Magic at the Movies

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/b0/c9/5a/b0c95a2f-95a7-154e-2a3d-b796fbafb6de/mza_7751726707511890946.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Magic at the Movies

Classic Cinemas

79 episodes

4 days ago

Send us a text Filling in for Mike, Mark Mazrimas welcomes Classic Cinemas CEO/CPE Chris Johnson for a lively conversation about Springsteen: Deliver Me to Nowhere and the decades of music biopics that paved the way. From the lip-syncing legends of the ’80s to today’s actors who master the vocals and guitar riffs of their heroes, the music biopic has become a powerful way to rediscover the artists who shaped generations. Whether it’s Springsteen, Queen, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, or Bob Dy...

Show more...

All content for Magic at the Movies is the property of Classic Cinemas and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send us a text Filling in for Mike, Mark Mazrimas welcomes Classic Cinemas CEO/CPE Chris Johnson for a lively conversation about Springsteen: Deliver Me to Nowhere and the decades of music biopics that paved the way. From the lip-syncing legends of the ’80s to today’s actors who master the vocals and guitar riffs of their heroes, the music biopic has become a powerful way to rediscover the artists who shaped generations. Whether it’s Springsteen, Queen, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, or Bob Dy...

Show more...

Episodes (20/79)

Magic at the Movies

79: The Evolution of the Music Biopic

Send us a text Filling in for Mike, Mark Mazrimas welcomes Classic Cinemas CEO/CPE Chris Johnson for a lively conversation about Springsteen: Deliver Me to Nowhere and the decades of music biopics that paved the way. From the lip-syncing legends of the ’80s to today’s actors who master the vocals and guitar riffs of their heroes, the music biopic has become a powerful way to rediscover the artists who shaped generations. Whether it’s Springsteen, Queen, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, or Bob Dy...

4 days ago

33 minutes

Magic at the Movies

78: The History of Movie Trailers

Send us a text Mark and Randy take over the mic for a deep dive into the evolution of movie trailers — from the shocking suspense of Psycho to the blockbuster buzz of Jaws and Alien. They rewind all the way to Citizen Kane and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, celebrate the charm of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and even trace the birth of the post-credit teaser. It’s a fun, fast-paced trip through decades of hype, horror, and Hollywood history.

1 week ago

35 minutes

Magic at the Movies

77: Celebrating Diane Keaton

Send us a text Join Mike and special guest hosts Randy Pollock and Mark Mazrimas as they revisit the extraordinary career of Diane Keaton—actress, director, and trailblazer. From the neurotic charm of Annie Hall to the fearless authenticity of her later roles, this retrospective celebrates how Keaton redefined what it meant to be a leading lady—and became a lasting role model for the modern woman in Hollywood.

2 weeks ago

36 minutes

Magic at the Movies

76: The History of the Jump Scare!

Send us a text Mike may be out this week, but we’ve got a killer duo stepping in! Mark Mazrimas and his daughter Sara Frandsen join Magic at the Movies to celebrate Halloween — and spotlight some of the creepy programming Mike lined up for the season. Together they dive into the history of the jump scare, from classics like House on Haunted Hill and Wait Until Dark to modern chillers like Smile, It Follows, and Carrie. 🎃 Spoilers be damned, we’re unpacking the best shocks, shrieks, and perfec...

3 weeks ago

32 minutes

Magic at the Movies

75: 23 Screams Before Halloween

Send us a text Classic monsters, cult favorites, and fresh frights — this year’s Halloween lineup at Classic Cinemas has it all. With Fright Night, Carrie, and John Carpenter’s Halloween side by side with modern chills like Shaun of the Dead, Donnie Darko, and The Black Phone 2, there’s a scare for every taste. And yes, we’re even closing the season with a Twilight Saga marathon that runs right through Halloween night. Mike guides us through the maze of movies, dates, and locations so you can...

1 month ago

22 minutes

Magic at the Movies

74: The Redford Retrospective

Send us a text Film lover Mark Mazrimas joins Mike to reflect on Robert Redford’s remarkable contributions to cinema. From iconic performances to the founding of Sundance, Redford’s influence runs deep. Mark also shares a personal memory from his early days at Classic Cinemas and the special connection founder Willis Johnson had to a Sydney Pollock–directed Redford film. Thanks, Robert Redford — in our eyes, you changed cinema and left it in a way better place than you found it.

1 month ago

31 minutes

Magic at the Movies

73: Are These TDs or Fumbles?!

Send us a text With fall in the air in Chicagoland—and that unmistakable combo of pigskin and melted cheese—our movie crew dives into the best football films across the generations. Will you be celebrating with an end zone dance, or throwing a challenge flag? Mike and his guest Randy Pollock break down this week’s new releases—Jordan Peele’s HIM and Angel Studios’ The Senior—and see how they measure up against all-time classics like Heaven Can Wait, The Blind Side, and Jerry Maguire. Huddle u...

1 month ago

25 minutes

Magic at the Movies

72: Fan Mail and Fanboying

Send us a text This week, Mike cracks open a listener letter from Nigel and somehow spins it into a full-blown PT Anderson appreciation hour. From Magnolia to Punch-Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood to The Master, Mike gushes over the brilliance of Anderson’s canon while tying it all back to our most-anticipated release, One Battle After Another. And because it’s Mike, the journey also detours through a story about seeing Shrek the Third at the Cinerama Dome in LA. Only Mike Schindler, and only...

1 month ago

19 minutes

Magic at the Movies

71: Top 10 Wedding Movies

Send us a text Randy and Mike are back together again, and this time they’re tackling the pop culture earthquake of the moment: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s surprise engagement announcement. Naturally, they celebrate the news the only way they know how—by cobbling together a “Top 10” list of wedding films. The catch? Their so-called top ten somehow comes up one short, thanks to a few questionable examples and Randy’s deep dive into cinematic history. While Randy dusts off classic titles th...

2 months ago

28 minutes

Magic at the Movies

70: Jaws is Back!

Send us a text On the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, Mike sits down with longtime theatre enthusiast and Classic Cinemas’ own Director of Special Operations, Randy Pollock. Randy takes us back to 1975, when he first experienced Jaws as a 15-year-old employee working at his father’s theatre. From the rush of that opening weekend to the way the film redefined summer blockbusters, Randy reflects on the thrill of seeing audiences jump, scream, and cheer at a movie that changed cinem...

2 months ago

20 minutes

Magic at the Movies

69: The Reel Educators of Freeport Illinois

Send us a text This week, Mike sits down with Ed Finch and Alan Wenzel—two retired educators from Stephenson County who’ve devoted every waking hour to their lifelong passion: movies. For nearly 20 years, they’ve hosted beloved film series at Classic Cinemas Lindo Theatre in Freeport, IL, and they’re taking us on a memory lane tour of their favorite highlights. Ever wonder why it’s called the Lindo? Turns out, it’s a mashup of Lincoln and Douglas, paying tribute to the famous debates held rig...

2 months ago

34 minutes

Magic at the Movies

68: BRING IT ON... MAGNOLIA!

Send us a text Mike kicks off this week’s show with a spirited look at the brand-new 4K re-release of the Kirsten Dunst cheerleading classic Bring It On — complete with personal stories from his first viewing and a rallying cry for why it still wins over crowds today. From there, he flips into Yes Man with Jim Carrey, then sticks the landing with Magnolia, the third act in his ongoing Paul Thomas Anderson deep dive that will march straight through to the September 26 launch of One Battle Afte...

2 months ago

18 minutes

Magic at the Movies

67: Weapons – The Explosive End to Summer Movies

Send us a text Mike’s calling it now—Weapons is the ultimate way to send summer out with a bang, and (in his words) the best movie of the year… so far. From the first scene, it had him hooked, blending nail-biting suspense with moments that made him jump (more than he’d like to admit) with performances that left you with plenty to "think about." In this episode, Mike breaks down why this thriller hits so hard, whiy the film making stuck with him long after he left the theatre, and why it’s th...

2 months ago

9 minutes

Magic at the Movies

66: Look Ahead: Avatar, Look Back: Boogie Nights

Send us a text This week, Mike breaks down the newly released trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash, James Cameron’s long-awaited return to Pandora—debuting in front of Fantastic Four this week at theatres. Then it’s time to crank up the disco and dive deep into Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights. As we wait for PTA’s next film, One Battle After Another, Mike revisits the film that made Dirk Diggler a legend—and changed '90s cinema for good. From Pandora to porn stardom, it’s a wild ride.

3 months ago

15 minutes

Magic at the Movies

65: Together and Hard Eight

Send us a text With Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another on the horizon, Mike kicks off a weekly retrospective covering each PTA film leading up to its release. First up: Hard Eight—a deep dive into Anderson’s understated debut, the performances that anchor it, and the themes that would define his future work. Plus, a look ahead at Together, the buzzworthy body horror sleeper opening early next week at Classic Cinemas. Tickets for everything right here.

3 months ago

14 minutes

Magic at the Movies

64: Mike's "Man on the Street" Interviews

Send us a text Inspired by Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane, Mike grabs the field recorder and hits the hallways of Classic Cinemas’ Home Office! With press-pass energy and a nose for news, he checks in with the corporate team to find out what they’ve been watching at their favorite Classic Cinemas locations —complete with shout-outs to the standout guest service at their favorite Classic Cinemas locations. It’s a fun, fly-on-the-wall look at the moviegoers behind the curtain. And of course, much of...

3 months ago

11 minutes

Magic at the Movies

63: The 100 Greatest Films of All Time

Send us a text Mike and self-proclaimed film buff “Movie” Mark Mazrimus take on the New York Times’ Top 100 Films of All Time—one cinematic battle at a time. Some picks you’ll cheer, others you’ll boo, but either way, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of a knock-down, drag-out debate about what deserves to rise (or fall) on the list. Whether you're a casual moviegoer or a full-on film geek, you're invited to the fight.

4 months ago

39 minutes

Magic at the Movies

62: A Dino-Sized Classified Cinema

Send us a text Mike and Jim talk about the 'dinosaur in the auditorium' as Jurassic World: Rebirth stomped into eight of our locations early—thanks to our popular Monday mystery movie series, Classified Cinema. Hear what audiences thought of this early screening of what’s sure to be a summer blockbuster. You’ll also hear real exit poll reactions from moviegoers who got an early look at Jurassic World: Rebirth during our June 23 Classified Cinema debut — spoiler: the dinos weren’t the only one...

4 months ago

19 minutes

Magic at the Movies

61: Blade and other Comic Book Movie Nostalgia

Send us a text In this week’s episode, Mike takes a fun and nostalgic look back at the 1998 cult favorite Blade, ahead of Saturday’s Smash Cut Cinema Series screening. With a blend of humor and reflection, he revisits Wesley Snipes' unforgettable turn as the half-vampire, half-human daywalker that helped redefine superhero films. Plus, he gives a quick preview of today’s new releases: Pixar’s Elio and the long-awaited 28 Years Later — both now playing. It’s a packed episode you won’t want to ...

4 months ago

14 minutes

Magic at the Movies

EP 60: Materialists & Batman Begins: Bachelorhood in the Big City

Send us a text What do a brooding billionaire vigilante and a charming, commitment-phobic romantic lead have in common? More than you’d expect. In this episode, Mike pokes at the surprising parallels between Materialists, a sharp romantic comedy set in the world of NYC’s dating scene, and Batman Begins, the shadowy reboot that gave us a darker Bruce Wayne. From penthouses to personal demons, Mike explores how both stories wrestle with identity, responsibility, and the complicated lives of wea...

4 months ago

19 minutes