Film Review: Struggle, Growth and Dance Own the Spotlight in Polina
I can only imagine what someone who cares passionately about all forms of dance will think of the new French film Polina, from co-directors Valérie Müller (Le monde de Fred) […]
Steve Prokopy is chief film critic for the Chicago-based arts outlet Third Coast Review. For nearly 20 years, he was the Chicago editor for Ain’t It Cool News, where he contributed film reviews and filmmaker/actor interviews under the name “Capone.” Currently, he’s a frequent contributor at /Film (SlashFilm.com) and Backstory Magazine. He is also the public relations director for Chicago's independently owned Music Box Theatre, and holds the position of Vice President for the Chicago Film Critics Association. In addition, he is a programmer for the Chicago Critics Film Festival, which has been one of the city's most anticipated festivals since 2013.
Film Review: Viceroy’s House Recounts History with Grand Scale and Humanity
Clearly a passion project for filmmaker Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Bride & Prejudice), whose family became refugees as a result of the events depicted in this film, Viceroy’s […]
Film Review: Visually Stunning Columbus Captivates with Deep Conversations
Quite often during my first viewing of first-time writer-director Kogonada’s debut feature Columbus, I found myself transfixed, almost not believing that I was watching a film in which the visual […]
Film Review: Maybe Just Stay Home from Home Again
Does being the child of Hollywood royalty count as an excuse to be discontented with your privileged life? This is one of the many non-problems addressed in the new Reese […]
Film Review: The New It is Damn Genius
Whoever came up with the idea to produce a new version of Stephen King’s It (the first for the big screen) 27 years after the original television miniseries is a […]
Film Review: After Love, Stunning Acting, Minimalist Approach
A film so authentic in its portrayal of the slow, painful dissolution of a marriage, France’s After Love takes a fly-on-the-wall approach at observing the emotionally destructive dance taking place […]
Film Review: Temple, an Homage to Japanese Horror Films
Veteran cinematographer-turned-first-time-director Michael Barrett (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and in-demand screenwriter Simon Barrett (You’re Next, The Guest, Blair Witch) combine scary forces with Temple, a U.S.-Japanese co-production that pays homage […]
Film Review: Goon: Last of the Enforcers Retreads Familiar Ice
Some sequels are a natural extension of what has come before. Others are an exercise in assembling nearly all of the cast from the previous film and finding ways to […]
Film Review: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (4K reissue), Director’s Cut, Still Great After All These Years
The film that is opening in the most theaters this week is actually a 40-year-old masterpiece from writer-director Steven Spielberg. I’m not going to spend a lot of time talking […]
Film Review: Sit Up and Take Notice of Indie Thriller Valley of Bones
A little gem of a suspense thriller is being given a limited release this week from director/co-writer Dan Glaser. Although the story is much different than the currently in release […]
Film Review: I Do…Until I Don’t…and Maybe You Shouldn’t, Either
I’m still not entirely sure why writer-director-actor Lake Bell (who last helmed the appealing In A World…) chose the making of a documentary about marriage as the framework for her […]
Film Review: Lakeith Stanfield Stands out in Flawed but Effective Crown Heights
When 18-year-old Colin Warner was arrested for murder in 1980, I’m guessing he believed the truth—and a lack of credible witnesses—would set him free. But the type of shoddy defense […]