Podcast appearances and mentions of erik childress

Another week in physical media with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski and it is a loaded one. Criterion offers up some classic Errol Flynn and the final film of legend John Huston. You can also check out the first directorial effort of John Milius and one of the many men-in-a-car films of David Ayer. Speaking of vehicles, you can hear about one of the great chase sequences of the 1980s or the one that has some MF snakes in it. There's a history lesson in Ma and Pa Kettle plus the great Woody Woodpecker, a trio of Agatha Christie mysteries and a punk rock gem still worthy of discovery.Criterion (Captain Blood (4K), The Dead (4K))MGM (A Matter of Time, Dillinger)Universal (Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (1941-1972), Ma and Pa Kettle: Complete Comedy Collection)Fun City (Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (4K))Arrow (Snakes on a Plane (4K))Shout (End of Watch (4K))Kino (Man in a Cocked Hat, The Flesh and Blood Show, Diva (4K), Death on the Nile (1978) (4K), The Mirror Crack'd (4K), Evil Under the Sun (4K))TV (Doctor Who: Tom Baker (Season 2), Lucifer: The Complete Series)NEW (One Battle After Another (4K), Wicked: For Good (4K), Roofman (4K), Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, Fackham Hall, Hunting Season, Keeper (4K))CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTUSE COUPON “MOVIEMADNESS” TO GET 10% OFF ALL DUBBY PRODUCTSSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for the first round of new movie reviews of 2026, and they jump right into a mixed bag of releases. The conversation covers the fourth entry in the horror franchise with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the historical musical drama The Testament of Ann Lee starring Amanda Seyfried, and the gritty cop thriller The Rip featuring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. They also get into the urban vampire thriller Night Patrol and a few other titles, with plenty of honest reactions along the way. Before wrapping up, Erik and Steve look ahead to their upcoming trip to the Sundance Film Festival and what they're hoping to see this year. Things get sillier when Esmeralda Leon joins in and a couple of new voicemails roll in about the McRib lawsuit. That opens the door to a free-for-all discussion about some of the dumbest lawsuits ever filed, and why the fictional but highly confident Esmaolas Law Firm is clearly ready to take them all on and somehow win every case. [Ep 421]

Before heading off to Sundance next week, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy bring you ten new movie reviews. Erik looks at the anime adaptation of the text that inspired Edge of Tomorrow (All You Need Is Kill) and a Palestinian epic of family and loss that people need to see (All That's Left of You) while Steve checks out the latest film about family from the Dardenne Brothers (Young Mothers). On the documentary side there is the tale of a wrestler who was born with Crouzon's Syndrome (Standout: The Ben Kjar Story) and a two-parter on HBO Max about one of the absolute legends of comedy (Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!). Jodie Foster takes the lead again as a psychiatrist investigating her patient's death (A Private Life) and Amanda Seyfried leads with music as part of a shaky religious sect (The Testament of Ann Lee). Bad cops are at the center of the new film from the director of Lowlife (Night Patrol) and Matt Damon & Ben Affleck may also be at the center of Joe Carnahan's latest thriller (The Rip). Finally, Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell approach the rage virus in vastly different ways in the continuation of the apocalyptic series (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple).1:44 - All You Need Is Kill8:36 - Young Mothers14:02 - All That's Left Of You21:01 - Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!36:40 - Standout: The Ben Kjar Story43:40 - A Private Life51:35 - Night Patrol1:03:01 - The Testament of Ann Lee1:12:34 - The Rip1:25:02 - 28 Years Later: The Bone TempleCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Impact-Site-Verification: 1897387360It's the first new physical media roundup of 2026 with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski. They include Jim Jarmusch's love-it-or-hate-it western and Val Kilmer's Native American murder mystery. They debate the volcano movies of 1997 and remind everyone of Kevin Spacey's alien movie. One of the great, seemingly forgotten, Stephen King adaptations gets an upgrade as does perhaps the best Steven Seagal film and another of John Woo's classics. A lot of great action and horror to start the new year.1:45 - Criterion (Dead Man (4K))13:19 - Sony (Thunderheart (4K))20:02 - Kino (Dante's Peak 4K, K-PAX)36:07 - Lionsgate (1408 (4K))44:03 - Arrow (Evil Dead Rise (4K), Under Siege (4K))1:10:38 - Shout (Bullet in the Head (4K))1:17:23 – New TV on Blu-ray (Shameless (The Complete Series), Falling Skies (The Complete Series))1:20:12 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Tron: Ares (4K), Shelby Oaks, The Smashing Machine (4K), It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley, Naked Ambition, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk)1:22:47 – New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

The movie year of 2026 begins in earnest this week on the podcast with Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy looking at ten films, some of which are expansions of 2025 releases. There's a Harry/Sally-like rom-com (People We Meet on Vacation). Steve checks out a documentary of a famed writer and Holocaust survivor (Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire), plus a pair of true stories with Lucy Liu caring for her schizophrenic son (Rosemead) and the tale of an emergency call from a six-year-old trapped in a car in Gaza (The Voice of Hind Rajab). The true stories continue with Kristen Stewart's harrowing directorial debut of a woman plagued with memories of sexual abuse (The Chronology of Water), Gus Van Sant's latest about a 1977 hostage situation (Dead Man's Wire) and Ralph Fiennes tries to get people to sing during WWI (The Choral). Two varying apocalypses occur with Daisy Ridley discovering that the victims of a catastrophic explosion are only mostly dead while Gerard Butler and his family have to leave their bunker (Greenland 2: Migration). With all that horror this week, the show wraps up with some chimpanzee terror (Primate).2:29 - Elie Wiesel: Soul On Fire8:46 - People We Meet on Vacation22:39 - Rosemead28:52 - The Chronology of Water41:02 - The Voice of Hind Rajab47:52 - Dead Man's Wire59:59 - The Choral1:09:46 - We Bury the Dead1:18:39 - Greenland 2: Migration1:25:41 - PrimateCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

A yearly tradition continues with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski carried over from our time with the late, great Sergio Mims as they ask the question that is the very title of these episodes. Both Erik and Peter have selected 10 titles each of films that are still languishing only on DVD and not in a higher-grade format (at least not in North America.) They include classic modern comedies of the ‘80s and ‘90s, a heist film, and one of the earliest appearances of a beloved comedian and the song that became their staple, not to mention a film based on an album. How about movies from some of the great independent voices of cinema, a coming-of-age film, an animated film nearly canceled by the Russians, and a thriller about a simple plan that turns into a conspiracy all leading up to one of the timeliest calls for a film you can imagine. Are you listening Criterion, studios and all the rights holders? Let's give these films the releases they deserve and continue to preserve physical media.2:59 – Peter's 1st Choice10:38 – Erik's 1st Choice14:42 – Peter's 2nd Choice22:39 – Erik's 2nd Choice28:02 – Peter's 3rd Choice36:40 - Erik's 3rd Choice42:33 - Peter's 4th Choice54:00 - Erik's 4th Choice1:00:24 - Peter's 5th Choice1:12:00 - Erik's 5th Choice1:19:13 - Peter's 6th Choice1:30:17 - Erik's 6th Choice1:33:33 - Peter's 7th Choice1:43:50 - Erik's 7th Choice1:52:48 - Peter's 8th Choice2:01:17 - Erik's 8th Choice2:06:31 - Peter's 9th Choice2:22:23 - Erik's 9th Choice2:29:38 - Peter's 10th Choice2:39:08 - Erik's 10th ChoiceCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

We sit down with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for an extended, no-rush conversation about what 2025 looked like at the movies. It was a strange year, sometimes exciting, sometimes frustrating, and we dig into what worked, what didn't, and why the box office and streaming landscape felt so uneven. Trends, surprises, and a few head-scratching moments all get their turn. From there, things get very opinionated. Erik and Steve each roll out their picks for the best movies of 2025 and the worst, and yes, the disagreements come fast and loud. There are a handful of rare moments where they line up, plenty where they absolutely do not, and some strong feelings about how certain films landed or completely missed the mark. We also look ahead to what has us excited for 2026, and somehow, against all odds, everyone agrees on the single best movie of 2025. It's a long, passionate movie nerd conversation that takes its time and leaves no opinion unchallenged. [Ep 417]

As we always do to kick off the new year we take one more look at last year. Focused primarily on the positive (with maybe a couple parting shots), Steve Prokopy once again joins Erik Childress to countdown their top ten films along with their runners-up. They are once again overjoyed to continue their yearly tradition and welcome Collin Souter of the Christmas Movies Actually podcast to join them with his list. A lot of great films for everyone to catch up with plus shout-outs of more movies with a number of specialized categories where we honor everything from laughs to music, our best surprises and a few disappointments. May 2026 be even better. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick teams up with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for an expanded round of movie talk as the year end release rush hits full speed. They dig into a packed slate that includes the newest chapter in James Cameron's Avatar saga, Timothée Chalamet's latest turn in Marty Supreme, and Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson fronting a Neil Diamond tribute band in Song Sung Blue. The conversation also covers Will Arnett as a down-on-his-luck stand-up comic in Is This Thing On?, Sydney Sweeney in The Housemaid, and the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent, with a few more titles folded in along the way. With so many major releases landing at once, the discussion stretches out and takes its time, offering thoughtful reactions and plenty of back and forth between three longtime critics who know each other's tastes well. Esmeralda sits this one out, but the movie talk more than fills the space as the holiday film season kicks into high gear. [Ep 413]

On the final Movie Madness episode for 2025, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy review nine movies for the holidays. They include a documentary about Seymour Hersh breaking the stories on human rights atrocities (Cover-Up) while Wagner Moura is up against political turmoil in Brazil (The Secret Agent). Even water polo has bullies as it turns out (The Plague) and the job market becomes actual murder in the latest from Chan Wook-Park (No Other Choice). Will Arnett separates from Laura Dern and tries stand-up comedy (Is This Thing On?) while Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson get together to perform Neil Diamond tunes (Song Sung Blue). Sydney Sweeney goes to work for Amanda Seyfried's off-kilter family (The Housemaid) and Timothee Chalamat hustles his way to ping pong glory (Marty Supreme). Finally, James Cameron is back with the third of his Pandora films. Please let there not be a fourth (Avatar: Fire and Ash). We will return Jan. 2 with our choices for the best of the year with Collin Souter.3:42 - Cover-Up12:00 - The Plague20:01 - The Secret Agent31:07 - Is This Thing On?45:47 - Song Sung Blue1:00:00 - No Other Choice1:09:17 - The Housemaid1:24:03 - Marty Supreme1:39:30 - Avatar: Fire and AshCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski close out the year in physical media with a lot of suggestions for your Christmas baskets. For the more adventurous who don't mind a little darkness with their holidays you have Paul Thomas Anderson's adult film industry epic and the booze-filled trip through sin city that won Nicolas Cage his Oscar. There is sci-fi anime, David Cronenberg's tale of infection and the Wachowskis' epic journey of conspiracy and souls. Joe Dante's sprawling dare of a film experience finally comes home…if you can get it. For those who need to laugh, four of the classic Pink Panther films have been upgraded. And for the kid in all of us that we could all get in touch with these holidays, the original Turtles in a Half-Shell get a box set, Tim Burton's timeless debut with Pee-Wee Herman and everyone's favorite talking pig are all here for you. All this plus our thoughts on the tragic murder of Rob Reiner.1:40 - A Tribute to Rob Reiner5:44 - Criterion (Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (4K), David Byrne's American Utopia (4K))17:44 - Warner Archive (On Borrowed Time)23:14 – Warner Bros. (Boogie Nights (4K))34:00 - Shout Factory (Rabid (1977) (4K), Leaving Las Vegas (4K), Perfect Blue (4K), Cloud Atlas (4K))1:07:51 - Kino (Scars of Dracula (4K), Walking Tall (2004) (4K), The Pink Panther (1963) (4K), A Shot in the Dark (4K), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (4K), Revenge of the Pink Panther (4K), Babe (4K), Babe: Pig in the City (4K))2:15:52 - Arrow (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy (4K))2:36:02 - Vinegar Syndrome (The Movie Orgy)2:48:38 - New TV & Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Wally Gator: The Complete Series, Lippy the Lion & Hardy Har Har: The Complete Series, Monk: The Complete Series, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Black Phone 2 (4K), Bugonia (4K), Christmas Eve in Miller's Point, Good Night, and Good Luck: Live from Broadway, Hot Spring Shark Attack, Thank You Very Much)CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

As we approach the end of the year, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy still have six reviews for this week. They include a documentary about the inventor of Pantone (The King of Color) as well as Mamoru Hosoda's anime about a princess avenging her father's death (Scarlet). The Ripley-like influencer from a 2022 thriller is on the prowl again (Influencers) as is the guy from the ‘80s who dressed like Santa Claus and killed a bunch of people but this time with a derivative twist (Silent Night, Deadly Night). The creator of Pushing Daisies and Hannibal makes his debut about a girl who hires a hitman to take care of the monster under her bed (Dust Bunny). Finally, the legendary James L. Brooks' returns with his first film in 15 years and the guys have very different takes on it.1:38 - The King of Color9:09 - Silent Night, Deadly Night18:46 - Scarlet26:02 - Influencers36:59 - Dust Bunny45:36 - Ella McCayCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Just a few weeks until Christmas and there is plenty of physical media to fit under the tree as Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski's roundup this week's selections. They include a little Powell and Pressburger and some Oscar nominees from Penny Marshall and Mira Nair. There is some more from Dan Curtis, a giant snake and one of Robert Altman's more obscure oddities. Lionsgate alone has one of the great making of documentaries of all time, Kevin Smith's hilarious riff on religion and faith plus the film that makes Tarantino lash out on The Hunger Games. There are grandiose collections from the Shaw Brothers and the first name of mainstreamed erotica. Plus of pair of upgrade for Steven Spielberg from one of his glorious double-film years.1:45 - Criterion (I Know Where I'm Going! (4K), Salaam Bombay! (4K))9:34 - Film Masters (Lady of Burlesque)12:24 - Kino (Dead of Night (4K), Dan Curtis' Gothic Tales)18:33 - Arrow (Shawscope (Volume Four))26:47 - Radiance (O.C. and Stiggs)39:41 - Sony (Awakenings (4K), Anaconda (4K Steelbook))56:07 - Lionsgate (Hearts of Darkness (4K), Dogma (25th Anniversary) (4K), Battle Royale 4K)1:25:17 - Paramount (Minority Report (4K), Catch Me If You Can (4K))1:45:06 - Severin (Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection 4K)2:06:52 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Good Fortune (4K), I'm Still Here, The Strangers: Chapter 2, Beast of War, Dead of Winter (2025), Rabbit Trap, A Savage Art, London Calling)2:09:33 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick brings film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back for a run through several major new releases, including James L. Brooks' comedy drama “Ella McCay,” the animated sequel “Zootopia 2,” the latest “Knives Out” mystery “Wake Up Dead Man,” and the follow up to the video game horror hit “Five Nights at Freddy's 2.” Their conversation moves quickly, mixing sharp reactions with the kind of easy back and forth that comes from years of arguing about movies together. Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later for a round of holiday chatter, which turns into a story about a South Side spot that sells great Christmas trees and also lets you recycle them by feeding them to a herd of very enthusiastic goats. That leads to a tour of strange Christmas trees from around the world, including one built entirely from full bottles of Heineken. The holiday spirit takes on some unusual shapes, and Nick and Esma have plenty of fun with it. [Ep 409]

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy kick off December with 11 reviews for you. On the photography and journalism side Steve has a pair of documentaries to talk about (Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere, The New Yorker At 100) while Erik looks at the story of Christmas Tree sellers (The Merchants of Joy). There is a horror film about the trail of an infamous piece of footage (Man Finds Tape) as well as survivalist Mel Gibson protecting a woman from the cartel after her (Hunting Season). Michelle Pfeiffer goes for mom of the year during Christmas (Oh. What. Fun.) while Dangerous Liaisons meets a fairy tale setting (100 Nights of Hero). An infamous stage musical gets a filmed revival on film (Merrily We Roll Along) and Quentin Tarantino's multi-volume martial arts epic gets pieced together as one (Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair). Finally the animatronic pizza place characters from the video game are back (Five Nights at Freddy's 2) and George Clooney is a moviestar going through a three-quarter life crisis (Jay Kelly).4:00 - Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere10:23 - The New Yorker At 10017:53 - The Merchants of Joy25:16 - Man Finds Tape34:29 - Hunting Season40:17 - Oh. What. Fun.49:22 - 100 Nights of Hero1:01:09 - Merrily We Roll Along1:08:09 - Five Nights at Freddy's 21:19:38 - Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair1:29:26 - Jay KellyCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Black Friday may be behind us but December has so much to gift your loved ones. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski have some great new suggestions this week on physical media. Parents have a chance to introduce their kids to the entire collection of Tom & Jerry while dad can revisit their ‘80s memories of Heather Thomas and Kim Cattrall. Speaking of which, Lucinda Dickey's legendary mix of Flashdance and ninjas gets the 4K upgrade as does one of John Woo's masterpieces and one of the greatest comedies of all-time.4:19 - Criterion (His Girl Friday (4K))15:45 - Warner Archive (Tom And Jerry: The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958))22:35 - Arrow (The House with Laughing Windows (4K), Wild Style (4K))32:47 - Sandpiper (Zapped, Mannequin)47:24 - Kino (Ninja Trilogy 4K)1:01:24 - Shout Factory (The Killer (4K))1:15:37 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Chain Reactions, Code 3, Diciannove)1:16:57 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

It's Thanksgiving week and there are movies to see. Some great ones too and seven of them are covered this week by Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy. Shih-Ching Tsou, a producer of Sean Baker's films, returns behind the camera with a unique family drama on Netflix (Left-Handed Girl) where you can also see a fascinating journalistic mystery about the Vietnam War (The Stringer: The Man Who Took The Photo). Brendan Fraser takes on a unique acting challenge in Japan (Rental Family) while Miles Teller & Elizabeth Olsen die and must figure out if they want to spend the afterlife with each other (Eternity). Chloe Zhao delivers the emotional wringer of the year (Hamnet) while Rian Johnson gives us the third chapter of his fantastic Knives Out series (Wake Up Dead Man). Finally it's been nine years by Disney takes us back to the animal world for another timely mystery (Zootopia 2).3:46 - Left-Handed Girl10:32 - Rental Family22:23 - The Stringer: The Man Who Took The Photo31:42 - Eternity45:43 - Hamnet58:50 - Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery1:13:02 - Zootopia 2CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Just in time for Black Friday week, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski get you caught up on this week's collection of physical media. There's no less than four classic Abbott and Costello titles and five Death Wish films. One of the great Jane Austen adaptation celebrates its 20th anniversary in 4K. Sean Penn battles his criminal father, Christopher Walken, while William Powell and Myrna Loy team up again outside of the Thin Man films. The sword and sandals are represented twice in the ‘80s from The Barbarian Brothers (and Eva LaRue) plus the Don Coscarelli film that may be the living embodiment of the perfect cable movie. Finally, the duo lead off with a deep dive into Stanley Kubrick's final film, the perfect Christmas movie for everyone.3:56 - Criterion (Eyes Wide Shut (4K))25:37 - Warner Archive (I Love You Again)31:11 - Kino (Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (4K), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (4K), Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (4K), Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (4K), Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (4K), The Death Wish Collection, The Barbarians)1:15:12 - Shout Factory (The Beastmaster (4K))1:26:34 - Cinematographe (At Close Range (4K))1:35:34 - Universal (Pride and Prejudice (4K))1:44:42 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-Ray (The Long Walk (4K), The Conjuring: Last Rites (4K), Primitive War (4K), Anemone (4K), Coyotes, The Roses, Bone Lake, Eleanor the Great, Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie)CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick is joined once again by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for another round of movie talk and box office breakdowns. They look at the sluggish November numbers and review several new releases, including “Rental Family” starring Brendan Fraser, the long-awaited sequel to “Wicked,” George Clooney's tense drama “Jay Kelly,” and the over-the-top action spectacle “Sisu: Road to Revenge.” Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to spread the word about an upcoming holiday food drive on Chicago's northwest side. The two then dive into some more pop culture nostalgia with Bond movies, spooky 90s TV classics like “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” and “Eerie, Indiana,” and plenty of laughs along the way. [Ep 405]

Eight movies are reviewed this week with Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy including a little catch-up from our previous week off. Steve checks out a Minka Kelly rom-com (Champagne Problems) and a film that owes a lot to the world of Euro-spy films (Reflection in a Dead Diamond). Speaking of which Mark Wahlberg's Morgan family is back for their own European intrigue (The Family Plan 2) while a documentary charts the business angle that is thriving from school children being in actual danger (Thoughts & Prayers) and Josh O'Connor tries to pick up the pieces after a wildfire (Rebuilding). There is the invincible hero who fought Nazis now on the run from the Soviets (Sisu: Road to Revenge) while Glen Powell has to survive 30 days to win a billion dollars in the re-adaptation of Stephen King's novel (The Running Man). Finally, the witches of Oz return to complete their story with a giant thud. (Wicked: For Good)6:40 - Champagne Problems13:45 - Thoughts & Prayers21:06 - Reflection in a Dead Diamond27:11 - The Family Plan 238:50 - Rebuilding48:19 - Sisu: Road to Revenge57:11 - The Running Man1:11:09 - Wicked: For GoodCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

It's a week in physical media that would make current Secretary of Transportation, Sean “I can't guarantee safety” Duffy, blush. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski take you through a week that includes the film that sent The Color Purple home empty, one of the Mars movies of 2000-01 and a decade-old adaptation of a Broadway smash. There's also another prestige Oscar winner from Merchant Ivory, the Marx Brothers go to the circus and Simon Pegg & Nick Frost pay tribute to science fiction. One of John Woo's most memorable films gets an upgrade in a new set and if you want to see one of the films they were making during Scorsese's The Aviator, Criterion has you covered.3:50 - Criterion (Hell's Angels (4K), El (4K))18:30 - Warner Archive (At the Circus, The Bride Came C.O.D.)32:07 - Kino (The Gracie Allen Murder Case, Howards End (4K), Paul (4K))54:00 - Universal (Out of Africa (4K))1:02:43 - Arrow (Red Planet (4K))1:11:54 - Sony (Rent (4K))1:17:31 - Shout (A Better Tomorrow Trilogy (4K))1:30:18 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Splitsville, Universal Language, I'm ‘George Lucas': A Connor Ratliff Story, Secret Mall Apartment, Riefenstahl)1:35:06 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTSIGN UP FOR AUDIBLEBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick is joined once again by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for another round of sharp movie talk and box office insight. They review a packed slate of new releases, including Guillermo del Toro's bold new take on “Frankenstein,” the latest entry in the “Predator” saga, the Sydney Sweeney boxing biopic “Christy,” and Jennifer Lawrence's gripping psychological drama “Die My Love.” Later, Esmeralda Leon returns to share stories from the David Byrne concert she just attended — a wild, inspiring spectacle only Byrne could deliver. From there, she and Nick take a nostalgic detour through some of the weirdest, most obscure TV shows of the 1990s, like “Out of This World,” “Unhappily Ever After,” “Teen Angel,” and the unforgettable musical police drama “Cop Rock.” It's movies, music, and misfit television — all in one hilarious, high-energy episode. [Ep 401]

Eight reviews are on the docket this week with Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy. They include a film about a recording of a photographer telling us about their day (Peter Hujar's Day). Steve covers many of the elements with a documentary about one of the biggest franchises ever (Fire and Water: Making the Avatar Films) and the hunts for millions in the tundra (Ice Fall). Sydney Sweeney becomes one of the most successful female boxers ever (Christy) and Russell Crowe is on trial for being Hitler's second-in-command (Nuremberg). A non-binary teenager is kicked out of their home (I Wish You All The Best). Jennifer Lawrence goes through hell after having a baby with Robert Pattinson (Die, My Love) and the antagonist becomes the protagonist in the continuing adventures of a 40+-year franchise – or two (Predator: Badlands).4:46 - Fire and Water: Making the Avatar Films13:45 - Peter Hujar's Day23:08 - Ice Fall30:21 - Christy41:37 - I Wish You All the Best51:10 - Nuremberg1:06:52 - Die, My Love1:21:02 - Predator: BadlandsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Its physical media time again on the show with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski talking about the film that got Dillinger killed a pre-Lady Eve comic mystery with Barbary Stanwyck & Henry Fonda. Apple goes back to physical media to add an Oscar winner to your shelf. There's an all-star cast in a late ‘70s Godfather wannabe plus Peter Hyams' western in space. Tim Burton gets an upgrade for one of his very best films as does the great John Woo with an action film (and baby) for the ages. Plus Criterion upgrades their entry from the John Hughes era which the duo have a lot of thoughts on.3:50 - Criterion (The Breakfast Club (4K))19:34 - Apple (CODA 4K)30:17 - Warner Archive (Manhattan Melodrama, The Mad Miss Manton)43:11 - Cinematographe (King of the Gypsies 4K)52:13 - Disney (Edward Scissorhands (4K))1:04:35 - Arrow (Outland (4K))1:15:45 - Shout (Hard Boiled (4K))1:23:21 – New TV On Blu-ray (Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Legacy Collection, Happy's Place: Season One)1:26:26 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

It's Halloween weekend and there isn't a lot of horror but Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy still have eight films to talk about. They include a documentary about an archbishop who wrote the gay disco anthem of the ‘70s (I Was Born This Way) and another true story about drugs, family and revenge in the Ozarks (Violent Ends). There are some holiday-themed titles including a daughter realizing her mom may have fallen into a cult (Self-Help) and an animated Frankenstein-esque tale for kids (Stitch Head). The director of Conclave has Colin Farrell gambling away in Macau (Ballad of a Small Player) and Nia DaCosta swaps race and gender in an updating of Henrik Ibsen's 1891 play (Hedda). Diane Lane watches her family come apart in a new America (Anniversary) and the pair share their memories on the 40th anniversary of a masterpiece (Back to the Future).3:32 - I Was Born This Way13:44 - Self-Help21:53 - Stitch Head30:43 - Violent Ends42:14 - Ballad of a Small Player51:14 - Anniversary1:09:10 - Hedda1:20:33 - Back to the Future (40th Anniversary re-release)CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

It's another week of horror, weirdness and cult titles on physical media but also another addition from our annual “Why Is This Not On Blu-ray?” shows. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski guide you through this week on physical media including the works of Dan Curtis, Richard Stanley and Guillermo Del Toro. Abel Ferrara's infamous revenge picture gets the upgrade as does one of the great Godzilla films. John Carpenter's best film of the ‘90s gets its due praise while there is a deep dive into one of the infamous slasher spoofs of the '80s. Finally, Mike Nichols' adaptation of an anti-war classic is reappraised with a deserving new transfer.4:00 - Criterion (Deep Crimson (4K), Nightmare Alley (2021) (4K))15:25 - Kino (The Cat and the Canary (1927) (4K), Dan Curtis' Classic Monsters (1968-1974), Dead of Night, Dust Devil (4K))38:02 - Arrow (In the Mouth of Madness (4K), Ms. 45 (4K))55:20 - TerrorVision (Student Bodies 4K)1:16:14 - Shout (Shin Godzilla (4K), Catch-22 (4K))1:37:33 – New TV & Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (St. Denis Medical: Season One, The Day of the Jackal: Season One, The Toxic Avenger (2023), Americana, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Smurfs, Jimmy and Stiggs, Familiar Touch)1:42:18 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for a special extended edition of their movie review segment, packed with more films than ever. The trio dives into an eclectic lineup of new releases, including Emma Stone's wild new odyssey “Bugonia,” the Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me from Nowhere,” George Romero's daughter's zombie comedy “Queens of the Dead,” and Kathryn Bigelow's explosive thriller “A House of Dynamite.” They also review “The Mastermind,” “Regretting You,” and plenty more fresh titles hitting theaters. The conversation then shifts to the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, as Erik and Steve share highlights and reactions from the event. They cover festival favorites like “Dead Man's Wire,” “We Are Pat,” “Rental Family,” Guillermo del Toro's “Frankenstein,” and “One Golden Summer.” With Esmeralda Leon off this week, Nick and the critics go full film nerd — from blockbusters to indie gems — in a jam-packed, movie-lover's dream episode. [Ep 397]

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have another 11 reviews for you this week. It starts all the way back at last year's Toronto Film Festival with Crispin Glover finding no way out of a mysterious hotel (Mr. K). Justin Lin adapts the true story of a young missionary and a lost tribe (Last Days). A ‘90s thriller gets updated (The Hand That Rocks The Cradle), an imaginary demon terrorizes people (Shelby Oaks) and zombies go after drag queens (Queens of the Dead). Kelly Reichardt tells the story of the man behind a ‘70s art heist (The Mastermind) and Richard Linklater returns with Ethan Hawke on a notable night for a songwriting legend (Blue Moon). Jesse Plemons kidnaps Emma Stone in the latest from Yorgos Lanthimos and Kathryn Bigelow returns after eight years to put us on the brink of WWIII (A House of Dynamite). The author of It Ends With Us gets her latest melodramatic adaptation (Regretting You) while The Boss finally gets a crucial part of his journey told (Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere)3:56 - Mr. K11:34 - Last Days17:48 - The Hand That Rocks the Cradle27:32 - Shelby Oaks33:28 - Queens of the Dead45:42 - The Mastermind55:03 - Blue Moon1:08:16 - Bugonia1:20:32 - Regretting You1:34:14 - A House of Dynamite1:48:00 - Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere2:01:13 – Next WeekCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

This week in physical media with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski there is a whole lot of murder. Viggo Mortensen kills a bunch, Mia Goth gets in on the action, Yancy Butler does some drownings, Klaus Kinski does some biting, Brian Benben tries to solve some and Michael Biehn attempts to defend them. It's also still the month of horror and even though a double bill of Cronenberg doesn't exactly fit entirely, there is still plenty to be found for your October fill.3:40 - Criterion (Altered States (4K), A History of Violence (4K), The Shrouds)32:17 - Shout (Nosferatu the Vampyre (4K), The Place Beyond the Pines (4K), Savages (4K))54:20 - Kino (Rampage (1987) (4K), Radioland Murders, The Ex)1:15:51 - A24 (The X Trilogy 4K)1:30:53 - Arrow (Three / Three...Extremes)1:41:24 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Eddington (4K), Relay, Souleymane's Story, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore)1:43:21 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have seven reviews for you this week. They include a pair of the best films from Sundance this year – the harrowing documentary of the worst woman next door (The Perfect Neighbor) and the equally harrowing tale of motherhood anxiety with the great Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You). One of the greatest to ever do it gets a five-part documentary on Apple TV (Mr. Scorsese). Guillermo Del Toro finally makes the film his entire career has been building towards (Frankenstein). Aziz Ansari swaps lives with Seth Rogen thanks to angel Keanu Reeves (Good Fortune). Julia Roberts gets caught in the middle of collegiate accusations (After The Hunt) and Ethan Hawke returns in your dreams as The Grabber (Black Phone 2).3:58 – The Perfect Neighbor16:16 - If I Had Legs I'd Kick You27:21 - Mr. Scorsese35:18 - Frankenstein53:31 - Good Fortune1:05:06 - After the Hunt1:29:42 - Black Phone 2CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick reunites with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to catch up on Steve's trip to Fantastic Fest, talk box office trends, and review new releases including Tron: Ares, The Kiss of the Spider Woman starring Jennifer Lopez, Roofman with Channing Tatum, and a heartfelt new documentary about John Candy. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to dive into the bizarre world of Billy Corgan's $20 Goth Smoothie, the nostalgia of those old “Scary Sounds” Halloween CDs, and memories of Erehwon mountain stores at the mall. They also swap stories about some of Hollywood's most misguided side projects—from James Caan's Sicilian Vampire to Marlon Brando in drag and Christopher Walken partying with The Country Bears Jamboree. [Ep 393]

Another October week and another ten movie reviews for you from Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy. They look a new rom-com with the star of the recent Strangers films (Maintenance Required) and a new Dakota Fanning horror film from the director of the original Strangers (Vicious). They go back a couple Sundances for a father/daughter story amidst the AIDS crisis (Fairyland), the same era that gave us the inspiration for a new ‘80s remake (Deathstalker). On the documentary front after Raoul Peck scares you into where our country is today (Orwell: 2+2=5) you can curl up with a film about a comic legend (John Candy: I Like Me). Jennifer Lopez takes center stage in a musical version of an Oscar winner (Kiss of the Spider Woman) while Keira Knightley tries to solve a mystery on a yacht (The Woman In Cabin 10). Finally, Channing Tatum is a criminal on the lam in a Toys ‘R' Us (Roofman) and we go back to the world of the grid, this time with Jared Leto (Tron: Ares)3:53 - Maintenance Required13:23 - Vicious23:37 - Fairyland30:53 - Deathstalker41:21 - Orwell: 2+2=550:24 - John Candy: I Like Me59:32 - Kiss of the Spider Woman1:08:43 - The Woman In Cabin 101:19:17 - Roofman1:30:15 - Tron: AresCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

This week in physical media with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski features films for its rabid fanbases as well as a string of live-action big screen failures and Schwarzenegger battling for the devil. Jennifer Lopez tries to get an Oscar and the world is introduced to Mario Bava. Westerns got a bit of a revival 40 years ago and this week features an upgrade to the best of them as well as Sam Raimi's attempt ten years later to try to have his own fun with the genre. There is an incredible Peanuts set for all ages and a bookend that includes David Lynch's derided and reappraised big-screen prequel to his legendary TV show and the film that has been bringing together audiences for 50 years.5:04 - Criterion (Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (4K))18:14 - Sony (Silverado (4K Steelbook), The Quick and the Dead (1995) (4K Steelbook))35:09 - Lionsgate (Hustlers (4K))41:14 - Arrow (Spawn (4K))46:49 - Paramount (Aeon Flux (4K))54:02 - Shout (Black Sunday (4K), End of Days (4K), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (4K))1:14:11 - Disney (The Rocky Horror Picture Show (4K))1:32:30 - New TV on Blu-ray (Peanuts: Ultimate TV Specials Collection, The Walking Dead: Dead City - Season Two)1:34:19 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (F1: The Movie (4K), Nobody 2 (4K), The Bad Guys 2 (4K), I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) (4K), Dangerous Animals (4K), The Last Rodeo, When Fall is Coming, Honey Don't!)1:39:51 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

It is a packed week of reviews on the show with Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy, an even dozen in fact. They include one of the best documentaries of the year (Predators) and a film as bad as The Substance is good (Shell). Steve looks at Daniel Day-Lewis' return to the big screen (Anemone) while Erik looks at a charming family film about competitive pumpkin gardening (Grow). It's also October so that must mean horror. So there's another terror-filled tale about double-booking (Bone Lake) as well as the family that must barricade at home for the terror outside (Coyotes). There's a scary film from the POV of a canine (Good Boy) and another in the long-running anthology series (V/H/S Halloween). Cillian Murphy works at a home for trouble youth (Steve) and Matthew McConaughey tries to save children from one of the worst wildfires in history (The Lost Bus). Mark Wahlberg takes on a character played by the likes of Lee Marvin, Mel Gibson and Jason Statham in the latest from Shane Black (Play Dirty) and Wahlberg's Pain and Gain co-star, Dwayne Johnson, plays one of the early stars of MMA fighting (The Smashing Machine).(NOTE: Apologies for some of the audio quality this week. Not sure what occurred and tried to clean up the best I could.)3:33 - Predators15:19 - Shell21:09 - Anemone29:23 - Grow36:07 - Bone Lake43:54 - Coyotes54:49 - Good Boy1:02:42 - V/H/S Halloween1:11:53 - Steve1:20:56 - Play Dirty1:34:32 - The Lost Bus1:45:22 - The Smashing MachineCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Collections are the thing in this week's look at physical media with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski. Criterion has nearly the entire oeuvre of Wes Anderson. Vinegar Syndrome has a pair of Larry Fessenden works while Universal has packaged up a bunch of Draculas in 4K. Kino has a bunch of Dan Curtis and the Airport films while Warner Bros. has Freddy Krueger in a new 4K set. There is also the shorts of Creepshow, the beginning of American Pie and Yorgo Lanthimos plus one of the great action films of the new millennium that you may have missed.3:40 - Criterion (Isle of Dogs (4K), The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (4K) , The Wes Anderson Archive In 4K (Ten Films, Twenty-Five Years))15:02 - Warner Archive (Black Samson)20:29 - Arrow (The Good, the Bad, the Weird (4K), Creepshow 2 (4K))34:08 - Universal (American Pie (4K), Dracula: Complete Legacy Collection (4K))53:36 - WB (A Nightmare on Elm Street Collection (4K))1:10:01 - Shout Factory (Mama (4K))Kino (Dogtooth (4K), Dan Curtis' Late-Night Mysteries, Airport (4K), Airport 1975 (4K), Airport ‘77 (4K), Airport ‘79: The Concorde (4K))Vinegar Syndrome (Of Monsters and Madness: The Films of Larry Fessenden Vol. 2)TV (Touche Turtle and Dum Dum (The Complete Series))NEW (The Life of Chuck (4K), Becoming Led Zeppelin (4K), Just the Two of Us)CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick is joined by film critic Erik Childress (with Steve Prokopy off this week) to dig into a fresh slate of movie releases. They cover Paul Thomas Anderson's ambitious new epic One Battle After Another starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, Matthew McConaughey's The Lost Bus, Eleanor the Great with June Squibb directed by Scarlett Johansson, and Emma Thompson's icy new thriller Dead of Winter. Later, Esmeralda Leon teams up with Nick to respond to a listener complaint about their mail-order catalog talk, before diving headfirst into the world of embarrassing side projects from big-name stars. From Robert De Niro slumming it in Rocky and Bullwinkle, to Joe Pesci crooning as his My Cousin Vinny character, to the glorious disaster that is Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, they unpack the weird detours that even the most talented people can't live down. [Ep 388]

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy play a little catch-up this week but also replay their early review of Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, opening this week in case any of you missed it. Before that though they talk about a tribute to an iconic cult film celebrating its 50th anniversary (Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror). Gabriel Byrne reexamines his troubled life (Death of a Ladies Man) while Renny Harlin delivers the sequel to his horror reboot (The Strangers: Chapter Two) and Jordan Peele produces a very confused horror film about football (Him). If Emma Thompson with a Fargo accent trying to thwart a kidnapping on a frozen lake is more your speed they have you covered (Dead of Winter). Or maybe its about June Squibb lying about being a Holocaust survivor in Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut (Eleanor the Great). Finally there are also a pair of romantic fantasies involving tests that lead you to your soulmate (All of You) and the latest from filmmaker Kogonada with Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell in a title that speaks for itself (A Big Bold Beautiful Journey).4:26 - Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror11:07 - The Strangers: Chapter Two17:40 - Death of a Ladies Man23:48 - All of You33:58 - Dead of Winter43:23 - Eleanor the Great56:08 - Him1:07:13 - A Big Bold Beautiful Journey1:20:18 - One Battle After AnotherCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

This week in physical media definitely has a type and Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are here to let you know what to buy (or choose not to buy) this week. They include a trio of titles from Criterion including a recent Oscar winner. There is everything from Tsui Hark to Dolly Parton plus a dive into the creation of a sequel to one of the best and most successful comedies ever. Variations of zombies are created by Tom Savini, Danny Boyle and Tim Burton. Plus it is a helluva week for a capitulating studio to release a film about escaping the persecution from fascists.3:55 - Criterion (Read My Lips (4K), The Beat That My Heart Skipped (4K), Flow (4K))15:15 - WB (Corpse Bride (4K))24:08 - Sony (Night of the Living Dead (1990) (4K Steelbook))34:01 - Shout (Peking Opera Blues (4K))39:12 - Disney (The Sound of Music (60th Anniversary Edition) (4K))50:45 - Kino (The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Airplane II: The Sequel (4K))1:21:45 – New TV on Blu-ray (The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season, Chucky: The Complete Series, Law and Order SVU Season 26)1:23:34 - New Theatrical Titles on Blu-ray (Superman (2025) (4K), 28 Years Later (4K Steelbook), M3GAN 2.0 (4K), 40 Acres, The Home1:27:04 – New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

No one is being silenced on this podcast and we are keeping free speech going by reviewing 11 films this week. Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy go back to last year's Fantastic Fest to revisit Alexandre O. Phillippe's latest essay on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Chain Reactions). Mike Figgis goes behind the scenes of Francis Ford Coppola's passion project (Megadoc) and there's another documentary on a filmmaker who would probably be making ones for the Trump Administration today (Riefenstahl). In lighter fare, a virginal Lily Singh becomes a sex-ed professor (Doin' It) and Josh Duhamel trains a LARPer to become a hitman (London Calling). Someone is killing babysitters again (Night of the Reaper) and Neil Marshall makes his funniest film (it's not a comedy) (Compulsion). Billy Zane morphs into an iconic actor living in Tahiti (Waltzing with Brando), Lily James plays one of the founders of Tinder (Swiped) and Michael Chiklis plays a 59 year-old college football player (The Senior). Finally, we have an early review of the latest film from Paul Thomas Anderson which is the timeliest film to ever deserve that term (One Battle After Another).4:10 - Chain Reactions14:12 - Riefenstahl19:47 - Megadoc31:18 - The Senior38:47 - Night of the Reaper44:13 - Doin' It50:37 - Swiped57:22 - Compulsion1:05:58 - Waltzing with Brando1:14:43 - London Calling1:21:32 - One Battle After AnotherCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

This week in physical media certainly plays to the cult audiences that embraced them. That may not include an inspirational Ron Howard sports movie or the unnecessary remakes on the pile but Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski talk you through an early Lizzie Borden film and one of the craziest near-lost crime films of the ‘70s. There is fun stuff too from the film that launched the film careers of Bill Murray and Ivan Reitman to one of the greatest comedies and mockumentaries of all-time. Even Peter is down with this week's geek offerings from Disney's revolutionary move to computer animated effects in 1982 to the goofy sci-fi/fantasy from the director of Breaking Away.5:00 - Criterion (Born In Flames, This is Spinal Tap (4K))27:36 - Lions Gate (Meatballs 4K)42:17 - Universal (Cinderella Man 4K, Speak No Evil 4K)1:00:11 - Kino (Maedchen in Uniform, The Wrong Arm of the Law, Night of the Juggler (4K))1:21:29 - Disney (Tron 4K, Tron Legacy 4K)1:40:41 - Sony (Krull (4K Steelbook))1:56:39 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Vulcanizadora, My Dead Friend Zoe)1:57:21 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for reviews of the latest releases, including Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Stephen King's The Long Walk with Mark Hamill, and the charming low-budget holiday film The Baltimorons. Erik also shares highlights from the Toronto International Film Festival, with buzzworthy titles and festival standouts. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive into the bizarre saga of McDonald's broken ice cream machines, why the Feds are investigating, and then shift gears into 90s pop culture. They cover everything from Saved By the Bell and Appletinis to solving the eternal mystery of what “QR” really stands for in QR Code.  [Ep 385]

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are back on the review beat with seven new films this week. Steve looks at a documentary about model and photographer Bunny Yeager (Naked Ambition) as well as the conclusion of everyone's beloved big house (Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale). Corey Hawkins deals with a mysterious offer from Willem Dafoe (The Man In My Basement) and Dev Patel gets put through the folk horror wringer (Rabbit Trap). The film which opened this year's Chicago Critics Film Festival is one of the best you will see this year (The Baltimorons). Stephen King's Vietnam-era novel finally gets its adaptation from the director of The Hunger Games sequels (The Long Walk). Finally, 41 years in the making itself, everyone's favorite dysfunctional rock trio returns (Spinal Tap II: The End Continues)3:36 - Naked Ambition9:37 - The Man in My Basement20:32 - Rabbit Trap30:03 - The Baltimorons40:48 - Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale49:29 - The Long Walk1:02:49 - Spinal Tap II: The End ContinuesCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski look ahead in the world of physical media and reveal what you can add to your library this week and next. For those who have seen Spike Lee's remake, Highest 2 Lowest, Crtierion offers up the Kurosawa original in OK. You may have been issued it when you first bought your DVD player but now you can get the TV sci-fi adaptation with a unique stake in box office history. Universal has upgraded a pair of Best Actress-winning biopics and Warner upgrades a horror original in time for its final sequel. Oliver Stone has James Woods in one of his very best performances. Dwayne Johnson gets 4K'd in one of his few good movies. There are a pair of detective stories including the unfairly maligned sequel to Chinatown. Plus Walter Hill's prison boxing film is also worth another look4:20 - Criterion (High and Low (4K), Compensation)17:13 - Arrow (Lost in Space (1998) (4K))28:21 - Universal (Coal Miner's Daughter (4K), Erin Brockovich (4K))45:09 - Shout Factory (Salvador (4K))55:14 - Warner (The Conjuring (4K))1:01:50 - Kino (Huckleberry Finn (1931), Father Brown Detective, The Two Jakes (4K), The Lords of Discipline (4K), Smoke/Blue in the Face, The Rundown (4K), Undisputed (4K))1:56:21 - New Theatrical & TV Titles On Blu-ray (Ballerina: From the World of John Wick (4K), Jurassic World: Rebirth (4K), Elio (4K), Materialists, Ice Road: Vengeance, The Surfer, Clown in a Cornfield (4K), The Ritual, Bride Hard, Little House on the Prairie: The Complete Series (1974-1983))2:02:51 - New Blu-ray AnnouncementsCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick teams up once again with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for a round of reviews, including Austin Butler's wild crime thriller Caught Stealing, the dark comedy remake The Roses, Jane Levy's heartfelt drama A Little Prayer, and the outrageous reboot of The Toxic Avenger. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws and its enduring place in pop culture. They also preview some big concerts coming to Chicago, including Oasis at Soldier Field, before diving into another lively trip through 90s nostalgia.  [Ep 381]

It is Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer, and just before festival and awards season begins, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy serve up 12 films to review and talk about. The wayback machine gets set to 2023 when they first reviewed the absolutely lovely new film with David Strathairn and Jane Levy from Sundance now in theaters (A Little Prayer). The machine goes back even further to reminisce upon Prince's concert film (Sign O' The Times) and the 50th anniversary Steven Spielberg's masterpiece (Jaws) both back in theaters. Can a cycle of revenge be explained to a newborn (The Workout) and can there be another family version of an old tale (Robin and the Hoods)? What happens when a toxic workplace is all about the toxic internet (American Sweatshop) and what happens when a toxic fan worms his way into a singer's entourage (Lurker)? A gaggle of British retirees team up to solve a crime and save their home (The Thursday Murder Club) and Peter Dinklage takes on Troma's iconic hero in a new update (The Toxic Avenger). Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman suffer the consequences of marriage in another 1980s remake (The Roses) while the makers of The Climb take on open relationships with Dakota Johnson (Splitsville). Finally, Darren Aronofsky puts Austin Butler through the ringer in a new action comedy (Caught Stealing).3:53 - A Little Prayer18:30 - Jaws (50th Anniversary)29:13 - Prince - Sign O' The Times36:35 - The Workout43:53 - Robin and the Hoods50:41 - American Sweatshop1:00:53 - The Thursday Murder Club1:11:33 - The Toxic Avenger1:21:31 - Lurker1:31:37 - The Roses1:46:50 - Splitsville1:54:15 - Caught StealingCLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCASTBe sure to check outErik's Weekly Box Office Column – At Rotten TomatoesCritics' Classics Series – At Elk Grove Cinema in Elk Grove Village, ILChicago Screening Schedule - All the films coming to theaters and streamingPhysical Media Schedule - Click & Buy upcoming titles for your library.(Direct purchases help the Movie Madness podcast with a few pennies.)Erik's Linktree - Where you can follow Erik and his work anywhere and everywhere.The Movie Madness Podcast has been recognized by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Best Movie Review Podcasts as well as in the Top 60 Film Festival Podcasts and Top 100 Cinephile Podcasts. MillionPodcasts is an intelligently curated, all-in-one podcast database for discovering and contacting podcast hosts and producers in your niche perfect for PR pitches and collaborations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for their regular round of movie reviews. They dig into Spike Lee's gripping new drama with Denzel Washington, Highest 2 Lowest, the high-octane sequel Nobody 2 starring Bob Odenkirk, and the wild, shoestring-budget horror oddity Jimmy and Stiggs, along with a few other fresh releases. Esmeralda Leon later stops by to take a nostalgic trip through the flashy days of LA Gear sneakers, afternoons spent watching Figure It Out on Nickelodeon, and late-night Taco Bell runs—preferably with a wisecracking chihuahua in the commercials. [Ep 377]

Nick opens the show with a heartfelt tribute to Ryne Sandberg, honoring the legacy of the Hall of Famer and longtime Cubs icon, who passed away earlier this week. Sandberg's impact on Chicago baseball is remembered with affection and admiration. Then, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to break down this week's movie releases. They dive into the psychological horror film Together, the new reboot of The Naked Gun starring Liam Neeson, and the sequel to the animated satire The Bad Guys 2, weighing in on whether these films live up to the originals or crash and burn. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the recent wave of celebrity deaths, including Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Hulk Hogan, and Ozzy Osbourne. While the losses are somber, they quickly shift gears into a much lighter mood, sharing excitement and plans for their upcoming appearances at Flashback Weekend, where horror, nostalgia, and mayhem await. [Ep 372]

Nick, Erik Childress, and Steve Prokopy break down a packed lineup of new releases, starting with Ari Aster's eerie pandemic thriller Eddington. They also unpack the murky identity crisis of the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot, dissect the twisted charm of the rom-com satire Oh, Hi!, and weigh in on the latest Superman movie that has sparked more controversy than applause. Esmeralda Leon then joins Nick for a passionate ode to Jean-Claude Van Damme, revisiting classics like Kickboxer, Bloodsport, and her guilty pleasure, Street Fighter. Along the way, she explains why most modern movies leave her baffled and yelling, “Is this even a movie?” at her screen. Hollywood, consider yourself warned. [Ep 368]

Nick checks in with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to size up the movie year so far. From the best and worst releases to the biggest surprises of 2025, they take stock of what's worked, what flopped, and what to keep an eye on for the rest of the year. Whether it's unexpected gems or overhyped duds, nothing gets a free pass. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a gleeful roast of Independence Day. They swap stories of wild July 4th antics, from backyard pyrotechnics gone wrong to baffling acts of firework-related idiocy. If you've ever wondered just how reckless people can get in the name of patriotism, this segment has you covered. Celebrate responsibly, or at least try not to make the news. [EP 364]

Nick brings back film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to tear into the newest movie releases—some hits, a lot of misses. Pixar's Elio gets a once-over, 28 Years Later tries to keep the horror flame alive, and Bride Hard with Rebel Wilson lands with a thud. They also offer an early review of F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt's high-octane racing flick that turns out to be all rev and no traction. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to gear up for the upcoming Flashback Weekend Horror Convention. The two get into what really makes a movie worth seeing on the big screen—spoiler: it's not just a lot of close-ups and dialogue. They also dive into the strange fate of people who resemble Macaulay Culkin, and why Scarecrow was just too much for Esma to sit through. It's a conversation that shifts gears from cinematic spectacle to psychological unease, with plenty of laughs in between. [EP 360]