Director and co-writer Sean Anders new film “Instant Family” is based partially on him and his wife’s real-life experiences with foster care prior to the adoption of their three children who are biological siblings. The… Read more about Sean Anders Interview, “Instant Family”…
Sadly, the Four Realms Lack Heart
The Christmas ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ is a popular worldwide event that’s become a tradition for families. For myself, my daughter performed in a local dance recital as a piece… Read more about The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) ★★½…
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) ★★★★…
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) ★★★…
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…
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…
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…
Party Like it’s 1977
Infamous by name, New York’s Studio 54, served as a glitzy yet, dingy playground for the rich and famous nightclub crowd. Why was it such an enigma? Why did it catapult… Read more about Studio 54 The Documentary (NR) ★★★½…
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…
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…
Halloween Fun, Beware of Slappy
Here’s the sequel to “Goosebumps” (2015) both films are based on the children’s horror book series of the same name by R. L. Stine of which millions of young readers… Read more about Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (PG) ★★★…
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) ★★★★…
Book Launch, “The Greatest Love Story Ever Told”
It was a special day in Chicago on Tuesday, Oct. 2, when Michigan Avenue Magazine celebrated their October issue with cover stars, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman. The… Read more about On the Red Carpet with Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman by Patty Babin…
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”…
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…
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)…
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…
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…
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) ★★★★…
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) ★★★…
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) ★★★★…
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, 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…
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…