Can You Ever Forgive Me? (R) ★★★★

Melissa McCarthy’s Career Best Performance

Based on the true story of New York’s best-selling author Lee Israel, Melissa McCarthy tackles a dramatic role giving one of the best performances of her career. Known for her… Read more about Can You Ever Forgive Me? (R) ★★★★

Bohemian Rhapsody (PG-13) ★★★

Rami Malek’s Performance is Epic

Any attempt to recreate the pure magic of the British rock and roll 70s band Queen—all depends upon casting the lead role of the eccentric, ultra-talented Freddie Mercury—in this case,… Read more about Bohemian Rhapsody (PG-13) ★★★

The Wife (R) ★★★½

Glen Close Gives the Performance of a Lifetime

The dramatic film, “The Wife,” conjures’ up a range of emotions: sympathy, disgust, shock, and ultimately validation. Beginning with a late night call from Sweden, an elderly… Read more about The Wife (R) ★★★½

The Chicago 54th International Film Festival

Happy as Lazzaro and Ash Is Purest White Top Winners

The 54th Chicago International Film Festival hosted its Awards Ceremony at AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St., on October 19, 2018. Jury members awarded prizes in these… Read more about The Chicago 54th International Film Festival

Rachel Brosnahan Interview by Alexi Rabin

A marvelous evening it was, spent with Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critic’s Choice Award winner, Rachel Brosnahan, at The Highland Park Community House in Highland Park, IL.

“A Marvelous Evening with Mrs. Maisel,” a fundraiser… Read more about Rachel Brosnahan Interview by Alexi Rabin

Smallfoot (PG) ★★ Radio Review

Too Many Sub-Plots for Kids 

Sadly, overly-stuffed “Smallfoot” invents modern fairy tale notions about Yeti’s, with mediocre animation, and songs without actually teaching anything of substance to kids.

Smallfoot is an animated children’s film by… Read more about Smallfoot (PG) ★★ Radio Review

First Man (PG-13) ★★★½

Claire Foy’s Janet Armstrong Sparkles

There’s a saying from the past, “Behind every successful man there is a woman.” In “First Man” (PG-13) Director Damien Chazelle tells the true story of the United States space… Read more about First Man (PG-13) ★★★½

A Star is Born (R) ★★★★

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are Magic

Undeniably, the new “A Star is Born” shines due to the realistic chemistry between Bradley Cooper (Jackson Maine) and Lady Gaga (Ally). Cooper’s directorial debut is a winner,… Read more about A Star is Born (R) ★★★★

Bradley Cooper Q&A “A Star is Born”

Bradley Cooper Gives His Perspectives on “A Star is Born”

Bradley Cooper and Oliver Platt were in Chicago, IL at the AMC River East Theater on the evening of September 17, 2018, to discuss the… Read more about Bradley Cooper Q&A “A Star is Born”

Jane Fonda in Five Acts ★★★½

A Heartfelt Journey That Will Not Be Putting on the Brakes Anytime Soon

Regardless of your feelings towards Jane Fonda on her controversial mistakes in Viet Nam in the 70s, this outstanding documentary sheds light… Read more about Jane Fonda in Five Acts ★★★½

The House with the Clock in its Walls ★½ (PG)

Non Kid-Centered Movie, Billed for Kids

Here’s what’s truly infuriating—the fact that this beloved young-adult novel fell into the hands of the “Hostel” (torture porn) series horror-famed writer, director, producer Eli Roth. As a film,… Read more about The House with the Clock in its Walls ★½ (PG)

A Simple Favor (R) ★★★½

Dry Martini’s in the Suburbs

Despite the ambiguous genre of this superb diabolical modern-suburbia film—that has themes of mystery, comedy, murder, romance, secrets, and betrayals—for sure it’s one of the best times I’ve had at… Read more about A Simple Favor (R) ★★★½

Crazy Rich Asians (PG-13)★★★½

A “Crazy Great” Movie

Director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s book stands on its own, by adding key scenes, tweaking character’s roles while at the same time astonishingly bringing the over-the-top opulence to… Read more about Crazy Rich Asians (PG-13)★★★½

BlacKkKlansman (R) ★★★★

One of the Years Best

Ron Stallworth’s memoir is retold with passion and admiration—aptly Lee’s finale reminds us of our current gut-wrenching racial tensions. Be prepared for a history lesson of shock and awe—it’s about… Read more about BlacKkKlansman (R) ★★★★

Christopher Robin (G) ★★★

A Visit With Warm Fuzzy Friends 

Oh bother, as Winnie the Pooh would say; this is not the live action over-the-top film kids and adults may expect; however, it is true to the laid-back nature… Read more about Christopher Robin (G) ★★★

Mission Impossible: Fallout (PG-13) ★★★★

Intense Adrenaline Filled Ride

The “Mission Impossible” film series launched in 1996 produced by and starring Tom Cruise at age 33 brought Cruise’s action skills to the forefront. In “Fallout,” 2018, the sixth film in… Read more about Mission Impossible: Fallout (PG-13) ★★★★

Interview with Marc Turtletaub Director of Puzzle

MARC TURTLETAUB on PUZZLE, Kelly Macdonald and Women’s Roles — Sarah Knight Adamson interviews

As producer, Marc Turtletaub has been investing cash and cred in femme-centric feature films since 2004, standing behind award-winning films such… Read more about Interview with Marc Turtletaub Director of Puzzle

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (PG-13) ★★★½

Mamma Mia, How Could We Ever Forget You?

Opening the musical Mamma Mia 2 in the middle of an unseasonably sweltering, summer, is brilliant marketing—especially if your vacation plans are late August as you’ll be… Read more about Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (PG-13) ★★★½

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (PG) ★½

A Few Tender Moments and Catchy Songs Can’t Save this Sinking Ship

As a relentless advocate for quality children’s films, the Hotel Transylvania animated series (2012, 2015) has never been high on my list—especially now… Read more about Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (PG) ★½

Ant-Man and The Wasp (PG-13) ★★★½

New Female Superhero “The Wasp” has Equal Star Billing

Paul Rudd is back in all of his goofy glory as dad (Scott Lang) also known as Ant-Man in the follow-up to Ant-Man (2015). Here’s the… Read more about Ant-Man and The Wasp (PG-13) ★★★½