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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 ...
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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 by ...
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The Nightmare Before Christmas

Top 10 Non-Scary Movies To Watch On Halloween

Foggy mornings, pumpkin spice, and everything nice! It’s officially the Trick or Treat season aka my favorite time of the year. As orange and black hues dominate, there’s one thing no one’s ever have to pass on. You guessed it. ...
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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) ...
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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 ...
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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: ...
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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 ...
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Terrifier 3

Top 10 Movies To Watch If You Loved “Terrifier 3”

A mysterious gruesome killer, psychologically disturbing plot twists, and stunningly horrifying slasher details. Oh yes, we’re talking about the very own box office crown-wearer, Terrifier 3. With a trail of similar gory prequels, this one appealed to its audience with ...
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John David Washington

Opening Night of 60th Chicago International Film Festival

John David Washington and Co-writer Virgil Williams on the Red Carpet outside Chicago’s Music Box Theater on October 16, 2024, at the Opening Night of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival with the film “The Piano Lesson.” (Photo by Connie ...
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Sicilian Letters

Writer/Director Antonio Piazza Talks “Sicilian Letters” at CIFF

Directors Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, who directed “Sicilian Ghost Story” in 2017, return to the 60th Chicago International Film Festival with “Sicilian Letters,” the story of an attempt to capture real-life Mafia crime boss Matteo Messina Denaro. The crime ...
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Falling Stars:

Falling Stars: A Dark, Intriguing Look at Witches and Survival

Falling Stars is a film about witches written, directed, and edited by Richard Karpala (co-directed by Gabriel Bienczycki). It releases on October 11th. The film begins with these words onscreen: “Every year by the full moon of late October witches ...