AWFJ Announces EDA Awards 2018 Nominations

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists announced the nominations for the AWFJ EDA Awards 2018 with The Favourite leading with 11 nominations. The winners will be announced on January 10, 2019. AWFJ BEST OF AWARDS These awards are presented to women and/or men without gender consideration. Best Film BLACKkKLANSMAN THE FAVOURITE GREEN BOOK LEAVE NO TRACE ROMA VICE Best Director Alfonso Cuaron – ROMA Debra Granik – LEAVE NO TRACE Yorgos Lanthimos – THE FAVOURITE…

"AWFJ Announces EDA Awards 2018 Nominations"

Second Act Can’t Overcome Cliches

Second Act has some promising moments but the comedy starring Jennifer Lopez falls into cliche-filled traps that are otherwise disappointing. Ozone Park Value Shop assistant manager Maya Vargas (Jennifer Lopez) enters her 43rd year of life by being passed over for a promotion.  It doesn’t matter how many innovative ideas she has because she does’t have the required college degree.  Does one need the necessary degree when their own record shows that they can do…

"Second Act Can’t Overcome Cliches"

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is Awards-Worthy in All About Nina

A few weeks ago, I contributed to the IndieWire critics survey and discussed how Eva Vives’ All About Nina for the most under-appreciated films of 2018. I’m not going to re-post what I wrote even though it’s a damn shame that Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s name is not a part of the conversation.  I will say that even to this day, Winstead’s performance as Nina Geld is one of the best performances of the year.  When I first…

"Mary Elizabeth Winstead is Awards-Worthy in All About Nina"

Disney Films Come to the Music Box Theatre

The Music Box Theatre in Chicago will close out 2018 and ring in the new year with a number of live-action Disney films, including Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Return to Oz, Newsies, Heavyweights, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. According to the Music Box Theatre, tickets will be as priced: $11 General Admission $9 Seniors $7 for Members & Kids under 12 Film and Showtime Information: BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS (Robert Stevenson,…

"Disney Films Come to the Music Box Theatre"

Bumblebee: The Best Transformers Movie By Far

Travis Knight takes over for Michael Bay in the director’s chair while allowing Bumblebee to become the best live-action Transformers movie in the franchise. Once upon a time, Bumblee (Dylan O’Brien) had a voice.  This was some thirty years before the war between the Autobots and Decepticons restarted on Earth.  Years before Chicago got leveled because there’s some sort of obsession that filmmakers have with destroying the Windy City.  Years before a Transformers film became the best…

"Bumblebee: The Best Transformers Movie By Far"

2001: A Space Odyssey marks 50th Anniversary

For the first time in history, Stanley Kubrick’s groundbreaking epic, 2001: A Space Odyssey, is available for audiences to bring home on 4K Ultra HD. The release of 2001 on 4K UHD comes after the film played a limited theatrical run this summer.  The run followed the premiere of the “unrestored” 70mm print during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival in May. It’s highly likely that this remastering doesn’t happen without director Christopher Nolan and…

"2001: A Space Odyssey marks 50th Anniversary"

The Jerk: 40th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray

Directed by Carl Reiner and starring Steve Martin, The Jerk is marking the film’s 40th anniversary in 2019 with a new Blu-ray release this year. The Jerk is known for being one of the funniest movies of all time.  When the American Film Institute honored comedy movies with their 100 Years, 100 Laughs selections in 2000, The Jerk came in at #89.  This is the only film directed by Reiner to make the list.  As…

"The Jerk: 40th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray"

The House With a Clock in Its Walls hits Blu-ray

Starring Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, and Owen Vaccaro, Eli Roth’s The House With a Clock in Its Walls is now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. I missed this film when it played in theaters mostly because of the Jewish holiday marathon combined with film festival coverage.  While Nathan Barr’s score compliments the film, that’s one of the few positives I have to say about it.  This is the first film to use…

"The House With a Clock in Its Walls hits Blu-ray"

Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor hits Blu-ray/DVD

Starring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, and Henry Golding, Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor arrives home on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD. Based on the book of the same name, Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor offers a charming fun comedic thriller with a side dish of mystery. Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) is a vlogger who investigates the disappearance of her best friend, Emily Nelson (Blake Lively).  They met because of their children attending the…

"Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor hits Blu-ray/DVD"

Vice: Give Christian Bale The Oscar Right Now

For his role as Vice President Dick Cheney in Vice, actor Christian Bale is on the way to another Oscar for Best Actor in Adam McKay’s newest film. While the current administrations’s activities make us long for the days of the Bush Administration, Vice reminds us that maybe this should not be the case.  Roughly two hours, this film is a study of Cheney’s lust for power.  When he gets the call from George W.…

"Vice: Give Christian Bale The Oscar Right Now"