Christmas Movies Actually

Yes, this is the one where Michael Keaton gets reincarnated as a snowman so he can spend more time with his son. It is not the 1997 horror film about a murderous snowman getting revenge, nor is it the delightful 1979 Rankin-Bass animated special. Kerry and Collin weren't that lucky. "Snow dad is better than no dad," as the old saying goes, but could "Jack Frost" have worked if George Clooney was in the lead, as originally intended? Why is no one amazed they are talking to a talking snowman? What questions would you have for a person reincarnated in such a manner? And who in their right mind would keep their nail polish remover in their nightstand? All these questions, plus Kerry gives three more films from 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, all of which happen to be list-worthy. Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection. Visit collinsouter.com RogerEbert.com Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd. Book movies covered: Rebecca (1940) The Princess Bride (1987) The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

Film critic Nell Minow joins Kerry and Collin for a look an a holiday favorite that has been remade at least four times, "The Shop Around The Corner" (1940), starring Jimmy Stewart, Margaret Sullivan and Frank Morgan. At the start, though, there is also a brief discussion on the current release, "The Sheep Detective," which all three highly recommend. Why does "The Shop Around The Corner" take place in Budapest? What is it about this story that makes it so ripe for further exploration in how we anonymously communicate with one another? What exatly is "the Lubitsch touch"? All this, plus three films from 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. Go to MovieZyng to start or continue your DVD/blu-ray/4K collection. Visit collinsouter.com RogerEbert.com Follow Collin and Kerry on Letterboxd. Book movies covered: The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Pepe le Moko (1937) Ugetsu (1953)

"Santa Claus Conquers The Martians" is often considered the Granddaddy of all bad Christmas films. A cheaply made kiddie flick from 1964, it is perhaps most well known for being the screen debut of a young Pia Zadora. Film critic Dave Canfield returns to the show to dissect the film's notoriety, the filmmakers' misguided intentions and what makes this public domain favorite so special. They also discuss a lesser-known yuletide oddity for kids along the same lines, "The Christmas Martian." A Canadian production made for television, it is made up of so many odd elements that don't quite go together, but that's what makes it such a fascinating watch. Finally, Dave's TV Special pick is Berke Breathed's Bloom County/Outland one-off Christmas special "Opus n' Bill's A Wish For Wings That Work," perhaps Collin's favorite Christmas special of all time. Watch "Santa Claus Conquers The Martians" Watch "The Christmas Martian" (sorry, only the French version is available on YouTube) Watch "Opus n' Bill's A Wish For Wings That Work."

Every year, Netflix kicks off the Christmas movie season with a little trifle of a rom-com that stars an actress whose name used to be commonly above the title in past decades. This year, it's Alicia Silverstone's turn in the formulaic "A Merry Little Ex-Mas," a tension-less comedy in which a married couple call it quits on their marriage, but decide to stay together, more or less, through the holidays. Does the script give Silverstone anything to do? Should we all have two Christmas trees up in our houses in case one of them catches fire? How is it that a real-life father and son have no father-and-son chemistry in a movie? All this, plus a Santa Beard rating for the Chet character and three more movies "You Must See Before Your Die. " Book movies covered: "The Traveling Players" (1975) "The Wicker Man" (1973) "An American Werewolf In London" (1981)

With all the Silent Night, Deadly Night films complete (or are they?), Kerry, Collin and their frequent guest at this time of year, Patick Ripoll, take a look at another slasher film from the same era, the less controversial, but just as violent Don't Open Till Christmas, directed by (kind-of) and starring Edward Purdom. There's not a whole lot that makes sense here, but that's what makes it so fun to dissect. Why is one character hanging up random strands of garland in random places in her apartment? Does the killer only want to kill male Santa Clauses in the area? What exactly is the killer's motivation? What prompted re-shoots and re-edits of the final product? All this, plus three films from the Book that more-or-less (mostly less) tie in with the topic. Book films covered: "The War Game" (1966) "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935) "Targets" (1968)

Unfortunately, our episode on "The Apartment" has to be postponed until next year. Our apologioes for that. Fortunately, author John Zukowski was able to step in at the last minute and introduce a new Christmas gem to us, "Remember The Night," a film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray that pretty much set the template for many Christmas romances to come. The first (but certainly not the last) of its kind, "Remember The Night" fits in perfectly with our last two episodes that touched on Christmas romance movies that have real wit and class, with a touch of melancholia to ground them. This is a film well worth discovering if you get the chance; hilarious and heartfelt, with a truly memorable ending. Buy John's books Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing The Evolution Of American Spirituality and The Only Music That Mattered: A Guide To Punk, Post-Punk and Second Wave Ska (1976 - 1983). Book movies discussed: The Snake Pit (1948) A Passage To India (1984) The White Balloon (1995)

Kerry and Collin didn't plan on 2025 being a John Cusack-a-thon, but that's what ended up happening. After talking about "Serendipity" back in February and with "The Ice Harvest" coming up in December, the hosts decided to do a Cusack double-header of Christmas-adjacent films that came out 40 years ago. "The Sure Thing" was Cusack's first starring role in the teenage take on "It Happened One Night" while "Better Off Dead" took on a much weirder tone and ended up being a cult favorite, much to Cusack's chagrin. How does our sense of humor change as we get older? Which of the two films do the hosts respond to more? What is the third film co-starring John Cusack from this same year? Tune in to find out (or just IMDb him for that third question. Or look at the show notes below?). Plus, Kerry gives three more films from "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," one of which might tie into one of these Cusack films. Book films covered: "It Happened One Night" (1936) "Ran" (1985) "The Sting" (1973)

Kerry and Collin are joined by their good friend Jim Peebles, who also guested on the "A Very Brady Christmas" episode. "The Love Boat" is certainly cut from the same cloth, but this "Christmas Cruise" remains a mystery. Is it a movie? Is it two episodes seamlessly jammed together? Why no separate listing for it on Letterbox'd or IMDb? Currently availabel on Paramount+, this movie-sode is chock full of mysteries. Where did the kid chorus come from? How are people able to buy massive amounts of flowers on this ship, let alone yarn? How can one custom make their own "Love Boat" episode? All this, plus Kerry gives three more movies from "1,001 movies You must See Before You Die," one of which also features a Love Boat. Book movies covered: "Daybreak" (1939) "High Sierra" (1941) "Titanic" (1997)