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PODCAST

Christmas Movies Actually

You don"t have to love Christmas to love this podcast. Film critic Collin Souter and renowned sheep expert Kerry Finegan delve into every type of Christmas movie they can find. Classics, non-classics, horror, Hallmark, obscurities, foreign, shorts, TV specials, unnecessary sequels and remakes. Even films that you might not think of as traditional Christmas movies. The great, the awful and the unusual, all year round.

tv & film visual arts

All Episodes

01:14:21

Episode 57: Babes In Toyland (1997)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/01/06

In keeping with a January tradition, Collin and Kerry look at another version of "Babes In Toyland" (1997). This final entry is a cheaply produced, straight-to-video version that looks suspiciously Disney-esque, in a way that might have invited some lawsuits. Can there ever be a legitimately good version of this story? Which one is the best? How big is the female protagonist's head anyway? All this, plus the final rankings of all four "Babes In Toyland" films.

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02:55:05

Episode 56: It's A Wonderful Life (75th Anniversary)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/12/20

The most epic episode yet! Kerry and Collin talk to five guests (separately)--Nell Minow, Sergio Mims, Peter Sobczynski, Tadd Good and Dave Canfield--about the enduring legacy, the origins, the personal attachments to and the cultural significance of Frank Capra's timeless classic, "It's A Wonderful Life." What helps it stand the test of time? Can one movie really help us get past our differences and see the world in a new light? How does the 1977 TV remake, starring Marlo Thomas, hold up? Collin

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01:04:15

Episode 55: Arthur Christmas (10-year anniversary)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/12/13

Kerry and Collin celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Aardman animated film "Arthur Christmas." Why hasn't it been treated like an actual classic? Who still follows Justin Bieber's career and music? What is the creepiest toy ever produced around Christmastime? "Back in my day, we didn't have to ask these questions!"

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01:14:25

Episode 54: 8-Bit Christmas (feat. Ed Daly)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/11/28

Podcaster and author Ed Daly (The Baller Lifestyle) joins Collin & Kerry for a discussion on the new HBO Max comedy, "8-Bit Christmas." How does the film compare to "A Christmas Story?" What video games were we obsessed with during this time? What does an obscure Robert Downey Sr. movie have to do with any of this? All this and more, plus a look at Daly's book "The Christmas Book: The Ultimate Guide To Your Favorite Holiday," available now.

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01:05:44

Episode 53: Home Sweet Home Alone (feat. Matt Fagerholm)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/11/12

The first major Christmas movie of the season and has been unleashed on poor, unsuspecting Disney+ subscribers. Matt Fagerholm joins Collin and Kerry for a look at "Home Sweet Home Alone," another inexplicable entry into what should have been just a single, solitary movie. Does this have anything new to offer? Has slo-mo slapstick ever been funny? Does this movie even have a hero? All this and more as the discussion comes fresh off the first viewing and a catharsis of some kind is needed for

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42:03

Episode 52: BONUS - Interview with Anwei Law of the...

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/11/07

The first of two episodes centering on the 75th anniversary of "It's A Wonderful Life." We spoke with Anwei Law, one of the founders of the It's A Wonderful Life Museum in Seneca Falls, NY where they are having the ultimate celebration of this classic film, from December 8-12, 2021. She gives us many details as well as an overview of what the museum and festival means to visitors and everyone involved. Go to https://www.wonderfullifemuseum.com/ for more information.

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01:29:04

Episode 51: Silent Night, Deadly Night - Part 2...

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/10/24

Patrick Ripoll (Tracks of the Damned, Director's Club) joins Collin and Kerry to talk about the sequel to the notorious 1984 slasher film, about 30 minutes of which is shown in Part 2! How do they get away with that? Is Eric Freeman's performance the stuff of bad-movie legend? When is garbage day? All this and more as they continue to explore this goofy series of holiday slasher films, plus Kerry's Book segment.

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01:22:12

Episode 50: Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/10/12

"What's this?!" Kerry and Collin are joined by Christine Sellin to discuss the immortal Halloween/Christmas classic. Seemed pretty mortal when it was released, though. What made it endure? How is it different watching it as an adult? What does Minnie The Moocher have to do with any of this? We get to the bottom of all this and more as we take a perilous journey through Christmastown with our shrunken heads in tow.

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01:39:34

Episode 49: Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/09/08

Kerry and Collin are joined by their friend Jim Peebles (A Very Brady Christmas episode) to talk about what might be the worst film reviewed on this show so far. Has Kirk Cameron actually read the Bible? What is the most shameless way to stretch a 40 minute movie into an 80 minute movie? How does all of this tie in with Oliver Stone's "JFK"? Find out as we make our way through the dense forest of smug, wrong-headed self-righteousness that is "Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas."

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58:37

Episode 48: Happiest Season

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/08/09

This month, Kerry and Collin catch up with a holiday release from 2020, the LGBTQ Christmas comedy "Happiest Season." Does Kristen Stewart's character deserve better? What is a Cruffin? Is it worth going to a high school reunion? All this, plus the monthly "Book" segment and a look at next month's movie.

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02:02:46

Episode 47: Lethal Weapon (with Erik Childress &...

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/07/06

Joining us in person(!) is the Murtaugh and Riggs of film criticism--Erik Childress and Sergio Mims (but which is which?). We talk about Richard Donner's iconic buddy-cop movie, "Lethal Weapon" (1987) and its impact as well as its sequels. Which one is the best? How does Sammy Davis Jr. figure into all this? Is "Star Angel" worth seeing? How should egg-nog really be served? All these questions and more! This episode was recorded two days prior to the news breaking of Richard Donner's passing and we

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01:05:25

Episode 46: Desk Set (with Nell Minow)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/06/07

Film critic Nell Minow joins us for a spirited talk about the Hepburn-Tracy comedy "Desk Set" (1957). Where does it rank among the nine films they made together? What other "Sets" existed during this time? What is a "Floating Island"? Find out all this and more as we talk about technological terrors and the origins of one of John Goodman's most memorable characters. Listen and review us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and Amazon Podcasts.

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01:15:10

Episode 45: A Bad Moms Christmas (with Peter Sobczynski)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/05/06

Celebrate Mother's Day with us as we talk about the 2017 mom-based Christmas sequel that you should really skip. Film critic Peter Sobczynski returns as we talk about this forgettable comedy. We also give some better alternative Mother's Day pics, some parenting tips and where to find a good Richard Dreyfuss imitation.

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01:30:01

Episode 44: Fanny & Alexander

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/04/06

Break open the cognac and settle in as Collin, Kerry and guest Brad Strauss unwrap Ingmar Bergman's celebrated, Oscar-winning "Fanny & Alexander" (1983). Which should you watch, the theatrical or TV version? How far are any of us from Lapland? And which of the great directors made the best and worst final films of their careers? All this and more in the most epic edition of the "We Just Say Book" segment yet recorded.

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01:17:47

Episode 43: Mixed Nuts

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/03/10

Collin and Kerry are joined by their friend Christopher Grace for a 45-minute discussion on Nora Ephron's ensemble comedy, "Mixed Nuts" (1994). The runtime is notable because Siskel & Ebert could barely talk about this movie for two minutes. How does it compare to Martin Scorsese's "After Hours"? Why did Steve Martin dye his hair? What's the connection between this film and Bergman's "Wild Strawberries"? Answers are given and you won't be put on hold.

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01:16:16

Episode 42: Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted...

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/02/05

An animation spectacular! Settle in with your talking teacups and incoherent relatives and enjoy the discussion of "Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" (1997) and "Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe In Santa" (2002). This month, Kerry and Collin dive into a direct-to-video sequel to one of the greatest animated films of all time, as well as a Christmas special that has gained notoriety as one of the very worst of all time. Both feature the voice of Paige O'Hara.

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01:15:53

Episode 41: Babes In Toyland - Director's Cut (1986)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2021/01/11

Kerry and Collin unearthed the Director's Cut of this pretty terrible movie, a cut that runs 2 hours and 22 minutes and features lip syncing by Drew Barrymore, Keanu Reeves and Pat Morita, none of which is remotely convincing. This is the third version of "Babes In Toyland" that has been discussed on the show and certainly the most nightmarish and bizarre (which is really saying something after that terrifying Mickey Mouse/monkey hybrid from the Laurel & Hardy version). Many conspiracy theories are

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01:12:57

Episode 40: Christmas In Connecticut

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2020/12/23

Kerry and Collin celebrate the 75th anniversary of the incredibly charming "Christmas in Connecticut" (1945). Yes, they are well-aware Arnold Schwarzenegger directed a remake for television in 1992 and they'd rather be unaware of it. They also talk about a few other Christmas films watched over the holiday season. Also, more TV recommendations, "We Just Say Book" and a thank-you to all the guests of 2020.

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01:37:28

Episode 39: Home Alone

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2020/12/17

Kerry and Collin talk with film critic Matt Fagerholm (RogerEbert.com) about the beloved classic, "Home Alone" (1990), which celebrates its 30-year anniversary. They discuss why the film has endured, its flaws, the careers of John Hughes and John Candy and, of course, how it compares to the French horror film, "Code Pere Noel." Also, more TV recommendations and an update on Kerry's book progress.

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01:11:51

BONUS! Beth Crowley and Her Song "You Ruined Christmas"

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2020/12/09

Welcome to Christmas Songs Actually! Here is a bonus episode in which Kerry and Collin talk to singer/songwriter Beth Crowley about her Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas-movie-themed song, "You Ruined Christmas." They also talk about Christmas short films and where to find them. Also, TV talk and how The Flintstones connect to the music of U2.

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