Movie Madness

Last month, Erik Childress attended his 16th SXSW Film Festival and it was one of the best ones in years. It opened with A Quiet Place which has gone on to become one of the biggest success stories of the year. There were some wonderful surprises by a number of films still waiting for distribution deals. But greatest of all was the host being in the same room with his cinematic idol during a special screening at the festival. Erik tells the whole story to Sergio Mims and also shows a lot of love (and a little shade) to the films he saw. 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 turn back to catch everyone up on Blu-rays and DVDs you may have missed. Thought it seems everyone Erik turns with Sergio Mims they are discussing someone who did something that may not be cool today. In related that was then, this is now they discuss the morality class favorite, The Incident, and other films from Twilight Time, discuss a trio of Disney favorites. They delve into HBO’s The Deuce and a whole batch from Paramount.   Twilight Time (The Effect of Gamma Rays, Harry & Walter Go To New York, Manhattan Murder Mystery, The Incident) Disney (Coco, Lady and the Tramp, Thor: Ragnarok) HBO (The Deuce) Paramount (Bosom Buddies: The Complete Series, Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Daddy’s Home 2, mother!, Interstellar 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

On this first of what we hope to be many special episodes of the podcast, we begin a new segment of the show dedicated to varying Top 10 lists. Only this one is not a countdown but a count-up. Erik Childress and Sergio Mims choose ten films from their childhood which helped form their appreciation of cinema and may have also contributed to who they became as human beings. It’s a funny, emotional episode that may spinoff into additional episodes but the youth of Erik and Sergio is a great place to start and will have you thinking about your own lists. 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 joins Erik Childress to continue their catch-up on an array of new Blu-ray editions including many from Shout Factory, a couple courtroom dramas, some solid fare from Warner Bros. and the film where Sergio watched an entire audience boo it upon its initial release three years before Sam Elliott nearly caused 9/11.   Shout Factory (Drag Me To Hell, Hell Night, The Strangers, Gate II, Walking Out, Shakedown) Kino (The Aviator, The Thomas Crown Affair, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, The Wilby Conspiracy, Inherit the Wind, Judgment at Nuremberg) Arrow (Inferno, Orchestra Rehearsal) Warner Bros. (Geostorm, It, Blade Runner 2049) Warner Archive (Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Harper, The Drowning Pool) Cult Film (The Battle of Algiers)   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 Erik Childress prepares to head to Austin for South by Southwest, he takes you back to this year’s Sundance Film Festival. A surprisingly solid list of films goes from documentaries about some of our most beloved entertainers, tales of youth and revenge of the women. Plus you will hear about what could be Carey Mulligan’s finest work to date and what may be THE horror film of 2018!   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

Back to the Blu-rays we go as Erik and Sergio talk the 50th Anniversary of Night of the Living Dead along with a number of wonderful new gems from Criterion. Sergio gets to talk about being in the minority of a film he loved in 2017 and then joins along with Erik in their love of the holiday’s surprise hit, Wonder. They get into the weeds a little talking about the first post-scandal Woody Allen film but get right out by talking about Sergio’s experience as an assistant director on Jamaa Fanaka’s Penitentiary as well as his first Blu-ray commentary track.   Criterion (Night of the Living Dead, Young Mr. Lincoln, I Daniel Blake, The Complete Monterey Pop Festival, Tom Jones) Universal (Marshall, Happy Death Day, American Made) Warner Bros. (The Long Long Trailer, The Belle of New York, The Hanging Tree) Lionsgate (Wonder) Kino (The Executioner’s Song, Blame It On Rio, The Way West, Intermezzo) Twilight Time (Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Dragonwyck, My Cousin Rachel, Husbands & Wives) Vinegar Synd

The anticipation level was through the roof and it audiences have turned it into an all-timer at the box office. Now Sergio Mims and comic book expert Erik Laws join Erik Childress to put Ryan Coogler’s film in greater context. What led up to it and can it take its historic status to the next cultural level. Spoilers are few but the discussion is multi-faceted. Is this a movie of the moment or a springboard to an industry in transition for the better? 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 is joined by Sergio Mims to do their first official Blu-ray show of the year. They are hoping to catch everyone up on some recent releases from Twilight Time, some favorites of Sergio’s from Indicator, mutual favorites of theirs from Shout Factory and Arrow and then conclude talking about a Blu-ray Erik has been waiting 35 years for.   Twilight Time (Forever Amber, Wuthering Heights, The L-Shaped Room, Alice) Indicator (The Fortune, The Border, Charley Varrick, Blue Collar) Shout Factory (Matinee, The Cat Returns, The Trip to Spain) Arrow (The Apartment) Mill Creek (Jerry Lewis Triple Feature, S.W.A.T. (TV & Film), Yor: The Hunter from 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

Two films expected for a number of Oscar nominations are Call Me By Your Name and The Post. Erik Childress and Sergio Mims dig in on both of them and discuss their various issues with both of them. After that, Erik digs in on his annual Oscar predictions. What is getting nominated? Who is getting snubbed? He breaks down the big eight categories and then reveals his choices for all of the technical categories as well.   0:00:00 – 0:01:45 – Intro 0:01:46 – 0:57:43 – Call Me By Your Name & The Post (w/Sergio Mims) 0:57:44 – 1:43:03 – Oscar (Nomination) Predictions for 2017 1:43:04 – 1:48:08 – Outro (+ Call Me By Your Name Follow-Up)   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 Sergio Mims kick off 2018 with a variation on their regular segment. This time instead of talking about the latest in Blu-rays they are wondering when they will actually get a chance to say that certain films are even on Blu-ray. You may be shocked at the vast array of titles that have yet to receive the upgrade. While titles are now being converted into the next evolution with 4K, others remain dormant on DVD with inferior quality. This special episode will be the first of a bi-annual segment asking for a call to arms to studios to release some of these great films and give them the treatment they deserve. 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

Not only is Sergio Mims back to dish on another round of Blu-rays but he takes some extra special time on some extra special releases. Erik Childress was also ecstatic to catch up on some overdue releases that range from Superman to zombies to Miyazaki. Plus one of the most entertaining films of the year (or mostly according to one) and an agreement on one of the best and too often overlooked films celebrating its 30th Anniversary.   0:00:00 – 0:01:02 – Intro 0:01:02 – 1:15:06 – Blu-rays (w/Sergio Mims) 1:15:06 – 1:18:31 – Outro   Warner Archive (Superman Extended Cut, The Hidden, The Sea Wolf) Shout Factory (Land of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Spirited Away, Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke) MVD (Ruby, One Million B.C.) Sony (Baby Driver)   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 is joined by regular guests Sergio Mims and Erik Laws on this very special show to examine the lasting impact of the Star Wars franchise from its skeptical beginnings to its current Episode. They discuss The Last Jedi at length from their initial thoughts to its overriding themes and everything down to sound design and the bittersweet impact of Carrie Fisher’s final appearance. They can not always ignore the politics from 1977-to-2017 but this is a joyful, fun on-location discussion about the most anticipated film of the year.   0:00:00 – 0:03:17 – Intro 0:03:18 – 2:10:43 – The Last Jedi (w/Sergio Mims & Erik Laws) 2:10:43 – 2:12:54 – 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

DC is at it again. Interpret that anyway you want, but comic book expert, Erik Laws, is back to discuss the new Justice League film with Erik Childress. Together they go deep from the cartoon incarnation down to every nook and cranny of getting the team together, how Joss Whedon’s influence may have affected the final product. Not to mention Danny Elfman’s score, what Zack Snyder may have against Superman and a wide array all adding up to whether or not the film is a success or another bust. 0:00:00 – 0:01:11 – Intro 0:01:11 – 0:17:00 – From Superfriends to Justice League 0:17:00 – 0:23:32 – Justice League First Thoughts 0:23:32 – 0:34:18 – Character Inconsistencies & Zack Snyder Hates Superman 0:34:18 – 1:05:50 – Getting the Team Together 1:05:50 – 1:16:53 – The Hero Problem 1:16:53 – 1:24:27 – The Return of (spoiler alert) 1:24:27 – 1:35:10 – The Villain Problem 1:35:10 – 1:42:22 – Should You See It? 1:42:22 – 1:56:39 – The Whedon Effect 1:56:39 – 2:02:56 – What Did You Do, Danny Elfman? 2:02:56 – 2:10:

Not only is Sergio Mims back to dish on another round of Blu-rays but he bookends this episode with talk of a pair of forthcoming worthwhile documentaries on PBS. First he interviews Samuel D. Pollard, the director of Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me and then concludes with his admiration for Frederick Wiseman’s latest film, Ex Libris. In-between Erik Childress and Sergio discuss some new Criterion, Mill Creek and Kino as well as discuss a documentary about film scores and their own love of an art that seems to have devolved a bit.   0:00:00 – 0:01:38 – Intro 0:01:38 – 0:20:57 – Samuel D. Pollard Interview (w/Sergio Mims) 0:20:57 – 1:39:18 – Blu-rays (w/Sergio Mims) 1:39:18 – 1:41:46 – Outro   Criterion (Othello, Barry Lyndon, The Piano Teacher) Mill Creek (Coach, Friday Night Lights, Harts of the West, Man with a Camera, Suspect, Mary Reilly, Vice Versa) Kino (The Flamingo Kid, Take the Money and Run, Shalako) Gravitas (Score: A Film Music Documentary)) Fox (Captain Underpants)) Disney (Pirates of the Carib

The final movie season of the year is here and with that Erik Childress takes you through his predictions for the big hits and potential misses at the box office. Only this time he is joined by Sergio Mims to offer his two cents on Erik’s predictions as well as his thoughts on what he believes could be a very lackluster season for the wide release – in quality, if not bucks. They cover it all from the biggest releases to the limited films hoping to make strides with awards as well as with paying customers. 0:00:00 – 0:02:11 – Intro 0:02:11 – 2:15:14 – 2017 Holiday Box Office Preview 2:15:14 – 2:19:03 – 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

It may sound like just another Blu-ray show. That’s because it is. But it’s one that takes you into the archives to circle back on titles Erik Childress and Sergio Mims did not get to talk about in the moment. So many titles. Only so many minutes. But in this first volume of the Throwback, Erik & Sergio talk about some golden oldies from the likes of Twilight Time, Olive and Kino, three studios who continue to do fine work on films that may have escaped your radar over time. Give a listen and then give a watch. 0:00:00 – 0:01:12 – Intro 0:01:12 – 1:20:39 – Blu-rays with Sergio Mims 1:20:39 – 1:23:59 – Outro Twilight Time (The Valachi Papers, Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow/The Legend of Drunken Master, The Quiet American, Hell and High Water, Bridge at Remagen) Olive (Money From Home, The Savage Innocents. Shag: The Movie, Victims) Kino (The Apple, Hell in the Pacific, Road to Rio, My Favorite Brunette, The Lemon Drop Kid) Cult Films (Boccaccio '70) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this

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 Erik Laws) 1:55:15 – 1:36:13 – 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

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 why anyone would want to be a historian for a particular film. 0:00:00 – 0:01:42 – Intro 0:01:42 – 1:31:49 – Sergio Mims and the Blu-rays 1:31:49 – 1:36:13 – Outro Blu-Rays/DVDs Covered Universal (E.T.) Sony (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) Flicker Alley (The Lost World (1925)) Twilight Time (Gun Fury, September, Beneath the 12-Mile Reef, Lawman, Hour of the Gun) MPI (It Stains the Sands Red) Indicator (The Deadly Affair, See No Evil) Arrow (Children of the Corn, A Fish Called Wanda, Legend of the Holy Drinker, The Big Knife) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or g

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 Only Live Twice 0:07:54 – 0:12:12 – The 2017 Toronto Film Festival 0:12:12 - Loveless 0:15:07 – Mom & Dad 0:18:16 – Hostiles 0:21:57 – Molly’s Game 0:26:08 – Chappaquiddick 0:33:25 – Battle of the Sexes 0:42:29 – Lady Bird 0:46:33 – I, Tonya 0:54:01 – The Killing of a Sacred Deer 0:59.02 – The Florida Project 1:03:14 – The Death of Stalin 1:09:22 – mother! 1:18:45 – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 1:23:16 – The Shape of Water 1:28:28 – Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool 1:31:17 – Mary Shelley 1:34:28 – Suburbicon 1:41:18 – Disobedience 1:42:24 – The Current War 1:43:14 – 1:45:50 – Outro This is a public

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 – 0:01:52 – Intro 0:01:52 – 1:40:21 – Blu-rays & DVDs (with Sergio Mims) 1:40:21 – 1:42:58 – Outro (Come Together) Studios & Titles Covered PBS (The Real Story: Close Encounters & Scream, Abacus: Too Small To Jail, The Vietnam War) Shout Factory (Band Aid, Mr. Mom, Whale Rider, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Devil’s Candy, Cinematic Titanic) Lionsgate (The Big Sick, Beatriz at Dinner, The Hero, It Comes At Night) Warner Archive (The Illustrated Man, The Law & Jake Wade)   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikth