The Hallmark Channel became famous for producing low-budget, formulaic Christmas films aimed at women, and this spread to Lifetime and Freeform, and now Netflix and other mainstream outlets have been inspired to create similar features, though with higher budgets and less conservative restrictions. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al each watched a smattering of these and share … [Read more...] about PMP#212: Holiday Romance Films
Holiday
PMP#187: Taking Down Santa Claus
For our annual holiday episode, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al talk about Santa qua mythical and cultural figure, getting into the history of the character, his film appearances, and how the emphasis on kids' belief compares to religious belief. Plus, grading Xmas movies on a curve and Black Santa! Follow us @law_writes, @sarahlynbruck, @ixisnox, @MarkLinsenmayer. Get an … [Read more...] about PMP#187: Taking Down Santa Claus
PMP#141: Christmas Songs
The PMP A-Team (Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al) talk about the canon of Christmas songs, from centuries-old carols to current attempts by pop stars to get added to this cycle of cash-flow. Happy holidays, everybody! We also do a bit of year-end reflection, getting into various things we've watched with some recommendations and ambivalent takes. This is the first time … [Read more...] about PMP#141: Christmas Songs
PMP#66: Scary Movies w/ Nathan Shelton
What scares us? Why do people enjoy being scared by films? What's the deal with "horror" movies that are good but not scary or that are terrible yet still scary in some way? Mark, Erica, Brian are joined by actor/SFX makeup designer Nathan Shelton (who runs the Frightmare Theatre Podcast) for a Halloween conversation where no one gets a rock. We present our picks for what … [Read more...] about PMP#66: Scary Movies w/ Nathan Shelton
PMP#24: Christmas Viewing: What’s Canon?
Join Mark, Erica, and Brian for a special "snake draft," where we take turns picking the holiday films and TV specials that we think are (or should be) part of America's yearly viewing traditions. Were I to list all the shows and films we mention, that would give away our picks now, wouldn't it? Compare your intuitions about what is classic or seminal or over-rated with … [Read more...] about PMP#24: Christmas Viewing: What’s Canon?