Magic at the Movies

Contact the Show! With Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another on the horizon, Mike kicks off a weekly retrospective covering each PTA film leading up to its release. First up: Hard Eight —a deep dive into Anderson’s understated debut, the performances that anchor it, and the themes that would define his future work. Plus, a look ahead at Together , the buzzworthy body horror sleeper openi...

Contact the Show! Inspired by Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane, Mike grabs the field recorder and hits the hallways of Classic Cinemas’ Home Office! With press-pass energy and a nose for news, he checks in with the corporate team to find out what they’ve been watching at their favorite Classic Cinemas locations —complete with shout-outs to the standout guest service at their favorite Classic Cinemas loca...

Contact the Show! Mike and self-proclaimed film buff “Movie” Mark Mazrimus take on the New York Times’ Top 100 Films of All Time —one cinematic battle at a time. Some picks you’ll cheer, others you’ll boo, but either way, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of a knock-down, drag-out debate about what deserves to rise (or fall) on the list. Whether you're a casual moviegoer or a full-on f...

Contact the Show! Mike and Jim talk about the 'dinosaur in the auditorium' as Jurassic World: Rebirth stomped into eight of our locations early—thanks to our popular Monday mystery movie series, Classified Cinema. Hear what audiences thought of this early screening of what’s sure to be a summer blockbuster. You’ll also hear real exit poll reactions from moviegoers who got an early look a...

Contact the Show! In this week’s episode, Mike takes a fun and nostalgic look back at the 1998 cult favorite Blade , ahead of Saturday’s Smash Cut Cinema Series screening. With a blend of humor and reflection, he revisits Wesley Snipes' unforgettable turn as the half-vampire, half-human daywalker that helped redefine superhero films. Plus, he gives a quick preview of today’s new releases: Pix...

Contact the Show! What do a brooding billionaire vigilante and a charming, commitment-phobic romantic lead have in common? More than you’d expect. In this episode, Mike pokes at the surprising parallels between Materialists , a sharp romantic comedy set in the world of NYC’s dating scene, and Batman Begins , the shadowy reboot that gave us a darker Bruce Wayne. From penthouses to personal demons,...

Contact the Show! In this episode, Mike revisits Dogma , Kevin Smith’s bold and controversial 1999 religious satire, in honor of its 25th anniversary re-release. He unpacks the film’s mix of irreverent humor and sincere spiritual themes, the cultural firestorm it sparked upon release, and the behind-the-scenes distribution issues that have kept it off streaming platforms to this day. From real-lif...

Contact the Show! This week on Magic at the Movies , Mike is joined by Tyler Patterson, CEO of the new Blast Movies app, for a high-octane deep dive into the entire Mission: Impossible franchise. From Ethan Hunt’s most daring stunts to the definitive ranking of every installment, these two self-proclaimed film historians go toe-to-toe in a passionate (and hilarious) debate for M:I supremacy. Tyler...

Contact the Show! This week on Magic at the Movies , Mike takes a solo stroll down memory lane to revisit one of the most quotable and stylish teen comedies of all time— Clueless . He shares his first (cinematic!) encounter with Alicia Silverstone as the forever-iconic Cher Horowitz, queen of Beverly Hills High, and reflects on how this 1995 Paramount classic captured the era’s cultural highs, fas...

Contact the Show! In this episode, Mike and Jim break down the full summer movie lineup—what's coming, what we're hyped for, and what could dominate the box office. From Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning to Ballerina , Superman , F1 , and more, we dig into all the "soon-to-be" blockbusters heading to our screens near you. Plus, Mike continues his deep dive into M:I6 – F...

Contact the Show! As one of our wise guests tweeted (is it still called tweeting?) upon the reveal of our title at our latest Classified Cinema screening…   "Buckle up, it’s Fight or Flight! " This roller coaster ride of gore, blood, and body horror does not disappoint—unless you're looking for something different. Fight or Flight (starring Josh Hartnett) is a turbo-charged descent...

Contact the Show! With Dial M for Murder in a rare 3D screening (May 7) at the Lindo Theatre and Vertigo showing at the La Grange (May 21), we’re stepping into the shadowy brilliance of Alfred Hitchcock. In this episode, Mike sits down with Brandon-Shea Mutala — host of Good Evening: An Alfred Hitchcock Podcast — to explore what makes the Master of Suspense’s work endure. From personal memories of...

Contact the Show! Sith Happens (and So Do Mission Briefings) This week, Mike takes us back to 2005 and his brush with cinematic destiny during the theatrical release of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith . Hear the harrowing (and possibly heroic?) tale of when George Lucas’s team sent technicians to test a screening at our very own theatre — and how Mike insists he saved the day. The For...

Contact the Show! Ben Affleck is back in The Accountant 2 —and CEO Chris Johnson saw it early... with his actual accountant. He joins us to share the hilarious story behind their cinematic tax-season tradition. Meanwhile, Mike continues his Mission: Impossible 2 mini-series with Part 2: “Now I Know Why You Hate Me,” and Jim dives into the critics vs. audience showdown. From Sydney Sweeney to Mario...

Contact the Show! This week, Mike and Jim return from CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas with fresh takes, sore feet, and a few surprises from the biggest movie industry event of the year. From studio presentations and sneak peeks to standout films that had the whole convention buzzing, they’re breaking down their favorite moments, best celebrity sightings and what they’re most excited to bring back to C...

Contact the Show! In this milestone 50th episode of Magic at the Movies , Mike sits down with Randy Pollock (Director of Special Projects) to talk about the upcoming release of The Chosen: The Last Supper . As a devoted fan of The Chosen , Randy had the incredible experience of being part of the series, appearing in two filmed episodes during the massive 5,000-person scene shot outside Dallas, TX....

Contact the Show! This week on Magic at the Movies , Mike unpacks the high-stakes intensity of Warfare , a gripping new thriller that’s got audiences on the edge of their seats. But the real surprise? Our Classified Cinema pick, The Penguin Lessons , has been melting hearts! We hear directly from moviegoers who were swept away by this charming and unexpected gem—proof that our secret screenings ar...

Contact the Show! In this week's episode, Mike delves into Steven Soderbergh's illustrious career, sharing personal anecdotes from his time as a projectionist and manager. He explores the evolution of Soderbergh's filmmaking style, from his groundbreaking debut with Sex, Lies, and Videotape to his recent works like Black Bag . Mike also discusses Soderbergh's impact on independ...

Contact the Show! In this episode, Mike chats with fellow colleague, Classic Cinemas Technical Services Expert, Mike Balsamo. Together, they dive into the excitement of our inaugural mystery movie in the Classified Cinema series - Novocaine. This episode is packed with film reviews, guest feedback on the event, and insights into the in-theater experience. Tune in for this lively primer, and don&ap...

Contact the Show! In this episode, Mike sits down with Jim Toth, Director of Marketing for Classic Cinemas, to unveil an exciting new film series: Classified Cinema . This $6 Monday Mystery Movie event offers audiences the thrill of surprise screenings, where the film's title remains a secret until the moment it begins. Designed to captivate seasoned moviegoers and adventurous newcomers alike...

Contact the Show! Mike delves into fan mail and discusses Osgood Perkins' upcoming horror-comedy hybrid, The Monkey . Based on Stephen King's short story, this unique film offers a blend of horror and dark humor, taking viewers on a thrilling ride. Mike believes that if you enjoy films that straddle the line between horror and comedy—like Shaun of the Dead —you'll love The Monkey ,...

Contact the Show! Mark Mazrimas joins Mike to tackle our one and only piece of fan mail: "Who would be on your Mt. Rushmore of movie directors, and which film best represents them?" The gang dives in with some surprising picks—some you’ll love, some you might debate. Agree? Disagree? Let us know!

Contact the Show! Hollywood awards season drama continues as Mike and Mark Mazrimas debate what the top ten Oscar-nominated films should have been. While they find common ground on a few, their lists stray far from the Academy’s choices—some picks might even shock you. They break down the biggest snubs, unexpected inclusions, and the movies that truly deserved a spot. Tune in to see if you agree—o...

Contact the Show! Mike welcomes film guru and all-around good guy Mark Mazrimas to dive into the ten 'Best Picture' nominations and share how you can catch up on all ten films—marathon style—at Classic Cinemas. Buckle up as they also tackle fan mail and reveal their Mount Rushmore of Directors!

Contact the Show! This week on Magic at the Movies , Mike is joined by Chicago film critic Erik Childress for a lively, laugh-filled conversation about the incredible specialty programming lineup at the Elk Grove Theatre. With films like Carlito's Way , Witness , The Fugitive , and The Bad News Bears on the docket, the two share behind-the-scenes stories, favorite movie moments, and hilarious...