Roger Ebert Reviews

The films of Tyler Perry have been proving themselves critic-proof since his 2005 debut feature “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” And yet outlets such as this one keep assigning writers to review them. Partially because it’s what they do. But he has always been a creator who demands critical interest. The populist appeal of […]

It’s a funny thing, writing about video games for a publication named after Roger Ebert, who famously claimed video games would never be as artistically worthy as movies or literature (though he famously walked back that sentiment, if only a bit, months later). I wonder what he’d think of “Immortality”—the latest from Sam Harlow, who

Every lamp and ladylike cocktail dress, every convertible and clink of a martini glass is a perfect reflection of retro chic in Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling.” Who wouldn’t want to live in the suburban Shangri-la of Victory, with its minimalist, mid-century modern homes and bawdy, booze-soaked dinner parties? Young, attractive families find their every

The Chicago International Film Festival—the longest running competitive film fest in North America, mind you—just announced its full line-up for this year’s 58th edition. The opening night selection is Steve James‘ “A Compassionate Spy,” and the closing film will be Noah Baumbach‘s dark comedy “White Noise.” A long list of exciting titles will play in between during the

Hulu pretends to add more to the algorithm-friendly mania of TV reboots (from “Fuller House” to “Quantum Leap” to “Beavis & Butthead”) with “Reboot,” a witty meta series from Steven Levitan (the co-creator of “Modern Family”). In its best moments, this fast-paced circus of hilarious one-liners and dysfunctional creative relationships depicts the formation of its own family,

Explorations of identity, celebrity, and our own oral histories often make compelling cinema. At this year’s festival three films tackled these themes within three very different genres. In documentarian Alice Diop’s first fiction film “Saint Omer,” a novelist attending the trial of a woman accused of infanticide meditates on the ways their shared immigrant story

How do we grieve people we never really knew? How do we get closure when the only thing that changed was the mortal status of someone who ruined our lives? It’s been a theme of all forms of drama for generations, and Rodrigo Garcia’s “Raymond & Ray” just doesn’t do anything memorable enough to stand

Two of the finest films receiving their U.S. release this year each provide riveting showcases for Essie Davis, the brilliant Australian actress who earned international raves for her star turn in Jennifer Kent’s 2014 modern horror classic, “The Babadook.” Davis delivers another Oscar-worthy performance in Gaysorn Thavat’s sublime directorial debut, “The Justice of Bunny King”—which

“Meet Cute,” or “Live. Date. Repeat.” as I’m calling it informally, wastes a good time machine. With the bright flash of a blue light from a tanning bed, made by New York City nail salon owner June (Deborah S. Craig), one can be transported back in time for 24 hours. There’s so much that can be

Thanks to friends and colleagues and supporters of FACETS and the movies, the 2022 Screen Gems Benefit honoring me next Wednesday, September 28th, at the Arts Club of Chicago is now sold out!  We are so appreciative. And I want you to know that you can still donate to FACETS, Chicago’s historic film screening cinematheque and educational non-profit started by the