Four Stars: A Chicago Film Podcast

Paco Alvarez and Jeremy Marder
  • 5.0 (12)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Monthly

A podcast about Chicago films, hosted by journalist Paco Alvarez and filmmaker Jeremy Marder.

  1. Jun 5

    One Last Score: Ca$h (2010) with Supporting Actresses host Dane McDonald

    Jeremy and Paco are joined by Dane McDonald, host of Supporting Actresses (FKA Chasing Amy Adams), to discuss Stephen Milburn Anderson’s Ca$h (2010), a movie that’s definitely real. Check out Dane’s wonderful podcast, including Jeremy’s episode on Trouble With The Curve (2012).  This is the sixth episode in our miniseries, One Last Score, where we're going through different heist and bank robbing movies set in Chicago. The next episode in our miniseries will be about Dhoom 3 (2013).  Art by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com. We're recommending stuff at the end of the podcast now! Paco’s recommendation: Union Dues | John Sayles Jeremy’s recommendation: Three Noirs by Jacques Tourneur on the Criterion Channel Sources and further reading: Film, TV flourishing | Chicago Tribune Exclusive Interview With Ca$h Director Stephen Milburn Anderson | Paul Young, Screen RantChicago ‘CA$H’es in on indie film scene | Luke Wilusz, Columbia ChronicleIs a Cinematic New Wave Cresting? | Janet Maslin, New York Times$20 million in loans to felons | Jackson, D., Chase, J., & Gibson, R., Chicago Tribune Giannoulias bank seized | Harry Siegel, Politico

    2h 10m

  2. Jun 2

    Interview with Michael Glover Smith, director of Hekla (2026)

    Jeremy and Paco interview local director Michael Glover Smith about his new film, Hekla. You can catch Hekla, featuring a Q&A with Michael and star/co-writer Elizabeth Stam, at FACETS on June 4 at 7:00PM. Get your tickets here: https://facets.org/programs/hekla/ The NYC premiere will be on June 8 at Spectacle Theater. The West Coast premiere is on June 23 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles during the Dances With Films festival. Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com.

    53 min

  3. May 22

    Go Fish (1994) with Sapphopalooza programmer Elizabeth Arnott

    Jeremy and Paco are joined by Elizabeth Arnott, programmer of Sapphopalooza, to discuss the seminal Go Fish (1994), directed by Rose Troche. You can catch the 4k restoration of Go Fish at the Music Box on May 30, featuring a post-film Q&A with writer/actor Guinevere Turner. And buy tickets to all the other Sapphopalooza films! Art by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com. We're recommending stuff at the end of the podcast now! Paco’s recommendation: Madame de Mauves and Daisy Miller | Henry James Jeremy’s recommendation: Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) dir. Danny Leiner Sources and further reading: Spike, Mike, Slackers & Dykes: A Guided Tour across a Decade of American Independent Cinema | John PiersonThe Art of Angling: The Making of Rose Troche’s Classic Microbudget Lesbian Love Story, Go Fish | Holly Willis, Filmmaker MagazineGo Fish at 30 | Kyle Logan, Chicago ReaderMore Sex, Less Tragedy: Rose Troche on ‘Go Fish’ at 30 | Jim Hemphill, IndieWireCHICAGO DIRECTOR AMONG FIRST TO FEEL GLOW OF SUNDANCE | J. Seigel, Chicago Tribune`GO FISH' CELEBRATES ITS TARGET MARKET | Achy Obejas, Chicago TribuneNEW QUEER CINEMA AND LESBIAN FILMS | Anat Pick in New Queer Cinema: A Critical ReaderNew Queer Cinema: The Director’s Cut | B. Ruby Rich$750,000 Raised For Rosty Defense | Chuck Neubauer M Brown, Chicago Sun-Times Congressman Dan Rostenkowski Is Indicted in House Post Office Scandal | Paul M Klenowski, EBSCO

    1h 33m

  4. May 13

    One Last Score: Public Enemies (2009) with film critic Isaac Feldberg

    Jeremy and Paco are joined by film critic Isaac Feldberg to discuss Michael Mann’s Public Enemies (2009). Check out Isaac’s writing at Letterboxd Journal and RogerEbert.com. This is the fifth episode in our miniseries, One Last Score, where we're going through different heist and bank robbing movies set in Chicago. The next episode in our miniseries will be about Ca$h (2010).  Art by⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com. We're recommending stuff at the end of the podcast now! Paco’s recommendation: Coin Locker Babies | Ryu Murakami Jeremy’s recommendations: Decorado (2025) dir. Alberto Vázquez Charade (1963) dir. Stanley Donen Sources and further reading: Biograph Theater Preliminary Summary of Information submitted to the Commission on Chicago LandmarksMichael Mann: A Contemporary Retrospective⁠ | Jean-Baptiste ThoretPublic Enemies | Bryan BurroughMichael Mann chats with Capone about crime, punishment and PUBLIC ENEMIES!!! | Capone, Ain’t It Cool NewsDillinger Captured by Dogged Filmmaker! | Mark Harris, New York TimesOn the set of "Public Enemies" with Michael Mann and Johnny Depp in Oshkosh | Rod Mellotte, The IsthmusPublic Enemies director Michael Mann shares his favorite Chicago memories | Time OutFilms produce profits for illinois: Filming of movies, TV series yields $141 million in '08 | Bergen, K, Chicago TribuneAccent on experience for cotillard as dillinger's girl | Michael Phillips, Chicago TribuneChicago the epicenter of another film credit | C. Mastony, Chicago TribuneWhose relatives got clouted into U. of I.?: Cases of questionable acceptances show pull of elected officials, Blagojevich contributors | Clair, S. S., & Cohen, J. S., Chicago Tribune

    2h 16m

  5. May 3

    One Last Score: Ocean's Trilogy (2001-2007) and 8 of Diamonds (2006) with the hosts of Music Box and Davis Theater Trivia

    Jeremy and Paco get together a crew consisting of the Trivia Girls (Alex, Carmel, and Kimberly) and Ocean's expert Richa Parikh, to discuss Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven (2001), Ocean's Twelve (2004), and Ocean's Thirteen (2007). Then we head off on our own to talk about Scott Prestin's 8 of Diamonds (2006). Music Box Movie Trivia⁠ is one Sunday a month from 4pm to 6pm in the Music Box Lounge. Reservations are strongly encouraged, but not required. The next trivia date is Sunday, May 17. The Trivia Girls also host trivia at the Davis Theater. The next date is May 10. Check out Alex's last episode with us, where we talked about Primal Fear (1996). This is the fourth episode in our miniseries, One Last Score, where we're going through different heist and bank robbing movies set in Chicago. On our next episode, we'll be returning to Chicago director Michael Mann to discuss 2009's Public Enemies. Art by⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com.

    2h 35m

  6. Apr 19

    Interview with Jared Isaac, director of An Autumn Summer

    Jeremy and Paco interview Jared Isaac, director and writer of An Autumn Summer. An Autumn Summer is having its Chicago premiere on April 23rd at the Music Box, featuring a post-film Q&A with Jared moderated by Joe Swanberg. Buy your tickets here. It was also have a limited theatrical release starting May 1. Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com.

    47 min

  7. Apr 8

    One Last Score: Normal Life (1996) with film writer Daniel Gorman

    Jeremy and Paco are joined by film writer Daniel Gorman to discuss Normal Life (1996), directed by John McNaughton. Check out Daniel’s writing at In Review Online. This is the third episode in our miniseries, One Last Score, where we're going through different heist and bank robbing movies set in Chicago. Our next episode will be about a series of films with at least a scene or two in Chicago – the Ocean’s Trilogy (2001-2007) – and the nearly unknown Eric Roberts vehicle, 8 of Diamonds (2006).   Art by⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com. We're recommending stuff at the end of the podcast now! Paco’s recommendation: J’accuse (1919), dir. Abel Gance Jeremy’s recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠The End of Baseball | Peter Schilling Jr.  Sources and further reading: John McNaughton Interview | The Flashback FilesFrom `normal' to notorious once they were an ordinary suburban couple; now she is dead, and he stands charged of eight bank robberies | Nina Burleigh, Chicago TribuneThey Robbed Banks | Chicago TribuneHoffman Estates, 60195 | Chicago Tribune The ‘Normal Life’ of Maverick Filmmaker John McNaughton | Jim Hemphill, IndieWireCap’n Crunch and the Serial Killer: John McNaughton on His Career | Erik Luers, Filmmaker MagazineDALEY LEFT IN THE DUST IN CITY SCOFFLAW DERBY MAYOR LOSING GAME OF CATCH-UP ON OWN FIELD | Jacquelyn Heard, Chicago TribuneCity owed millions from its own employees, who aren’t being forced to pay up | Tim Novak, Sophie Sherry, Alden Loury, Chicago Sun-Times

    2h 12m

  8. Mar 26

    One Last Score: Thief (1981) with writer Daniella Mazzio

    Jeremy and Paco are joined by culture writer and Hand Me The Mike host Daniella Mazzio to discuss Michael Mann’s Thief (1981). Check out Daniella’s website for her latest writing, and please listen to her excellent Michael Shannon podcast, Hand Me the Mike.  This is the second episode in our miniseries, One Last Score, where we're going through different heist and bank robbing movies set in Chicago. Our next episode will be a film from another Chicago director – John McNaughton’s Normal Life (1996). Art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com. We're recommending stuff at the end of the podcast now! Paco’s recommendation: ⁠Clout City: The Rise and Fall of the Chicago Political Machine | Dominic A. Pacyga Jeremy’s recommendations: ⁠The animated films of Wolfgang Reitherman, especially One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) Sources and further reading: Wool Over Our Eyes: The Enduring Relevance of Michael Mann’s The Insider | Daniella Mazzio, In Review Online Who Will Remember You?: “The Secret Agent” and the Humanities as Resistance | Daniella Mazzio, RogerEbert.com My Money Is Still In Your Pocket: The Death of the American Dream in Michael Mann’s Thief | Sarah Welch-Larson, Bright Wall/Dark Room Michael Mann: A Contemporary Retrospective | Jean-Baptiste Thoret The Home Invaders Confessions Of A Cat Burglar | Frank Hohimer Michael Mann Looks Back on His Career, Talks Innovation, Dialogue, and Diversity | Bilge Ebiri, Vulture Michael Mann’s Thief: James Caan and James Belushi Return to Chicago 40 Years Later | Adam Carston, Andrew Buss, and Michael Roffman, Consequence of Sound The Art of the Steal | Alan Siegel, The RingerMove by Chicago Mayor Is Preceded by Evictions | New York TimesCabrini Green | Ben Austen, Chicago Magazine

    2h 34m
See All (37)

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

A podcast about Chicago films, hosted by journalist Paco Alvarez and filmmaker Jeremy Marder.

Information

  • Creator
    Paco Alvarez and Jeremy Marder
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Paco Alvarez and Jeremy Marder
  • Show Website
    Four Stars: A Chicago Film Podcast

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