Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays from a trio of filthy animals. This episode, the guys chose from a pool of Christmas comedies before watching that movie and recording the episode directly after. A movie that neither Mr Vozly nor KMax had seen before. It's The Night Before (2015).

Here are the talking points:

• Initial reactions
• Scene Perception
• Relation to Grief
• Cinematic tools
• Laughter

Mr Vozly, KMax, and the Tin Man come together to talk about movies that make them laugh and what makes them impactful. Talking points include the times they've laughed the hardest in a movie watching experience, what exactly makes them laugh in a movie, comedy now vs comedy 'then', our go-to comedies we watch to improve our mood, and laughter vs belonging- the battle of which is more comforting.

Movies discussed include but aren't limited to: Hot Rod, The Princess Bride, Superbad, American Pie, Cabin in the Woods, the Jackass movies, Megamind, Porky's, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas... the list goes on

Kmax and Mr Vozly dive into Big Hero 6 (2014), and how it explores several concepts. As always, they talk about initial reactions and favorite scenes. Grief, and isolation make a comeback. Of course, the idea of 'Belonging' is discussed. Theme is presented, and the guys see how color, technology, and the connections between Hiro and Callaghan help convey the theme.

Kmax and Mr Vozly join forces to discuss "Belonging," using movies from season 3, and a callback to our most influential movies from the very first episode of the podcast. We talk about what Belonging means to us, and what gives us the biggest sense of belonging. What happens when that sense of belonging is absent? In movies, how do characters' well-being improve when belonging is restored? Is a sense of belonging the most comforting thing we can feel, and is that reflected in our movie watching experiences?

Movies we include: The Ritual, Talk to Me, Midsommar, Home Alone, Coco, Planes Trains & Automobiles, Forrest Gump, Toy Story, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Frankenstein.

How is isolation going to be a lighter subject to talk about? Let Kmax and Mr Vozly show you. This episode we discuss a holiday classic- Planes, Trains, & Automobiles (1987). Here are the talking points:

• Initial reactions/favorite scenes
• How do we see isolation?
• How we personally connect with Neal
• How we personally connect with Del
• This movie's relation to our grief discussion
• What makes this movie heartwarming
• Theme

The Tin Man makes an appearance for this episode about isolation. We talk about what isolation means to us, whether isolation is self-imposed or imposed upon, why we see characters isolate, if characters get peace with isolation, whether isolation is a successful coping technique or complacency with dealing with society and responsibility, if isolation is natural, and whether it is a positive or negative thing.

We use movie examples from our podcast's history including: Godzilla Minus 1, The Florida Project, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, Train to Busan, Hook, Shaun of the Dead, Children of Men, Mamma Mia, Hell or High Water, Bicycle Thieves, The Hateful Eight, Dead Man, Talk to Me, and Midsommar.

Mr Vozly and Kmax work through their own 5 stages of grief discussing 2019's Midsommar. This serves as the last portion of our chapter on Grief. Talking points include:

What upset us in this movie?

Subversion of our grief discussion, as well as usual tropes of both horror and happiness.

Taking turns debating whether Dani successfully processed grief.

Using plot to shape a theme.

Theme and why?

KMax and Mr Vozly find the grief in 2022's Talk To Me. The discussion includes:

• How is grief shown in this movie?
• The Kangaroo
• What did we feel more, fear or sadness?
• Cinematic tools that makes us feel the way we do
• One word on how the movie presents grief