Which is the better Thanksgiving film? "Home For the Holidays" or "Pieces of April"? Both films brilliantly get at the heart of the dysfunctional family with Thanksgiving as the catalyst for exploring the simmering feelings of angst, betrayal and longing. Both are also incredibly smart, perceptive and very funny. Kerry and Collin dive into this 2003 film that was shot on digital video and features a soundtrack by Magnetic Fields frontman, Stephen Merritt. It also has an ending that sneaks up on you, so make sure you have seen the film before listening. It stars Katie Holmes, Oliver Platt, Derek Luke, Allison Pill and features an Academy Award-nominated performance from Patricia Clarkson (who should have won).
Clarification: The story Collin tells of his family coming to his apartment did NOT take place at Thanksgiving (as it sounds), but during his father's birthday.
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Blu-rays covered:
PBS:
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (DVD) (01:04:10)
Criterion:
"Silence of the Lambs" - 4K (1991) (01:08:40)
Warner Bros:
"Little Shop of Horrors" - 4K (1986) (01:13:00)
Cardinal XD:
"The Mutilator" (1984) (01:16:20)
Kino Lorber:
"Rollercoaster" - 4K (1977) (01:20:15)
Universal:
"Finding Emily" (2026) (01:24:25)
Warner Archive:
"The Jewel Robbery" (1932) (01:27:00)
"The Merry Widow" (1934) (01:29:35)
"Blackboard Jungle" (1955) (01:31:28)
"The Hill" (1965) (01:34:20)
"Skyscraper Souls" (1932) (01:35:58)
