Taking advantage of blind casting, Rogers Park is a family affair that puts the spotlight on the Chicago neighborhood of the same name. Directed by Kyle Henry from a screenplay written by Carlos Treviño, the Chicago-set film stars Antoine McKay, Sara Sevigny, Jonny Mars, and Christine Horn. All four of the leading characters have their own issues in the film. Zeke (McKay) is dealing with financial issues of his own and doesn’t want to let his wife,…
"Rogers Park: A Family Affair on the North Side"Month: February 2018
Being a Kentucky native, NEAT: The Story of Bourbon is a film that’s after my own heart. Narrated and directed by documentary filmmaker David Altrogge, the intriguing documentary does exactly what it promises by giving us the story of bourbon. Among the many people interviewed include Steve Zahn, an actor who also doubles as a bourbon distiller. The film also features the first female master distiller since prohibition, Marianne Barnes. A Kentucky native, she is…
"NEAT: The Story of Bourbon – A Film After My Own Heart"
To put it in simple terms, Half Magic is a very feminist comedy about sex. Written and directed by Heather Graham, the film stars Graham, Angela Kinsey, Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Lennon, Luke Arnold, Jason Lewis, Alex Beh, Michael Aronov, Molly Shannon, Rhea Perlman, and Chris D’Elia. Honey (Graham) is an aspiring writer and she’s at a complete standstill in both her personal and provate lives. Tormented since she was ten years old by the words preached by Father…
"Half Magic: A Very Feminist Comedy About Sex"
Dave is able to hold up so well 25 years after it’s release because of such a strong performance by Kevin Kline. Ivan Reitman followed his 1980s successes by directing the political comedy from Gary Ross’ hilariously written screenplay. There are so few political comedies that can work in a way that the script does. Could the Oscar-nominated screenplay be written today and still appeal to movie going audiences? I’d like to think so. A…
"Dave: The President We Need Right Now"
Red Sparrow may be a thriller but despite Jennifer Lawrence’s best effort, the film isn’t quite at the same level as the espionage thrillers that have come before. What’s truly a disappointment is how the film uses rape as a plot device. Directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay written by Justin Haythe, the film is based on the book of the same name by veteran CIA officer Jason Matthews. The three-time Hunger Games director reunites…
"Red Sparrow: Jennifer Lawrence’s effort isn’t enough"
To put it in simple terms, Black Panther is one of the best Marvel films ever. The Black Panther character screamed for a movie iteration ever since he debuted in comic book form in Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #52 (1966). Ryan Coogler, who broke out with the Sundance-winning Fruitvale Station in 2013, is onto a heck of a start to his filmmaking career with three critically acclaimed films. Not many filmmakers can have as successful of…
"Black Panther: One of the Best Marvel Films Ever"
For the Love of George may be a romantic comedy but the film is one that also reminds us that we should never have to give up on happiness in the pursuit of a significant other. Directed by Maria Burton, the female-empowered comedy stars Nadia Jordan, Rex Lee, Kristen Johnston, Shaun Sipos, Petra Bryant, Ruth Connell, Marina Sirtis, Henry Hereford, with Rosanna Arquette, and Tate Donovan. Poppy Wakefield (Jordan) is a woman who is obsessed with…
"For the Love of George: A Female-Empowered Comedy"
The Boy Downstairs isn’t the typical New York-set romantic comedy but comes across as more of a character study. Written and directed by Sophie Brooks, the film stars Zosia Mamet, Matthew Shear, Deirdre O’Connell, Sarah Ramos, and Diana Irvine. After living in London for three years, Diana (Mamet) has moved back to New York City. Moving quickly into an apartment in Brooklyn, Diana soon discovers what could be anyone’s worst fear: her ex-boyfriend, Ben (Shear) lives in…
"The Boy Downstairs: A Character Study in Romance"
Wizard World, Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment have announced a team-up in order to discover, develop, and incubate new intellectual properties. What this means is that it is good news for the artists and comic creators who frequent Artist Alley by renting tables at Wizard World conventions across the United States. With Marvel and DC having ready-made content at the ready for Disney and Warner Brothers Pictures, this helps Sony Pictures in hoping to level…
"Wizard World, Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment team up"
Cool Runnings is able to defy everything formulaic about sports movies and manages to rise up as a crowd-pleasing comedy. Directed by Jon Turteltaub from a script written by Lynn Siefert and Tommy Swerdlow & Michael Goldberg, the film stars Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Davis, Malik Yoba, and John Candy. Interestingly enough, none of the four actors starring as the Jamaican bobsled team are even from Jamaica. Three are from America and Lewis is said…
"Cool Runnings: Get On Up, It’s Bobsled Time!"