Episode 161: Klaus

All good things must come to an end eventually. When we started Chasing Childhood in mid-2020, we couldn't have imagined the joy, laughter, and new friendships it would bring into our lives. We hope that you were able to find the nostalgia (and maybe some cringe) in revisiting these childhood movies, TV shows, and 2 video games. For our finale, we answer questions sent in by our listeners, play a game, and chat with two of our favorite guest hosts: Tyler and Jackie. Thank you all so very much for coming on this 3+ year journey with us! Here's to new adventures!

After multiple requests from a friend to watch this film over the last couple of years, we're reviewing Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020). It may be a modern Netflix tale, but many of the stars from this movie are quite familiar and nostalgic for us! Even though this is just a quick bonus episode, we hope you enjoy one last rewatch with us. And to Cordell, whose persistence inspired this, we're so happy we finally took your suggestion!

After discussing a modern tale last time, we decided to rewind much farther back than our childhoods for this week. To finish off the Christmas season and our very last film review, we're watching It's a Wonderful Life (1946). George Bailey's life has been a series of horrific experiences, accidents, loss, and turmoil for as long as he can remember. Every big dream shattered, every hope dashed as he discovers himself more and more wrapped up in what he feels are mediocre responsibilities to his community of Bedford Falls. After one disaster too many, he contemplates taking his life until his guardian angel Clarence shows him that if he'd never existed, this sleepy town and the people in it would be miserable without him. We have to ask: has this so-called classic earned its wings? Or do we wish it, too, had never been born? Let’s find out together!

What do you get when you combine a gentle woodsman and a con artist mailman? A modern holiday movie is what! For our Christmas episode, we're exploring that very plot with Klaus (2019). Banished by his Postmaster General father to a remote island where he must prove himself as a postman, spoiled Jesper can't imagine how he'll get its violent and hateful residents to begin mailing letters. That is until he meets Klaus: a kind recluse who secretly loves making toys for the island's kids and wants to receive their letters. Children unlock the spirit of the season with their desire to believe in the magic of Klaus, igniting peace and a new culture for everyone on the island. So is this animated feature what we'd call a modern classic? Or was the entire story totally predictable? Let’s find out together!

You better watch out, you better not cry, we're back this week with a movie starring Kurt Russell as Santa Claus. It may not be from our childhoods, but we're excited to dive into The Christmas Chronicles (2018). It's the first Christmas since their father passed, which puts Teddy and Kate on opposite sides of the holiday spirit this year. After their mom leaves them home alone on Christmas Eve, the pair come up with a plan to catch Santa on film. Except the entire night goes awry when they accidentally cause him to crash his sleigh in Chicago, losing his sack, magic hat, and reindeer. Together they must help Santa find his items and save Christmas. So is this Netflix movie a modern classic? Or were we disappointed with the premise? Let’s find out together!

Classics are classic for a reason. Hence why we're using this week to revisit an age old ballet story with The Nutcracker Prince (1990). If you've ever seen The Nutcracker, you may know how this story plays out. Clara receives a nutcracker doll from the eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer who has a secret agenda in pairing them up together: the nutcracker is actually his nephew! At night, Nutcracker comes to life along with the other dolls and figurines in Clara's house to battle the evil Mouse King and his army. After falling in love with Nutcracker once she's shrunk down to doll size, Clara must make the choice between spending forever in a world of fantasy or growing up in real life. Do we think this movie compares to the other versions of the tale that we've seen? Or was it an unmemorable attempt? Let’s find out together!

We love robbery and fraud... Well, not us, but the characters in this story sure do! This week we're rewatching the holiday DCOM 'Twas the Night (2001). Despite how much his parents loathe it, Danny looks up to his scammer Uncle Nick and wants to take after him some day. When Uncle Nick winds up stealing money from the wrong people, he sneakily decides to hide out with Danny's family on Christmas Eve. Through a series of wacky events, Santa is accidentally knocked out in their living room which prompts Uncle Nick and Danny to take his sleigh for a joy ride, albeit with very different intentions. Soon Danny learns that his uncle is not someone to admire and Uncle Nick learns a valuable lesson about the importance of family. This movie stars the one and only Bryan Cranston, but is it actually good? Or could it not escape from beneath the DCOM corniness? Let’s find out together!

Over the river and through the woods, we're on our way to a new episode! It's another week of our holiday countdown and another movie about long distance travel as we review To Grandmother's House We Go (1992). Starring the Olsen twins in their peak Full House era cuteness, Julie and Sarah decide to take an impromptu trip to their great grandma's house and give their mom a well deserved vacation. The only issues are... she doesn't know they're leaving, they've never gone anywhere alone (because they're 5), and they get themselves kidnapped by a pair of holiday bandits. Lots of plot lines happen at once, but great grandma remains the OG ride or die. Was this movie just as nostalgic and fun as Lex remembered from her childhood? Or are we both staying home this Christmas? Let’s find out together!

What's the farthest you've ever traveled for the holidays? Were you wearing a Santa suit and beard? This week we're kicking off our holiday season by exploring all road trip possibilities with I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998). Jake is an exceptionally selfish college student who dreams only of beaches, swindling fellow students, and his way-too-nice girlfriend Allie. When his dad offers to give him the family Porsche if he comes home for Christmas, Jake is eager to take him up on the offer until he's sabotaged by a group of college bullies. Forced to wear a Santa suit and trek his way from California to New York by foot, car, bus, plane, and dog crate in a variety of wild situations, he slowly begins to understand the true meaning of the holidays. So did this movie make us want to risk life and limb to celebrate Christmas at home? Or were we wholly unimpressed with our hero's efforts? Let’s find out together!

We're all in this together! And by that we mean Steph is back and it's time to review the DCOM that took the world by storm in the early 00s: High School Musical (2006). In what is basically a modern Grease revival, Troy and Gabriella meet on a cruise and sing karaoke together, but their romance is not meant to be when they realize they'll never see each other again. Turns out genius Gabriella has transferred to Troy's school where he's the basketball star and they couldn't be more different. Yet their love of singing remains! So of course they try out for the Spring musical together and completely disrupt the high school's status quo. So did we absolutely love rewatching this Disney Channel classic? Or are we breaking free of the clichés once and for all? Let’s find out together!