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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 cinema forever. This episode dives into movie history, family legacy, and why Jaws still has the power to pull us all back into the water (and we cover Randy's missed birthday.)

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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 right in Freeport!

Tune in for stories, laughter, and a celebration of cinema that’s as timeless as the Lindo itself.

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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 After Another.

Along the way, Magnolia becomes the pivot point for a surprising leap into last week’s breakout hit Weapons, sparking unexpected genre-spanning connections. True to form, Mike serves up sharp insights, playful tangents, and a few outrageous promises about what happens if Bring It On sells out (consider this your official warning).

Stay tuned — the PT Anderson streak is just getting started.

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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 the perfect pick for your end-of-summer watchlist. Mark your calendars 2;17PM first showtimes, everywhere! (except Paramount*, but at Meadowview)

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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.

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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.

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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 this week’s buzz is about the Man of Steel soaring across the big screen. Superman is playing now—and it’s a perfect fit for our XQ/GDX auditoriums (where available). 🦸‍♂️🎥

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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.

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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 ones making noise in the auditorium. Then things take a strange, very domestic turn as Mike and Jim swap stories about their cats’ baffling home habits — including an obsession with licking plastic and a deeply concerning taste for cardboard. It’s dinosaurs, drama, and inexplicable feline behavior... all in one episode.

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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 miss!