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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

01:20:01

Episode 70: A Christmas Story Christmas

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/11/20

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

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01:22:26

Episode 69: Falling For Christmas (feat. Leo Brady)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/11/14

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

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01:40:32

Episode 68: BONUS - A Tribute to Sergio Mims

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/11/02

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

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01:49:34

Episode 67: Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better...

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/10/22

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

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01:48:59

Episode 66: Krampus (feat. Steve Prokopy)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/10/03

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

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01:28:44

Episode 65: Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/09/05

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. "We Just Say Book" featured titles:

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01:36:31

Episode 64: Dead Bang (feat. Sergio Mims)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/08/05

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. Is it any better than Johnson's "Heartbeat" video? How do white supremacists celebrate Christmas? How many phones does Johnson destroy in this film? It's a deep dive into a movie that ain't that deep. Frankenheimer's work is further explored in the "We Just Say Book" segment and more

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01:46:21

Episode 63: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (feat. Morgan Gire)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/07/05

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 Exhange. Book: "A Trip To the Moon" (1902), "Goldfinger" (1964), "Top Gun" (1986) Blu-rays: "Boomerang"

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01:27:49

Episode 62: Prancer (feat. Jim Laczkowski)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/06/05

Kerry and Collin are joined by Directors Club host and Now Playing Network head honcho, Jim Laczkowski, to talk about the Rudoolph the Red-nosed Reindeer spin-off, "Prancer" (1989). Does the main character belong on the "nice list" or the "naughty list"? Is a child ever too young to climb onto a roof to install Christmas lights? What exactly are floribundas? Also, "We Just Say Book," the Blu-ray Gift Exchange and a surprise song at the very end.

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01:27:37

Episode 61: Holiday Inn (80th Anniversary)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/05/04

Kerry and Collin take a listener request to talk about the Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire classic, "Holiday Inn" (1942). Did the movie celebrate one holiday too many? (the only acceptable answer to this question is yes) Were the norms of rom-coms in the '40s vastly different from ones made today? What would podcasts sound like during this era? Also, "We Just Say Book," the Blu-ray Gift Exchange, an overview of the Chicago Critics Film Festival and a special announcement from your hosts.

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01:32:11

Episode 60: Jingle All the Way (feat. Tadd Good)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/04/07

Kerry and Collin are joined by theater manager, festival programmer and podcaster Tadd Good (Attack of the Killer Podcast) to talk about the mystifying perennial favorite among some, "Jingle All the Way" (1996). Does it ever get dark out in Minnesota? Have you ever gotten caught sneaking into an R-rated movie? Just who is Larry the Cable Guy? All this and more will be uncovered, plus "We Just Say Book" and a look at what's new in physical media in our "Blu-ray Gift Exchange."

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01:45:32

Episode 59: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (feat. Patrick...

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/03/07

Kerry and Collin are joined by returning guest Patrick Ripoll to discuss the all-singing, award-winning masterpiece, Jacques Demy's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (1964). How does it fit in with other films of the French New Wave? How does Christmas function in the film's final moments? How do the musical elements differ from the recently released "Annette"? All this, plus Oscar talk, the Book segment and a look at the latest releases in physical media on the "Blu-ray Gift Exchange."

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02:02:16

Episode 58: Eyes Wide Shut (feat. Dave Canfield)

Christmas Movies Actually ·

2022/02/07

It's not possible to take too deep a dive into Stanley Kubrick's enigmatic final film "Eyes Wide Shut," but Kerry and Collin do their best and they are aided by returning guest, Dave Canfield, to dissect the Christmasy nature of this divisive film. How do the decorations inform the visual look of the film? Is it one of Nicole Kidman's best performances? What would the film be like with an all-Muppet cast? Also, Kerry and Collin introduce a new segment, "Blu-ray Gift Exchange," in which they

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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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