Film Review: Allied, A Modern Classic Wartime Spy Thriller
Done in a decidedly less flashy style than many of director Robert Zemeckis’ previous works (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, The Walk), his World War II-set Allied successfully manages […]
Film Review: Moana, Warm and Inviting
The latest animated musical from the folks at Walt Disney Animation Studios (Tangled, Frozen) has a great deal going for it. It’s animation style is warm, inviting and features a […]
This Week in Art House Cinema: Christine, Elle, and more
It’s been another solid week of film here in Chicago. The new Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them came out. We found it to be thrilling […]
Film Review: Nocturnal Animals, Absolutely Stunning
After his impressive directing debut A Single Man in 2009, fashion designer Tom Ford’s long awaited return as writer-director, Nocturnal Animals, shows that Ford is not afraid of a complicated, […]
Film Review: The Edge of Seventeen, Effortlessly Smart
If I ever have the pleasure of meeting or speaking with writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig, I’m going to thank her from the bottom of my heart for reminding me of […]
Film Review: Bleed for This, The Story of a Grueling and Hellish Recovery
If it didn’t actually happen, I’m not sure I’d believe it. But there’s a reason that the return to boxing of Vinny Pazienza is known by some as the greatest […]
Film Review: Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Jarring and Almost Senseless
In what is arguably one of the oddest movies you may see all year, Oscar-winning director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; The Ice Storm; Sense and Sensibility; Brokeback Mountain; […]
Film Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, A Thrilling New World That Still Feels Vaguely Familiar
I’m sure admirers of the works of author J.K. Rowling already know this, but it bears repeating: don’t expect backstories and answers to all the questions raised in this first […]
This Week in Art House Cinema: The Eagle Huntress, The Monster and more
The Eagle Huntress From first time feature filmmaker Otto Bell comes the epic and stunningly shot documentary The Eagle Huntress chronicling not only 13-year-old Kazakh girl Aisholpan Nurgaiv’s training […]
Film Review: Loving, Fragile But Strong
If you’re in dire need of a story about how two people instigated a process instigated by their love for one another that literally changed the laws of the land, […]
Film Review: Arrival, A Beautifully Human Story
I’m not sure if Paramount deliberately set the release date for Arrival for the Friday after Election Day, but in so many ways, it makes sense. What happens in the […]
This Week in Art House Cinema: Tower and The Alchemist Cookbook
The big news is that the Cubs won the World Series and the city has been in a state of perpetual hysteria ever since. Earlier this week, we took a […]