Roger Ebert Reviews

On the cusp of the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled the Constitution conferred the right of citizens to abortion, two films about the Jane Collective—Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes’ documentary “The Janes” and Phyllis Nagy’s narrative drama “Call Jane”—premiered at last January’s Sundance Film Festival. […]

The world of independent film lost a shining star last year when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of a movie where proper safety procedures were not followed. One of her greatest works was the movie “Darlin,’” a passion project from director and star Pollyanna McIntosh. Hutchins was young and had only been working for a decade

Kartemquin Films, the award-winning Chicago-based documentary organization known for its cutting-edge films, has named award-winning filmmaker, curator and programmer Amir George its artistic director to lead the artistic vision of the organization and to work collaboratively in strategic planning, advocacy and organizational decision making. Tomorrow, November 1st, he becomes the second artistic director in Kartemquin’s storied history and

Before we even start the interview proper, writer/director/stars Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead are already breathlessly recounting the story of a bizarre visit to Estonia years prior. There, they followed some strangers back to their place for drinks and conversation; at the end of it, in walks an animal they can only describe as “a

The first time we see Rahimi (Zar Amir Ebrahimi), she’s trying to check into a hotel in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city. The year is 2001 but the exchange we witness surely could happen in exactly the same way in today’s Iran. When the desk clerk realizes the Tehran-based reporter is a single female traveling

When Shana Feste and her team feel like they’re cutting loose in “Run Sweetheart Run,” the film obtains a campy momentum that can be thrilling. It’s ultimately one of those pieces that waffles in tone a bit too much—trying to be a few too many movies at once will do that—and almost feels like it

Fans of B-movies, rubber monsters, and back issues of Weird War Tales will want to check out “The Lair,” a good enough horror/action hybrid that sics a ravenous monster on a group of British and American soldiers stationed in modern-day Afghanistan. “The Lair” checks off some genre fans’ qualitative boxes, thanks in part to co-writer/director Neil

The first season of “The White Lotus” was a critical and commercial success for HBO and Mike White, landing a stunning 10 Emmy wins and widespread acclaim. It’s a tough act to follow, and the second adventure for a show that will move locations and (most of its) cast every season will likely struggle to escape

Whenever a Black child is slain in America, the first person we see or hear from is their mother. “Mommie, Mama, Madea, Mom … “—whatever you call the first woman to look into your eyes with unconditional love, this is a bond solidified for eternity. Nothing can sever the connection between a mother and her

It’s August 1968. Joy (Elizabeth Banks) accompanies her lawyer husband Will (Chris Messina) to a swanky partner’s dinner and is drawn outside by the sounds of a violent protest. Joy hovers behind a line of policemen, in a stand-off with the yippies, all of whom scream in unison, “The whole world is watching!” Joy, protected