Movie Madness

Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski look at this week’s new Blu-ray releases and it is quite the deep dive into eclectic taste. Criterion has one of the early films of a pioneering female director. Terrorists are trying to blow up the Super Bowl, kids battle aliens, a teenager searches for her mom and Natasha Lyonne goes up against Vincent Gallo. There are films with John Barrymore and Van Heflin, Parker Posey’s first starring vehicle, a stylized actioner that could have been The Boys but figured “nah”, and other dummies too. Episode 118 had Peter talking at length about Exorcist II and now the third film gets some time as well. Finally, the esteemed Mr. Sobczynski makes the case that the 1983 remake of a Godard classic may actually be better than the original. Can he convince you?  0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Criterion (Chilly Scenes of Winter) 6:12 - Altered Innocence (Wild Reeds) 7:40 - Vinegar Syndrome (Freeway II) 12:03 - Arrow Films (Knockabout, Black Sunday) 24:09 - Kino (Border River, Counsellor at Law

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have a shortened week of movie reviews focusing on just five for the time being. They include a dark fable starring Adèle Exarchopoulos (The Five Devils) and a documentary on a European rock tour that had implications back home (What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat and Tears). Zach Braff directs Florence Pugh in a tale of addition (A Good Person) and Sally Hawkins goes looking for Richard III (The Lost King). Finally, Keanu Reeves is back in the rare franchise that just keeps getting bigger and better (John Wick: Chapter 4). 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - The Five Devils 9:39 – What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat and Tears 17:03 - A Good Person 26:20 - The Lost King 37:37 - John Wick: Chapter 4 53:31 - Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Catching you up on the latest in Blu-rays, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski look at offerings from John Woo, David Lynch, Bob Hope, Laurence Olivier and Dario Argento. That is just for starters. Peter gets to weigh in on some of his least favorite films from 2022 and one that pleasantly surprised him in 2023. They look back on a new edition from softcore master, Zalman King, as well as a barrage of new 4K releases that include a real gem from horror maestro, Wes Craven, working a bit outside his genre. But they most importantly include one of the great, still underappreciated, works from Walter Hill and a release over 20 years in the making that would have absolutely delighted our good friend, Sergio Mims. 0:00 - Intro 1:02 - Criterion (Last Hurrah For Chivalry, Inland Empire) 9:49 - Kino (Never Say Die, Thanks for the Memory) 13:06 - Warner Archive (The Prince and the Showgirl, Flamingo Road) 19:15 - Music Box (Leonor Will Never Die) 20:49 - Synapse (Phenomena (4K)) 28:09 - Ronin Flix (Wild Orchi

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to catch you up on two weeks of movies including Alec Baldwin and Anne Heche in a disaster film (Supercell) and a new animated film on Netflix (The Magician’s Elephant). One of the Farrelly Bros. reunited with Woody Harrelson coaching an intellectually-challenged basketball team (Champions) and Kiernan Shipka grows up with an intellectually-challenged parent (Wildflower). Adam Driver is stranded on a planet with dinosaurs (65) and Willem Dafoe is an art thief locked in a penthouse apartment (Inside). Kiera Knightley and Carrie Coon show us how to properly do investigative journalism into true crime (Boston Strangle) while Erik & Steve preach how a latest fake crime franchise is not all that (Scream VI). Finally, does the sequel to what one of them considers the best of the DC Universe live up to its name (Shazam! Fury of the Gods).  0:00 - Intro 1:57 - Wildflower 8:28 - 65 24:40 - Supercell 31:39 - Champions 42:52 – The Magician's Elephant 48:53 - Inside  5

Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are back to get you caught up on your physical media and it runs the gamut from the 1930s up until the Oscars this weekend including one Oscar for Joan Crawford and another hopefully for Sarah Polley. There is also Greta Garbo, Susan Hayward and Shirley Temple. A film about making the perfect man and another teen comedy about hoping to romance the perfect woman. Sony has some 4K editions of late ‘90s action and the pair fondly remember some 1980s Schwarzenegger sci-fi set from just a few years ago. 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Criterion (Mildred Pierce (4K)) 7:01 - Warner Archive (Camille, I'll Cry Tomorrow) 16:57 - Cohen Media (Let it Be Morning) 19:06 - Arrow Films (The House That Screamed) 24:36 - Kino (Asphalt, The Crusades, Little Miss Marker, Making Mr. Right, Secret Admirer) 42:13 - Greenwich (Dear Mr. Brody) 48:29 - Mill Creek (The Fan, Fear 1996, Problem Child) 58:45 - Sony (Air Force One (4K), The Mask of Zorro (4K)) 1:05:13 - Paramount (The Running Man) 1:12:1

For the better part of the last 20 years covering film festivals, I used to do a preview piece for eFilmCritic about South by Southwest called “10 Films To See.” Now that the site is no more I am bringing it to the Movie Madness podcast and offering those attending my suggestions to get on their schedule. They include a number of terrific documentaries about television and music, films where women take control, scary (and hopeful) films about technology and THE horror film to see where one of our great character actors gets to take center stage. Literally. But if you are attending Austin, all of these films should be highlighted on your schedule. And if you are not, be on the lookout for them in the future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

The weekly movie reviews come at you quick this week with five new titles. Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have opinions on all five including an uncomfortable tale of grooming that was chosen for the Chicago Critics Film Festival in 2022 (Palm Trees and Power Lines). Michael Shannon pretends to be an infamous author (A Little White Lie) and Stephen King’s evil kids get a prequel of sorts (Children of the Corn). Guy Ritchie is is inexplicably back with another action comedy (Operation Fortune: Ruse Du Guerre) and Michael B. Jordan is back as Adonis in front of and behind the camera to battle Jonathan Majors in and out of the boxing ring (Creed III). 0:00 - Intro 1:20 – Palm Trees and Power Lines 11:01 – A Little White Lie 23:25 – Children of the Corn 37:36 – Operation Fortune: Ruse du Guerre 51:43 – Creed III 1:08:32 - Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Some great new blu-rays this week to bulk up your physical media collections, especially in 4K. Criterion delivers one of the seminal comedies of the 1980s, Denzel Washington wins another Oscar and Peter Sobczynski reveals which film he would be happy to see win an Oscar this year. Francis Ford Coppola finally puts out an authentic cut, Indiana Jones gets an origin story and Dustin Hoffman has an awful time in the dentist chair. A pair of horror classics get their due in 4K and if you missing Rocky Balboa in Creed III, you can now see him a Knockout Collection. For years though, one film has eluded Peter’s grasp and Erik Childress is ready to hear all about his experience with a talking dragon. 1:03 - Criterion (Two Films By Marguerite Duras, Hollywood Shuffle) 12:06 - Sony (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody) 16:30 - Paramount (Devotion (4K)) 18:56 - Universal (Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (4K)) 22:38 - IFC (God's Country) 24:29 - Lions Gate (B'Twixt Now and Sunrise, John Wick Stash Book Col

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy look at six new movies this week. They include an acclaimed film from Ireland you may have heard about on our best-of-2022 show (The Quiet Girl) and a feature version of Idris Elba’s BBC series (Luther: The Fallen Sun). The star of Sex Education brings the author of Wuthering Heights to life (Emily) and hippies become Jesus freaks (Jesus Revolution). Finally, David Harbour is a silent apparition in a new family’s home (We Have a Ghost) and you may have heard the one about the bear that did cocaine. 0:00 - Intro 2:39 - Luther: The Fallen Sun 11:08 – The Quiet Girl 21:24 - Jesus Revolution 30:47 - Emily  39:27 - We Have a Ghost 50:47 - Cocaine Bear 1:07:08 - Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Find out what you can get on Blu-ray this week with an update from Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski. They take a remembrance on the first time each of them saw Dazed and Confused, now in a new edition from Criterion. Blue Underground has a pair of Jess Franco titles newly minted in 4K. Jean Reno hunts a serial killer, Dean Stockwell is a werewolf and Steve McQueen magnificently fights Eli Wallach and throws a car from the Marina Towers in Chicago. There is also Catherine Deneuve’s only Oscar nomination, a feminist horror film from the ’80s more interesting than you may remember and the tortured anguish of keeping your feelings to yourself when fascism is on the rise and you’re in love with Emma Thompson. 0:00 - Intro 2:08 - Criterion (Dazed and Confused (4K)) 10:40 - Blue Underground (Eugenie 4K, Justine 4K) 16:20 - Paramount (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (4K)) 19:23 - Lions Gate (The Old Way, The Inspection) 23:25 - Disney (Empire of Light) 25:14 - Kino (The Werewolf of Washington, The Crimson Rivers

The weekly movie edition goes lite this week as Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy look over five new movies. They include one of the best horror films Steve saw at a film festival last year (Huesera: The Bone Woman) and a darkly comic thriller about proving one’s manliness that is one of the best films of the early year (The Integrity of Joseph Chambers). Steve looks at the second film from a quickly rising filmmaker (Of An Age) and the pair look at a detective yarn from an older master (Marlowe). Finally, the week would not be complete without a look at the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania) 0:00 - Intro 1:16 - Huesera: The Bone Woman  5:22 – The Integrity of Joseph Chambers 17:57 - Of An Age 25:24 - Marlowe 39:43 - Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania  58:45 - Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

Comic book expert, Erik Laws, returns to talk with Erik Childress about the third Ant-Man film and the beginning of Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 4 did not close out well by either of their standards so they were certainly in the mood for a good palette cleanser. Unfortunately, this one did not go down nearly as smoothly as the previous films with Paul Rudd. They wonder if Kevin Feige has checked himself out more than imagined and why the latest entries have been so bad at melding the super silly with the super serious. There is certainly one element the Eriks agree upon in this chapter that is so good it is a wonder no one thought just a standalone film with their origin story would have been the more interesting kickoff. Thoughts get so meh that talk eventually turns to what DC has up next and how they can sendoff the last of the pre-Gunn era while still looking forward to his own sendoff from the dwindling Marvel Universe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with

Peter Sobczynski returns for an update on the Blu-ray scene with Erik Childress. Between cylindrical objects in the sky and noxious chemicals causing evacuations you might think Kino was marketing its collection of new Francois Truffaut films. Criterion puts out what may be the definitive version of a Shakespeare classic and Shout Factory has your martial arts covered. There are also more recent standouts of Asian cinema, a Rolling Stones concert and a tribute to a favorite movie of Peter’s father. The duo also discuss a pair of Redford classics from the ‘70s, why sci-fi and animation don’t seem to mix and, finally, their differences on Spielberg’s latest. 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Criterion (Romeo and Juliet) 9:37 - Cohen Media Group (Love on the Ground) 11:19 - Kino (Adele H, The Bride Wore Black, Mississippi Mermaid, Francois Truffaut Collection) 18:51 - Mercury (The Rolling Stones: GRRR Live!) 21:29 - Shout! Factory (Iron Monkey, Zu Warriors From the Magic Mountain) 23:35 - RLJE (Dark Glasses) 27:08 -

Seven new movies and a modern classic release this week. Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are here to tell you what to check out, if anything. They reflect a bit on James Cameron’s Titanic back in theaters for its 25th anniversary and then Erik tackles a new romcom with shades of a film in its 23rd anniversary (At Midnight). Steve looks at a pair of horror films about getting lost in the desert (The Outwaters) and getting lost in religion (Consecration). Then its back to “romcoms” including a long distance, split-screen one with Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher (Your Place Or Mine) and another starring Alison Brie with shades of a film that recently celebrated its 25th that had the same star as the one in its 23rd (Somebody I Used To Know). Finally con artists go full circle on each other (Sharper) and Steven Soderbergh returns with Channing Tatum to lap it up one final time (Magic Mike’s Last Dance). 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - Titanic (25th Anniversary re-release) 5:23 – The Outwaters 13:59 - At Midnight 

There’s a little something for everyone this week on the Blu-ray scene. Especially if you like it weird. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again to talk about Criterion’s release of one of the landmarks of international cinema. Barbara Hershey takes on apartheid and Rory Calhoun explores as Marco Polo. Peter chimes in on the Black Panther sequel while there are also new 4K releases of an Oscar-winning musical and a charming zombie romcom. Then it gets weirder with a campy sequel getting its own 4K release, Bill Paxton fighting the homeless and a bizarre internet thriller featuring Peter’s favorite actress and one of Erik’s favorite musicians. Last but certainly not least and weird in the best ways, another tribute to arguably the best performance of Bruce Campbell’s career. Now in 4K. 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Criterion (Three Colors Trilogy 4K) 5:27 - Kino (If I Were King, Marco Polo, A World Apart, Sorrowful Jones) 18:06 - Walt Disney (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (4K)) 22:52 - Paramount (Chicago 4K)

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are back with the weekly movie reviews and they certainly have a lot in common. Maybe not with Pamela Anderson who is the subject of a new Netflix documentary (Pamela, A Love Story). Haley Bennett and Sam Riley are the latest exes to end up with the same booking (She Is Love). Noemie Merlant begins to unravel as a new mother (Baby Ruby) while Michelle Monaghan will do anything for her zombie son (Blood). A man tries to get across town to meet his movie partner (The Blind Who Did Not Want To See Titanic) and Jonah Hill is coming to Eddie Murphy’s dinner (You People). Finally in theaters this week, four legendary actresses try to get into the 2017 Super Bowl (80 For Brady) and M. Night Shyamalan tries to ward off the apocalypse with Dave Bautista. Could Knock at the Cabin be the first of Night’s films that Erik likes? 1:27 - Pamela, A Love Story 12:16 - Blood 20:15 - Baby Ruby 26:54 - She Is Love  38:06 - You People 52:09 – The Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic 1:00:50 -

Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to catch up on a couple weeks of Blu-rays. Udo Kier’s a vampire, Timothee Chalamat is a cannibal and Vinegar Syndrome is serving up some Flesh and Fantasy. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz go for a long drive, Mel Gibson goes to war as does Gene Hackman for the French. The pair look back on an ‘80s teen relic and its growing popularity over the years and remember their own fondness for one of the great food movies of all-time. That title is just one of a couple featured in the past on the Movie Madness’ Why Is This Not On Blu-ray shows, ones that could have included whole new collections featuring Peter Falk and Jackie Chan. All that and a number of new 4K titles to put on your shopping lists. 0:00 - Intro 0:43 – Criterion (Bergman Island) 3:50 - Mill Creek (Peter Falk Collection) 9:38 – MVD (The Last American Virgin) 17:27 - Oscilloscope (The Tale of King Crab) 20:47 - Severin (Blood for Dracula) 24:18 - Vinegar Syndrome (Flesh and Fantasy) 28:06 - Deaf Crocodile (Solomon Kin

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy once again experienced this year’s Sundance from the comfort of their domiciles, but that in no way affected their viewing numbers. In just a sampling of what they saw, they discuss over 25 films including documentaries about Michael J. Fox, Brooke Shields, freediving, our evolvement with the camera and the strange saga of a bootleg video store. They talk about some of their favorite midnight selections along with divisive tales of dating, bodybuilding and workplace relationships all featuring the festival’s theme of the year – man babies. Gael Garcia Bernal inspires as a luchador while David Strathairn and Jane Levy put next year’s award ballots on notice. Searchlight Pictures has a great new romcom coming to Hulu and bought a hilarious mockumentary from Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman and Ben Platt. All that plus new films from Brandon Cronenberg and Nicole Holofcener are at the center of a pretty solid festival with titles you should take note of now. 0:00 - Intro 5:18 – Kim’s

Sundance is on the horizon but Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are still checking in with nine movies you can see right now; one of them from last year’s Sundance (When You Finish Saving The World) and another from ten years ago finally making its debut (Virtually Heroes). Steve catches up with Jafar Panahi’s latest (No Bears) and Erik watched a documentary about the Laemmle family business from home (Only In Theaters). There’s a string of horror films involving children including a party gone wrong (Kids vs. Aliens) and a trip to a cave gone even worse (There’s Something Wrong With The Children). We even have a comic horror tale from wunderkind Emily Hagins (Sorry About The Demon). Anna Kendrick gives one of her best performances in a real world horror story about mental abuse (Alice, Darling) and the team from Searching scour the web again for clues about another disappearance (Missing). 0:00 - Intro 1:21 - When You Finish Saving The World 8:14 - Virtually Heroes  14:58 - No Bears 22:01 - Only In Theaters

The weekly Blu-ray edition of the show is here with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski going through a number of titles from overseas distributor Powerhouse Films which includes John Huston doing Freud, Rita Moreno slapping Marlon Brando, George C. Scott as Sherlock Holmes and the debut of a controversial “director.” They get into the unique history of Chuck Norris’ Missing In Action films and get Peter’s thoughts on a couple releases from last Fall. They defer in what may be the best Guy Ritchie film, Erik makes his case for one of the dumbest films ever made, but both agree that John Carpenter’s masterpiece about the Reagan era is still as every bit relevant today. 0:00 - Intro 1:19 - Powerhouse (Death of a Gunfighter, Freud, The Night of the Following Day, They Might Be Giants) 22:17 - Kino (Missing In Action Trilogy, No Mercy) 35:17 - Arrow (Angela Mao in Lady Whirlwind & Hapkido) 36:39 - IFC (Spin Me Round) 40:09 - Universal (Till) 43:01 - Disney (The Menu) 46:34 - Paramount (Double Jeopardy 4K, Clo