Movie Madness

Things get a little weird on this episode. OK, maybe not that weird as Erik & Sergio Mims delve into some Ealing comedies, war films and a pair of television comebacks. Sergio finally gives his take on Todd Phillips’ Joker and tells us of his latest commentary track. In the middle of all of this though they go through a trio of films that run the gamut from one of Charlie Sheen’s first big roles to what maybe should have been Tawny Kitaen’s last. And Erik presents his theory on the film he somehow wiped away from memory that has been described as “Nickelodeon by way of David Lynch.”   Film Movement (Passport to Pimlico, The Titfield Thunderbolt) Warner Bros. (Joker, Penelope, Cimarron, Two on a Guillotine, Veronica Mars: The Complete First Season, Big Little Lies: The Complete Second Season) Severin (The Peanut Butter Solution, The Boys Next Door, The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak) Kino (Tobruk, Ulzana’s Raid, War Lord) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with oth

Erik Childress recaps his 18th year attending the first big film festival of the year talking about his favorites and even some of his not-so-favorites. Hear what Erik thought of new films with Michael Keaton, Jude Law, Steven Yeun, Alison Brie, Winston Duke and Aubrey Plaza. Plus the latest from directors Brandon Cronenberg, Miranda July and the film that broke the new sales record at the fest. He even has a few things to say about some Slamdance documentaries and others about the creation of The Exorcist and Ren & Stimpy. It is a packed episode about films you may be hearing more about in 2020. 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 time capsule for the last decade of film gets ten more titles courtesy of Collin Souter, co-host of the Christmas Movies Actually podcast and longtime radio partner of Erik Childress. Animation carves out a spot this time as well as a surprise entry that is, nevertheless, one of the great achievements of the period. Then for good measure, Erik adds one more title to the list and makes the case that it is more than just another sports movie. 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 first new episode of the new year and new decade focuses on a crop of titles from just a few studios and one legendary actress. That would be the great Anne Bancroft who has a wonderful new collection out from Shout Factory. Erik and Sergio Mims also look at films starring everyone from Lloyd Bridges to Ethan Hawke as well as a cornucopia of titles from Kino including the first film from Rian Johnson, a history of the Silence of the Lambs sequel, going to bat for a Charlie Sheen film and ultimately reaping praise on what they believe to be one of the great American films from Paul Schrader.   Shout Factory (The Anne Bancroft Collection, Let’s Scare Jessica to Death) Kino (Parasite 3-D, Brick, Terminal Velocity, Iceman, Hannibal, Blue Collar) RLJE (Adopt a Highway) Flicker Alley (Trapped) 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 long-awaited new chapter of the Movie Madness podcast begins as we look back upon the previous decade of films to choose which ones we would like to put into a time capsule. Steve Prokopy is the first of many guests to join Erik Childress on a journey through some of their favorites, kicking off the list with 11 titles to make the final cut in a new tradition that will continue into the new decade. 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

More last-minute gift ideas for the holiday as we close out 2019 with some genuine favorites from Sergio Mims and Erik Childress. Names like Murphy, Burton and Brundle get brand new packages. Criterion has some Bette Davis greats, Olive pays tribute to Dick Miller and Sergio is happier with Kurt Vonnegut than Thornton Melon ever was. They also show some love to an overlooked werewolf film as well as one of the funniest movies of 2019 and another among the very best of the year.   Arrow (The Far Country, Robocop, Slaughterhouse Five) Criterion (All About Eve, Now Voyager, Until the End of the World) Olive (A Bucket of Blood, The Bells of St. Mary’s) Shout Factory (Silver Bullet, Big Trouble in Little China, The Fly Collection) Paramount (Galaxy Quest) Sony (Once Upon a Time In Hollywood) Universal (Good Boys)   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 Blu-rays never stop stopping on the podcast with Sergio Mims back for another round to talk about some recent releases from Criterion, Kino and particularly Shout Factory. Sergio defends some late ‘80s/early ‘90s action films on 4K and Erik does the same for the new Child’s Play while praising the release of Haxan and the ridiculousness of a mutant bear film. It is all leading up to the immaculate new packaging of all things Abbott & Costello that they call one of the best releases of 2019.   Indicator (Scream of Fear, Revenge of Frankenstein, Secret Ceremony) Kino (Winter Kills, Charley Varrick Fox (Child’s Play, The Art of Racing in the Rain) Criterion (When We Were Kings, Haxan) Lionsgate (Universal Soldier 4K, Red Heat 4K) Shout Factory (Prophecy, The Fan, Chuck Berry Hail Hail Rock N Roll, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Gauntlet) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthe

The Skywalker Saga comes to an end and the fans speak! Erik Childress looks back upon the earliest memories of Star Wars with guests Sergio Mims, Erik Laws, Collin Souter and a surprise guest. They then get to it speaking about their initial thoughts to J.J. Abrams’ 180 back to The Force Awakens immediately after seeing it. There are warm thoughts, criticisms and hopes on where the universe goes from here in an episode dedicated to the end of an era. 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 Blu-rays keep coming, but another attempt is made to get Sergio Mims on the 4K train. Three major titles are discussed in the format with Erik Childress who makes the case not only to that but also why It’s A Wonderful Life is more than just “Capra-Corn.” Sergio goes to bat for other classics while also proclaiming his love for the latest Hercules film released on Blu-ray and leaving some time to go back and forth on new versions of some Disney classics.   Kino (Sudden Terror, Hercules, Wanted Dead or Alive) Indicator (Young Winston, Badge 373) Disney (The Lion King, Toy Story 4) Paramount (Stephen King’s The Stand, It’s a Wonderful Life 4K) Universal (Scarface 4K) Warner Bros. (The Wizard of Oz 4K) 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

Halloween may be over but there is still plenty of scary stuff to talk about from Clive Barker, John Landis and Blake Edwards. Sergio Mims joins Erik Childress to talk about the latest Blu-ray special editions from Arrow, Blue Underground, Warner Archive and Criterion which includes another tribute to Chaplin and a taste of one of Erik’s favorite film scores of all-time.   Arrow (The Hills Have Eyes Part II, An American Werewolf in London, Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II) Blue Underground (Two Evil Eyes) Criterion (Local Hero, The Circus) Warner Archive (Mr. Nice Guy, Days of Wine and Roses) 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

While not exclusively a show for Halloween, Erik Childress and Sergio Mims nevertheless check out a number of horror films. From Kubrick and Del Toro getting the 4K treatment to recent stuff from Ari Aster and Rob Zombie as well as some hammer horror and an underappreciated horror remake. They also express appreciation for The Addams Family movies and a genuine love for a film finally on Blu-ray featuring one of Peter O’Toole’s greatest performances.   Warner Bros. (The Shining 4K, Pan’s Labyrinth 4K) Warner Archive (My Favorite Year, Jezebel, The Letter) Shout Factory (The Return of the Vampire, The Devil Rides Out, The Blob (1988), Lions Gate (3 From Hell, Midsommar) Paramount (The Addams Family, Addams Family Values) HBO (From the Earth to the Moon) 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

Sergio Mims returns to catch up on the latest and greatest in Blu-rays with Erik Childress. They dive into some recent stuff from Lionsgate; splitting on a Sundance favorite, discussing the downward spiral of The Walking Dead, Stallone in 4K and Sergio’s issues with John Wick. Erik goes over why the Elton John biopic was superior to the Queen one. They also go deep into the archive to talk Marlene Dietrich, a Mad Rabbi and the immortality of Buster Keaton. They may even be a little room left for some opera. Yes, opera.   Indicator (Marlene Dietrich & Josef Van Sternberg at Paramount (1930-1935)) Flicker Alley (L’Argent) Film Movement (The Mad Adventures of 'Rabbi' Jacob) Kino (Mirage) Lionsgate (The Walking Dead Season 9, John Wick Chapter 3, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Rambo 4K, Lock Up 4K, Daybreakers 4K) Paramount (Rocketman, Holocaust) Cohen Media (Buster Keaton Collections Vols. 2 & 3) Naxos (Korngold Das Wunder der Heliane The Miracle of Heliane) This is a public episode. If you would l

Erik Childress wraps up this year’s Toronto Film Festival with Sergio Mims by sticking to the good, sometimes the great, stuff. It’s an episode involving Nazis, pimps, popes, moochers, murderers, gamblers and Mr. Rogers. Don’t forget Ladies on fire and those that play with fire. Noah Baumbach, Rian Johnson, Taika Waititi, Pablo Larrain, Trey Edward Shults, the Safdies, and Bong Joon-Ho all factor into an episode with titles you are going to want to put on your radar for this fall and holiday. They also discuss an incident involving Ford v. Ferrari and how “bots” are getting into the movie hype game and can be as vicious as those that want to influence an election. 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’ experiences at this year’s Toronto Film Festival is split into a two-parter. This episode focuses solely on the films that he was on the fence about, found less than appealing or are full-out disasters. No need to joke around as there is room for a lot of titles here. You would not want them all spoiled for you, especially when the second part is all the good stuff. But you will want to hear his thoughts on why Hustlers is not good and how Joker is one of the worst films of the year. 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 podcast only heard Sergio Mims’ thoughts on Avengers: Endgame in spirit when it first came out but Erik Childress has a lot more to say on the recent live-action remake of Aladdin that may surprise you. Adding to the Blu-ray discussion they agree on Godzilla: King of the Monsters; a film which may trigger a re-naming of the show. They get into the various sleazy aspects of new special editions of films by Gary Sherman, William Friedkin and Franco Zeffirelli but with many degrees of affection. Then finally discuss some new releases of classic Ealing comedies and the directorial debut of Bob Fosse.   Disney (Avengers: Endgame, Aladdin 1992 & 2019) Warner Archive (Moonfleet, Wagon Master) Warner Bros. (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) Shout Factory (Vice Squad, Scars of Dracula, The Reptile, The Harder They Come, Endless Love) Arrow (Cruising) Kino (The Lavender Hill Mob, The Man in the Lavender Suit, Sweet Charity) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get

Erik Childress & Sergio Mims go into the archives for a number of new titles this episodes. There is some real nostalgia for Shout Factory’s Universal Horror Collections and an overlooked war film from Warner Archive. They dust off some titles from Mill Creek ranging from horror and sci-fi to one of the most epic westerns ever. They talk about Kathryn Bigelow’s first film, an appreciation for one of John Hughes’ films and jump to a film from this past summer that got unfairly ignored by audiences. Not to be outdone they also have titles from Brian DePalma, Oliver Stone and a special look at the latest commentary track by Sergio Mims on Robert Downey Sr.’s Putney Swope.   Arrow (Weird Science, Hold Back the Dawn, The Loveless) Warner Archive (Merrill’s Marauders) Mill Creek (Anaconda, Eyes of Laura Mars, Ghosts of Mars, Lonesome Dove, Mothra) Lionsgate (Hellboy, Domino, Long Shot, The Doors 4K) Shout Factory (The Universal Horror Collection Vols. 1 & 2) Vinegar Syndrome (Putney Swope) This is a public

Erik Childress delves back into the latest in Blu-rays with Sergio Mims starting with New Criterion titles that take us from anniversary titles that feel all too relevant today to an Oscar-winning film that makes for an interesting post-Tarantino palette cleanser. Going over to Warner Bros. they are charmed by a pair of very different action heroes and Erik tries to convince Sergio to head back to Lego Land. Then after trips to Flicker Alley and Twilight Time, they put a button on everything by discussing 40 years of the great George Carlin and how much they miss him today.   Criterion (1984, Klute, Do the Right Thing) Warner Archive (Footlight Parade, The Thin Man, Gaslight, Bronco Billy) Warner Bros. (Shazam, The Lego Movie 2 Flicker Alley (The Extraordinary World of Charley Bowers) Twilight Time (Behold a Pale Horse, Ten North Frederick) MPI (George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemo

The latest film from Quentin Tarantino is a hotbed of takes from his view of history to the treatment of his female characters. Erik Childress is joined by Peter Sobczynski of RogerEbert.com to go deep into his view of a changing Hollywood and both the real and fictional people who inhabit his latest creation. Don’t be spoiled if you have not seen the film yet as they discuss the film’s various twists, key scenes and even offer a different perspective on its radical climax. Though both agree that this is a major work from one of our best filmmakers. 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 bi-annual question is back. Where are our Blu-rays? Where are the filmmakers’ Blu-rays? Erik Childress and Sergio Mims once again select ten titles each that are still not available in an HD format, at least in the U.S.  On this episode alone they recommend upgrades for comedies, westerns, horror, limited TV series, a political thriller, one about the black experience in America and a cult classic about white guys and their everlasting cycle of nostalgia 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

Episode 150 continues with another ten titles still only available in the DVD format. Sports and nostalgia certainly come up again, in particular to moviestar worship. Some matinee and cable favorites from the youths of Erik Childress and Sergio Mims go along with a film currently on the remake path, an Amblin-produced film from the ‘80s, a pair of prison films and amazement that one particular star has not been given the home video tribute he truly deserves. 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