Christmas Movies Actually

"Santa Claus Conquers The Martians" is often considered the Granddaddy of all bad Christmas films. A cheaply made kiddie flick from 1964, it is perhaps most well known for being the screen debut of a young Pia Zadora. Film critic Dave Canfield returns to the show to dissect the film's notoriety, the filmmakers' misguided intentions and what makes this public domain favorite so special. They also discuss a lesser-known yuletide oddity for kids along the same lines, "The Christmas Martian." A Canadian production made for television, it is made up of so many odd elements that don't quite go together, but that's what makes it such a fascinating watch. Finally, Dave's TV Special pick is Berke Breathed's Bloom County/Outland one-off Christmas special "Opus n' Bill's A Wish For Wings That Work," perhaps Collin's favorite Christmas special of all time.  Watch "Santa Claus Conquers The Martians" Watch "The Christmas Martian" (sorry, only the French version is available on YouTube) Watch "Opus n' Bill's A Wish For Wings That Work."

Last year, film critic Nick Digilio came onto the show to talk about the crime comedy "The Ref." This year, he returns to talk about a film that feels like a close cousin to that film, Harold Ramis' "The Ice Harvest," starring John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen and Oliver Platt. Like "The Ref," it is an underseen gem about criminals trying to get out of town on Christmas Eve, with too many obstacles--including family, cops and other criminals--getting in the way. What was it like to hang out with John Cusack when he lived in Chicago? Is this his best performance? How does this film fit into the rest of Harold Ramis work? All this, plus a look at Nick's book, "40 Years, 40 Films" where we dive into what makes a good film critic and what your Top 10 says about you. Finally, Nick's TV Christmas pick is "The Honeymooners" - Season 1, Episode 13 - "'Twas The Night Before Christmas," one of the coveted 39 episodes of the show that remains timeless and classic.  Buy Nick's book "40 years, 40 Films" here.

Every year, Netflix kicks off the Christmas movie season with a little trifle of a rom-com that stars an actress whose name used to be commonly above the title in past decades. This year, it's Alicia Silverstone's turn in the formulaic "A Merry Little Ex-Mas," a tension-less comedy in which a married couple call it quits on their marriage, but decide to stay together, more or less, through the holidays. Does the script give Silverstone anything to do? Should we all have two Christmas trees up in our houses in case one of them catches fire? How is it that a real-life father and son have no father-and-son chemistry in a movie? All this, plus a Santa Beard rating for the Chet character and three more movies "You Must See Before Your Die. "   Book movies covered: "The Traveling Players" (1975) "The Wicker Man" (1973) "An American Werewolf In London" (1981)

Author Ed Daly (The Christmas Book) returns to talk about easily one of the most celebrated holiday movies ever, John Hughes' Thanksgiving classic "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." This movie was the career-changer for the late, great John Candy and this episode gets into the hows and whys of that turning point, as well as how the movie was ultimately saved in the editing (as many films often are, but here especially). Would you consider yourself more of a Neal or a Del? What is the most important deleted scene that could've been left in? Which country still rates the movie a PG-13 in spite of the legendary nineteen F-bombs? What is everyone's favorite John Hughes movie? All these questions and more, plus It's the Blu-ray Gift Exchange, Charlie Brown! Buy Ed Daly's book "The Christmas Book" (2025 edition)   Blu-rays covered: Warner Bros.: "Weapons" (2025) - 4K "A Nightmare On Elm Street" 7-disc set - 4K "Peanuts - Ultimate TV Specials Collection" "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - The Complete Series Criterion: "Eyes Without A Face" (1960) - 4K Warner Archive: "The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957) "A Summer Place" (1959) "Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins" (1975)

With all the Silent Night, Deadly Night films complete (or are they?), Kerry, Collin and their frequent guest at this time of year, Patick Ripoll, take a look at another slasher film from the same era, the less controversial, but just as violent Don't Open Till Christmas, directed by (kind-of) and starring Edward Purdom. There's not a whole lot that makes sense here, but that's what makes it so fun to dissect. Why is one character hanging up random strands of garland in random places in her apartment? Does the killer only want to kill male Santa Clauses in the area? What exactly is the killer's motivation? What prompted re-shoots and re-edits of the final product? All this, plus three films from the Book that more-or-less (mostly less) tie in with the topic.  Book films covered: "The War Game" (1966) "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935) "Targets" (1968)

Collin and Kerry correct a mistake from last year by focusing on a movie that actually does take place during Halloween. Christine Sellin returns to talk about "Monster House," a subversive and hilarious animated from from 2006 that sneaks up on the viewer with a poignant story of love that durns dark and foreboding when you look back on it. Is this the best of the motion-capture animated films of this era? How does the animation hold up today? What was trick-or-treating like when you were a kid? Has it changed over the years?  All this, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange segment for both dog and cat lovers (and lion lovers, too). Blu-rays covered: Warner:  "Superman" 4K (2025) Criterion:  "Flow" 4K - (2024) Lionsgate: "Little House On the Prairie" - The Complete Series Warner Archive: "Get Carter" 4K (1971) The Judy Garland Collection Hollywood Legends of Horror Collection "Black Samson" (1974) "Huckleberry Hound Show" The Complete Series "Touche Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series

Unfortunately, our episode on "The Apartment" has to be postponed until next year. Our apologioes for that. Fortunately, author John Zukowski was able to step in at the last minute and introduce a new Christmas gem to us, "Remember The Night," a film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray that pretty much set the template for many Christmas romances to come. The first (but certainly not the last) of its kind, "Remember The Night" fits in perfectly with our last two episodes that touched on Christmas romance movies that have real wit and class, with a touch of melancholia to ground them. This is a film well worth discovering if you get the chance; hilarious and heartfelt, with a truly memorable ending. Buy John's books Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing The Evolution Of American Spirituality and The Only Music That Mattered: A Guide To Punk, Post-Punk and Second Wave Ska (1976 - 1983).  Book movies discussed: The Snake Pit (1948) A Passage To India (1984) The White Balloon (1995)

The director and stars of the wonderful comedy "The Baltimorons" (currently/soon in theaters) join the show briefly to discuss the film's evolution and its purpose as a Christmas movie. Before that, though, Kerry and Collin discuss the film after seeing it a second time. What other movies come to mind with this kind of premise? Can anyone do improv? What are the favorite Christmas movies of the guests featured? Tune in to find out. Also, new blu-rays, a couple of which tie into some very recent episodes. "The Baltimorons" opens in New York on 9/5 and expands to other cities on 9/12.  Blu-rays covered: "Sense and Sensibility" 4K (Sony) "The Conjuring" 4K (Warner) "You Can Count On Me" (Criterion) "Fire On The Plain" (Criterion) "The Burmese Harp" (Criterion)   "The Greta Garbo Collection" (Warner Archive) "The Errol Flynn Collection" (Warner Archive) "The '50s Sci-Fi Collection" (Warner Archive) "Invasion U.S.A." / "Rocket Attach U.S.A." (FilmMasters) 

Kerry and Collin didn't plan on 2025 being a John Cusack-a-thon, but that's what ended up happening. After talking about "Serendipity" back in February and with "The Ice Harvest" coming up in December, the hosts decided to do a Cusack double-header of Christmas-adjacent films that came out 40 years ago. "The Sure Thing" was Cusack's first starring role in the teenage take on "It Happened One Night" while "Better Off Dead" took on a much weirder tone and ended up being a cult favorite, much to Cusack's chagrin. How does our sense of humor change as we get older? Which of the two films do the hosts respond to more? What is the third film co-starring John Cusack from this same year? Tune in to find out (or just IMDb him for that third question. Or look at the show notes below?). Plus, Kerry gives three more films from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," one of which might tie into one of these Cusack films.  Book films covered: "It Happened One Night" (1936) "Ran" (1985) "The Sting" (1973)

It's so hot out there! What better way to defeat the August heat than to watch Santa Claus stuck in his sleigh on a sizzling Florida beach?  Who will help him get back to the North Pole? A rag-tag group of homeless minors who have no experience working with animals. Also, the Ice Cream Bunny, whatever that is. FIlm critic Pat McDonald join Collin and Kerry to break down "Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny," one of the absolute weirdest holiday concoctions of all time with a just-barely-stitched-together film from 1972. There are two versions of the film, one containing a detour into the story of Thumbelina, another with Jack and the Beanstalk. None of it makes a lick of sense and it's all just padding to throw out there on the kiddie matinee circuit of the early '70s. Everything ties together, though, in the Blu-ray Gift Exhcange.   Read Pat McDonald's work at HollywoodChicago.com   Blu-rays covered: Warner Bros: "Sinners" (2025) "Final Destination: Bloodlines" (2025) "Lord of the Rings" (1978) Universal: "Knight Rider: The Complete Series" - 4K Sony: "Stop, Look and Laugh!" (1960) Warner Archive: "Melinda" (1974) "Two Weeks With Love" (1950) "Knights Of the Round Table" (1953) Criterion: "You Can Count On Me", "Carnal Knowledge" and "Barry Lyndon"

Kerry and Collin are joined by their good friend Jim Peebles, who also guested on the "A Very Brady Christmas" episode. "The Love Boat" is certainly cut from the same cloth, but this "Christmas Cruise" remains a mystery. Is it a movie? Is it two episodes seamlessly jammed together? Why no separate listing for it on Letterbox'd or IMDb? Currently availabel on Paramount+, this movie-sode is chock full of mysteries. Where did the kid chorus come from? How are people able to buy massive amounts of flowers on this ship, let alone yarn? How can one custom make their own "Love Boat" episode? All this, plus Kerry gives three more movies from "1,001 movies You must See Before You Die," one of which also features a Love Boat. Book movies covered: "Daybreak" (1939) "High Sierra" (1941) "Titanic" (1997)

We're releasing this a day early, the 4th of July, because why not? After all, the film has "U.S.A." in the title. Kerry and Collin are joined by frequent guest, Erik Childress (host of Movie Madness) to talk about one of the dumbest films to come out of 1985, from Cannon Studios, one of the most notorious movie studios of its era. Who did Chuck Norris originally want to be his co-star and how would that person's career have been altered if it had happened? Why are the terrorists in the film invading the US during Christmas? Has there ever been a great movie with an airboat sequence? All these questions and more, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange.  Blu-rays covered: Criterion: "Brazil" - (1985) 4K  Warner Brothers:  "Lethal Weapon" - 1(987) 4K   The James Bond Sean Connery Collection 4K  Looney Tunes - Platinum Collection Vol. 1  Looney Tunes - Platinum Collection Vol. 2 Warner Archive:  Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault Vol. 1  "High Society" (1956) - 4K  "Executive Suite" (1954)  The Clark Gable Collection Universal:  "Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Series" Sony:  "St. Elmo's Fire" (1985) - 4K Film Masters:  "The Blood Of Jesus" (1947)

Kerry and Collin are joined by Jeff Broitman (formerly of the podcast Fresh Perspective) to talk about one of Collin's all-time favorite films, Terry Gilliam's 1985 masterpiece "Brazil." It also happens to be one of Jeff's favorite movies as well. While the film certainly belongs in the "Christmas adjacent" category of Christmas movies, there is nevertheless a richness to it that warrants a long discussion on the film's artistic merit, its place in film history and the role it played in completely disrupting the studio system at the time of its release. It's not a movie for everybody and was never meant to be, but Gilliam's off-center vision of "the future" keeps gaining relevance and becomes more prescient with each passing decade. A very Happy Christmas! The film also rightfully earns its place in... the Book.  Book movies covered: "Brazil" (1985) "Juliet of the Spirits" (1965) "The Killing Fields" (1984)

Based on the encouragement of a GQ article from 2016, Kerry and Collin took a look back at "Bridget Jones's Diary" to see if the writer of said article had been onto something. That led them to go back and rewatch all of the "Bridget Jones" movies including the latest, which just came out on blu-ray. What/who is the Bridget Jones of today? How would we rank the boyfriends/fiancees in the entire series? Did "Bridget Jones's Diary" kickstart the "ugly sweater" craze that started in the early 2000s? All this, plus a jam-packed Blu-ray Gift Exchange.    Blu-rays covered: Focus/Universal: "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" "Black Bag" (2025) Ignite: "Re-Animator" 40th Anniversary 4K (1985) Criterion: "The Three Musketeers" / "The Four Musketeers" 4K (1973-74) "The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg"  4K (1964) "Room 666" / "Room 999" (1982 - 2023) Warner Archive: "Clean and Sober" (1988) "Lean On Me" (1989) "Rhapsody In Blue" (1934) "Three The Hard Way" (1974) "Lili" (1953) Warner Bros / HBO: "Mr. Show: The Complete Series"  

Kerry and Collin plowed through this comedy starring Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito as two feuding neighbors at Christmastime. The experience of watching the film caused one of them to ponder, "why are we doing this podcast?" There are so many other questions, though. What makes the old, white iMacs so special? How long would it actually take to make an elaborate Christmas light trail, cook an even more elaborate dinner and then cover your entire house with Christmas lights? What did DeVito do to prepare in promoting this film back in 2006? All these questions, plus Kerry gives three movies from the "1,001 Movies You Mist See Before You Die" book. Are any of them worth seeing?  Recommended short film: "The Christmas Light Killer"  Book films covered: "Papillon" (1971) "Buffalo 66" (1998) "The Conformist" (1970)  

Kerry and Collin, while trying desperately to recall facts about part 2, finally round out the Tim Allen "Santa Clause" trilogy with should be the best of the bunch, considering the casting of Martin Short. Did it meet the expectation? Maybe. If nothing else, he gives the viewer someone to root for. Is this really "the greatest Santa Claus story ever"? Why couldn't the elves put together a suitable hospital room somewhere in the North Pole where Mrs. Claus can give birth to her child? How does Alan Arkin's character know where all the fire extinguishers are in the North Pole and how to use them on a moment's notice? All these questions, plus a look at the latest and greatest in physical media with the "Blu-ray Gift Exchange," where they talk some Clint Eastwood, Andy Warhol, the "greatest comedy of all time" and Matt Damon.  Blu-rays covered: Warner Bros.: "The Informant!" 4K (2009) "Dirty Harry" 4K (1971) "The Outlaw Josey Wales" 4K (1976) "Pale Rider" 4K (1985) Criterion: "Some Like It Hot" 4K (1959) "Basquiat" 4K (1996)

A listener requested this title quite some time ago and it finally happened! Film critic Nell Minow joins Kerry and Collin to talk about this relatively obscure, but wonderful movie that might just be the first ever in the sub-genre of holiday films where the family returns home for the holiday festivities and slowly start airing their grievances and secrets. Do clergymen really enjoy doing the Christmas sermons? Is there a moment in "Love Actually" that is a tribute to this movie? How does director Mike Leight figure into all of this? All the answers to all of these questions, plus an extended "knitability" segment, as well as three more films from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die." Before any of that, though, you get a chance to win a pair of free movie tickets from the Chicago Critics Film Festival, which runs May 2-8, 2025 at the Music Box Theatre.  Book films covered: "The Wages of Fear" (1953) "Viridiana" (1951) "Secrets & Lies" (1996)

Kerry and Collin are joined by Catherine Mary Stewart, star of the 1984 cult classic "Night of the Comet," an apocalyptic sci-fi film where the world ends at Christmastime, which is the best time to go shopping. They are also joined by returning guest Marya E. Gates, author of the new book "Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words." The four of them talk in-depth about "Night of the Comet" while Stewart tells some great production stories from working on the film, while also talking about some of the other Christmas films in which she has appeared. And yes, there is also talk of "The Apple," "Dudes" and "The Last Starfighter." Then, the discussion switches over the to subject of Gates' new book, which examines (among many other things) the continuing struggles in the industry facing some of the best female filmmakers working today. As if that weren't enough, there's also the Blu-ray Gift Exchange. It's a longer episode than usual, but well worth it.  Buy Marya's book here (Bookshop.org supports independent book stores) Learn more about Catherine Mary Stewart's work here. Blu-rays covered: Sony: "My Girl" 4K (1991) Warner: "Paddington 2" 4K (2017) Criterion: "Godzilla Vs. Biollante" (1989)  Warner Archive: "Hit Man" (1972) "Earth II" (1971) "Magilla Gorlla: The Complete Series"

Wayne Wang's "Smoke" doesn't look like a Christmas movie, sound like a Christmas movie or ever feel like a Christmas movie. It really isn't, but the final fifteen minutes of this terrific ensemble film features a moving and poetic Christmas story that makes it worthy of inclusion on this show (hey, it has more Chrsitmas in it than Disney's "Babes In Toyland"). The film stars Harvey Keitel, William Hurt, Forrest Whitaker, Stockard Channing, Ashley Judd, Giancarlo Esposito, Harold Perrineau and Jared Harris. It also has a distinction of winning an obscure MTV Movie Award for a category that was never repeated ever again. Also, Kerry talks about three movies from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."  Book movies covered: "Smoke" (1995) "Deseret" (1995) "The Phenix City Story" (1955)

Kerry and Collin look at the often maligned 2004 comedy "Surviving Christmas," starring Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate and Catherine O'Hara and find it's not quite as terrible as critics (Collin included) made it out to be twenty years ago. Is it the two decades of distance from the Bennifer annoyance of that time period? How much money would it take for you to bring in a character like Affleck's into your home for two weeks? What about those lyrics they sing for "O Christmas Tree"? All thee questions deserve answers. Plus, to make up for the "lost episode" from February, there is a mini Blu-ray segment as well as a Book segment.    Blu-rays covered: Warner; "Amadeus" (1984) - 4K Criterion: "King Lear" (1987) Warner Archive: "Tom & Jerry - The Complete Cinemascope Cartoon Collection" "Gabriel Over the White House" (1933)   Book movies covered: "Weekend" (1967) "Patton" (1970) "Braveheart" (1995)