Goodbye Julia, 2023. Written and Directed by Mohamed Kordofani. Starring Eiman Yousif, Siran Riak, Nazar Gomaa, Ger Duany, Issraa Elkogali Häggström, Stephanos James Peter, Louis Daniel Ding, Mouawia Khalid, Motasim Abdelrazig Ahmed, Mohamed Abdelazim, Martha Nilwak Kando, Shamsaldeen Minto Abouti, and Paulino Victor Bol. SYNOPSIS: Just before the secession of South Sudan, a married former […]
53rd Chicago International Film Festival Capsule Review – Princess Cyd (2017)
Directed by Chicago based filmmaker Stephen Cone (Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party), Princess Cyd is at once genuine and inauthentic. As previously seen in his evergrowing portfolio of indie character studies, Cone presents humans with a deep aura of grace. Truthfully, there is no better word to use; working from the mismatched familial duo concept, it should be […]
58th Chicago International Film Festival Review – A Compassionate Spy
A Compassionate Spy, 2022. Directed by Steve James. Featuring Theodore Hall and Joan Hall. SYNOPSIS: The incredible story of Manhattan Project scientist Ted Hall, who shared classified nuclear secrets with Russia. The latest effort from celebrated documentary filmmaker Steve James (Life Itself, Abacus), A Compassionate Spy, follows Ted Hall, responsible for physician work on The […]
Chicago Critics Film Festival Capsule Review – The Power of the Dog
The Power of the Dog, 2021. Written and Directed by Jane Campion. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, Thomasin McKenzie, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Frances Conroy, Keith Carradine, Peter Carroll, Adam Beach, and Sean Keenan. SYNOPSIS: Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife […]
57th Chicago International Film Festival Capsule Review – King Richard
King Richard, 2021. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. Starring Will Smith, Demi Singleton, Saniyya Sidney, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal, Tony Goldwyn, Susie Abromeit, Dylan McDermott, Judith Chapman, Katrina Begin, Erin Cummings, Andy Bean, Kevin Dunn, Craig Tate, Calvin Clausell Jr., Noah Bean, Vaughn W. Hebron, and Chet Grissom. SYNOPSIS: A look at how tennis superstars […]
57th Chicago International Film Festival Review – Passing
Passing, 2021. Written and Directed by Rebecca Hall. Starring Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland, Alexander Skarsgård, Bill Camp, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Justus Davis Graham, Ethan Barrett, Ashley Ware Jenkins, and Amos J. Machanic. SYNOPSIS: Passing follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both […]
57th Chicago International Film Festival Capsule Review – Belfast
Belfast, 2021. Written and Directed by Kenneth Branagh. Starring Jude Hill, Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench, Ciarán Hinds, Lara McDonnell, Gerard Horan, Turlough Convery, Gerard McCarthy, Bríd Brennan, Sid Sagar, Colin Morgan, and Olive Tennant. SYNOPSIS: Buddy is a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, whose life is filled with familial love, childhood […]
57th Chicago International Film Festival Capsule Review – Spencer
Spencer, 2021. Directed by Pablo Larraín. Starring Kristen Stewart, Jack Farthing, Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall, Sean Harris, Thomas Douglas, Olga Hellsing, Matthias Wolkowski, Oriana Gordon, Ryan Wichert, John Keogh, Amy Manson, Elizabeth Berrington, Jack Nielen, Freddie Spry, Stella Gonet, Richard Sammel, Lore Stefanek, James Harkness, Laura Benson, Wendy Patterson, and Libby Rodliffe. SYNOPSIS: During her […]
57th Chicago International Film Festival Capsule Review – C’mon C’mon
C’mon C’mon. 2021 Written and Directed by Mike Mills. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Woody Norman, Gaby Hoffmann, Scoot McNairy, Molly Webster, Jaboukie Young-White, and Sarah Klein. SYNOPSIS: A radio journalist embarks on a cross-country trip with his young nephew. There are real-life concerns about the planet’s future and the emotional struggles of a fictional estranged family […]
57th Chicago International Film Festival Review – Mayor Pete
Mayor Pete, 2021. Directed by Jesse Moss. Featuring Pete Buttigieg, and Chasten Buttigieg. SYNOPSIS: An inside look at Pete Buttigieg campaign to run for President of the United States. The 2019 Iowa caucus is typically remembered for the botched and delayed voting results, and the surprise victory for openly gay South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete […]
