The Long-Overdue Solzy Awards for Film in 2015

I never got around to posting The Solzy Awards in 2015 as I was dealing with a lot of shit at the time, mostly coming out as transgender while living under the roof of my in-denial parents.  As 2017 comes to a close, I decided that I should finally get around to posting the awards.  Better late than never, am I right? I didn’t see Star Wars: The Force Awakens under the best of circumstances–major…

"The Long-Overdue Solzy Awards for Film in 2015"

Tangerine: Essential Cinema for 2015

While the year 2015 may have ended with a film starring a cisgender male playing a trans women, there were two films that starred transgender women in leading roles and one of those was Sean Baker’s Tangerine. Baker has this mysterious ability at finding unknowns with the potential for on-screen talent.  He did it with The Florida Project and this was no different with Tangerine with the casting of newcomers Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya…

"Tangerine: Essential Cinema for 2015"

Mr. Roosevelt: A Coming-of-Age Comedy

Mr. Roosevelt is a coming-of-age comedy and depicts what happens when a struggling comedian returns home to Austin to bury her cat. The film marked the directorial debut for Saturday Night Live alumnus Noël Wells.  While SNL may not be for everyone, it doesn’t mean that cast members aren’t allowed be successful following a short stint–look at Casey Wilson, for example.  Wells’ performances in both The Incredible Jessica James and her work on Mr. Roosevelt shows that…

"Mr. Roosevelt: A Coming-of-Age Comedy"

The House is Surprisingly Okay

While it’s no secret that 2017 was a down year for studio comedies, The House was a surprisingly okay film.  This isn’t to say that it’s the best comedy of the year because it’s not but it’s not one of the downright awful films that came in the form of studio comedies this year. The comedy comes from the screenwriting team that wrote both Neighbors, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and Mike and Dave Need Wedding…

"The House is Surprisingly Okay"

Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle: 2017 CIFCC Awards Winners

The 26 film critics and voting members of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle completed their final ballots in 21 categories for their second annual CIFCC Awards. Leading all films with four awards is Get Out from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, including three awards for Jordan Peele and his many hats. A24’s Lady Bird from director Greta Gerwig follows with three wins, including Best Independent Film. Fifteen different films were award winners. In two special award categories, the Trailblazer…

"Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle: 2017 CIFCC Awards Winners"

Aida’s Secrets

Aida’s Secrets is an inspiring true story of two brothers who finally meet after learning of each other’s existence. The year has been a stronger year for Holocaust-related documentaries even as survivors start to pass on.   Aida’s Secrets doesn’t so much focus on reliving the horrors of the Shoah in as much as it focuses on reuniting a family.  The biggest tragedy may very well be that Izak Szewelwicz, sent away to Israel for adoption in…

"Aida’s Secrets"

All the Money in the World helped by Recasting

Against all odds, All the Money in the World was locked on time prior to the December 22nd release date.  The film was pushed back to December 25th because of a crowded field at the box office leading up to the holiday weekend. Make no mistake, director Ridley Scott was quick to recast actor Kevin Spacey with Oscar winner Christopher Plummer, reshoot scenes with Plummer over the course of nine days, and still get the…

"All the Money in the World helped by Recasting"

The Switch’s Amy Fox responds to Pose series order on FX

In October, The Switch series creator, Amy Fox, responded to FX’s initial press release of the transgender talent being cast as series regulars on Pose.  It was officially announced today that FX picked up the Ryan Murphy-created Pose to series. “This is great but Trans people already made a TV series with 5 trans *stars*,” Fox tells Solzy at the Movies in a statement. “The sitcom The Switch broadcast in 2016 and is now on iTunes…

"The Switch’s Amy Fox responds to Pose series order on FX"

The Solzy Awards for 2017

In selecting The Solzy Awards for 2017 in Film, some of the categories were so competitive in which they forced a tie because I wasn’t able to select just one. Rather than select just a top ten, I decided to go for twenty in choosing the Solzy Awards for 2017.  I saw over 250 films this year so limiting my list to just a top ten didn’t seem right because there’s a solid ten films…

"The Solzy Awards for 2017"

Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle: 2017 CIFCC Awards Nominations

Capping off their second year as a recognized awards-voting body, the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, a group which I helped found and participate as a proud member, has announced their nominees for the second annual CIFCC Awards.  The 26 voting members completed ballots with the goal of three final nominees in 21 categories.  They will commence a final round of voting ending on December 29, 2017 with winners announced on December 30, 2017. Leading all films…

"Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle: 2017 CIFCC Awards Nominations"