2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards Winners

Hosted by Aubrey Plaza, the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards are taking place today on the beach in Santa Monica, just north of the Santa Monica Pier. 2019 Film Independent Spirit Award Winners Best Supporting Male: Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me? Best First Screenplay: Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade John Cassavetes Award: En el Séptimo Día Writer/Director/Producer: Jim McKay Producers: Alex Bach, Lindsey Cordero, Caroline Kaplan, Michael Stipe Bonnie Award: Debra Granik Best International Film: Roma (Mexico), Director: Alfonso…

"2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards Winners"

My Fellow Americans: A Presidential Comedy

My Fellow Americans sees a pair of former presidents on the run when the current administration attempts to cover up previous bribes. Both Jack Lemmon and James Garner have the required chemistry for this presidential buddy comedy.  Even though Lemmon’s sparring partner, Walter Matthau, couldn’t do the project because of health reasons, we’re still able to have a fun time.  With the accent that Dan Aykroyd gives to his William Haney, the Canadian actor has…

"My Fellow Americans: A Presidential Comedy"

The Best of Sundance 2019: Solzy Awards Edition

The 2019 Sundance Film Festival has come and gone but some films and performances have left a lasting impression on my mind. TOP NARRATIVE FEATURES Brittany Runs A Marathon Late Night To The Stars Little Monsters Corporate Animals The Report Greener Grass Blinded by the Light Adam Luce TOP DOCUMENTARIES Apollo 11 Sea of Shadows Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins Stieg Larsson: The Man Who Played With Fire Mike Wallace Is…

"The Best of Sundance 2019: Solzy Awards Edition"

A Star Is Born Now On Digital and Blu-ray

Bradley Cooper’s feature directorial debut, A Star Is Born, knocks it out of the park thanks to a stellar performance from Lady Gaga.  Bring it home today! Following a performance, country rock star Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) hits up whatever establishment he can find for alcohol.  It just so happens that he lands up one bar’s drag performance night.  A former employee, Ally (Lady Gaga) just happens to grace the stage that night.  When Jackson…

"A Star Is Born Now On Digital and Blu-ray"

How To Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World

How To Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World is the rare third film that makes for a fitting conclusion by ending the series on a high note. It’s very rare in which I find myself wanting to cry at the end of a trilogy.  This isn’t so much because I know it’s going to be the end of an era but more so because of how the final scenes are scripted.  The series has…

"How To Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World"

Rendezvous in Chicago: Quite the Ensemble

Michael Glover Smith’s Rendezvous in Chicago has quite the ensemble put together while showing off the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. There’s more to life than just New York and Los Angeles.  It feels like very few studio films have been able to showcase the city of Chicago like it deserves.  This is where indie filmmakers such as Michael Glover Smith are able to step up to the plate.  Smith finds a way to focus on the…

"Rendezvous in Chicago: Quite the Ensemble"

Pinsky: A Comedy Full of Family Drama

Any LGBTQ Jew is going to relate to Pinsky if they have an estranged relationship with a grandparent as a result of coming out. Just like anyone in the LGBTQ Jewish community, this is a film in which I can fully relate to the lead character of Sofia Pinsky.  Sofia has an estranged relationship with her grandmother as a result of coming out.  When the film starts, it had been some three years since the…

"Pinsky: A Comedy Full of Family Drama"

Primary Colors Really Goes For The Satire

Make no mistake that Primary Colors is a satire but the film’s events are rather uncanny when it comes to similarities with the 1992 Bill Clinton campaign. Henry Burton (Adrian Lester) signs on to manage the presidential campaign for Arkansas Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta).  Stanton has this charismatic attitude about the way he walks and talks.  You can’t help but like the guy and want him to win!  Stanton already has a strong team…

"Primary Colors Really Goes For The Satire"

Lincoln: A Film Worthy of President Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln works as well as it does because the Abraham Lincoln biopic chooses to focus on the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. Steven Spielberg is one of America’s greatest directors.  As such it makes perfect sense for Spielberg to direct a biopic of one of the nation’s greatest presidents.  While Tony Kushner’s script could very well focus on Lincoln’s entire life, it would just be too much for one film.  Instead, we get a focus…

"Lincoln: A Film Worthy of President Abraham Lincoln"

Presidents’ Day: Movies To Revisit

Today is Presidents’ Day and there is no better way than to celebrate some of our favorite presidents to have graced the big screen in film. There’s a few films that stand out to me and while some of these haven’t been reviewed on Solzy at the Movies, the day is coming! Dave (1993) I saw this film last year during a 25th anniversary screening in 35mm at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago. …

"Presidents’ Day: Movies To Revisit"