Movie Madness

Hosted by film critic Erik Childress presenting reviews, interviews, film festival coverage, DVDs, awards and more!


James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 114 – Remember That Summer?

Erik Childress is joined by David Fowlie for a special episode involving movies about the summertime. We probably all remember where we were during our most memorable seasons but how about the films that best represent that warmest of them? Each of them count down five films that feel like the kind of summers that can be universal to all of us from the past and maybe even the future as well.

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 113 – From Blus To 70mm

Erik Childress and Sergio Mims go over their excitement for this year’s crop of films at the annual 70mm Film Festival at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago. But first it’s Blu-ray time as they examine the history of Jack Ryan, go through a number of choice indies you will want to see, bring an 80s political thriller into the present and finally express some love for a Robert Redford heist film and the first starring vehicle for Brandon Lee.

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 112 – Black Harvests & Klansmen

Over at WHPK Radio, Erik Childress talked with Sergio Mims about the Black Harvest Film Festival which he programs and produces every August in Chicago, including highlights and low-lights. Then they delve into two very different and dangerous missions in theaters right now (Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman) and what each film does so well.

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 111: Walk Him And Pitch To The Piranha

Sergio Mims again joins Erik Childress to discuss new Blu-rays and it turns into an argument about baseball. But they regroup after Criterion’s great new contribution to America’s pastime to talk about flying piranha, blind monsters and human ones before bringing the entire episode full circle with some Hamm.

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 110: He Pulls A Knife, Disney Pulls A Gunn

The ongoing saga over James Gunn’s abrupt firing from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a disturbing one that has far-reaching implications beyond our thoughts on the films themselves. Erik Childress and Sergio Mims breakdown the story and why it matters how this all started. They discuss his conduct, Disney’s ultimate reaction to it and how they may have painted themselves into a corner. Who might be shameless enough to step the current empty director’s chair? They can’t help but toss out a few suspects for the position as well if they choose not to rehire him

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 108/109: WHY IS THIS NOT ON BLU-RAY? (Chapter 2)

Back on Episode 80, Erik Childress and Sergio Mims ran down an extensive list of titles big and small that have yet to make their Blu-ray debut. At least in the U.S. Well it is time for the mid-year check-in and they are back with a list of 20 titles each that you may be stunned have yet to be upgraded into the HD format. This three-and-a-half-hour episode is split over two parts because they have a lot to say about these movies and are hoping to catch the attention of the studios who own the rights to them.

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 107: Virgin Springs & High Chappaquiddicks

It’s Blu-ray time again as Erik Childress and Sergio Mims delve into a great new release from Criterion with one of the greatest comeuppances ever. They also look at some children fantasies from Kino and Shout Factory as well as maybe an adult one as well. Plus they find a way to connect tragedy and comedy with Ted Kennedy and Mel Brooks.

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 106: The Sequel Strikes Back

July 2018 is a particularly sequel-heavy month with a new one each week, but thanks to Mark Dujsik the show is going back to look at which sequels actually bested their predecessors. But with a twist. Erik Childress and Mark set one particular rule as to which to choose their personal top 10 lists and then each justified a further set of rules that may also have you thinking beyond the obvious choices.

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 105: Childhood, Adult and Modern Romance

15 titles in store for you on the new Blu-ray episode including some classics from the Warner Archive, a couple long overdue titles freshly released by Indicator as well as some new 4K releases from Paramount. Sergio Mims and Erik Childress discuss the greatness of one of Albert Brooks’ early films, their differing takes on one of the most acclaimed comedies of 2018 and the Mission: Impossible series and try to figure out why there is such hatred towards Forrest Gump.

Read More
James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 104: Ant-Man and the Wasp…’Nuff Said

The title says it all, right? But Erik Childress and comic book expert Erik Laws have plenty more to say about the history of the Ant-Man comic including the troubling past of Hank Pym and how the film incorporates different versions of its characters. They also talk about the leaps of a particular VFX technology, how they hope the current version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe ends with the continuation of the Infinity War and also catch-up a bit on their thoughts about Deadpool 2.

Read More