Posted May 17, 2019

Many thanks to The Chicago Critics Film Festival for selecting incredible films this year and we saw many.

Closing night we saw LUCE starring Naomi Watts and Octavia Spencer. Then LIGHT FROM LIGHT with star Jim Gaffigan, Director Paul Harrill and producer David Lowery with Q & A. Review and more soon.

At The Music Box Theatre. Get tickets and more information at musicboxtheatre.com

Light From Light—haunting film about a single mom moonlighting as a paranormal investigator travels to Tennessee with her son for a new case; filmmaker Paul Harrill and co-star Jim Gaffigan, (Chicago native) Q & A.

Special guest actor Viveik Kalra was in the house for Blinded By The Light, a thoroughly enjoyable “follow your dreams” treatise of a teen inspired by Bruce Springsteen and his songs.
Alien 40th Anniversary Screening on 35mm—Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi classic about a space crew that discovers a scary new life form. Actor Tom Skerritt attended telling three reasons why he wanted to make the film. Ridley Scott, a well-written script and a female as the superhero of the film.
The Farewell— Sundance Film festival hit starring Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians) about a Chinese family planning a wedding under sad circumstances.Writer/director Lulu Wang gave background on her family and making the film at Q & A we will have up soon.
Yesterday—Writer Richard Curtis (Love Actually) and Director Danny Boyle (T2 Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) about a struggling musician who realizes he’s the only one who knows who The Beatles are. Fun film starring Lily James and Kate McKinnon and Ed Sheeran in a time warp where only one man who knows Beatle songs becomes a famous rock star!
The Nightingale—Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) as a young Irish convict woman out for revenge against a British officer. Actress Aisling Franciosi scheduled to attend
Our Time Machine—documentary about an artist who collaborates on a special stage performance inspired by an aging father’s Alzheimers diagnosis.

Pink Wall—debut feature film from actor Tom Cullen (“Knightfall,” “Orphan Black”) stars Jay Duplass and Tatiana Maslany star as a couple navigating life, love over 6 years. Cullen, Duplass, and Maslany came to tell their story on making the film.

Pictured below WINNER of the Audience Award (Narrative Feature) for the Festival is SAINT FRANCES

Kelly O’Sullivan, Alex Thompson, Ramona Edith-Williams

A few recommendations of films we’ve already seen.

Alice – The story of a wife/mother of a young child finds out her husband isn’t who she thought he was. She takes over the household and finances by becoming the kind of high priced escort her husband spent their money on. What happens when her husband comes back?

The Art of Self Defense – Saw this surprisingly fun dark comedy at SXSW. Red Carpet interviews with Director Riley Stearns, actors Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Vivola, Imogene Poohs below. About About a young man who gets beaten to a pulp and decides to get Karate training to defend himself, but gets caught up in much more. Clever twists.

Skin – This short film won Best Live Action Short film at this year’s Academy Awards. This powerful statement on race is shocking and will stick with you.