Magic at the Movies

Contact the Show! Mark sits down with podcast producer and certified movie nut Jim Toth to break down the very best of 2025 at the movies — from the films that kicked off the year to the standouts still lighting up screens in early 2026. With awards season approaching, the duo reflects on what turned out to be a terrific year for film distribution, celebrating the hits, the surprises, and the film...

Contact the Show! With Mike still out, Mark takes the mic and sits down with Classic Cinemas CEO/CPE (Chief Popcorn Eater,) Chris Johnson, to talk about his favorite subject: movies. Together, these two industry insiders break down what could make 2026 a banner year at the box office, from bold new IP to franchise heavy-hitters. They trade predictions on which films may soar past expectations and...

Contact the Show! Many of us grew up with Rob Reiner’s films. In light of his passing, we wanted to take time to revisit what he gave us, the stories, the performances, and the moments that shaped how we watch movies. Today, Mark sits down with Randy to talk about how Rob Reiner’s films have impacted their generation of movie-going. 

Contact the Show! Just in time for the holidays, we’re unwrapping a previously recorded episode we’ve been saving for something a little… different. Back in September...we hosted a private screening at the historic Tivoli Theatre for social media influencer Tyler Patterson, featuring Stanley Kubrick’s famously unconventional “holiday classic,” Eyes Wide Shut . Mike makes the case for why this cult...

Contact the Show! Mark (once again bravely filling in for Mike) welcomes Angelique Barthel from Variety of Illinois Children’s Charity to share details on this year’s meaningful fundraiser. The conversation spotlights the Avatar: Fire and Ash collectible pins now available at Classic Cinemas, with 100% of the $3 donation — or more, for those feeling extra generous — going directly to support child...

Contact the Show! After last week’s internet-melting controversy — Mike’s scorched-earth campaign to include Contagion in the canon of holiday movies — the guys return to restore order and festive cheer. With Mike still on the bench, Mark steps in as moderator and ringmaster, guiding Jim and Randy through a spirited, heartfelt, and occasionally chaotic showdown of their Top Three Holiday Films . F...

Contact the Show! Mike is back and joins Mark for an in-depth exploration of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair , Quentin Tarantino’s ambitious attempt to stitch Volumes 1 and 2 into a single, uninterrupted cinematic experience. In this episode, they dive into Mike’s longtime obsession with the films, analyze Tarantino’s storytelling choices, and discuss how the combined version changes the pacing...

Contact the Show! This week on the show, Classic's Head Chief, Chris Johnson joins Mark Mazrimas (guest-hosting for Mike!) to talk all things Thanksgiving, including his best pick...  Zootopia 2 — the family holiday hit galloping into theatres this Thanksgiving! Judy, Nick, and a brand-new mystery are bringing big laughs and even bigger heart to the holiday break. But that’s not all… Mark and...

Contact the Show! Mark (sitting in for Mike again) joins Randy Pollock for a deep dive into Wicked: For Good , sharing early reactions and what audiences can expect. The duo also unpacks Pope Leo’s recent call for everyone to return to the movies — plus his four favorite films, which just happen to be favorites around here, too. Feeling inspired, Mark rounds out the episode with a look at the spec...

Contact the Show! Guest host Mark Mazrimas sits down with Mike Balsamo — the voice and spirit behind Christmas at the Tivoli   — to talk about the magic of this long-running holiday tradition in Downers Grove. As the host and leader of the annual sing-along, Mike shares stories about the mighty Wurlitzer organ, the festive audiences who travel from ALL OVER CHICAGO to attend, and what keeps this e...

Contact the Show! Mike kicks things off with Classic Cinemas’ own Mark Mazrimas to talk Predator: Badlands and the legacy of sci-fi’s deadliest hunters. Then, vintage monster expert Mike Balsamo joins the conversation to trace the origins and evolution of cinema’s greatest “creature” monsters — from Dracula and Frankenstein to Godzilla ’s thunderous reign and King Kong ’s stop-motion wonder. Toget...

Contact the Show! Filling in for Mike, Mark Mazrimas welcomes Classic Cinemas CEO/CPE Chris Johnson for a lively conversation about Springsteen: Deliver Me to Nowhere and the decades of music biopics that paved the way. From the lip-syncing legends of the ’80s to today’s actors who master the vocals and guitar riffs of their heroes, the music biopic has become a powerful way to rediscover the arti...

Contact the Show! Mark and Randy take over the mic for a deep dive into the evolution of movie trailers — from the shocking suspense of Psycho to the blockbuster buzz of Jaws and Alien . They rewind all the way to Citizen Kane and Invasion of the Body Snatchers , celebrate the charm of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , and even trace the birth of the post-credit teaser. It’s a fun, fast-paced trip throug...

Contact the Show! Join Mike and special guest hosts Randy Pollock and Mark Mazrimas as they revisit the extraordinary career of Diane Keaton —actress, director, and trailblazer. From the neurotic charm of Annie Hall to the fearless authenticity of her later roles, this retrospective celebrates how Keaton redefined what it meant to be a leading lady—and became a lasting role model for the modern wo...

Contact the Show! Mike may be out this week, but we’ve got a killer duo stepping in! Mark Mazrimas and his daughter Sara Frandsen join Magic at the Movies to celebrate Halloween — and spotlight some of the creepy programming Mike lined up for the season. Together they dive into the history of the jump scare , from classics like House on Haunted Hill and Wait Until Dark to modern chillers like Smil...

Contact the Show! Classic monsters, cult favorites, and fresh frights — this year’s Halloween lineup at Classic Cinemas has it all. With Fright Night , Carrie , and John Carpenter’s Halloween side by side with modern chills like Shaun of the Dead , Donnie Darko , and The Black Phone 2 , there’s a scare for every taste. And yes, we’re even closing the season with a Twilight Saga marathon that runs...

Contact the Show! Film lover Mark Mazrimas joins Mike to reflect on Robert Redford’s remarkable contributions to cinema. From iconic performances to the founding of Sundance, Redford’s influence runs deep. Mark also shares a personal memory from his early days at Classic Cinemas and the special connection founder Willis Johnson had to a Sydney Pollock–directed Redford film. Thanks, Robert Redford...

Contact the Show! With fall in the air in Chicagoland—and that unmistakable combo of pigskin and melted cheese—our movie crew dives into the best football films across the generations. Will you be celebrating with an end zone dance, or throwing a challenge flag? Mike and his guest Randy Pollock break down this week’s new releases—Jordan Peele’s HIM and Angel Studios’ The Senior —and see how they m...

Contact the Show! This week, Mike cracks open a listener letter from Nigel and somehow spins it into a full-blown PT Anderson appreciation hour. From Magnolia to Punch-Drunk Love , There Will Be Blood to The Master , Mike gushes over the brilliance of Anderson’s canon while tying it all back to our most-anticipated release, One Battle After Another . And because it’s Mike, the journey also detours...

Contact the Show! Randy and Mike are back together again, and this time they’re tackling the pop culture earthquake of the moment: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s surprise engagement announcement. Naturally, they celebrate the news the only way they know how—by cobbling together a “Top 10” list of wedding films. The catch? Their so-called top ten somehow comes up one short, thanks to a few questio...

Contact the Show! On the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws , Mike sits down with longtime theatre enthusiast and Classic Cinemas’ own Director of Special Operations, Randy Pollock. Randy takes us back to 1975, when he first experienced Jaws as a 15-year-old employee working at his father’s theatre. From the rush of that opening weekend to the way the film redefined summer blockbusters, R...

Contact the Show! This week, Mike sits down with Ed Finch and Alan Wenzel—two retired educators from Stephenson County who’ve devoted every waking hour to their lifelong passion: movies. For nearly 20 years, they’ve hosted beloved film series at Classic Cinemas Lindo Theatre in Freeport, IL, and they’re taking us on a memory lane tour of their favorite highlights. Ever wonder why it’s called the L...

Contact the Show! Mike kicks off this week’s show with a spirited look at the brand-new 4K re-release of the Kirsten Dunst cheerleading classic Bring It On — complete with personal stories from his first viewing and a rallying cry for why it still wins over crowds today. From there, he flips into Yes Man with Jim Carrey, then sticks the landing with Magnolia , the third act in his ongoing Paul Tho...

Contact the Show! Mike’s calling it now— Weapons is the ultimate way to send summer out with a bang, and (in his words) the best movie of the year… so far. From the first scene, it had him hooked, blending nail-biting suspense with moments that made him jump (more than he’d like to admit) with performances that left you with plenty to "think about." In this episode, Mike breaks down why...

Contact the Show! This week, Mike breaks down the newly released trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash , James Cameron’s long-awaited return to Pandora—debuting in front of Fantastic Four this week at theatres. Then it’s time to crank up the disco and dive deep into Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights . As we wait for PTA’s next film, One Battle After Another , Mike revisits the film that made Dirk Di...