Magic at the Movies

112: Spielbracket - The BEST Spielberg movie ever?!

Contact the Show! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2335474/fan_mail/new] With Disclosure Day now in theatres, host, programmer, cinemaniac, and mad scientist inventor Dr. Mike Schindler unveiled his latest creation: Spielbracket.  Assisted by laboratory assistants (and occasional test subjects) Jim and Randy, Mike has devised a single-elimination tournament to determine the greatest Steven Spielberg film of all time. Will Jaws bite its way to the top? Will Raiders of the Lost Ark crack the whip on the competition? Or will a dark (war) horse emerge from the shadows? Play along at home: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZbEk9DDwtM/ [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZbEk9DDwtM/] Then see the Spielberg film everyone is talking about, Disclosure Day, now invading all Classic Cinemas locations.

111: A Critics’ Roundtable

Contact the Show! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2335474/fan_mail/new] Mike sits down with longtime Chicago film critic Nick Digilio for a wide-ranging conversation that clicks along with the easy rhythm of a film projector! Two seasoned movie minds trading ideas, comparisons, and the occasional spirited disagreement. Together they explore the current slate of upcoming releases, revisit horror milestones, and dig into classic films from years past, with a particular focus on the evolving legacy of Michael Bay and what his style has meant...differently to each of them! The conversation also highlights Nick’s monthly Classic Cinemas series at the Lake Theatre in Oak Park, where curated films are paired with lively post-screening discussions that keep the conversation going long after the credits roll. One fun Wednesday per month. Smart, engaging, and grounded in real film knowledge, this episode feels like a long drive through cinema history with two people who may not always agree—but always have something worth saying.

110: Backrooms!

Contact the Show! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2335474/fan_mail/new] Mike sat down with Jim to talk about this week’s out-of-nowhere phenomenon, BACKROOMS. As they dissect their experiences with the film, they also dive into the growing wave of YouTube creators making the leap from phones and home screens to giant cinema auditoriums. Is this the new guard of filmmaking? Join the conversation as they explore the future of creator-driven movies and everything playing at Classic Cinemas this week.

109: Summer Movies 2026

Contact the Show! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2335474/fan_mail/new] Mike and Mark take a long walk through the absolutely packed Summer 2026 movie slate… and there are plenty of stops along the way. From meaningful conversations about Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Pixar’s Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, to side quests involving Power Ballad, Scary Movie, The Death of Robin Hood, Jackass, and Masters of the Universe… this episode is a full-scale tour through one of the most diverse summers in moviegoing history. The best part? Summer 2026 truly looks to have a little something… and probably several somethings… for EVERYONE.

108: My First Star Wars Movie Moment!

Contact the Show! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2335474/fan_mail/new] We know a thing or two about first movies. We’re lucky enough to see them happen every day. 🍿 And when a Star Wars movie arrives in theatres, it creates a whole new generation of “FSWM” moments… First Star Wars Movie. On the latest Magic at the Movies podcast, Mike gathers the available (and opinionated) Classic Cinemas home office staff to answer one of the great moviegoing questions: “What was your first Star Wars movie in the theatre?” The answers are nostalgic, funny, and maybe a little foreshadowing for the young fans about to discover the galaxy far, far away through The Mandalorian and Grogu. Playing this weekend at ALL Classic Cinemas locations. 🌌