Movie Madness

The holiday movie season is here and Marvel is kicking it off with Thor: Ragnarok. Erik Childress again welcomes comic book expert Erik Laws to offer his thoughts on a film they both had high hopes for. Though the film is being advertised as the “best reviewed Marvel film of all-time” is it possible doth praise too much? 0:00:00 – 0:01:44 – Intro 0:01:42 – 1:55:15 – Thor: Ragnarok Discussion (with...

It’s a Spielberg kind of show. At least it begins that way as Sergio Mims joins Erik Childress again to discuss a whole new batch of Blu-rays, including a pair of Spielberg classics and what they mean to them, a new international company, the latest from Twilight Time and Arrow as well as a 90-year title from Flicker Alley. The guys also discuss how streaming services aren’t offering old films and...

Erik Childress spent another week at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and saw over 30 movies. On his regular appearance with Sergio Mims on WHPK Radio, they weren’t through his rankings talking about all the good (and great) films that he saw, while leaving a little time to mop up a few of the dogs as well.   0:00:00 – 0:01:40 – Intro 0:01:40 – 0:07:54 – Sergio’s Tribute to You...

Sergio Mims rejoins the podcast to catch everyone up to date on the latest in Blu-rays. We talk enthusiastically about two of the best documentaries of the year and debate a slew of Sundance titles now available from Lionsgate. There’s also a great Halloween title you must check out and Erik Childress may have figured out, at long last, why he just isn’t that big of a Beatles fan. 0:00:00 – 0:01:5...

The Movie Madness Podcast returns with another edition of the Best Summer Ever. RogerEbert.com ’s Peter Sobczynski returns to take us through a mutually-treasured summer involving ghosts, gremlins, video games, buckaroos and some unique movie musicals. Peter and Erik Childress countdown their ten favorite films of the summer and share some lasting memories as well. 0:00:00 – 0:01:26 – Intro 0:01:0...

Sergio Mims is back to talk about the latest releases on Blu-ray with Erik Childress. Together they discuss Jerry Lewis, Elizabeth Taylor’s speech patterns, and how Kurt Russell makes everything better. Not to mention their disdain for Alien: Covenant, a weird production known as Dracula in Vegas and the process known as Warp-O-Scope. A lot of great titles you are gonna want to check out after you...

One of the biggest hits of the summer and year, James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, is now available on home video. Comic book expert Erik Laws re-joins Erik Childress to catch up on a conversation they missed upon release. Take a listen and see how each of their perceptions of the first film reflect upon their thoughts of the sequel. 0:00:00 – 0:01:37 – Intro 0:01:37 – 0:47:49 – Guardian...

Sergio Mims returns to make everyone aware of some amazing Blu-rays coming out this month. Along with Erik Childress they cover mad scientists, troubled relationships, Steve Martin, re-discoveries from the ‘70s that can’t be made today and “the Citizen Kane of alcoholic clown movies” culminating with an admiration of Bobcat Goldthwait’s directorial career. 0:00:00 – 0:01:16 – Intro 0:01:16 – 1:35:...

This special episode of the podcast re-broadcasts a discussion on WHPK Radio between Erik Childress, Sergio Mims and Collin Souter. During it they disagree over the impact of Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit but unite over Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and going against detractors with questionable arguments about both. Before that though, Erik offers his feelings over the recent events on Charlottesville...

Rarely does the regular Blu-ray visit from “the walking Wikipedia of film knowledge” Sergio Mims produce a theme, but we couldn’t help notice a bit of one in this episode. Come listen to stories about Peter Sellers, Lionel Stander and James Garner. Sergio & Erik have fun breaking down the exasperated aura of John Wick and how Life finds a way to be cruel. 0:00:00 – 0:01:52 – Intro 0:01:52 – 1:10:5...

2001 was the summer of Pearl Harbor, Rush Hour 2 and Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes. Do you remember any good movies from that summer? Erik Childress and Mark Dujsik surely do as they wade through a season where franchises were born, others continued and some died before ever getting started. It may not have been the best summer but this special episode makes the most of it. 0:00:00 – 0:01:05 – I...

This episode of Movie Madness brings an update to the summer box office where Dunkirk starts strong but Wonder Woman finishes in triumph. Erik Childress guides you through the meaning and importance of those numbers and offers some perspective on the top grade at Cinemascore. Then he is joined by Sergio Mims to talk up titles from Disney, Shout Factory, Warner Archive and a release from Flicker Al...

Spider-Man is finally a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and people are showing love to the Homecoming. Comic book expert Erik Laws joins Erik Childress to discuss the history of the franchise(s), the latest film’s connection to the comics and whether or not it actually lives up to the praise it is receiving. A spirited discussion ensues. 0:00:00 – 0:01:10 – Intro 0:01:21 – 2:03:09 – Spider-M...

So many Blu-rays. So little time. Except here on Movie Madness where Sergio Mims is back to take us on a journey from one of the best films of the year to one of the absolute worst. When you are done taking notes, Sergio & Erik Childress pay their respects to a true loss to the film world, Mr. George Romero. 0:00:00 – 0:00:50 – Intro 0:01:21 – 1:44:28 – Blu-rays with Sergio Mims 1:44:28 – 1:59:06...

Movie Madness goes for a second trip to the Best Summer Ever, this time chosen by Ain’t-It-Cool-News’ Steve Prokopy. Along with Erik Childress they talk about the 35th anniversary of one of the most iconic summer movie seasons ever and each share the ten favorites that have endured for them over the years. 0:00:00 – 0:01:21 – Intro 0:01:21 – 1:54:08 – Best Summer Ever 1982 (with Steve Prokopy) 1:5...

Sergio Mims returns to run the gamut of Blu-ray releases from a timely thriller from the 1960s to a group of ‘80s titles for adults and cults alike. It all leads up to an appreciation of Walter Hill’s Streets of Fire. Before that though, Erik Childress takes you through the summer box office and how the success of Kumail Nanjiani’s The Big Sick could be a big thing. 0:00:00 – 0:01:25 – Intro 0:01:...

Sofia Coppola has remade Don Siegel’s 1971 version of The Beguiled in her own image. Is it a fresh feminist take on a harsher male fantasy or has she taken the term neutered to a whole new level? Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to discuss both points of view on this special episode of Movie Madness. 0:00:00 – 0:01:14 – Intro 0:01:14 – 1:12:53 – Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled (with Peter Sobczy...

This episode brings us to the midpoint of the summer box office and the news isn’t good for a number of films (and studios.) After that though, Sergio Mims returns to bring everyone more stories and new Blu-rays. He also talks with Erik Childress about how early buzz can affect one’s view of a motion picture ranging from Donnie Darko to La La Land and how occasionally a fresh perspective can alter...

A new segment comes to the podcast where Erik Childress and guests countdown their favorites movies of the summer. The first guest is Collin Souter who has chosen 1988, the summer of the bad sequels but the great “R”-rated comedies. They also discuss one of the great movie controversies in history that is just as relevant and important today. 0:00:00 – 0:01:13 – Intro 0:01:13 – 1:07:15 – The Summe...

The summer box office only has a few big winners so far, but how does it shape up to 2016 at this point and Erik Childress discusses a new statistic that could signify this year’s champion. After that, Sergio Mims is back to discuss a lot of older titles new to Blu-ray and even sneak in a few recent titles. 0:00:00 – 0:02:05 – Intro 0:02:06 – 0:26:49 – Summer Box Office Update (June 16-18) 0:26:50...

Erik Childress is joined by Peter Sobczynski to talk about the return of one of the greatest television shows ever, Mystery Science Theater 3000. They talk about its history and how the new episodes measure up, discuss their favorites and take some time to mourn the loss of Zombie Nightmare co-star and beloved Batman, Mr. Adam West. 0:00:00 – 0:02:16 – Intro 0:01:17 – 0:45:51 – The History of MST3...

On this episode, Sergio Mims returns to catch everyone up on some of the Blu-rays that may have fallen through the cracks recently. Before that, Erik Childress catches you up on the Wonder Woman phenomenon at the box office, how Universal’s Dark Universe may or may not be in peril and condemns the coverage of A24’s wide release of It Comes At Night when it should be getting praised. 0:00:00 – 0:01...

Wonder Woman Fever is sweeping the world and Erik Childress welcomes comic book expert Erik Laws back into the fray. They discuss not only the film but also a bit of the character’s history, the degrees to which sexism has reared its ugly head around the project and to agree that it is a definite step up in the DC Cinematic Universe. But to what degree? 0:00:00 – 0:01:37 – Intro 0:01:38 – 2:03:34...

The founder of the Now Playing Network, Jim Laczkowski, joins Erik Childress to play another round of Me, Everyone, No One where he is faced with making the tough choice on which director is his favorite, whom he will gift to the world and which will be eliminated from our memories forever. Play along as they breakdown each director’s career and a tough choice has to be made. 0:00:00 – 0:01:00 – I...

Erik Childress is back after producing the 5th Annual Chicago Critics Film Festival to catch you up on how the summer box office is fairing just before Memorial Day weekend. Then he talks with Sergio Mims about releases from Twilight Time, Criterion, Olive, Shout Factory, Universal, Warner Bros. and a particularly special release from Kino for all you Cinemax lovers out there. 0:00:00 – 0:03:19 –...