On the latest episode of “The Bad Mutha Film Show” from WHPK Radio (88.5 FM Chicago at the University of Chicago), Sergio Mims and Erik Childress continue to talk about the evolving state of the pandemic and how soon vaccinations will ease people into returning to theaters. When will they be back at full strength? They also talk about some of the actors likely not to be seen on the big screen anytime soon and whether or not they are being directly canceled because of their MAGA ties to Donald Trump. Finally, inspired by a conversation Sergio had online about his thoughts on the film, Hannibal, they discuss films they each consider vile or offensive and whether those are personal feelings or aggressively defined by the films themselves.

For the 200th episode we check in with comic book expert, Erik Laws, who along with Erik Childress take a look back upon a bad year for comic book movies. Pandemic delays did 2020 no favors and the pair did not get a chance to discuss Birds of Prey, Bloodshot, The Old Guard, The New Mutants or Wonder Woman 1984. But they do here and it does not go well for any of them. It even sent Mr. Laws into the archive (and another country) to find something that would hopefully provide some enjoyment. Alas, they do look forward to the releases of 2021 including thoughts on WandaVision, the upcoming She-Hulk series and all the big casting news on the forthcoming Spider-Man film.

The latest film from Warner Bros. may be streaming on HBO MAX, but its not streaming for everyone as we find out from Steve Prokopy who had to leave sole reviewing duties for The Little Things over to Erik Childress. All is not lost though on this week’s movie review show as the duo check out Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes looking for what is buried underneath her property pre-WWII in The Dig. Naomi Watts plays a paralyzed mother who befriends a bird in Penguin Bloom. Justin Timberlake is a man fresh out of prison tasked to take care of a troubled boy in Palmer. Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci are a couple taking maybe the last road trip of their lives in the dementia drama, Supernova.

It may be a limited week of reviews but there are still some choice titles to check out as well as a few to stay away from. Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy look at the latest films from Ramin Bahrani (The White Tiger) and Agnieszka Holland (Spoor). Matthias Schoenaerts & Joel Kinnaman are cousins working within the Philadelphia mob (Brothers by Blood) and the bonds of fathers and sons are tested along the border in No Man’s Land. Frank Oz directs Derek DelGaudio’s one-man show (in & of Itself). Casey Affleck and Dakota Johnson struggle through a cancer battle but are happy to call Jason Segel “Our Friend.” And, finally, the documentary you have been waiting for has arrived about Stallone: Frank, That Is.

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

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

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

Over at “The Bad Mutha Film Show” on WHPK Radio at the University of Chicago, Erik Childress joined Sergio Mims to discuss the implications of the Warner Bros. deal with HBO MAX and the fallout that has already resulted from it. That leads them to wonder about the future of movie theaters and express some optimistic assessments. Sergio is pleased with the direction of recent black cinema as they focus on recent releases One Night in Miami, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Sylvie’s Love and then go back in time to the time of the Production Code and ask if this resulted in filmmakers having to get more creative. Finally, Sergio asks when Hollywood began to take Steven Spielberg seriously?

Along with his contributions to the Movie Madness Podcast, Sergio Mims also hosts “The Bad Mutha Film Show” on WHPK Radio at the University of Chicago. Erik Childress has served as his regular co-host for over a decade and as the pandemic preempted their show, they brought it back virtually in November and this is the first of those shows. They discussed how studios were navigating the COVID era of movie releasing. After having done a tribute to Sean Connery here on the podcast after his death, they discuss how past comments resurfaced to dampen the praise and how it is still possible to accept the good with the bad. Then they take a nostalgic trip to the past with the movie theaters and experiences of their younger years. Where did they go? What did they see? Maybe it will spark some memories with you.

The second of the bi-annual segment makes it just in time as we close out 2020. Erik Childress & Sergio Mims continue to plead for some quality titles – and personal favorites – to finally get the upgrade they deserve. Over the course of this three-hour show they each select 10 titles to put on everyone’s radar. They range from an American remake, two films from the ‘70s that were eventually remade, a film made into a TV show and a TV show made into a movie. There are also films with cops, robbers, Hollywood and other gambles including those of mis-matched love affairs and even a guilty pleasure that may be just a plea from Sergio. Decades are covered with films they do not want forgotten as they languish in their original releases in the hopes to be re-introduced in Blu-ray or better to all of you sooner than later.