Four Stars: A Chicago Film Podcast

Paco Alvarez and Jeremy Marder

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

  1. 3d ago

    One Last Score: Widows (2018) with filmmaker Caitlyn Johnson

    Jeremy and Paco are joined by filmmaker Caitlyn Johnson to discuss Widows (2018), directed by Steve McQueen. Check out Caitlyn’s newest short film, Candy Girl.  This is the eighth episode in our miniseries, One Last Score, where we're going through different heist and bank robbing movies set in Chicago. The next and final episode in our miniseries will be about⁠⁠⁠ Heist 88.⁠  Art by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Bacon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newest_latest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions, comments, complaints, hate mail, and all other correspondence can be sent to chicagopodfilmcast@gmail.com. Jeremy’s Recommendations Adolescence of Utena (1999) dir. Kunihiko Ikuhara Paco’s Recommendation ⁠The Odyssey (1997) dir. Andrei Konchalovsky Sources and further reading: ‘Widows’ and ‘The Chi’ Found the Secrets of Chicago, Hiding in Plain Sight | Ben Travers, IndieWire‘Widows’ director, cast offer a fresh slant on Chicago, its rich and poor parts | Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-TimesThe Blunt-Force Power of Widows, in One Scene | David Sims, The AtlanticChicago Transportation Infrastructure and Politics Got Their Close-up in “Widows” | John Greenfield, StreetsBlog Chicago“Widows,” shot at Parkway Gardens and Daley’s restaurant debuts this weekend | Chicago CrusaderViola Davis, Gillian Flynn and Steve McQueen enter Chicago underworld with 'Widows' | Michael PhillipsSteve McQueen on Bringing a “Small Element of Chaos” to a Chicago Heist in ‘Widows’ | Caroline Giardina, Hollywood ReporterWidows Director Steve McQueen on Why He Wanted to Adapt a 35-Year-Old TV Series | Sam Adams, SlateSteve McQueen and Viola Davis on Hollywood, Race and Power | Reggie Ugwu, New York TimesDirector Steve McQueen Goes from Art House to Multiplex with Heist Thriller Widows | Nicole Sperling, Vanity FairMaking of ‘Widows’: How Steve McQueen Went Mainstream for a $40M Heist Movie | Kate Kilkenny, Hollywood ReporterSteve McQueen on “Widows”: “It is an emotional awakening for these women” | Andrew O’Hehir, SalonAldermanic privilege steeped in power, politics — and prejudice, critics contend | Mark Brown, Chicago Sun-TimesAldermanic Prerogative Fuels Segregation and Violates Black, Latino Chicagoans’ Civil Rights: Federal Officials | Heather Cherone, WTTWFederal investigation into affordable housing, aldermanic prerogative in Chicago fizzles | Brett Chase, Chicago Sun-Times

  2. Jul 3

    Bearchinski: Poochinski (1990) and The Bear season 5 (2026)

    Jeremy and Paco discuss the event of the summer, the Chicago TV show everyone is talking about: Poochinski, the unsold 1990 NBC pilot starring Peter Boyle about a cop who becomes a dog. And also some show called “The Bear” just released its final season, so they talk about that too.  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: Hunger (2008) dir. Steve McQueen Jeremy’s recommendation: ⁠Materialists (2025) dir. Celine Song (yes, seriously) Sources and further reading: TV`s kind of town | Chicago TribuneThe Inside Story of ‘Poochinski,’ the Sitcom in Which a Dead Cop Is Resurrected into a Crime-Fighting Bulldog | Brian VanHooker, CrackedDunning Discovery | Chicago TribuneAldermen's legal fees debated | R. Gibson, Chicago TribuneKen Griffin pulling Citadel out of Chicago | David Roeder, Chicago Sun-Times

  3. Jun 20

    One Last Score: Dhoom 3 (2013) with journalist Siri Chilukuri

    Jeremy and Paco are joined by journalist Siri Chilukuri to discuss Dhoom 3 (2013), directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, as well as the rest of the Dhoom franchise. Check out Siri’s great reporting on data centers in the Chicago Reader. Siri previously joined us on our second episode ever to discuss My Best Friend’s Wedding. This is the seventh 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 Widows (2018).  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! Jeremy’s Recommendations No Fear, No Die (1990) dir. Claire Denis The Holy Mountain (1973) dir. Alejandro Jodowrosky  Paco’s Recommendation The Odyssey (1968) dir. Franco Rossi Sources and further reading: Taking stock of chicago TV, film | Nina Metz, Chicago TribuneCombating Criminals With Flash | Rachel Saltz, New York TimesChicago River set for Bollywood film | Loop North NewsBanks shed foreclosures, reap benefits: Charities vow to use homes to help poor but often don't deliver. | Jackson, D., & Marx, G., Chicago Tribune

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

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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
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Paco Alvarez and Jeremy Marder
  • Show Website
    Four Stars: A Chicago Film Podcast

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