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)

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:

"To Die For" (1995) 

"Lynch/Oz" (2023)

Warner Bros.

"The Color Purple" (2023)

Paramount:

"Witness" (1985)

Sony:

"Cocktail Hour" (1933)

Warner Archive:

"Looney Tunes - Collector's Choice, Vol. 3"

"Stand and Deliver" (1988)

"They Drive By Night" (1940)

"Three Godfathers" (1948)

"The Boob / Why Be Good?" Double feature (1926 / 1929)

Music Box Films:

"The Crime Is Mine" (2023)

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:

"A nous la liberté" (1931)

"Voyage to Italy" (1954)

"Moolaade" (2004)

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:

"Footloose" 4K

Criterion:

"The Heroic Trio / The Executioners"

Warner Bros:

"Wonka" 

"Contagion"

Warner Archive:

"The Prince and the Pauper"

"Hanna/Barbera Superstars 10"

Sony Pictures Classics:

"The Triplets of Belleville"

Bleeker Street:

"Waitress: The Musical"

Uncork'd:

"Back To The Drive-In"

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)

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:

"Trainspotting" 4K (1996)

Paramount:

"Eddie Murphy Raw" (1987)

Warner Archive:

"Joe's Apartment" (1996)

"Rover Dangerfield" (1991)

"Faithless" (1932)

"Cabin In the Sky" (1943)

"A Day At the Races" (1937)

MGM:

"Red Planet Mars" (1952)

"Strange Invaders" (1983)

"Kingdom of the Spiders" (1977) (DVD)

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)