Sam Fleischner on “Stand Clear of the Closing Doors”
Though much of the Windy City’s indie buzz is focused on “Boyhood” this weekend, another film is set to open for a week-long run, and in the opinion of this […]
In the Sweet By and By
“There’s a sense of elegy in the film. A sense that something wonderful is coming to an end, and the way to handle that is not to regret it, but […]
Why “The Birds” is a Film for Our Time
There’s a reason why great works of art are built to last. They tap into universal themes that can be applied to any generation, any culture, any personal life experience. […]
Addams & Brady Family Values
Though “22 Jump Street” has been generally well-received by critics and audiences, not all the word of mouth has been stellar. Many people voiced their aggravation that the film—in its […]
Kieslowski, Eroticism and Véronique
I don’t think there’s ever been a film quite like Krzysztof Kieslowski’s 1991 masterpiece, “The Double Life of Véronique.” Those who complain it lacks substance or coherence somehow managed to […]
Herrmann & Hitchcock: Symphony of Suspense
Few collaborations between artists have ever led to as indelible an array of art as the partnership of Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann. Of course, both men’s careers are legendary […]
The Living Dead
“Scottie, do you believe that someone out of the past—someone dead—can enter and take possession of a living being?”—Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore) in “Vertigo” This ominous query forms the basis […]
The Fault in Her Co-Stars: Shailene Woodley’s Dilemma
There’s a scene towards the end of “The Fault in Our Stars” that confirms Shailene Woodley’s status as one of the most gifted actors currently working in mainstream American film. […]
Our Mirror Selves: The Hitchcock Double
What is art if not a reflection of the world as we perceive it? Great artists dare to explore those aspects of ourselves that we prefer to keep hidden from […]
