by Emma Wilson
According to the federal government, even as marijuana gets legal in most states, it remains a Schedule-I drug, whether for medical or recreational purposes. So, how did that happen? In his new documentary Grass Is Greener, legendary rapper Fab 5 Freddy examines how cannabis has influenced the Black music scene from the dawn of jazz to the present day, as well as the government's rationale for taking possession of it illegally.
Read MoreIt is also through her side of the story, clearly a huge product of Holofcener’s storytelling contributions, where the historical behaviors in The Last Duel accurately yet problematically fly against our still-evolving modern attitudes. While Scott’s film may follow the charted multiple perspectives of Jager’s well-researched novel, folding its painful and triggering trauma three times makes for an exorbitant and unsettling movie experience.
Read Moreby Lewis Robinson
The importance of education cannot be overstated. Today, more and more high school graduates are doubting the value of a college education. It might surprise them to know just how many famous performers have taken the time and made the effort to complete their college degrees even after they have become stars. Hollywood is full of superstars who value their framed degrees as much as they value their Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. The reasons why they choose to complete their studies even after fame are moving and they reveal the value of a good education.
Read MoreFrom dramas and thrillers to documentaries and comedies, the 57th Chicago International Film Festival presents an outstanding diversity of offerings. As in other years, their competitive categories and programs include Cinemas of the Americas, International Comedy, Women in Cinema, OutLook, After Dark, the 25th anniversary of the Black Perspectives focus, and the City & State program highlighting films made in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Read MoreLast year’s Drive-In offerings for the 56th Chicago International Film Festival were a big success at the ChiTown Movies location in the Pilsen neighborhood. Continuing that success, the Drive-In program has returned with its classic format for the upcoming 57th Chicago International Film Festival. Five drive-in features will be presented at 2343 South Throop Street. Tickets to the Chicago International Film Festival drive-in screenings, and the full program and drive-in schedule are available online now.
Read MoreThe prestigious 57th Chicago International Film Festival will run from October 13-24. Spinning out of a virtual 2020 year of limited online screenings, drive-in accommodations, and a limited slate, this year’s festival roars back to expand across the city. After many years centered at the AMC River East homebase location, the 57th CIFF is branching out across the Windy City. Film events will also be hosted by The Gene Siskel Film Center, the historic Music Box Theatre, the returning drive-in ChiTown Movies in Pilsen, and neighborhood pop-up screenings at Bronzeville’s historic Parkway Ballroom. This proud festival finally has the full coverage across the city it has long deserved.
Read MoreWizard Brands, Inc. is proud to announce that the 23rd edition of its flagship national event, Wizard World Chicago, will officially make its triumphant return on October 15-17, 2021, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. As a sign of tremendous good faith in this COVID era, all tickets purchased for the originally scheduled event in 2020, also postponed from August 2021, will be honored. Event tickets, photo op, autograph appointments and more are available online right now at the Wizard World website.
Read MoreRecently, I had the pleasure of joining Kevin McLenithan of the long-running "Seeing and Believing Podcast,” part of the Christ and Pop Culture site and podcast network as one of a series of interim hosts. Kevin and I are both members of Chicago Indie Critics and his faith-flavored perspective has always been topical, honest, and outstanding. His regular co-host Wade Bearden has retired from the show for other ventures and this new episode talking about the new James Bond movie No Time to Die was Kevin’s first run on “Seeing and Believing” leading the ship. I was honored to talk about a stellar movie and temporarily fill some big shows.
Read Moreby Lewis Robinson
Movies are made primarily for entertainment purposes, but they can be so much more. They can be educational, inspirational, and cautionary. Some of the most compelling movies ever made deal with business, either directly or tangentially. You can watch them to either increase your own business acumen from them or learn from them what not to do.
Read MoreFor our 28th episode, 25YL film critics, strong dads, and inventive school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan welcomed become prior guest and Phoenix-based film critic Ben Cahlamer for a twin bill of Paul Schrader films. Ben joins Will for a debate on Schrader's new film and Oscar Isaac vehicle "The Card Counter." Having not seen the movie, Don puts on the striped shirt as the referee for this one. Ben, as always, brings his insightful color that elevates this show.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
The topic of climate change has worked its way into all types of artistic expression; however, within more recent decades, it has almost become an entire genre in Hollywood cinematography. You can find a bevy of documentaries about relatively any element of climate change, but given the topic's relevance, you've probably noticed it creeping into the plots of everything from science fiction to heartwarming family films. Here are five major films, fiction and nonfiction, that will leave you thinking about climate change.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
When asked to think of a contemporary movie that centers around the world of fashion, The Devil Wears Prada should pop into your mind. This iconic film is just that good. It’s funny. It’s stylish. It has a star-studded cast. It’s more than 15 years old, and it’s still serving up fashion advice to today’s audiences that anyone can abide by and look their best, no matter the current trends. It can do no wrong. A few pieces of advice from The Devil Wears Prada stand out above the rest, however. Let’s take a look at the timeless styling tips you can apply to your own approach to fashion.
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