Looking Back on San Diego Comic Con 2019 by Erika S. Olson

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 … Read more

Mendocino Film Festival 2019: A Conversation with Claudia Puig—A Film Critic’s View as a Narrative Jury Member

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

“Framing John DeLorean” ★★★★ Special Screening Followed by Q&A

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

Chicago Critics Film Festival Opening Night 2019 by Patty Babin

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

The Chicago Critics Film Festival 2019 Tickets On Sale Now!

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

Sundance 2019 Buzz Watch and Winners List 35 Films—21 Award Winners, 14 Buzz Watch

All of the film trailers and some of the feature films have been viewed—the top entertainment film websites have been scoured—here are 35 Sundance 2019 films that garner attention. Congratulations to all Sundance Festival winners!… Read more

Critics Choice Awards 2019 (posted to RogerEbert.com)

ROMA, VICE, BLACK PANTHER WIN BIG AT 24TH CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Energetic host Taye Diggs, kicked off the evening at the 24th Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, CA, with a song and dance number … Read more

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 … Read more

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

On the Red Carpet with Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman by Patty Babin

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. … Read more

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

Chicago Film Critics 6th Annual Film Festival May 4-10 2018 Music Box Theater

(Chicago, IL) — The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), (of which I’ve been a member since 2009), the Chicago-area print, online and broadcast critics group that celebrates the art of film and film criticism Film … Read more

Ebertfest (Roger Ebert’s) 20th Anniversary Film Festival, Critical Mass Panel, It’s a Wrap

The 20th annual Roger Ebert Film Festival (Ebertfest), began on April 18 and ended on April 22, 2018, at the Virginia Theater in Champaign, Illinois. Film-goers were treated to a spotlighted celebration of past years Read more

23rd Critics Choice Awards 2018 Posted to RogerEbert.com

Women and a Child Actress Rocked the 23rd Critics Choice Awards

What a joy to attend the Critics Choice Awards on the heels of the women-driven Golden Globes Awards earlier in the week, as women … Read more

“BIG TIME” Architecture Documentary, Stars Bjarke Ingels ★★★★ by Kathrine LeBlanc

Star Architect Bjarke Ingels is Uniquely Changing City Skylines

BIG TIME, directed by Kaspar Astrup Schröder, is an inspirational documentary film that captures influential architect Bjarke Ingles through his journey of changing our built … Read more

The 53rd Chicago International Film Festival 2017 Preview

The 53rd Chicago International Film Festival will shortly be in full swing with tickets on sale now. A new Artistic Director, Mimi Plauché plans to continue the eclectic mix of programming that has been the … Read more

Ebertfest 2017, Focuses on Empathy, Kindness, Compassion and Forgiveness

A Film Critic’s Personal Journey to Ebertfest and Revisiting Her Childhood Home of University of Illinois

The 19th Annual Ebertfest Film Festival, April 19-23, was held at the historic 1,525-seat Virginia Theater and the University … Read more

Pixar Animation Studios Steve Jobs Theater Visit

An Invitation to Attend a Film Screening at Pixar Studios

Don’t you just love it when the sun, the moon, and the stars all align? Typically, I receive special film screening notices fairly regularly that … Read more

Kent Jones Interview ‘Hitchcock/Truffaut’ Documentary Film 51st CIFF

Hitchcock’s Lesson’s in Filmmaking Brought to Life in a New Documentary

Hitchcock/Truffaut is a documentary film for all movie buffs that have ever considered magnifying their knowledge of the components in filmmaking. The film was … Read more

Chicago International Film Festival 2015-It’s a Wrap by Patty Babin

At a Glance−The 2015 Chicago International Film Festival

The energy was magnetic at the 2015 CIFF. The AMC River East was filled with press, actors, directors, producers, photographers, film lovers, volunteers, and last but not … Read more

The 51st Chicago International Film Festival Preview by Sarah Adamson

Background, Action, Rolling…the 51st Chicago International Film Festival Oct 15-29, 2015 Offers a Wide Array of Films

There’s a crisp coolness in the air, leaves are turning burnt orange and scarlet red—the sure signs of … Read more

87th Academy Awards Telecast to Benefit Variety of Illinois Children’s Charity Celebrates 10 Years

The 10th Annual Variety of Illinois Oscar Charity Event orchestrated by Angelique Barthel, Executive Director of Variety of Illinois was a colossal success. The Red Carpet was rolled out February 22 for the live telecast … Read more

Fredrick Gertten Interview (SXSW) Film Festival 2015 ‘Bikes vs Cars’ By Kathrine LeBlanc

Bikes vs Cars is an impressive documentary from Swedish director, Fredrik Gertten. We caught up with him while he was in the US for the film’s North American debut at the SXSW Film Festival in … Read more

The 10th Annual Oscar Charity Event Shines it’s Spotlight on Children

Lights, Camera, Action! The Oscar Charity Soiree was ‘The’ Place to be on Oscar Night!

The 10th Annual Variety of Illinois Oscar Charity Event orchestrated by Angelique Barthel, Executive Director of Variety of Illinois, was … Read more