Peter Sobczynski returns to offer up some of this week’s Blu-ray offerings with Erik Childress. They include Alex Cox’s cult classic debut, the role that Gregory Peck was not crazy about and one of the enduring baseball classics getting an upgrade. There is also Brigitte Bardot, Margot Robbie and a Woman from a Lucky McKee film that you do not want to mess with. Speaking of which there is also a ghostly horror film worth rediscovering and the ‘80s ick fest involving Michael Caine and his best friend’s daughter.

The Movie Madness Podcast is celebrating its 500^th episode with a conversation 20 years in the making. Erik Childress has had many conversations with his guest over the years, but this one is a look back at where Nick Digilio and him were in their lives in 2004 when they, respectively, named Sideways and Garden State as their favorite films of that year. They talk about why those films were so personal to them, almost exactly ten years apart in their respective ages, at the time and if revisiting them two decades later is the same experience. The conversation veers into personal struggles, “manic pixie dream girls”, lost opportunities and soundtracks.

As the summer ends with a bit of a whimper, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy delve into eight films and try to find something worth your time. The director of Backcountry goes back into the woods with Missy Peregrym to face a different threat (Out Come the Wolves) while the filmmakers behind Howards End and The Remains of the Day get a documentary in their honor (Merchant Ivory). Tyrese Gibson gets caught up in a heist during the Rodney King riots (1992) and Lee Daniels takes Andra Day through an exorcism (The Deliverance). Naomie Harris and Natalie Dormer plot a murder (The Wasp) and Casey Affleck tries to keep his sanity in space (Slingshot). Finally, John Cho discovers a new AI is dangerous (AfrAId) and Dennis Quaid and the director of 3 Ninjas: High Noon At Mega Mountain give Republicans a greatest hits tale about their God (Reagan).

Pretty big week on the physical media front as Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to spark your blu-ray budget. It’s always a cause for celebration when Albert Brooks can go from DVD straight to 4K and Criterion has a pair of his films for you. Not to mention an upgrade on a film that Brooks should have been nominated for. Robert Rodriguez’s Mariachi films also get the upgrade as does one of Robert Altman’s less-discussed ‘70s crime films. There are arcane French narratives, an early Philip Kaufmann film, one of Jean Claude Van Damme’s better efforts and a barrage of eco-horror the likes of which you have never seen or may even want to see. Yeah, you want to see them.

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have eight movie reviews for you including two from their fest coverage the past year. Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane star in a Sundance fave (Between the Temples) and a game of cat-and-mouse between a serial killer and their prey that debuted at Fantastic Fest in 2023 (Strange Darling). Also on tap are three lifelong friends and the hardships they endure over a lifetime (The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can Eat) while a small town turns to crime over a pile of money (Greedy People). The Adams Family is back with their latest horror offering (Hell Hole) while John Woo remakes one of his all-time classics (The Killer) and Bill Skarsgard steps into the role made infamous by Brandon Lee (The Crow). Finally, Zoe Kravitz makes her directorial debut with an island party that some will want to forget (Blink Twice).

Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress again to talk physical media. This week you can go an early, personal work from Martha Coolidge and the debut western from Robert Benton. They talk thrillers that were ultimately remade with Amber Heard and Josh Hartnett plus the baffling dark comedy from Danny DeVito. Generational favorites range from an animated film from the ‘80s and a teen comedy from the ‘90s, but also don’t forget one of the great conspiracy films of the ’70s with some timely real-world publicity. Wes Craven delivers one of his leanest thrillers and Michael Ritchie has, arguably, the most messed up film of his career with Lee Marvin up against Gene Hackman.

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy have ten reviews this week including going back into the archive to check out a new version of an infamous epic (Caligula: The Ultimate Cut). Jean Reno gets a special visitor (My Penguin Friend) and a mother must protect her child from a creature and Devon Sawa (Consumed). Eliot Page is reluctant to return home after embracing his identity (Close to You) and Neil Marshall keeps making movies with Charlotte Kirk (Duchess). Elizabeth Banks has internet problems in Hollywood (Skincare) while Halle Berry montages Mark Wahlberg into being a secret agent (The Union). One of the best documentaries of the year from Sundance debuts on Netflix (Daughters) while Awkwafina and John Cena are hunted – but in a funny way – after winning the lottery (Jackpot). Finally, has a 45 year old franchise delivered its best film in decades (Alien: Romulus)? Erik and Steve weigh in with their thoughts.

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 Stooges collection. (Find out who their favorite Stooges are.) Plus, another week, another Chuck Norris. And this time one of the better ones.

After a three-week hiatus involving vacations and other commitments, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are back on the weekly movie review stint. Naturally they begin with a film they reviewed at Sundance eight months ago but with good reason for reminder cause the title says it all (Good One). Steve looks at a film about Samuel Beckett (Dance First) and Erik handles a biopic of Milli Vanilli (Girl You Know It’s True). Matt Damon and Casey Affleck try to rob a corrupt politician (The Instigators) and Hunter Schafer tries to solve the weird goings-on at a secluded resort (Cuckoo). Erik offers his thoughts on Blake Lively and the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel about abuse (It Ends With Us) and the pair get their eyes on Eli Roth’s three-year-old video game adaptation (Borderlands).

Films are getting the 4K upgrade this week on the physical media show. Peter Sobczynski joins Erik Childress to talk about why Orson Welles made his fourth film along with the great fun of Run Lola Run. Perhaps the craziest tales are reserved for what became and almost became of one of Chuck Norris’ mid-80s Cannon fodder. There’s also a little Gucci, a little Lasso, some Babes and a breakdown of one of the most unlikeliest trilogies ever from its subject matter, its sweet endurance and ingenuity and how all of them seem to have barely gotten released.