VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Suicide Squad"

Four comic fans and film critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle wrestle with the villainy and quality of the hotly anticipated "Suicide Squad" after a recent advance screening for the press. Enjoy the heroic work of myself, Emmanuel Noisette, Jon Espino, and Jim Alexander!

GUEST CRITICS #15: Bad Moms

As a very special occasion, my "Guest Critics" this time are four very lovely and special ladies. What makes them lovely and special? The fact that they are all mothers makes those adjectives appropriate and just two of many possible superlatives. One of them just happens to my wife too!

VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "The Legend of Tarzan"

The critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle have heard the call of the jungle! Watch and enjoy the first takes of myself and my fellow CIFCC members including Jon Espino of "The Young Folks," Pamela Powell of The Kankakee Daily Journal and "Reel Honest Reviews," and, but not least, Emmanuel Noisette of "Eman's Movie Reviews" offering their hot-and-bothered impressions on "The Legend of Tarzan." Enjoy!

EDITORIAL: The Best of 2016 (so far)

Many of my personal most-anticipated picks and my crystal ball Oscar prognostications are still coming, but I have been lucky enough to see over 50 film films in the first half of 2016. Since it's only been a half-year, I'll split a year-end "10 Best" list into a Top 5. True to this website's theme, I present you my picks for the "Best of 2016 (so far)" coupled with their best life lesson from my full reviews.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Panel participant on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast talking about "Finding Dory"

After an advance screening of "Finding Dory," I was invited to participate in a post-film round table podcast hosted by Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat. I was one of five Chicago film critics chatting about our feelings, opinions, and reactions to "Finding Dory" with tangents on Pixar, Burger King (our lucky location for the podcast), and even "The Gilmore Girls." Ian does outstanding work putting these shows together and I was highly honored to be included. I hope to be a guest again in the new future! Enjoy the show!

VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Finding Dory"

This week, I joined my fellow members of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle for an advance screening of Disney/Pixar's "Finding Dory." I am proud to be a co-founder and co-director of this fine group. We all took away a bunch of heart and love from the "Finding Nemo" sequel. Enjoy the first takes of yours truly, Gabrielle Bondi of The Young Folks, and Emmanuel Noisette of Eman's Movie Reviews!

COLUMN: Newly updated BAG website and platform for "Every Movie Has a Lesson"

Back in January, I introduced you to my involvement on BAG Movies as one of their "PRO" critics and contributors. In April, I was one of their inaugural "Critics of the Month." As of today, I've logged over 650 reviews on their site. I am happy to report that BAG Movies has gotten a massive facelift making it even more organized, personalized, and interactive than before. Their new-and-improved website just launched here in June 2016.

VIDEO: Post-film reactions to "Captain America: Civil War" from the CIFCC

I am very proud to share the first official video of the newly-formed Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle, of which I am a co-founder and co-director. When I attended an advance screening of "Captain America: Civil War" on May 2, 2016 with my press credentials, I was able to participate in a group video of post-film reactions with a small gathering of a few of my fellow members and directors of the CIFCC.

MEDIA APPEARANCE: "The Harvey and Bob Show" meet the CIFCC

Film critics El'Ahrai Stanek and John Robinson are two Chicago area podcasters that have been reviewing films and talking shop on their "Harvey and Bob Show" since 2006, longer than most of us have been blogging or writing. As a founding director of the new Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle (CIFCC), I was invited to come and take part in their weekly podcast. Between the 14-minute mark and the 47-minute mark, El'Ahrai and John interview us about how we started the CIFCC, our backgrounds, and our goals going forward.

EDITORIAL: 17 films to watch for the 2017 Oscars

On this day after the Oscars, we must already call those 2015 films old news and look towards next year's contenders. Plenty of movies will hit theaters in 2016, but only the best become Oscar hopefuls. Set your sights on these 17 films for the 2017 Oscars. Keep in mind that release dates and even titles of some of these unfinished films could still change. Surprises come all the time, but this what the crystal ball is showing for the 89th Academy Awards.

EDITORIAL: Final 2016 Awards Tracker and Oscar Reactions

Last night, I correctly predicted 16 of the 24 winners, tied with last year for my lowest total. To conclude the awards season with a final update of the Awards Tracker data, here are the finishing tallies, Oscar winners, and my reactions to the winners and losers.

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COLUMN: Five snubs and five surprises from the 88th Academy Award nominations

As with any year, there are hot topics being debated immediately stemming from snubs and surprises. Here are my reaction and takeaways, consisting of five snubs and five surprises, coming out of this morning's nominations announcements.