Christmas Movies Actually

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Episode 88: Mrs. Santa Claus (feat. B.L. Panther)

Kerry and Collin are joined by film critic B.L. Panther to talk about the 1996 made-for-TV musical "Mrs. Santa Claus," starring Angela Lansbury, Charles Durning and Michael Jeter. How did this end up being the perfect film to talk about the week of Independence Day? How is Santa magic used (or not used) in 1910 America? Finally, is it so hard for commercial-based streaming services to put their commercial breaks in where they are actually supposed to go in a made-for-TV movie? All this, plus many titles--old and new--covered on he Blu-ray Gift Exchange. 

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Episode 87: Trapped In Paradise (1994)

Kerry and Collin take a look at the 1994 crime comedy "Trapped In Paradise," starring Nicolas Cage, Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz (the previously planned "The Holly and the Ivy" episode had to be postponed). How does this movie compare to other get-out-of-town crime comedies that also take place during Christmas? Is there such a thing as a "nativity sleigh"? What does any of this have to do with 1959's "The Aligator People"? All this, plus three films covered during Kerry's "We Just Say Book' segment.

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Episode 86: Funny Farm (feat. Jim Laczkowski)

Film critic and Now Playing Network head honcho Jim Laczkowski joins Collin & Kerry to talk about the underrated Chevy Chase comedy "Funny Farm" (1988), which also stars Madelyn Smith Osborne, as a couple who buy a dream home in a town populated by deranged, drunken lunatics. Why didn't this film catch on back in the day? Is this Chevy Chase's best film? Why do people wear Christmas wreaths around their necks in this film? All this, plus another STACKED Blu-ray Gift Exchange. 

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Episode 85: Tangerine (feat. Clint Worthington)

EXPLICIT CONTENT! We don't want any angry letters after this, so there you go. Kerry and Collin are joined by Chicago film critic Clint Worthington (The Spool) to break down Sean Baker's Christmas Eve comedy about a day in the life of two L.A. trans sex workers trying to find a cheating ex-boyfriend. And it's all about the hustle! Why is the use of the song "Toyland" so important here? How does Christmas tie in with these seemingly dark themes? What are the advantages to making a movie on an iPhone 5? All this, plus a Book segment that covers some familiar ground as well as a film from the Chicago Critics Film Festival. 

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Episode 84: Last Holiday (2006)

Kerry and Collin take a look at the Queen Latifah comedy "Last Holiday," which is actually a remake of an Alec Guinness comedy from 1950. Surprisingly, Robert Zemeckis served as executive producer on this film, which is about as simple and formulaic as a film can be, but its star makes it work (mostly). Why did it take 23 years to make this film? How come nobody talks about Christmas here? What's the best way to go skydiving? Also, another STACKED edition of the Blu-ray Gift Exchange as Kerry and Collin take a look at what's new in physical media from the month of April. 

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Episode 83: The Santa Clause (1994)

Kerry and Collin finally get around to Tim Allen movies with what is arguably one of the most influential Christmas movies of all time, "The Santa Clause". That doesn't mean "great" necessarily, but the movie does provide the template for hundreds of Santa-based movies that would come later and continue to be made today. Is this the first Santa with a lactose intolerance? Who is Kerry's favorite character in this film? Is there a darker, more satisfying fable to be told with this story? All this, plus Kerry talks about three movies from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" in the "We Just Say Book" segment. 

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Episode 82: Jingle Bell Rocks

Have you ever wondered where those crazy Christmas songs come from? The ones you hear at the end of every episode of this show (as well as the intro)? Well, in honor of Record Store Day (April 22), Collin and Kerry take a look at Mitchell Kezin's very entertaining documentary "Jingle Bell Rocks" (2014), which examines the people who discover this music, the people who made it and the passion everyone has for it. Collin and Kerry talk about the songs they enjoy from the film, the collector mentality and even play a few snippets of music as well.  Plus, a stacked Blu-ray Gift Exchange segment to round out this celebration of physical media. 

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Episode 81: Holiday Affair (feat. Marya E. Gates)

Film critic Marya E. Gates (RogerEbert.com, Vulture) joins Collin and Kerry for a deep dive into one of her very favorite films, "Holiday Affair," staring Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum and Wendell Corey. While not one of the most popular of Christmas films, could it have influenced films such as "Sleepless In Seattle" and "Baby Boom"? What makes this love triangle so different from other rom-coms with a similar premise? How does one kiss smeone hard on the lips and not cause injury? All these questions, plus a stellar Book segment (three honest-to-God masterpieces). 

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Episode 80: Our Academy Award Christmas Tree

The Academy Awards are right around the corner! Kerry and Collin take a look at two of the short film nominations, "Night Ride" and "Le Pupille," two shorts that take place during the Christmas season. They also look at the Academy Award-winning short "Franz Kafka's It's A Wonderful Life," which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year.

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Episode 79: "Grumpy Old Men" (feat. Christopher Grace)

Kerry and Collin are joined by their friend Christopher Grace ("Mixed Nuts" episode) to talk about this early-'90s classic comedy, "Grumpy Old Men," featuring the kings of the Odd Couples, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. How is their chemistry with the great Ann-Margaret? Did Burgess Meredith write his own one-liners? How does Prince figure into all of this? All this, plus a look at two other films featuring Lemmon and Matthau (separately) in the We Just Say Book segment. 

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