From director Aaron Sorkin comes a riveting and emotional drama based on true events in the late 1960s in Chicago. The Trial of the Chicago 7 will have viewers on the edge of their seats. The film is politically thrilling and emotional as viewers feel like they are right in the action of the cases that are seeking resolution or resurrection. I was deeply involved in both the setting and the dialogue because of how the film was filmed in Chicago.  During many of the scenes, I kept remembering times when I have walked through the locations in downtown areas where scenes of The Trial of the Chicago 7 were filmed. Certain parts of the movie, however, are quite emotional, but very compelling.

The film is the true story of seven people who were on trial based on charges related to actions that occurred during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. Those seven defendants were Abbie Hoffman (played by Sacha Baron), Tom Hayden (played by Eddie Redmayne), Lee Weiner (played by Noah Robbins), John Froines (played by Danny Flaherty), David Dellinger (played John Carroll Lynch), Jerry Rubin (played by Jeremy Strong), and Rennie Davis (played by Alex Sharp). All of these men were charged by the federal government for inciting riots after the Vietnam War. The Judge is Julius Hoffman (played Frank Langella), and the film goes back and forth between court scenarios and previous actions during the riots these seven defendants took part in. The film was somewhat similar to The Social Network (2010), because that movie utilized flashbacks between court scenes and previous events. Sorkin also did the writing for the Social Network and is brilliant at holding the viewers’ attention throughout many of his writing credits.

Sorkin fans can tell this is his work. The Trial of the Chicago 7 established lines of structure, and much of the dialogue was not repetitive, but instead on point, honest, and made sense throughout many of the conflicts that were seeking resolution. I especially felt this way in the moments between the defendants and the attorneys. Sorkin’s style of writing and directing creates transitions where the film jumps back to moments that are being discussed. When that happens, the audience naturally ponders who is or is not to blame. The Trial of the Chicago 7 includes many resolutions and hidden conspiracies. They are assembled thoughtfully through the talent of Sorkin’s directing and writing.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is probably one of the best films I have seen this year. 2020 has been a weird year for movies.  While this one comes to Netflix on October 16, I saw it in the cinema on a whim. Honestly, the true experience of The Trial of the Chicago 7 is on the big screen, because the ambience of the cinema makes the tension and conflicts more enticing. Therefore, I am giving this film four stars.

Tension is key factor in The Nest and that element begins once the film starts. At first, the family in the film seems normal, but one of the characters feels otherwise. The sense of tension is heightened through eerie music and faded cinematography which make the film more dramatic. With very low lighting, the acting by Jude Law and Carrie Coon deepens the emotions in The Nest as their resentment towards each other grows. Law and Coon who already on bad terms are negative throughout. The Nest is engrossing due to its cinematic tone which raised my curiosity always wondering what will come of their worsening problems.

The film takes place in the United Kingdom in the late 20^th century. Jude Law is Rory O’Hara, an egotistical, opinionated, and self-absorbed entrepreneur. Carrie Coon is Allison O’Hara, a mom with tons of hobbies who tries to put her kids first, but always questions her spouse’s judgment. They start out in a normal single-family home, but Rory convinces them to move to an English Country Manor, so he can rejoin a business to help it grow. Allison feels she does not have much say given she does not earn the income, so she goes along with Rory’s ideas. Once they are moved in, the dynamic goes downhill. Allison starts to come across notifications of bills that Rory has not paid, and she also learns there is previous debt she was unaware of. Rory keeps assuring her they will be fine, but the question is whether they will be.

What makes the problems even worse as their debt keeps building is that Rory and Allison are complete opposites. They fall into frequent arguments about who is in the wrong given their recent move into the manor. The film is like a verbal boxing match between them.  Rory believes he is not in the wrong, because he is a powerful man who is only going to keep growing more successful.  However, from the debt that Allison keeps coming across, she struggles to believe that Rory is entitled to the power over making decisions about their lifestyle. Throughout the movie, more scenarios take a turn for the worse. Rory starts to fall apart with his business plans as tries to keep covering his tracks from Allison.  And, Allison comes across even more deceitful information on Rory’s end. The more lies and half-truths that rise to the surface just stirs the pot even more for Rory and Allison who both play their roles so brilliantly that I could not take my attention away from The Nest.

Due to the use of tension shown technologically well and coupled with amazing acting, I am going to give The Nest four stars. The film is like real life and leaves questions for the audience concerning how issues tend to arise and also struggle to find resolution. Throughout The Nest, I kept asking myself if there was going to be a resolution. Viewers will have to watch and see for themselves. Do not miss The Nest.

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.