Folks, it's that time of year again when the Hallmark movie channel really shines. The rest of the year they try to bring it with other seasonal-themed, predictable plot-lined love stories, but many of us just scroll on by as we flip around for something else to watch. But it takes a real Scrooge to resist the power of a Christmas-themed Hallmark romance. Other stations try to compete and some of them do a fine job, even stealing away headlining actors from the Hallmark channel (I'm looking at you Great American Family Channel), causing quite a stir. Streaming networks and Primetime TV have even come to play, bring some A-list (okay, B-list) names to the game -- but don't fall into this trap -- more choices doesn't mean better choices. So in picking a holiday romance to recap/review, Gretchen and Dennis decided to stick with a Hallmark origianl, "A Maple Valley Christmas". It's got all of the required elements - a couple of singles, a small town, a Christmas celebration and lots and lots of snow! And, of course, mistletoe!!

If you're one of those people currently hating on James Gunn over some of the puzzling moves he's making at Warner Brothers (specifically that big one regarding Henry Cavill) set aside your feelings for a moment and let your holiday spirit shine. Join Gretchen and Dennis as they break down "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" now streaming on Disney+. Do it for Earth's mightiest hero, Kevin Bacon.

Just as Gretchen and Dennis have given up hope on "A Christmas Story" sequels, they finally get to the one that inspired them to embark on this deep dive -- "A Christmas Story Christmas", starring Peter Billingsley as Ralphie, now available to stream on HBOMax. And wonder of all wonders, you won't want to shoot your eye out after watching it!!!

HBOMax has recently released a sequel to "A Christmas Story", called "A Christmas Story Christmas." Did you know that there was already a sequel to "A Christmas Story"? Well, if you've been listening to MurdurDurdur Pod, you know that there have actually been a few. But there was legitimately a straight up Christmas themed sequel released in 2012, entitled "A Christmas Story 2" and Gretchen and Dennis watched and reviewed it right here for you!

Ralphie Parker is back in a second sequel to "A Christmas Story" - "Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss." If you've never heard of this little gem, you are not alone! Some time has passed and Ralphie has grown into a teenager and is no longer played by Peter Billingsley (or Kieran Culkin-- he's played by Jerry O'Connell! Join Dennis and Gretchen as they recap Ralphie's/Ralph's trials and tribulations during the summer he turned 14, when his family's annual vacation to Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss almost didn't happen.

In "My Summer Story", the first sequel to "A Christmas Story", Ralphie Parker dreams of finding a killer top to take on new school bully, Lug, while his Dad wars with his nextdoor neighbors and his mom overcomes a dish debacle. Ralphie also experiences the ups and downs of fishing for the first time. Gretchen and Dennis discuss if "My Summer Story" embodies the spirit of "A Christmas Story" and whether or not follow up movies should exist.

Many years ago, Dennis declared that as soon as Santa makes his appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade the Christmas celebration officially commences (at least in our living quarters). We're going to apply that same rule to the podcast. Although this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade seemed to be a bit more about the Queen of Christmas than the big guy in red, we definitely saw him for a minute there at the end, so Christmas season it is! We're kicking it off with a CLASSIC. Join Gretchen and Dennis for this discussion of "A Christmas Story" - the original movie from 1983, currently streaming on HBO Max.

Other than the Pilgrim Sandwich, the annual Turkey Bowl might just be the best Thanksgiving tradition ever, so we couldn't pass up the chance to watch and review a movie called "The Turkey Bowl", right? Especially once we found out that it stars some of our favorite actors, one from a show that we've previously covered on this very podcast. The big question is, now that we've seen it, will watching "The Turkey Bowl" become a part of our annual Thanksgiving tradition? Listen to find out!

It's Thanksgiving, it's a classic and it's streaming on Apple TV. If you haven't seen it before, what are you waiting for? You should be watching it every year! Take a stroll down memory lane with Gretchen and Dennis or enjoy it for the first time -- you can't go wrong with "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" -- and a Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Murdur Durdur Pod has been on a bit of hiatus due to some technical difficulties, but we're back. This review of "Morbius" was meant to be part of a series of darker movies for Halloween, but as it's being released as an after Halloween Halloween movie review, think of it as more of a Thanksgiving appetizer. There's always some time over a holiday break for a little comic book movie action.