MERRY XMAS-POP ART, WHERE WE FIND THE POP CULTURE IN ART AND THE ART IN POP CULTURE.

HOME FOR THE HELLIDAYS: Yes, it’s that time of year for the Pop Art Christmas Episode. So join me and my annual yuletide guest Jay Cluitt (Deep Blue Sea-the Podcast; Con Air-The Podcast; Life v. Film blog) as we talk National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation/A Christmas Tale.

“Yule crack up”: Ah, Christmas. It’s that time when we gather all our loved ones around in one location so that we can remind ourselves why we never spend time with them the other 364 days of the year. It’s the time for airing old grievances, swearing we’ll never see that person again, get drunk because it’s the only way to get through it, and eat until we puke. And then a month later we remember what a wonderful time we had and can’t wait again until next year. …Sounds like it’s time for Episode 90 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. And this episode is the Christmas special. For this episode, I am happy to welcome back as my guest, podcaster and film enthusiast Jay Cluitt, who has become my annual holiday guest. Jay has chosen as his film the raucous comedy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, while I have chosen Arnaud Desplechin’s French dramedy, A Christmas Tale, both films about family gatherings at Christmas.

As noted, Jay his been my annual Christmas guest, so don’t forget to check out episodes 35, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang/The Thin Man and 70, Home Alone/Code Pierre Noel.

And in this episode, we answer such questions as: Why didn’t Chris Columbus do …Christmas Vacation? Who the hell is Arnaud Desplechin anyway? Whatever happened to Chevy Chase and does anyone care? Why does Henri faceplant himself on the street? How does Betty Boop fit in? Is the answer It’s French? Where do Legos come in? Where does the director of …Christmas Vacation appear in the movie? Would you want to have dinner with any of the people?