Movie Madness

Black Friday is gone but maybe Cyber Monday will extend to add these titles to your shopping list or your personal library. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about remastered films from Bernardo Bertolucci, Michael Mann and an ‘80s cult classic from Fred Dekker and Shane Black. There are films with early roles for Annette Bening, Theresa Russell and a campy sci-fi classic with Jane Fonda. We've got a Peppard alert! Plus maybe one of the better horror anthologies, one of the better straight-to-video sequels and, without debate, one of the funniest films of all-time getting the 4K upgrade. 0:00 - Intro 2:17 - Arrow Films (Barbarella (4K), Blackhat (4K), Tremors 2: Aftershocks (4K)) 27:57 - RaroVideo (The Conformist) 30:58 - Kino (The Emerald Forest, The Last Tycoon, The Carpetbaggers, Valmont, The Monster Squad (4K)) 1:00:13 - Shout! Factory (Death Wish (NEW) (4K), Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (4K)) 1:20:18 - Paramount (The Naked Gun (4K)) 1:31:16 – New Theatrical and TV Titles 1:34:52 - New Blu-ray Announcements 1:37:09 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy take you into the Thanksgiving holiday with six new reviews. They include a Melissa McCarthy Christmas film from the writer of Love Actually (Genie) and a documentary about one of the most infamous Christmas presents ever (Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids). There are two new animated films including one from Disney (Wish) and another from Adam Sandler (Leo). Which do you think is the better one? Then Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell follows up Promising Young Woman with another sociopathic narrative (Saltburn) and Ridley Scott unveils his edited-down version of a big man-baby general (Napoleon). 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Genie 11:44 - Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids 26:46 - Leo   37:28 - Saltburn 51:24 - Wish 1:04:57 - Napoleon 1:20:04 – Preview of Next Week / Outro

Just in time to bulk up your holiday shopping lists there are some choice selections being released this week on Blu-ray from the classic to the pure nostalgic. Peter Sobczynski and Erik Childress guide you through it. Criterion has got some Scorsese and Chabrol while Kino goes Burt Reynolds and a bizarro ‘80s Christmas tale. Speaking of Scorsese, there's another Lily Gladstone performance to check out from this year and Lions Gate releases two of their franchise players from the theaters as well. Erik and Peter go through the history of the Police Academy series while the same studio releases a complete set of a terrific sci-fi series Erik caught up with this year. For the moms (and lovers of all things love) there's a classic Christmas romcom debuting in 4K and for the Dads (when they are done with Burt) Harrison Ford gets the 4K treatment on the run and Christopher Nolan's latest is here for your stocking stuffers. 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Criterion (Mean Streets (4K), La Ceremonie) 14:33 - Music Box (The Unknown Country) 20:32 - Kino (Babes in Toyland (1986), White Lightning, Gator, More 4K Recommendations) 36:44 - Shout! Factory (The Police Academy Collection, Farscape: The Complete Series (25th Anniversary Edition)) 56:51 - Warner Bros. (The Fugitive (4K)) 1:06:18 - Universal (Love Actually (4K), Oppenheimer) 1:22:02 - Lions Gate (Saw X, Expendables 4) 1:33:15 - New Blu-ray Announcements

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have nine new reviews on this episode. They include documentaries about the tragedy of a Harry Potter stunt double (David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived) and another about a forgotten woman's sexuality activist (The Disappearance of Shere Hite). There's a feature about the unsung architect of the March on Washington (Rustin) and another from Taika Waititi about the World Cup team that lost 31-0 (Next Goal Wins). The comedy trio from Saturday Night Live craft their first feature (Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain), Eli Roth crafts a feature out of his Grindhouse trailer (Thanksgiving) and The fuzzy-haired musical creatures are back for their third film (Trolls Band Together). Todd Haynes, Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore team up for a squirmy tale ripped from the tabloids (May December) and may the odds be ever in your favor for a new franchise prequel (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes). 0:00 - Intro David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived 11:42 – The Disappearance of Shere Hite 23:42 - Rustin 36:46 - Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain 47:18 - Next Goal Wins 55:27 - May December 1:10:22 - Trolls Band Together 1:18:27 - Thanksgiving 1:34:29 – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 1:51:32 – Preview of Next Week / Outro

This week in physical media, Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk up a pair of Larry McMurtry tales. Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage are in two of this week's selections and one of them together. Erik gets one of his titles from the Why-Is-This-Not-On-Blu-Ray series and Peter looks back at the time Nicolas Roeg went to Showtime with Mimi Rogers and Bryan Brown. A crowd-pleasing underdog tale gets a director's cut in 4K as does a Billy Wilder film with Peter Graves in prison (not a Turkish one.) There is stop-motion Christmas for the kids and a stage adaptation of Miyazaki. And sometimes you are being followed whether it be by a giant truck or Ron Silver. 0:00 - Intro 0:59 - Criterion (The Last Picture Show (4K)) 8:23 - Paramount (Terms of Endearment (4K)) 20:40 - RLJE Films (Color Out of Space 4K) 23:27 - Sony (Guarding Tess, The Fog of War, Short Circuit 2, Rudy: Director's Cut (4K))           44:24 - Unearthed (Full Body massage) 48:23 - Shout! Factory (Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, SPIRITED AWAY: Live on Stage?, The Sonny Chiba Collection: Volume 2) 59:44 - Kino (2 Days in the Valley, (Stalag 17 (4K)) 1:12:48 - Universal (Duel 4K) 1:19:05 - Lions Gate (Blue Steel (Vestron Collector's Series)) 1:25:27 – New Theatrical & TV Titles on Blu-ray 1:29:30 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:30:18 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy check in with six new movies this week. They include another slasher twist on a holiday classic (It's a Wonderful Knife) and Jesse Eisenbeg either doing a riff on Fight Club or one of his own movies about toxic masculinity (Manodrome). A comedy legend gets a well-deserved tribute (Albert Brooks: Defending My Life) and Nicolas Cage haunts everyone in their sleep (Dream Scenario). Then see how the new David Fincher film stands up to the rest of his work (The Killer) and Steve gets his shot to weigh in on the latest from the MCU (The Marvels). 0:00 - Intro 1:24 - It's a Wonderful Knife 12:04 - Manodrome 25:25 - Albert Brooks: Defending My Life 38:17 - Dream Scenario 51:58 - The Killer 1:05:29 - The Marvels 1:23:25 – Preview of Next Week 1:24:39 - Outro

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been under fire lately, led by a string of mediocrity that has been well documented here with our regular guest and comic book expert, Erik Laws. Does The Marvels earn the sharpened knives that have apparently been out for it for months? They discuss the current direction of Marvel and where their trio of superheroines succeeds and fails. Has Brie Larson been given the opportunity to distinguish her character amongst the cadre of heroes? Does The Marvels miss the opportunity to expand into an untapped genre of its Universe? Has the rush to visual effects magic again result in some less than (inter)stellar moments? Childress and Laws also breakdown the ongoing commentary by Martin Scorsese that less than stellar journalists can't help but needle away on.

Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again to provide a rundown of what you can add to your physical media collection this week. You have brand new collections of films from Jackie Chan and Buster Keaton. The late William Friedkin does his first Tracy Letts adaptation and while it missed Halloween there is a great new edition of an overlooked horror film from J.A. Bayona. In time for Veteran's Day, Sony has two new 4K editions of war films and there is also a new Blu-ray of a guilty favorite from our longtime friend, Sergio Mims. Erik and Peter recall the first time they saw Fargo which gets an upgrade as does George Lucas' coming-of-age classic in time for its 50th Anniversary. Finally, Paramount celebrates the anniversary of two modern Christmas favorites with their own upgrade. Lookin' good, Billy Ray. Feeling good, Louis! 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Criterion (Jackie Chan: Emergence of a Superstar) 9:59 - Cohen Media (The Buster Keaton Collection: Volume 5) 14:00 - MVD (A Bullet for Sandoval) 17:21 - Fun City (T.R. Baskin) 23:35 - Imprint (Bug, The Orphanage) 33:05 - Shout! Factory (Surviving the Game, Fargo (4K)) 46:14 - Sony (The Guns of Navarone (4K Steelbook), Black Hawk Down (4K Steelbook)) 1:00:21 - Universal (American Graffiti 4K, Violent Night 4K,) 1:09:22 - Paramount (Trading Places (40th Anniversary) (4K), Scrooged (35th Anniversary) (4K)) 1:28:47 – Recent Theatrical Titles Now On Blu-ray (& TV) 1:29:47 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:34:14 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy begin November with 10 new reviews this week. They include a wannabe comic murder mystery (Helen's Dead), Awkwafina testing her skills on a game show (Quiz Show) and Sylvester Stallone getting a documentary about the key period of his career (Sly). The Adams Family have a new horror film (Where the Devil Roams) and Daisy Ridley tries to run away from her Room-like origins (The Marsh King's Daughter). Jodie Foster tries to help Annette Bening swim the Atlantic in a true story (Nyad). Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed see if there is a test for love (Fingernails) while Meg Ryan and David Duchovny revisit their relationship while stranded in an airport (What Happens Later). Finally, Alexander Payne reunites with Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers) and Sofia Coppola tells the story that is so often overlooked in the Elvis mythos (Priscilla) in two of the best films of the year. 0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Helen's Dead 8:47 - Quiz Lady 17:21 - Sly 30:43 - Where the Devil Roams 39:45 – The Marsh King's Daughter 51:15 - Fingernails 1:03:40 - Nyad 1:14:44 - What Happens Later 1:25:55 - The Holdovers 1:38:36 – Priscilla 1:54:28 – Preview of Next Week / Outro

 October ends on more of a suspenseful note than a horrific one but that may be enough to not want a phone to ring during viewing. On the latest in physical media, Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about the cultural horror elements of the latest Criterion release. There's also a snarky self-referential horror film that pre-dates Scream. Kino has a cornucopia of 1980s ninja goodness and Peter even has something positive to say about a comic book movie. On top of all that there is one of the best action films of the year, one of the best performances of Harrison Ford's career and another round of the master of suspense in 4K. 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Criterion (Nanny) 9:14 - Ronin Flix (There's Nothing Out There) 15:41 - Kino (Enter the Ninja, American Ninja, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, The Challenge) 31:25 - Universal (The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection Vol. 3) (4K) 59:16 - Arrow Films (Witness (4K)) 1:06:19 – Warner Bros. (Blue Beetle 4K) 1:10:38 – Paramount (Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (4K)) 1:15:16 – More Recent Theatrical & Streaming Titles 1:18:03 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:21:24 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy close out October with seven reviews for you. Steve catches up on a film from Sundance (The Persian Version) while both look at the true story of a Bible thumper on the search for a lost civilization (The Mission). Emily Blunt and Chris Evans are on the selling side of the opioid crisis (Pain Hustlers) and Heather Graham is given the H.P. Lovecraft treatment (Suitable Flesh). The duo look at this year's Palme d'Or winner (Anatomy of a Fall) as well as how this John Cena/Alison Brie action/comedy made it into theaters (Freelance). Finally, while it plays in both theaters and on the Peacock, a horror video game becomes a movie (Five Nights At Freddy's) though that's debatable. 0:00 – Intro 1:25 – The Persian Version 8:27 – The Mission 20:47 - Pain Hustlers 30:05 - Suitable Flesh 39:47 - Anatomy of a Fall 56:00 - Freelance 1:11:42 - Five Nights At Freddy's 1:23:45 – Preview of Next Week / Outro

The month of Halloween is almost over but studios are still putting out the spooky stuff on this week's edition of physical media talk with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski. Criterion has one of the great modern haunted house tales with one of Nicole Kidman's best performances. Brett Ratner tries to remake Michael Mann, Lewis Teague does his first Stephen King and Roland Emmerich completely botches Godzilla. Paramount has a whole box set of frights with some 4K debuts including a surprise title that really gets under Peter's skin. Indicator has some Jean Rollin and a box set of film noir. There is more Shaw Brothers, Sammo Hung, Mario Bava and, naturally, Bill Haley and the Comets. Plus the one thing that every show, big and small, needs – Muppets! 0:00 - Intro 0:59 - Criterion (The Others (4K)) 7:43 - Arrow Films (The Iron-Fisted Monk) 9:51 - Shout! Factory (Shaw Brothers Classics: Volume Three) 12:30 - Indicator (Universal Noir #2 (1945-1949), Fascination (4K), Lips of Blood (4K)) 27:46 - Kino (Red Dragon (4K), Black Sabbath (60th Anniversary), Cujo (4K), It! The Terror from Beyond Space) 49:33 - Sony (Rock Around the Clock, Godzilla 1998 (4K), The Muppets Take Manhattan (4K)) 1:07:53 - Paramount (Paramount Scares Vol. 1 (4K)) 1:19:34 – Theatrical Titles and Television New on Blu-ray 1:21:00 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:23:21 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to review six new films this week. They include the film that was supposed to be Nicolas Cage's first western, but wasn't (Butcher's Crossing). Documentarian Errol Morris gets inside the head of spy novelist John Le Carre (The Pigeon Tunnel) and comedian Bill Burr tries to not let the new woke generation get inside his (Old Dads). The director of Borat adapts a two-man show (Dicks: The Musical) and a new documentary on Amazon is a warm-up for this week's theme of property theft (Silver Dollar Road). That leaves us with the latest from Martin Scorsese on the true story of the 1920s murders amongst the Osage community in Oklahoma (Killers of the Flower Moon). 0:00 - Intro 2:02 - Butcher's Crossing 10:55 – The Pigeon Tunnel 15:49 - Old Dads 22:59 - Silver Dollar Road 32:18 - Dicks: The Musical 41:28 - Killers of the Flower Moon 1:00:54 – Preview of Next Week's Movies 1:02:09 - Outro

Retail chain Best Buy announced they will abandon all physical media in their stores and online starting in 2024. In other words, shop anywhere else especially for the titles we discuss every week here on the show with Peter Sobczynski. This week you can be “one of us” with the latest from Criterion, swashbuck with Douglas Fairbanks or get held hostage by Humphrey Bogart on Blu-ray. There is more new 4K horror from Stan Winston, Robin Hardy, Barbra Streisand and one of the more underappreciated remakes of the 1980s. There is also an extensive documentary for a classic from that decade and one of the films we asked for on our Why Is This Not On Blu-Ray shows finally gets an upgrade from Kino. All that and more that you cannot get at Best Buy in the future. 0:00 - Intro 3:31 - Criterion (Freaks/The Unknown/The Mystic: Tod Browning's Sideshow Shockers, EO, The Innocent, No Bears) 20:52 - Arrow (The Desperate Hours) 25:31 - Cohen Media (The Three Musketeers / The Iron Mask) 30:20 - Cinedigm (RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop          ) 38:22 - Kino (The Best of Times, The Blob (1988) (4K) 51:49 - Shout! Factory (Pumpkinhead (4K)) 54:23 - Lions Gate (The Wicker Man (1973) (4K Steelbook)) 1:02:56 - Sony (The Way We Were (50th Anniversary) (4K)) 1:08:32 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray 1:16:37 – New TV on Blu-ray 1:17:13 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:20:35 - Outro

Peter Sobczynski returns for a short week of new physical media titles with Erik Childress. On this episode for kids and most decidedly NOT for kids. To keep them busy there is a new 4K of Disney's first landmark animated motion picture as well as a new collection of Wallace & Gromit's short films. Then send them to bed so you can revisit the beginning of a horror franchise, Elizabeth Taylor trying to get screwed to death (literally) and James Woods mixing death, screwing and a whole lot of icky hallucinations with David Cronenberg. All that and new releases from the theatrical front for your home library. 0:00 - Intro 0:39 - Criterion (Videodrome (4K)) 16:10 - Severin (Identikit) 26:44 - Paramount (Friday the 13th (4K Steelbook)) 38:34 - Shout! Factory (Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection) 46:29 - Walt Disney (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (4K)) 51:04 – Recent Theatrical Titles 56:09 – New TV Titles 58:30 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:04:17 - Outro

A return to the weekly movie reviews brings ten new films into the fold for Erik Childress & Steve Prokopy. They include a documentary on an Oscar-winning producer (The Storms of Jeremy Thomas) and a baffling story of love featuring Peter Dinklage and two Oscar winners (She Came To Me). The horrors of October are starting to come out with another chapter in the long-running anthology (V/H/S/85), the first of two tales of families and possession this week (When Evil Lurks) plus what happens when you mix Scream with Back to the Future (Totally Killer). There is more real life horror revisiting the shifting power dynamics of a Sundance relationship (Fair Play), the true-life tale of when to remain silent (Miranda's Victim) and the true-life-inspired tale of vacationing women and the toxic bar they get jobs in (The Royal Hotel). Finally it seems fitting that on the week that David Gordon Green attempts his own follow-up to one of the greatest horror films ever (The Exorcist: Believer), the late director of that classic would see the debut of his final film about how a new generation thinks they know more than the one they follow (The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial). 0:00 - Intro 1:31 - Fair Play 16:08 - Miranda's Victim 24:56 - The Storms of Jeremy Thomas 29:56 - She Came To Me 38:24 - V/H/S/85 44:43 - When Evil Lurks 53:24 - The Royal Hotel 1:05:47 - Totally Killer 1:19:37 - The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial 1:34:52 - The Exorcist: Believer 1:55:12 - Outro

Steve Prokopy returned to Austin for its annual Fantastic Fest and then came back to the podcast to talk about the barrage of films he saw along with Erik Childress who got to see a few titles as well. They include a Troma reboot with Peter Dinklage, retro screenings of French giallo and Roman softcore. Pet Sematary got a prequel, stopmotion creations come to life and Joe Lynch tries on some Lovecraft with Heather Graham. Steve takes you to a river with a time loop and Erik goes down to South America for an unique chef gig with Nick Stahl. There are documentaries about cinematic A.I. and a famous Halloween theme park. There are spiders, dogs and earthquakes. Michel Gondry revisits one of his own works and the guys split on a film “based” on true events. Finally there is a real gem featuring one of our favorites, Jim Cummings, and the gathering at a remote coffee shop. 19 films in all for you to consider a look at in the future, which may be doomed. 0:00 - Intro 4:32 - The Toxic Avenger 10:07 - Infested 14:42 - Sleep  20:17 - Strange Darling 26:48 - The Book of Solutions 30:38 - River 35:38 - Spooktacular! 41:45 - The Strangler 45:55 - Caligula 50:09 - So Unreal  58:02 - Stopmotion 1:01:06 - Suitable Flesh 1:07:39 - What You Wish For 1:11:37 - Concrete Utopia 1:16:59 - Your Lucky Day 1:20:22 - Pet Sematary: Bloodlines 1:27:01 - The Sacrifice Game 1:29:56 - Dogman 1:33:13 - The Last Stop in Yuma County 1:40:15 - Outro

It's the month of Halloween and studios are delivering some of their spookiest titles n physical media. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk you into a pair of the greatest horror endings of all-time. Speaking of which you can now pick and choose your Universal horror classics in 4K alongside another sci-fi film from the next era. They discuss what they think could be the best film in one franchise and, arguably, the last tolerable one in another. A “cable classic” gets the 4K treatment as does a Best Picture winner celebrating your 50th anniversary that will cleanse your palette after a week full of gore and frights.   0:00 - Intro 0:54 - Criterion (Don't Look Now (4K)) 8:43 - Lions Gate (Mob Land, Talk To Me, The Mist (4K)) 28:06 - Shout! Factory (Night of the Demons (4K), Night of the Demons 2-3) 36:25 - Paramount (Scream 3 (4K)) 42:17 - Fox (Prey (4K))       50:06 - Universal (The Mummy (1932) (4K), The Bride of Frankenstein (4K), The Phantom of the Opera (1943) (4K), Creature from the Black Lagoon (4K), It Came from Outer Space (4K), The Sting (50th Anniversary) (4K)) 1:11:40 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:15:21 - Outro

Peter Sobczynski guides you through the latest in physical media. They include a couple music-based films from Criterion. Getting close to October the horror is ramping up with upgrades for Argento, Halloween and even an MST3K favorite. There are 4K upgrades for Godard, Cimino, Frankenheimer, Linklater and even Gregg Araki. Peter and Erik talk about the controversies over Oliver Stone's attack on media culture and they both love the recent upgrade of one of Brian DePalma's best films. 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - Criterion (La Bamba, Moonage Daydream) 8:04 - Blue Underground (The Girl from Rio 4K) 11:24 - Lions Gate (Contempt (4K)) 18:14 - Kino (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot 4K, The Train 4K, Death Wish 4/5) 40:39 - Film Detective (The Giant Gila Monster) 46:36 - Synapse (Tenebrae 4K) 52:40 - Sony (I Still Know What You Did Last Summer 4K, Insidious: The Red Door) 1:00:55 - Paramount (Halloween H2O 4K, School of Rock 4K) 1:10:21 - RLJE (Sympathy for the Devil) 1:13:07 - Disney (Loki 4K, Elemental 4K,) 1:23:02 - Universal (Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken) 1:26:20 - Shout Factory (Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Natural Born Killers 4K,) 1:38:27 - Strand (The Doom Generation 4K) 1:41:59 - Arrow (Carlito's Way 4K) 1:55:01 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:57:59 - Outro

Erik Childress flies solo on this one detailing his full experience at this year's event. He shares his thoughts on over 25 films ranging from new titles from Richard Linklater, Alexander Payne and Kitty Green to even actors getting behind the camera including Anna Kendrick, Michael Keaton and Patricia Arquette. There are films with songs, stories with cops, drug dealers, hit men and serial killers plus two of the year's very best films about teachers. Tales of everything from WWII to Spring Break, apocalyptic combat to Chicago's Cabrini Green. Not every film is a dream though one certainly has a fun time with them not to mention the emphasis on women's stories and trying to find peace in a world of bad men and at least one they call their father. Good stuff, great stuff and some really bad stuff in another festival season. 0:00 - Intro 1:10 – Flipside 5:27 - We Grown Now 8:46 - Flora and Son 14:30 - The Teachers' Lounge 18:01 – Getting To Toronto and The First Screening 20:15 - Gonzo Girl 22:39 - Working Class Goes To Hell 25:04 – Dicks: The Musical 28:23 - How To Have Sex 31:24 - Reptile 35:00 - Backspot 37:55 - Woman of the Hour 42:03 - Finestkind 44:23 - Boy Kills World 50:52 - Dream Scenario 57:59 - The Holdovers 1:04:27 - Lee 1:07:53 - The Zone of Interest 1:09:16 - The End We Start From 1:12:46 - Knox Goes Away 1:16:10 - Hell of a Summer 1:18:12 - The Movie Teller 1:20:31 - The Royal Hotel 1:27:25 - Hitman 1:32:11 - His Three Daughters 1:36:47 - Pain Hustlers 1:40:34 - Last Summer 1:43:10 - Outro

Peter Sobczynski returns for an epic round of catch-up on the latest and greatest in physical media. They include 4K upgrades of films from Orson Welles and Nicolas Roeg. The strange career of James Foley is discussed around one of his best films. Speaking of best, Lions Gate has one of the best comedies of the year and one of the year's best period. Right in time for Cassandro this week, the first two Santo films are released. There is excellent television, an all-timer from the late, great William Friedkin as well as the Ghoulies movies and a whole trove of titles from master of disaster, Irwin Allen. Something from all the decades including an ‘80s favorite getting a major upgrade and the directorial debut of Robert DeNiro celebrating its 30th anniversary in 4K. 0:00 - Intro 2:24 - Criterion (The Trial (4K), Walkabout (4K))            14:33 - Music Box (L'Immensità) 17:56 - Indicator (Santo vs. Infernal Men, Santo vs. The Evil Brain) 21:32 - Kino (After Dark, My Sweet, The Beast, Final Cut) 42:37 - Lions Gate (Cobweb, Joy Ride, Past Lives) 50:59 - Walt Disney (The Little Mermaid (2023) (4K)) 55:10 - Paramount (Poker Face: Season One) 58:03 - Warner Bros. (Rick and Morty: The Complete Series 1-6, Succession: The Complete Series, Air, The Exorcist (4K)) 1:14:14 - Shout! Factory (The Pack, My Bloody Valentine (1981) (4K), The Lost City of Z (4K), Irwin Allen: Master of Disaster Collection) 1:37:11 - MVD (Ghoulies (4K) / Ghoulies II) 1:44:57 - Sony (Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon (4K Steelbook)) 1:50:12 - Tribeca (A Bronx Tale (4K)) 1:56:24 – New Blu-Ray Announcements 2:02:58 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to the review beat with eight new movies this week. They include a horror anthology (Satanic Hispanics), another coming-of-age werewolf love story (My Animal) and the film that reveals the truth about Augusto Pinochet being a vampire (El Conde). Michael Pena stars in the true story of a Mexican immigrant who dreamed of becoming an astronaut (A Million Miles Away) and Michael Jai White and the makers of Black Dynamite take on the western (Outlaw Johnny Black). The great Haley Lu Richardson finds love at the airport (Love At First Sight), a bunch of amateur stock traders game the system in a recent true story (Dumb Money) and Kenneth Branagh brings the latest in his Hercule Poirot Cinematic Universe (A Haunting In Venice). 0:00 - Intro 2:23 - Satanic Hispanics 8:29 - My Animal 19:53 - El Conde 26:07 - A Million Miles Away 40:56 - Outlaw Johnny Black 50:56 - Love At First Sight 1:06:19 - Dumb Money 1:21:51 – A Haunting In Venice 1:38:32 - Outro

A half-dozen films highlight this Labor Day weekend with Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy who guide you through the spectrum of new films from Juliette Binoche (Between Two Worlds) and Frank Grillo (King of Killers). Hilary Swank is kinda involved in solving her son's murder (The Good Mother) while Simon Pegg tries to solve the mystery of an unseen but all-knowing entity (Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose). The history of the “erotic thriller” is examined in a nearly three-hour documentary (We Kill For Love) and Denzel Washington is back to provide brutal justice in Italy (The Equalizer 3). 0:00 - Intro 1:53 King of Killers 9:44 – The Good Mother 21:32 - Between Two Worlds 27:32 - We Kill For Love 47:52 - Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose 1:00:52 - The Equalizer 3 1:16:54 - Outro

Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski get you caught up on the latest in physical media for this week and the next. They include new 4K editions from two of the great directorial runs of the ‘80s and the ‘90s. Comic book movies from this summer are on tap including one that Peter genuinely loves. Though he does disagree with Erik on the latest Jennifer Lawrence vehicle. Music Box Films has a set combining expansive documentaries on the history of film, Arrow has some early Jackie Chan and Magnolia has new Paul Schrader. The pair go down the rabbit hole of Family Ties to introduce a ‘80s romcom/horror oddity and as that decade goes it does not get more ‘80s than Burt Reynolds and the sequel to Saturday Night Fever. 0:00 - Intro 1:33 - Criterion (The Princess Bride (4K), Drylongso) 15:40 - Arrow Films (New Fist of Fury) 19:21 - Shout! Factory (My Demon Lover) 29:14 - Music Box (The Complete Story of Film) 35:30 - Warner Bros. (The Flash (4K)) 42:23 - Sony (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 4K, No Hard Feelings) 53:09 - Magnolia (Master Gardener) 59:13 - Paramount (Hustle & Flow 4K, Sleepy Hollow 4K) 1:05:13 - Kino (Malone, 3 Days of the Condor (4K), Staying Alive (4K)) 1:24:27 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:28:15 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have nine movies for you to consider this week. They include a powerful documentary about Alzheimer's (The Eternal Memory) and a less than powerful faith-and-baseball tale (The Hill). A bickering couple goes on the longest hike of their lives (Brightwood) and sisters get into scuba trouble (The Dive). The Yom Kippur War is told through the makeup on Helen Mirren (Golda) and the Sandler family produce a coming-of-age comedy (You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah). Liam Neeson goes for a drive while sitting on a bomb (Retribution) and a gamer-turned-racer is a whole other kind of bomb (Gran Turismo). Finally, they put the must-see “R”-rated comedy of the year thus far on your radar (Bottoms). 0:00 – Intro 1:05 - The Eternal Memory 7:29 - The Hill 18:24 - Brightwood 29:48 - The Dive 40:21 - Golda 50:34 - You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah 1:01:19 - Retribution 1:13:27 - Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story 1:30:55 – Bottoms 1:44:33 - Outro

This week in physical media with Peter Sobczynski begins with a little argument over the new 4K release of another John Hughes film. There is no disagreement that the new work from Nicole Holofcener is worth grabbing. Horror fans get works from Lucio Fulci, Jean Rollin and Michael Crichton. Ralph Bakshi finally gets a Blu-ray release for his animated musical ode and you can also see Louis Malle's controversial film with Brooke Shields and where that George C. Scott meme comes from courtesy of Paul Schrader. 0:00 - Intro 0:59 - Arrow Films (Weird Science (4K)) 15:25 - Cauldron Films (City of the Living Dead (4K)) 23:55 - Indicator (The Night of the Hunted, The Rape of the Vampire) 34:34 - Sony (American Pop) 43:33 - Universal (Elizabeth (4K), Promising Young Woman (4K)) Shout! Factory (Hackers (4K), Coma) 53:27 - Lions Gate (The Blackening (4K), You Hurt My Feelings) 59:45 - Kino (Brightwood, Two Tickets to Greece, Three Into Two Won't Go, Pretty Baby, Hardcore) 1:21:32 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:24:32 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy dig into eight new movies this week. They include revisiting a film from Sundance that they still believe to be the best horror film of the year (Birth/Rebirth). An Irish paramilitary seeks revenge for his wife (Dead Shot), an old Chinese tale gets the animated treatment from Netflix (The Monkey King) and Michael Cera stars in a dysfunctional family drama that the film's publicist apparently did not want us to see. One of the stars of Glow gets to go all Shining at the hotel she inherits (Bad Things) and the director of Thoroughbreds and Bad Education tries out a capitalist satire with aliens (Landscape With Invisible Hand). Finally, DC comics tries again (Blue Beetle) and talking dogs with the voices of Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx pee, poop and hump their way into laughs (Strays).   0:00 - Intro 3:52 - Birth/Rebirth 17:36 - Dead Shot 25:06 - The Adults 35:36 – The Monkey King 41:26 - Bad Things 52:17 - Landscape With Invisible Hand 1:03:01 - Blue Beetle 1:18:14 – Strays 1:29:40 - Outro

Peter Sobczynski brings us up to date in the world of physical media. They include an early film from Wayne Wang, the latest from Wes Anderson and an anniversary edition of a documentary on David Bowie. There's a collection of Audie Murphy films and others about World War II not to mention fights against woodland terrorists and staged by the Shaw Brothers. Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn get the 4K treatment in one of the great classic romances. But do not count out the recommendations of a spooky British Halloween special and a crazy vehicle for William Shatner back in the ‘70s.   0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Criterion (Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart) 4:30 - Rhino (Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars) 8:18 - Grindhouse (Impulse) 15:12 - 101 Films (Ghost Watch) 20:11 - RLJE Films (The Wrath of Becky) 23:25 - Kino (Audie Murphy Collection III, The Day and the Hour, Is Paris Burning?, Last and First Men, The Doll (and I Don't Want to Be a Man)) 39:56 - Universal (Asteroid City) 46:05 - Paramount (Roman Holiday (70th Anniverary) (4K)) 51:31 - Shout! Factory (Shaw Brothers Classics: Vol. Two) 54:56 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:00:05 - Outro

After a week off, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return with seven new reviews including a documentary about the adaptations of the premier horror novelist (King on Screen) and a murder mystery set in the world of hairstyling (Medusa Deluxe). Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Elijofor try to have a baby without actually having one (The Pod Generation) and the President's son hooks up with the Prince of Britain (Red, White and Royal Blue). Gal Gadot tries to carry a film about A.I. basically made by A.I. (Heart of Stone) and Ben Kingsley has a flying saucer crash land in his backyard (Jules). Finally, Erik goes solo on telling you if the latest Dracula fan fiction is worth your time (The Last Voyage of the Demeter). 0:00 - Intro 5:16 - King on Screen 20:50 - Medusa Deluxe 27:55 - Heart of Stone 43:25 - Red, White and Royal Blue 54:25 - Jules 1:07:46 – The Pod Generation 1:15:07 – The Last Voyage of the Demeter 1:29:16 - Outro

Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski take a quick peek into what is available to own on physical media this week. Criterion upgrades one of the late films from a master and Arbelos delivers and Peter looks at one of the first “Sundance caution tales” from the end of the ‘80s. Ida Lupino directs a ‘50s film about sexual assault and Virginie Efira becomes attached to her partner's child. Then a pair of cult classics get the 4K treatment including Wes Craven's comic monster movie and the quintessential Bruce Lee film.   1:56 - Criterion (Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (4K)) 9:39 - Lions Gate (Ender's Game (4K Steelbook)) 14:24 - Universal (Fast X (4K)) 23:14 - Kino (Outrage, Scarlet (2022), Strangers in the House) 35:36 - Arbelos (Chameleon Street) 42:10 - Music Box (Other People's Children) 45:02 - MVD (Swamp Thing (4K)) 51:24 - Warner Bros. (Enter the Dragon (4K)) 1:01:01 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:04:29 - Outro

This week in physical media brings some classics to the 4K universe along with other must-owns for your collection. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to go over new collections spotlighting Walter Hill, Sidney J. Furie and Gene Hackman. One of Disney's greatest animated titles gets the 4K upgrade as does classics with James Dean and John Wayne. A little seen coming-of-age film with a lot of up-and-comers gets a director's cut as does a cult film from Clive Barker. Finally, one of the great modern horror films gets its first-ever Blu-ray overhaul; a rightfully deserved one and the duo can't wait to tell you all about it. 0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Second Sight (May) 10:04 - Imprint (Film Focus: Gene Hackman, Directed by Sidney J. Furie, Directed by Walter Hill (1975-2006)) 47:41 - Universal (2 Guns (4K)) 50:05 - Lions Gate (About My Father) 55:08 - Oscilloscope (Going All The Way: The Director's Edit) 1:02:35 - Synapse (Invaluable: The True Story of an Epic Artist) 1:08:03 - Shout! Factory (Nightbreed (4K)) 1:16:29 - Walt Disney (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (4K), Cinderella (1950) (4K)) 1:20:36 - Warner Bros. (East of Eden (4K), Rio Bravo (4K)) 1:34:24 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:37:48 - Outro

This week's reviews with Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy feature nine reviews for your viewing consideration. Kiersey Clemons is an amateur sleuth trying to solve a kidnapping (Susie Searches) while Ellie Kemper goes on a hike for some reason (Happiness for Beginners). Two films that played the Chicago Critics Film Festival open including the latest from Christian Petzold (Afire) and the comic (and now tragic) story of transgender sex workers (Kokomo City). Nicolas Cage takes Joel Kinneman for a collateral ride (Sympathy for the Devil) and Ron Perlman is trying to avenge his son by making the mob lose their house (The Baker). A great cast tries to add to this year's product launch cinema (The Beanie Bubble). Hopefully you ain't afraid of no ghost because they look back at an acclaimed horror film from Sundance (Talk To Me) and Disney takes another shot at bringing their classic ride to the big screen (Haunted Mansion)   0:00 - Intro 1:45 - Talk To Me 11:30 - Susie Searches 19:55 - Sympathy for the Devil 30:53 - Happiness for Beginners 44:47 - Afire 55:35 - Kokomo City  1:07:46 - The Baker 1:20:47 - The Beanie Bubble 1:35:50 - Haunted Mansion 1:48:37 – Flashback Weekend Horror Convention Preview 1:53:29 - Outro

This week in physical media, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski look at some classic genre fare, classics of the cult variety and some films still overlooked. They include films from Douglas Fairbanks, John Wayne and Howard Hughes. Harrison Ford's screen debut can be found as can one of the better Mike Myers comedies and one of the films chosen for this year's Chicago Critics Film Festival. For the cult crowd there is a foursome of Chucky films, two versions of a Stephen King adaptation and a cable staple from the late ‘80s. An early MST3K favorite gets a Blu-ray upgrade and even earlier music videos get themselves a collection. The discussion is bookended with a pair of must-own titles though including a sci-fi classic from the 1950s and the film which launched the great Bill Paxton into the next phase of his great career. 0:38 - Criterion (One False Move (4K)) 8:27 - Cohen Media (Robin Hood (1922) / The Black Pirate (1926)) 12:36 - Arrow Films (Blood Money: Four Classic Westerns) 17:45 - Lions Gate (My Best Friend Is a Vampire (Vestron Collector's Series)) 21:43 - Indicator (Jet Pilot, Thunderbolt, Night Has a Thousand Eyes, The Song of Songs) 33:39 - Music Box (Revoir Paris) 36:49 - Kino (Soundies: The Ultimate Collection, T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets, Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round, Needful Things (4K)) 53:45 - Shout! Factory (Bride of Chucky (4K), Cult of Chucky (4K), Curse of Chucky (4K), Seed of Chucky (4K), Team America: World Police)       1:02:11 - Sony (So I Married An Axe Murderer (4K)) 1:09:18 - Bayview (Robot Monster) 1:17:48 - Paramount (The War of the Worlds (1953) (4K)) 1:27:27 – New Blu-ray Announcements

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy share in a weekend of greatness, even if some movies are not as great. They review seven this week including a look back at a deep dive doc from Sundance (The Deepest Breath) and another from the fest involving an expectant mother and her post-birth choices (Earth Mama). Neil LaBute puts Maggie Q up against some psychos (Fear the Night) while Lizzy Caplan's son hears noises in the walls (Cobweb) and John Boyega comes to learn some disturbing things about his neighborhood (They Cloned Tyrone). But the weekend belongs to Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan whose films have been two of the most hyped releases of the year and they delivered a weekend for the ages. For all ages and everyone else. 0:00 - Intro 1:40 – The Deepest Breath 19:35 - Earth Mama 28:21 - Fear the Night 40:22 - Cobweb 50:30 - They Cloned Tyrone 1:04:20 - Oppenheimer 1:25:21 - Barbie 1:47:19 - Outro

Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress on this week's physical media roundup. They include 4K releases from Godard, Scorsese and Boetticher. Are any of the stories from Four Rooms worth revisiting? Peter unveils an appreciation for one of the great endings in film while Erik discusses HBO's acclaimed video game adaptation. You also get Gena Rowlands in an Oscar-nominated performance, Roy Scheider fighting off sleazy blackmailers, a bizarre pre-Lethal Weapon partnering and one of the great William Friedkin movies getting the upgrade it deserves. 0:00 - Intro 1:08 - Criterion (Breathless (4K), The Ranown Westerns: Five Films Directed by Budd Boetticher (4K)) 8:34 - Arrow Films (Hugo (4K)) 13:33 - Imprint (Four Rooms, Wolf Creek (Ultimate Edition)) 30:56 - Sony (Love Again) 33:23 - Universal (Kandahar, Les Miserables (2012) (4K)) 40:52 - Warner Archive (Land of the Pharoahs) 48:39 - Warner Bros. (The Last of Us: The Complete First Season) 53:08 - Kino (52 Pick-Up, End of the World, Gloria (1980), Nevada Smith, Number One with a Bullet, The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future, To Live and Die in L.A. (4K)) 1:22:07 – New Blu-ray Announcements 1:24:17 - Outro

There's one big movie hitting theaters this week but Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy still have eight other titles to talk about. They include a look back at their biggest disagreement of the year from Sundance (Theater Camp) while Steve checks out a great cast goes looking for healing elsewhere (The Miracle Club). Then they look at a trio of documentaries from the treatment of the American Indian (Lakota Nation vs. United States) to black players and baseball (The League) and Alex Winter's examination of the first of two deadly algorithms this week (The YouTube Effect). Next it is on to fictional horror from an estranged couple stuck together (Quicksand) to the blind leading the blind without Sandra Bullock (Bird Box Barcelona) and a low-budget film crew plagued by zombies (Final Cut). Of course they would not let you go without discussing the latest in a franchise that has somehow managed to exceed expectations over and over. Does the latest live up to the name? (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One). Then one last thing as the duo serve up their mock ballots for the best performances and movies of the year at the mid-way point. 0:00 - Intro 1:45 - Theater Camp 14:22 - The Miracle Club 21:42 - The YouTube Effect 34:30 - Lakota Nation vs. United States 43:18 - The League 53:10 - Quicksand 1:02:27 - Final Cut 1:12:42 - Bird Box Barcelona 1:24:02 - Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One 1:39:14 – The Mid-Year Ballot 1:46:49 - Outro

Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski have a jam-packed week for you in physical media. It includes the long-awaited upgrade for an often overlooked Martin Scorsese classic. Emily Blunt debuts in a lovely coming-of-age film while two Oscar winners and a should-have-won-all-the-Emmys actor make their debut in an early ‘80s slasher film. There is some hatred for the latest Scream and some for a John Hughes character but some surprising love for an early ‘90s Rambo knockoff. There is also one of the essential film noirs with John Garfield, a little Ari Aster discourse and nothing but love for one of the best films of the year that you should absolutely add to your collection. 0:00 - Intro 1:06 - Criterion (The Watermelon Woman, After Hours (4K)) 16:11 - Imprint (The Bounty, Damage, Leap (Duo Guan), Malena, My Summer of Love, Not One Less) 40:20 - Synapse (McBain) 46:48 - Kino (Chile '76, Close to Vermeer, Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XV, Force of Evil, Human Desire, Only In Theaters) 1:04:05 - IFC (Corsage) 1:06:48 - Universal (Book Club: The Next Chapter, Battlestar Galactica (1978) (4K)) 1:19:58 - Paramount (Scream VI (4K), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (4K)) 1:31:01 - Shout! Factory (World War Z (4K), The Burning (4K)) 1:40:55 - Lions Gate (Sisu (4K), Beau is Afraid, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret) 1:58:21 – New Blu-Ray Announcements 2:00:50 - Outro

Friendships are resplendent in this week's new movies and two friends in Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are here to tell you which ones to see. Friends try to avoid wearing a parasitic mask (Bad Girl Boogey) while a woman tries to emancipate herself over two decades (Scarlet). A young writer is hired to tutor the son of his idol (The Lesson) while Patrick Wilson's son is again tortured by an evil entity (Insidious: The Red Door). An ‘80s pop duo gets the documentary treatment (Wham!) while Adam Devine meets his criminal in-laws (The Out-Laws). Finally Mark Duplass and Sterling K. Brown are the last two men on Earth (Biosphere) and a foursome of women take a trip to China in search of identity and pleasure (Joy Ride). 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Bad Girl Boogey 8:51 - Wham! 22:06 - Scarlet 27:37 - The Lesson  37:51 - Biosphere 51:59 - The Out-Laws 1:03:11 - Insidious: The Red Door 1:13:08 - Joy Ride 1:28:14 - Outro

More and more titles are pulled off social media which means its time to bulk up on physical media more and more. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to get you caught up. There are disturbing works from Gaspar Noe and Claire Denis along with other horror films ranging from the Deadites to a white shark and buffalo to Stephen King stories and a really bad motel. You can certainly lighten up the mood with a wonderful comic action caper film from Sundance involving sisters, hang out at the mall or take a vacay with the Griswolds. Or you can just stay in one place like Truman and enjoy a box office punchline better than its reputation or re-live your days checking out Empire Films in the video store. 1:04 - Altered Innocence (Irreversible) 6:52 - The Film Desk (Trouble Every Day) 9:18 - Severin (Extra Terrestrial Visitors) 12:33 - Kino (Duet for One, La Chevre, Les Comperes, Millennium Mambo, Prison Girls 3-D, The White Buffalo, Will Penny) 38:44 - Arrow Films (Fighting Back, Mallrats (4K), Waterworld (4K), Enter the Video Store: Empire of Screams (1984-89)) 1:02:07 - Blue Underground (Dead & Buried (4K)) 1:08:08 - Universal (Polite Society, Jaws 2 (4K)) 1:19:27 - Shout! Factory (Creepshow (4K), Motel Hell (4K)) 1:29:54 - Warner Bros. (Evil Dead Rise (4K), National Lampoon's Vacation (40th Anniversary) (4K)) 1:37:46 - Paramount (The Truman Show (4K)) 1:44:13 – New Blu-Ray Announcements

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy look at seven new movies this week. They include a documentary on an artist from the 1980s (Make Me Famous) and Ike Barenholtz takes on political muckrucking in a faux documentary (Maximum Truth). The director of The Notebook takes to cults, revenge and extreme violence (God is a Bullet) while Shudder offers a film that can best be described as Straw Goblins (Unwelcome). Wes Anderson adds a little science-fiction into his pastels (Asteroid City). Jennifer Lawrence signs up to “date” the hell out of a college-bound kid (No Hard Feelings) and Steve gets to way in with his thoughts on the end of an era in adventure (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny). 0:00 - Intro 1:45 - Make Me Famous  7:56 - Maximum Truth 17:50 - God is a Bullet 33:15 - Unwelcome 43:44 - Asteroid City 59:36 - No Hard Feelings 1:15:31 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny 1:32:54 – Outro

Indiana Jones is going on his final adventure and both Erik Childress and Erik Laws are going as well. They give you their full thoughts on the fifth film but first revisit the entire franchise including the first time they saw Raiders, Indy-as-superhero, and weighing in on the discourse over Temple of Doom and Crystal Skull. Then it is on to discussing Indy's new partner, de-aging and how the template may have shifted slightly from the Spielberg era with director James Mangold. While this is a film about growing older and regret, do the Eriks have any when it comes to the new one or the series in general? 0:00 - Intro 4:48 – Raiders of the Lost Ark 9:39 – Temple of Doom 26:14 – The Last Crusade 29:36 – Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 40:30 – The Dial of Destiny 51:59 – Phoebe Waller-Bridge 54:27 – “Young” Indiana Jones 56:49 – A Signature Action Sequence? 1:04:03 – Indy's Relationship Status and Regret 1:12:23 – The Ending 1:25:00 – Random Thoughts 1:36:41 – Harrison Ford and John Williams 1:47:25 - Outro

Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again for this week's Blu-ray haul. They include the first film by Barry Jenkins along with titles from Peter Greenaway and Guy Maddin. The list is filled with films that may not be everyone's cup of tea including some outdated racial casting, a little horror sensation from this year, a Cameron Crowe remake and in our case, Avatar. But that's why you also get some Rin Tin Tin and two of the best films in the career of John Frankenheimer including a film that went into hiding for 25 years and one of the best action films of the past 25.   0:00 - Intro 1:04 - Criterion (Medicine for Melancholy, The Servant) 8:56 - Zeitgeist (A Zed & Two Noughts and The Falls: Two Films by Peter Greenaway) 13:02 - IFC (Skinamarink) 16:18 - Sony (Insidious (4K Steelbook)) 21:55 - Fox (Avatar: The Way of Water (4K)) 26:33 - Paramount (Vanilla Sky (4K)) 30:36 - Arrow Films (The Game Trilogy (1978-1979)) 33:17 - Kino (Mr. Wong Collection (1938-1940), Tales From the Gimli Hospital Redux, Clash of the Wolves / Where the North Begins, The Bridges at Toko-Ri, The Manchurian Candidate (1962) (4K), Ronin (4K)) 59:44 – New Blu-Ray Announcements 1:01:32 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy take a light batch of movies into this weekend; a half-dozen titles of both high profile and varying quality. Disney Plus has a new documentary about the co-founder of Marvel (Stan Lee). Jon Hamm tries to solve a Fargo-like murder spree while wooing Tina Fey (Maggie Moore(s)). Chris Hemsworth is back to see if he can top the previous film's “one-take” action extravaganza (Extraction 2). Tim Story tries to parody horror films (The Blackening) and Pixar gets its first movie into theaters since the pandemic (Elemental). Finally, Steve gets in his thoughts on the latest from DC Comics (The Flash). 0:00 - Intro 1:16- Stan Lee 12:02 - Maggie Moore(s) 21:08 - Extraction 2 38:18 – The Blackening 50:44 - Elemental 1:04:49 – The Flash 1:25:21 - Outro

On this week's Blu-ray episode, Peter Sobczynski talks with Erik Childress about some genuine classics, at least one new one, some forgotten relics and a genuine oddity. Criterion does Terry Gilliam right again with one of their childhood favorites in 4K. They revisit an Oscar-winning film from the ‘80s and whether it would be made the same way today. Kino has some really enjoyable stuff from Andrew Davis, Michael Crichton and a film that got buried during the disaster craze of the '70s. Both Erich von Stroheim and William Hurt go Russian this week, more Shaw Brothers films arrive and Peter recounts the crazy tale of the Ormond family on their filmmaking journey from exploitation to Christian films. 0:00 - Intro 1:31 - Criterion (Time Bandits (4K)) 10:06 - Flicker Alley (Foolish Wives) 15:18 - Indicator (From Hollywood to Heaven: The Lost and Saved Films of the Ormond Family (1956-1984), Mexico Macabre: Four Sinister Tales from the Alameda Films Vault, 1959-1963) 23:45 - MVD (Witchtrap, Rain Man (4K)) 33:30 - Kino (The Draughtsman's Contract, Juggernaut, The Great Train Robbery, Gorky Park, The Package) 1:05:07 - Sony (The Pope's Exorcist) 1:08:44 - Universal (Super Mario Bros. Movie, The (4K)) 1:13:44 - Lions Gate (John Wick: Chapter 4) 1:17:10 - Shout! Factory (Shaw Brothers Collection: Volume One) 1:20:13 – New Blu-Ray Announcements 1:21:43 - Outro

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have 11 film reviews for you this week including a whole bunch of documentaries. They include one about a male-order catalog (All Man: The International Male Story), one about album covers (Squaring the Circle) and a trio involving a bodybuilder who became a politician (Arnold), the career beyond Freddy Krueger (Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story) and a director's obsession with a film from 1939 (Lynch/Oz). There are also films about an artist's assistant (Daliland) and the creation of a spicy snack (Flamin' Hot). There's a new take on the Frankenstein story (The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster), a post-WWII séance (Brooklyn 45) and a whole other kind of horror, one of personal choice in Margaret Thatcher Land. Finally can the Autobots and Decepticons build on the good will of Bumblebee (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts). 0:00 - Intro 1:15 - All Man: The International Male Story 7:55 – The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster 14:47 - Squaring the Circle 20:25 - Arnold 26:40 - Daliland 34:23 - Lynch/Oz  42:49 - Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story  57:42 - Brooklyn 45 1:08:12 - Blue Jean 1:18:02 - Flamin' Hot  1:31:16 - Transformers: Rise of the Beasts 1:43:14 - Outro