CHRISTMAS #11. Richard and Greg resume their annual quest for a movie that brings
the Christmas Feels. Despite disappointing past candidates, they review films from the
last three-quarters of a century to find a Christmas miracle. Greg again brings in
something to celebrate the Spirit of Christmas (this year, no spiders!) with a gospel choir
to light up the studio. Or does he…?

Come to the Stable (1949) https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-stable
Christmas with the Kranks (2004) https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-kranks
Your Christmas or Mine? (2021) https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-mine

In yet another franchise revival, Liam Neeson steps into the clown shoes of Leslie
Nielsen. Can it be just a coincidence that the two actors have the same initials? This is
just one of the many issues that Richard and Greg fail to discuss in their review – along
with the missed opportunity of Leonard Nimoy starring in “The Naked Phaser”…

The Naked Gun (2025)   https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-08

Last week, Richard and Greg went to see the new Superman film – heralded as a return
to glory for the DC Universe movies. Now we review the equivalent saviour for the
Marvel Cinema Universe. How did DC-fanboy Greg and Richard go? Was the film
Fantastic – or is Four a crowd?
 Fantastic Four – First Steps (2025)   https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-07

Greg is a complete Superman fanboy.  So it’s no surprise that he gets Richard to review the new foundation for James Gunn’s DC Movie Universe.  (Not that Richard needed much persuading...)  But how did this latest Superman go — is he Kryptonite for Gunn’s plans, or is he “up-up-and-away” in the hands of a “cape-able” director?

Superman (2025)  https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-06

This is our first-ever minisode for a movie that is NOT a sequel. Richard thought that he
was dragging Greg into a Horror film, but it turns out that he was dragging himself into a
Musical. While it may not be the first-ever Vampire Musical (that was possibly “Buffy”
S06 E07), it’s undoubtedly a first for vampires that River Dance. Feel free to do a bit of
the ol’ River Dancing while listening. Unless of course you’re driving or using heavy
machinery.
Sinners (2025)  https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-05

Richard and Greg join their partners Niniane and Naomi to discuss films chosen by the aforementioned Wheel. Who agrees with whom? And, more interestingly, who doesn’t?? Season 5 ends with the quartet celebrating an
Australian comedy classic that has become both beloved and iconic – to which our podcast can only aspire.

* The Indian in the Cupboard (1995) http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-10-indian
* In the Mood for Love (2000) http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-10-mood
* The Castle (1997) http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-10-castle

In this episode, we move from Greg’s comfort zone (whodunnits) to Richard’s (Italian pronunciation).  Our reviewers discuss three Italian films that made it in the English-speaking world.  Two made it to the Oscars, and all have something to say about “la condizione umana”.  And then, in preparation for the season finale, Richard and Greg try something new – the Cinematic Wheel of Fortune (complete with sound effects!)

• God Willing (2015)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-09-willing

• Il Postino (1994)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-09-postino

• Life is Beautiful (1997)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-09-life

Greg takes Richard into classic Agatha Christie territory with a French director’s Hollywood take on a British novel.  After examining the British class system, they finish with a largely forgotten whodunnit film written by Psycho actor Anthony Perkins and West Side Story composer Stephen Sondheim.  And if that doesn’t get you in, nothing will.  What is Richard’s problem with filmic murder?  And is it OK for Death to be funny?

OTHER RESOURCES

Richard and Greg review three Shakespearean films made either side of the year 2000.  Shakespeare is known for raising the Big Questions – and this episode is no exception.  Which of our podcasters is the worse at trying to sound Shakespearean?  Are they better or worse than American actors at this?  Are podcasts like the theatre, where the Scottish Play must not be mentioned by name?  And (most importantly of all) what DID Shakespeare have against Norway?

OTHER RESOURCES

We don’t know about you, but Richard is flabbered and Greg is gasted that this is our Tenth Christmas Episode!  As usual, they review three Christmas films in search of that special seasonal something.  Two films are liked more by one reviewer than the other – whereas the third is universally found wanting, sadly.  This last outcome is likely to be a wee bit controversial.  As is perhaps the source of their disagreement about one of the others.