Category Archives: Film reviews

Critics Classics, Film essays, Film reviews

Select Pix Critics Classics at Classic Cinemas Elk Grove: Clue, The Karate kid, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Leave a comment

Critics Classics is presented by the Chicago Film Critics Association and takes place the first Wednesday of the month throughout the year. The screenings take place at Classic Cinemas in Elk Grove Village where they screen a variety of classics during matinees and evening screenings. After the evening screenings, the cinematic excitement is elevated thanksto a discussion led by a critic from the Chicago Film Critics Association. I have been fortunate my schedule has allowed me to attend the last three Critics Classics Screenings. Each movie experience followed by the discussion, has been cinematically enticing.

The first recent screening was the 1985 classic Clue. This mystery has humor, and the classic attitude of the characterizations are always witty and joyful. Watching this movie again was a hilarious and thought-provoking experience. In true murder mystery style, there are many pieces to the puzzle. The most invigorating part, however, was learning more from the discussion with the critics. I learned that there were many different endings to the movie. In fact, some formats of the film had different endings, and some never made changes. The theory of the changes in Clue made the film extremely entertaining and provided an enjoyable revisit to my early era of cinematic appreciation.

The second experience was the 1984 classic, The Karate Kid. For fans who love the series Cobra Kai, this movie offered a real treat. Revisiting the film made me realize why Cobra Kai followed diverse approaches in its series. What was even more interesting to me was learning from the discussion about the variety of approaches used in casting for the film. I also valued learning about the cultural side to discipline explored in the movie. Ultimately, the fact that this film experience reminds its young audience to find a positive inspiration in order to help overcome their struggles impacted me most.

The third (and the most crowded and nostalgic) was the 1991 classic, Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This movie made me feel I was experiencing something new for the very first time. I forgot about how this sequel to the franchise took Terminator to a whole new level. The crowd was really into the movie, and everyone knew the quotes which made it a true jam for Terminator fans. The discussion on the film’s budget, James Cameron’s directing techniques, and the in-depth use of technology were all captivating. Terminator 2: Judgment Day was a rollercoaster ride for cinema enthusiasts and critics like me.

The Select Pix Critics Classics at Elk Grove is a monthly experience that I do my best to attend. It keeps me in me in my cinematic mindset and never disappoints. If it’s a night where I do not have a press screening it is always a nice escape. I highly recommend other film lovers check their calendars and try to attend. There are many more classic events with discussions ahead. Hope to see you there!

Film reviews

Stephen Curry: Underrated Review

Leave a comment

Stephen Curry: Underrated is a slam dunk! The world of Steph is mind-boggling, invigorating, and his story is one-of-a-kind. As an avid basketball fan, I fell in love with this documentary. Stephen Curry: Underrated displays championship moments at their finest with honest and real elements during his career. With Steph having won NBA championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, the film is the backstory to the champion he is today. There is no doubt that his story is one that generations will remember forever.

The film focuses on the beginning era of Steph’s career including the early days of growing his love for basketball during his childhood.  Steph has a special skill set. He can shoot well and get consistent three-point shots which contribute to his ability and agility as a basketball player. The only real aspect that makes him different is his size. He is not a very tall player, but Steph has the moves to play a competitive game. This film includes many highlights from championship games which illustrate the way Steph plays.

The film also has interviews with his teammates ranging from Jason Richards to Brandon Payne to Kevin Durant. They all talk about their experiences on the team and the road as players dating back to Davidson College. The film focuses heavily on their college games. This leads to the steps into the NBA for Steph. However, the one who adds the most emphasis to the film’s positive themes is coach Bob McKillop. The words of McKillop add empathy that is powerful in exploring the ups and downs of the journey he had with Steph and the rest of the team.  Steph helped turn Davidson College into a school with a following. That is because the community, the college, and the students worshipped him as a pro college player.

Even though Steph was on the road a lot, he still made school a priority. The film emphasizes moments when he wants to get his degree, but basketball is always a bigger priority for him. In the eyes of Steph, he wants to serve as a role model for his family, his friends, and his fans around the world and send a message about never giving up. Stephen Curry: Underrated does not give veer off message but retains a sincerity in this true story. The film effectively communicates the importance of considering all the competing factors when pursuing a pro sport you’re passionate about.

What is invigorating about this documentary is its display of how Steph’s story is not only about basketball, but also about not giving up. There are rough roads for Steph and the team at Davidson. The film shares the moments of turmoil and frustration. Losing, however, only inspired Steph and his team to keep finding ways to make their game matter on the court. It is all about teamwork and thinking about the ones who are vital to success in Stephen Curry: Underrated. Victory is the center of triumph, and it is a monumental story which will leave viewers with great respect for the life of Steph Curry. Four stars.

Chicago Critics Film Festival 2023, Film reviews

Revoir Paris Review

Leave a comment

A dangerous encounter weaves emotions throughout the Revoir Paris.  The film’s setup is structured, and the characters are people with everyday lives which change in the blink of an eye after a traumatic event. Revoir Paris had me thinking about what it feels like to have anxiety and feel scared after a harrowing experience. Director Alice Winocour tests the waters of inner emotions which make the film spellbinding and invigorating. The tragic event is continuously revisited due to clues linking back to the moments of terror.

The main character is Mia (played by Virginie Efira). She is a working-class woman in France who spends an evening at a restaurant in town. Things seem to be going smoothly until a catastrophic and disturbing terrorist attack occurs. Mia’s survival leads her to find connections with others who also survived the same terror. Revoir Paris is a faithful experience about how individuals recover after a traumatic event.

The term “revoir” means to see again. Mia repeatedly sees and feels her trauma. The trauma is in-depth as are the frustrations and her unstable thinking as she struggles to recover from the terrorist attack. There is not much positive light to be seen in Revoir Paris.  From my perspective, the film is humanistic in revealing how a horrific episode can have such a lasting impact on people’s everyday life.

The tracing of Mia’s steps uncovers a trail of realizations. These discoveries play into her discussions with other victims from the same night. Mia talks with victims ranging from Sara (played by Maya Sansa), Vincent (played by Gregoire Colin), and Thomas (played by Benoit Magimel). The emotions experienced are different among the individuals. There is no consistency to how Sara, Vincent, or Thomas deals with their mental health after the terror which leads back to how Mia deals with it. Finding answers proves to be a real struggle as Mia’s story unfolds and the emotions keep growing. Revoir Paris is enthralling in the darkest and most mentally overwhelming way.

The moment of the attack stuck in my head as the film continued. I found myself asking questions. Was anyone a target of the attack? Was the terrorist trying to accomplish something? Did the terrorist have his own set of mental health problems? How much will the victims deal with the attack after surviving? That final question is repeatedly explored in the film. As Mia’s heightened emotions are played out all over the place, there is no easy way to move on with life.

Revoir Paris is one of the most disturbing, yet realistic experiences I have seen this year. It is a compelling film due to its realism. It also demonstrates that there are resources and critical steps to take after experiencing an upsetting event. Revoir Paris is a film in which the audience will repeatedly see what it’s like for individuals to overcome a horror and see that it is extremely challenging to just let something go when an experience in life is so overwhelming. Three out of four stars for Revoir Paris.