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"

Wayne Wang's "Smoke" doesn't look like a Christmas movie, sound like a Christmas movie or ever feel like a Christmas movie. It really isn't, but the final fifteen minutes of this terrific ensemble film features a moving and poetic Christmas story that makes it worthy of inclusion on this show (hey, it has more Chrsitmas in it than Disney's "Babes In Toyland"). The film stars Harvey Keitel, William Hurt, Forrest Whitaker, Stockard Channing, Ashley Judd, Giancarlo Esposito, Harold Perrineau and Jared Harris. It also has a distinction of winning an obscure MTV Movie Award for a category that was never repeated ever again. Also, Kerry talks about three movies from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."

Book movies covered:

"Smoke" (1995)

"Deseret" (1995)

"The Phenix City Story" (1955)

Kerry and Collin look at the often maligned 2004 comedy "Surviving Christmas," starring Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate and Catherine O'Hara and find it's not quite as terrible as critics (Collin included) made it out to be twenty years ago. Is it the two decades of distance from the Bennifer annoyance of that time period? How much money would it take for you to bring in a character like Affleck's into your home for two weeks? What about those lyrics they sing for "O Christmas Tree"? All thee questions deserve answers. Plus, to make up for the "lost episode" from February, there is a mini Blu-ray segment as well as a Book segment.

Blu-rays covered:

Warner;

"Amadeus" (1984) - 4K

Criterion:

"King Lear" (1987)

Warner Archive:

"Tom & Jerry - The Complete Cinemascope Cartoon Collection"

"Gabriel Over the White House" (1933)

Book movies covered:

"Weekend" (1967)

"Patton" (1970)

"Braveheart" (1995)

Kerry and Collin showed up late for their discussion of the 2001 rom-com starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, “Serendipity.” Does the movie take its concepts about fate and destiny to absurd heights? How many movies accurately depict the lives of obituary writers? Should the filmmakers have left in the twin towers when the film came out in the fall of 2001? Also, Kerry and Collin reveal their own Top 5 John Cusack movies. Plus, a 1995 classic, some Kurasawa, Tom & Jerry and Richard Pryor talked about for the Blu-ray Gift Exchange.

Blu-rays covered:

Warner Bros:

“Se7en” 4K (1995)

Focus:

"Conclave" (2024)

Criterion:

“Yojimbo” / “Sanjuro” - The Samurai Films of Akira Kurosawa - 4K

“Jo-Jo Dancer: Your Life Is Calling” - 4K

Warner Archive:

Tom & Jerry - The CinemaScope Collection

Sony:

“The Lords of Flatbush” (1974)

Severin:

“Vixen” - 4K (1968)

Magnolia:

“Omni Loop” (2024)

The co-host of Friendship Dilemma, Morgan Gire, returns to the show to talk about Martin McDonagh's great, Oscar-nominated black comedy, "In Bruges," starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. While the film does take place during the holiday season, it's the bleak morality play and violence that take center stage. What actually happens to Farrell's character at the very end of the film? Do actors in movies really know how to use guns with blanks? What bird is the symbol for the dreamlike city of Bruges? All this, plus Kerry gives us three more titles from "1,001 Movies You must See Before You Die," one of which is a David Lynch film, which sparks a brief discussion of his work.

Book movies coevred:

"The Puppetmaster" (1993)

"Wild Strawberries" (1957)

"The Elephant Man" (1980)

Hear Morgan Gire and Erik Childress on "The Friendship Dilemma"

Follow Christmas Movies Actually on:

Facebook

BlueSky

Email us a movie suggestion, question or comment at christmasmoviesactually@gmail.com

Kerry and Collin continue the tradition of starting the new year off with a look at a Nutcracker movie. Although, this Hulu offering is not a Nutcracker-based movie, the ballet does figure into the plot eventually, as Ben Stiller has to housesit his four recently orphaned nephews, who happen to have some talent in that artform. Can he really put on a production in a matter of weeks? Do people really write checks as payment at an ice cream truck? Is this David Gordon Green's best comedy in over a decade? PLUS, Kerry and Collin recommend a short film that is a dead-on parody of Hallmark movies (see link below to watch the film). Speaking of Hallmark, the Blu-ray Gift Exchange features a Hallmark movie that Collin recommends(!).

Short film: A Winter's Charm In Carson City (Hallmark parody)

Hallmark:

"The Santa Summit" (DVD)

Paramount:

"Galaxy Quest" 4K

Criterion:

"Paris, Texas" 4K

"Eastern Condors" 4K

Warner Archive:

"The Searchers" 4K

"A Night Full of Rain"

"The Walking Dead"

"Mr. Lucky"

Sony:

"Talk of the Town' 4K

"The Outrun" (DVD)

Severin:

"Scala!!!"