BlackBerry ★★★½
Can you remember a time before your iPhone or hand-held phone? Going back to 2002, the first BlackBerry phone was launched. I didn’t have one, but my husband did. He used it mainly for texting; … Read more
Film Festivals and Events
BlackBerry Interview Matt Johnson, Director and Co-writer
The year is 1996, in Waterloo, Ontario, a city in Canada. Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and his business partner and best friend Douglas Fregin (Matt Johnson) are close to creating the world’s first smartphone. Struggling … Read more
Roger Ebert’s Ebertfest Film Festival 2023
Ebertfest Film Festival 2023, Focuses on Empathy
The Ebertfest film festival began on Wednesday, April 19, and ended Saturday evening, April 22, with all screenings at the majestic Virginia Theatre in downtown Champaign, IL. Ebertfest … Read more
Moving On, (R) ★★★½ Hollywood 360 Radio Podcast
My selection’s during the Toronto International Film Festival September 2022 started off with the comedic writer-director Paul Weitz’s film, “Moving On,” starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Malcolm Macdonald, and Richard Roundtree. The story centers on … Read more
Paul Weitz Interview–“Moving On” Director and Writer
My selection during the Toronto International Film Festival started with the comedic writer-director Paul Weitz’s film, “Moving On,” starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Malcolm McDowell, and Richard Roundtree.
The story centers on a man (Howard), … Read more
Stories from “Killers of the Flower Moon” Posted to Roger Ebert. com
When pondering a topic for Women Writers Week, an introductory article for Martin Scorsese’s new film seemed apropos. The article includes insights by Shannon Shaw Duty, the Editor of the Osage News, and member of … Read more
Critics Choice Awards 2023 Red Carpet Coverage
My article is published on RogerEbert. com, although this post is similar in theme it contains a few more photos of the Red Carpet and the Awards show. The awards event took place January 15, … Read more
In Person at Sundance Film Festival 2023
The Sundance Film Festival, located in Park City, Utah, is the largest independent film festival in the United States. Having covered it remotely for the last three years, I was anxious to attend in person. … Read more
Critics Choice Awards Show -with Host Chelsea Handler January 15, 2023
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) has announced the star-studded line-up set to present awards at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards. Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the winners will be revealed at the Critics Choice Awards, … Read more
Woman Talking (R) H360 Podcast
Oscar nominated screenwriter Sarah Polley serves as screenplay writer and director of a horrific story based on true events in a Mennonite community in Bolivia. Polley adapted the film, set in 2010 from the best-selling … Read more
CCA Celebration of Black Cinema and Television Awards posted to RogerEbert.com
The atmosphere of the Critics Choice Black Celebration of Cinema and Television this past Monday evening, December 5, can be summed up as joyous. The recognition event honors the outstanding work in film and television … Read more
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (PG-13) ★★★★
Yes, Daniel Craig is back as the world’s greatest detective Benoit Blanc in the second hysterically comical mystery. The new “Knives Out” adventure showcases the fearless detective at a lavish private estate on a Greek … Read more
She Said (R)
After the powerful screening of “She Said” on Saturday evening, at Film Fest 919 Randi Emerman and I conducted a discussion about the film as the New York Times reporters shocking discoveries touched so many … Read more
The Fabelmans (PG-13) ★★★★ Hollywood 360 Radio Network
By far, the anticipation of Steven Spielberg’s film “The Fabelmans” to premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival was sky high! It’s not off to say Steven Spielberg sincerely phones home — as “The … Read more
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (PG-13) ★★★½ Hollywood 360 Radio Podcast
Daniel Radcliffe is “Weird” Al Yankovic in this highly exaggerated story of his early childhood and rises to fame as a parody singer and accomplished accordion player. The film opened in Toronto to packed crowds, … Read more
Film Fest 919 Film Festival Chapel Hill, NC Wrap
Film Fest 919, Celebrates 5 Years
* The following article has additions that do not appear in the Alliance of Women Film Journalist article that was posted October 31, 2022, the additions are from Sarah’s … Read more
The Good Nurse (R) ★★★★ Hollywood 360 Radio Podcast
“The Good Nurse” (R) Academy award winners Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”) and Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) star in a true-crime thriller investigating hospitals and the healthcare system in America streaming … Read more
Moonage Daydream (PG-13)
“Moonage Daydream” is playing in theaters, and the IMAX it’s a documentary centering on David Bowie and his roles as a musician, painter, actor, and world traveler. Director Brett Morgen paints an intriguing portrait through … Read more
“White Noise” (R) ★★★½ New York City Opening, Interviews with Stars
“White Noise” made history as the first film ever to be named the opening night selection at both the Venice and New York Film Festivals. Attending the film’s opening in New York City during a … Read more
The Greatest Beer Run Ever (R) ★★★
The year is 1967 in Inwood, NY a Merchant Marine on leave, John ‘Chickie’ Donohue (Zac Efron), annoys his dad by sleeping late after hanging out all night with buddies at Doc Fiddler’s (Bill Murray) … Read more
30 TIFF Films, Recap, and Red Carpet
Reflecting upon my fourth year of press accreditation of the Toronto International Film Festival, I continue to be impressed with the festival’s wide variety of films offered, the opportunities to meet talent, and especially viewing … Read more
Toronto Film Festival Part 2 Update: The Fabelmans, Women Talking, Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues, The Good Nurse,
By far, the anticipation of Steven Spielberg’s film “The Fabelmans” to premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival was sky high! Having secured a ticket early in hopes of seeing the film was … Read more
The 2022 Toronto International Film Part 1, Moving On, Maya and the Wave, The Woman King
The 2022 Toronto International Film Festival kicked off on September 8, 2022, with me attending in person. This is my fourth year of press accreditation, with the last two years being online, so I must … Read more
Interview with Doc10 Film Festival Founders Paula Froehle and Steve Cohen
Doc10 Film Festival Features Award-Worthy Lineup
Hey Chicago! Do you like documentaries? How about a film festival whose programmers have chosen the ‘best of the best’ for you? How about only 10 films? Yes, … Read more