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CHRISTMAS #11. Richard and Greg resume their annual quest for a movie that bringsthe Christmas Feels. Despite disappointing past candidates, they review films from thelast three-quarters of a century to find a Christmas miracle. Greg again brings insomething to celebrate the Spirit of Christmas (this year, no spiders!) with a gospel choirto light up the studio. Or does he…?Come to the Stable (1949) https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-stableChristmas with the Kranks (2004) https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-kranksYour Christmas or Mine? (2021) https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-mine

In yet another franchise revival, Liam Neeson steps into the clown shoes of LeslieNielsen. Can it be just a coincidence that the two actors have the same initials? This isjust one of the many issues that Richard and Greg fail to discuss in their review – alongwith the missed opportunity of Leonard Nimoy starring in “The Naked Phaser”…The Naked Gun (2025)   https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-08

Last week, Richard and Greg went to see the new Superman film – heralded as a returnto glory for the DC Universe movies. Now we review the equivalent saviour for theMarvel Cinema Universe. How did DC-fanboy Greg and Richard go? Was the filmFantastic – or is Four a crowd? Fantastic Four – First Steps (2025)   https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-07

Greg is a complete Superman fanboy.  So it’s no surprise that he gets Richard to review the new foundation for James Gunn’s DC Movie Universe.  (Not that Richard needed much persuading...)  But how did this latest Superman go — is he Kryptonite for Gunn’s plans, or is he “up-up-and-away” in the hands of a “cape-able” director? Superman (2025)  https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-06

This is our first-ever minisode for a movie that is NOT a sequel. Richard thought that hewas dragging Greg into a Horror film, but it turns out that he was dragging himself into aMusical. While it may not be the first-ever Vampire Musical (that was possibly “Buffy”S06 E07), it’s undoubtedly a first for vampires that River Dance. Feel free to do a bit ofthe ol’ River Dancing while listening. Unless of course you’re driving or using heavymachinery.Sinners (2025)  https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-05

Richard and Greg join their partners Niniane and Naomi to discuss films chosen by the aforementioned Wheel. Who agrees with whom? And, more interestingly, who doesn’t?? Season 5 ends with the quartet celebrating anAustralian comedy classic that has become both beloved and iconic – to which our podcast can only aspire.* The Indian in the Cupboard (1995) http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-10-indian* In the Mood for Love (2000) http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-10-mood* The Castle (1997) http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-10-castle

In this episode, we move from Greg’s comfort zone (whodunnits) to Richard’s (Italian pronunciation).  Our reviewers discuss three Italian films that made it in the English-speaking world.  Two made it to the Oscars, and all have something to say about “la condizione umana”.  And then, in preparation for the season finale, Richard and Greg try something new – the Cinematic Wheel of Fortune (complete with sound effects!) • God Willing (2015)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-09-willing • Il Postino (1994)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-09-postino • Life is Beautiful (1997)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-09-life

Greg takes Richard into classic Agatha Christie territory with a French director’s Hollywood take on a British novel.  After examining the British class system, they finish with a largely forgotten whodunnit film written by Psycho actor Anthony Perkins and West Side Story composer Stephen Sondheim.  And if that doesn’t get you in, nothing will.  What is Richard’s problem with filmic murder?  And is it OK for Death to be funny? And Then There None (1945)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-08-none  Gosford Park (2001)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-08-gosford  The Last of Sheila (1973)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-08-sheila  OTHER RESOURCES Watch “The Ninth Guest” (1934)  https://tinyurl.com/9thguest  Watch “Charlie Chan in London” (1934)  https://tinyurl.com/london-chan  Read the 2021 article about “The Last of Sheila”  https://tinyurl.com/sheilabyjulia  Glass Onion (2022)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-08-onion 

Richard and Greg review three Shakespearean films made either side of the year 2000.  Shakespeare is known for raising the Big Questions – and this episode is no exception.  Which of our podcasters is the worse at trying to sound Shakespearean?  Are they better or worse than American actors at this?  Are podcasts like the theatre, where the Scottish Play must not be mentioned by name?  And (most importantly of all) what DID Shakespeare have against Norway? The Tempest (2010)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-07-tempest  The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-07-macbeth  Hamlet (1996)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-07-hamlet  OTHER RESOURCES James Thurber’s “The Macbeth murder mystery” https://tinyurl.com/macthurber Gilligan Island’s musical Hamlet https://tinyurl.com/hamletisle 

We don’t know about you, but Richard is flabbered and Greg is gasted that this is our Tenth Christmas Episode!  As usual, they review three Christmas films in search of that special seasonal something.  Two films are liked more by one reviewer than the other – whereas the third is universally found wanting, sadly.  This last outcome is likely to be a wee bit controversial.  As is perhaps the source of their disagreement about one of the others. Last Train to Christmas (2021)  https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-train How to Make Gravy (2024)  https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-gravy A Boy Called Christmas (2021)  https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-xmas-boy

Richard and Greg grew up admiring one US and three Australian movie reviewers.  Back in 2019, US-based Leonard Maltin was asked by “The Movies That Made me” podcast to pick movies from each decade of the past century that he wished were better known.  Richard and Greg dare to pick up Maltin’s mantle to review three of these “sleeper” films for themselves (with apologies to Mrs Maltin for our presumption in naming this episode…) House of Games (1987)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-06-games  Pollyanna (1960)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-06-pollyanna  The Last Command (1928)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-06-command OTHER RESOURCES Podcast in which Leonard Maltin picks movies more people should know about https://tinyurl.com/maltin2019 

Richard and Greg choose a film for three modes of transport (somehow forgetting about the 1987 Steve Martin / John Candy film).  Although the films are scattered across the 20th Century, our reviewers find that all stand up well to the test of time – suggesting that this episode should have been called “Transports of Delight”.  But which film had “the most obnoxious movie kids ever seen”…? Flying High! / Airplane! (1980)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-05-plane  The General (1926)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-05-train  Duel (1971)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-05-auto  OTHER RESOURCES Comparison of “Flying High!” with “Zero Hour!” https://tinyurl.com/zerocompare  Watch the 4K restoration of “The General” https://tinyurl.com/general4k 

Quo Vadis?  To see the new Gladiator film!  They may not have swords or togas, but Richard and Greg make the pilgrimage to a newish Melbourne cinema to see an ancient-ish Roman story.  What did they think?  Is it thumbs-up or thumbs-down?  (And if it’s thumbs-down, does director Ridley Scott get thrown to the lions…?)  You know that there’s only one way to find out: kick your sandals off and hit the Play button. Gladiator 2 (2024)  https://tinyurl.com/fmfw-minisode-04

Our reviewers take on three crime films set in Hollywood across the latter half of the 20th Century.  Greg admits to watching his first-ever Tarantino film.  If that’s not crime enough, Richard corners him into summarising the plot of David Lynch’s mystifying “Mulholland Drive”.  But Greg triumphs by bringing a credible explanation to the table that could possibly involve goldfish on a casting couch.  Or does he…? Hollywoodland (2006)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-04-woodland  Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-04-time  Mulholland Drive (2001)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-04-mulholland 

Richard and Greg jump across the local “pond” from Australia to review three New Zealand films from world-renowned directors Lee Tamahori, Peter Jackson and Taika Waititi.  While they have similar responses to two of these films, our film reviewers are (South?) poles apart for the third.  Not to worry!  For Greg brings a “Kiwi moviegoer’s sensation on a stick” into Richard’s life, revived from a past Roman holiday. Once Were Warriors (1994)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-03-warriors  The Frighteners (1996)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-03-frighteners  Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)  http://tinyurl.com/fmfw-05-03-hunt