Collin Souter public
[search 0]
Download the App!
show episodes
 
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.
  continue reading
 
Loading …
show series
 
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 an…
  continue reading
 
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…
  continue reading
 
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 ha…
  continue reading
 
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…
  continue reading
 
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 alway…
  continue reading
 
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 sho…
  continue reading
 
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 …
  continue reading
 
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 acceptable to have a Nutcracker movie without the slightest hint of ballet? Is it worth the effort to travel to…
  continue reading
 
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…
  continue reading
 
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 s…
  continue reading
 
Ed Daly, author of "The Christmas Book," joins Kerry and Collin for a discussion on the 1988 classic comedy "Scrooged," starring Bill Murray. For Ed, it was a memorable childhood moviegoing experience. For Collin, it was a memorable teenage experience working at a movie theater at the time. For Kerry, it was a memorable cable TV staple. Does it hol…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin talk about the Christmas episodes from Murder She Wrote, Moonlighting, Psych, The Office, Pee-Wee's Playhouse and The Bear. Collin also covers some holiday offerings new on blu-ray/4K and offers his choices for the best blu-ray/4K releases of the year. Finally, they each recommend a movie-related book ("Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel…
  continue reading
 
Film critic Marya E. Gates joins Collin and Kerry to talk about Netflix's latest holiday offering, "Best. Christmas. Ever!" This "fam-com" stars Heather Graham, Brandy and Jason Biggs and is directed by Mary Lambert of "Pet Sematary" fame. How does this film figure into the rest of her work? Do rich people really have multiple, full-size Christmas …
  continue reading
 
The first big Christmas film of the season, Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers," is actually pretty great (the first Christmas movie of the season is rarely ever good). Film critic Steve Prokopy joins Kerry and Collin for the discussion of this theatrical release that is worthy of your time at your local theater (SPOILERS WARNING FOR THIS EPISODE!). …
  continue reading
 
The tradition continues! Patrick Ripoll joins Kerry and Collin once again to look beneath the early-'90s, direct-to-video sheen and plunge into the most disturbing of depths to dissect "Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation," quite possibly the most disgusting movie ever covered on this show (and yes, we did cover that Kirk Cameron movie). Is it…
  continue reading
 
Who doesn't love a good musical-zombie-Christmas movie? Kerry and Collin are joined by frequent guest Peter Sobczynski to talk about the 2017 horror-musical "Anna and the Apocalypse" and break down how it manages to mix vastly different tones into a tight 93 minutes. How different is the film today when viewed after the height of the real pandemic?…
  continue reading
 
11In between enthusiastic discussions of their recent wedding and the reissue of Jonathan Demme's "Stop Making Sense," Kerry and Collin take a few minutes to discuss the 2004 tearjerker drama "Noel," starring Susan Sarandon, Alan Arkin, Paul Walker, Penelope Cruz and Robin Williams. Are ringbearers absolutely necessary in a wedding ceremony? What w…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin take a look at "The Family Stone," staring Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson and an impressive assemblage of actors who make up a family (the Stone family! Get it?) that might be the most annoying family to have to marry into. Who is most worthy of the audience's sympathies in this film? Who is least deserving? Ho…
  continue reading
 
If you got to the end of the "Die Hard" episode, you heard guests Erik Laws and Erik Childress name-drop this 1984 sci-fi concoction, "Trancers," starring Tim Thomerson (as Jack Deth!) and before-she-was-famous Helen Hunt. Kerry and Collin decided "may as well" and dove right in. Piecing together elements of "Blade Runner," "The Terminator," "Back …
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin went back and explored three Christmas-themed Barbie movies that came out between 2001 and 2011 (all direct-to-DVD). They both watched "Barbie: A Perfect Christmas," which tells the story of Barbie and her sisters being stranded in a Christmas village while on their way to New York. What better way to deal with that situation than …
  continue reading
 
Erik Childress and Erik Laws return to talk with Kerry and Collin about the classic action film that redefined the genre while also changing the conversation about what constitutes a Christmas movie: 1988's "Die Hard." Everything about the film today still feels perfect and their discussion covers a wide range of iconic scenes and characters. Who w…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin are joined by film critic B.L. Panther to talk about the 1996 made-for-TV musical "Mrs. Santa Claus," starring Angela Lansbury, Charles Durning and Michael Jeter. How did this end up being the perfect film to talk about the week of Independence Day? How is Santa magic used (or not used) in 1910 America? Finally, is it so hard for c…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin take a look at the 1994 crime comedy "Trapped In Paradise," starring Nicolas Cage, Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz (the previously planned "The Holly and the Ivy" episode had to be postponed). How does this movie compare to other get-out-of-town crime comedies that also take place during Christmas? Is there such a thing as a "nativity s…
  continue reading
 
Film critic and Now Playing Network head honcho Jim Laczkowski joins Collin & Kerry to talk about the underrated Chevy Chase comedy "Funny Farm" (1988), which also stars Madolyn Smith Osborne, as a couple who buy a dream home in a town populated by deranged, drunken lunatics. Why didn't this film catch on back in the day? Is this Chevy Chase's best…
  continue reading
 
EXPLICIT CONTENT! We don't want any angry letters after this, so there you go. Kerry and Collin are joined by Chicago film critic Clint Worthington (The Spool) to break down Sean Baker's Christmas Eve comedy about a day in the life of two L.A. trans sex workers trying to find a cheating ex-boyfriend. And it's all about the hustle! Why is the use of…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin take a look at the Queen Latifah comedy "Last Holiday," which is actually a remake of an Alec Guinness comedy from 1950. Surprisingly, Robert Zemeckis served as executive producer on this film, which is about as simple and formulaic as a film can be, but its star makes it work (mostly). Why did it take 23 years to make this film? H…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin finally get around to Tim Allen movies with what is arguably one of the most influential Christmas movies of all time, "The Santa Clause". That doesn't mean "great" necessarily, but the movie does provide the template for hundreds of Santa-based movies that would come later and continue to be made today. Is this the first Santa wit…
  continue reading
 
Have you ever wondered where those crazy Christmas songs come from? The ones you hear at the end of every episode of this show (as well as the intro)? Well, in honor of Record Store Day (April 22), Collin and Kerry take a look at Mitchell Kezin's very entertaining documentary "Jingle Bell Rocks" (2014), which examines the people who discover this m…
  continue reading
 
Film critic Marya E. Gates (RogerEbert.com, Vulture) joins Collin and Kerry for a deep dive into one of her very favorite films, "Holiday Affair," staring Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum and Wendell Corey. While not one of the most popular of Christmas films, could it have influenced films such as "Sleepless In Seattle" and "Baby Boom"? What makes this…
  continue reading
 
The Academy Awards are right around the corner! Kerry and Collin take a look at two of the short film nominations, "Night Ride" and "Le Pupille," two shorts that take place during the Christmas season. They also look at the Academy Award-winning short "Franz Kafka's It's A Wonderful Life," which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. There is a…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin are joined by their friend Christopher Grace ("Mixed Nuts" episode) to talk about this early-'90s classic comedy, "Grumpy Old Men," featuring the kings of the Odd Couples, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. How is their chemistry with the great Ann-Margaret? Did Burgess Meredith write his own one-liners? How does Prince figure into al…
  continue reading
 
In this crossover episode, Collin and Kerry are joined by Erik Childress and Morgan Gire of The Friendship Dilemma podcast to discuss the 2005 Ryan Reynolds comedy, "Just Friends." Who are we supposed to be rooting for in this film? Would you be friends with any of these people? What constitutes a fat suit? You'll hear answers to these questions, a…
  continue reading
 
Collin and Kerry take a look at a film suggested by a listener, the 1991 comedy "All I Want For Christmas." While the poster for the film might suggest it being about two greedy kids who hog-tie Santa Claus until he gives them what they want, it's actually more about two kids dealing with their parents' divorce. Does the movie really earn its G rat…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin start a new January tradition now that they've exhausted all the "Babes In Toyland" movies. The Nutcracker seems like the most obvious choice of films, starting here with the 1993 ballet vehicle for Macauley Culkin. Does he blend well with the other dancers? What's the difference between this and the hundred other Nutcracker produc…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin are joined by their good friend, Jim Peebles, to talk about the holiday classic, the original "Miracle On 34th Street." For a movie that gives the viewer a lot of reasons to doubt Santa Claus, it nevertheless has stood the test of time and remains a Christmastime favorite. What's the key to its success? What makes the film's traile…
  continue reading
 
Matt Fagerholm joins Collin and Kerry to talk ALL things Muppets! In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” the three get into Muppet Christmas specials of the past as well as the other Muppet films. How does Michael Caine approach sharing screen space with non-humans? How does the new Disney+ version of The Muppets co…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin squeeze in a previously unplanned episode by celebrating the 80th anniversary of "The Man Who Came To Dinner," starring Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan and Monty Woolley. This movie never quite gets its due, except for the occasional "alternative Christmas movie" list. Don't we all wish we could be Sheridan Whiteside once in a while? Who…
  continue reading
 
Kerry and Collin take a look at the very R-rated theatrical release, "Violent Night," starring David Harbour ("Stranger Things") as Santa Claus, who gets caught up in a "Die Hard"-like situation. Ho-ho-ho, will he now have a machine gun? How does "Violent Night" measure up against other R-rated Christmas fare? Should David Harbour play Santa more o…
  continue reading
 
Erik Childress joins Collin and Kerry to talk about a TON of Christmas movies that are making their blu-ray or 4K debuts this year. A lot of classics, non-classics, TV specials and obscurities, as well as a run-down of other physical media releases over the last year, all designed to help you with gift ideas for the movie lover in your life. There'…
  continue reading
 
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 …
  continue reading
 
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 amne…
  continue reading
 
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 misse…
  continue reading
 
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 Hellm…
  continue reading
 
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 othe…
  continue reading
 
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…
  continue reading
 
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 …
  continue reading
 
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 Ju…
  continue reading
 
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 fl…
  continue reading
 
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 …
  continue reading
 
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 t…
  continue reading
 
Loading …

Quick Reference Guide