Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work.  Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate.  I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.  

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What movie has the greatest ensemble cast?

My, oh my! To name just one answer for a question like this is a challenge. Do you select by resumes and find the films filled with the best and brightest? Answers there could be the 1970s Irwin Allen disaster flicks on up to Steven Soderbergh’s sparkling Oceans films. That could also be the atrocious Movie 43 with a big cast of duped star. That’s one route. I went for the prestige route. Which ensemble wasn’t just great on paper with its fair share of legends and big names but also perfectly cast on screen? For me, that’s the deep roster of Oliver Stone’s JFK. Enjoy my rationale below along with the other outstanding selections in the full article.