Christmas Movies Actually

James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 23: Angela's Christmas / The Snapper

Could this be the first episode of Irish Movies Actually? For St. Patrick's Day, we tried to find an Irish Christmas movie to talk about. Best we could do was a Netflix animated short called "Angela's Christmas." And since we made the effort to watch it, we also talk about the Irish pregnancy comedy, "The Snapper" (1993), which is traditionally watched in Ireland on December 26th. We hope you're all well. Stay safe and enjoy!

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 22: One Magic Christmas

Film critic Peter Sobczynski joins Collin and Kerry as they look at one of more curious items of the Disney canon, 1985's unflinchingly dark "One Magic Christmas," featuring Harry Dean Stanton as a Christmas angel who likes to pay visits to children in the middle of the night. The "We Just Say Book" discussion gets especially spirited as they talk about "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover" (1990), "The Paleface" (1948) and "The Biter Tea of General Yen" (1932).

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 21: Klaus

Kerry and Collin test their new recording equipment out on a discussion of the Oscar-nominated KLAUS, an animated treat from Netflix about the origin of Santa Claus. What elevates it from other Santa origin stories? Also, Kerry talks about "Land Without Bread" (19233), "A Tale of Winter" (1992) and "The Gleaners and I" (2000) for the "We Just Say Book" segment.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 20: Babes In Toyland (1960)

We're a little late in posting this episode, but we think you'll enjoy what we have to say (and what we don't have to say) about Disney's misbegotten version of "Babes In Toyland" (1960), which has very little going for it as a Christmas movie and a movie in general. We also celebrate a milestone in Kerry's quest to see all 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die for the "We Just Say Book" segment. Follow the journey from talking about "Babes" to talking about "Vice Squad."

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 19: Love Actually

For the last show of 2019, Rebecca Martin joins us to talk about the film that carries this show's namesake, "Love Actually," the "Ultimate Romantic Comedy" that has become a Christmas classic, like it or not. We also take time to thank all our guests of 2019 and wish everyone here a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. "Stay a little Jesus," everyone and Baaaaa! Humbug!

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 18: The March Sisters At Christmas

In honor of Greta Gerwig's upcoming version of "Little Women," we dig deep into the made-for-Hallmark miracle known as "The March Sisters At Christmas," a modernized version of Alcott's story, told exactly as she intended it... full of Twitter drama, dumb iPad apps and curiously vindictive water heaters. This movie exists. Hear us talk about it as well as some Christmas specials we enjoy, the Chicago Film Critics Association awards and, of course, "We Just Say Book."

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 17: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

LIVE from the Elk Grove Theater! Collin Souter and Erik Childress talk about the classic "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" following a 30th Anniversary screening. Unfortunately, Kerry couldn't make it, so no "Book" segment, but Collin and Erik talk about why this film has endured over the decades.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 16: Noelle

Kerry and Collin discuss the Disney+ film "Noelle," starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader. Can a by-the-numbers Christmas storyline still be fresh and entertaining? We also talk about other shows and films we watched on the new streaming service as well as odd Santa schools around the world. We may have to dive into that again pretty soon. Also, Kerry talks about "Battleship Potemkin" (1925), "Mirror" (1975) and "Wake In Fright" (1971) for the "We Just Say Book" segment.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 15: Last Christmas

Kerry and Collin are once again joined by film critic Steve Prokopy, this time to break down the latest Christmas release, "Last Christmas." Is this better than the Hallmark stuff or does it fit right in? They talk about that as well as the big ending, which is a separate segment. SPOILER ALERT! Also, Kerry talks about "Tokyo Olympiad" (1965), "Videodrome" (1983) and "The Hurt Locker" (2008) for the "We Just Say Book" segment.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 14: Black Christmas (1974)

Kerry and Collin are joined by film critic Sergio Mims to talk about Bob Clark's highly influential horror opus, "Black Christmas," released in 1974, a few years before "Halloween." Sergio provides a wealth of information on "Black Christmas" and other films of its era, because, you know, HE WAS THERE! Kerry talks about ""The Heiress" (1949), "Scream" (1996) and "Wanda" (1970) for the "We Just Say Book" segment. Also, Sergio sticks around to give us his take on the previously-discussed "The Lemon Drop Kid."

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