Now that I’ve almost fully recovered from my 5 crazy days at San Diego Comic-Con, it’s time to recap some of the highlights.
For anyone unfamiliar with San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), it’s an annual pop-culture-centric convention… Read more about Looking Back on San Diego Comic Con 2019 by Erika S. Olson…
David Crosby Speaks from the Heart
Talk about up close and personal! David Crosby, the songwriter, singer, and guitar player of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young at 76 years old talks openly… Read more about David Crosby: Remember My Name (R) ★★★…
A Heartfelt Look at Culture and Family Traditions
“The Farewell is based on writer and director Lulu Wang’s profoundly personal experience. At the age of 6, she and her family left China & settled in… Read more about “The Farewell” (PG) ★★★★ Radio Podcast…
Check out my Mendocino Film Festival 2019 Article on Rogerebert.com
Any successful Film Festival involves countless hours of planning, preparation, and networking; and I found the wide variety of films, special guests, panels, and events… Read more about Mendocino Film Festival 2019: A Conversation with Claudia Puig—A Film Critic’s View as a Narrative Jury Member…
Lulu Wang screenwriter and director of “The Farewell” interview touches on her gratefulness to Roger and Chaz Ebert for being chosen for a Directing Fellowship, the qualities of a strong grandparent role model, and the… Read more about Interview with Lulu Wang “The Farewell”…
First Female Crew to Sail Around the World–Courage at High Seas
“Maiden” is the true documentary story of Tracy Edwards, a skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World in… Read more about Maiden ★★★★ (PG) Documentary (Radio Podcast)…
Bo Peep Turns Action Hero and A Spork Toy is a New Best Friend
Pixar takes its time to get the message right, and in this case, waiting nine years between “Toy Story 3” is… Read more about “Toy Story 4” (PG) ★★★★…
Toni Morrison is an inspiring person, she’s also uplifting and practical
She worked as a published writer, editor, teacher all while being a single mother. Morrison is presented as a model of strength and resolve;… Read more about Toni Morrison: The Pieces I AM (PG-13) ★★★★…
Stranger Things Season 3, Dacre Montgomery and Cary Elwes, Talk 4th of July 🇺🇸, Mullet Hairstyle, Lifeguarding, Sleazy Politicians, Dark Themes and More!
The 4th of July is traditionally celebrated with apple pie, BBQ’s and fireworks,… Read more about Dacre Montgomery and Cary Elwes “Stranger Things 3” Interview…
Tracy Edwards on the Making of “Maiden”
Director Alex Holmes, tells the inspirational tale of adventure on the dangerous high seas and deliberate prejudice on dry land of Tracy Edwards, the star of his new… Read more about Tracy Edwards Interview, “Maiden”…
The Man, the Myth, the Legend
“Framing John DeLorean” is an exceptional across-the-board film that shows how a risk-taking addiction can lead to losing everything. The DeLorean historian authors, co-engineers and former employees all bring… Read more about “Framing John DeLorean” ★★★★ Special Screening Followed by Q&A…
Jim Gaffigan Plays a Dramatic Role, Although He’s Still Very Funny!
Jim Gaffigan stars as Frank who is living a lie, he has two separate families, that each don’t know about the other…until his… Read more about “Being Frank” (R)★★★…
Miranda Bailey, talks about her childhood parent’s separation, being a female in the filmmaking business, her role models and more.
My interview with Miranda Bailey occurred in the beautiful Peninsula Hotel in Chicago, on June… Read more about Miranda Bailey Interview, Director “Being Frank”…
Jim Gaffigan gets candid about his role in “Being Frank,” his college football days, his family vacations, doing standup in our ‘politically correct’ culture world, and more.
Jim Gaffigan, (Frank) and Logan Miller, (Phillip) play… Read more about Jim Gaffigan Interview “Being Frank”…
Nathan Fletcher grew up in a surfing legacy family on the beaches of southern California; he had a dream of jumping from a helicopter with his surfboard onto a relatively large wave and riding that… Read more about Interview with Pro Big Wave Surfer Nathan Fletcher Staring in “Heavy Water”…
“Rocketman” is a musical fantasy, of Elton John’s breakthrough years. Taron Egerton plays Elton with flamboyant style and exuberance. He also uses his own singing voice to take us down memory lane. The film gives… Read more about Rocketman (R) ★★★½ Radio Podcast…
High School Female Honor Students Break Some Rules
Olivia Wilde’s directing debut is actually ‘smart,’ and savvy, and silly—just the right ingredients for a sure-fire comedic hit. The best friend duo, Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and… Read more about Booksmart (R) ★★★½…
Sadly, Mistakes Ground “Aladdin” From Ever Taking Flight
Disney’s recycling of their animated classic films, is fine with me, especially if an updated script showcases noteworthy performances—sadly, for all the spot-on ethnic casting, and memorable performance… Read more about Aladdin (PG) ★★½…
Halle Berry’s Feisty Sofia Enhances Chapter 3
The opening scene of “Chapter 3” in New York City’s iconic Public library is pure fantasy and entertainment, as not only does super assassin John Wick kill a… Read more about John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum (R) ★★★…
A Chicago Film Opens CCFF
Friday, May 17, 2019, was opening night for the Chicago Critics Film Festival and “Saint Frances,” played to a packed house at the Music Box Theater in Chicago and received… Read more about Chicago Critics Film Festival Opening Night 2019 by Patty Babin…
Solid Storytelling is Greatly Needed
The excitement is over as the first Pokémon feature that pairs the animated Japanese characters with live actors is finally here—although unfortunately to fully comprehend the film, one needs to… Read more about Pokémon Detective Pikachu (PG) ★★½…
The 2019 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) line-up is bringing some exciting talent to town, and festival films are sure to entertain.
The Chicago premiere of Danny Boyle’s “Yesterday” tops the program packed with this… Read more about The Chicago Critics Film Festival 2019 Tickets On Sale Now!…
Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron Make a Memorable Couple
Pairing Seth Rogen’s slouchy dresser, Fred Flarsky, an unapologetic, gonzo journalist with Charlize Theron’s glamorous, Charlotte Field, a driven successful Secretary of State who has her… Read more about Long Shot (R) ★★★★…
“Avengers Endgame” at its best—illustrates the qualities of being a true hero—all while Marvel’s greatest cinematic hits are warmly and entertainingly revisited! “Endgame” is a culmination of 22 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films debuting in… Read more about Avengers: Endgame (PG-13) ★★★½…