Christmas Movies Actually

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:

"North By Northwest" (1959)

"The Man In Grey" (1943)

"M*A*S*H" (1970)

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:

"Real Life" 4K (1979)

"Mother" 4K (1996)

Sony:

"Can't Hardly Wait" 4K (1998)

Warner Archive:

"Harum Scarum" (1965)

"Marie: A True Story" (1986)

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:

"Great Expectations" (1946)

"Playtime" (1967)

"The Searchers" (1956)

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:

"Twister" (1996) (4K)

"Challengers" (2024)

Paramount:

"Swingers" (1996)

"When Worlds Collide" (1951)

MGM:

"The Mighty Quinn" (1989)

Sony:

"The Lady From Shanghai" (1948) (4K)

Criterion:

"Perfect Days" (2023) (4K)

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:

"Purple Rain" (1984) (4K)

"Godzilla x Kong: New Empire" (2024)

"American Fiction" (2023)

Criterion:

"Blue Velvet" (1986) 4K

"Fear and Loathing In las Vegas" (1998) 4K

Paramount: 

"South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut" (1999) 4K

"Team America: World Police" (2004) 4K

MGM:

"Class" (1983)

Warner Archive:

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (1941)

"Act of Violence" (1948)

"The Man I Love" (1946)

"The Shining Hour" (1938)

Sony:

"Shotgun Stories" (2008)

"Cat Ballou" (1965)

Music Box Films:

"Ennio" (2024)

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)

"Muriel's Wedding" (1995)

"Mad Max" (1979)

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.

"Dune: Part 2" 4K (2024)

Criterion:

"Floating Weeds" / "The Story of Floating Weeds" (1934 - 1959)

Gravitas Ventures:

"Gilbert" (2017)

"Score: A Film Music Documentary" (2017)

Paramount:

"Into the Wild" (2007)

Warner Archive: 

"You're A Big Boy Now" (1966)

"The Nun's Story" (1959)

"Friendly Persuasion" (1956)

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:

"Le Samurai" (1967)

"Planet of the Apes" (1968)

"A Fish Called Wanda" (1988)

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:

"Dogfight" (1991)

Warner Bros.:

"The Departed" 4K (2006)

"The Oceans Trilogy" - 4K (2001 - 2007)

MGM:

"Eight Men Out" (1988)

Warner Archive:

"The Rain People" (1969)

"The Mask of Fu anchu" (1932)

Sony:

"You'll Never Get Rich" (1940)

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)