Podcast appearances and mentions of erik childress

This week in physical media may be appealing to the cults out there. Whichever you belong to, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are here to guide you towards your particular following. Perhaps you are in the Richard E. Grant & Bruce Robinson cult. Or stay on that side of the pond with an Oscar-winning musical and a film that was the Bridgerton of its time in the way it uses music. Maybe you're in the late Friday the 13th cult and enjoy its post-Paramount days. Or you have a taste for a marathon of Blaxploitation. Whether you love movie doggies or mutated bears, its best to just avoid the sleeping bags this week. 1:38 - Criterion (Withnail & I 4K, How to Get Ahead in Advertising 4K) 14:36 - Sony (Oliver 4K, A Knight's Tale 4K) 26:29 - Arrow (Jason Goes to Hell 4K, Jason X 4K) 47:09 - Shout (Blaxploitation Classics Vol 1) 1:02:43 - Kino (Wonder Dogs, The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders, Prophecy 4K) 1:23:01 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (The Quiet Ones, Presence 4K) 1:24:15 - New Blu-ray Announcements

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to the review beat after a couple weeks off at the Chicago Critics Film Festival. Erik looks at a bunch of influencers terrorized by feral dogs (A Breed Apart) and the story that inspired a cult body horror film (The Darkside of Society). Steve looks at an influential moment for the hearing impaired (Deaf President Now) and The Weeknd's self-indulgent vanity project (Hurry Up Tomorrow). They also offer thoughts on a pair of films chosen for their festival including the strange transformation of a woman in an arranged marriage (Sister Midnight) and Tim Robinson trying to get a little too close to Paul Rudd (Friendship). Finally its been 14 years since Death has come-a-callin'. Could Final Destination: Bloodlines be the best of the franchise? 1:32 – A Breed Apart 9:28 - Deaf President Now! 15:23 – The Darkside of Society 22:58 - Hurry Up Tomorrow 33:37 - Sister Midnight 41:11 - Friendship 54:59 - Final Destination: Bloodlines 1:07:03 - Outro

After a week off for The Chicago Critics Film Festival, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski return to get you up to date on the latest in physical media world. They include one of the great musicals and a landmark in 60s cinema. Disney upgrades one of their animated hits before its live-action counterpart hits theater. See the film Robert Zemeckis made in-between shooting Cast Away. There is plenty of sleaze thanks to Pete Walker and Wings Hauser and a reunion of Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep. There is disaster sci-fi and upgrades for two of the all-time great horror films, one of them you may still have never gotten around to seeing. 1:53 - Criterion (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg 4K, In the Heat of the Night 4K, Room 666/999) 16:25 - Disney (Lilo and Stitch 4K) 19:49 - Fun City (Falling in Love) 24:09 - Shout Factory (What Lies Beneath 4K) 30:36 - MVD (Tunnel Vision) 36:52 - Kino (Crack in the World, Pete Walker Crime Collection, Vice Squad)  58:18 - Arrow (The Andromeda Strain 4K) 1:06:39 - Lionsgate (May) 1:16:22 - Ignite (Re-Animator 4K) 1:33:02 - New TV & Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Dune Prophecy 4K, Landman: Season One, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Captain America: Brave New World, Mickey 17, Black Bag, Better Man, The End, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy) 1:35:38 - New Blu-ray Announcements  CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCAST. CHECK OUT THE LATEST FROM CRITERION BELOW Adventures of Antoine Doinel, The (4K) All We Imagine as Light Anora (4K) Barry Lyndon (4K) Basquiat (4K) Big Heat, The (4K) Brazil (4K) Carnal Knowledge (4K) Chungking Express (4K) How To Get Ahead In Advertising (4K) In the Heat of the Night (4K) Jean de Florette / Manon of the Spring: Two Films by Claude Berri Killer of Sheep (4K) Midnight Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters (4K) Prince of Broadway Room 666 / Room 999 Some Like It Hot (4K) Sorcerer (4K) Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (4K) Three Musketeers, The / The Four Musketeers (4K) Ugetsu (4K) Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The (4K) Wind Will Carry Us, The Withnail and I (4K) Wiz, The (4K) You Can Count On Me (4K)

Marvel is hoping for both a critical and financial reboot with their latest summer opener and Erik Childress is joined once again by comic book expert, Erik Laws, to discuss. Laws delves into the history of the Thunderbolts and various incarnations in the comics. They talk about what they enjoyed about the film as well as elements that fell flat. A lot of credit goes to a pair of key performances in the film as Marvel banks on audiences responding to themes of alienation and depression in place of just the usual comic book action. Is that enough to make the film a cut above the post-Endgame era?

After weeks of light lineups in the physical media world, the end of April explores with a variety of titles that Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are here to guide you through. They include Sean Baker bookends from Criterion, blaxploitation and films from Russ Meyer. You got journeys to the Bermuda triangle and the gates of hell not to mention bullets and betrayal. Bill Murray enters the army and Michael Keaton goes to rehab. Plus Clint Eastwood has a trio of his films get the 4K upgrade.  1:52 - Criterion (Basquiat 4K, Prince of Broadway, Anora 4K) 18:09 – Warner Archive (Lili, Three the Hard Way, Clean and Sober) 33:23 - Arrow (V-Cinema Essentials) 36:53 - Grindhouse (The Beyond 4K) 45:10 - Severin (Night Train Murders 4K, Motorpsycho 4K, Up! 4K) 1:07:32 - Kino (The Bermuda Triangle, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead) 1:21:47 - Shout (Timecop 4K) 1:27:44 - Sony (Stripes 4K, Gandhi 4K) 1:39:44 - Warner (Dirty Harry 4K, The Outlaw Josey Wales 4K, Pale Rider 4K) 2:02:36 – New TV on Blu-ray (The Wacky Races: The Complete Series, Star Trek: Section 31, Rick and Morty: The Anime) 2:04:07 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Birth/Rebirth, Last Breath, Paddington in Peru, The Visitor) 2:06:09 – New Blu-Ray Announcements CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCAST

Before taking off for the upcoming Chicago Critics Film Festival (May 2-8) which they program, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy review nine movies this week. They include the latest from Francois Ozon (When Fall Is Coming) and a Jim Henson-like fantasy from A24 (The Legend of Ochi). Jack Quaid and Jeffrey Dean Morgan make for unique investigators of a kidnapping (Neighborhood Watch) and a new video game adaptation is decidedly less unique (Until Dawn). Daisy Edgar-Jones and Jacob Elordi have secrets in the 1950s (On Swift Horses) and we take a trip through the careers of one of the most famous comedy teams of all-time (Cheech & Chong's Last Movie). David Cronenberg takes us on a conspiratorial meditation on grief and death (The Shrouds) while Gareth Evans has Tom Hardy deliver so much death (Havoc) and, nine years later, Ben Affleck's lethal autistic numbers cruncher returns with bro Jon Bernthal  (The Accountant 2).  2:56 - When Fall Is Coming 9:44 - Neighborhood Watch 15:08 – The Legend of Ochi 19:42 - Havoc 33:46 - Until Dawn 41:19 - On Swift Horses 52:58 - Cheech & Chong's Last Movie 1:06:30 - The Shrouds 1:19:35 - The Accountant 2

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review several new movies, including "The Accountant 2," "The Shrouds," "Cheech and Chong's Last Movie," "The Legend of Ochi," and more. They also share insights and highlights from the upcoming Chicago Critics Film Festival at The Music Box Theater during the first week of May. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to discuss the highs and lows of video game adaptations in movies and TV, celebrate Andy Samberg's comedic brilliance in the underappreciated classic "Hot Rod," and tackle rumors about a possible "Bloodsport" remake—both firmly agreeing that Jean-Claude Van Damme is truly irreplaceable. [Ep 344]

Another light week for physical media but a fun one – especially for those nostalgic for the early ‘90s. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about Criterion's upgrade of a multi-part French masterpiece from the ‘80s. They share thoughts on The Most Dangerous Game riff that got snakebit by real-world tragedies and Covid. Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase try to prevent the assassination of the pope. No, not that one. One of the late Val Kilmer's most iconic performances gets the 4K upgrade. The duo also share their fondness for one of the most entertaining comic thriller team-ups of the era and discuss the history of the movie John Hughes tried to take his name off while Erik lent his name to the commentary track on the Blu-ray. 1:55 - Criterion (Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring 4K) 8:41 - Shout (The Hunt 4K) 13:54 - Kino (Foul Play 4K, Sneakers 4K, Career Opportunities 4K) 53:08 - Disney (Tombstone 4K) 1:06:03 - New TV On Blu-ray (Cheyenne: The Complete Series, Captain Planet and the Planeteers: The Complete Franchise, Hysteria: Season One)  1:09:15 - New Blu-ray Announcements CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCAST

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have eight movie reviews this week including revisiting one of their favorites from Sundance, a twisted alternate version of Cinderella (The Ugly Stepsister). Steve looks at another cabin-in-the-woods-horror (Call of the Void), a documentary about drummers (Count Me In) and Catherine Deneuve as Beradette Chirac (The President's Wife). Erik looks at Severance's Britt Lower as a lonely librarian (Darkest Miriam) and Steve checks out the four-year art project of a group of squatters (Secret Mall Apartment). Ang Lee's landmark LBGTQ film gets a 21st century remake (The Wedding Banquet) and Ryan Coogler blends the Jim Crow south with vampires (Sinners). 0:00 - Intro 2:22 - The Ugly Stepsister 12:11 - Call of the Void 18:16 - Count Me In 24:07 - Darkest Miriam 30:22 - The President's Wife 36:11 - The Wedding Banquet 47:05 - Secret Mall Apartment 57:24 - Sinners 1:20:36 - Outro

It's been a little light out there for titles in physical media world but this week has no shortage of interesting ones and Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk you through them. They include one of Wong-Kar Wai's most remembered films and John Sayles' foray into studio filmmaking in the ‘80s. John Wayne goes to war and then later goofs off with John Ford. There are new 4K editions of two of Steven Soderbergh's films plus one of Abel Ferrara's more treasured crime dramas. Then the pair wade into the controversies and legacy of Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct. 1:49 - Criterion (Chungking Express 4K) 7:57 - Kino (Sands of Iwo Jima 4K, Donovan's Reef 4K) 18:33 - Fun City (Baby, It's You) 27:21 – Lions Gate (King of New York 4K, Basic Instinct 4K) 56:04 – Warner Bros. (The Good German 4K, The Informant 4K) 1:14:19 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Heart Eyes) 1:16:53 - New Blu-ray Announcements CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCAST

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to talk about the upcoming Chicago Critics Film Festival, returning to The Music Box Theatre this May. They also review the latest releases, including Drop, The Amateur, Sacramento, and Warfare. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for another round of the Ultimate Pop Culture Quiz. They also swap stories about life in college dorms, reflect on the chaotic brilliance of Supermarket Sweep, and dive into the bizarre late-'90s trend of performing autopsies on Furbys. [Ep 340]

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have seven movies to talk about this week. They range from a documentary about one of the music world's most talked about relationships (One to One: John & Yoko) and an animated story of Jesus told through the mouth of Dickens (The King of Kings). The Michaels – Cera & Angarano – go on a road trip (Sacramento) and Stephen Dorff tries to go legit in the Old West (Gunslingers). The director of Happy Death Day presents the world's worst first date (Drop) and CIA analyst Rami Malek tries to avenge his wife (The Amateur). Finally, Alex Garland takes us back into war in real time along with Ray Mendoza who lived it (Warfare).  0:00 - Intro 3:27 - One to One: John & Yoko 12:25 – The King of Kings 25:59 - Sacramento 36:14 - Gunslingers 46:11 - Drop 56:39 – The Amateur 1:09:07 – Warfare 1:20:19 - Outro

Another light week for physical media but Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski have you covered with one of the greatest comedies of all time and one of Peter Sellers' overlooked gems. There is film noir, a sorority massacre and a pair of films covered on The Friendship Dilemma podcast. They include Ryan Reynolds in the friend zone with Amy Smart and Shane Black getting paid to make Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson his mismatched mystery partners.  0:00 - Intro 3:59 - Criterion (Some Like It Hot 4K) 15:06 - Kino (I'm All Right, Jack / Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XXV) 33:01 - Shout (Sorority House Massacre 4K) 39:50 - Warner Archive (Just Friends) 48:04 - Arrow (The Long Kiss Goodnight 4K) 1:03:44 – New Blu-ray Announcements

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have reviews of eight new movies this week. They revisit one of the best films they saw at Sundance this year (The Ballad of Wallis Island) while Erik handles this week's latest video game adaptation (A Minecraft Movie). Public domain puts Steamboat Willie into horror (Screamboat) and how do they like dem apple on dat head (William Tell). Michael Shannon directs the aftermath of a school shooting (Eric Larue) and Paul Walter Hauser plays the infamous Press Your Luck champion (The Luckiest Man In America). The directors of Half Nelson and Captain Marvel make an ‘80s anthology (Freaky Tales) and, finally, Naomi Watts and a Great Dane grieve over the loss of Bill Murray (The Friend).  0:00 - Intro 1:37 - The Ballad of Wallis Island 10:44 - A Minecraft Movie 21:11 - Screamboat 32:11 - William Tell 39:53 - Eric Larue 53:40 - The Luckiest Man in America 1:10:14 - Freaky Tales 1:18:29 - The Friend 1:30:30 - Outro

If you missed a number of recent films in theaters then this is really the Blu-ray week for you. Beyond those, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski still have some titles for you to consider if you can't get enough of Nicholas Hoult in vampire films or you really like those new digital shorts on SNL. There's also the tale of graverobbers that took their work a little too far, an obscure relationship melodrama from the 1940s and an influential ghost story set against the backdrop of the Japanese Civil Wars. 0:00 - Intro 1:50 - Criterion (Ugetsu 4K) 8:22 - Film Masters (Lighthouse) 16:38 - Kino (Burke and Hare (1972)) 22:07 - Shout (Renfield 4K, Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain) 33:54 - TV (Superman and Lois: The Complete Series) 34:26 - NEW (Companion, A Complete Unknown, Mufasa: The Lion King, Dog Man, Flight Risk, Into the Deep, Love Me, Love Hurts, One of Them Days,) 49:36 – New Blu-ray Announcements CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCAST

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to the podcast to chat about the upcoming Chicago Critics Film Festival and review the latest releases, including "A Working Man" with Jason Statham, the horror/comedy "Death of a Unicorn" with Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, and the Steve Coogan-led animal comedy "The Penguin Lessons." Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive back into The Ultimate Pop Culture Quiz with questions about Michael Jackson, the Rubik's Cube, leg warmers, and more. They also take a moment to refute the wild claim made by the new Jason Statham movie suggesting that you can easily buy large quantities of Russian meth at a dive bar in Joliet. Spoiler alert: You can't. [Ep 336]

Blu-rays, 4Ks, physical media galore this week as Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski guide you through another week. They include upgrades of a great Gene Hackman film and another from Alan Rudolph by Criterion. There's early work from Rudolph Valentino and the late George Armitage. Horror goes from brain-inhabiting slugs to a black mamba, child murders, cannibalism and eating the rich. There's also a pair of Chris Farley/David Spade films and a trio of deadly women including Ursula Andress, Kathleen Hughes and the immortal Lynda Carter.   0:00 - Intro 1:54 - Criterion (Night Moves 4K, Choose Me 4K) 21:23 - Warner Archive (Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Hit Man) 32:05 - Shout Factory (Shaw Brothers Vol. 6, Night of the Creeps 4K) 41:19 - Blue Underground (Venom 4K) 50:56 - Arrow (Don't Torture a Duckling 4K) 58:36 - Severin (Delicatessen 4K, Antiviral 4K) 1:09:48 - Paramount (Tommy Boy 4K) 1:15:42 - Kino (Black Sheep 4K, The Glass Web 3D, The 10th Victim, Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw) 1:33:55 – New TV on Blu-ray (Magilla Gorilla: The Complete Series, Star Trek: Lower Decks - The Complete Series) 1:35:18 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (The Brutalist 4K, Babygirl 4K, Memoir of a Snail) 1:37:38 – New Blu-ray Announcements

Erik Childress has been traveling to Austin for over 20 years for the annual South by Southwest Film Festival. He is back to tell you all about 19 films that he saw this year. Among the films you can see soon are the return of Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively to the world of simple favor. Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega trying to survive the revenge of a unicorn and Nicolas Cage battles some territorial Australians. Hopefully audiences won't have to wait too long to see the solo directorial debut of Jay Duplass or the latest from Matt Johnson that pays homage to the world of Robert Zemeckis and Rosamund Pike & Matthew Rhys desperately try to get to the scene of their daughter's accident, Daisy Ridley has to dodge zombies and a pair of brothers take a leisurely stroll through San Francisco with their guitars in a single take. There are documentaries about Curtis Mayfield, Marc Maron, the horrors and fascism in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting and what to do when an A.I. Pioneer won't answer your questions. Erik reviews all that plus Michael Bay's parkour documentary in this recap of one of his favorite festivals.   0:00 – Intro 2:02 – Another Simple Favor 5:08 – Hallow Road 8:27 – Brother Verses Brother 11:19 – The Dutchman 14:03 – Death of a Unicorn 18:51 – American Sweatshop 22:18 – Uvalde Mom 25:22 – Forge 28:10 – We Bury the Dead 31:25 – Nirvanna the Band the Show – The Movie 35:59 – Deepfaking Sam Altman 39:40 – The Baltimorons 45:02 – For Worse 49:21 – The Surfer 53:14 – The Makings of Curtis Mayfield 54:27 – Make It Look Real 57:07 – Caper 59:50 – We Are Storror 1:03:59 – Are We Good? 1:07:02 - Outro

Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again to get you caught up on a couple weeks of new physical media. They include drama from Charlie Chaplin and Michael Mann's feature debut. Godzilla returns as does the creepy Roger Corman sci-fi of the early ‘80s. Renny Harlin brings the sharks, Skippy from Family Ties battles a heavy metal killer and Peter reminds us of another piece of ‘80s horror that some parents would like to forget. There is also more weirdness including Steve Allen studying sex, John Travolta investigating sex and Eddie Murphy brought in to save a comedy. All that might be nothing compared to the visualization of The Who's rock opera brought to life by Ken Russell. 0:00 - Intro 2:11 - Criterion (A Woman of Paris, Thief 4K, Godzilla vs Biollante 4K) 18:53 - Arrow (Deep Blue Sea 4K) 27:08 - Kino (College Confidential, The Godsend, Best Defense, The General's Daughter 4K, The Black Tulip, Half a Chance) 58:46 - Sony (Bon Voyage) 1:03:57 - Synapse (Trick or Treat 4K) 1:13:01 - Shout (Forbidden World 4K, Tommy 4K) 1:40:27 – New TV on Blu-ray (The Penguin 4K, The Last of Us 4K, Tulsa King Season 2) 1:45:38 – New Theatrical Titles on Blu-ray (Wildcat, Moana 2 4K, Wolf Man 4K) 1:48:00 – New Blu-ray Announcements

Nick shares details about his upcoming book, 40 Years 40 Films, a celebration of his four decades as a professional movie critic. Film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy join the podcast to review new releases, including the spy thriller Black Bag and the dark comedies Opus and Novocaine. Erik also reports back from the 2025 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, where he caught some of the most talked-about films. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick answer a listener email, chat about food shows, and explore some of the weirdest words in the English language—like bumfuzzle, taradiddle, and bumbershoot. [Ep332]

Not too big of a summary this time around since the title says it all and there's a lot to get to in terms of the episode proper. Every year around late February / early March, I call upon my Chicago film critic buddies Collin Souter & Erik Childress to join me for an epic episode discussing as many movies as we possibly can, traveling back in time to cover an entire year.In the midst of the joyful conversation are lots of clips, songs excerpts, trailers, sound effects and general weirdness from yours truly. Not to mention a Daft Punk remix after our first break around the 02:47:40 mark. Towards the end you can hear our Top 20 Favorites of 1995 as well. Thank you so much for the continued support and to Collin and Erik for ten years of this insane tradition that is always a treat to put together.Follow Collin:https://letterboxd.com/cdsouterhttps://www.nowplayingnetwork.net/christmasmoviesactuallyFollow Erik:https://letterboxd.com/erikthemoviemanhttps://www.nowplayingnetwork.net/moviemadness Get full access to Director's Club at directorsclub.substack.com/subscribe

Physical media never takes a week off but sometimes they sleep in a little. Such as this light week that has Peter Sobczynski and Erik Childress starting off with a stone-cold classic thriller from Criterion upgraded to 4K. Kino has more film noir, a double feature with Agatha Christie AND Bert I. Gordon plus the terrifying presence of Klaus Kinski as a Nazi. There's an animated cat who gives massages and everyone's favorite bear in a rain slicker. 0:00 - Intro 6:53 - Criterion (The Wages of Fear 4K) 13:32 - Kino (Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XXIV, Crawlspace, Endless Night/Picture Mommy Dead 4K) 34:56 - Shout (Ghost Cat Anzu) 39:21 - Warner (Paddington 2 4K) 43:41 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Gladiator II, Red One, Kraven the Hunter, Den of Thieves 2, The Count of Monte Cristo) 52:36 – New Blu-ray Announcements CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCAST

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the latest releases, Riff Raff starring Bill Murray and Last Breath with Woody Harrelson. They also break down their predictions for the major categories at the 2025 Oscars. The conversation then shifts to a tribute to the legendary Gene Hackman, who passed away Thursday morning. They discuss his best performances, lasting impact on cinema, and much more. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to continue remembering Hackman while also diving into nostalgic TV talk, including Boy Meets World, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and other goofy shows from the past. They also look ahead to their own Oscar parties for the weekend. [Ep 328]

Another light week of releases, but are any of them good? Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy talk you through five of them including a documentary on a better person in charge of the Washington Post (Becoming Katharine Graham). Ed Harris factors into two releases this week including a woman manifestsing her PTSD through her fellow soldier (My Dead Friend Zoe) and a crime comedy with an all-star cast (Riff Raff). There is also a bitcoin hostage thriller (Cold Wallet) and an underwater true story that the filmmaker has re-made from their own documentary (Last Breath).   0:00 - Intro 1:56 - Becoming Katharine Graham 7:24 - My Dead Friend Zoe 16:28 - Cold Wallet 22:37 - Riff Raff 32:17 - Last Breath 46:52 - Outro

Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski run down titles you can get on physical media this week and, not gonna lie, there's a lot of baggage. There's the Mick Jagger film that say on the shelf for two years along with Lindsay Lohan's collaboration with Paul Schrader and William Friedkin's infamous Al Pacino murder mystery set within the gay community. Not to mention John Wayne playing Genghis Khan and the poor timing for an Eric Red horror film. But even controversy can be put aside for cinema sunshine. You can now get Milos Forman's Mozart film in its original theatrical incarnation. Maybe you don't even remember the issue parents had with one of the loveliest coming-of-age films of the ‘90s. And why would you say anything controversial about Carol Reed's masterpiece? All that plus Guillermo Del Toro's debut and the genius of poking fun at documentaries on this week's Blu-ray show. 0:00 – Intro 3:13 - Criterion (Performance 4K, Cronos 4K) 22:43 - Vinegar Syndrome (The Joy of Sex, Virtuosity 4K, The Canyons) 48:18 - Arrow (Cruising 4K) 1:05:54 - Kino (The Conqueror, Graveyard Shift 4K, Body Parts 4K) 1:24:14 - Sony (My Girl 4K) 1:37:39 - LionsGate (The Third Man 4K) 1:44:22 - Warner (Amadeus 4K) 1:55:51 – New Television on Blu-ray (Noble House, Documentary Now: The Complete Series) 2:01:01 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Hard Truths) 2:05:13 – New Blu-ray Announcements

It's a light week for movies so Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy work with what they have with four titles that you may or may not want to work with. They include a new Chicago horror film from director Mickey Keating (Invader). Daisy Ridley is a window washer who goes from pane to McClane when eco-terrorists take over her building (Cleaner). Christoph Waltz is an aging hitman with a protégé (Old Guy). Finally, Osgood Perkins is back with a Stephen King adaptation where things do not go well for anybody. (The Monkey)   0:00 - Intro 2:22 - Invader 9:26 - Cleaner 22:19 - Old Guy 31:00 - The Monkey 45:19 - Outro

It's physical media time with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski guiding you through this week's releases which includes a pair of late indie staples from the ‘80s now in 4K. There's a pair of John Candy comedies from the same decade, Burt Reynolds directing a comedy about suicide and one about the life of Frances Farmer. Pick your poison in Richard Dreyfuss directing porn (within the movie) and the unspeakable horrors of Roger Corman mutant rapists. Keanu Reeves is a demon hunter and David Fincher gets upgrades for his underrated B-movie thriller and the origin story of another demon. 0:00 - Intro 2:37 - Criterion (Crossing Delancey 4K, Drugstore Cowboy 4K) 19:24 - Kino (Summer Rental, Uncle Buck 4K, Frances) 41:13 - MGM (Inserts, The  End, Uptown Girls) 1:01:51 - Shout (Humanoids from the Deep 4K) 1:13:16 - Warner (Constantine 4K) 1:21:52 - Sony (Panic Room 4K, The Social Network 4K) 1:41:21 – New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Last Summer, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, Nosferatu, The Order, September 5, Weekend at Taipei) 1:46:15 – New Blu-ray Announcements

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the latest movie releases, including the new Marvel adventure Captain America: Brave New World, the family-friendly sequel Paddington in Peru, and the Apple TV+ sci-fi thriller The Gorge. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about overhyped snowstorms, how Albert Brooks accidentally invented reality TV, and why Hackers might just be the most important film ever made. [Ep 324]

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to regular reviewing duties this week and they put a nine-spot on the board. There are a pair of documentaries involving Sly Stone (Sly Lives) and the Zep (Becoming Led Zeppelin). The director of Saint Frances & Ghostlight shows the horror of being a doctor (Rounding) while a young woman involved in one night stands may have been literally ghosted (The Dead Thing). Paolo Sorrentino has another tale of beauty (Parthenope) while Miles Teller & Anya Taylor-Joy snipe themselves into each other's hearts fighting monsters (The Gorge). Then it's a week of sequels including a continuation of Renee Zellweger's beloved character (Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy), everyone's favorite marmalade-loving bear (Paddington In Peru) and the tale of a new Captain and a new President (Captain America: Brave New World). 0:00 – Intro 1:13 - Becoming Led Zeppelin 7:54 - Rounding 17:02 - Sly Lives! 23:00 - The Dead Thing 32:25 - Parthenope 39:22 - Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy 55:43 - The Gorge 1:06:50 - Paddington in Peru 1:15:46 - Captain America: Brave New World 1:31:08 - Outro

The next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is here and so is comic book expert Erik Laws to talk with Erik Childress on how it plays out. Does it follow through on some of the ideas raised by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier or is it merely just continuing a story most many have forgotten about? Laws fills in the blanks left by the treatment of Shira Haas' Widow and the remnants of the Serpent Society. Is this a genuine new beginning for the Universe or does it continue the rut that has befallen the MCU since Endgame.

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return after more than a week in Park City plus virtual screenings for this year's Sundance Film Festival and they are here to talk about 15 of their favorite films. They include a pair of body horror films about the terror of living happily ever after. There is also the horror of being a parent especially if you live next to the worst kind of Karen. Music plays a role in a lovely story about a washed-up folk singer and a lottery winner plus the heartbreaking tale of an artist taken away from us too quickly. There are more documentaries about the first deaf Oscar winner, teenagers who took on the environmental concerns of their community, the troubling legacy of To Catch a Predator and the consequences of delaying that colonoscopy.  Audiences were treated to standout performances from Dylan O'Brien and the genuine discovery of the debut by a name to remember, Eva Victor. All that plus generational tales of Palestine and the building and rebuilding of America.  0:00 - Intro 5:44 – The Ugly Stepsister 11:03 – The Ballad of Wallis Island 16:16 – It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley 20:04 – Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore 26:26 – The Perfect Neighbor 35:25 – Predators 43:04 – Twinless 48:33 – If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You 54:01 – Andre is an Idiot 57:48 – All That's Left Of You 1:01:08 – Rebuilding 1:05:33 – Together 1:11:03 – Middletown 1:15:33 – Sorry, Baby 1:23:10 – Train Dreams 1:31:47 – More Sundance Mentions 1:34:29 - Outro

After some time off for Sundance, Movie Madness returns to get you caught up on the latest and greatest in Blu-rays. Erik Childress talks to Peter Sobczynski about a couple 4K upgrades from Criterion for Paul Thomas Anderson and Anthony Mann. There are rom-coms with Cary Grant and Clark Gable while Al Pacino tries to find love with possibly a serial killer. They've got a possessed authoritarian in the White House (from 1933) and a killer whale on the loose. Music documentaries for Joan Jett and Joan Baez and one of Dario Argento's best. But it all comes down to a remastered version of a butchered Michael Mann film and a trio of upgrades for one of the kings of sexploitation, Russ Meyer. 0:00 - Intro 2:48 - Criterion (Winchester ‘73 4K, Punch Drunk Love 4K) 19:34 - Warner Archive (Gabriel Over the White House) 26:40 - Kino (Houseboat, Teacher's Pet, Shout at the Devil, Orca 4K, Sea of Love 4K, Whore) 1:09:47 - Magnolia (Bad Reputation, Joan Baez I am a Noise) 1:15:25 - Severin (Opera 4K, Vixen 4K, Supervixens 4K, Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens 4K) 1:56:33 - Vinegar Syndrome (The Keep 4K) 2:10:53 – New TV on Blu-ray: (House: Complete Series, Quantum Leap (2022): Complete Series, Frankenstein Jr. And the Impossibles: Complete Series, Wait Til Your Father Gets Home: Complete Series, Twin Peaks Z to A) 2:15:52 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (The Coffee Table, Hundreds of Beavers, Juror #2, A Real Pain, Werewolves, Wicked) 2:16:37 – New Blu-ray Announcements

In this jam-packed episode, Nick welcomes filmmaker Kyle Henry to discuss his new documentary Time Passages and how audiences can catch it at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. Then, film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy join the show to break down some of the standout films from the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and review a few new releases, including the horror-comedy Companion. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive into surprising stories of actors who turned down iconic roles—plus, how Penelope Ann Miller may have taken some questionable career advice from Nick. They wrap things up by sampling a classic, time-honored snack.  [Ep320]

Some great titles in physical media this week and Erik Childress is joined by Peter Sobczynski to convince you to pick them up. They include a great modern con artist noir from Criterion and a lost film from Paul Bartel. The ‘70s bring us some sexploitation horror and Sherlock Holmes hunts Jack the Ripper while the '80s gave us one of the most unique and divisive slasher films. Peter goes to bat for a pair of 4K upgrades from John Carpenter and Tarsem. Finally, there is a trio of new 4Ks from Quentin Tarantino that includes one of Peter's favorite films and one of Erik's favorite music cues. 0:00 - Intro 2:16 – Criterion (The Grifters 4K) 15:30 - Liberation Hall (Shelf Life) 26:29 - Kino (Fade-In, Invasion of the Bee Girls, Murder by Decree 4K, April Fool's Day 4K) 58:57 - Shout Factory (John Carpenter's Vampires 4K) 1:06:57 - Arrow (The Cell 4K) 1:19:45 - Lionsgate (Jackie Brown 4K, Kill Bill Vol. 1 4K, Kill Bill Vol 2 4K) 1:39:44 - New Theatrical Titles On Blu-ray (Here, The Return, Rumours, Smile 2, The Substance, Venom: The Last Dance) 1:44:00 – New Blu-ray Announcements

The co-host of Friendship Dilemma, Morgan Gire, returns to the show to talk about Martin McDonagh's great, Oscar-nominated black comedy, "In Bruges," starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. While the film does take place during the holiday season, it's the bleak morality play and violence that take center stage. What actually happens to Farrell's character at the very end of the film? Do actors in movies really know how to use guns with blanks? What bird is the symbol for the dreamlike city of Bruges? All this, plus Kerry gives us three more titles from "1,001 Movies You must See Before You Die," one of which is a David Lynch film, which sparks a brief discussion of his work.  Book movies coevred: "The Puppetmaster" (1993) "Wild Strawberries" (1957) "The Elephant Man" (1980) Hear Morgan Gire and Erik Childress on "The Friendship Dilemma"  Follow Christmas Movies Actually on: Facebook BlueSky Email us a movie suggestion, question or comment at christmasmoviesactually@gmail.com

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the latest movie releases, including the real-life thriller September 5, the new adaptation of the classic monster tale Wolf Man, the urban comedy One of Them Days, and Netflix's action-comedy Back in Action, marking the return of Cameron Diaz. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to answer subscriber questions and share hilarious celebrity encounter stories, featuring Fabio (the chef, not the long-haired guy), Ronnie James Dio, and Ice Cube. They also embark on the puzzling mission of figuring out who that guy is who isn't Jim Carrey. It's a fun mix of reviews, laughs, and quirky conversations! [Ep316]

The final pieces are in place as BAFTA and the Producers/Writers Guilds have unveiled their nominations. That means its time to give it a whirl at what the final Oscar lists are going to look like. Just how much did the BAFTAs influence the acting categories. Did the Writer's Guild really make a difference in predicting screenplays when half of them were disqualified? If the Producers Guild holds about an 80% predictability rate, which two films get left off? Erik Childress looks at no less than eight films that could be vying for one final Best Picture slot. While he feels confident in the other nine nominees, there is also the potential for an epic bunch of so-called snubbing in all the categories.

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy look at eight new movies this week including a unique documentary that combines a video game with Shakespeare (Grand Theft Hamlet). Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut with a romantic weepie (Wish You Were Here) and a locksmith goes on a wild evening (Night Call). Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald play spies who go off the grid and are sucked back into duty (Alarum) while Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz play spies who go off the grid and are sucked back into duty (Back in Action). There is the tale of the newsroom covering the terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympics (September 5) and a raunchy hangout film with Keke Palmer and SZA (One Of Them Days). Finally, Leigh Whannell continues the alterna-Dark Universe with a new take on a classic Universal monster (Wolf Man).  0:00 - Intro 1:02 - Grand Theft Hamlet 10:01 - Wish You Were Here 17:08 - Night Call 22:38 - Alarum 29:58 - Back In Action 42:07 - September 5 52:31 - One of Them Days 1:00:30 - Wolf Man 1:18:39 - Outro

 Physical media is still here in 2025! Like every other year. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are back to run through the new releases with you. They include a pair of upgraded Kurosawas and Richard Pryor examining his life. John Turturro directs a musical, William Shatner does a horror film in Esperanto and the pair share some fondness for John Frankenheimer's final film. You will hear about the film that was literally like pulling teeth for Erik while two of Brad Pitt's best films get fantastic new packages. 0:00 - Intro 3:39 - Criterion (Yojimbo/Sanjuro 4K, The Mother and the Whore 4K, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling 4K) 21:55 - MGM (Romance and Cigarettes) 29:03 - Kino (That Funny Feeling, Reindeer Games 4K) 38:27 - Shout (Sanctum 4K) 45:49 - Arrow (Incubus 4K, Inglourious Basterds 4K) 1:06:56 - Warner (Seven 4K) 1:22:07 – New Theatrical Titles on Blu-ray (Saturday Night, We Live in Time, Armor, Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat, Sometimes I Think About Dying, My Name is Alfred Hitchcock) 1:25:34 – New Blu-ray Announcements CLICK ON THE FILMS TO RENT OR PURCHASE AND HELP OUT THE MOVIE MADNESS PODCAST

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are back to start 2025 with reviews…of a lot of 2024 movies. Albeit ones opening wider across the country now. But there are also some brand new releases including documentaries on a film that never was (George A. Romero's Resident Evil) and the songwriter who never wins an Oscar (Diane Warren: Relentless). Then a family is trapped amidst a pole reversal (Survive) and Adrien Brody tries to build a life in America (The Brutalist). Robbie Williams gets the musical biopic treatment as a chimpanzee (Better Man) while Julianne Moore & Tilda Swinton face a tough life together in Pedro Almodovar's latest (The Room Next Door). Pamela Anderson finds herself aging out in Vegas (The Last Showgirl) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste gives one of the year's best performances in the new film from Mike Leigh (Hard Truths). Finally, Gerard Butler returns as Big Nick to get the mastermind robber he lost the first time (Den of Thieves : Pantera).   0:00 - Intro 1:41 - George A. Romero's Resident Evil 9:35 - Diane Warren: Relentless 18:26 - Survive 24:29 – The Brutalist 40:50 - Better Man 57:19 – The Room Next Door 1:06:20 – The Last Showgirl 1:20:06 - Hard Truths 1:28:18 - Den of Thieves 2: Pantera 1:44:45 - Outro

An annual tradition that goes back to the days of WHPK Radio at the University of Chicago where Erik Childress joined Sergio Mims to discuss all things movies and certainly physical media, Erik is now joined by Peter Sobczynski for it to endure. Each of them has chosen ten films that to this day remain only on DVD (or not at all) that they believe deserve the upgrade. There are films about the circus, about priests and prostitution, love triangles and the dark side of Hollywood. There is politics and courtrooms, games of skill, concerts and debuts in front of and behind the camera. Even if they kinda know the answer to the main question, this is a time for everyone to work together to bring these works of art (and even some lesser art) to a proper format so they can be preserved, protected and enjoyed for generations to come. 0:00 – Intro 3:14 – Peter's 1st Title 12:03 – Erik's 1st Title 18:56 – Peter's 2nd Title 30:02 – Erik's 2nd Title 36:07 – Peter's 3rd Title 45:50 – Erik's 3rd Title 50:55 – Peter's 4th Title 1:02:05 – Erik's 4th Title 1:09:15 – Peter's 5th Title 1:20:05 – Erik's 5th Title 1:26:33 – Peter's 6th Title 1:35:56 – Erik's 6th Title 1:45:20 – Peter's 7th Title 1:59:31 – Erik's 7th Title 2:07:27 – Peter's 8th Title 2:19:15 – Erik's 8th Title 2:27:56 – Peter's 9th Title 2:36:06 – Erik's 9th Title 2:43:05 – Peter's 10th Title 2:56:38 – Erik's 10th Title 3:01:52 - Outro

Nick welcomes film critic Erik Childress to the podcast for a nostalgic dive into his memories of watching Saturday Night Live. Erik reflects on experiencing the tail end of the original cast as a very young kid and the impact of the Sandler, Farley, Carvey, and Spade era during his high school years. They discuss how SNL shaped his comedic sensibilities, alongside the influence of Monty Python. Erik shares his five favorite SNL sketches, including a hilarious Digital Short mocking The OC, a commercial for a beer marketed specifically to gay men, Dan Aykroyd's unforgettable Irwin Mainway, and a chaotic scene at an Italian restaurant where Kirstie Alley is hilariously mauled by the very Italian staff. It's a lively and insightful conversation with a smart colleague, filled with fun memories and a celebration of some great SNL moments. [Ep105]

In this special episode, film critics Erik Childress, Steve Prokopy, and host Nick Digilio unveil their annual lists of The Best and Worst Movies of 2024. The lists feature some genuine surprises, including a few titles that appear on all three lists—sparking lively and fun conversations about the films, trends, standout performances, and much more. Esmeralda Leon is taking this year-end episode off but will return next time. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! [Ep312]

What better way to kickoff 2025 than a look back at the some of the greatness of 2024. On this annual show, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy invite back Collin Souter so they can condense the entire year into the absolute best in their individual opinions. Only three films cracked all of their lists so there is a wide swath of analysis in a year that demanded it. Where is the common ground? What are the outliers? This is a great way to make your own lists on what to catch up on before we start doing it all again in the new year. 0:00 - Intro 4:01 – The Runners-up 17:09 – The Top Ten 1:19:45 – More Great Documentaries of 2024 1:23:26 – Special Best (and Worst) Categories for 2024 1:57:32 - Outro

Nick teams up with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the big holiday movie releases, including the chilling vampire remake Nosferatu, Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, the true-life boxing drama The Fire Inside, and Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to dive into pop culture moments that have not aged well at all. They discuss Jimmy Fallon's infamous blackface sketch, Jonah Hill's troubling date-rape joke in Superbad, Courteney Cox's portrayal of "Fat Monica" on Friends, and the problematic behavior of Hugh Grant's character in Love Actually. To wrap things up, they finish their snack tour of Belgium and ponder what ever happened to Pacey from Dawson's Creek. [Ep308]

I said it an entire trilogy ago: JP3 is the second best Jurassic Park movie -- and I still believe that to be true. Big thanks to Spielberg guru Erik Childress for joining me for this one. Lots of potential factors to consider here! Thanks for listening to Overhated! There are 100+ more episodes at patreon.com/scottEweinberg. Subscribe to hear them all now! Check out the list of episodes here: bit.ly/3WZiLFk. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.    Overhated is now proudly sponsored by those Effin' Birds.com, the award-winning comic strip by Aaron Reynolds.  

Nick teams up with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review a lineup of new movies, including Queer starring Daniel Craig, Nightbitch with Amy Adams, the animated masterpiece Flow, and the comedies Get Away and Y2K. Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to recap their Thanksgivings and talk about deep-frying turkeys, Godzilla humidifiers, and some unusual holiday decorations like the killer Silver Sphere from Phantasm and a Santa that looks suspiciously troubled. They also explore fun facts about Belgium, answer listener emails, and try out a new snack. A lively mix of reviews, stories, and holiday cheer! [Ep304]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to the podcast to review the latest film releases, including the WWII drama Blitz, the new holiday comedy The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Cillian Murphy in Small Things Like These, and the horror film Heretic, featuring a surprising turn by Hugh Grant. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about the stress of moving, the debut of McDonald's Chicken Big Mac, Wendy's new SpongeBob Burger, and the joys of shopping at Costco and Sam's Club. They also dive into why The Dollar Tree might just be the greatest place on earth. To top it off, Nick and Esma taste test some delicious snacks from Italy. [Ep296]

Nick and fellow film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy discuss the 60th annual Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) and review some of the films they saw at the fest. They also share their thoughts on new releases, including Conclave, the award-winning Anora, the latest Marvel sequel Venom: The Last Dance, and the animated film Memoir of a Snail. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about weddings, Halloween, and scary movies like In a Violent Nature and Hollow Man, which traumatized Esma thanks to the multiple appearances of Kevin Bacon's see-through wiener. They also take a quick culinary trip around Italy and taste a couple of cool snacks. [Ep292]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to the podcast to discuss the box office failure of the new *Joker* movie and review several new films, including *Piece By Piece*, the dreadful horror sequel *Terrifier 3*, and *The Apprentice*, a film starring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump in New York. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about the beauty of never making weekend plans and reflect on pop culture that has aged very poorly, such as Long Duk Dong from *Sixteen Candles*, *The Cosby Show*, ridiculously oversized jeans, and the movie *American Beauty*. They also continue their culinary journey by taste-testing a snack from Korea. [Ep287]