All Things “Shining”
The camera creeps stealthily toward the open door of a bathroom as a young boy named Danny looks intently into the mirror. His voice alternates between normal tones and a […]
Matthew McConaughey Knocks ‘Em Dead in “Killer Joe”
For a while, it seemed like all Matthew McConaughey could play were variations on his sleazy stoner role in “Dazed and Confused.” His aspirations to be taken seriously as an […]
Todd Looby on “Lefty,” “Be Good”
The instant I saw the work of Chicago-based filmmaker Todd Looby, I knew that I had to interview him. There is a naturalism and honesty to his work that is […]
Lawrence Michael Levine on “Gabi on the Roof in July”
Every indie filmmaker has their own distinctive way of capturing “naturalism” on film. In this exclusive, in-depth interview, New York filmmaker Lawrence Michael Levine provides a step-by-step analysis of how […]
Matt Sheehan on “The Dark Knight Rises”
I recorded this podcast with Matt Sheehan of HollywoodSnitch.com the morning before the tragedy in Colorado. Our spoiler-free analysis is focused purely on the merits of Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark […]
Life Imitating Art Imitating Life
The most chilling scene in “The Dark Knight Rises” takes place in the tranquil moments before chaos erupts throughout Gotham City. A young boy (Charles Jackson Coyne) stands in the […]
Joe Avella on “Master of Inventions”
I first encountered the work of Chicago comedian Joe Avella while watching videos of his comedy duo, “Teenager of the Year.” It wasn’t just the comic timing of Avella and […]
Grace Folsom on “Things I Don’t Understand”
The acclaimed indie drama, “Things I Don’t Understand,” is notable for many reasons. It marks the second directorial feature of New York filmmaker David Spaltro, who earned praise for his […]
Mike Eisenberg on “Stitches”
I first met filmmaker Mike Eisenberg at a screening of Wes Anderson’s utterly delightful treasure “Moonrise Kingdom” about a month before it finally opened across the country. When it ended, […]
My Favorite Performance of 2011
I saw David Schwimmer’s “Trust” on a triple bill at Chicago’s Lake Street screening room back in the early Spring of 2011. It was the last film of the day, […]
Indie Outlook 