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"