Jim Laczkowski
@directorsclub.substack.com
Hat-Wearing Librarian (chipublib.org). Podcaster/Writer (directorsclub.substack.com), Film Critic, (chicagofilmcritics.org), (http://linktr.ee/jimlaczkowski). Movies, music, cats, coffee, books, podcasts, libraries!
In one week, a local author event is happening here at the Rogers Park Library. Weds, December 3rd at 6pm, be sure to come out to not only learn more about the talented Sophie Lucido Johnson but to make your own postcard during the interactive workshop! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68da9...
November 25, 2025 at 9:19 PM
In one week, a local author event is happening here at the Rogers Park Library. Weds, December 3rd at 6pm, be sure to come out to not only learn more about the talented Sophie Lucido Johnson but to make your own postcard during the interactive workshop! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68da9...
Sorry folks, no live show from yours truly at my favorite Chicago bar tonight due to recovering from being sick these past nine days. Postponed til February <3
November 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Sorry folks, no live show from yours truly at my favorite Chicago bar tonight due to recovering from being sick these past nine days. Postponed til February <3
I much prefer Wicked Stepmother over the new Wicked movies. Plus I had a great talk with director Larry Cohen both on the podcast and in person. “Bette Davis sure had great eyes,” I said. “Yes. So much so, someone wrote a song about them,” said Larry. One of my favorite people I interviewed.
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 AM
I much prefer Wicked Stepmother over the new Wicked movies. Plus I had a great talk with director Larry Cohen both on the podcast and in person. “Bette Davis sure had great eyes,” I said. “Yes. So much so, someone wrote a song about them,” said Larry. One of my favorite people I interviewed.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Honestly, I would be fine with having a wild winter again. Would rather have this than 90 degree weather any day.
November 21, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I’ll believe it when I see it. Honestly, I would be fine with having a wild winter again. Would rather have this than 90 degree weather any day.
Chicago film critic @petersob13.bsky.social returns to talk about an underrated director, Michael Ritchie, for this month's Director's Club. Listen to us sing the praises of PRIME CUT among others. Also, WTF is THE ISLAND?? This was a blast, a must hear! directorsclub.substack.com/p/michaelrit...
November 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Chicago film critic @petersob13.bsky.social returns to talk about an underrated director, Michael Ritchie, for this month's Director's Club. Listen to us sing the praises of PRIME CUT among others. Also, WTF is THE ISLAND?? This was a blast, a must hear! directorsclub.substack.com/p/michaelrit...
Is it really the northern lights or is it…??
November 12, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Is it really the northern lights or is it…??
The human body during sex: yay, being alive is pretty great!
The human body when sick with a stuffy nose: boo, being alive kinda blows.
The human body when sick with a stuffy nose: boo, being alive kinda blows.
November 12, 2025 at 6:27 AM
The human body during sex: yay, being alive is pretty great!
The human body when sick with a stuffy nose: boo, being alive kinda blows.
The human body when sick with a stuffy nose: boo, being alive kinda blows.
Stopped by Aurora, IL to see what the fuss was about. I did not see Borealis.
November 12, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Stopped by Aurora, IL to see what the fuss was about. I did not see Borealis.
Today in Chicago we have to look out for two very different kinds of ICE.
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Today in Chicago we have to look out for two very different kinds of ICE.
Finally, a no parking sign I can get behind
November 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Finally, a no parking sign I can get behind
The talented and amazing @chloesnotscared.bsky.social a yearly guest on my podcast, now has her own show and its a part of the Now Playing Network. Please welcome NOT SCARED: A HORROR MOVIE PODCAST. Everyone subscribe! Congrats Chloe, loving this pod so far! chloesnotscared.substack.com/podcast
November 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The talented and amazing @chloesnotscared.bsky.social a yearly guest on my podcast, now has her own show and its a part of the Now Playing Network. Please welcome NOT SCARED: A HORROR MOVIE PODCAST. Everyone subscribe! Congrats Chloe, loving this pod so far! chloesnotscared.substack.com/podcast
Much to announce starting w/this bonus podcast that resulted as a marathon we did on Thurs (after a stressful day) thanks to my dear friend Patrick. We binged on the box set of 7 Elm Street films in 4K; after each film recorded our reactions to each experience. directorsclub.substack.com/p/elmstreet
November 1, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Much to announce starting w/this bonus podcast that resulted as a marathon we did on Thurs (after a stressful day) thanks to my dear friend Patrick. We binged on the box set of 7 Elm Street films in 4K; after each film recorded our reactions to each experience. directorsclub.substack.com/p/elmstreet
Happy Halloween from Bob! I really need to charge my phone (if you know, you know). Stay tuned for a really scary bonus Halloween podcast posting tonight too. Stay safe everyone!
October 31, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Happy Halloween from Bob! I really need to charge my phone (if you know, you know). Stay tuned for a really scary bonus Halloween podcast posting tonight too. Stay safe everyone!
Grateful to the Chicago Shorts Fest for hosting a cool event at FACETS and for showing my experimental short film, THE SWITCHING DIVISION. Did my first Q&A, was not prepared to answer questions at all. I had a great time despite being nervous. Now onto a feature film in 2026, so much more to come!
October 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Grateful to the Chicago Shorts Fest for hosting a cool event at FACETS and for showing my experimental short film, THE SWITCHING DIVISION. Did my first Q&A, was not prepared to answer questions at all. I had a great time despite being nervous. Now onto a feature film in 2026, so much more to come!
Well this invite was sent to me last minute. A nice way to spend a Sunday night for sure. Excited to see my film on the big screen over at FACETS tomorrow night after work, yay!
October 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Well this invite was sent to me last minute. A nice way to spend a Sunday night for sure. Excited to see my film on the big screen over at FACETS tomorrow night after work, yay!
What I realize is that my mom never learned to love herself and therefore, has a difficult time loving other women. Or her version of what love is askew/unhealthy. At age 83, there’s no changing that with someone whose mind is both closed & unsound. So conversations become more of an endurance test.
October 24, 2025 at 8:47 PM
What I realize is that my mom never learned to love herself and therefore, has a difficult time loving other women. Or her version of what love is askew/unhealthy. At age 83, there’s no changing that with someone whose mind is both closed & unsound. So conversations become more of an endurance test.
Stoked to share this month’s Director’s Club feat my friend, writer and librarian @chloesnotscared.bsky.social talking about the work of Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Doctor Sleep, and personal fav Hush). Stay tuned for a new episode of B-Side Me later this month! directorsclub.substack.com/p/mikeflanagan
October 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Stoked to share this month’s Director’s Club feat my friend, writer and librarian @chloesnotscared.bsky.social talking about the work of Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Doctor Sleep, and personal fav Hush). Stay tuned for a new episode of B-Side Me later this month! directorsclub.substack.com/p/mikeflanagan
So proud of my fiancee Sharon and her incredible talent as an artist for getting into an art gallery in Chicago! Three times no less!
October 24, 2025 at 3:43 AM
So proud of my fiancee Sharon and her incredible talent as an artist for getting into an art gallery in Chicago! Three times no less!
This level of collective action/defiance against ICE is a refusal to allow our communities to be terrorized. An important narrative of solidarity and resistance is unfolding despite a growing fear of being detained and persecuted. Proud of ALL of the people here in the city of Chicago.
October 22, 2025 at 6:17 PM
This level of collective action/defiance against ICE is a refusal to allow our communities to be terrorized. An important narrative of solidarity and resistance is unfolding despite a growing fear of being detained and persecuted. Proud of ALL of the people here in the city of Chicago.
In the midst of the horrible things going on lately, sad news that is two talk radio legends / podcasters have both called it quits within days of each other. Dr. Demento's last show was Friday, Marc Maron's last WTF podcast airs tomorrow. Grateful for all they've done; inspirational for so many <3
October 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
In the midst of the horrible things going on lately, sad news that is two talk radio legends / podcasters have both called it quits within days of each other. Dr. Demento's last show was Friday, Marc Maron's last WTF podcast airs tomorrow. Grateful for all they've done; inspirational for so many <3
Former co-host Patrick Ripoll returns to the show in addition to guest co-host Bill Ackerman as we all nerd out to talk about One Battle After Another for this bonus conversation! This was such a blast and if you've seen the movie, do listen to this talk! directorsclub.substack.com/p/oboa
October 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Former co-host Patrick Ripoll returns to the show in addition to guest co-host Bill Ackerman as we all nerd out to talk about One Battle After Another for this bonus conversation! This was such a blast and if you've seen the movie, do listen to this talk! directorsclub.substack.com/p/oboa
Time for me to feel better for a couple hours
September 23, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Time for me to feel better for a couple hours
In addition to a new episode of Director's Club, you also get the debut of the spin-off podcast, B-SIDE ME, feat. co-host Sharon Gissy as we take the format of my other show and instead of directors, we discuss music/bands. Check out our first episode here! directorsclub.substack.com/p/smashingpu...
September 22, 2025 at 9:34 PM
In addition to a new episode of Director's Club, you also get the debut of the spin-off podcast, B-SIDE ME, feat. co-host Sharon Gissy as we take the format of my other show and instead of directors, we discuss music/bands. Check out our first episode here! directorsclub.substack.com/p/smashingpu...
We get all kinds of donations at the library including things I’ve never heard of.
September 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
We get all kinds of donations at the library including things I’ve never heard of.
In the midst of a very hectic couple of months I still manage to put together some wonderful programs at the Rogers Park Library here in Chicago that I hope you'll seek out and attend in the next couple of months, particularly this one. Learn all about it: chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68962...
September 11, 2025 at 6:04 PM
In the midst of a very hectic couple of months I still manage to put together some wonderful programs at the Rogers Park Library here in Chicago that I hope you'll seek out and attend in the next couple of months, particularly this one. Learn all about it: chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68962...