Review: Glimpse a Creative Life in Decline in Nico, 1988
The model-turned-musician Nico (with a memorable period at the heart of Andy Warhol’s extended family) has always been a source of fascination for me. Her work with the Velvet Underground […]
Review: Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman Is Audacious, Impressive and Timely
The best movie of the week, possibly the month, and certainly one of the best of the year is the latest from master cinematic provocateur Spike Lee, who gives us […]
Review: Jason Statham Faces The Meg in a Shark Movie With Bite
Sure, why not? It’s been about a year since our last people vs. shark movie on the big screen, so let’s throw Jason Statham in the mix just to make […]
Preview: Watch Sandburg’s “Skyscraper,” Streaming on PBS’ “Poetry in America”
The 12-part PBS series, “Poetry in America,” features one significant work of poetry in each segment. “Skyscraper” by Chicago poet Carl Sandburg was the star of episode 5 and is […]
Review: Christopher Robin May Not Be Essential Viewing, But There’s a Heart To It
Unlike last year’s Goodbye Christopher Robin, which was an account of the circumstances that led to A.A. Milne creating the Winnie-the-Pooh character, this week’s Christopher Robin is a fictional story […]
Review: Generation Wealth Is Part Autobiography, Part Cautionary Tale
Over her 25-plus years as a filmmaker and photographer, Lauren Greenfield has returned to the themes of wealth culture, economic disparity, the life of children of wealthy families, eating disorders, […]
Preview: 24th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival
On Saturday, August 4, downtown’s Gene Siskel Film Center launches the 24th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival, “a month-long celebration of the stories, dreams, history, and legacy of African Americans […]
Review: The Personal Becomes Art in Fashion Doc McQueen
It seems as if we’re getting a documentary related to the fashion world about once every other week these days. The truth is, I’m truly enjoying the immersion into a […]
Review: The Darkest Minds Falls Short as a Poor Man’s Mutant Story
The only thing missing from The Darkest Minds is a Stan Lee cameo and maybe a quickie Wolverine appearance. And I’m fairly certain that the only thing stopping the studio […]
Review: All the Pieces Fit in Moving, Well-Cast Puzzle
Based on the synopsis alone—a housewife discovers she has a talent for solving jigsaw puzzles and enters a competition—you’d be forgiven for thinking that Puzzle, directed by Marc Turtletaub, is a […]
What to Watch on the Small Screen: August 2018
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the start of August is an indication that we’re officially nearing the end of summer’s “dog days.” Here are some films you can stream before […]
Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention Promises Nostalgic Screenings, Appearances
Founded in 2002, the Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention is the largest and longest-running horror convention in the Chicago area (Rosemont to be specific), taking place at the Crowne Plaza […]