Christmas Movies Actually
Episode 72: Violent Night
Kerry and Collin take a look at the very R-rated theatrical release, "Violent Night," starring David Harbour ("Stranger Things") as Santa Claus, who gets caught up in a "Die Hard"-like situation. Ho-ho-ho, will he now have a machine gun? How does "Violent Night" measure up against other R-rated Christmas fare? Should David Harbour play Santa more often? What is Kerry's new favorite word? You'll have to listen to the "Book" segment to find out.
Episode 71: BONUS! Blu-ray Gift Exchange Blow-out Bonanza Blitztravaganza... in 4K!
Erik Childress joins Collin and Kerry to talk about a TON of Christmas movies that are making their blu-ray or 4K debuts this year. A lot of classics, non-classics, TV specials and obscurities, as well as a run-down of other physical media releases over the last year, all designed to help you with gift ideas for the movie lover in your life. There's something for everyone! Turn off the motion smoothing! Turn on the blu-ray player! It's time for the ultimate Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Episode 70: A Christmas Story Christmas
Seventy episodes after their debut, Collin and Kerry return to the adventures of Ralphie and the gang with the first direct sequel to "A Christmas Story," a film that carries with it some baggage for the hosts. "A Christmas Story Christmas" has a lot to live up to for many people. Did Peter Billingsly and his team pull it off? Or does it belong in the scrap-heap with the dreadful "A Christmas Story 2"? Would Jean Shepherd be proud? How does Julie Haggerty compare with Melinda Dillon? Learn all this and more, plus Kerry gives us three popular titles from the We Just Say Book segment.
Episode 69: Falling For Christmas (feat. Leo Brady)
The first big Christmas movie of 2022 is here! And it looks and sounds just like every other lame Hallmark/Lifetime movie instead of something with the slightest hint of ambition. Film critic Leo Brady (amovieguy.com) joins Collin and Kerry to look at whether or not this vehicle is worthy of a Lindsay Lohan comeback. Does she still got it? Are amnesia movies reflecting any kind of reality we all live in? What does any of this have to do with the Bill Murray comedy "Meatballs"? All this and more as Kerry gives us an update on the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."
Episode 68: BONUS - A Tribute to Sergio Mims
Collin and Kerry pay tribute to one of heir beloved guests and friends, Sergio Mims, who passed away unexpectedly in October. Sergio was a guest on four episodes, all of which are presented here in clips that represent everything he did best when on the mic. A true original, a thoughtful film critic and a generous soul, Sergio will be greatly missed. Luckily, we was a guest on many podcasts and we can always go back and listen to what it was like to hang out with him.
Among many other things, he was the co-founder of the Black Harvest Film Festival in Chicago, which starts November 4th and goes through the 27th. Go to https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/blackharvest for more information.
Episode 67: Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
The tradition continues! Patrick Ripoll joins Collin and Kerry once again to take a deep dive into the depths of what was once the most controversial idea for a horror film ever dreamed up. Speaking of dreams, the brain-domed killer, Ricky, has been randomly invading the dreams of a blind woman and she wants answers! So do we. What does Monte Hellman bring to the table for this sequel? Why do we get a 'Happy New Year' send-off at the end? How does this movie alter the course of independent cinema as we know it (serious question, btw)?
Episode 66: Krampus (feat. Steve Prokopy)
Kerry and Collin are joined by returning guest Steve Prokopy to talk about the 2015 horror-comedy "Krampus," which sports some impressive practical effects, costuming and puppetry from WETA Digital and a terrific cast. How closely does it follow the Krampus folklore? What makes the "Naughty Cut" of the film "naughty"? How does it measure up to other Christmas horror films? All this, plus the Book and Blu-ray segments get us into discussions on "Poltergeist," "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Friday the 13th."
Episode 65: Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe
Collin and Kerry pay tribute to the late, great Paul Sorvino as they dissect the ABC Family Classic, inexplicably titled "Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe," without having seen the MIA original. Is this Jenny McCarthy's finest work? Why is her character named Mary Class instead of Mary Claus? Why hasn't "Back To the Beach" achieved greater cult status? All these questions, plus the Book segment and a look at what's new in physical media on the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.
Episode 64: Dead Bang (feat. Sergio Mims)
Kerry and Collin are joined by returning guest Sergio Mims to talk about John Fankenheimer's gritty cop thriller, "Dead Bang" (1989), starring Don Johnson as a cop on the edge, doing battle with white supremacists.
Episode 63: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (feat. Morgan Gire)
Morgan Gire of The Friendship Dilemma joins Collin and Kerry to talk about her favorite film of all time, "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang." Could this movie have happened with Downey/Kilmer in the mid-'90s? Is there a reason Shane Black's movies often take place at Christmastime? How does some of the humor in the film hold up today? All this, plus the "We Just Say Book" segment and the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.