A Whole New World of Alan Menken rocks Chicago

Disney Legend Alan Menken took to the stage of the Auditorium Theatre in the Chicago Loop to perform A Whole New World of Alan Menken. If you’re like me, Alan Menken was a large part of your childhood.  After all, Menken would write for so many Disney films!  I couldn’t even begin to choose my favorite Menken song because there are way too many of them.  This truly speaks to his legacy with having written…

"A Whole New World of Alan Menken rocks Chicago"

SXSW 2019: Kelly O’Sullivan talks Saint Frances

One day following the world premiere at SXSW, writer-actress Kelly O’Sullivan spoke to Solzy at the Movies about the crowd-pleasing Saint Frances. Unfortunately, Saint Frances director Alex Thompson wasn’t able to make the interview because of complications with parking in Austin.  It was a thrill to attend the world premiere and be able to support Chicago filmmakers on the ground during the SXSW Film Festival. How did you come up with the idea for Saint…

"SXSW 2019: Kelly O’Sullivan talks Saint Frances"

SXSW 2019: Flavio Alves, Carlie Guevara talk The Garden Left Behind

Director Flavio Alves and actress Carlie Guevara joined Solzy at the Movies to discuss The Garden Left Behind during the 2019 SXSW Film Festival. This interview got a bit crazy.  Not in a bad way mind you but more so because a fire alarm went off while it was taking place.  This was definitely a first to say the least.  Anyway, we did the final minutes of this interview outside of the hotel.  I would…

"SXSW 2019: Flavio Alves, Carlie Guevara talk The Garden Left Behind"

The Brink follows Trump strategist Steve Bannon

The Brink takes a vérité approach in following ousted Trump strategist Steve Bannon in his attempts to unite far-right parties in Europe. When Steve Bannon left his post after the Charlottesville incident, he decided to take his message on a global tour.  Unbeknownst to him, his approach of nationalism turns into an anti-globalist message while touring Europe.  Furthermore, this is a man who clearly has no idea what it means to dog-whistle anti-Semitism.  I’m glad…

"The Brink follows Trump strategist Steve Bannon"

Aaron Kunkel, Lance Bass talk The Boy Band Con

During the 2019 SXSW Film Festival, director Aaron Kunkel and fomer N’SYNC singer Lance Bass spoke to Solzy at the Movies about The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story. How honored are you to premiere The Boy Band Con at SXSW? Lance Bass:  So honored.  I’ve always been obsessed with this festival.  I’ve never been able to come to it because I told myself I will never go to SXSW until I have a film…

"Aaron Kunkel, Lance Bass talk The Boy Band Con"

The Highwaymen doesn’t rise up

The Highwaymen tells the story of Bonnie and Clyde but from a different point of view as this film follows the detectives that brought them to justice. The Blind Side‘s John Lee Hooker takes us back to a different time when Texas Rangers Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) and Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson) are forced out of retirement.  The reason?  Having to chase down a pair of folks named Bonnie (Emily Brobst) and Clyde (Ed Bossert).  Hamer…

"The Highwaymen doesn’t rise up"

Dumbo gets the Live-Action treatment

The hour-long Dumbo gets the live-action treatment in a film running nearly double the run time of Disney’s 1941 animated classic. Max Medici (Danny DeVito) runs the Medici Bros. Circus and we’re introduced to all the characters moments into the film.  It’s post-war Sarasota, Fla. when Captain Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) returns home to children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins).  Things are much different from when the two children last saw their father.  For…

"Dumbo gets the Live-Action treatment"

Screwball recounts Biogenesis scandal

Screwball is an entertaining account of the Biogenesis investigation that took down then-New York Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez. Billy Corben’s true-crime dramedy takes a unique approach in telling this story.  Corben opts for children in lieu of adults when it comes to reenactments.  It makes for an hysterical approach to one of the darkest eras of Major League Baseball. Early on, we learn that Tony Bosch set up shop in Florida because it was the…

"Screwball recounts Biogenesis scandal"

Hotel Mumbai feels like Exploitation

Hotel Mumbai basically serves as a reenactment of the awful terrorist attack that fell upon the city of Mumbai in November 2008. For one waiter, Arjun (Dev Patel), he started off his day by running late and getting chewed out by head Taj Mahal Palace Hotel chef Hemant Oberoi (Anupam Kher) for wearing the wrong pair of shoes.  The kitchen is under an insane amount of stress with the rival of David (Armie Hammer) and Zahra…

"Hotel Mumbai feels like Exploitation"

C2E2 2019: Paul Rudd on The Secret To Not Aging

Ant-Man star Paul Rudd was on hand in Chicago this weekend for the headlining Clueless reunion panel taking place during the 10th annual C2E2. While he was running late as a result of an autograph signing, Rudd joined Clueless co-stars Alicia Silverstone, Breckin Meyer, and Donald Faison on the Main Stage.  After about 20 minutes or so of conversation with moderator Clare Kramer, the floor was turned over to the audience for a question and…

"C2E2 2019: Paul Rudd on The Secret To Not Aging"