For the Left Hand | Documentary Film Review

For the Left Hand | Documentary Film Review

This film hits all the right notes. Physically debilitated due to a childhood injury inflicted by his mentally impaired father, an aspiring pianist is virtually paralyzed on one side of his body and unable to use his right hand. In spite of his challenges, Norman 

Chicago International Film Festival 2021 Pre-Opening Reviews

Chicago International Film Festival 2021 Pre-Opening Reviews

Pre-opening preview review of “Broadcast Signal Intrusion” with Harry Shum.Jr. (Crazy Rich Asians) inspired by a true Chicago mystery. Also capsule reviews of SHORTS 1, a collection of 8 short subjects produced by filmmakers with ties to the Chicago area. Featuring works Winning in America, Close 

The Road Up | Documentary Film Review

The Road Up | Documentary Film Review

In this Chicago based documentary “The Road Up” Mr. Jesse part preacher, part drill sergeant guides a class of mostly middle aged job seekers through a training course designed to raise their self-esteem and hone their skills to improve their readiness for employment. The Cara 

Teen Improv Group | Documentary Film Review

Teen Improv Group | Documentary Film Review

Podcast review of 2019 documentary film SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING by Josh da Silva about Chicago northside neighborhood teens using Improv to enhance communication skills and explore racism as well as other topics that impact their lives. You can watch the film online at Tubi. 

A Film Noir with a Chicago Connection | Nightmare Alley

A Film Noir with a Chicago Connection | Nightmare Alley

If you are a lover of classic film noir don’t miss Nightmare Alley a 1947 film starring Tyrone Power and Joan Blondell,  with Colleen Gray as Molly directed by Edmund Goulding. You can watch it right here and now. A talented circus con man reaches 

Podcast Review of “Expo – Magic of the White City” Video Documentary

Podcast Review of “Expo – Magic of the White City” Video Documentary

This video documentary narrated by Gene Wilder still only scratches the surface of the over 100 miles of streets, paths, and aisles leading to the dizzying array of agriculture, art, music, consumer goods and modern inventions that made up Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. 

Awesome 1940’s Film View of Chicago

Awesome 1940’s Film View of Chicago

Chicago – A Film from the Chicago Board Of Education from Fading Dyes on Vimeo. If you are a Chicagophile of any age you will enjoy this professionally produced idyllic 1940’s view of Chicago. It’s amazing to see how much things have changed and how much 

The First Rainbow Coalition | Film Review Podcast

The First Rainbow Coalition | Film Review Podcast

UPDATE : Premieres January 27, 2020 at 10PM on WTTW Chicago Independent Lens. THE FIRST RAINBOW COALITION is a documentary that premiered at the 55th Annual Chicago International Film Festival  about Chicago’s multi-ethnic “street gangs” in the 1960s primarily led by activist Fred Hampton of 

Blinded by the Light Movie Review with a Chicago Spin

Blinded by the Light Movie Review with a Chicago Spin

The semi-autobiographical movie “Blinded by the Light” is based on the experiences of British born journalist and Bruce Springsteen super-fan Sarfraz Manzoor. The winsome Viveik Kalra stars in the lead role, of Javed who wants nothing more than to bust out of his small working 

THE TORCH – Continuing a Blues Legacy | Film Review

THE TORCH – Continuing a Blues Legacy | Film Review

If you are not already a fan of Chicago Blues Legend Buddy Guy you are very likely to become one after seeing THE TORCH a new documentary directed by Jim Ferrell and distributed by IFC Films, set to premiere as the closing night presentation at 

Chicago International Film Festival | Week 1 Overview | Podcast

Chicago International Film Festival | Week 1 Overview | Podcast

Whether you plan to attend the Chicago International Film Festival or not Reno Lovison, Joanne Schochat, and Connie Wilson provide some insights into several films that are being presented including many of which will soon be available in wider release or will appear on PBS, 

Connie Wilson Preview of the Chicago International Film Festival

Connie Wilson Preview of the Chicago International Film Festival

Connie Wilson, reviewer for TheMovieBlog.com and author of IT CAME FROM THE ’70s: From The Godfather to Apocolypse Now, gives a quick preview of movies she has seen or has chosen to see at the Chicago International Film Festival running through October 27, 2019 at