Review: Important, if Imperfect, Crazy Rich Asians Is Fun yet Flat
It is possible for a film to be important and culturally significant without it being especially great. For me (and I’m guessing many critics) to call any film great, a […]
Interview: BlacKkKlansman Star John David Washington Talks Movies as Football, Roles That Stay With Him and Learning from the Greats
In case you were wondering, actor John David Washington is about to become a very big deal. It will likely have very little to do (at least directly) with any […]
Review: Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood Has Plenty of Sex—And Heart
I’ll fully admit, I’m not someone who dabbles even a little bit in Hollywood gossip. If I hear two celebrities are dating, I think “Good for them,” and move on. […]
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 […]