Welcome back to The Video Store Podcast, where each week I recommend four films I think you should check out. This week, I’ve picked a mix of holiday movies that range from heartwarming to hilariously chaotic. Whether you’re looking for some nostalgia, laughs, or a little Christmas chaos, these films have something to offer. First up is…

One Magic Christmas (1985)

This film has a quiet charm that’s perfect for the holiday season. Starring Mary Steenburgen, it tells a story of family, second chances, and finding the true spirit of Christmas. What’s interesting about the movies is how grounded it feels, even with its supernatural elements. One of my favorite bit of casting in this film is Harry Dean Stanton, who plays a guardian angel, a role that feels tailor-made for his calm, understated presence.

Mixed Nuts (1994)

This is a screwball Christmas comedy that might not have gotten the love it deserved when it came out. Directed by Nora Ephron, it has an incredible ensemble cast that includes Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Rita Wilson, and even a young Adam Sandler. The movie is set at a suicide crisis hotline office during the holidays, which makes for plenty of chaotic, offbeat humor. The film’s quirky tone might feel unusual, but if you stick with it, there are a lot of funny moments. The soundtrack is also worth mentioning, featuring Louis Armstrong’s version of “Christmas in New Orleans” and an original song by Sandler, among many others.

The Ref (1994)

With an apt working title of, Hostile Hostages, this dark comedy, which stars Denis Leary, Judy Davis, and Kevin Spacey is one of those Christmas movies that focuses on dysfunction. Leary plays a thief who ends up stuck with a bickering married couple on Christmas Eve, and the results are sharp, biting, and weirdly festive. It is a strange combo, but The Ref somehow manage to balance its humor with just enough heart.

Trapped in Paradise (1994)

This one leans more into the slapstick side of comedy, with Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, and Dana Carvey as three brothers who get caught up in a bank heist in a small town during Christmas. The small-town setting adds a proper holiday feel, but the movie’s about as chaotic as you’d expect with this cast. Although weird, the chaos is not centered around Cage for a change. He gives a grounded performance. Nicolas Cage has said in interviews that filming this movie was a challenge due to constant rewrites and freezing temperatures on location in Ontario, Canada. Despite the problems on the set, the end result, has a charm that makes it worth revisiting.

Those are my recommendations for the holiday season. They are four holiday movies that have a solid mix of magic, dysfunction, and comedy. I hope you’ll give one (or all) of them a shot this season. Let me know what you think, and I’ll see you soon for more recommendations on the Video Store Podcast.

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