Dec 8, 2025 - Culture

Nick Digilio book reviews 40 years at the movies

Monica Eng

Colorful illustrated calendar with years 1985 and 2024, a pair of eyes with a sunset reflection, vintage microphones, film reel, and camera. Text reads "40 Years, 40 Films by Nick DiGilio." — Image: Courtesy of Eckhartz Press

Veteran Chicago film critics are harder to find these days than single-screen theaters.

But we still have one in Nick Digilio.

Driving the news: The longtime critic, radio host and podcaster has chronicled his four decades in the biz with "40 Years, 40 Films," a new memoir/review collection focusing on one great film from each year.

To celebrate, Digilio and Eckhartz Press are hosting a launch party at 6pm Friday at Kaiser Tiger, 1415 W. Randolph St.

We recently asked him a few questions about the new book:

The inspiration: "My love of movies, and my enjoyment of turning people on to movies they may not have seen ... Also, my girlfriend Julie kicked me in the ass to get this thing going."

What's your hope? "That people enjoy this story of a loud-mouth kid with an obsession for movies and horror who became a successful critic and radio personality simply because of persistence and hard work."

Is this a bathroom book? "Yes, it's perfect for the can. You can read it a year at a time and hop around through time ... or you could read it as a straight biography."

Party poop: Digilio says Friday's event will feature beer, sausage, curling, an author reading, "and I will be thrilled to sign every book in the room ... It's gonna be a GREAT night."

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Nick Digilio book reviews 40 years at the movies

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