Movie Madness

James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 151: WHY IS THIS NOT ON BLU-RAY? (Chapter 3, Part 2)

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.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 150: WHY IS THIS NOT ON BLU-RAY? (Chapter 3, Part 1)

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

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 149: It’s Not You, It’s Us

On the latest Blu-ray edition of the podcast, Erik Childress and Sergio Mims reminisce on some classic TV, their updates and just how many incarnations of the Brady Bunch there were. They also look back on the origins of the Kevin Costner film, No Way Out, some classic sci-fi from Shout Factory and show disdain for the new Pet Sematary remake. But there is also some serious praise a NASA documentary, an animated sequel, a wrenching true-life survival tale and the latest masterwork from Jordan Peele.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 148: Spider-Man Plays People For Fools (Box Office Mini-Episode)

Coming off of the long July 4 holiday week, Erik Childress examines how people getting burned on Toy Story 4 led them to underestimate the chances of Spider-Man: Far From Home; a film he has been saying for weeks was headed for an Avengers bump. Somebody was proven right. As we head into a go-between week at the movies while everyone waits for The Lion King, Erik analyzes the successes of what are likely to be the top two films again this week and delights at the titles most comparable to the responses to Ari Aster’s Midsommar

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 147: This Island Disney

Erik Childress travels back with Sergio Mims to catch up on the releases from Disney this year and has them contemplating the value of their Movie Club where other previously unreleased Blu-rays exist. Then they bring you into the present to look at some newly released classics from Criterion involving music, dance and the Russians. In-between the discussion looks into a pair of cult titles from Shout Factory and the legacy of the sci-fi classic (depending on who you ask) known as This Island Earth.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 146: Toy Story 4 A Disappointment? Don’t Be Dumb (Box Office Mini-Episode)"

Catching up on two weeks worth of box office, Erik Childress examines the re-written headlines after Toy Story 4 did not live up to the guesstimators. Are people now low-balling Spider-Man: Far From Home as a result? He also looks at Danny Boyle’s biggest opener to date as well as how the latest horror remakes and sequels are doing and urges you to check out an original one hitting theaters this summer.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 145: We’re A Long Way From America, Spidey

Comic book expert Erik Laws returns to the podcast to discuss the final chapter of the current phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man: Far From Home. What are the origins of Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio character and how does he fit into Peter Parker’s story? Spoilers are certainly abound in this episode as the Eriks dive deep into the numerous twists and turns of this latest adventure including how such a fun series may have a darker political undercurrent running through it. That leads to some less favorable thoughts about Todd Phillips’ Joker film in what is an otherwise pretty joyful conversation about the direction of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 144: Men In Black Gets The Shaft (Box Office Mini-Episode)

Erik Childress & Sergio Mims bypass all but some fun comparative stats on last week’s box office losers. Then they prepare for Toy Story 4 and Erik goes over his new thinking on Spider-Man: Far From Home and what the re-issue of Avengers: Endgame with new end credit footage will mean for its run at Avatar’s record.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 143: Don’t You Believe It!

Erik Childress and Sergio Mims go into the latest in Blu-rays and DVDs by discussing a film once advertised as one of the scariest movies ever as well as another horror film that was overlooked and is actually much freakier. They also discuss the origin of Batman’s Joker, the “Morgan Fairchild Experience,” two of the great filmmakers in Hal Ashby and Buster Keaton and another who, with only one film, may someday be looked back upon as well.

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James Laczkowski James Laczkowski

Episode 142: Summer Sequels Go Cold (Box Office Mini-Episode)

On this mini-episode of the podcast we check in on the box office. Though The Secret Life of Pets 2 and Dark Phoenix led the way, both could be part of a larger trend of sequel rejection. But is that entirely true or are they just bad? We begin to investigate. Also find out which films they have the most in common with audiences and critics and does Disney have a plan in place for Avengers: Endgame to beat Avatar’s global record?

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