Film Review: Moana, Warm and Inviting
The latest animated musical from the folks at Walt Disney Animation Studios (Tangled, Frozen) has a great deal going for it. It’s animation style is warm, inviting and features a […]
Third Coast Rewind: Art, Art, and More Art
Welcome back to Third Coast Rewind where we are continuing to share selected readings from the Kill Your Darlings series. Chicago’s live lit series Kill Your Darlings was originally performed […]
Hypocrites’ Cinderella at the Theater of Potatoes Tall on Talent, Short on Substance
Cinderella at the Theater of Potatoes, the Hypocrites‘ latest production, offers a re-imagined version of Pauline Viardot-Garcia’s chamber operetta Cendrillon, based on the familiar story of Cinderella. Performed through the […]
From 2016: Chicago Shakes’ King Charles III, Future History and a Father-Son Story
(Author’s note: We published this review almost six years ago and we think it’s interesting to read today, as Prince Charles ascends to the throne as King Charles III, upon […]
Trevor Noah on His Mother and Donald Trump in Discussion at the Music Box
The last day of the Chicago Humanities Festival ended at the Music Box Theatre with a discussion between the “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah and the editor of his memoir, Chris Jackson. […]
This Week in Art House Cinema: Christine, Elle, and more
It’s been another solid week of film here in Chicago. The new Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them came out. We found it to be thrilling […]
Film Review: Nocturnal Animals, Absolutely Stunning
After his impressive directing debut A Single Man in 2009, fashion designer Tom Ford’s long awaited return as writer-director, Nocturnal Animals, shows that Ford is not afraid of a complicated, […]
Film Review: The Edge of Seventeen, Effortlessly Smart
If I ever have the pleasure of meeting or speaking with writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig, I’m going to thank her from the bottom of my heart for reminding me of […]
Fifth House Ensemble Trio Performs Romantic Works With Passion
In a program entitled Autumnal Reflections, a trio from the 11-member Fifth House Ensemble gave a rousing performance of three romantic era works at the Driehaus Museum on Wednesday night. […]
Film Review: Bleed for This, The Story of a Grueling and Hellish Recovery
If it didn’t actually happen, I’m not sure I’d believe it. But there’s a reason that the return to boxing of Vinny Pazienza is known by some as the greatest […]
Film Review: Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Jarring and Almost Senseless
In what is arguably one of the oddest movies you may see all year, Oscar-winning director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; The Ice Storm; Sense and Sensibility; Brokeback Mountain; […]
Film Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, A Thrilling New World That Still Feels Vaguely Familiar
I’m sure admirers of the works of author J.K. Rowling already know this, but it bears repeating: don’t expect backstories and answers to all the questions raised in this first […]