True to a play’s performative spine, Eric LaRue rises to become an actor’s showcase building towards two important summits: the aforementioned collection of mothers and the first visit to Eric in prison. Each seated clash places Judy Greer in the unenviable position as the target of ire and the recipient of painful reactions, where no amount of contrition will be enough and immediate peace is impossible.
Read MoreFreelancer and fellow film critic friend Ben Silverio and his Chicago-based podcast co-host Ansel Burch invited me back for my second stint as a month-long guest on Time 2 Party podcast. They specialize in time travel films. Last time in the fall of 2024, I went romantic with Somewhere in Time. This time around, I move it up the more present era with the vastly underseen 2022 Hawaii-set romantic drama Press Play starring Clara Rugaard, Lewis Pullman, and a stellar soundtrack!
Read MoreMike Osborn and Curtis Menke of the irreverent and laugh-filled podcast “Let’s Talk About Flix are weekly appointment laughs for me and pod I support on Patreon. Mike and Curtis have become two full members of the Chicago Indie Critics group that I co-direct. For the second year in a row, I was honored to be asked on as the return guest during their “Patreon Picks” month. For that guest’s choice theme, I brought them 2018’s The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot starring Sam Elliot. Enjoy our chat! Follow their show on podcast platforms and YouTube!
Read MoreLiquor Bank knows that audiences don’t often see the stories that continue after the big commitment to change. They don’t see the temptations, choices, relapses, and secondary victories. In showing Eddie broken in losing a benchmark achievement, Marcellus Cox is unshy to shed light on a time of defeat instead of victory with Liquor Bank.
Read MoreAudrey’s Children chisels an important story into an extremely well-meaning film. Not all life-saving feats are glamorous and marked with crowds and cheers. Sometimes, all they are is a stabilized vital signs, hopeful test results to live longer, or a family that walks out the door of a hospital intact instead of grieving a loss. To enjoy and appreciate this film is to watch an uncompromising woman taking risks to put in the diligent work to make a difference for, once again, “her kids.”
Read MoreConstruction and mining have been a backdrop for many compelling movies, from action-packed thrillers to deeply emotional dramas. These films capture the dangers, triumphs, and struggles of those who work in these industries. Whether portraying real-life events or fictionalized accounts, they offer gripping storytelling. They also shed light on the crucial role of construction and mining in shaping the world and the disasters the workers face.
Read MoreCasinos have been present in different cultures for perhaps centuries, and today they are an essential part of popular culture. In many movies, especially Hollywood movies, we see how magnificent casinos are presented as magnificent places. The appearance of these casinos attracts people's attention. When we see casinos in movies, we don't just think that there is gambling there. We also see that they are very luxurious places. Luxury and excitement combine in casinos and give people a great feeling.
Read MoreCurious about The Calendar Killer and wondering if you can get Peacock free with Amazon Prime? With numerous streaming platforms available, it's natural to seek ways to save money while maximizing entertainment. One common question is whether Amazon Prime includes Peacock, especially for hit shows like The Calendar Killer.
Read MoreWhen 123movies launched in 2015, it quickly became more than just a platform for watching movies and TV shows—it evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Its influence extended beyond entertainment, serving as an unexpected educational tool, particularly for English language learners. Even after its shutdown in 2018, its legacy persists, raising important questions about accessibility, language learning, and the future of digital media.
Read MoreEmergencies can happen at any moment, and being ready can make all the difference between life and death. New tools and methods are helping emergency teams respond faster and work better. These updates are not a nice to have-they are lifesaving.
Read MoreThese behaviorial swerves and jolts are meant to be psychologically jarring, and they do more than frazzle the marriage stability of Mia and Aaryan. However, when these antics again are delivered by a grown adult we know can turn this persona on or off, they nullify believability. Every silly ass peril orchestrated by Virginia, even as they get more brazen and unorthodox as the week continues, are ridiculously overblown and, more often than not, completely preventable.
Read MoreFor their 191st episode, two Secret Service film critics, two sweaty dads, and two counterfeit school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, seep into the seedy side of nefarious crimes of money and the slimy side of Los Angeles with William Friedkin's 1985 stunner To Live and Die in L.A. Our guys always make time for a Willem Dafoe blind spot and this was a winner, thanks to the detailed mystery and the bold swerves orchestrated by the director.
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