The holidays are a time for reflection and on this week’s show, Dean and Phil really get into the act … They reflect on the lives of two very different people who died this past week and on the very dramatic influence each individual had on the world of entertainment … They ruminate on some interesting filmmaking questions sent to them by one of our regular listeners … They pontificate on the nature of “honorary” awards in the face of the controversy surrounding the forthcoming Academy Awards honoring of Jerry Lewis … Finally, they set their own personal “Christmas Movie Wish-List” (the movies they know they need to see before compiling their annual Top Ten list). It’s a lot for an hour, but that’s just Dean and Phil. “Give ’til it hurts and then give some more” is their motto. Especially at the holidays!

Dean is back from the Eco Gift Fest with some rather sad news about the state of “Green” commerce in the face of the current “economic downturn.” That downturn isn’t keeping people away from movie theatres and Dean and Phil analyze the latest box office returns. They also get into some filmmaking nitty-gritty, discussing the importance of tone, as well as the art and business of choosing roles as an actor. Finally, they discuss a wide range of films, including a few you really need to check out! Sure, it sounds dull, but for some strange reason, it’s one of our funniest shows ever.

An action-packed hour if ever there was one! Dean and Phil discuss the reading of Phil’s new screenplay, compare notes on their Thanksgiving adventures, weigh in on the SAG strike authorization vote, preview more than a dozen early December film releases, and discuss the Spirit Award Nominations ( indie film’s “Oscars”). They also send out birthday wishes to Phil’s collaborator on Karl Rove, I Love You, Mr. Dan Butler (”Bulldog” on TV’s “Frasier”), who turns 54 years young today (check out the interview we did with Dan Butler in Chillpak Hollywood Hour #63). And if that weren’t enough, they offer several bits of practical advice for indie filmmakers. And Phil gets spanked.