Essays

Movies Aren’t Therapy Mike Mills on Parents and Kids

Filmmaker Mike Mills has built a compelling artistic landscape by dissecting the messy, complex reality of family dynamics. Through his

Kurosawa on Paradise or Hell: The Samurai and the Prisoner

Kiyoshi Kurosawa has long carved a reputation for crafting tense, methodical genre films that dissect the anxieties of contemporary society.

SDCC 2026: Everything Visuals Part 2

San Diego Comic-Con is more than just a convention; it’s a kaleidoscopic explosion of fandom where imagination takes physical form.

NYC in Transit launches at Film Forum

The New York City subway system is far more than just a method of transport; it is a perfectly cinematic

Brad Bird & Talent at SDCC 2026 Hall H

The energy at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 was electric this weekend, buzzing with anticipation for cinematic universe expansion and behind-the-scenes

Goodbye to the Lake Street Screening Room

From Critics’ Cocoon to Luxury Heights: How Downtown Chicago is Rewriting Its History Downtown Chicago is constantly evolving, shedding old

Kaylee Hottle Alternate Timeline 2007-2026

The tapestry of entertainment history is often woven with threads of brilliance and tragedy, where performers achieve immense potential just

Nolan’s Odyssey is the Best Horror Film of the Year

Christopher Nolan has always been a master of cinematic spectacle, but in his recent work, he seems to be doing

You Are the Film Los Vampires Daughter Fantasia 2026

When Fantasia rolls along, it proves that cinephiles have tired of chasing A-list blockbusters. This genre festival is a delightful

NWR dives into Her Private Hell

When Danish auteur Nicolas Winding Refn shared his new film Her Private Hell at the Cannes premiere, he framed the

Relive the Launch That Changed Gaming Halo Campaign Evolved

Two and a quarter decades after its debut, Halo: Combat Evolved remains a monumental touchstone in the history of video

Ransom Canyon brings soapy drama in Season 2

In a world brimming with real-life chaos, there’s a certain antidote: the cozy comfort show. These programs—think of relationship dramas

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Wastes Concept

What happens when you take beloved characters from one universe and fling them into the chaos of another? This is

Strange New Worlds swings in tone for Season 4

The Star Trek universe is navigating a bittersweet final chapter, marked by industry shifts and creative tightropes. As Paramount moves

Zsazsa Zaturnnah Dance Freak in Our Effed Up World Fantasia 2026

When the lights shine on the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montréal, the energy is palpable. This isn’t just a

Manhunter Final Cut Intimate Action

When Michael Mann’s Manhunter was released in 1986, it landed with a thud. Critics largely dismissed it as prioritizing style

Kore-eda on the visuals of Sheep in the Box

In a world increasingly defined by algorithms and manufactured realities, director Hirokazu Kore-eda is turning his lens toward the most

Roger showing his love for Chaz

There are some stories that don’t just unfold across time; they solidify into something unbreakable. The enduring quality of a

The Map of Longing finds catharsis

Some stories are simply designed to stick with you long after the credits roll. Netflix’s The Map of Longing is

Chicago where music and news beat

Sometimes, the most profound discoveries arrive when you least expect them. For one author, this surreal moment occurred on a

Watching Nolan movies during the pandemic Chaz Ebert

When anticipating Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, it’s easy to look back at his acclaimed 2010 film, Inception, and reflect on

Black Protagonists Transforming Modern Horror TV

In the 2020s, the landscape of horror television is undergoing a fascinating transformation, driven by Black men stepping into roles

Honoring the life of George E Johnson Sr

Some lives leave an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, shaping generations long before their names become household terms. George

Connect at MUBI Fest 2026

MUBI Fest brought its vibrant energy back to Chicago for the third time this year, firmly establishing itself as an

KVIFF 2026 Awards Celebration

There is a profound sense of restoration that follows revisiting a place, especially one as visually intoxicating as Karlovy Vary.