Sundance 2020: Promising Young Woman

If there’s a film that you should go into without watching a trailer or reading reviews, Promising Young Woman is that film. The large majority of filmgoers will have until mid-April December before they can see this film.  As a result, I’m going to be extra careful in writing about this film.  It’s a film that ought to be treated like that of a Marvel or Star Wars film.  Go into it knowing very little…

"Sundance 2020: Promising Young Woman"

Eighth Grade captures Spirit, Awkwardness

Eighth Grade is a film that perfectly captures the spirit and awkwardness of being a student in the final year of middle school. Kayla Day (Elsie Fisher) may be close to starting high school but before doing so, she must survive the end of eighth grade.  It’s not easy for the smartphone-obsessed teenager.  Even though she has a YouTube channel where she offers advice to others, she’s not the perfect person when it comes to applying…

"Eighth Grade captures Spirit, Awkwardness"

CCFF 2018: Eighth Grade

Eighth Grade, the closing night selection of the 2018 Chicago Critics Film Festival, is a film that perfectly captures the spirit and awkwardness of being a student in the final year of middle school. Kayla Day (Elsie Fisher) may be close to starting high school but before doing so, she must survive the end of eighth grade.  It’s not easy for the smartphone-obsessed teenager.  Even though she has a YouTube channel where she offers advice…

"CCFF 2018: Eighth Grade"

The Big Sick is One of 2017’s Best Films

The Big Sick is one of the best films to come out so far in 2017. Directed by Michael Showalter from a screenplay written by Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani, The Big Sick stars Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher, Zenobia Shroff, Adeel Akhtar, Bo Burnham, Aidy Bryant, and Kurt Braunohler.  Judd Apatow and Barry Mendel produce. To say that this film is a laugh riot would not be an understatement. …

"The Big Sick is One of 2017’s Best Films"