Christmas Movies Actually

On this episode of Halloween Movies Actually, Kerry and Collin get to talk about one of their favorite animated characters in all of cinema, Shaun the Sheep, in his newest adventure "Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy Bottom," currently in theaters (or is it?). Shaun inv ents a solution to grow pumpkins at a fast rate, but what happens when the Farmer gets ahold of it and thinks it's just a harmless hair-growth gel? In typical Shaun The Sheep fashion, the sheep gather their resources and hone their talents for invention with a little help from a Vet and Bitzer the dog to try and track down their beloved Farmer, who has just become the Beast of Mossy Bottom. It's one of the best animated movies of 2026 and perfect for Halloween. Also, new blu-rays for September on the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.

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Blu-rays covered:

Kino Lorber:

"Jesus Christ Superstar" 4K (1973) - (58:30)

"Hell's Highway: The True Story of Highway Safety Films" (2003) - (01:04:20)

Sony:

"Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass" (2026) - (01:10:00)

Criterion:

"Nouvelle Vague" 4K (2025) - (01:16:28)

Warner Bros:

"Interview With The Vampire" 4K (1994) - (01:22:04)

"Evil Dead Burn" (2026) - (01:26:24)

Warner Archive:

Looney Tunes: Collector's Vault - Vol 4 - (01:27:45)

"Out Of the Past" 4K (1947) - (01:29:45)

"Pennies From Heaven" (1981) - (01:32:48)

"Dear Heart" (1964) - (01:36:00)

"Boys Town" (1938) - (01:37:45)

Kerry and Collin are joined by Director's Club host Jim Laczkowski to talk about Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning classic, "The Apartment," starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray. Its use of Christmas is not to provide a sunny backdrop for a sad storyline, but as a reminder that Christmas is not always enough of an antidote for people's heartbreak and depression. But it is also a very funny movie when it wants to be. What is the secret to Wilder's success? How did this film break through the Hays Code? How did it manage to win the Oscar for Best Picture when so many critics had a hard time warming up to it? Also, Kerry shares three (or maybe two) movies from 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die and explains a discrepancy in that particular book title's number.

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Watch and subscribe to Collin's YouTube show, O Blu-ray, Where Art Thou?

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Read Collin's feature article, How I Spent Another Summer At The Drive-In

Book movies covered:

"The Apartment" (1960)

"Aparajito" (1956)

"Farewell, My Concubine" (1993)

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.

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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)

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.

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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)

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.

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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)

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.

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Book films covered:

"L'Avventura" (1960)

"The Spirit of the Beehive" (1973)

"Center Stage" (1991)

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.

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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)

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.

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Book movies covered:

Rebecca (1940)

The Princess Bride (1987)

The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

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

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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)

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

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Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd.

Book movies covered:

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

Pepe le Moko (1937)

Ugetsu (1953)