Sanctuary: Margaret Qualley Delivers Award-Worthy Performance

Margaret Qualley delivers an award-worthy performance in the Toronto-premiering Sanctuary, which is now making its way into theaters. This film is about a dominatrix and a client. Don’t let it stop you from watching the film. I’ll get into it later but it really feels like you’re in the room with them. It really ups the claustrophobic feeling when it comes to the tension in the room. Trust me when I say that you need…

"Sanctuary: Margaret Qualley Delivers Award-Worthy Performance"

2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival Kicks Off Tonight

The 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival kicks off on Friday night at the historic Music Box Theatre with several Chicago premieres. This is a film festival that offers something for everyone, whether you’re a Star Wars fan, theater fan, Paul Schrader fan, or even someone interested in the rise and fall of technology. Last year’s closing night was a night to remember. This year’s closing night selection is Theater Camp. The Sundance Film Festival award…

"2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival Kicks Off Tonight"

I Love My Dad Will Make Your Stomach Hurt

I Love My Dad goes full cringe comedy and your stomach will be hurting from laughing throughout the 90-minute comedy. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that nothing came from the Oscar-winning Ratatouille. Because of his Ratatouille bucks, Patton Oswalt made this film one of his first as a producer. Unless the comedian was joking about this during the Q&A back in May… Writer-director-star James Morosini delivers a solid comedy while drawing on his own…

"I Love My Dad Will Make Your Stomach Hurt"

Both Sides of the Blade Is Not For Everyone

Both Sides of the Blade marks the return to the big screen for filmmaker Claire Denis but unfortunately, the film is a let-down. Love triangle films can either be good or bad. In the case of this film, you don’t find yourself rooting for anyone. While Jean (Vincent London) and Sara (Juliette Binoche) might be living together for ten years now, Sara still has feelings for her ex, François (Grégoire Colin). He also happens to…

"Both Sides of the Blade Is Not For Everyone"

2022 Chicago Critics Film Festival Opens on Friday

The 2022 Chicago Critics Film Festival is set to open on Friday and run through Thursday evening at the Music Box Theatre. For ticket information, please click here. In addition to the following feature films, there are two short film programs taking place on May 14 (12 PM) and May 16 (5 PM). Filmmakers Alyssa Thordarson (After [A Love Story]), Tom Krawcyzk (My Dudus), and Hope Tucker (What Travelers Are Saying About Jornada del Muerto) are…

"2022 Chicago Critics Film Festival Opens on Friday"

The Art of Self-Defense: A Dark Comedy

The Art of Self-Defense takes a dark comedic look at toxic masculinity but does so while grounding it in the world of karate. Accountant Casey Davies (Jesse Eisenberg) is forced to sign up for karate classes after a he gets jumped by a motorcycle gang.  It’s only because there’s no more dog food.  Man’s best friend comes first, right?!?  Casey does the first logical thing he can think of when he leaves the hospital: buy…

"The Art of Self-Defense: A Dark Comedy"

Chicago Critics 2019: Yesterday

Danny Boyle’s Yesterday may be inspired by a world without The Beatles but unfortunately, the film loses its focus somewhere on the long and winding road. Imagine a world where The Beatles never came into existence.  This is what screenwriter Richard Curtis asks in a crowd-pleasing screenplay.  Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) was about to give up his dreams as a singer-songwriter.  Best friend Ellie (Lily James) shows support for Jack but it isn’t enough.  For…

"Chicago Critics 2019: Yesterday"

2019 Chicago Critics Film Festival Opens Tonight

The 2019 Chicago Critics Film Festival is set to open this evening and run through Thursday evening at the Music Box Theatre.  For ticket information for this year’s Chicago Critics Film Festival, please click here. ALICE Director: Josephine Mackerras | 103 mins After discovering that her husband’s addiction to escorts has left their family penniless, Alice finds herself drawn into the world of high-end prostitution as a means of caring for herself and her child. Screens: Tuesday, May…

"2019 Chicago Critics Film Festival Opens Tonight"

After Everything is no Nicholas Sparks film

Even though a health crisis is at the center of this relationship-driven dramedy, After Everything is as far from a Nicholas Sparks film as it gets. Elliott (Jeremy Allen White) works behind a sandwich counter with his roommate and best friend, Nico (DeRon Horton).  It’s all fun and games for the two of them–drinking or getting high–until Elliott learns he is suffering from a rare diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma.  There’s a lot of nitty-gritty detail…

"After Everything is no Nicholas Sparks film"

Madeline’s Madeline: The Definition of Art House

With a standout performance from newcomer Helena Howard, Madeline’s Madeline lives up to the very definition of art house cinema. Madeline (Helena Howard) is a member of a theater troupe that plays more to the physical side of acting.  There’s a lot of method to the director Evangeline’s (Molly Parker) approach.  The director’s approach, rooted in improvisation, probably isn’t the best idea for this young woman.  Because having been diagnosed with some sort of mental illness, Madeline’s…

"Madeline’s Madeline: The Definition of Art House"