Connie (Corcoran) Wilson (www.ConnieCWilson.com) was the Quad City Times film and book critic for 15 years and has continued reviewing film uninterruptedly since 1970. She also publishes books in a variety of genres (www.quadcitieslearning.com), has taught writing or literature classes at 6 Iowa/Illinois colleges or universities as adjunct faculty, was Yahoo's Content Producer of the Year 2008 for Politics, is the author of It Came from the 70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now, and writes on a variety of topics at her own blog, www.WeeklyWilson.com. Weekly Wilson is also the name of her podcast on the Bold Brave Media Global Network on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. (CDT).
Movie Features
Marion Short Film

“Marion” Is A 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short

“Marion” is a story about the only female bull-jumper in France, Caroline Nogues-Larbere.  Who knew that France had a sport called “La Course Landaise,” which looks a lot like a bullfight, except that the bullfighters don’t kill the bull but ...
Movie Reviews
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Sister Wives is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short

In the short film “Sister Wives” Director/Star Louisa Connolly-Burnham plays Kaidence, the wife of a polygamous husband (Mormon) who must welcome a new wife, 19-year-old Galilee, into her home. Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Galilee. This is actually streaming on Channel 14, which, I ...
Movie Reviews
His Mother

His Mother Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short

“His Mother,” a 13 minute and 39 second short film that is Oscar eligible, stars Jennifer Lawrence look-alike Bethany Anne Lind as the mother of a young man who is threatening violence at his college, Southern Tech. Young Harrison Miller, age ...
Movie Features
Heretic A24 Hugh Grant

Heretic Movie: A Riveting Thriller from Beck & Woods

One of the most intriguing films in theaters now is Heretic. This horror-suspense thriller, written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, showcases their storytelling prowess once again. The duo, who hail from Bettendorf, Iowa, first gained fame with ...
Movie Features
moeder

Five Short Films That Are Oscar-Eligible

Here are five short films that are Oscar-eligible shorts. This is my attempt to help acquaint you with some of the contenders for this year’s Academy Awards. “Moeder,” “Then Comes the Body,” “Fireline,” “Will I See You Again?” and “Sunflower.” ...
Movie Features
Here

Robert Zemeckis’ “Here” Closes CIFF 2024

Robert Zemeckis returned to his hometown for closing night of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival with “Here.” Zemeckis often produces movies at the fore-front of technology (Back to the Future (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Forrest Gump (1994), Contact (1997), The Polar ...
Movie Features
Michael Gandolfini incurs an unfortunate insect sting in "Tea."

Five Compelling Oscar Shorts Worth Watching

  Five Oscar-eligible shorts I’ve seen recently are “Tea,” “Corpse Fishing,” “Anuja,” “Heart of Texas” and “Deck 5B.” There are more to come, but here’s how the first five struck me, listed in the order I enjoyed them: Tea Directed ...
Movie Features
Blitz_Photo_0103_The Movie Blog

Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” Screens at the 60th CIFF

“Blitz,” by British director Steve McQueen, depicts Londoners during the Blitz (blitzkrieg) of World War II in 1940. The harrowing drama focuses on a young bi-racial boy (Elliott Heffernan). Elliot was sent to the countryside by his mother (Saoirse Ronan) ...
Movie Features
Mielensäpahoittajan Rakkaustarina

“Long Good Thursday” Is Finnish Comic/Drama at CIFF

The Finnish film “Long Good Thursday” screened at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. Star Jaana Saarinen was also in attendance.  Director Mika Kaurismaki is not the first to tell the story of the Grump, portrayed by Finnish comedy star ...
Movie Features
Unstoppable the movie blog

“Unstoppable” Screens at CIFF on October 17, 2024

“Unstoppable,” the directorial debut of William Goldenberg, screened on October 17, 2024, at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. The autobiographical story of the life of Arizona State champion wrestler Anthony Robles is based on “Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: ...
Movie Features
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Marielle Heller Screens “Nightbitch” at 60th CIFF

Marielle Heller walked the Red Carpet outside the Music Box Theater. This appearance is in support of “Nightbitch,” which she co-wrote and directed. The screenplay is based on the book by Rachel Yoder. Heller’s previous directing forays include “Diary of ...