My first live podcast recording! Author/film critic/podcaster Nick Digilio sold out the community room at the Rogers Park Branch library in Chicago to talk all about his new book and memoir, 40 YEARS 40 FILMS. I asked questions, played movie clips, celebrated an accomplished Chicago legend that has meant a lot to me in so many ways these past 30+ years. Thank you to Sharon for coming to the rescue by filming the video last minute which you can view at the link below as an alternative to the audio. Oodles of gratitude to all the patrons, fans, friends and CPL staff for their support and accommodation. Huge congrats to Nick for another great success with this book and for the many years of reviewing films with passion! Thanks everyone for listening!

Buy Nick's book: https://eckhartzpress.com/shop/40-years-40-films

Video: https://vimeo.com/jimlaczkowski/nickdlibrary

Be sure to visit: https://nickdigilio.com

Check out my new website: https://jimlaczkowski.net/nickbookbonuspodcast

Do you love physical media and movies? Then you should be following all-things Ryan. I am truly honored to be joined by returning guest and physical media community superhero Ryan Verrill. We discuss the many projects he has in the works while mainly focusing on his latest distribution company, Antenna Releasing. During the 2nd half of the conversation, we also discuss some of his favorite films of 2025!

Per their website, Antenna Releasing is "always looking for exciting new voices in film to champion" and Ryan (along with his two hard-working compadres) are definitely making things happen already with their incredible new endeavor! Thank you so much to Ryan for talking with me on our lunch break and sharing with me all the good news at a time when we need it the most.

Follow Ryan here, there, everywhere!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disc-connected/id1615134944

https://www.youtube.com/c/DiscConnectedMedia

https://www.patreon.com/cw/DiscConnected

https://letterboxd.com/disc_connected

https://www.antennareleasing.com

What a year. Thank God it's over. For a nearly five-hour long conversation among my two dearest friends and fellow podcasters, we reveal 25 our of favorite films of 2025. One of our guests mainly focuses on the horror genre while I decide not to rank the titles and simply list them in alphabetical order. Obviously, my number one is a film we talked about earlier this year in its entirety as a separate bonus episode (below). But there are 24 more films to celebrate as well (many more from my guests too).

Joining me as always are film historian/podcaster/commentator Bill Ackerman (Supporting Characters) and the co-host of 96 Greers and the host of Tracks of the Damned, Patrick Ripoll. We all have opinions, lots of surprises to share and so many titles for you to seek out. I wish I was a bit more enthused about the year in film but I am very happy to share 25 titles that I certainly think are well worth your time. Hoping you feel this episode is also worth your time! And so grateful to my two passionate cinephiles for returning to nerd out on New Year's Day!

Special thanks to guest contributor and friend Chloe Waryan (of Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast) for sharing her picks at around the 18 minute mark too!

Follow Bill: Supporting Characters

Follow Patrick: 96 Greers // Tracks of the Damned

Listen To Us Discuss One Battle After Another: My Favorite Film of 2025

Other Year-End Episodes From Previous Guests I Recommend:

The Nick D Podcast

Genre Grinder

Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast