Sith Happens (and So Do Mission Briefings)This week, Mike takes us back to 2005 and his brush with cinematic destiny during the theatrical release of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Hear the harrowing (and p...

Ben Affleck is back in The Accountant 2—and CEO Chris Johnson saw it early... with his actual accountant. He joins us to share the hilarious story behind their cinematic tax-season tradition.Meanwhile, Mike continues his Mis...

This week, Mike and Jim return from CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas with fresh takes, sore feet, and a few surprises from the biggest movie industry event of the year. From studio presentations and sneak peeks to standout films that had the whole c...

In this milestone 50th episode of Magic at the Movies, Mike sits down with Randy Pollock (Director of Special Projects) to talk about the upcoming release of The Chosen: The Last Supper. As a devoted fan of The Chosen...

This week on Magic at the Movies, Mike unpacks the high-stakes intensity of Warfare, a gripping new thriller that’s got audiences on the edge of their seats. But the real surprise? Our Classified Cinema pick, The ...

In this week's episode, Mike delves into Steven Soderbergh's illustrious career, sharing personal anecdotes from his time as a projectionist and manager. He explores the evolution of Soderbergh's filmmaking style, from his groundbreaking debut ...

In this episode, Mike chats with fellow colleague, Classic Cinemas Technical Services Expert, Mike Balsamo. Together, they dive into the excitement of our inaugural mystery movie in the Classified Cinema series - Novocaine. This episod...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Jim Toth, Director of Marketing for Classic Cinemas, to unveil an exciting new film series: Classified Cinema. This $6 Monday Mystery Movie event offers audiences the thrill of surprise screenings, wh...

Mike delves into fan mail and discusses Osgood Perkins' upcoming horror-comedy hybrid, The Monkey. Based on Stephen King's short story, this unique film offers a blend of horror and dark humor, taking viewers on a thrilling ride. Mike ...

Mark Mazrimas joins Mike to tackle our one and only piece of fan mail: "Who would be on your Mt. Rushmore of movie directors, and which film best represents them?" The gang dives in with some surprising picks—some you’ll love, some you might de...

Hollywood awards season drama continues as Mike and Mark Mazrimas debate what the top ten Oscar-nominated films should have been. While they find common ground on a few, their lists stray far from the Academy’s choices—so...

Mike welcomes film guru and all-around good guy Mark Mazrimas to dive into the ten 'Best Picture' nominations and share how you can catch up on all ten films—marathon style—at Classic Cinemas. Buckle up as they also tackle fan mail and reveal t...

This week on Magic at the Movies, Mike is joined by Chicago film critic Erik Childress for a lively, laugh-filled conversation about the incredible specialty programming lineup at the Elk Grove Theatre. With films like Carlito's Wa...

Mike dives into our special opportunity to host early screenings of The Brutalist at Classic Cinemas Lake XQ Theatre in Oak Park. In this episode, he shares bold awards predictions and explores the groundbreaking technology behind the ...

So...it's been 30 years since Seven changed the landscape of psychological thrillers with its chilling atmosphere, unforgettable performances, and one of the most shocking endings in film history. Join MIke for the dive deep into the d...

Here at Classic Cinemas, innovation is under construction! Mike sits down with Ed Dobbs, our build-out and construction guru, to talk about the exciting improvements happening behind the scenes at Classic Cinemas—what’s ongoing, what’s a...

Mike grabs some time with Classic Cinemas CEO (and self-proclaimed Chief Popcorn Eater) to dive into the reviews that made us smile in 2024. From heartfelt shoutouts to laugh-out-loud moments, we’re celebrating what makes the movie magic happen...

We call it, "the Concession Session!" Join Mike and his fellow snack enthusiast, Randy Pollock, as they dive into the ultimate movie-going debate: What’s the best snack to munch on when the lights go down? From salty to s...

Mike invites Mark Mazrimas back for a sleigh ride deep into the North Pole of movie selections! Together, they explore the holiday films playing at all Classic Cinemas locations, sharing fun historical anecdotes about programming movies over th...

Excitement is in the air this week with the release of Gladiator II and Wicked, but Mike and Jim can't resist taking a moment to discuss their February 1st — 2025 plans! They’re clearing their schedules for an epic Star Wa...

In this episode, Mike is joined by Angelique Barthel from the Variety Children’s Charity of Illinois to discuss an exciting initiative with Universal Pictures: limited-edition WICKED gold heart pins featuring beloved characters Glinda ...

This episode of Magic at the Movies explores Mike’s take on our extraordinary holiday lineup at the iconic Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. Prepare for an unforgettable season with festive fan favorites like Elf, Miracle o...

Join us as Mike uncovers Robert Zemeckis's vision in the new release Here, where the legendary director reunites with Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and screenwriter Eric Roth to bring this technology-forward, historical fiction soon-to-be-m...

Mike and Jim break down Conclave, the Vatican thriller based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel. This high-stakes drama takes moviegoers inside the secretive world behind Vatican walls, revealing the power plays and politics involved in ele...

In anticipation of the 25th anniversary screening of David Fincher’s Fight Club, Mike takes a deep dive into the film's realistic, story-driven depiction of cinema projection, which plays a key role in the movie's storyline. The discus...