Movie Madness

On this week’s movie review episode. Erik Childress & Steve Prokopy get into some old, some new and a lot of overdue. There’s a documentary about stray animals (Stray), a restored documentary from 1972 with Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland (F.T.A.), a horror film about a deranged hairdresser (The Stylist) and the true story of an Asian basketball player (Boogie). They also check out the long-gestating sci-fi films from Doug Liman (Chaos Walking) and Joe Carnahan (Boss Level) as well as a new high school rebellion tale directed by Amy Poehler (Moxie). Not to be forgotten, Disney’s latest, Raya and the Last Dragon, is reviewed and then the duo dig into if Eddie Murphy’s Coming 2 America, should be forgotten.   (Disclaimer: Something happened during editing that makes the conversation very bass-heavy. It was cleaned up as best as possible and can be understood but adjust your volumes accordingly.)   0:00 – Intro 2:33 – The Stylist 11:34 – Boss Level 23:57 – Chaos Walking 42:47 – Moxie 1:00:00 – Raya and the

On this week’s movie review show, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy get into the ambition of the opioid takes with Andrew Jarecki’s Traffic-like, Crisis, as well as the Russo Brothers’ war-and-drug epic, Cherry, with Tom Holland. Lee Daniels takes another slap at ambition singing the blues with The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Another Billie has the beginning of her career examined in the documentary, Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry. Julie Delpy writes, directs and stars in the tragic family drama with a twist, My Zoe, and Jewish tradition collides with all-night horror in The Vigil. But the duo save their biggest discussion to date over the new HBO docuseries from Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering which examines the heart-shaking case of Allen v. Farrow.   0:00 - Intro 1:35 - Night of the Kings 4:48 - Crisis 17:13 – Cherry 32:34 – My Zoe 47:40 – The Vigil 59:24 – Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry 1:19:35 – The United States vs. Billie Holiday 1:34:10 – Allen v. Farrow 2:21:04 - Outro This i

Sergio Mims returns to catch-up with Erik Childress on a number of the latest on the Blu-ray scene. They reminisce about a classic from Danny Kaye and the childhood memories of the Buck Rogers TV series. Erik defends the Cameron Crowe film that was lambasted in Toronto years ago. Sergio takes us through a collection of classic musicals from Warner Archive as well as his appreciation of a William Lustig film and, of course, there’s more Peppard. Love is an understatement though when they both praise the recent 4K releases of a comic book film Sergio loves, a sword-and-sorcery film Erik does as well as the enduring B-movie strength of the original Tremors.   4:07 - Elizabethtown 14:11 – Love Story 18:20 – The Court Jester 24:28 – Vigilante 33:32 – Three Films by Luis Bunuel 39:50 – Minding the Gap 48:34 – Rough Night in Jericho 54:34 – Beach Red 1:02:09 – Ingagi 1:03:50 – Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The Complete Series 1:08:04 – The Train 1:15:094 – After the Thin Man 1:20:08 – Tex Avery’s Sc

The latest from Netflix, Disney Plus and more are focused on this week’s movie review episode with Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy. They look at the latest film from the director of First Girl I Loved (The Violent Heart), a new version of a Noel Coward play (Blithe Spirit), the adventures of a superhuman squirrel or at least the humans around it (Flora & Ulysses) and what happens when a woman falls in love with a carnival ride (Jumbo). Steve checks out films delving into the profitability of treatment centers (Body Brokers) and the rabbit hole of the dark web (Silk Road) while both of them try to figure out who is worth rooting for in the ironically-titled, I Care a Lot.   2:00 - The Violent Heart 14:53 – Jumbo 23:15 – Flora & Ulysses 38:24 – Blithe Spirit 49:52 – I Care a Lot 1:05:15 – Body Brokers 1:14:24 – Silk Road 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

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are back with reviews of the movies you don’t need a festival to see even if that’s where many of this week’s titles originated. They talk about one of the best from last year’s Sundance (Minari) and a trio from this year’s (Judas and the Black Messiah, Land, The World To Come). A remnant of the 2019 Toronto Film Festival is a horrific take on being a true believer (Saint Maud). There is another edition to the Groundhog Day Cinematic Universe (The Map of Tiny Perfect Things) and one to the Guantanamo Bay C.U. (The Mauritanian). Erik reviews a unique sci-fi film that was scheduled to play at last year’s canceled SXSW Festival (Lapsis) as well as the self-owning documentary, There Is No “I” In Threesome while Steve reviews Steve Zahn in the family drama, Cowboys. Finally, they take a trip with Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo and Jamie Dornan in the wild comedy, Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar. 0:00 – Intro & Why We Are Not Reviewing Willy’s Wonderland 2:55 - The Map of T

The rundown from this year’s Sundance festival continues with Steve Prokopy who shares his praise of Edgar Wright’s documentary. But he also shares his thoughts on the starring vehicle for Clifton Collins, Jr., the new film from Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein as well as Jarrod Carmichael’s directorial debut. It doesn’t end there as they discuss whether the Nicolas Cage/Sian Sono effort lived up to expectations, a new film about the porn industry and have a profound disagreement over Fran Kranz’s film about a reconciliation over a school shooting that wowed many but not one of them. It’s all part of the Sundance experience and the pair bring it home for the year.   0:00 - Intro 9:13 – Ailey 13:02 – Pleasure 22:39 – How It Ends 31:05 – Jockey 44:27 – Ma Belle My Beauty 48:42 – Prisoners of the Ghostland 58:09 – Mass 1:10:59 – Together Together 1:19:01 – On the Count of Three 1:26:59 – Playing with Sharks 1:32:44 – The Sparks Brothers 1:40:13 – Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this w

An annual tradition on WHPK Radio’s Bad Mutha Film Show with Sergio Mims is checking in with Erik Childress on the films he saw at the Sundance Film Festival. This year the fest was held virtually giving Sergio the opportunity to see some films himself. So they look in on some of the best films that Erik saw (along with some of the worst) including new documentaries about Sesame Street, Rita Moreno, Alvin Ailey and the band Sparks by Edgar Wright. They debate Rebecca Hall’s adaptation of the novel, Passing, and share praise for the Fred Hampton story, Judas and the Black Messiah. Erik is asked to convince Sergio that the big opening night award winner, CODA, is deserving of the response it received. There are also films about werewolves, video nasties, and a family in a literal hole. But they save the best for last, a film about the greatest concert you may not know ever existed.   4:34 – My Name is Pauli Murray 7:41 – First Date 11:40 – Mother Schmuckers 14:07 – Wild Indian 16:34 – John and the Hole 20:58 –

Erik Childress is joined again by Steve Prokopy for a rundown of new movie reviews. Sam Neill tries to protect his flock from the government in Rams. The duo are forced to remember the Sundance movie with writer/director Viggo Mortensen having to deal with his bigoted father in Falling. Two films wonder if we are all living inside a simulation (Bliss & A Glitch In The Matrix.) While a new short film provides an epilogue to an acclaimed documentary (Apollo 11: Quarantine), another places Olivia Cooke and Jack O’Connell to try to remember they love each other during a different kind of global pandemic (Little Fish). Finally, John David Washington and Zendaya talk out their relationship while waiting for the movie reviews to drop in Malcolm & Marie.   1:56 - Rams 8:42 – Falling 19:15 – Apollo 11: Quarantine 26:47 – Bliss 41:17 – A Glitch In the Matrix 55:34 – Little Fish 1:07:23 – Malcolm & Marie 1:28:32 - Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get

On the latest episode of “The Bad Mutha Film Show” from WHPK Radio (88.5 FM Chicago at the University of Chicago), Sergio Mims and Erik Childress continue to talk about the evolving state of the pandemic and how soon vaccinations will ease people into returning to theaters. When will they be back at full strength? They also talk about some of the actors likely not to be seen on the big screen anytime soon and whether or not they are being directly canceled because of their MAGA ties to Donald Trump. Finally, inspired by a conversation Sergio had online about his thoughts on the film, Hannibal, they discuss films they each consider vile or offensive and whether those are personal feelings or aggressively defined by the films themselves.   0:00 – Intro and the Pandemic 17:40 – Celebrities “canceled” Because Of Trump 54:18 – When Will Movie Theaters Be Back At Full Strength 1:35:34 – Movies We Find Vile and Offensive This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access

For the 200th episode we check in with comic book expert, Erik Laws, who along with Erik Childress take a look back upon a bad year for comic book movies. Pandemic delays did 2020 no favors and the pair did not get a chance to discuss Birds of Prey, Bloodshot, The Old Guard, The New Mutants or Wonder Woman 1984. But they do here and it does not go well for any of them. It even sent Mr. Laws into the archive (and another country) to find something that would hopefully provide some enjoyment. Alas, they do look forward to the releases of 2021 including thoughts on WandaVision, the upcoming She-Hulk series and all the big casting news on the forthcoming Spider-Man film.   7:30 – Birds of Prey 22:28 – Bloodshot 43:39 – The Old Guard 51:36 – The New Mutants 1:08:56 – Wonder Woman 1984 1:35:29 – The Surprise (Not-So-Old) Comic Book Movie Review 1:44:21 – Looking Ahead to 2021 & Beyond 1:48:47 – She-Hulk 1:54:41 – The Third Tom Holland Spider-Man Film 2:00:57 – Future Shock This is a public episode. If you would

The latest film from Warner Bros. may be streaming on HBO MAX, but its not streaming for everyone as we find out from Steve Prokopy who had to leave sole reviewing duties for The Little Things over to Erik Childress. All is not lost though on this week’s movie review show as the duo check out Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes looking for what is buried underneath her property pre-WWII in The Dig. Naomi Watts plays a paralyzed mother who befriends a bird in Penguin Bloom. Justin Timberlake is a man fresh out of prison tasked to take care of a troubled boy in Palmer. Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci are a couple taking maybe the last road trip of their lives.in the dementia drama, Supernova. They also check out a pair of horror films (The Night, The Queen of Black Magic) and the equal pay documentary (A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem).   1:51 – The Dig 12:56 - Palmer 27:02 - Penguin Bloom 37:14 - Supernova 50:58 - A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem 58:23 - The Night 1:02:25 - The Queen of B

It may be a limited week of reviews but there are still some choice titles to check out as well as a few to stay away from. Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy look at the latest films from Ramin Bahrani (The White Tiger) and Agnieszka Holland (Spoor). Matthias Schoenaerts & Joel Kinnaman are cousins working within the Philadelphia mob (Brothers by Blood) and the bonds of fathers and sons are tested along the border in No Man’s Land. Frank Oz directs Derek DelGaudio’s one-man show (in & of Itself). Casey Affleck and Dakota Johnson struggle through a cancer battle but are happy to call Jason Segel “Our Friend.” And, finally, the documentary you have been waiting for has arrived about Stallone: Frank, That Is.   (0:00) Intro (1:59) Brothers By Blood (11:47) No Man’s Land (24:34) The White Tiger (38:34) Our Friend (57:22) Spoor (1:02:11) Stallone: Frank, That Is (1:12:27) Derek DelGaudio's in & of Itself (1:22:07) Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers o

The first official movie review show of 2021 arrives with ten films, including a few holdovers from the end of 2020, discussed by Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy. They catch-up with Robert Rodriguez’s latest family film (We Can Be Heroes) and the bonkers WWII action horror film (Shadow in the Cloud) with Chloe Grace Moretz. Anthony Mackie is a more modern warrior with more sci-fi action (Outside the Wire), Liam Neeson tries to save an immigrant child from the drug cartels (The Marksman) and everyone tries to get saved from an active volcano (Skyfire). The government’s surveillance of a civil rights hero is examined in a new documentary (MLK/FBI) and they breakdown the harrowing experience of Vanessa Kirby’s childbirth (Pieces of a Woman). Steve reviews the working class drama, Herself, from last year’s Sundance and Erik talks up a gonzo kidnapping thriller (Bloody Hell) that premiered at the Nightstream Film Festival. Finally, there is Anne Hathaway & Chiwetel Elijofor as a nearly estranged couple coming

2020 seems like it will follow us around for some time, but hopefully only the best memories of the year will standout as we were all isolated in lockdown watching movies wherever we could find them. Erik Childress is joined by two of his former WGN reviewing colleagues, Steve Prokopy and Collin Souter, to countdown their best lists from last year. There are direct agreements and a few disagreements as they also present their picks on everything from funniest moments to what they are looking forward to in 2021. 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

We are kicking off 2021 in grand fashion. Kicking being the optimum word as Erik Childress and Sergio Mims are highlighting some of their favorite big screen kicks to the nuts. But not just kicks. They have got punches, gunshots, other weapons and even furniture. You may wince a bit but we are hoping you laugh a whole lot more. We certainly did and you may have even forgotten about some of these bits that certainly entertained us. Self-defense, punishment and at least one actor who may enjoy it a bit too much all get in on some serious groin damage. Cross your legs if you must, but have a listen. 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

Over at “The Bad Mutha Film Show” on WHPK Radio at the University of Chicago, Erik Childress joined Sergio Mims to discuss the implications of the Warner Bros. deal with HBO MAX and the fallout that has already resulted from it. That leads them to wonder about the future of movie theaters and express some optimistic assessments. Sergio is pleased with the direction of recent black cinema as they focus on recent releases One Night in Miami, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Sylvie’s Love and then go back in time to the time of the Production Code and ask if this resulted in filmmakers having to get more creative. Finally, Sergio asks when Hollywood began to take Steven Spielberg seriously?   (0:00 – 2:00) - Intro (2:00 – 45:27) - Warner Bros. and the HBO MAX deal (45:27 – 1:25:27) - What is the future of movie theaters (45:27 – 2:05:29) – Current State of Black Cinema (2:05:29 – 2:38:38) - The Production Code (2:39:07 – 2:55:05) – When Did Hollywood Take Spielberg Seriously? This is a public episode. If you would l

Along with his contributions to the Movie Madness Podcast, Sergio Mims also hosts “The Bad Mutha Film Show” on WHPK Radio at the University of Chicago. Erik Childress has served as his regular co-host for over a decade and as the pandemic preempted their show, they brought it back virtually in November and this is the first of those shows. They discussed how studios were navigating the COVID era of movie releasing. After having done a tribute to Sean Connery here on the podcast after his death, they discuss how past comments resurfaced to dampen the praise and how it is still possible to accept the good with the bad. Then they take a nostalgic trip to the past with the movie theaters and experiences of their younger years. Where did they go? What did they see? Maybe it will spark some memories with you.   (0:00 – 4:35) Intro (4:35 – 45:35) How Did Movie Studios Handle The Pandemic? (45:35 – 1:18:20) The past comments of Sean Connery (1:18:20 – 2:35:13) Going To Movie Theaters In Our Youth (2:35:13 – 2:39:50)

The second of the bi-annual segment makes it just in time as we close out 2020. Erik Childress & Sergio Mims continue to plead for some quality titles – and personal favorites – to finally get the upgrade they deserve. Over the course of this three-hour show they each select 10 titles to put on everyone’s radar. They range from an American remake, two films from the ‘70s that were eventually remade, a film made into a TV show and a TV show made into a movie. There are also films with cops, robbers, Hollywood and other gambles including those of mis-matched love affairs and even a guilty pleasure that may be just a plea from Sergio. Decades are covered with films they do not want forgotten as they languish in their original releases in the hopes to be re-introduced in Blu-ray or better to all of you sooner than later. 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 final movie review show of 2020 narrows the focus down to just seven movies, but certainly some major ones. Erik Childress & Steve Prokopy gear you up for Amazon’s release of One Night in Miami next month. Tom Hanks & Peter Greengrass reunite for the western, News of the World, and we take you to the Beyond of Pixar’s latest, Soul. Where does it rank with their best? They look back at the Hilary Swank thriller, Fatale, and even further back at their experience seeing Sylvie’s Love at Sundance. Then the duo have two of their lengthiest discussions to date breaking down Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman and the long-awaited Wonder Woman 1984 and if it lives up to the promise of the first film.   (0:00 – 2:48) Intro (2:48 – 12:49) Sylvie’s Love (12:49 – 27:37) Fatale (27:37 – 55:09) Promising Young Woman (55:09 – 1:07:11)  One Night in Miami (1:07:11 – 1:21:41) News of the World (1:21:41 - 1:39:16) Soul (1:39:16 – 2:19:25) Wonder Woman 1984 (2:19:25 – 2:23:27) Outro This is a public episode. If

On this – the final new Blu-ray show of 2020 – Erik Childress & Sergio Mims present some great last minute ideas for…presents…if you still need them. From 2001-03, Christmas also meant The Lord of the Rings as they look back on Peter Jackson’s trilogies in 4K. Paramount gets in on the 4K party with a pair of new Tom Cruise & Eddie Murphy releases and even a title finally new to Blu-ray from the comedian’s ‘80s output. They thrill to get another of their “not-on-Blu-ray” choices finally released in time for its 40th Anniversary and they re-examine Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part III as it celebrates its 30th Anniversary with a new Coda. Umbrella Entertainment does their part in bringing a pair of Paramount’s ‘70s releases to Blu-ray overseas. Finally they look at a slew of new Clint Eastwood releases from Kino along with a comedic 1980s anthology.   (0:00 – 3:05) (Intro) (3:05 - 21:27) (Umbrella – The Longest Yard, King Kong 1976) (21:27 - 28:13) (WB – The Lord of the Rings Trilogy 4K, The Ho