Essays

Ninth Jedi expands Star Wars visuals

When Lucasfilm launched Star Wars: Visions, they didn’t just create animated shorts; they handed creative blueprints to studios like Trigger

Julia Hart on filmmaking and “Don’t Say Good Luck”

How do you navigate the turbulent waters of high school when your family is facing profound loss? This question lies

Ted Lasso gets back on the pitch for Season 4

The journey of Ted Lasso has consistently offered audiences more than just football antics; it provides a masterclass in optimism.

Silhouettes and Warnings in Ray Bradbury’s Soft Rains

The House That Remembers: Finding Cosmic Meaning in Ray Bradbury’s Vision There is a certain power in letting a story

Fantasia 2026 Wrap Up

The doors finally close on another year of the Fantasia International Film Festival, an event that serves as far more

Golf Miracle action

The Green Light: How Chicago Golf is Inspiring a New Generation of Trailblazers Chicago is rightfully known as a sports

The Odyssey’s Voyage: How a Greek Epic Shaped America

When a modern cinematic titan like Christopher Nolan tackles an ancient epic, the conversation rarely stays confined to the spectacle.

Messy Teen Drama Escape in Sterling Point

If you’ve ever found solace in the lush escapism of a magical island and the complicated emotional tapestry of growing

Warsha Short Films in Focus

There are films that simply entertain, and then there are those that lodge themselves deep within your consciousness, leaving you

Anna Pigeon a satisfying TV throwback

Where Mystery Meets Majesty: Why USA Network’s Anna Pigeon Captures the Heart Escape to Montana where golden-hour glows meet rugged

The Unloved Beanfield War Part 152

When we look back at lives lived, we often discover that the most profound stories are not found in grand

A-List Cast Crowns Lioness Queen of the Streaming Jungle

In the world of high-octane spy thrillers, where geopolitical complexity often drowns spectacular action, Taylor Sheridan’s series Lioness has carved

My SDCC 2026 Adventure

Fandom isn’t just a hobby; it’s an immersive universe waiting to be explored. My recent journey through the world of

Visualizing Obsession The Drama of Home Entertainment 2026

There’s a palpable shift happening in how we consume cinema, moving beyond simple viewing into a deeper appreciation for the

Ferine’s Eyes and the Mutation Fantasia 2026

Identity is a fascinating, often terrifying battleground. Are we truly who we think we are, and are we terrified of

Desire is the catalyst Gregg Araki on I Want Your Sex

I Want Your Sex: Gregg Araki Delivers a Pop-Art Masterpiece on Desire and Disruption Legendary filmmaker Gregg Araki is back

Damage Godhead and Sour Minnows Fantasy 2026

Returning to Chicago after a week immersed in the cinematic chaos of Montreal’s Fantasia Fest feels like shedding an excess

Raise Hope with Glen Hansard 1970-2026

The world mourned the loss of Glen Hansard, a talent whose emotional resonance was as palpable as the music he

Diarra from Detroit: Grown-Up Nancy Drew Season 2

When you think of gang adventures, secret societies, and a relentless pursuit of an antique treasure, you might conjure images

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