Author: Sarah Knight Adamson

Our Staff’s Best 20 Films of 2019

Sarah Knight Adamson’s Favorite & Top 20 Award Worthy Films of 2019 Starting with Best

*1. Once Upon a Time in … Hollywood *2. Bombshell 3. Marriage Story 4. Toy Story                                                                                                                                   5. Little Women                                                                                                                6. … Read more

Interview: Anthony McCarten “The Two Popes”

Anthony McCarten says, “Finding a Consensus and a Common Ground is the Real Message of The Two Popes“

I spoke with Anthony McCarten screenwriter of “The Two Popes,” after a screening of the film … Read more

Little Women (PG) ★★★★ Radio Review H630

“Little Women” is based on the classic  book by Louise Mae Alcott and produced  by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. It’s an American coming-of-age period drama that’s written and directed by Greta Gerwig. It is the … Read more

Tracy Letts Interview “Ford v Ferrari” and “Little Women” #TIFF

Letts chats about his Chicago theater roots, his writing process, his admiration of Greta Gerwig and his thoughts on why everyone should see “Ford v Ferrari” on the big screen.

Tracy Letts is a name … Read more

Ford v Ferrari (PG-13) ★★★★ H360 Radio Podcast #TIFF

Thrilling Tale of Tenacity 

The film is based on the rivalry between the car manufacturers Ford and Ferrari in their pursuit to win the 24 hour Le Mans sports car race in 1966. I screened … Read more

The Chicago Film Critics Association Announce 2019 Awards

“Parasite” and “Little Women” Tied—Each with Four Awards 

The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) annual awards dinner held Dec. 14, 2019 gave bragging rights to “Parasite,” and “Little Women.” Director Bong Joon Ho of “Paradise” … Read more

Marriage Story (R) ★★★★ Radio Podcast #FilmFest919

“Marriage Story” is a comedy-drama film or dramadey written and directed by Noah Baumbach. The film stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. We view an insightful and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and … Read more

Susan Kelechi Watson Interview, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”

Susan Kelechi Watson is known for portraying the ‘calming, voice of reason wife’ of Sterling K. Brown in the Emmy winning television series “This Is Us” she plays a similar role in the heartwarming film, … Read more

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (PG) ★★★★ #TIFF

🇺🇸An American Hero We All Can Be Proud Of

Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers? Yep, it works—it works so well you’ll start shaking your head in utter wonderment as Tom Hanks has channeled Fred Rogers—his … Read more

“Harriet” (R) ★★★ #TIFF Radio Podcast

Cynthia Erivo in a Stellar Performance as Harriet Tubman

“Harriet” is a biographical film about a runaway slave named Harriet Tubman who returned to the South time after time to free other slaves. During her … Read more

Honey Boy (R) ★★★ #FilmFest919

Shia LaBeouf in a Role of a Life-time!

“Honey Boy” is an autobiographical story of actor Shia LaBeouf’s childhood relationship with his father. LaBeouf plays his father while Lucas Hedges and Noah Jupe play older … Read more

“The Irishman” Interviews Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino

“The Irishman” Netflix Press Conference Beverly Hills, California

Broadcast film critics gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel for a luncheon followed by a press conference with Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Al Pacino. When … Read more

Parasite (R) ★★★★ #FilmFest919

Winner of the Top Cannes Film Festival prize the Palme d’Or

“Parasite” is a South Korean comedy thriller/ horror film, in sub-titles. The world premiere was at the Cannes Film Festival this year, where it … Read more

The Irishman (R) ★★★★

A Martin Scorsese Masterpiece Uniting De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci

Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” encapsulates the life of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a hustler and hitman of the post-war American … Read more

Ad Astra (PG-13) ★★★½

Brad Pitt plays astronaut Roy McBride, who’s sent on a top-secret mission to discover what’s behind the damaging electromagnetic pulses coming from the planet Neptune. His father, played by Tommy Lee Jones, is a decorated … Read more

“Dolemite is My Name” (R) ★★★★ Radio / #TIFF Exhibit

“Dolemite is My Name” a Biographical Comedy Radio Review and #TIFF Exhibit

I screened “Dolemite” during the Toronto International Film Festival, and I am pleased to say, Eddie Murphy is back in a role … Read more

Jojo Rabbit (PG-13) ★★★★ #TIFF H360 Radio

“Jojo Rabbit” is an anti-hate satire by writer and director Taika Waititi.  It’s the story of a lonely German boy during WWII played by Roman Griffin Davis as Jojo, he’s a member of the Hitler … Read more

Joker (R) ★★½ by Sarah Knight Adamson

“Joker” Boasts an Oscar-worthy Performance for Joaquin Phoenix, Despite an Implausible Script

Joaquin Phoenix, the exceptionally talented actor, three-time Oscar nominee (“The Master,” “Walk the Line,” “Gladiator”) stars in the dark, depressing origin role of … Read more

Downton Abbey (PG-13) ★★★ H360 Radio Podcast

“Downtown Abbey” Is based on the Emmy winning TV series.

The year is 1927 and the King and Queen of England have decided to pay a social call to Downton Abbey! One can only imagine … Read more

“National Theater Live: Fleabag” ★★★½

Talented Writer and Star Solo Stage Performance is Phenomenal

Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) has currently gained the attention of television viewers as her critically acclaimed BBC comedy series, now in its third season, garnered her the … Read more

An Affair to Remember⎼ Attending the 71st Emmy Awards by Alexi Rabin

My original plan for Emmy night was to ‘live-tweet’ from a Beverly Hills hotel restaurant on behalf of Sarah’s Backstage Pass, just like I had done for the Critics’ Choice Awards the past five years.… Read more

Toronto International Film Festival 2019 Wraps

In showcasing the glamour of Hollywood and the breadth of worldwide cinema, the Toronto International Film Festival, a.k.a. TIFF welcomed hundreds of thousands of moviegoers and members of the press September 5 through September 15. … Read more