My 2018 at the Movies: Now slightly shorter and more utterly random than ever!
Hey, where ya’ been? Oh…right! I was the one missing in action here at ChicagoNow. Yes, between exploring some new avenues and the demise of Chicagoist, I didn’t just take a small step away from movie criticism in 2018. I pretty much abandoned it. As such, I really have no claim to this space, but... Read more »
Don’t Save the Cat! Snyder vs. Sorkin and the Marginalization of Creative Screenwriting
“There are a zillion different ways to prepare beef. You can have filet mignon, Beef Wellington, flank steak…anything. But if you were to prepare beef the way the fewest people find objectionable…it would be a McDonald’s hamburger, every single time. I love McDonald’s hamburgers. I eat way too many of them. But if I were... Read more »
My 2017 at the Movies: Unsettled Ground (An Overview)
Movie-wise and otherwise, 2017 was an unsettling year. There may be a grim cosmic logic in Jonathan Demme dying the same year Donald Trump became President. Nothing stands in more direct opposition to the celebration of women, multiculturalism, social activism and free-spiritedness in Demme’s filmography than Cheetolini’s narcissistic rage and intolerance. As a freelance film... Read more »
ChicagoNow Video
Advertisement:
My 2017 at the Movies: The Favorites (Top 10)
If you didn’t read my year-end overview, it adds a little context to this list (like, why does he have a TV show here?). * Indicates a festival screening and the film had no other local 2017 theatrical run. 1. Lady Bird – Immediately joining the ranks of Rushmore, Dazed and Confused and other top-tier... Read more »
My 2017 at the Movies: The Favorites (11-25)
If you didn’t read my year-end overview, it adds a little context to this list (like, why does he have a TV show here?). * Indicates a festival screening and the film had no other local 2017 theatrical run. **A late 2016 release I ignored the calendar to include. 11. The Florida Project – Sean... Read more »
My 2017 at the Movies: Honorable Mentions
If you didn’t read my year-end overview, it adds a little context to this list. * Indicates a festival screening and the film had no other local 2017 theatrical run. **A late 2016 release I ignored the calendar to include. At Your Doorstep* – From my Chicagoist coverage of the Chicago Latino Film Festival: “The... Read more »
Advertisement:
My 2017 at the Movies: Odds and Ends
If you didn’t read my year-end overview, it adds a little context to this list (like, why do I have a TV show here?). * Indicates a festival screening and the film had no other local 2017 theatrical run. Biggest Disappointments Alien: Covenant – After the huge disappointment of the prequel Prometheus, I was not... Read more »
Jonathan Demme Sang Our Song
Though our aging population has more octogenarians, nonagenarians and even centenarians than ever, you can’t rationally claim that 73 is a tragically young age to die. Why then did Jonathan Demme’s passing this past April, at age 73, hit me—and so many others who were strangers to him—so hard? How could it feel “too soon?”... Read more »
"Free Fire" Is a Misfire Despite Killer Cast
With his new slapstick shoot-‘em-up, Free Fire, British writer-director Ben Wheatley (Kill List, High-Rise) seems on the verge of moving from cult film favorite to a more mainstream career. The movie is getting by far the widest U.S. release of his six theatrical features, its high-profile cast includes recent Oscar winner Brie Larson, and no... Read more »
Advertisement:
Top-Tier Filmmaking and Performances Make "The Levelling" a Must-See
The Levelling is too damned good for its likely fate: becoming another under-the-radar gem lost in an overflow of independent productions competing for a moment’s attention in a film culture that shunts so much of its best to the margins. Catch it while you can, because this powerhouse drama of grief and deep-seated family resentments... Read more »
-
Advertisement:
-
Advertisement:
Recent posts
-
My 2018 at the Movies: Now slightly shorter and more utterly random than ever! »
Joel Wicklund on Windy City CinemaPosted January 4, 2019 at 7:51 am -
Don’t Save the Cat! Snyder vs. Sorkin and the Marginalization of Creative Screenwriting »
Joel Wicklund on Windy City CinemaPosted June 25, 2018 at 12:57 am -
My 2017 at the Movies: Unsettled Ground (An Overview) »
Joel Wicklund on Windy City CinemaPosted January 4, 2018 at 3:57 pm -
My 2017 at the Movies: The Favorites (Top 10) »
Joel Wicklund on Windy City CinemaPosted January 4, 2018 at 3:54 pm -
My 2017 at the Movies: The Favorites (11-25) »
Joel Wicklund on Windy City CinemaPosted January 4, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Tags
- favorite films (5)
- horror movies (2)
- Academy Awards (2)
- independent movies (2)
- action movies (2)
- Films of 2017 (2)
- classic horror (1)
- William Castle (1)
- The Night Walker (1)
- diversity (1)
Categories
- TV & Film (54)
Latest on ChicagoNow
-
Benefits of CBD, Spirit Communications, Haunted Family and more on The Unexplained World podcast.
from Chicago Paranormal and Spiritual by Edward Shanahan
posted Friday at 10:41 pm -
NASA Astronaut Nick Hague 100% Confident in Russian Soyuz
from Cosmic Chicago by Sophie Sanchez
posted Friday at 9:23 pm -
"DEAR EVAN HANSEN", Is An Emotional Awakening
from Bonnie's EYE On...! by bdeshong
posted Friday at 6:14 pm -
Toastmasters introductions: Don't let memorizing odd names kick your butt
from Message from Montie by Shamontiel
posted Friday at 5:55 pm -
Offseason Prospect Overview: Paul Richan
from Cubs Den by Michael Ernst
posted Friday at 5:31 pm
Read these ChicagoNow blogs
-
Cubs Den
Chicago Cubs news and comprehensive blog, featuring old school baseball writing combined with the latest statistical trends -
FutureSox
Following the future stars of your Chicago White Sox. -
Show Me Chicago
Show Me Chicago previews, reviews and expresses opinions on what's happening in Chicago from Blockbuster Theater, to what's new in dining, arts, and the neighborhoods.
Read these ChicagoNow Bloggers
-
Paul M. Banks
from The Patriotic Dissenter: -
Planet Michelle
from Planet Michelle: -
Teme Ring
Advertisement: