My Favorite Films of Summer 2017

With an end to the 2017 summer movie season, it’s time to round up my favorite films of this summer.  While I was credentialed for both the Chicago Critics Film Festival, the Fantasia International Film Festival, and remotely covered a few films selected for the Flyover Film Festival, I am not including any of those films unless they’ve been released in theaters, video on demand, or Digital HD. I’ll start with the documentaries.  I’ve seen…

"My Favorite Films of Summer 2017"

Summer Winner: Original Summer Content

Another winner this summer was original summer content that came in the form of Baby Driver, The Big Sick, Dunkirk, and Girls Trip.  47 Meters Down also makes the list given how much it made at the box office against its budget. Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver opened in late June to an opening of $20.5 million.  Wright’s film used a musical soundtrack in ways that the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise may never reach.  The…

"Summer Winner: Original Summer Content"

Hollywood Needs Some More Originality In Movies

When it comes to the studio movies, it’s time to start seeing some originality in the content they are proving. One of the biggest problems I’ve had this year is with the comedies being released.  Either I didn’t see them or I simply chose to pass on them after reading the reviews and that’s a shame because comedies are among the movies that I choose to see first if there isn’t a comic book or…

"Hollywood Needs Some More Originality In Movies"

The House Fails and What’s Going On With Comedy Movies This Summer?

Comedy movies have taken a toll at the box office this summer.  What’s going on with this and how can it be fixed? Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros. have taken a hit with Baywatch, Rough Night, and The House, respectively.  I’ve seen and reviewed both Baywatch and Rough Night.  The House, however, was not screened for critics. Baywatch has struggled since it’s release.  It’s made just over $57 million against a $69 million budget.  It’s…

"The House Fails and What’s Going On With Comedy Movies This Summer?"

The Solzy Awards for Film in 2017 So Far

We’ve reached the halfway point of 2017 so that means it’s time to issue the Solzy Awards for Film in 2017 So Far. The two films that really stand out to me at this point in the year are The Big Sick and Baby Driver.  I started writing this article prior to seeing The Beguiled when it opened in Chicago on Friday.  I debated a lot to myself about whether or not I should include…

"The Solzy Awards for Film in 2017 So Far"

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"

Please Give Independent Films a Chance

At a time when so many studio films are the rave of the box office, it’s the independent films that need to be supported by audiences. One week after the release of Transformers: The Last Knight, this week sees the following two indie films get expansions in their release: The Big Sick and The Beguiled.  In addition, Baby Driver will go wide in 3,100 theaters tomorrow.  It’s not an indie but the Edgar Wright film…

"Please Give Independent Films a Chance"