Category Archives: Uncategorized

3 things about Michael Winner’s SCORPIO

Scorpio [1973] 1. Burt in blackface. 2. A toast to dinosaurs. 3. Compulsive flower arranging. Ugh. Michael Winner was behind some of the most mediocre films on the 70s and 80s. Nothing new here at all.

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3 things about Alan Arkin’s LITTLE MURDERS

Little Murders [1971] 1. “I really nearly trust you!” 2. He slowly shuffles to the other end of the subway car and takes a seat. AS he sits down, the man to his right pulls away slightly 3. A monument … Continue reading →

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3 things about Luca Guadagnino’s A BIGGER SPLASH

A Bigger Splash [2015] 1. She defiantly points out that she’s 22. 2. A detour for ricotta. 3. “Don’t scream, madam! Your voice”

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A selected inventory of 2016.

By the numbers … 175: movies I watched in 2016 (25 of which I viewed in a theater) 30: pizzas we ordered from The Art of Pizza 10: mystery green statistic Happy New Year!

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The ten best films I watched in 2016.

When it comes to moviegoing, personally this has been a very weird year. With a few exceptions I wasn’t actively reviewing films for Chicagoist (working on my own film put a stop to that) and I wasn’t going to see … Continue reading →

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3 things about Denis Villeneuve’s ARRIVAL

Arrival [2016] 1. “It’s not true. But it proves my point.” 2. Play-Doh figures. 3. She turns to the dedication page of her book, which reads, “For Hannah.”

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Update: the sounds of ROY’S WORLD.

Jason Adasiewicz and I (but mostly Jason) have been hard at work on the soundtrack of my forthcoming documentary Roy’s World: Barry Gifford’s Chicago. And after a lot of wrangling on Jason’s part we’ve finally assembled the combo that will … Continue reading →

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3 things about Kelly Reichardt’s CERTAIN WOMEN

Certain Women [2016] 1. Fifteenth in line from the throne. 2. Blaze King fireplace. 3. Horse ride to the diner.

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Best Chicago Film?!

The Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle Awards nominations have just been announced, and I’m stunned to discover that Pause of the Clock is up for Best Chicago Film. It’s up against Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party and Southside with You. I’m … Continue reading →

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3 things about Anthony Mann’s THE GLENN MILLER STORY

The Glenn Miller Story [1954] 1. A film from the 50s with two sympathetic Jewish characters! 2. Multicolored lights at Connie’s Inn. Psychedelic Louis Armstrong. 3. Slow dissolve from her face to the foggy runway.

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