109: The Bishop's Wife (1947) (feat. John A. Zukowski)
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
6d ago
Kerry and Collin are joined by author John A. Zukowski, author of the book "Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing the Evolution of American Spirituality," which provides a springboard into the discussion of the classic "The Bishop's Wife," starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. Why did America need so many movies about celestial beings and angels after WWII? What would the film have been like if Grant and Niven switched roles? What exactly is a "stinger"? (we know it's a drink) All these questions, plus Kerry gives us three more titles (with a classic or two) from the "1,001 Movies Y ..read more
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108: Little Miss Millions (1993)
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
3w ago
Kerry and Collin take a listener request and talk about an obscure TV movie called "Little Miss Millions," starring Howard Hesseman and (Jennifer) Love Hewitt. The film is directed by Jim "Chopping Mall" Wynorski, whose entire filmography is covered in this one single episode. How many times does Collin drop "Midnight Run" into the conversation? Do young people not know who Howard Hesseman is? Can anyone at anytime use a mirror to blind someone? Also, Collin reviews the latest and greatest in physical media from the month of March in the Blu-ray Gift Exchange. Blu-ray movies covered: Criterion ..read more
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107: Easter Movies Actually - Jesus Christ Superstar (feat. Brad Strauss)
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
1M ago
The Easter holiday is when many people pull out the Biblical epics and none of them rock harder than Norman Jewison's adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice's immortal "Jesus Christ Superstar." Brad Strauss returns to chat with Collin and Kerry about the film's controversy, production problems and why this Biblical movie endures while others have been forgotten. Of course, they also go over their favorite and least favorite songs. There's also some long-overdue Oscar talk and Kerry talks about three movies from the "1,001 Movies You must See Before You Die" book.  Book movies covered ..read more
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106: St. Patrick's Day Movies Actually: The Commitments (feat. Jim Peebles)
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
1M ago
St. Patrick's Day calls for a celebration of all things Irish. Why not celebrate the "Blacks of Dublin" with the 1991 musical comedy "The Commitments"? Kerry and Collin are joined by their friend Jim Peebles to talk about what might be the greatest fictional band of all time. Who are/were the Commitments? Where are they now? How authentically Irish is this movie? How many women did Joey "The Lips" actually sleep with in this movie? All that, plus a look at the latest and greatest in physical media for the month of February, including more musicals (a couple classics, even). Blu-rays covered: P ..read more
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105: Little Women (1994) (feat. Laura McDougal and Allyson Dykhuizen)
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
2M ago
Kerry and Collin are joined by Laura McDougal and Allyson Dykhuizen (founders of an online community geared towards knitting and garment making, among other things) to talk about the 1994 version of "Little Women." How does this version compare to others, most notably Greta Gerwig's version? Who is the "worst" little woman in the film? Do men always have to explain to women what's happening in an opera, or is that only in lots and lots of movies? All this, plus Kerry gives three more movies from the "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" book.  You can find out more information about ..read more
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104: Valentine's Day Movies Actually - Valentine's Day (2010)
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
2M ago
The first detour from Christmas takes Kerry and Collin to the beloved and behated Valentine's Day. Conveniently, that also happens to be the name of the movie they talk about. Garry Marshall's last three films were holiday-based rom-com adventures. "Valentine's Day" might be the best of the three, but will likely be the only one covered on this show. How does the "Love Actually' formula work for this multiple-stories-in-one-day device? Can one be a convincing phone sex worker in a PG-13 movie? What are the three best Garry Marshall movies? All this, plus Collin goes through the new releases in ..read more
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103: A Disturbance In The Force (feat. director Jeremy Coon)
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
3M ago
The Star Wars Holiday Special remains a curiosity item for many, mainly for its sheer awfulness. In this episode, Kerry and Collin talk with director Jeremy Coon about his wonderful documentary on the notorious television special, "A Disturbance In the Force" (now available on VOD and blu-ray). Should this wretched television special be officially released? How many times did Coon have to watch it while making his documentary? What other Star Wars-related media is still under wraps out there? Why is now the perfect time for this documentary, currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes? All this, plus ..read more
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102: The Nutcracker Prince (1990)
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
4M ago
For this year's Nutcracker entry, Kerry and Collin fulfill a listener request with "The Nutcracker Prince," surprisingly not a direct-to-video animated film from this era, but sure feels like one. What is Blue (or Bleu) Cheese Cake? Is it acceotable to have a Nutcracker movie without the slightest hint of ballet? Is it worth the effort to travel to Miller's Pub on Wabash Avenue in Chicago to try the seasonal Tom and Jerry beverage? All these questions answered, plus a Blu-ray Gift Exchange from December that feature a few classics and obscurities. Blu-ray films coevered: Universal: "Love Actua ..read more
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Episode 101: Elf - 20th Anniversary
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
4M ago
Friend of the show, Jim Peebles, joins Collin and Kerry for a look at one of the most enduring and successful of all Christmas films, Jon Favreau's 2003 comedy "Elf," starring Will Farrell as the eternally childlike Buddy The Elf and James Caan as his long lost father. How does the film hold up after 20 years? Did the film breathe new life into the song "Baby, It's Cold Outside"? How is it that there's never been a sequel? Collin and Kerry also give quick reviews on three new Christmas films now streaming: "Family Switch" (Netflix), "Candy Cane Lane" (Amazon) and "The Sacrifice Game" (Shudder ..read more
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Episode 100: Trading Places - LIVE at Elk Grove Theater
Christmas Movies Actually
by Collin Souter
4M ago
Kerry and Collin take the show on the road for their 100th episode (or is it?). They are joined by frequent guests Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski for a discussion in front of an audience following the screening of the film. Does John Landis' film represent Eddie Murphy at his peak? How does this movie work as a time capsule of '80s greed and specific movie tropes? How does it harken back to comedies of the '30s and '40s? After that, Kerry and Collin look at a study that examined profanity in Christmas movies. They also share a few ideas they will try with the show starting in 2024. Merry ..read more
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