christmas In July" has the least amount, yet it still gets featured on Christmas movie listicles and has a holiday-themed blu-ray cover as well. Peter Sobczynski returns to talk about this quick little farce from one of the most influential writer-directors to ever work in the business. Why is the film considered underrated? What are the eleven rules of box office appeal? Does Dudley Moore get mentioned in this episode? All this, plus the latest and greatest in physical media for the month of June.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Blu-rays featured:
Warner Bros.
"Eraser" - 4K (1996)
"They Will Kill You" - 4K (2026)
Focus Features:
"Lorne" (2026)
Warner Archive:
"Pretty Maids All In A Row" (1971)
"It's A Wise Child" (1931)
FilmMasters:
"The Little Princess" (1940)
Criterion:
"Hairspray" - 4K (1988)
"Desperate Living" - 4K (1977)
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 - 1h 36min - 164 - 163: Jack Frost (1998)
Yes, this is the one where Michael Keaton gets reincarnated as a snowman so he can spend more time with his son. It is not the 1997 horror film about a murderous snowman getting revenge, nor is it the delightful 1979 Rankin-Bass animated special. Kerry and Collin weren't that lucky. "Snow dad is better than no dad," as the old saying goes, but could "Jack Frost" have worked if George Clooney was in the lead, as originally intended? Why is no one amazed they are talking to a talking snowman? What questions would you have for a person reincarnated in such a manner? And who in their right mind would keep their nail polish remover in their nightstand? All these questions, plus Kerry gives three more films from 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, all of which happen to be list-worthy.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Book movies covered:
Rebecca (1940)
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
Sat, 20 Jun 2026 - 1h 19min - 163 - 162: Hallmark Double Feature: Switched For Christmas (2017) & The Christmas Contest (2021)
What do these two Hallmark entries have in common? They both star holiday staple Candice Cameron Bure, who has charmed her way through dozens of these Hallmark films over the years. Kerry and Collin decided it was time to take a dive into this end of the Christmas movie ocean and judge the movies on heir own terms. Did "Switched For Christmas" convince Collin that Bure could play twins? What was the biggest medical faux pas that Kerry noticed in "The Christmas Contest"? Did both films incorporate a Christmas cookie baking montage? If so, were the characters dressed appropriately for the occasion? All this, plus the latest and greatest in physical media for the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Blu-rays covered:
Warner Bros:
"The Bride!" - 4K (2026)
"Wuthering Heights" - 4K (2026)
Gilmore Girls: The Complete Series
Sony:
"Nickelodeon" (1976)
"The Front" - 4K (1976)
Warner Archive:
Looney Tunes Cartoons: The Complete Series (2020)
"George Stevens: a Filmmaker's Journey" - 4K (1984)
"The Late Show" (1976)
Fri, 05 Jun 2026 - 1h 37min - 162 - 161: The Shop Around The Corner (1940) (feat. Nell Minow)
Film critic Nell Minow joins Kerry and Collin for a look an a holiday favorite that has been remade at least four times, "The Shop Around The Corner" (1940), starring Jimmy Stewart, Margaret Sullivan and Frank Morgan. At the start, though, there is also a brief discussion on the current release, "The Sheep Detective," which all three highly recommend. Why does "The Shop Around The Corner" take place in Budapest? What is it about this story that makes it so ripe for further exploration in how we anonymously communicate with one another? What exatly is "the Lubitsch touch"? All this, plus three films from 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Book movies covered:
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
Pepe le Moko (1937)
Ugetsu (1953)
Wed, 20 May 2026 - 1h 16min - 161 - 160: Turbulence (1997)
Kerry and Collin invite you to board CMA flight #160 and experience the TURBULENCE! This 1997 thriller stars a go-for-broke Ray Liotta as a maniac hell-bent on crashing a plane and Lauren Holly as the flight attendant who must land the 747 on her own. The Christmas decor on display here rivals any Hallmark movie you've seen and might even be a little dangerous. does Brendan Gleeson pull off a southern drawl? Are plastic soap dispenser tubes just as deadly as metallic ones? Does Lauren Holly pull off being an action hero? Is that even her main function here? All that, plus a look at the latest and greatest in physical media with the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Blu-rays covered:
Criterion:
Monty Python's Life of Brian - 4K (1979)
Warner:
Over The Garden Wall (2014)
Private Benjamin (1980)
Monogram Matinee Double Feature: Louisiana & Song On the Range (1947 & 1944, respectively)
Sony:
Moneyball (2008)
Universal:
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2026)
Lionsgate:
Dust Bunny (2026)
FilmMasters:
White Zombie (1932)
Tue, 05 May 2026 - 1h 33min - 160 - 159: Christmas With The Kranks (feat. Barry from 96 Greers)
Kerry and Collin are joined by Barry, the co-host of 96 Greers to talk about John Grisham's "Christmas With The Kranks," starring Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd. Is it possible to truly dislike a movie that features such lovable character actors as M. Emmett Walsh and Austin Pendleton? Is it fair to judge people based on their enthusiasm for Christmas or any other holiday? How closeley does the movie align with Grisham's tome? We get into all of that, as well as three more movies from 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
Book movies covered:
Los Olivados - The Young And the Damned (1950)
The Housemaid (1960)
The Spider's Strategem (1970)
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 - 1h 19min - 159 - 158: Easter Movies Actually: Rise of the Guardians (2012)
We're releasing this a few days early so you can get a jump on the Easter weekend and so you still have time to purchase an egg dye volcano. "Rise of the Guardians" is like a superhero movie, but with mythical characters we all know and love: Santa Claus (okay, he's not mythical, but real), the tooth fairy, Jack Frost, the Sandman and, of course, the Easter Bunny, voiced by Hugh Jackman. Why is the Tooth Fairy in charge of children's memories? Is "The Ten Commandments" meant to be watched on TV with all the commercials? Is there room for more cultures in the realm of the Guardians? All this, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange, one that features a Christmas movie that has been discussed on the show before.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Blu-rays covered:
Sony:
"Cobra Kai: The Complete Season"
"Merrily We Roll Along" (2025)
Universal:
"Resident Alien - The Complete Series"
"This Is The Night" (1932)
Criterion:
"Testament" (1983)
Warner Archive:
"The Man Who Came To Dinner" (1941)
"The Gay Divorcee" (1934)
Looney Tunes - The Collector's Vault, Vol. 2
Wed, 01 Apr 2026 - 1h 26min - 158 - 157: Four Christmases (2008)
Kerry and Collin watched the 2008 comedy "Four Christmases," starrign Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn, two actors who were at the peak of their fame and marketability during this era of their careers, but who made the unfortunate choice of starring in this holiday non-classic. To add insult to injury, it also features the recently departed Robert Duvall. Was Duvall mis-cast? What is up with people who play passionately play the game Taboo? Can you really visit four sets of relatives and play in a Christmas pageant all in one day? All these questions, plus Kerry gives us three more titles from the book "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Book movies covered:
A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Wild Reeds (1994)
Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters (1985)
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 - 1h 08min - 157 - 156: One Battle After Another (feat. Steve Prokopy)
"What time is it?" It's time to talk Oscars, but more specifically, Kerry and Collin are focusing on one of the front-runners to win the night, Paul Thomas Anderson's timely and sensational "One Battle After Another," a movie that somehow predicted our world today, with often comedic and exciting results. What does it have to do with Christmas? Well, it's highly recommended that you see the film before listening to the episode, because it certainly can't be explained in a single-paragraph summary for a podcast episode. How did Anderson get this film through the studio system? Just how powerful is the Christmas Adventurer's Club? What are its chances of winning Best Picture? All these questions, plus some general Oscar talk and some new blu-rays forth adding to your collection.
Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Blu-rays covered:
Warner:
"Ben-Hur" (1959) - 4K
"All The President's Men" (1974) - 4K
Lightyear:
"Heaven" (1987)
Sony:
"Richard Pryor: Here and Now" (1983) - 4K
Criterion:
"Play Time" (1967) - 4K
Gemini:
"Bucket Of Blood" (1959)
Warner Archive:
Broadway On The Big Screen Collection
"Stranger On the Third Floor" (1940)
Loopy DeLoop Collection (Hanna-Barbera)
Thu, 05 Mar 2026 - 1h 52min - 156 - 155: The Preacher's Wife (1996)
Kerry and Collin take a look at the remake of The Bishop's Wife (1949, episode #109), the Penny Marshall-directed The Preacher's Wife, starring Denzel Washington, Whitney Huston, Courtney B. Vance and Gregory Hines. While the film sticks with the original's principal characters, it adds a lot of plot to the storyline that does not always benefit the overall outcome. Was there as great a need for movies about spiritual awakenings and celestial encounters in he 1990s as there was in the post-WWII era? Can Denzel Washington really do anything? What was Penny Marshall's last film project before she passed away in 2018? Can we get a replica anywhere of the Dudley tree-topper at the end of the film? All these questions get answered, plus three more films from 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Book movies covered:
Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959)
An Actor's Revenge (1963)
Consequences of Love (2004)
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 - 1h 22min - 155 - 154: Valentine's Day Movies Actually: My Bloody Valentine (1981) - feat. Patrick Ripoll
The second Valentine's Day Movies Actually episode takes a strong left turn from the warm and fuzzy feels of the Garry Marshall ensemble rom-com they covered a couple years ago. This time, Kerry and Collin are joined by their resident slasher movie expert, Patrick Ripoll, to discuss the 1981 cult classic, "My Bloody Valentine" (later remade in 2009). What makes this particular masked killer so distinct from the likes of Jason, Freddy, Michael, Ricky, Chucky, et al? Why was there never a sequel to this film when there was clearly a lot that could be done with it? How does the remake hold up against the original? They get into all of these issues after Patrick and Collin talk about the coincidental movie project they both happen to be working on separately. Also, the latest and greatest in physical media with the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Listen to Patrick Ripoll on 96 Greers and follow his Hitchcock project throughout the year on Director's Club.
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Blu-rays covered:
Sony:
"Blue Moon" (2025)
Warner:
"One Battle After Another" (2025)
"Twilight Zone: The Movie" (1983)
"Shameless" - The Complete Series
Universal:
Woody Woodpecker: The Golden Age Collection
Warner Archive:
"By The LIght Of the Silvery Moon" (1953)
"The Verdict" (1946)
Criterion:
"Caught By the Tides" (2024)
Vinegar Syndrome:
"At Close Range" (1986)
Thu, 05 Feb 2026 - 1h 41min - 154 - 153: A Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025)
The Jonas Brothers surprised Kerry and Collin with their charming holiday offering this past season that they decided to devote an entire episode to "A Very Jonas Christmas Movie." Please know that the hosts have little to no knowledge of the Brothers Jonas and their back-catalog, so be patient with the little that they do know. What exactly is figgy pudding (Andrea Martin wanted to know, so the question is being asked on her behalf)? Is Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Santa beard real or fake? Finally, if the Jonas Brothers returned for a version of A Christmas Carol, who would they play? And how would Miley Cyrus fit in? All this, plus a cheerfully jaunty Book segment.
Book movies covered:
Underground (1995)
Head-On (2004)
The Sorrow and the Pity (1969)
Visit collinsouter.com
Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.
Tue, 20 Jan 2026 - 1h 22min - 153 - 152: Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986)
As always, Kerry and Collin begin the year taking a look at a Nutcracker movie. This one celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, so the festivities for it starts now! "Nutcracker: The Motion Picture" was a theatrically-released performance film with an added touch of storybook-like innovation and imagination from the one and only Maurice Sendak (author of Where the Wild Things Are). Does it successfully work as a piece of storytelling and staged performance? How does it compare to the similar 1993 version Starring Macauley Culkin? What exactly is PDIP? All these questions, plus a look at the latest and greatest in physical media from the month of December with the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Collin's favorite blu-rays from 2025.
Blu-rays covered:
Warner:
Ted Lasso - The Richmond Years (4K)
"Boogie Nights" (1997) (4K)
LionsGate:
"Hearts Of Darkness - A Filmmaker's Apocalypse" (1991) (4K)
FilmMasters:
"The House On Haunted Hill" (1959)
Warner Archive:
Lippy The Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series
Wally Gator - The Complete Series
"I Love Melvin" (1953)
Criterion:
"I Know Where I'm Going" (1945) (4K)
Universal:
"Skylark" (1941)
Mon, 05 Jan 2026 - 1h 22min - 152 - 151: Santa Claus: The Movie - 40th Anniversary (feat. Peter Sobczynski)
Though beloved in England, the 1985 Salkind Production "Santa Claus: The Movie" never met its high expectations, either critically or at the box office. Film critic Peter Sobczynski returns to the show to break down why the movie doesn't really work, even though it's well cast and the production design is (mostly) quiet good. What went wrong? Just how much strategic product placement went into this? Is this a more or less dignified role for Dudley Moore than "Six Weeks"? How has Peter been traumatized by this particular movie? We get into all of that, as well as Peter's Christmas episode pick, the SCTV Staff Christmas Party (see YouTube links below). Finally, we end the show with an actual gift exchange and a big thankyou to all our guests from 2025.
And thank YOU, dear listeners!
"Chu-Chu and the Philly Flash"
Sat, 20 Dec 2025 - 1h 38min - 151 - 150: BONUS - New Christmas Movies Now Streaming
Kerry and Collin have been keeping track of several new Christmas films and TV episodes that have been dropping over the last several weeks and give brief thoughts on each of them. This includes "A Very Jonas Christmas," "Jingle Bell Heist," "A Paw Patrol Christmas," "The Merchants of Joy," "Oh. What. Fun." and "Christmas Karma." They also have quick thoughts on the new "Silent Night, Deadly Night" remake, which will be talked about more in-depth in October of next year, per SNDN tradition. Kerry also talks about her new "cozy murder show" obsession, CBS's "Elsbeth," which aired a Christmas episode and Collin talks about the discovery he made on Shudder, "A Christmas Ghost Story." All this, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange, featuring some big news for one release which directly involves one of our hosts.
Blu-rays covered:
Warner:
"One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) - 4K
Apple:
"CODA" (2021) - 4K
Criterion:
"Hell's Angels" (1930) - 4K
Sony:
"Awakenings" (1990) - 4K
Universal:
The Alfted Hitchcock Presents Legacy Collection
Warner Archive:
Tom & Jerry: The Golden Era Anthology - 1940 - 1958
The Gene Kelly 4-Film Collection
"At The Circus" (1939)
"I Love You Again" (1940)
"Manhattan Melodrama" (1934)
Vinegar Syndrome:
"The Movie Orgy" (1968)
Fri, 12 Dec 2025 - 1h 38min - 150 - 149: Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964) / The Christmas Martian (1971) (feat. Dave Canfield)
"Santa Claus Conquers The Martians" is often considered the Granddaddy of all bad Christmas films. A cheaply made kiddie flick from 1964, it is perhaps most well known for being the screen debut of a young Pia Zadora. Film critic Dave Canfield returns to the show to dissect the film's notoriety, the filmmakers' misguided intentions and what makes this public domain favorite so special. They also discuss a lesser-known yuletide oddity for kids along the same lines, "The Christmas Martian." A Canadian production made for television, it is made up of so many odd elements that don't quite go together, but that's what makes it such a fascinating watch. Finally, Dave's TV Special pick is Berke Breathed's Bloom County/Outland one-off Christmas special "Opus n' Bill's A Wish For Wings That Work," perhaps Collin's favorite Christmas special of all time.
Watch "Santa Claus Conquers The Martians"
Watch "The Christmas Martian" (sorry, only the French version is available on YouTube)
Watch "Opus n' Bill's A Wish For Wings That Work."
Fri, 05 Dec 2025 - 1h 29min - 149 - 148: The Ice Harvest - 20th Anniversary (feat. Nick Digilio)
Last year, film critic Nick Digilio came onto the show to talk about the crime comedy "The Ref." This year, he returns to talk about a film that feels like a close cousin to that film, Harold Ramis' "The Ice Harvest," starring John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen and Oliver Platt. Like "The Ref," it is an underseen gem about criminals trying to get out of town on Christmas Eve, with too many obstacles--including family, cops and other criminals--getting in the way. What was it like to hang out with John Cusack when he lived in Chicago? Is this his best performance? How does this film fit into the rest of Harold Ramis work? All this, plus a look at Nick's book, "40 Years, 40 Films" where we dive into what makes a good film critic and what your Top 10 says about you. Finally, Nick's TV Christmas pick is "The Honeymooners" - Season 1, Episode 13 - "'Twas The Night Before Christmas," one of the coveted 39 episodes of the show that remains timeless and classic.
Buy Nick's book "40 years, 40 Films" here.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 - 1h 44min - 148 - 147: A Merry Little Ex-Mas (2025)
Every year, Netflix kicks off the Christmas movie season with a little trifle of a rom-com that stars an actress whose name used to be commonly above the title in past decades. This year, it's Alicia Silverstone's turn in the formulaic "A Merry Little Ex-Mas," a tension-less comedy in which a married couple call it quits on their marriage, but decide to stay together, more or less, through the holidays. Does the script give Silverstone anything to do? Should we all have two Christmas trees up in our houses in case one of them catches fire? How is it that a real-life father and son have no father-and-son chemistry in a movie? All this, plus a Santa Beard rating for the Chet character and three more movies "You Must See Before Your Die. "
Book movies covered:
"The Traveling Players" (1975)
"The Wicker Man" (1973)
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981)
Thu, 20 Nov 2025 - 1h 21min - 147 - 146: Thanksgiving Movies Actually: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (feat. Ed Daly)
Author Ed Daly (The Christmas Book) returns to talk about easily one of the most celebrated holiday movies ever, John Hughes' Thanksgiving classic "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." This movie was the career-changer for the late, great John Candy and this episode gets into the hows and whys of that turning point, as well as how the movie was ultimately saved in the editing (as many films often are, but here especially). Would you consider yourself more of a Neal or a Del? What is the most important deleted scene that could've been left in? Which country still rates the movie a PG-13 in spite of the legendary nineteen F-bombs? What is everyone's favorite John Hughes movie? All these questions and more, plus It's the Blu-ray Gift Exchange, Charlie Brown!
Buy Ed Daly's book "The Christmas Book" (2025 edition)
Blu-rays covered:
Warner Bros.:
"Weapons" (2025) - 4K
"A Nightmare On Elm Street" 7-disc set - 4K
"Peanuts - Ultimate TV Specials Collection"
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" - The Complete Series
Criterion:
"Eyes Without A Face" (1960) - 4K
Warner Archive:
"The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957)
"A Summer Place" (1959)
"Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins" (1975)
Wed, 05 Nov 2025 - 1h 45min - 146 - 145: Don't Open Till Christmas (1984) (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
With all the Silent Night, Deadly Night films complete (or are they?), Kerry, Collin and their frequent guest at this time of year, Patick Ripoll, take a look at another slasher film from the same era, the less controversial, but just as violent Don't Open Till Christmas, directed by (kind-of) and starring Edward Purdom. There's not a whole lot that makes sense here, but that's what makes it so fun to dissect. Why is one character hanging up random strands of garland in random places in her apartment? Does the killer only want to kill male Santa Clauses in the area? What exactly is the killer's motivation? What prompted re-shoots and re-edits of the final product? All this, plus three films from the Book that more-or-less (mostly less) tie in with the topic.
Book films covered:
"The War Game" (1966)
"The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935)
"Targets" (1968)
Mon, 20 Oct 2025 - 1h 39min - 145 - 144: Halloween Movies Actually: Monster House (feat. Christine Sellin)
Collin and Kerry correct a mistake from last year by focusing on a movie that actually does take place during Halloween. Christine Sellin returns to talk about "Monster House," a subversive and hilarious animated from from 2006 that sneaks up on the viewer with a poignant story of love that durns dark and foreboding when you look back on it. Is this the best of the motion-capture animated films of this era? How does the animation hold up today? What was trick-or-treating like when you were a kid? Has it changed over the years?
All this, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange segment for both dog and cat lovers (and lion lovers, too).
Blu-rays covered:
Warner:
Criterion:
Lionsgate:
"Little House On the Prairie" - The Complete Series
Warner Archive:
Hollywood Legends of Horror Collection
"Huckleberry Hound Show" The Complete Series
"Touche Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series
Sun, 05 Oct 2025 - 1h 42min - 144 - 143: Remember The Night (1940) (feat. John Zukowski)
Unfortunately, our episode on "The Apartment" has to be postponed until next year. Our apologioes for that. Fortunately, author John Zukowski was able to step in at the last minute and introduce a new Christmas gem to us, "Remember The Night," a film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray that pretty much set the template for many Christmas romances to come. The first (but certainly not the last) of its kind, "Remember The Night" fits in perfectly with our last two episodes that touched on Christmas romance movies that have real wit and class, with a touch of melancholia to ground them. This is a film well worth discovering if you get the chance; hilarious and heartfelt, with a truly memorable ending.
Buy John's books Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing The Evolution Of American Spirituality and The Only Music That Mattered: A Guide To Punk, Post-Punk and Second Wave Ska (1976 - 1983).
Book movies discussed:
The Snake Pit (1948)
A Passage To India (1984)
The White Balloon (1995)
Sat, 20 Sep 2025 - 1h 26min - 143 - 142: The Baltimorons (feat. Jay Duplass, Michael Strassner and Liz Larsen)
The director and stars of the wonderful comedy "The Baltimorons" (currently/soon in theaters) join the show briefly to discuss the film's evolution and its purpose as a Christmas movie. Before that, though, Kerry and Collin discuss the film after seeing it a second time. What other movies come to mind with this kind of premise? Can anyone do improv? What are the favorite Christmas movies of the guests featured? Tune in to find out. Also, new blu-rays, a couple of which tie into some very recent episodes.
"The Baltimorons" opens in New York on 9/5 and expands to other cities on 9/12.
Blu-rays covered:
"Sense and Sensibility" 4K (Sony)
"The Conjuring" 4K (Warner)
"You Can Count On Me" (Criterion)
"Fire On The Plain" (Criterion)
"The Burmese Harp" (Criterion)
"The Greta Garbo Collection" (Warner Archive)
"The Errol Flynn Collection" (Warner Archive)
"The '50s Sci-Fi Collection" (Warner Archive)
"Invasion U.S.A." / "Rocket Attach U.S.A." (FilmMasters)
Fri, 05 Sep 2025 - 1h 24min - 142 - 141: The Sure Thing / Better Off Dead (1985)
Kerry and Collin didn't plan on 2025 being a John Cusack-a-thon, but that's what ended up happening. After talking about "Serendipity" back in February and with "The Ice Harvest" coming up in December, the hosts decided to do a Cusack double-header of Christmas-adjacent films that came out 40 years ago. "The Sure Thing" was Cusack's first starring role in the teenage take on "It Happened One Night" while "Better Off Dead" took on a much weirder tone and ended up being a cult favorite, much to Cusack's chagrin. How does our sense of humor change as we get older? Which of the two films do the hosts respond to more? What is the third film co-starring John Cusack from this same year? Tune in to find out (or just IMDb him for that third question. Or look at the show notes below?). Plus, Kerry gives three more films from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," one of which might tie into one of these Cusack films.
Book films covered:
"It Happened One Night" (1936)
"Ran" (1985)
"The Sting" (1973)
Wed, 20 Aug 2025 - 1h 26min - 141 - 140: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (feat. Pat McDonald)
It's so hot out there! What better way to defeat the August heat than to watch Santa Claus stuck in his sleigh on a sizzling Florida beach? Who will help him get back to the North Pole? A rag-tag group of homeless minors who have no experience working with animals. Also, the Ice Cream Bunny, whatever that is. FIlm critic Pat McDonald join Collin and Kerry to break down "Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny," one of the absolute weirdest holiday concoctions of all time with a just-barely-stitched-together film from 1972. There are two versions of the film, one containing a detour into the story of Thumbelina, another with Jack and the Beanstalk. None of it makes a lick of sense and it's all just padding to throw out there on the kiddie matinee circuit of the early '70s. Everything ties together, though, in the Blu-ray Gift Exhcange.
Read Pat McDonald's work at HollywoodChicago.com
Blu-rays covered:
Warner Bros:
"Sinners" (2025)
"Final Destination: Bloodlines" (2025)
"Lord of the Rings" (1978)
Universal:
"Knight Rider: The Complete Series" - 4K
Sony:
"Stop, Look and Laugh!" (1960)
Warner Archive:
"Melinda" (1974)
"Two Weeks With Love" (1950)
"Knights Of the Round Table" (1953)
Criterion:
"You Can Count On Me", "Carnal Knowledge" and "Barry Lyndon"
Tue, 05 Aug 2025 - 1h 37min - 140 - 139: The Love Boat - The Christmas Cruise (feat. Jim Peebles)
Kerry and Collin are joined by their good friend Jim Peebles, who also guested on the "A Very Brady Christmas" episode. "The Love Boat" is certainly cut from the same cloth, but this "Christmas Cruise" remains a mystery. Is it a movie? Is it two episodes seamlessly jammed together? Why no separate listing for it on Letterbox'd or IMDb? Currently availabel on Paramount+, this movie-sode is chock full of mysteries. Where did the kid chorus come from? How are people able to buy massive amounts of flowers on this ship, let alone yarn? How can one custom make their own "Love Boat" episode? All this, plus Kerry gives three more movies from "1,001 movies You must See Before You Die," one of which also features a Love Boat.
Book movies covered:
"Daybreak" (1939)
"High Sierra" (1941)
"Titanic" (1997)
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 - 1h 43min - 139 - 138: Invasion U.S.A. (1985) (feat. Erik Childress)
We're releasing this a day early, the 4th of July, because why not? After all, the film has "U.S.A." in the title. Kerry and Collin are joined by frequent guest, Erik Childress (host of Movie Madness) to talk about one of the dumbest films to come out of 1985, from Cannon Studios, one of the most notorious movie studios of its era. Who did Chuck Norris originally want to be his co-star and how would that person's career have been altered if it had happened? Why are the terrorists in the film invading the US during Christmas? Has there ever been a great movie with an airboat sequence? All these questions and more, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-rays covered:
Criterion:
Warner Brothers:
The James Bond Sean Connery Collection 4K
Looney Tunes - Platinum Collection Vol. 1
Looney Tunes - Platinum Collection Vol. 2
Warner Archive:
Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault Vol. 1
Universal:
"Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Series"
Sony:
Film Masters:
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 - 1h 41min - 138 - 137: Brazil - 40th Anniversary (feat. Jeff Broitman)
Kerry and Collin are joined by Jeff Broitman (formerly of the podcast Fresh Perspective) to talk about one of Collin's all-time favorite films, Terry Gilliam's 1985 masterpiece "Brazil." It also happens to be one of Jeff's favorite movies as well. While the film certainly belongs in the "Christmas adjacent" category of Christmas movies, there is nevertheless a richness to it that warrants a long discussion on the film's artistic merit, its place in film history and the role it played in completely disrupting the studio system at the time of its release. It's not a movie for everybody and was never meant to be, but Gilliam's off-center vision of "the future" keeps gaining relevance and becomes more prescient with each passing decade. A very Happy Christmas! The film also rightfully earns its place in... the Book.
Book movies covered:
"Brazil" (1985)
"Juliet of the Spirits" (1965)
"The Killing Fields" (1984)
Fri, 20 Jun 2025 - 1h 56min - 137 - 136: Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Based on the encouragement of a GQ article from 2016, Kerry and Collin took a look back at "Bridget Jones's Diary" to see if the writer of said article had been onto something. That led them to go back and rewatch all of the "Bridget Jones" movies including the latest, which just came out on blu-ray. What/who is the Bridget Jones of today? How would we rank the boyfriends/fiancees in the entire series? Did "Bridget Jones's Diary" kickstart the "ugly sweater" craze that started in the early 2000s? All this, plus a jam-packed Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-rays covered:
Focus/Universal:
"Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy"
"Black Bag" (2025)
Ignite:
"Re-Animator" 40th Anniversary 4K (1985)
Criterion:
"The Three Musketeers" / "The Four Musketeers" 4K (1973-74)
"The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg" 4K (1964)
"Room 666" / "Room 999" (1982 - 2023)
Warner Archive:
"Clean and Sober" (1988)
"Lean On Me" (1989)
"Rhapsody In Blue" (1934)
"Three The Hard Way" (1974)
"Lili" (1953)
Warner Bros / HBO:
"Mr. Show: The Complete Series"
Thu, 05 Jun 2025 - 1h 43min - 136 - 135: Deck the Halls (2006)
Kerry and Collin plowed through this comedy starring Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito as two feuding neighbors at Christmastime. The experience of watching the film caused one of them to ponder, "why are we doing this podcast?" There are so many other questions, though. What makes the old, white iMacs so special? How long would it actually take to make an elaborate Christmas light trail, cook an even more elaborate dinner and then cover your entire house with Christmas lights? What did DeVito do to prepare in promoting this film back in 2006? All these questions, plus Kerry gives three movies from the "1,001 Movies You Mist See Before You Die" book. Are any of them worth seeing?
Recommended short film:
Book films covered:
"Papillon" (1971)
"Buffalo 66" (1998)
"The Conformist" (1970)
Tue, 20 May 2025 - 1h 13min - 135 - 134: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
Kerry and Collin, while trying desperately to recall facts about part 2, finally round out the Tim Allen "Santa Clause" trilogy with should be the best of the bunch, considering the casting of Martin Short. Did it meet the expectation? Maybe. If nothing else, he gives the viewer someone to root for. Is this really "the greatest Santa Claus story ever"? Why couldn't the elves put together a suitable hospital room somewhere in the North Pole where Mrs. Claus can give birth to her child? How does Alan Arkin's character know where all the fire extinguishers are in the North Pole and how to use them on a moment's notice? All these questions, plus a look at the latest and greatest in physical media with the "Blu-ray Gift Exchange," where they talk some Clint Eastwood, Andy Warhol, the "greatest comedy of all time" and Matt Damon.
Blu-rays covered:
Warner Bros.:
"The Informant!" 4K (2009)
"Dirty Harry" 4K (1971)
"The Outlaw Josey Wales" 4K (1976)
"Pale Rider" 4K (1985)
Criterion:
"Some Like It Hot" 4K (1959)
"Basquiat" 4K (1996)
Mon, 05 May 2025 - 1h 24min - 134 - 133: The Holly and the Ivy (1952) (feat. Nell Minow)
A listener requested this title quite some time ago and it finally happened! Film critic Nell Minow joins Kerry and Collin to talk about this relatively obscure, but wonderful movie that might just be the first ever in the sub-genre of holiday films where the family returns home for the holiday festivities and slowly start airing their grievances and secrets. Do clergymen really enjoy doing the Christmas sermons? Is there a moment in "Love Actually" that is a tribute to this movie? How does director Mike Leight figure into all of this? All the answers to all of these questions, plus an extended "knitability" segment, as well as three more films from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die." Before any of that, though, you get a chance to win a pair of free movie tickets from the Chicago Critics Film Festival, which runs May 2-8, 2025 at the Music Box Theatre.
Book films covered:
Sun, 20 Apr 2025 - 1h 19min - 133 - 132: Night of the Comet (feat. Catherine Mary Stewart and Marya E. Gates)
Kerry and Collin are joined by Catherine Mary Stewart, star of the 1984 cult classic "Night of the Comet," an apocalyptic sci-fi film where the world ends at Christmastime, which is the best time to go shopping. They are also joined by returning guest Marya E. Gates, author of the new book "Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words." The four of them talk in-depth about "Night of the Comet" while Stewart tells some great production stories from working on the film, while also talking about some of the other Christmas films in which she has appeared. And yes, there is also talk of "The Apple," "Dudes" and "The Last Starfighter." Then, the discussion switches over the to subject of Gates' new book, which examines (among many other things) the continuing struggles in the industry facing some of the best female filmmakers working today. As if that weren't enough, there's also the Blu-ray Gift Exchange. It's a longer episode than usual, but well worth it.
Buy Marya's book here (Bookshop.org supports independent book stores)
Learn more about Catherine Mary Stewart's work here.
Blu-rays covered:
Sony:
Warner:
Criterion:
"Godzilla Vs. Biollante" (1989)
Warner Archive:
"Magilla Gorlla: The Complete Series"
Sat, 05 Apr 2025 - 2h 21min - 132 - 131: Smoke (1995)
Wayne Wang's "Smoke" doesn't look like a Christmas movie, sound like a Christmas movie or ever feel like a Christmas movie. It really isn't, but the final fifteen minutes of this terrific ensemble film features a moving and poetic Christmas story that makes it worthy of inclusion on this show (hey, it has more Chrsitmas in it than Disney's "Babes In Toyland"). The film stars Harvey Keitel, William Hurt, Forrest Whitaker, Stockard Channing, Ashley Judd, Giancarlo Esposito, Harold Perrineau and Jared Harris. It also has a distinction of winning an obscure MTV Movie Award for a category that was never repeated ever again. Also, Kerry talks about three movies from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
Book movies covered:
"Smoke" (1995)
"Deseret" (1995)
"The Phenix City Story" (1955)
Thu, 20 Mar 2025 - 1h 06min - 131 - 130: Surviving Christmas (2004)
Kerry and Collin look at the often maligned 2004 comedy "Surviving Christmas," starring Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate and Catherine O'Hara and find it's not quite as terrible as critics (Collin included) made it out to be twenty years ago. Is it the two decades of distance from the Bennifer annoyance of that time period? How much money would it take for you to bring in a character like Affleck's into your home for two weeks? What about those lyrics they sing for "O Christmas Tree"? All thee questions deserve answers. Plus, to make up for the "lost episode" from February, there is a mini Blu-ray segment as well as a Book segment.
Blu-rays covered:
Warner;
Criterion:
Warner Archive:
"Tom & Jerry - The Complete Cinemascope Cartoon Collection"
"Gabriel Over the White House" (1933)
Book movies covered:
Wed, 05 Mar 2025 - 1h 25min - 130 - 129: Serendipity (2001)
Kerry and Collin showed up late for their discussion of the 2001 rom-com starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, "Serendipity." Does the movie take its concepts about fate and destiny to absurd heights? How many movies accurately depict the lives of obituary writers? Should the filmmakers have left in the twin towers when the film came out in the fall of 2001? Also, Kerry and Collin reveal their own Top 5 John Cusack movies. Plus, a 1995 classic, some Kurasawa, Tom & Jerry and Richard Pryor talked about for the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-rays covered:
Warner Bros:
Focus:
Criterion:
"Yojimbo" / "Sanjuro" - The Samurai Films of Akira Kurosawa - 4K
"Jo-Jo Dancer: Your Life Is Calling" - 4K
Warner Archive:
Tom & Jerry - The CinemaScope Collection
Sony:
"The Lords of Flatbush" (1974)
Severin:
Magnolia:
"Omni Loop" (2024)
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 - 1h 40min - 129 - 128: In Bruges (feat. Morgan Gire)
The co-host of Friendship Dilemma, Morgan Gire, returns to the show to talk about Martin McDonagh's great, Oscar-nominated black comedy, "In Bruges," starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. While the film does take place during the holiday season, it's the bleak morality play and violence that take center stage. What actually happens to Farrell's character at the very end of the film? Do actors in movies really know how to use guns with blanks? What bird is the symbol for the dreamlike city of Bruges? All this, plus Kerry gives us three more titles from "1,001 Movies You must See Before You Die," one of which is a David Lynch film, which sparks a brief discussion of his work.
Book movies coevred:
Hear Morgan Gire and Erik Childress on "The Friendship Dilemma"
Follow Christmas Movies Actually on:
Email us a movie suggestion, question or comment at christmasmoviesactually@gmail.com
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 - 1h 37min - 128 - 127: Nutcrackers (2024)
Kerry and Collin continue the tradition of starting the new year off with a look at a Nutcracker movie. Although, this Hulu offering is not a Nutcracker-based movie, the ballet does figure into the plot eventually, as Ben Stiller has to housesit his four recently orphaned nephews, who happen to have some talent in that artform. Can he really put on a production in a matter of weeks? Do people really write checks as payment at an ice cream truck? Is this David Gordon Green's best comedy in over a decade? PLUS, Kerry and Collin recommend a short film that is a dead-on parody of Hallmark movies (see link below to watch the film). Speaking of Hallmark, the Blu-ray Gift Exchange features a Hallmark movie that Collin recommends(!).
Short film: A Winter's Charm In Carson City (Hallmark parody)
Hallmark:
Paramount:
Criterion:
Warner Archive:
Sony:
Severin:
Sun, 05 Jan 2025 - 1h 34min - 127 - 126: White Christmas - 70th Anniversary (feat. Pat. McDonald)
The perennial classic starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen turns 70 years-old this year. Kerry and Collin are celebrating the occasion by having on one of the film's biggest fans, film critic Pat McDonald. Is Michael Curtiz's much-celebrated film more of a post-WWII nostalgia piece than it is a Christmas movie? What other Danny Kaye movies should people check out? Was Bing Crosby actually not wearing any underwear in that train scene? All these questions, plus Pat talks about one of the most ghastly and bizarre TV Christmas specials from the early '70s, featuring a who's-who of bad hair pieces and cheesy impersonators. You'll have to listen to find out.
Fri, 20 Dec 2024 - 1h 28min - 126 - 125: The Ref - 30th Anniversary (feat. Nick Digilio)
Kerry and Collin are joined by first-time guest, longtime friend, film critic Nick Digilio, who claims "The Ref"--starring Dennis Leary, Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis--is his favorite Christmas film of all time. Collin has similar feelings and wanted to wait until the movie had an anniversary, so it could be featured prominently in the December line-up, when the movie would hopefully get more attention than it did back in the day. Why did the studio botch its release? Do people still make fruitcake jokes today? How did screenwriter Richard LaGravenese get his revenge on a Chicago film critic with this film? Also, Nick's choice for a Christmas episode/TV special is none other than the classic "Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special." It truly is one of the best Christmas specials of all, as evidenced by the joy everyone experienced making it and the joy it continues to bring to audiences several generations later. (NOTE: Apologies for some of the sound quality on this one. It's mostly in the first 15 minutes).
Thu, 12 Dec 2024 - 1h 37min - 125 - 124: The Polar Express - 20th Anniversary (feat. Erik Childress)
Kerry and Collin are joined by Erik Childress to talk about the enduring--and maybe not so enduring--legacy of Robert Zemeckis' "The Polar Express." Based on the beloved picture book by Chris Van Allsburg, this film pushed the boundaries of motion-capture animation at the time. How does that technology hold up today? What does the bell symbolize? Which character should've gotten the bell at the end? Plus, Erik's choice for a Christmas TV special/episode is the holiday episode of the '80s sci-fi favorite "V," featuring Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund, singing a Christmas carol about as badly as anyone can. Erik fills Kerry and Collin in on the back-story of the episode, which can be seen on Amazon Prime (if you buy the whole series).
Thu, 05 Dec 2024 - 1h 33min - 124 - 123: BONUS! Six New Christmas Movies!
Kerry and Collin take a quick dive into six newly released Christmas movies, including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Christmas Eve In Miller's Point, Dear Santa, Hot Frosty, Meet Me Next Christmas and Nutcrackers. They also take a look at some newly release Christmas movies on blu-ray/4K, as well as a non-Christmas Blu-ray Gift Exchange. Finally, Kerry and Collin share their recent appearance on BBC Radio 2 on the OJ Borg show where they try to stump the host on some trivia questions pertaining to a Christmas movie. Which one? You'll have to listen to find out.
The OJ Borg Show on BBC Radio 2
Blu-rays covered:
Paramount:
"Irving Berlin's White Christmas" 4K
"I Love Lucy - The Complete Series"
Hallmark:
Universal:
Vinegar Syndrome:
"Santa Claus Conquers the Martians"
Sony:
Warner Archive:
Looney Tunes - Collector's Choice collection
"The Beast With Five Fingers" (1946)
Warner Bros:
"North By Northwest" (1959) - 4K
Sat, 30 Nov 2024 - 1h 35min - 123 - 122: Red One (feat. Leo Brady)
Aside from "Wicked," Red One" is probably the most advertised film of this season, but does it deserve to be? Film critic Leo Brady joins Kerry and Collin to talk about this much-hyped action fantasy film and why its star, Dwayne Johnson, needs to commit to different types of projects. They also talk about seeing the film in 4DX and why that format might not be suitable for all films. Why does the audience need to feel as pummeled as the characters on screen? Who is this movie for? Does the great J.K. Simmons make for a convincing Santa Claus? All this, plus Kerry gives us three films from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" book.
Web site with knitted caps used in "Red One": https://leedoesstuff.com/
Book movies covered:
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)
Wed, 20 Nov 2024 - 1h 27min - 122 - 121: Thanksgiving Movies Actually - Home For The Holidays (1995) (feat. Rebecca Martin Fagerholm)
Kerry and Collin are joined by Cinema Femme's founder Rebecca Martin Fagerholm to talk about Jodie Foster's ensemble comedy "Home For The Holidays," starring Holly Hunter, Robert Downey, Jr., Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning, Cynthia Stevenson, Dylan McDermott, Geraldine Chaplin and Steve Guttenberg (wow!). Of all the holiday movies in the Family-Gathers-Together-For-The-Holidays sub-genre, this one gets it so, so right above many others. Why does Collin hold it in such high regard? How did Downey's behavior and antics effect the overall outcome of the film? How much food was cooked for the Thanksgiving scene and what happened to all of it. All this, plus Collin talks about the latest and greatest in physical media for the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-ray movies covered:
Sony:
Warner Bros:
Criterion:
Val Lewton Double Feature: "I Walked With A Zombie" and "The Seventh Victim" (1943)
Warner Archive:
"The Prairie Home Companion" (2006)
Universal:
Tue, 05 Nov 2024 - 1h 31min - 121 - 120: "Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker" (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
Starring Mickey Rooney. Yes, that Mickey Rooney. Five years ago, Kerry, Collin and guest Patrick Ripoll made a pact to talk about the "Silent Night, Deadly Night" films every year in October. The pact has been fulfilled with "Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker," as of now, the final film in the series. It did not disappoint. Rooney stars as the titular Toy Maker named Joe Petto. He has a teenage son who might be an android named Pino. You see where this is going? Why are the toys Petto makes turning deadly? What about Ricky, the Santa-Claus-killer franchise mainstay? How should you watch all five films? Which ones are the best? You'll have to hear Kerry, Collin and Patrick's rankings to find out. What a journey it's been! From a crazed Santa Claus killer, to "Garbage day!" to Oedipal themes of longing, the SNDN films each delivered something truly unique. Also, Kerry talks about three films from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
Book films covered:
Sun, 20 Oct 2024 - 1h 34min - 120 - 119: Halloween Movies Actually - "ParaNorman" (feat. Christine Sellin)
First, a quick explanation over what went wrong with the "Go" episode. Then, Kerry and Collin are joined by returning guest, Christine Sellin, to talk about Laika Animation Studios' amazing 2012 movie, "ParaNorman," a movie that accomplishes so much in just under 90 minutes and does so with style, wit, astonishment and braaaiiiinnnnssss!! What is tourism like in Salem, Massachusetts? Can a rioter ever find inner peace? Just how many horror movie references are hidden throughout this movie? All this, plus a stacked Blu-ray Gift Exchange, where they talk about Richard Pryor, Martin Scorsese, Kevin Costner's doomed epic and the greatest British gangster movie of all time.
Blu-rays covered:
Sony:
"Richard Pryor - Live On The Sunset Strip" 4K (1982)
Paramount:
"Bringing Out the Dead" 4K (1999)
Warner Bros.
"Horizon: An American Saga, Part 1"
Warner Archive:
Shout:
Criterion:
Sat, 05 Oct 2024 - 1h 45min - 119 - 118: "Go" (feat. Mike Schindler)
Kerry and Collin celebrate the 25th anniversary of "Go" by talking to one of its biggest fans, film programmer Mike Schindler. The film has the late-'90s influences all over it: the "Pulp Fiction"-like structure, a hyper-active techno soundtrack and a cast of young actors who made their marks in TV shows like "Party Of Five" and "Dawson's Creek." Which of the film's three main stories is the best one? What is a rave like at Christmas time? Would the film's director, Doug Liman, been a choice to helm "Good Will Hunting"? All this, plus Kerry talks about three more films from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
Book films discussed:
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 - 1h 28min - 118 - 117: Meet Me In St. Louis (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
Kerry and Collin are joined be frequest guest Patrick Ripoll (co-host of 96 Greers) to talk about one of the essential Judy Garland movies, the technicolor marvel "Meet Me In St. Louis," in which the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" made its debut and would eventually become a standard. Vincente Minnelli's timeless classic would also make for a great Halloween movie. What were the original lyrics to the famous Christmas song before Garland suggested a rewrite? What is the proper way to build a snowman that is not the usual three boulders on top of one another? And what is the proper way to wreck them? All this, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange that covers Albert Brooks, Mad Max, Elvis and a 90s teen comedy.
Blu-ray Gift Exchange movies covered:
Warner Bros:
"Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" (2024)
Criterion:
Sony:
Warner Archive:
Thu, 05 Sep 2024 - 1h 40min - 117 - 116: Nothing Like The Holidays (feat. Alejandro Riera)
First-time guest Alejandro Riera joins Kerry and Collin to talk about the Chicago-based family comedy "Nothing Like The Holidays," which came out in 2008 and features a predominantly Puerto Rican cast. This follows the "Family Stone" and "This Christmas" formula of having all the grown-up kids coming home for the Christmas season, all of whom are facing major crossroads in heir lives. Most of it works, some of it doesn't, but it does make a for a truly unique Chicago-based film. Why aren't there more films like it? Did the filmmakers miss an opportunity with John Leguizamo and Debra Messing's characters? What is the proper way to take a tree down in your front yard? All this, plus three more films from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" book, in which two films from Music Box Theater's recent 70mm film festival come into the discussion.
Book films covered:
Tue, 20 Aug 2024 - 1h 34min - 116 - 115: Six Weeks (feat. Peter Sobczynski)
The tearjerker "Six Weeks" starred Mary Tyler Moore, Dudley Moore and a talented ballerina named Katherine Healy. It came out in 1982 during awards season and managed to score two Golden Globe noms and a Razzie nomination. Frequent guest Peter Sobczynski has been waiting for over a year to talk about it with Kerry and Collin and even went so far as to buy them a copy of the book upon which the film is based. Collin does a dramatic reading of a few pages of this piece of literature. How do the film and book compare? How did such a talented cast get roped into this project? Should Peter really apologize for bringing us this film? All this, plus a few titles from the month of July for the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-ray titles covered:
Warner Bros:
Paramount:
MGM:
Sony:
"The Lady From Shanghai" (1948) (4K)
Criterion:
Mon, 05 Aug 2024 - 1h 48min - 115 - 114: Kiwi Christmas (2017)
Prior to their recent trip to New Zealand, Collin and Kerry looked up "New Zealand Christmas movies" and this was the result. "Kiwi Christmas" follows a typical formula for an ABC Family Christmas movie in which Santa Claus doesn't want to do his usual rounds on Christmas Eve, so he hides in Auckland, New Zealand and hangs out with a family during their Christmas barbeque. Wackiness ensues. Is the border patrol in NZ really as strict as they appear in this film? Can Santa really be Santa with only six employees? Will there ever be a Christmas movie or special starring Queenstown's beloved Cookie Muncher? All this, plus a robust Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-ray titles covered:
Warner Bros:
"Godzilla x Kong: New Empire" (2024)
Criterion:
"Fear and Loathing In las Vegas" (1998) 4K
Paramount:
"South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut" (1999) 4K
"Team America: World Police" (2004) 4K
MGM:
Warner Archive:
Sony:
Music Box Films:
Sat, 20 Jul 2024 - 1h 39min - 114 - 113: Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas In July (1979)
Kerry and Collin take a look at the feature-length Rankin/Bass movie (and TV special) "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas In July" and are bewildered by how plot-heavy and overloaded it is with exposition and countless new characters. What is the proper way to react to Frosty dying (again)? Is Scratchy the Evil Reindeer sufficiently evil? And what does all of this have to do with the legendary radio show "The Cinnamon Bear"? You'll have to listen to find out the answrers. Plus, Kerry dives into three more titles from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," all of which are geographically linked.
Book movies covered:
"The Adventures Of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" (1994)
Fri, 05 Jul 2024 - 1h 11min - 113 - 112: 4th of July Movies Actually: Independence Day (1996)
A detour into the 4th of July, Kerry and Collin talk about the biggest hit of 1996, Roland Emmerich's alien invasion epic "Independence Day," which gives America permission to make our holiday a worldwide holiday because of something WE did. Suck it up, world! How does this movie play today now that we all know a little more about computers? Is there a trope called The Sacrificial Quaid? (there is now) Can one punch really knock out an alien? All this, plus a look at the latest and greatest in physical media with the Blu-ray Gift Exchange (Dune 2, Gilbert Gottfried, Francis Ford Coppola and more!).
Blu-ray movies covered:
Warner Bros.
Criterion:
"Floating Weeds" / "The Story of Floating Weeds" (1934 - 1959)
Gravitas Ventures:
"Score: A Film Music Documentary" (2017)
Paramount:
Warner Archive:
Thu, 20 Jun 2024 - 1h 29min - 112 - 111: The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Kerry and Collin talk about "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" every chance they get in this episode because it's a far more interesting subject, but because it's not holiday-based, they stick to the format as best they can by talking about the 2002 sequel, "The Santa Clause 2." Why aren't the rules consistent in these movies? Why does a real-world woman have to give up her identity to become Mrs. Claus? Why are there so many shrill child actors out there? All this, plus Kerry talks about three more movies from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" book. PLEASE NOTE: The next episode won't be out until June 20th.
Book movies covered:
Sun, 26 May 2024 - 1h 12min - 111 - 110: Nobody's Fool (1994)
In honor of its 30th anniversary, Kerry and Collin look back at a forgotten little gem starring Paul Newman, Melanie Griffith, Jessica Tandy, an uncredited Bruce Willis and an early role for Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's a "hang-out movie" that spans Thanksgiving to New Years. Why did Willis not get credit for playing a major role? Could this be viewed as a "career summation role" for Newman? What was it like filming in the dead of winter in upstate New York? Also, Collin goes through the latest and greatest in physical media for this month's Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-rays covered:
Criterion:
Warner Bros.:
"The Oceans Trilogy" - 4K (2001 - 2007)
MGM:
Warner Archive:
Sony:
"You'll Never Get Rich" (1940)
Sun, 05 May 2024 - 1h 32min - 110 - 109: The Bishop's Wife (1947) (feat. John A. Zukowski)
Kerry and Collin are joined by author John A. Zukowski, author of the book "Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing the Evolution of American Spirituality," which provides a springboard into the discussion of the classic "The Bishop's Wife," starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. Why did America need so many movies about celestial beings and angels after WWII? What would the film have been like if Grant and Niven switched roles? What exactly is a "stinger"? (we know it's a drink) All these questions, plus Kerry gives us three more titles (with a classic or two) from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" book.
Buy John A. Zukowski's book "Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing the Evolution of American Spirituality" here.
Book movies covered:
"The Quiet Earth" (1985)
"The Sawshank Redemption" (1994)
"Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse" (1991)
Sat, 20 Apr 2024 - 1h 30min - 109 - 108: Little Miss Millions (1993)
Kerry and Collin take a listener request and talk about an obscure TV movie called "Little Miss Millions," starring Howard Hesseman and (Jennifer) Love Hewitt. The film is directed by Jim "Chopping Mall" Wynorski, whose entire filmography is covered in this one single episode. How many times does Collin drop "Midnight Run" into the conversation? Do young people not know who Howard Hesseman is? Can anyone at anytime use a mirror to blind someone? Also, Collin reviews the latest and greatest in physical media from the month of March in the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-ray movies covered:
Criterion / Janus Contemporaries:
Warner Bros.
Paramount:
Sony:
Warner Archive:
"Looney Tunes - Collector's Choice, Vol. 3"
"The Boob / Why Be Good?" Double feature (1926 / 1929)
Music Box Films:
Fri, 05 Apr 2024 - 1h 24min - 108 - 107: Easter Movies Actually - Jesus Christ Superstar (feat. Brad Strauss)
The Easter holiday is when many people pull out the Biblical epics and none of them rock harder than Norman Jewison's adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice's immortal "Jesus Christ Superstar." Brad Strauss returns to chat with Collin and Kerry about the film's controversy, production problems and why this Biblical movie endures while others have been forgotten. Of course, they also go over their favorite and least favorite songs. There's also some long-overdue Oscar talk and Kerry talks about three movies from the "1,001 Movies You must See Before You Die" book.
Book movies covered:
Wed, 20 Mar 2024 - 1h 21min - 107 - 106: St. Patrick's Day Movies Actually: The Commitments (feat. Jim Peebles)
St. Patrick's Day calls for a celebration of all things Irish. Why not celebrate the "Blacks of Dublin" with the 1991 musical comedy "The Commitments"? Kerry and Collin are joined by their friend Jim Peebles to talk about what might be the greatest fictional band of all time. Who are/were the Commitments? Where are they now? How authentically Irish is this movie? How many women did Joey "The Lips" actually sleep with in this movie? All that, plus a look at the latest and greatest in physical media for the month of February, including more musicals (a couple classics, even).
Blu-rays covered:
Paramount:
Criterion:
"The Heroic Trio / The Executioners"
Warner Bros:
Warner Archive:
Sony Pictures Classics:
Bleeker Street:
Uncork'd:
Tue, 05 Mar 2024 - 1h 56min - 106 - 105: Little Women (1994) (feat. Laura McDougal and Allyson Dykhuizen)
Kerry and Collin are joined by Laura McDougal and Allyson Dykhuizen (founders of an online community geared towards knitting and garment making, among other things) to talk about the 1994 version of "Little Women." How does this version compare to others, most notably Greta Gerwig's version? Who is the "worst" little woman in the film? Do men always have to explain to women what's happening in an opera, or is that only in lots and lots of movies? All this, plus Kerry gives three more movies from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" book.
You can find out more information about what Allyson and Laura are up to at https://www.lauraallyson.com/ An you can join the party at https://lauraallyson.party
Book movies covered:
"Passenger" (1963)
"My Brilliant Career" (1979)
"The Last Seduction" (1994)
Tue, 20 Feb 2024 - 1h 37min - 105 - 104: Valentine's Day Movies Actually - Valentine's Day (2010)
The first detour from Christmas takes Kerry and Collin to the beloved and behated Valentine's Day. Conveniently, that also happens to be the name of the movie they talk about. Garry Marshall's last three films were holiday-based rom-com adventures. "Valentine's Day" might be the best of the three, but will likely be the only one covered on this show. How does the "Love Actually' formula work for this multiple-stories-in-one-day device? Can one be a convincing phone sex worker in a PG-13 movie? What are the three best Garry Marshall movies? All this, plus Collin goes through the new releases in pohysical media for the month of January in the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-rays covered:
Critrerion:
Paramount:
Warner Archive:
MGM:
"Kingdom of the Spiders" (1977) (DVD)
Mon, 05 Feb 2024 - 1h 30min - 104 - 103: A Disturbance In The Force (feat. director Jeremy Coon)
The Star Wars Holiday Special remains a curiosity item for many, mainly for its sheer awfulness. In this episode, Kerry and Collin talk with director Jeremy Coon about his wonderful documentary on the notorious television special, "A Disturbance In the Force" (now available on VOD and blu-ray). Should this wretched television special be officially released? How many times did Coon have to watch it while making his documentary? What other Star Wars-related media is still under wraps out there? Why is now the perfect time for this documentary, currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes? All this, plus Kerry gives us three more films from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," including a familiar title that surprisingly hasn't been discussed on this show (at least, not respectfully).
Book films covered:
"Force of Evil" (1948)
"The Devils" (1971)
"Star Wars" (1977)
Sat, 20 Jan 2024 - 1h 18min - 103 - 102: The Nutcracker Prince (1990)
For this year's Nutcracker entry, Kerry and Collin fulfill a listener request with "The Nutcracker Prince," surprisingly not a direct-to-video animated film from this era, but sure feels like one. What is Blue (or Bleu) Cheese Cake? Is it acceptable to have a Nutcracker movie without the slightest hint of ballet? Is it worth the effort to travel to Miller's Pub on Wabash Avenue in Chicago to try the seasonal Tom and Jerry beverage? All these questions answered, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange from December that feature a few classics and obscurities.
Blu-ray films covered:
Universal:
"Love Actually" (4K) (2003)
Criterion:
"The Red Balloon" and Other Tales by Albert Lamorisse (1951-1965)
Sony:
"School Daze" (4K) (1988)
MGM:
"Bikini Beach" (1964)
Warner Bros.:
"The Color Purple" (4K) (1985)
Warner Archive:
"Tarzan The Ape Man" (1932)
"Anna Christie" (1930)
"Madame Bovary" (1949)
"The Great Ziegfeld" (1936)
Giant:
"A Disturbance In the Force" (2023)
Music Box Films:
"Fremont" (2023)
Fri, 05 Jan 2024 - 1h 19min - 102 - Episode 101: Elf - 20th Anniversary
Friend of the show, Jim Peebles, joins Collin and Kerry for a look at one of the most enduring and successful of all Christmas films, Jon Favreau's 2003 comedy "Elf," starring Will Farrell as the eternally childlike Buddy The Elf and James Caan as his long lost father. How does the film hold up after 20 years? Did the film breathe new life into the song "Baby, It's Cold Outside"? How is it that there's never been a sequel? Collin and Kerry also give quick reviews on three new Christmas films now streaming: "Family Switch" (Netflix), "Candy Cane Lane" (Amazon) and "The Sacrifice Game" (Shudder). Kerry then gives us three more titles from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" book.
Before any of that, though, Kerry and Collin share their adventures in Pink Wonderland, a pop-up bar in Chicago that is just too pink to believe. Go to https://solo.to/pinkwonderland to get more information on both their Chicago and New York location, as well as their upcoming New Year's Eve celebration.
Book movies covered:
Wed, 20 Dec 2023 - 1h 38min - 101 - Episode 100: Trading Places - LIVE at Elk Grove Theater
Kerry and Collin take the show on the road for their 100th episode (or is it?). They are joined by frequent guests Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski for a discussion in front of an audience following the screening of the film. Does John Landis' film represent Eddie Murphy at his peak? How does this movie work as a time capsule of '80s greed and specific movie tropes? How does it harken back to comedies of the '30s and '40s? After that, Kerry and Collin look at a study that examined profanity in Christmas movies. They also share a few ideas they will try with the show starting in 2024. Merry New Year!
Tue, 12 Dec 2023 - 1h 19min - 100 - Episode 99: Scrooged (feat. Ed Daly)
Ed Daly, author of "The Christmas Book," joins Kerry and Collin for a discussion on the 1988 classic comedy "Scrooged," starring Bill Murray. For Ed, it was a memorable childhood moviegoing experience. For Collin, it was a memorable teenage experience working at a movie theater at the time. For Kerry, it was a memorable cable TV staple. Does it hold up? Are the supporting actors actually funnier than Murray? What do we all remmeber about the films "Moving Violations" and "Pandemonium"? All this, plus a non-holiday related edition of the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Ed Daly's book "The Christmas Book: The Ultimate Guide To Your Favorite Holiday"
Blu-ray movies covered:
Paramount:
Warner Bros:
"A Christmas Story Christmas" DVD
Criterion:
"Jackie Chan: Emergence Of A Superstar" collection
Warner Archive:
"Looney Tunes: Collector's Choice, Vol. 2"
Music Box Films:
Tue, 05 Dec 2023 - 1h 38min - 99 - Episode 98: BONUS! TV Christmas episode round-up, Blu-rays and Books!
Kerry and Collin talk about the Christmas episodes from Murder She Wrote, Moonlighting, Psych, The Office, Pee-Wee's Playhouse and The Bear. Collin also covers some holiday offerings new on blu-ray/4K and offers his choices for the best blu-ray/4K releases of the year. Finally, they each recommend a movie-related book ("Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever," by Matt Singer and "Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing the Evolution of American Spirituality," by John A. Zukowski). Sprinkled in are some TV Christmas Special ads that aired in 1987.
Blu-ray Movies covered:
"A Magical Christmas Village" (Hallmark)
"Psych: The Complete Series" (Universal)
"Stealing Christmas" (Universal)
"The Office: The Complete Christmas Collection" (Universal)
"The Christmas Martian" (Vinegar Syndrome)
Books covered:
"Opposable Things: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever," by Matt Singer.
"Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing the Evolution of American Spirituality," by John A. Zukowski
Mon, 27 Nov 2023 - 1h 20min - 98 - Episode 97: Best. Christmas. Ever! (feat. Marya E. Gates)
Film critic Marya E. Gates joins Collin and Kerry to talk about Netflix's latest holiday offering, "Best. Christmas. Ever!" This "fam-com" stars Heather Graham, Brandy and Jason Biggs and is directed by Mary Lambert of "Pet Sematary" fame. How does this film figure into the rest of her work? Do rich people really have multiple, full-size Christmas trees throughout their homes? Would a solar powered hot air balloon fly successfully on a cold winter night? Plenty of questions, some of which get answered. Plus, Kerry talkes about three more entries from the book "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die." Also, stay tuned for some exciting news about the show and upcoming episodes.
Book movies covered:
Mon, 20 Nov 2023 - 1h 31min - 97 - Episode 96: The Holdovers (feat. Steve Prokopy)
The first big Christmas film of the season, Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers," is actually pretty great (the first Christmas movie of the season is rarely ever good). Film critic Steve Prokopy joins Kerry and Collin for the discussion of this theatrical release that is worthy of your time at your local theater (SPOILERS WARNING FOR THIS EPISODE!). Paul Giamatti plays a teacher stuck babysitting a prep school kid on campus during winter break. Is this one of Payne's best films? What would a pandemic have been like in the 1970s? What is the proper way to make any flaming dessert? All this, plus a look at the latest and greatest in physical media for the month of October for the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Since this is a brand new movie, be on the lookout for SPOILERS, particularly in the 49:00 - 55:00 portion.
Films covered on the Blu-ray Gift Exchange:
Criterion:
"Videodrome" and "Tod Browning's Sideshow Shockers"
Janus FIlms:
Paramount:
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"
Sony:
MGM:
Warner Archive:
Warner Bros."
Universal:
Sun, 05 Nov 2023 - 1h 26min - 96 - Episode 95: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
The tradition continues! Patrick Ripoll joins Kerry and Collin once again to look beneath the early-'90s, direct-to-video sheen and plunge into the most disturbing of depths to dissect "Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation," quite possibly the most disgusting movie ever covered on this show (and yes, we did cover that Kirk Cameron movie). Is it wrong to bring stemware to a picnic? If Clint Howard isn't playing Ricky from the first three films, which Ricky is he playing? Can a male director make a "feminist parable" while his lead actress spends much of the movie gratuitously naked and covered in slime? So many questions, plus Kerry talks about three movies from the book "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
Book movies covered:
"The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith" (1978)
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 - 1h 19min - 95 - Episode 94: Anna and the Apocalypse (feat. Peter Sobszynski)
Who doesn't love a good musical-zombie-Christmas movie? Kerry and Collin are joined by frequent guest Peter Sobczynski to talk about the 2017 horror-musical "Anna and the Apocalypse" and break down how it manages to mix vastly different tones into a tight 93 minutes. How different is the film today when viewed after the height of the real pandemic? How does this film compare to ther horror-based cult movie musicals? Will Collin and Kerry be able to master their Dudley Moore and Mary Tyler Moorse imitations on a future episode? All this, plus a robust Blu-ray Gift Exchange segment.
Movies covered on the Blu-ray Gift Exchange:
Criterion:
Paramount:
Warner Bros.
Warner Archive:
Universal:
Drafthouse Films:
Music Box Films:
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 - 1h 54min - 94 - Episode 93: Noel (2004)
11In between enthusiastic discussions of their recent wedding and the reissue of Jonathan Demme's "Stop Making Sense," Kerry and Collin take a few minutes to discuss the 2004 tearjerker drama "Noel," starring Susan Sarandon, Alan Arkin, Paul Walker, Penelope Cruz and Robin Williams. Are ringbearers absolutely necessary in a wedding ceremony? What went wrong with Spike Lee's recent Q&A with Talking Heads? How does a DVD self-destruct? All these questions get answered and more. Plus, Kerry gives three titles from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" in the Book segment, one of which leads into the discussion of the greatest concert film of all time, which everyone should see in IMAX (or fake IMAX if that's the case) while you can. Don't cheat yourself. Bring the kids. Introduce them to one of the greatest bands of all time at the peak of their powers and a director who redefined what a concert film could be. It's on IMAX in September. Check your local listings.
Read Chaz Ebert's article on Kerry and Collin's wedding.
Book movies covered:
"The Double Life of Veronique" (1991)
Also on the episode, Kerry and Collin talk about "Noel."
Wed, 20 Sep 2023 - 1h 12min - 93 - Episode 92: The Family Stone (2005)
Kerry and Collin take a look at "The Family Stone," staring Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson and an impressive assemblage of actors who make up a family (the Stone family! Get it?) that might be the most annoying family to have to marry into. Who is most worthy of the audience's sympathies in this film? Who is least deserving? How should one dress when meeting a partner's parents for the first time and why should you never so such a thing during Christmas? All this, plus a big ol' pile of blu-rays to look at from the month of August for the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Films covered in the Blu-ray Gift Exchange:
Criterion:
"Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart" (1985)
"Akira Kurosawa's Dreams" 4K (1990)
Paramount:
Warner Bros.:
Warner Archive:
"Father's Little Dividend" (1951)
"The Life of Emile Zola" (1937)
Sony Pictures:
Universal:
"The Doris Day / Rock Hudson Collection"
Music Box Films:
Tue, 05 Sep 2023 - 1h 46min - 92 - Episode 91: Trancers (1984)
If you got to the end of the "Die Hard" episode, you heard guests Erik Laws and Erik Childress name-drop this 1984 sci-fi concoction, "Trancers," starring Tim Thomerson (as Jack Deth!) and before-she-was-famous Helen Hunt. Kerry and Collin decided "may as well" and dove right in. Piecing together elements of "Blade Runner," "The Terminator," "Back to the Future" and "The Hidden," this movie actually pre-dates most of those and certainly works as a Christmas movie. Beware of mall Santas! They just might be a trancer! This is some stupid fun. And what does any of it have to do with "The Room"? Is there too much of an age difference between the two leads? How can "Jingle Bells" sound badass? All this, plus three worthy entries in the "We Just Say Book" segment.
Book segment films covered:
Sun, 20 Aug 2023 - 1h 06min - 91 - Episode 90: The Barbie Christmas Movies
Kerry and Collin went back and explored three Christmas-themed Barbie movies that came out between 2001 and 2011 (all direct-to-DVD). They both watched "Barbie: A Perfect Christmas," which tells the story of Barbie and her sisters being stranded in a Christmas village while on their way to New York. What better way to deal with that situation than to put on a show? Separately, Kerry and Collin also watched "Barbie in The Nutcracker" (2001) and "Barbie In A Christmas Carol" (2008), respectively. Which is the best of the three? What other worthwhile Barbie movies are out there (besides the obvious)? What does any of this have to do with the U2 song "The Last Night On Earth"? All this, plus a bountiful Blu-ray Gift Exchange segment, featuring Best Picture winners and a couple of Collin's all-time favorites.
Paramount:
Criterion:
Warner Bros:
Warner Archive:
"The Land of the Pharaohs" (1955)
"The Last Time I Saw Paris" (1954)
"The Fastest Gun Alive" (1956)
Drafthouse:
Music Box Films:
Sat, 05 Aug 2023 - 1h 34min - 90 - Episode 89: Die Hard - 35th Anniversary
Erik Childress and Erik Laws return to talk with Kerry and Collin about the classic action film that redefined the genre while also changing the conversation about what constitutes a Christmas movie: 1988's "Die Hard." Everything about the film today still feels perfect and their discussion covers a wide range of iconic scenes and characters. Who was the script originally intended for? Was giving officer Powell the final kill the right move? Is it a Christmas movie? (of course it is, but it has to be asked no matter what, apparently). The discussion dovetails nicely into Kerry's "Book" segment.
Book films covered:
Thu, 20 Jul 2023 - 1h 59min - 89 - Episode 88: Mrs. Santa Claus (feat. B.L. Panther)
Kerry and Collin are joined by film critic B.L. Panther to talk about the 1996 made-for-TV musical "Mrs. Santa Claus," starring Angela Lansbury, Charles Durning and Michael Jeter. How did this end up being the perfect film to talk about the week of Independence Day? How is Santa magic used (or not used) in 1910 America? Finally, is it so hard for commercial-based streaming services to put their commercial breaks in where they are actually supposed to go in a made-for-TV movie? All this, plus many titles--old and new--covered on he Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Blu-ray movies covered:
NEON:
Music Box Films:
Criterion:
"Time Bandits" + "Rules of the Game" & "Red River"
Warner Bros.
Warner Archive:
Kino:
"Tales From the Gimli Hospital"
"A Zed and Two Naughts / The Fall"
Wed, 05 Jul 2023 - 1h 41min - 88 - Episode 87: Trapped In Paradise (1994)
Kerry and Collin take a look at the 1994 crime comedy "Trapped In Paradise," starring Nicolas Cage, Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz (the previously planned "The Holly and the Ivy" episode had to be postponed). How does this movie compare to other get-out-of-town crime comedies that also take place during Christmas? Is there such a thing as a "nativity sleigh"? What does any of this have to do with 1959's "The Aligator People"? All this, plus three films covered during Kerry's "We Just Say Book' segment.
Book films covered:
Tue, 20 Jun 2023 - 1h 14min - 87 - Episode 86: Funny Farm (feat. Jim Laczkowski)
Film critic and Now Playing Network head honcho Jim Laczkowski joins Collin & Kerry to talk about the underrated Chevy Chase comedy "Funny Farm" (1988), which also stars Madolyn Smith Osborne, as a couple who buy a dream home in a town populated by deranged, drunken lunatics. Why didn't this film catch on back in the day? Is this Chevy Chase's best film? Why do people wear Christmas wreaths around their necks in this film? All this, plus another STACKED Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Films covered on the Blu-ray Gift Exchange:
Releases from Paramount and Criterion.
Warner Bros:
Warner Archive:
Looney Tunes: Collector's Choice Vol. 1
Mon, 05 Jun 2023 - 1h 38min - 86 - Episode 85: Tangerine (feat. Clint Worthington)
EXPLICIT CONTENT! We don't want any angry letters after this, so there you go. Kerry and Collin are joined by Chicago film critic Clint Worthington (The Spool) to break down Sean Baker's Christmas Eve comedy about a day in the life of two L.A. trans sex workers trying to find a cheating ex-boyfriend. And it's all about the hustle! Why is the use of the song "Toyland" so important here? How does Christmas tie in with these seemingly dark themes? What are the advantages to making a movie on an iPhone 5? All this, plus a Book segment that covers some familiar ground as well as a film from the Chicago Critics Film Festival.
Book films covered:
"Tangerine"
"The Right Stuff"
"All About Eve"
Sat, 20 May 2023 - 1h 09min - 85 - Episode 84: Last Holiday (2006)
Kerry and Collin take a look at the Queen Latifah comedy "Last Holiday," which is actually a remake of an Alec Guinness comedy from 1950. Surprisingly, Robert Zemeckis served as executive producer on this film, which is about as simple and formulaic as a film can be, but its star makes it work (mostly). Why did it take 23 years to make this film? How come nobody talks about Christmas here? What's the best way to go skydiving? Also, another STACKED edition of the Blu-ray Gift Exchange as Kerry and Collin take a look at what's new in physical media from the month of April.
Blu-ray titles covered:
Music Box Films:
Paramount:
Criterion:
Warner Bros:
Warner Archive:
Fri, 05 May 2023 - 1h 20min - 84 - Episode 83: The Santa Clause (1994)
Kerry and Collin finally get around to Tim Allen movies with what is arguably one of the most influential Christmas movies of all time, "The Santa Clause". That doesn't mean "great" necessarily, but the movie does provide the template for hundreds of Santa-based movies that would come later and continue to be made today. Is this the first Santa with a lactose intolerance? Who is Kerry's favorite character in this film? Is there a darker, more satisfying fable to be told with this story? All this, plus Kerry talks about three movies from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" in the "We Just Say Book" segment.
Book movies covered:
"Rebel Without A Cause" (1955)
Thu, 20 Apr 2023 - 1h 16min - 83 - Episode 82: Jingle Bell Rocks
Have you ever wondered where those crazy Christmas songs come from? The ones you hear at the end of every episode of this show (as well as the intro)? Well, in honor of Record Store Day (April 22), Collin and Kerry take a look at Mitchell Kezin's very entertaining documentary "Jingle Bell Rocks" (2014), which examines the people who discover this music, the people who made it and the passion everyone has for it. Collin and Kerry talk about the songs they enjoy from the film, the collector mentality and even play a few snippets of music as well. Plus, a stacked Blu-ray Gift Exchange segment to round out this celebration of physical media.
Blu-ray Gift Exchange movies covered:
Music Box Films:
Paramount:
Criterion:
Warner Archive:
Warner Bros:
"Rocky: The Knockout Collection"
Wed, 05 Apr 2023 - 1h 29min - 82 - Episode 81: Holiday Affair (feat. Marya E. Gates)
Film critic Marya E. Gates (RogerEbert.com, Vulture) joins Collin and Kerry for a deep dive into one of her very favorite films, "Holiday Affair," staring Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum and Wendell Corey. While not one of the most popular of Christmas films, could it have influenced films such as "Sleepless In Seattle" and "Baby Boom"? What makes this love triangle so different from other rom-coms with a similar premise? How does one kiss smeone hard on the lips and not cause injury? All these questions, plus a stellar Book segment (three honest-to-God masterpieces).
Book films covered:
Out of the Past (1947)
Touch of Evil (1958)
Rear Window (1954)
Mon, 20 Mar 2023 - 1h 22min - 81 - Episode 80: Our Academy Award Christmas Tree
The Academy Awards are right around the corner! Kerry and Collin take a look at two of the short film nominations, "Night Ride" and "Le Pupille," two shorts that take place during the Christmas season. They also look at the Academy Award-winning short "Franz Kafka's It's A Wonderful Life," which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. There is also a lot of general Oscar talk and the various categories and nominees. Oscar, Oscar, who will win? Kerry and Collin have thoughts, opinions, speculations. The Blu-ray Gift Exchange segment also covers a few past Academy Award winners and nominees, a few making their 4K debuts.
Blu-ray Gift Exchange titles:
Invaders From Mars (Ignite Entertainment)
Warner Brothers:
Other releases:
Sun, 05 Mar 2023 - 1h 54min - 80 - Episode 79: Grumpy Old Men (feat. Christopher Grace)
Kerry and Collin are joined by their friend Christopher Grace ("Mixed Nuts" episode) to talk about this early-'90s classic comedy, "Grumpy Old Men," featuring the kings of the Odd Couples, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. How is their chemistry with the great Ann-Margaret? Did Burgess Meredith write his own one-liners? How does Prince figure into all of this? All this, plus a look at two other films featuing Lemmon and Matthau (separately) in the We Just Say Book segment.
Book movies covered:
Mon, 20 Feb 2023 - 1h 24min - 79 - Episode 78: Just Friends (feat. The Friendship Dilemma)
In this crossover episode, Collin and Kerry are joined by Erik Childress and Morgan Gire of The Friendship Dilemma podcast to discuss the 2005 Ryan Reynolds comedy, "Just Friends." Who are we supposed to be rooting for in this film? Would you be friends with any of these people? What constitutes a fat suit? You'll hear answers to these questions, as well as The Blu-ray Gift Exchange, where we look at several new releases in physical media.
Blu-ray Gift Exchange movies covered:
Shout Factory:
Warner Archive:
Warner Bros.
Criterion releases in January (The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Imitation of Life, Bergman Island, This Is Not A Burial It's A Resurrection, Lars Von Trier Europe trilogy)
Paramount releases in January. (Young Sherlock Holmes, Gallipoli, Big Night, Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter)
Sun, 05 Feb 2023 - 1h 45min - 78 - Episode 77: All I Want For Christmas (1991)
Collin and Kerry take a look at a film suggested by a listener, the 1991 comedy "All I Want For Christmas." While the poster for the film might suggest it being about two greedy kids who hog-tie Santa Claus until he gives them what they want, it's actually more about two kids dealing with their parents' divorce. Does the movie really earn its G rating? What purpose does Andrea Martin's character serve? What does any of this have to do with "Animal House"? All this, plus a listener email and a look at three of the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
Book movies covered:
Fri, 20 Jan 2023 - 1h 24min - 77 - Episode 76: The Nutcracker (1993)
Kerry and Collin start a new January tradition now that they've exhausted all the "Babes In Toyland" movies. The Nutcracker seems like the most obvious choice of films, starting here with the 1993 ballet vehicle for Macauley Culkin. Does he blend well with the other dancers? What's the difference between this and the hundred other Nutcracker productions that have been done over the decades? Do we prefer rats or mice in our battles? All this, plus the return of the Blu-ray Gift Exchange. Also, don't forget, there will now be two episodes a month, starting now.
Blu-ray movies covered:
Lost Illusions (Music Box Films)
The Story Of Film: A New Generation (Music Box Films)
The Night of the Iguana (Warner Archive)
Attack of the 50ft. Woman (Warner Archive)
Thu, 05 Jan 2023 - 1h 08min - 76 - Episode 75: Miracle On 34th Street - 75th Anniversary
Kerry and Collin are joined by their good friend, Jim Peebles, to talk about the holiday classic, the original "Miracle On 34th Street." For a movie that gives the viewer a lot of reasons to doubt Santa Claus, it nevertheless has stood the test of time and remains a Christmastime favorite. What's the key to its success? What makes the film's trailer so unusual? How are letters to Santa handled in this movie as opposed to how they're used in many other Christmas movies? All this, plus a Book segment and a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE SHOW!
Book titles covered:
"The Shop On Main Street" (1965)
"Monsieur Verdoux" (1947)
"Paris, Texas" (1984)
Wed, 21 Dec 2022 - 1h 44min - 75 - Episode 74: The Muppet Christmas Carol - 30th Anniversary (feat. Matt Fagerholm)
Matt Fagerholm joins Collin and Kerry to talk ALL things Muppets! In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of "The Muppet Christmas Carol," the three get into Muppet Christmas specials of the past as well as the other Muppet films. How does Michael Caine approach sharing screen space with non-humans? How does the new Disney+ version of The Muppets compare to the original? What happens when you hit Pause on the blu-ray version? All this, plus a Rainbow Connection is made between the main topic and the Book segment.
FIlms covered in Book segment:
"The Muppet Movie" (1979)
"Onibaba" (1964)
"Zabriskie Point" (1970)
Thu, 15 Dec 2022 - 1h 53min - 74 - Episode 73: The Man Who Came To Dinner (80th Anniversary)
Kerry and Collin squeeze in a previously unplanned episode by celebrating the 80th anniversary of "The Man Who Came To Dinner," starring Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan and Monty Woolley. This movie never quite gets its due, except for the occasional "alternative Christmas movie" list. Don't we all wish we could be Sheridan Whiteside once in a while? Who is capable of stealing his thunder when he/she enters the room? What was Bette Davis' own reaction to the film? All this, plus three films in the Book segment, one of which is directly related to the main topic.
Movies covered in the Book segment:
"The Wizard of Oz" (1939)
"The Hustler" (1961)
"Kiss of the Spider Woman" (1985)
Sat, 10 Dec 2022 - 1h 11min - 73 - Episode 72: Violent Night
Kerry and Collin take a look at the very R-rated theatrical release, "Violent Night," starring David Harbour ("Stranger Things") as Santa Claus, who gets caught up in a "Die Hard"-like situation. Ho-ho-ho, will he now have a machine gun? How does "Violent Night" measure up against other R-rated Christmas fare? Should David Harbour play Santa more often? What is Kerry's new favorite word? You'll have to listen to the "Book" segment to find out. Oh, and since this is a new movie... {{{SPOILERS!!!!}}}
Sat, 03 Dec 2022 - 1h 15min - 72 - Episode 71: BONUS! Blu-ray Gift Exchange Blow-out Bonanza Blitztravaganza,... in 4K!
Erik Childress joins Collin and Kerry to talk about a TON of Christmas movies that are making their blu-ray or 4K debuts this year. A lot of classics, non-classics, TV specials and obscurities, as well as a run-down of other physical media releases over the last year, all designed to help you with gift ideas for the movie lover in your life. There's something for everyone! Turn off the motion smoothing! Turn on the blu-ray player! It's time for the ultimate Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Mon, 28 Nov 2022 - 1h 54min - 71 - Episode 70: A Christmas Story Christmas
Seventy episodes after their debut, Collin and Kerry return to the adventures of Ralphie and the gang with the first direct sequel to "A Christmas Story," a film that carries with it some baggage for the hosts. "A Christmas Story Christmas" has a lot to live up to for many people. Did Peter Billingsly and his team pull it off? Or does it belong in the scrap-heap with the dreadful "A Christmas Story 2"? Would Jean Shepherd be proud? How does Julie Haggerty compare with Melinda Dillon? Learn all this and more, plus Kerry gives us three popular titles from the We Just Say Book segment.
Book titles covered:
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969)
"Airplane!" (1980)
"Amadeus" (1984)
Sun, 20 Nov 2022 - 1h 20min - 70 - Episode 69: Falling For Christmas (feat. Leo Brady)
The first big Christmas movie of 2022 is here! And it looks and sounds just like every other lame Hallmark/Lifetime movie instead of something with the slightest hint of ambition. Film critic Leo Brady (amovieguy.com) joins Collin and Kerry to look at whether or not this vehicle is worthy of a Lindsay Lohan comeback. Does she still got it? Are amnesia movies reflecting any kind of reality we all live in? What does any of this have to do with the Bill Murray comedy "Meatballs"? All this and more as Kerry gives us an update on the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
"We Just Say Book" movies covered:
"City of God" (2002)
"Deliverance" (1972)
"Scorpio Rising" (1963)
Mon, 14 Nov 2022 - 1h 22min
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