Good Night, and Good Luck – A George Clooney Retrospective

The Oscar-nominated Good Night, and Good Luck stands out as being the best film that George Clooney has directed to date. Clooney’s second film sees the actor-filmmaker back in the TV world. His second outing focuses not on game shows but on the world of news. This is a world that the filmmaker is all too familiar with as his father, Nick Clooney, was a TV journalist and anchorman for many years. The elder Clooney…

"Good Night, and Good Luck – A George Clooney Retrospective"

The Holdovers: Alexander Payne Reteams With Paul Giamatti

Oscar-winning filmmaker Alexander Payne reteams with Oscar-nominated actor Paul Giamatti in his newest film, The Holdovers. Barton Academy adjunct professor Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) has the unfortunate luck of having to stay on campus during winter break in 1970. He doesn’t really want to be there but he doesn’t have much of a choice. Hunham failed a wealthy father’s son and now has to look over students with nowhere to go. Students should have put…

"The Holdovers: Alexander Payne Reteams With Paul Giamatti"

Ghosted Reteams Chris Evans, Ana de Armas in Spy Comedy

Chris Evans and Ana de Armas have reteamed once again–this time in the new spy comedy, Ghosted, streaming on Apple TV+. On paper, the idea is predictable. A guy falls for a girl, gets ghosted, goes after her, and gets kidnapped before learning she’s a spy. It’s one of those ideas where, if put on screen, it really depends on the casting. Suffice it to say, they made great decisions in teaming up Evans and…

"Ghosted Reteams Chris Evans, Ana de Armas in Spy Comedy"

Respect: Jennifer Hudson Shines As Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin might not have lived to see Respect on the screen but Jennifer Hudson shines in the new biopic about the Queen of Soul. The thing about biopics, let alone musical biopics, is figuring out where you want to focus the story. You have to go about the right angle because once you commit to depicting a lengthy time period, a film either will work or it won’t. Respect doesn’t spend much time focusing…

"Respect: Jennifer Hudson Shines As Aretha Franklin"

Sundance 2020: Worth

Worth examines the cost of human lives in the true story of the efforts that went into launching the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. How much is life worth?  Is a Fortune 500 CEO worth the same or more than a dishwasher?  How do you breakdown the money when parents disapprove of their children’s lifestyle?  This is really what it all comes down to with compensating victims and their families. When we first meet Kenneth…

"Sundance 2020: Worth"

The Upside Squanders So Much Potential

Despite the best efforts of Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston, The Upside squanders so much potential during a film that is otherwise a laugh riot. Phillip Lacasse (Bryan Cranston)–based on Phillippe Pozzo Di Borgo–is a quadriplegic billionaire as a result of a paragliding accident.  Dell Scott (Kevin Hart) is an ex-convict in need of a job.  In need of a signature to take to his parole officer, Dell’s attitude impresses Phillip to the point that he…

"The Upside Squanders So Much Potential"

Blame: Quinn Shephard is A Revelation

In her feature debut, Blame, Quinn Shephard just about does it all and proves to be a revelation.  Whether it’s directing, writing, acting, editing, or producing, Shephard is a versatile talent.  Not many filmmakers would do this much in their feature debut by Shephard rises to the challenge.  It does not hurt that she has a real knack for storytelling. Abigail Grey (Quinn Shephard) isn’t your typical student.  She’d rather have her nose in a…

"Blame: Quinn Shephard is A Revelation"

For the Love of George: A Female-Empowered Comedy

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"

Chicago Comedy Film Festival: For the Love of George

For the Love of George reminds us that we should never give up on happiness. 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 obsessed with George Clooney and after catching her husband Stephen (Hereford) in the act of cheating, Poppy sets off for Los Angeles to meet the love…

"Chicago Comedy Film Festival: For the Love of George"