This time of the global pandemic has been tough on the movie industry especially with cinemas being closed for months and studios postponing new releases, releasing some films directly to streaming, or just putting films on hold. However, it has given people in the film industry innovative ideas to create movie experiences that are both fun and safe. And, in addition to those two important elements, some of these experiences are also nostalgic. Recently, at the Music Box Theatre’s lounge garden, I saw the 1931 Charlie Chaplin classic, City Lights. The film was restored and shown outside to an audience of just twenty people. I have never laughed so hard during a 1930s Chaplin film. The outside Chicago ambience on a summer evening made City Lights a truly captivating, nostalgic experience.

City Lights focuses on a silly tippler that has fallen in love with a blind lady. He struggles with various frustrations due to her blindness, but decides to pursue quirky scenarios to help her medically. The lead is the Tramp, played by Charlie Chaplin. The film tells the story by including text during some scenes and also through the body language of the characters. Chaplin’s movements and facial expressions were what really hooked me on City Lights. I found his persistent ideas to find ways to get money for medical purposes both inspiring and memorable. The background of the Music Box Garden made the setting feel like we were in the era of Chaplin which I found rewarding.

When it comes to Chaplin comedies, I believe that showing his films at events like this should be done much more often. City Lights is a true representation of Chaplin and what made him into a Hollywood icon. Even though he has been dead for many years, his movies still sell many Criterion DVDs and his films are regularly screened at Art House cinemas.  In addition, his quotes about life and his witty dialogue throughout his career have spanned many generations. Chaplin once said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” He was right, and if I did not make it to that City Lights screening. I felt my day would have been wasted, because once the film started I could not stop laughing.

Overall, the City Lights experience allows the audience to feel like we are not in an era of technological advancement and the set-up keeps people safe during the pandemic. The film was satirical which had the socially distanced crowd around me laughing throughout the film. I love the Music Box Theatre, their lounge garden, and Chaplin. This was an event that was worthy, and there will be more. Four stars.

Director Christopher Nolan took the risk and pushed for months in uncharted times during the pandemic to have Tenet released to cinemas in states where they are open. This film has a reported budget of $225 million and is ranked as one of the most expensive films in Nolan’s directing life. Tenet is visually enticing throughout its 150 minutes, but the film requires much analytical thinking from its audience over the primary conflicts. Nolan’s directing goes above and beyond with the static audio, and that makes Tenet amazing at various moments, but it also makes the dialogue hard to hear at times. That is why there have been several mentions of audio issues, but it’s ultimately Nolan’s creation of ambience which he uses to carry his audience through the world he creates with his directing.

The film is set in an era of global espionageand Tenet is an unknown organization. A CIA operative without a name is the protagonist played by John David Washington. He is chosen to take part in a global task to prevent an attack potentially as lethal as World War III that may happen in the future. Robert Pattinson plays Neil, the assistant who is helping the Protagonist. The focus of their mission (in terms of espionage and global terror prevention) is to prevent a renegade Russian oligarch with foresight intelligence from starting World War III. The enemy behind this is Andrei Sator, and he is played by Kenneth Branagh. With the futuristic skills of the mysterious organization, the Protagonist and  Neil are faced with the challenge of analyzing  patterns of events that have happened, and then going back and redoing them, or trying to go back and fix what could potentially do more damage.

In Tenet, the moments which go forward and then reverse provide the element which requires self-analysis for the audience. The missions are mentioned in bits, but then later the missions go on without explanation. That is why viewers need to watch the film carefully to put together the pieces (especially when an event happens and then happens a second time). Some viewers may interpret that this film is similar towards Nolan’s Inception (2010). I believe there are similarities, but Inception’s characters explained the tasks and how to format the missions. In Tenet, the missions just come around with various twists and turns and are then repeated. Nolan makes his audience use their mind more in this film.  I found myself excited during much with of the film with the limited explanation of events creating the excitement for me. But then, however, I would find myself contemplating whether a scene had already happened. Given the film involves action after action, I felt it was an intensely thrilling cinematic event. And, seeing it in IMAX made it much more amazing, because this film was shot with IMAX cameras.

Overall, I will give Tenet three stars. However, it is one of those films that you should think carefully before watching. It is a long one, and some people may be uncertain about going back to movie theaters. However, if you are ready to take the chance, Tenet is the film that the world has been waiting for. It may feel different than the other works by Nolan, but not much different technologically given it is just a different approach to an original project.

In 2007, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days was the winner of the PALME D’OR at the Cannes Film Festival. Director Cristian Mungiu brought the audience a dark and audacious drama that takes place in Romania in 1987. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days is a heavy film and may not be for everyone based on its focus on illegal abortion. The individual’s choices at that time are life-threatening and carry irreparable consequences. The conversations regarding those choices make 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days emotionally intense. The tensions of the people involved with the abortion plan are staggering.

The plot focuses on college roommates, Gabita (played by Laura Vasliu) and Otilia (played by Anamaria Marinca). Gabita is close to five months pregnant and Otilia is the one that helps her set up an illegal abortion. Since the movie is set in 1987, the technology to make advanced arrangements is not available which makes the process of getting this illegal task completed especially complex for Gabita and Otilia. They hire a man named Bebe (played by Vlad Ivanov) and who is an abortionist. However, he has a sinister side that makes the illegal situation more tense and uncomfortable for the two roommates. Given all three of them are involved in an illegal activity in Romania, they are all at risk for legal troubles. Bebe wants to ensure that the arrangements are perfect, but since Gabita and Otilia are still being in college, the procedure is more risky and expensive than what they had expected.

The plot involving abortion is what makes 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days an emotional rollercoaster ride of tension. The title hints at this as well because it alludes to the time frame of the pregnancy. It is an excellent film, but also sad.  If, during the procedure something goes awry or an ambulance is called, the characters risk going to jail. The anxiety that builds worrying if things might get out of hand makes 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days emotionally enticing.

Overall, I enjoyed this movie, but I will only watch it once. The concept is depressing, but the film is faithful to what people would have to do in this situation and the mental anguish those choices would create.  However, it also makes people think about alternative options or safe resources they could turn to. Fortunately, many things have changed for the better since 1987 including technology and abortion laws.  I give this movie three stars.