“Bridge of Spies” Directed by Steven Spielberg I don’t know…maybe when you are as masterful and prolific as Mr. Spielberg has been, we start to notice little things we might have forgiven in the past. Or maybe Spielberg-ian elements have … Continue reading “Bridge of Spies”
“The Club” (Chile) Directed by Pablo Larrain “The Club” has been showered with awards at many festivals this season (including several awards at the Chicago Film Fest, where I screened it). The award I would give it is “The Palme … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #19: “The Club” (Chile)
“Women He’s Undressed” (U.S.) Directed by Gillian Armstrong I’m not sure what to call this film…a documentary on the life of Orry-Kelly or a feature about a memoir told in memory BY Orry-Kelly. Instead of using talking heads and VO … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #18: “Women He’s Undressed” (U.S.)
“Mustang” (Turkey) Directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven Each year, there is one film that takes you by surprise. Not just in how good it is, but how it affects you. You know..you don’t know a thing about a flick, but … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #17: “Mustang” (Turkey)
“Hitchcock/Truffaut” (U.S.|France) Directed by Kent Jones In 1962, a very young Francois Truffaut came to Hollywood and did a series of interviews with Alfred Hitchcock, the guts of which would later make up one of the earliest texts about the … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #16: “Hitchcock/Truffaut” (U.S.|France)
“A Perfect Day” (Spain) Directed by Fernando León de Aranoa Oy, this movie. Very funny. Very well-acted. And one of the most white-washed war movies you’ll ever see. Taking place somewhere in Bosnia, during the latter stages of the war … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #15: “A Perfect Day” (Spain)
“Macbeth” (UK|France|USA) Directed by Justin Kurzel I overheard another Film Fest audience member refer to this as “Macbeth meets Mad Max.” Oh, if ONLY. I would’ve been happy if this film possessed even SOME of Mad Max’ drive, energy and … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #14: “Macbeth” (UK|France|USA)
“Youth” (Italy|France|Switzerland|UK) Directed by Paolo Sorrentino This is a tough one to write a review for. It’s very funny. It’s also very serious. It’s very obvious. And yet it’s very obtuse. It’s extremely sardonic while being concurrently sweet. You think … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #13: “Youth” (Italy|France|Switzerland|U.K.)
“Very Semi-Serious” (U.S.) Directed by Leah Wolchok I was never a fan of comic books…nor did I ever read the funnies in the paper. I only had two experiences of comics as a child…Mad Magazine and The New Yorker. I … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #12: “Very Semi Serious” (U.S.)
“How To Win Enemies” (Argentina) Directed by Gabriel Lichtmann This is a trifling little comedy in the same vein as “Manhattan Murder Mystery”…but, alas, this movie does not have Woody’s writing or Diane Keaton and Alan Alda’s comedic chops. The … Continue reading 51st Chicago International Film Festival Screening #11: “How To Win Enemies” (Argentina)
The No Spoiler Critic 