Shows
Movie MadnessEpisode 580: Your French Fries Are Drowning And StuffPhysical media offers a lot of pleasures this week. Do Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski feel guilty about any of them? Certainly not of Jack Nicholson’s collaboration with Mike Nichols or one of their “Why Is This Not On Blu-ray” titles getting the 4K treatment. There’s a little history of the nudie plus Bertolucci does a family film. An MST3K selection may not be worth all the skewering though neither was Joe Dante’s snakebit summer effort from 1998. All that plus Larry Cohen’s grossly satirical take on consumerism and what Beverly Hills Cop might have been like if...2025-07-211h 59
Movie MadnessEpisode 578: Battle Beyond The FrailtyPhysical media serves up some classics as well as some that deserve more modern classic status. Peter Sobczynski may disagree with some of them but he joins Erik Childress again this week to bring you the latest and greatest. They include a restored series from Francois Truffaut as well as some oddities involving Fred MacMurray and the “involvement” of The Three Stooges. There are sequels for Robocop and the Ghoulies as well as some more WWII hijinks for Brad Pitt. One of the great westerns of all-time is up for debate. Though there is nothing but love for one of t...2025-07-141h 27
Movie MadnessEpisode 575: Epics, Killers And Clueless PoliticsThere’s a lot to talk about this week in the world of physical media. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about a Stanley Kubrick epic finally getting the release it deserves. Oliver Stone revisits a final cut for his own epic and there is also some epic destruction from the ‘70s. Denzel Washington looks for a serial killer, though not the one traipsing through the woods like he was Terrence Malick. They’ve got film noir with Glenn Ford, horror meeting blaxploitation and Peter offering his thoughts on Ryan Coogler’s huge 2025 success. Finally the pair discuss Mike Nic...2025-07-071h 57
Movie MadnessMovie Madness Episode 572: Tuning Up For SorcererPhysical Media weeks don’t get much more packed this week and there is a lot to get to with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski. Titles include a trio of youth tales involving the film that took back cheerleading, a slasher film getting a new updating soon and the infamous creation of the Brat Pack. There’s a Hammer mystery, sci-fi and Peter Cushing as Doctor Who. Peter talks about a somewhat forgotten film noir with Robert Mitchum as well as a musical version of The Philadelphia Story. They look back with a bit of fondness for an innocuous spoo...2025-06-232h 23
Movie MadnessMovie Madness Podcast Episode 568: All Time To Talk BondErik Childress and Peter Sobczynski go over the history of Sidney Lumet’s version of The Wiz. They look over the failed attempt to tell the story of Air America and the ridiculous entry into the cyber-thriller canon known for anything but the hacking. Then they go through a new set upgrading the original Sean Connery James Bond films and how they compare to the other versions throughout the years.For more James Bond talk go back to this episode with the great Sergio Mims talking about No Time To Die and his personal relationship to this ic...2025-06-091h 28
Movie MadnessMovie Madness Episode 566: Don’t Forget The Beatles White Album Or The Hot FatErik Childress and Peter Sobczynski guide you through another week of physical media. This week you can include masterworks from Paul Schrader, Terry Gilliam and Jonathan Demme on your shelves. There are also underrated works from George Romero and Mel Brooks as well as career work from Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue. They talk about the oddness that ranges from Linda Blair on skates to Dennis Quaid as an infamous singer plus the one Sam Peckinpah film you may want to watch alone first.2:52 - Criterion (Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters 4K, Brazil 4K)22:27...2025-06-021h 45
Movie MadnessMovie Madness Podcast: Episode 564: You Won’t Get Munson’d By The Bottoms LadiesIt’s a funny week for physical media. In that there are some tremendously funny movies in the mix but also some landmarks to put in your library. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski guide you through the work of Charles Burnett and the singular film by Kerry Conran. They take you through the multiple versions of a Ridley Scott epic, perhaps the best of the Musketeers films and the weird backstory of an SNL sequel. Warner Archive has a couple of biopics named after songs as well as Al Pacino’s Oscar-winning role. A collection of Audie Murphy titles are...2025-05-262h 02
Movie MadnessEpisode 564: You Won’t Get Munson’d By The Bottoms LadiesIt’s a funny week for physical media. In that there are some tremendously funny movies in the mix but also some landmarks to put in your library. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski guide you through the work of Charles Burnett and the singular film by Kerry Conran. They take you through the multiple versions of a Ridley Scott epic, perhaps the best of the Musketeers films and the weird backstory of an SNL sequel. Warner Archive has a couple of biopics named after songs as well as Al Pacino’s Oscar-winning role. A collection of Audie Murphy titles are...2025-05-262h 02
Movie MadnessEpisode 562: Get Out Of Your Sleeping Bags!This week in physical media may be appealing to the cults out there. Whichever you belong to, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are here to guide you towards your particular following. Perhaps you are in the Richard E. Grant & Bruce Robinson cult. Or stay on that side of the pond with an Oscar-winning musical and a film that was the Bridgerton of its time in the way it uses music. Maybe you’re in the late Friday the 13th cult and enjoy its post-Paramount days. Or you have a taste for a marathon of Blaxploitation. Whether you love movie do...2025-05-191h 26
Movie MadnessEpisode 560: There’s A Crack In The Planet (And The Doll Case)After a week off for The Chicago Critics Film Festival, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski return to get you up to date on the latest in physical media world. They include one of the great musicals and a landmark in 60s cinema. Disney upgrades one of their animated hits before its live-action counterpart hits theater. See the film Robert Zemeckis made in-between shooting Cast Away. There is plenty of sleaze thanks to Pete Walker and Wings Hauser and a reunion of Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep. There is disaster sci-fi and upgrades for two of the all-time great horror...2025-05-121h 38
Movie MadnessEpisode 558: It’s Rider’s Name Was DeathAfter weeks of light lineups in the physical media world, the end of April explores with a variety of titles that Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are here to guide you through. They include Sean Baker bookends from Criterion, blaxploitation and films from Russ Meyer. You got journeys to the Bermuda triangle and the gates of hell not to mention bullets and betrayal. Bill Murray enters the army and Michael Keaton goes to rehab. Plus Clint Eastwood has a trio of his films get the 4K upgrade. 1:52 - Criterion (Basquiat 4K, Prince of Broadway, Anora 4K) 2025-04-282h 09
Movie MadnessEpisode 556: Sneaking Around Target And The Old WestAnother light week for physical media but a fun one – especially for those nostalgic for the early ‘90s. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about Criterion’s upgrade of a multi-part French masterpiece from the ‘80s. They share thoughts on The Most Dangerous Game riff that got snakebit by real-world tragedies and Covid. Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase try to prevent the assassination of the pope. No, not that one. One of the late Val Kilmer’s most iconic performances gets the 4K upgrade. The duo also share their fondness for one of the most entertaining comic thriller team-ups o...2025-04-211h 09
Movie MadnessEpisode 552: Some Sweat When The Heat Is On Another light week for physical media but Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski have you covered with one of the greatest comedies of all time and one of Peter Sellers’ overlooked gems. There is film noir, a sorority massacre and a pair of films covered on The Friendship Dilemma podcast. They include Ryan Reynolds in the friend zone with Amy Smart and Shane Black getting paid to make Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson his mismatched mystery partners. 0:00 - Intro 3:59 - Criterion (Some Like It Hot 4K) 15:06 - Kino (I’m All Right, Jack / Film...2025-04-071h 07
Movie MadnessEpisode 550: Ugetsu Everybody If you missed a number of recent films in theaters then this is really the Blu-ray week for you. Beyond those, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski still have some titles for you to consider if you can’t get enough of Nicholas Hoult in vampire films or you really like those new digital shorts on SNL. There’s also the tale of graverobbers that took their work a little too far, an obscure relationship melodrama from the 1940s and an influential ghost story set against the backdrop of the Japanese Civil Wars. 0:00 - Intro 1:50 - Crit...2025-03-3152 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 549: Hackman And The Deadly Wonder Women Blu-rays, 4Ks, physical media galore this week as Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski guide you through another week. They include upgrades of a great Gene Hackman film and another from Alan Rudolph by Criterion. There’s early work from Rudolph Valentino and the late George Armitage. Horror goes from brain-inhabiting slugs to a black mamba, child murders, cannibalism and eating the rich. There’s also a pair of Chris Farley/David Spade films and a trio of deadly women including Ursula Andress, Kathleen Hughes and the immortal Lynda Carter. 0:00 - Intro 1:54 - Criterion (Night...2025-03-241h 41
Movie MadnessEpisode 546: Light A Candle And You Will See Baked Beans Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again to get you caught up on a couple weeks of new physical media. They include drama from Charlie Chaplin and Michael Mann’s feature debut. Godzilla returns as does the creepy Roger Corman sci-fi of the early ‘80s. Renny Harlin brings the sharks, Skippy from Family Ties battles a heavy metal killer and Peter reminds us of another piece of ‘80s horror that some parents would like to forget. There is also more weirdness including Steve Allen studying sex, John Travolta investigating sex and Eddie Murphy brought in to save a comedy. All that m...2025-03-171h 53
Movie MadnessEpisode 542: Why Is Everything Controversial? Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski run down titles you can get on physical media this week and, not gonna lie, there’s a lot of baggage. There’s the Mick Jagger film that say on the shelf for two years along with Lindsay Lohan’s collaboration with Paul Schrader and William Friedkin’s infamous Al Pacino murder mystery set within the gay community. Not to mention John Wayne playing Genghis Khan and the poor timing for an Eric Red horror film. But even controversy can be put aside for cinema sunshine. You can now get Milos Forman’s Mozart film in it...2025-02-242h 07
Movie MadnessEpisode 540: Lighten Up, Frances & Zuckerberg It’s physical media time with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski guiding you through this week’s releases which includes a pair of late indie staples from the ‘80s now in 4K. There’s a pair of John Candy comedies from the same decade, Burt Reynolds directing a comedy about suicide and one about the life of Frances Farmer. Pick your poison in Richard Dreyfuss directing porn (within the movie) and the unspeakable horrors of Roger Corman mutant rapists. Keanu Reeves is a demon hunter and David Fincher gets upgrades for his underrated B-movie thriller and the origin story of anoth...2025-02-171h 50
Movie MadnessEpisode 537: Nobody Wants To See Your Lear, Dude! Erik Childress & Peter Sobczynski bring you this week’s physical media roundup which includes a great upgrade for the family involving a cat and a mouse. Horror fans get some 4K upgrades from four different decades. Film Noir gets several different takes including through the mind of Woody Allen. A legendary black filmmaker championed over the years by Sergio Mims gets his whole collection. There are early appearances by Sam Elliott, Sean Penn and John Cusack along with a reappraisal of a current Oscar contender. A more positive reappraisal has been happening for years with a Shane Black film no...2025-02-111h 38
Movie MadnessEpisode 534: Mom, Can I Get The New Delfonics Tape? Some great titles in physical media this week and Erik Childress is joined by Peter Sobczynski to convince you to pick them up. They include a great modern con artist noir from Criterion and a lost film from Paul Bartel. The ‘70s bring us some sexploitation horror and Sherlock Holmes hunts Jack the Ripper while the ’80s gave us one of the most unique and divisive slasher films. Peter goes to bat for a pair of 4K upgrades from John Carpenter and Tarsem. Finally, there is a trio of new 4Ks from Quentin Tarantino that includes one of Peter’s favo...2025-01-201h 46
Movie MadnessEpisode 532: What’s In The Blu-Ray Box? Physical media is still here in 2025! Like every other year. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are back to run through the new releases with you. They include a pair of upgraded Kurosawas and Richard Pryor examining his life. John Turturro directs a musical, William Shatner does a horror film in Esperanto and the pair share some fondness for John Frankenheimer’s final film. You will hear about the film that was literally like pulling teeth for Erik while two of Brad Pitt’s best films get fantastic new packages. 0:00 - Intro 3:39 - Criterion (Yojimbo/Sanjuro 4K, T...2025-01-131h 29
Movie MadnessEpisode 530: WHY IS THIS NOT ON BLU-RAY?! (Chapter 10) An annual tradition that goes back to the days of WHPK Radio at the University of Chicago where Erik Childress joined Sergio Mims to discuss all things movies and certainly physical media, Erik is now joined by Peter Sobczynski for it to endure. Each of them has chosen ten films that to this day remain only on DVD (or not at all) that they believe deserve the upgrade. There are films about the circus, about priests and prostitution, love triangles and the dark side of Hollywood. There is politics and courtrooms, games of skill, concerts and debuts in front...2025-01-093h 02
Movie MadnessEpisode 527: Be The Master Of Your Blu-Ray Domain One last physical media show for 2024 and still time to get those last-minute Christmas gifts. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski take you through a bundle that includes two of the all-time masterpieces by John Ford and Francis Ford Coppola. Land is very much in the conversation from films by Ron Howard and Michael Winterbottom. There are aliens in the water, in the womb and something else aboard a submarine from WWII. We’ve got conspiracies, punks and missing thumbs plus the films of Steve De Jarnatt. John Wayne and Cary Grant in 4K plus a couple of solid Sylvester St...2024-12-162h 22
Movie MadnessEpisode 525: Get Some Blu-rays At The Gettin’ Place Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski continue to add to your Christmas carts with a variety of great gift ideas for the movie lovers in your life. They talk about the Coen Bros. big Oscar winner and Fellini’s most beloved film now both in 4K. Peter goes to bat for Abel Ferrara’s vampire tale and a Henry James adaptation from this year. Erik talks the 10th Anniversary of a Christopher Nolan film and offers some defense of Ron Howard’s collaboration with Geoge Lucas and Seth MacFarlane’s debut. A Martha Coolidge film that was part of the Why-Is-T...2024-12-112h 17
Movie MadnessEpisode 523: Ed Wood, Goodbar, Wim, Werner & A Murder Of KinskisBlack Friday and Cyber Monday may be gone but the physical media buying season is in full effect for the movie lovers in your life. Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski go through the week’s offerings. Sure they include the infamous later films of Ed Wood have been unearthed along with a “Reefer Madness for the Sexual Revolution” plus a goofy Michael Crichton adaptation. But there are also masterpieces from Wim Wenders and Werner Herzog plus a pair of beloved horror and sci-fi comedies. Not to mention an overlooked film from Sam Raimi and the great pre-South Park musical from Tr...2024-12-031h 35
Movie MadnessEpisode 521: Hit The RoadJust in time for Black Friday, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski takes you through a swath of new physical media and collections. They include two of the best films in the careers of Peter Bogdanovich and Guillermo Del Toro (and yes the best from Rob Cohen too.) There’s a pair of underrated films from the great William Friedkin and martial arts collections from Stephen Chow and the Shaw Brothers. Go on the road with Hope and Crosby and take a journey with an underseen adventure story. Not to mention dancing, the Thin Man, a whole bunch of Looney Tu...2024-11-261h 55
Movie MadnessEpisode 515: Santa? NO, It’s Godzilla And WAR! Halloween is over, which means Christmas is creepin’ upon us so who better to start making your shopping lists with than Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski on this week’s physical media show. They include a pair of Christmas films including a perennial classic and a more modern one with a Wham twist. The king of the monsters has its origin upgraded to 4K by Criterion. Samuel L. Jackson goes to Yemen and Mel Gibson goes to Vietnam in a pair of military films just before Veterans Day. One of the original babysitter horror films gets a 4K upgrade and...2024-11-041h 17
Movie MadnessEpisode 512: Well Then, I Guess You’re Really Up S**t Creek We are still in the month of horror and Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about all the horrific and supernatural offerings getting upgrades this month. Not to mention Harmony Korine and Rob Lowe as a hockey player. But moving on from that the pair discuss the Hellraiser series and their lack of enthusiasm for even M. Night Shyamalan’s better films. They talk about the surprise hit of the summer of 1990, one of the films that established the horror genre and another that took it to such uncomfortable lengths Erik has to dare himself to watch it. Th...2024-10-222h 05
Movie MadnessEpisode 509: Heads Will Roll And Boyle Will Fly While there is not much on the physical media side this week there are definitely some choice titles to upgrade into your collection. It is also October and that means horror. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about a must-own double feature from Criterion from the genre’s yesteryear as well as Tim Burton’s solid tribute to Hammer horror. Not to mention Lara Flynn Boyle getting blown off a roof. Alas though there is also some solid new theatrical horror titles on disc now as well as Peter Berg’s finest directorial effort getting an upgrade. 0...2024-10-081h 00
Movie MadnessEpisode 503: The Blu-ray Show That Grabs You And Never Lets Go Peter Sobczynski returns to catch you up on a couple weeks of physical media releases with Erik Childress. They include one of the great British crime thrillers with Bob Hoskins. They dive into the Friday the 13th and Riddick series while highlighting an even better ‘80s horror film. One of the great stand-up concerts ever filmed gets the 4K upgrade and a new film noir set highlights one of the inspirations for Top Secret. Peter highlights an overlooked Scorsese and goes Doomsday on Neil Marshall. One of the films featured in It Came From Hollywood gets the Blu-ray treatment as...2024-09-172h 18
Movie MadnessEpisode 494: Moe, Larry, Shemp, Curly – Take ‘Em Down!Lots on the Blu-ray front this week and Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk you through it. Criterion has a clean sweep nine-time Oscar winner in 4K and Arrow has something for the Sam Worthington fans out there. They talk fondly of a dark Seth Rogen effort and a much lighter comedy with violence that has given Rachel McAdams a line delivery for the ages. They’ve got some Mellville, Bava and Elvis. Peter has an early ‘90s horror film you may want to look at again. Dick Tracy gets a collection and they are all-in on a new...2024-08-121h 39
Movie MadnessEpisode 490: There’s No Way Out, You Can’t Stop The NutsThis week in physical media expands the gauntlet between masterpieces, greatness, exploitation and outright garbage. In other words, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski have a little something for everyone. They include a film from the ‘60s that was lost until the ‘90s, one of the first films from Jonathan Demme, one of the last films of Howard Hawks and hopefully not the last from Philip Kaufmann. There’s a box set of the works of Nico Mastorakis and a director’s cut featuring David Bowie and Rosanna Arquette. Two films from the great runs of Frank Oz and Kevin Costner...2024-07-292h 09
Movie MadnessEpisode 485: Who’s That Talking To Me With Those Irish Accents?There is not a lot to add to your physical media collection this week. But what there is you will want to get your hands on. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about the tortured history of one of Sam Peckinpah’s greatest westerns. Music stars in movies gets a little sillier with Weird Al Yankovic and Madonna. Silliness gets raised to an artform with the first of the Will Ferrell/Adam McKay collaborations. Though maybe not as silly as the accents from Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones in the second of 1994’s summer bomber movies. Peter Hyam...2024-07-021h 39
Movie MadnessEpisode 483: Blue Velvet, Purple Rain (Plus Punch & Pie)A pretty solid week for new Blu-ray and 4K arrivals that Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski talk you through. They include, arguably, David Lynch’s best film and the consequences if you choose an ice dancing show over it. Orson Welles’ first foray into cinematic Shakespeare as well as a special collection of the cavalcade of films released in the wake of Bruce Lee’s untimely passing. Joe Dante’s loving tribute to the movies of our youth gets the 4K upgrade as do the works of Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Finally, is the film that truly launched Prince o...2024-06-251h 38
Movie MadnessEpisode 481: Mother? Daughter? No, Not That One!A lot of great titles for your physical media library and Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are here to guide you through it. They include the debut films from the Wachowskis and Jeff Nichols. Plenty of noir to go around this week courtesy of Kino, Paul Schrader and a look at the new 4K Chinatown package. They discuss some of the Robocop follow-ups, some early Hitchcock, disagree on The Karate Kid, talk James Woods and cocaine. And speaking of controversy and weirdness, Peter tells you all about the big Bo Derek debacle of the 1980s. 0:00 - Intro2024-06-181h 52
Movie MadnessEpisode 477: Fear, Loathing and Glory for Rango (Not Beastly!) It may be a light week on the physical media front but that’s also less money to spend and there is some choice stuff discussed by Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski. They include Terry Gilliam’s seemingly impossible adaptation of a Hunter S. Thompson novel, more Johnny Depp in animated form, the tale of the first black regiment in the Civil War and Harvey Keitel in his most disturbing role. All available in 4K. There’s also a great Robert Mitchum western and an opportunity to remember Chicago’s attempt at a new martial arts hero. 0:00 - Intro2024-06-041h 04
Movie MadnessEpisode 473: Don’t Be A NarcThe latest and greatest of Blu-rays this week have Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski disagreeing on the films of Joe Carnahan. There are two Val Kilmer projects; one certainly better than the other (though it did produce a great John Frankenheimer story) as well as some early horror from Bob Clark and a more recent one from Osgood Perkins getting an upgrade. One of David O. Russell’s best films gets the same 4K upgrade plus Peter talks all about Philo Vance, Bettie Page and Peter Bogdanovich reteaming with Cybill Shepherd. 0:00 - Intro 0:56 - Arrow (Na...2024-05-211h 09
Movie MadnessEpisode 471: Once Upon a Time From The Huh?This week certainly has the latest and the greatest in Blu-rays. Depending on who you ask of course. If you inquire with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski you will certainly here about one of the greatest westerns of all-time (Erik’s favorite) as well as a film that deserves to be among the very best of Sidney Lumet’s career. Michael Powell directs a creepy film about voyeurism and murder and the pair look again at the film where Brandon Lee lost his life. Shout Factory has a trio of horror oddities and there is also lament for the goof...2024-05-141h 40
Movie MadnessEpisode 467: Livin’ Like Lovers. Rolling Like Thunder.This week’s physical media show features Peter Sobczynski and Erik Childress talking about a seminal propaganda film from the ‘60s that inspired a ‘70s scene in Boogie Nights plus some science-fiction from the 1980s from Imprint. The ‘80s also across an all-star cast that helped launch Julia Roberts and a Nancy Savoca film from the ‘90s due for a rediscovery. They discuss the film that inspired The Untouchables, plus Paul Schrader writes a religious comedy and then gets the 4K treatment to a project he disavowed. Then his frequent partner in crime, Martin Scorsese, also gets his Oscar-winning effort upg...2024-04-241h 15
Movie MadnessEpisode 463: Where Are The White Women At?This week’s physical media edition has Peter Sobczynski and Erik Childress looking at films with people getting lost as well as ones with murderers, looters, variations on classic horror and family fare plus a '70s era Kong. They include films by Peter Weir and the writer of Blade Runner plus a film hammered by MST3K and a dog murdered for their inheritance. Admit it, you’re intrigued. 0:00 - Intro 2:24 - Criterion (Picnic at Hanging Rock) 7:25 - Shout (Lost in Space) 12:11 - Film Masters (Tormented 4K) 2...2024-04-0851 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 457: The Abyss Is Staring Right At You Catching up on a couple weeks of releases, Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk westerns from the end of John Wayne’s career to the middle-ish of Tom Selleck’s. There are documentaries about art, filmmaking plus Harrison Ford with a Russian accent. Remakes of Stephen King, American J-Horror and just American remakes leading into political conspiracies and Liza Minnelli as a sex worker. That is all just a warm-up to the 4K releases everyone has been waiting for from James Cameron. 0:00 - Intro 1:54 - Criterion (All That Money Can Buy, All the Beauty and...2024-03-212h 10
Movie MadnessEpisode 455: Hey Teacher, Leave Those Kids Alone Physical media continues to thrive though it is having a slight week this time around as Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski go over the new releases. Saw fans can grab the whole series in one fell swoop. There is esoteric stuff from Guy Maddin and a western with Vincent Cassel. Traditional Old West fans get a little treat from Walter Hill along with one of Katharine Hepburn’s Oscar-winning roles. Finally, Shout Factory upgrades a cult Jonathan Kaplan teen film starring Matt Dillon in his screen debut. 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Universal (The 355 4K) 3:50...2024-03-0644 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 453: Calling All Gangsters And Weekend Warriors This week on the latest and greatest in physical media, Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about a wealth of new titles in 4K. But also a film noir package dedicated to Edward G. Robinson, a restored version of the 1970s French giallo picture and a horror film about a necrophiliac doctor. That is mixed in with new upgrades for Stanley Kubrick’s first feature, a classic western with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas and Steven Soderbergh’s all too-prescient thriller about a pandemic. Peter discusses a 1980s teen comedy he believes deserves some reappraisal. There is also the...2024-02-2642 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 451: Who Is Darkman And What Is That Tainted Mutant Vodka? Keeping your physical media collection up to date? That is what Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski are here to do again this week. The latest and greatest in Blu-rays include a female-led martial arts double feature extravaganza as well as a double bill of films from the Civil Rights era. There’s a new film with Isabelle Huppert along and a collection of short parodies from Ernie Fosselius. Then new upgrades to 4K run the gamut from Australian psychic horror to a goofy underwater monster film. There’s also the final feature from anime director Satoshi Kon as well as t...2024-02-201h 20
Movie MadnessEpisode 449: Wanna Have A Dance Party? Peter Sobczynski again joins Erik Childress to tell you what’s available in physical media this week. You can stock up on your French auteurs, Eric Rohmer and Jean-Luc Godard. There are lions and Cagneys and Willy’s, oh my! They go through the good and mediocre in the pricey new 4K set from Sony and Peter offers his two cents on his choice for the best film of 2023. Plus nobody puts Kevin Bacon in the corner as both recall their experiences with the film that tried to stop him from dancing. 0:00 - Intro 0:59 – Criterion (Eric R...2024-02-141h 08
Movie MadnessEpisode 447: Altman, Wilder, Jewison and Boll Getting you caught up on the latest and greatest (and sometimes not-so-great) in blu-rays, Peter Sobczynski and Erik Childress run the gamut this week. They include Billy Wilder doing Agatha Christie and George Segal doing Michael Crichton. A film from the late Norman Jewison and a reimagining of the late Adrienne Shelley’s final film. Plus in maybe the biggest swing, going over arguably Robert Altman’s finest film and then diving into the career of Uwe Boll. 0:00 - Intro 1:15 – Criterion (McCabe and Mrs Miller) 8:55 – Kino (The Big Country, Witness for the Prosecution, The Thom...2024-02-0759 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 444: Hear The Lamentations For The Blu-Rays Peter Sobczynski helps Erik Childress get caught up with a few weeks of Blu-ray releases. They include what may be John Sayles’ finest film along with one of the better Nicolas Cage movies that nearly got buried. There are movies with submarines and others with serial killers and stalkers plus a genuine animated gem you may have missed. One of the best film noirs musicals, post-Vietnam films are available this week along with the Marx Bros. and Rodney Dangerfield as an animated dog. (It’s not the gem.) Peter takes you into the world of Chantal Akerman and Coffin Joe...2024-01-312h 09
Movie MadnessEpisode 443: WHY IS THIS NOT ON BLU-RAY?! (Chapter 9) A tradition that has gone absent for too long on the podcast has been this show that began with Sergio Mims and Erik Childress on WHPK Radio Chicago and continued on here. Films that has still yet to get the upgrade treatment on physical media and every time a new one emerges you can hear Sergio screaming down “WE GOT ONE!” We are finally continuing what we started, Sergio, with Peter Sobczynski stepping in to offer his half of 20 titles that still remain dormant on DVD or no physical media whatsoever. Erik and Peter serve up their choices which inclu...2024-01-162h 20
Movie MadnessEpisode 441: We’ve Got A Long Way To Run The first Blu-ray show of 2024 with Peter Sobczynski and Erik Childress has got a little of everything. From Bob Hope to Brigitte Bardot and Chuck Norris to Charles Bronson. The directorial debuts of Andrew Davis and the Coen Bros. gets an upgrade as do the trilogies of Satyajit Ray and Park Chan-Wook (at least the second part of his.) Plus does Eddie Murphy’s stand-up hold up and how much is there to remember about Varsity Blues? 0:00 - Intro 2:34 - Criterion (Blood Simple 4K, Apu Trilogy 4K) 12:19 - Decal (Oldboy 4K) 16:49...2024-01-091h 34
Movie MadnessEpisode 437: Do We Have To Spell It Out For You? The last physical media show of 2023 is here just in time to get your last minute Christmas gifts. They include some wonderful stuff for families including one of the great short films of all time, the animation of Masaaki Yuasa and Shaun the Sheep plus one of the best versions of Pinocchio. One of Spike Lee’s early films gets the 4K upgrade as does films from Walter Hill, David Cronenberg and arguably the best of John Woo’s American resume. Peter Sobczynski and Erik Childress look at the end of the ‘80s 3-D era, a trio of horror titles...2023-12-142h 09
Movie MadnessEpisode 436: Guns, Bullets, Trains, Boats and Surfers Sony removed over 1,200 titles from their PlayStation store now gone from your library if you purchased them. That doesn’t happen with physical media and, as always, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski have got you covered. You can get Terrence Malick in 4K and one of the crazier Christmas noirs you’ve ever seen. The Coreys and Stephen King are also in 4K not to mention upgrades for James Cameron and Steven Spielberg. Indiana Jones goes for one final ride and you can also discover the origins of the Star Wars Holiday Special. Plus, Peter and Erik debate the meri...2023-12-061h 58
Movie MadnessEpisode 434: Very Hot And Awfully Wet Black Friday is gone but maybe Cyber Monday will extend to add these titles to your shopping list or your personal library. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about remastered films from Bernardo Bertolucci, Michael Mann and an ‘80s cult classic from Fred Dekker and Shane Black. There are films with early roles for Annette Bening, Theresa Russell and a campy sci-fi classic with Jane Fonda. We’ve got a Peppard alert! Plus maybe one of the better horror anthologies, one of the better straight-to-video sequels and, without debate, one of the funniest films of all-time getting the 4K up...2023-11-281h 39
Movie MadnessEpisode 432: Lovemakers and Bombmakers: A Black Friday Special Just in time to bulk up your holiday shopping lists there are some choice selections being released this week on Blu-ray from the classic to the pure nostalgic. Peter Sobczynski and Erik Childress guide you through it. Criterion has got some Scorsese and Chabrol while Kino goes Burt Reynolds and a bizarro ‘80s Christmas tale. Speaking of Scorsese, there’s another Lily Gladstone performance to check out from this year and Lions Gate releases two of their franchise players from the theaters as well. Erik and Peter go through the history of the Police Academy series while the same stud...2023-11-201h 39
Movie MadnessEpisode 430: Giving You A Shot Of Blu-Ray Steel This week in physical media, Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk up a pair of Larry McMurtry tales. Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage are in two of this week’s selections and one of them together. Erik gets one of his titles from the Why-Is-This-Not-On-Blu-Ray series and Peter looks back at the time Nicolas Roeg went to Showtime with Mimi Rogers and Bryan Brown. A crowd-pleasing underdog tale gets a director’s cut in 4K as does a Billy Wilder film with Peter Graves in prison (not a Turkish one.) There is stop-motion Christmas for the kids and a st...2023-11-141h 32
Movie MadnessEpisode 427: Chan, Keaton, Winthorp and Billy Ray Valentine, You Betcha! Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again to provide a rundown of what you can add to your physical media collection this week. You have brand new collections of films from Jackie Chan and Buster Keaton. The late William Friedkin does his first Tracy Letts adaptation and while it missed Halloween there is a great new edition of an overlooked horror film from J.A. Bayona. In time for Veteran’s Day, Sony has two new 4K editions of war films and there is also a new Blu-ray of a guilty favorite from our longtime friend, Sergio Mims. Erik and Pe...2023-11-071h 37
Movie MadnessEpisode 425: Can I Get A Witness? October ends on more of a suspenseful note than a horrific one but that may be enough to not want a phone to ring during viewing. On the latest in physical media, Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about the cultural horror elements of the latest Criterion release. There’s also a snarky self-referential horror film that pre-dates Scream. Kino has a cornucopia of 1980s ninja goodness and Peter even has something positive to say about a comic book movie. On top of all that there is one of the best action films of the year, one of the...2023-11-011h 23
Movie MadnessEpisode 423: Martial Arts and Gut Punches The month of Halloween is almost over but studios are still putting out the spooky stuff on this week’s edition of physical media talk with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski. Criterion has one of the great modern haunted house tales with one of Nicole Kidman’s best performances. Brett Ratner tries to remake Michael Mann, Lewis Teague does his first Stephen King and Roland Emmerich completely botches Godzilla. Paramount has a whole box set of frights with some 4K debuts including a surprise title that really gets under Peter’s skin. Indicator has some Jean Rollin and a box se...2023-10-241h 25
Movie MadnessEpisode 420: Long Live The New 4K Peter Sobczynski returns for a short week of new physical media titles with Erik Childress. On this episode for kids and most decidedly NOT for kids. To keep them busy there is a new 4K of Disney’s first landmark animated motion picture as well as a new collection of Wallace & Gromit’s short films. Then send them to bed so you can revisit the beginning of a horror franchise, Elizabeth Taylor trying to get screwed to death (literally) and James Woods mixing death, screwing and a whole lot of icky hallucinations with David Cronenberg. All that and new rele...2023-10-101h 07
Movie MadnessEpisode 417: The Hunt For Blu October It’s the month of Halloween and studios are delivering some of their spookiest titles n physical media. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk you into a pair of the greatest horror endings of all-time. Speaking of which you can now pick and choose your Universal horror classics in 4K alongside another sci-fi film from the next era. They discuss what they think could be the best film in one franchise and, arguably, the last tolerable one in another. A “cable classic” gets the 4K treatment as does a Best Picture winner celebrating your 50th anniversary that will cleans...2023-10-031h 18
Movie MadnessEpisode 416: Here Come The Pain Big Time Peter Sobczynski guides you through the latest in physical media. They include a couple music-based films from Criterion. Getting close to October the horror is ramping up with upgrades for Argento, Halloween and even an MST3K favorite. There are 4K upgrades for Godard, Cimino, Frankenheimer, Linklater and even Gregg Araki. Peter and Erik talk about the controversies over Oliver Stone’s attack on media culture and they both love the recent upgrade of one of Brian DePalma’s best films. 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - Criterion (La Bamba, Moonage Daydream) 8:04 - Blue Underground (The Girl...2023-09-262h 00
Movie MadnessEpisode 411: The ‘80s Are Far From Over Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski get you caught up on the latest in physical media for this week and the next. They include new 4K editions from two of the great directorial runs of the ‘80s and the ‘90s. Comic book movies from this summer are on tap including one that Peter genuinely loves. Though he does disagree with Erik on the latest Jennifer Lawrence vehicle. Music Box Films has a set combining expansive documentaries on the history of film, Arrow has some early Jackie Chan and Magnolia has new Paul Schrader. The pair go down the rabbit hole of F...2023-08-281h 30
Movie MadnessEpisode 405: Chameleons, Dragons and Swamp Things Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski take a quick peek into what is available to own on physical media this week. Criterion upgrades one of the late films from a master and Arbelos delivers and Peter looks at one of the first “Sundance caution tales” from the end of the ‘80s. Ida Lupino directs a ‘50s film about sexual assault and Virginie Efira becomes attached to her partner’s child. Then a pair of cult classics get the 4K treatment including Wes Craven’s comic monster movie and the quintessential Bruce Lee film. 1:56 - Criterion (Akira Kurosawa's Dr...2023-08-081h 07
Movie MadnessEpisode 404: May We Have Another Classic On Blu-Ray? This week in physical media brings some classics to the 4K universe along with other must-owns for your collection. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to go over new collections spotlighting Walter Hill, Sidney J. Furie and Gene Hackman. One of Disney’s greatest animated titles gets the 4K upgrade as does classics with James Dean and John Wayne. A little seen coming-of-age film with a lot of up-and-comers gets a director’s cut as does a cult film from Clive Barker. Finally, one of the great modern horror films gets its first-ever Blu-ray overhaul; a rightfully deserved one and the...2023-08-011h 40
Movie MadnessEpisode 402: One False Move And "Now I Will Kill You" This week in physical media, Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski look at some classic genre fare, classics of the cult variety and some films still overlooked. They include films from Douglas Fairbanks, John Wayne and Howard Hughes. Harrison Ford’s screen debut can be found as can one of the better Mike Myers comedies and one of the films chosen for this year’s Chicago Critics Film Festival. For the cult crowd there is a foursome of Chucky films, two versions of a Stephen King adaptation and a cable staple from the late ‘80s. An early MST3K favorite gets a...2023-07-251h 32
Movie MadnessEpisode 400: To Live and Die Breathlessly Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress on this week’s physical media roundup. They include 4K releases from Godard, Scorsese and Boetticher. Are any of the stories from Four Rooms worth revisiting? Peter unveils an appreciation for one of the great endings in film while Erik discusses HBO’s acclaimed video game adaptation. You also get Gena Rowlands in an Oscar-nominated performance, Roy Scheider fighting off sleazy blackmailers, a bizarre pre-Lethal Weapon partnering and one of the great William Friedkin movies getting the upgrade it deserves. 0:00 - Intro 1:08 - Criterion (Breathless (4K), The Ranown Westerns: Five Film...2023-07-181h 26
Movie MadnessEpisode 398: Are You There God? I Know It’s After Hours Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski have a jam-packed week for you in physical media. It includes the long-awaited upgrade for an often overlooked Martin Scorsese classic. Emily Blunt debuts in a lovely coming-of-age film while two Oscar winners and a should-have-won-all-the-Emmys actor make their debut in an early ‘80s slasher film. There is some hatred for the latest Scream and some for a John Hughes character but some surprising love for an early ‘90s Rambo knockoff. There is also one of the essential film noirs with John Garfield, a little Ari Aster discourse and nothing but love for one of t...2023-07-112h 03
Movie MadnessEpisode 396: Staycay with 4K More and more titles are pulled off social media which means its time to bulk up on physical media more and more. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to get you caught up. There are disturbing works from Gaspar Noe and Claire Denis along with other horror films ranging from the Deadites to a white shark and buffalo to Stephen King stories and a really bad motel. You can certainly lighten up the mood with a wonderful comic action caper film from Sundance involving sisters, hang out at the mall or take a vacay with the Griswolds. Or you can...2023-07-041h 50
Movie MadnessEpisode 393: The Way of Frankenheimer, Jenkins and Cameron Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again for this week’s Blu-ray haul. They include the first film by Barry Jenkins along with titles from Peter Greenaway and Guy Maddin. The list is filled with films that may not be everyone’s cup of tea including some outdated racial casting, a little horror sensation from this year, a Cameron Crowe remake and in our case, Avatar. But that’s why you also get some Rin Tin Tin and two of the best films in the career of John Frankenheimer including a film that went into hiding for 25 years and one of the...2023-06-201h 04
Movie MadnessEpisode 391: You Can Do That? On this week’s Blu-ray episode, Peter Sobczynski talks with Erik Childress about some genuine classics, at least one new one, some forgotten relics and a genuine oddity. Criterion does Terry Gilliam right again with one of their childhood favorites in 4K. They revisit an Oscar-winning film from the ‘80s and whether it would be made the same way today. Kino has some really enjoyable stuff from Andrew Davis, Michael Crichton and a film that got buried during the disaster craze of the ’70s. Both Erich von Stroheim and William Hurt go Russian this week, more Shaw Brothers films arrive...2023-06-131h 23
Movie MadnessEpisode 388: Indiana Jones vs. Rick O’Connell While streaming companies get tax write-offs for dropping content, physical media lives on and Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to tell you what you can pick up this week. They include a classic of French cinema from Criterion, another Sammo Hung title, a recent Nicolas Cage film as well as a good Nicolas Cage film. A pair of 60s & 70s era horror films of questionable tastes are here for you. Finally, show your age and your varying love for each chapter of the adventure films starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser. 0:00 - Intro 3:00 - Criterion...2023-06-0646 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 386: The First & Only Hunter and The Last Starfighter Some genuine classics on physical media this week getting the 4K treatment. And others that are not. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to get you caught up on your libraries including Memorial Day releases from 1991 and 1993. One of the great singular directorial efforts of all-time arrives in 4K as does one of the classics from a comic legend. One of the best from Wes Craven gets the polish and there are also plenty of other titles from Alan Rudolph, Sidney Lumet, Peter Greenaway and Looney Tunes to keep you busy while Erik is relishing one of his favorite films...2023-05-301h 20
Movie MadnessEpisode 384: Goodbye To Streaming And Hello To Rarities If ever there was a week to talk about the importance of physical media it is this one. Especially with the number of oddball titles you will probably never see on a streaming service. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk some of these rare titles including Alan Ladd as Jay Gatsby, a Paris cat man, Michael Parks in love with Ann-Margret, an old Jane Fonda film recently making headlines and a film written by Ruby Dee. There are also your general weird titles like perhaps a couple of the best films made by Roland Emmerich and Jason Statham...2023-05-2358 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 382: Hoyt Axton Is In Danger! Peter Sobczynski returns to update all the streamers on what is available on disc this week. They include a sadly all-too-timely Peter Bogdanovich film with Boris Karloff and early work from John Woo, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. Peter discusses one of his all-time favorite musicals and Erik recalls a disturbing scene he used to see on cable all the time in a film from an unlikely director. Meg Ryan is cast against type and there is some overlap between Mark Wahlberg and Jason Statham in some new releases. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin team up again for a...2023-05-1654 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 381: It’s a Comet! It’s an Alien! It’s a Bruno Ganz! Peter Sobczynski is here for your weekly dive into physical media. They include films with early appearances from Ricardo Montalban and Marilyn Monroe. A comeback was touted for John Travolta in a late ‘80s oddity and in the early ‘90s footballer Brian Bosworth started his career with a bit of a bang. Peter shares his thoughts on a trio of new theatrical titles from Universal. But 4K this week should have everyone looking up from probing aliens to Bruno Ganz with wings, a giant comet headed for Earth and the one who could save us from all of them gets...2023-05-031h 09
Movie MadnessEpisode 378: Backtrack to the Small Axe Peter Sobczynski is back to talk the latest and greatest in physical media. They range from the highs of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series to the lows (in Peter’s estimation) of Ruben Ostlund’s latest. Indies you may have missed like Holy Spider and Return to Seoul. Both him and Erik Childress reflect on the world of one of television’s greatest sitcoms as well as a new Jackie Chan collection and a 4K of sci-fi David Bowie. They also take an extended look at some oddball offerings from Kino including a 1980s film remembered (by Erik at least...2023-04-291h 23
Movie MadnessEpisode 376: Angry Marked Men We take another look at Blu-rays this week with Peter Sobczynski who along with Erik Childress do not have a lot of nice things to say about some recent theatrical offerings coming to physical media. But there are kind words to be found. Just not for William Goldman. However on the positive front there is a terrific everyday kind of thriller about being a working mom and some choice offerings from Kino with Irene Dunne, Buster Crabbe, Lon Chaney and Basil Rathbone. Plus new 4K offerings from Criterion, an overlooked horror film with Mia Farrow and two of Sidney...2023-04-2059 min
Movie MadnessEpisode 373: It’s a Big Easy Midnight Run Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski look at this week’s Blu-ray releases including a rather dour but excellent film with Damian Lewis and a flavorful, sexy, pulpy thriller making its debut on Blu. Peter recalls one of the weirder titles in Kino’s new Film Noir collection and they also go through the run of Star Trek’s Next Generation films as well as Jon Hamm as the new Fletch. A trio of new 4K’s from Warner Bros. gives us some of the best from Humphrey Bogart, James Dean and Paul Newman. Finally, a new 4K of one of the g...2023-04-051h 07
Movie MadnessEpisode 371: Leaving You Breathless (And Probably Speechless) 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...2023-03-291h 25
Movie MadnessEpisode 369: Streets of Dragonfire 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...2023-03-231h 37
Movie MadnessEpisode 367: The Running Man and the Reverse Cyrano 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...2023-03-091h 29
Movie MadnessEpisode 364: An Adventure 27 Years In The Making 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...2023-03-011h 37
Movie MadnessEpisode 362: Dazed, Confused And In Love With Emma Thompson 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 inte...2023-02-211h 06
Movie MadnessEpisode 359: Truffaut, Redford and The Fabelmans 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...2023-02-151h 00
Movie MadnessEpisode 357: The Wonderfully Weird With Campbell & Paxton 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 Pete...2023-02-081h 15
Movie MadnessEpisode 355: Virgins, Flesh and TimpanoPeter 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...2023-02-031h 48
Movie MadnessEpisode 352: They Still Live And They Still RuleThe 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 agr...2023-01-191h 06
Movie MadnessEpisode 350: Avoid The Sandpit, It’s A Doozy!The first Blu-ray show of 2023 with Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski brings about a variety of age-old classics to films fresh out of theaters. In-between there are films with early work from Joan Crawford, Matt Damon, Brendan Fraser, Diane Lane and Laura Dern. TV episodes are turned into movies, the bullied let their tormentors be setup for murder and Sonny Chiba is an executioner. Brandi Carlile gets an assist in bringing Tanya Tucker back to the mainstream and then there is a trio of exemplary 4K releases including one from Criterion and Terry Gilliam, a modern classic from Bill...2023-01-111h 31
Movie MadnessEpisode 347: Shall We Play A Blu-ray?Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to close out the Blu-ray & DVD book for 2022 with a number of new titles for your Christmas lists. They include Criterion editions of a Todd Haynes music doc and the Chicago-set inspiration for a memorable TV show. A lot of horror for the holidays recently in theaters along with women warriors and a singing crocodile. Peter looks at a misguided gang film starring, well, you’ll find out. Sony releases a David Cronenberg film in time for its 20th anniversary along with a 4K edition of a terrific Julia Roberts anti-rom-com. There is more 4K...2022-12-172h 01
Movie MadnessEpisode 345: Walter Hill, Meta Blues, Bombs And A ShowerThings get weird on the show this week with a vast array of new Blu-rays to talk about. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again to talk perfect films for the holiday by Bob Clark and Michael Haneke? Things get meta with both Kevin Smith and Nicolas Cage. New Tarantino in 4K and Walter Hill as well gives Peter an opportunity to talk about how he first encountered Roger Ebert. Erik gets to discuss his connection to Dawson’s Creek and you also get a pair of cult comedy classics and a pair of box office bombs in 4K; one of...2022-12-081h 56
Movie MadnessEpisode 343: The Evil That Men And Women DoPeter Sobczynski returns to look at this week’s editions to the physical media calendar with Erik Childress. There’s a film that played at their Chicago Critics Film Festival this year and the one that beat out Reservoir Dogs at Sundance. Kirk Douglas as a detective and Esther Williams out of water. A pair of gory horror entries from Vinegar Syndrome about a guy killing Santa Clauses and a new 4K edition of an infamous horror sequel. Not even a Train To Busan is more horrific than the Charles Bronson film they take a look at. But there are...2022-12-011h 24
Movie MadnessEpisode 341: Blu-Ray Black FridayIt’s the Blu-ray time of the week and Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again to talk a whole bunch of 4Ks for your Black Friday shopping. Take advantage of the Barnes and Noble Criterion sale to grab one of the best films from Pixar and one of the best from Spike Lee. Shout Factory has new editions of genre cult classics from Neil Jordan and Norman Jewison while Vinegar syndrome delivers a 4K of maybe the ultimate cult film. Kino has another Eastwood in 4K and a comic book parody before the Marvel onslaught. Erik goes to bat fo...2022-11-241h 37
Movie MadnessEpisode 339: The Return Of The Blu-RaysSergio Mims and Erik Childress discussed DVDs and Blu-rays for two decades on the radio and on this podcast. To honor his recent untimely passing, we wanted to continue this tradition and shine a light on the world of physical media that he was so passionate in preserving. For that, Erik is joined by Peter Sobczynski of RogerEbert.com to once again bring you all the latest and greatest for your home collection and holiday shopping needs. They talk a number of new 4K releases including an early film from Robert Zemeckis with possibly the greatest commentary track ever...2022-11-191h 44
Movie MadnessEpisode 318: The 2022 Tribeca Film FestivalThis year’s Tribeca Film Festival contained a number of noteworthy documentaries and some new features by rising filmmakers. Erik Childress is joined by Peter Sobczynski to discuss 16 of these films. They include real-life tales about embattled journalists, the effect of COVID on family businesses, historical heroes and modern-day athletes. There are also the latest films from filmmakers such as Travis Stevens (Jakob’s Wife), Alex Thompson (Saint Frances), Alexandre O. Philippe (Memory: The Origins of Alien) and Robert Machoian (The Killing of Two Lovers) as well as upcoming talents like Daniel Antebi, Sophie Gilbert and Alexandria Trewhitt. Erik also...2022-07-131h 01
Movie MadnessEpisode 152: Once Upon a Time…In 1969The 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...2019-07-301h 27
Movie MadnessEpisode 118: Heretic Of The ExorcistJohn Boorman’s Exorcist II has been considered for decades to be one of the worst sequels ever made and by some views one of the worst FILMS ever made. Not so says RogerEbert.com’s Peter Sobczynski who for years has been an ardent defender. He joins Erik Childress on the show to discuss Shout Factory’s new Collector’s Edition as well as its rocky history and The Exorcist series in general. You will also hear William Friedkin tell the story of the first time the film ever screened for the public. This is a public...2018-10-261h 12
Movie MadnessEpisode 69: Best Summer Ever (1984 Edition)The Movie Madness Podcast returns with another edition of the Best Summer Ever. RogerEbert.com’s Peter Sobczynski returns to take us through a mutually-treasured summer involving ghosts, gremlins, video games, buckaroos and some unique movie musicals. Peter and Erik Childress countdown their ten favorite films of the summer and share some lasting memories as well. 0:00:00 – 0:01:26 – Intro 0:01:02 – 1:36:03 – Best Summer Ever (with Peter Sobczynski) 1:36:03 – 1:38:37 – 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.com2017-09-291h 38
Movie MadnessEpisode 57: Sofia the BeguiledSofia Coppola has remade Don Siegel’s 1971 version of The Beguiled in her own image. Is it a fresh feminist take on a harsher male fantasy or has she taken the term neutered to a whole new level? Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to discuss both points of view on this special episode of Movie Madness. 0:00:00 – 0:01:14 – Intro 0:01:14 – 1:12:53 – Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled (with Peter Sobczynski) 1:12:53 – 1:15:18 – Blu-rays with Sergio Mims This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemov...2017-07-101h 15
Movie MadnessEpisode 53: Keep Circulating The MST3KErik Childress is joined by Peter Sobczynski to talk about the return of one of the greatest television shows ever, Mystery Science Theater 3000. They talk about its history and how the new episodes measure up, discuss their favorites and take some time to mourn the loss of Zombie Nightmare co-star and beloved Batman, Mr. Adam West. 0:00:00 – 0:02:16 – Intro 0:01:17 – 0:45:51 – The History of MST3K (with Peter Sobczynski) 0:45:51 – 1:01:55 – RIP Adam West 1:01:56 – 1:11:03 – More MST3K 1:11:04 – 1:13:47 – Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get a...2017-06-161h 13
Movie MadnessEpisode 30: Two Weeks at the Chicago International Film Festival (Part 2)This week we wrap up talk of this year’s CIFF with RogerEbert.com’s Peter Sobczynski after another round of Blu-ray talk with Sergio Mims and a look at the failing autumn box office. Erik Childress looks at the numbers, the festival and begins to gear up for Halloween movie watching. 0:00:00 – 0:02:42 – Intro 0:02:42 – 0:23:20 – Box Office Numbers 0:23:20 – 1:40:42 – Blu-rays with Sergio Mims 1:40:42 – 2:22:43 – Chicago International Film Festival (Part 2) with Peter Sobczynski 2:22:43 – 2:25:35 – Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...2016-10-222h 25
Movie MadnessEpisode 16: Serenity Now, DePalma LaterThis week Erik Childress talks to Peter Sobczynski about the Brian DePalma documentary as well as the retrospective at Chicago's Music Box Theatre. The box office is examined again as well, but not before an examination of the Orlando aftermath. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com2016-06-171h 37