For my friend and soon-to-be brilliant director, Nick Alonzo

Nick Alonzo is a director of talent, creativity, and real-life situations. I attended film camp with this director years ago, have shared the love for movies with him, and he has proven himself to be a very serious filmmaker as a career. With “Shitcago,” this film is one that will make viewers feel connected within the movie itself. I found it to be moving and audacious. With its technical aspect of being black and white, that adds a dark tone that is mesmerizing.

The plot of the film follows a character that is named the Loner (played by Jeremiah Aviles). The film has no necessary plot or serious themes. The Loner is someone that roams the streets of Chicago and has many odd encounters. As soon as he spray paints the words “Shitcago” (The film’s title), things actually do go down hill for the Loner.

The Loner decides to go for a stroll in the city of Chicago, an all day adventure for himself. He goes passed The Trump Tower, The Willis Tower, The Art Institute, numerous subway stations, and a variety of other places downtown. Each place something negative comes upon him.

There is a moment where the Loner goes to a hotdog stand and when one man realizes that he is putting ketchup on his hotdog, he just bashes him with negative words and comments about how why he thinks that it is stupid to put ketchup on a hotdog. What Alonzo is good at in this moment is realism. The rude words of this hot dog stand jerk are quite vulgar, intense, and harsh where viewers feel they are a part of the actual scenario. Hence the word “Shit” in the title, the Loner is definitely being treated like it.

Also, the Loner goes to the Art Institute and looks at a painting. Just looks at the painting having no idea what the painting is. All of a sudden, an art nerd approaches him and elaborates on the emotional concept of the painting. The nerd talks quite fast about his fascinations of the art piece the Loner and him are looking at. However, the Loner has no interest or desire for what the nerd is saying. I feel from this scenario and many other scenarios in “Shitcago” that this says something about the Loner. That is that he does not care about many elements surrounding him, he just in the presence to be in the presence. He is a self-centered, rude, and quiet individual with hidden emotions.

I will say I love the lighting in “Shitcago.” The black and white concept fits the dark and dramatic elements very well. This works especially for the moments where the Loner roams the streets at night. There is darkness surrounding the Loner and the area itself. It is an unforgettable landscape of vulgarity, scenery, and the everyday people that live in Chicago.

I will say “Shitcago” is a film that is of pure brilliance. I have watched it twice and even find it worthy of more viewings. Alonzo has the eye as a talented director as he already is. I give it to him for this creative and vast story. Wonder what is going on in the days of Chicago? Watch “Shitcago” and see for yourself what you might encounter next time your downtown. Four stars.

I have always been a fan of The Coen Brothers and their films. Lately, they have done more dramas and serious films. However, “Hail, Caesar” is a film quite satirical. The Coen Brothers bring us a film that has a “Fargo” (1996) feel with and a little bit of “O Brother Where Art Thou” (2000). However, it does not rely on violence and it contains very less profound language. Surprisingly, the funny works without the language.

The film follows a Hollywood fixer in the 1950s, Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin). Mannix is doing all he can to keep his studio in line running. He is someone that stresses out about a lot of elements of his Hollywood job. He has numerous movie stars. There is Baird Whitlock (George Clooney), Hobey Dole (Alden Ehrenreich), DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson), and Burt Gurney (Channing Tatum). Each of them is involved with different productions, however the top-notch actor is Whitlock. Whitlock is the center of attention for most of the film.

Whitlock is kidnapped and that causes Mannix’s studio to go down the hill with a variety of conflicts. This includes a crazy journalist wanting the truth of Whitlock’s disappearance, disorganizations with production of Whitlock’s biggest movie, and the studio having financial issues. Viewers may think a kidnapping is the main problem based off the commercials, but that is not one, there is more to the kidnapping then viewers think.

“Hail, Caesar” is carefully paced. What is good about it’s pacing is it does not rely on dialogue trying hard to be what is funny. The plot points and the ridiculous scenarios that come unexpectedly is what can be entertaining. One moment, a man is kidnapped, another an issue with the studio goes insane, there is not knowing a definite answer of the hysterical conflicts among the actors.

The technical aspect of this movie that is vast is the cinematography; the cinematographer was done by Roger Deakins who did the cinematography for The Coen Brothers western “True Grit” (2010). The projection was shot in 35-millimeter projection, and that is how most films set in the 1950s feel realistic. I have watched a variety of films in 35-millimeter over the years, but “Hail, Caesar” made me feel like I was a local watching a classic with everyone in old-fashioned print on the big screen. It is a fun time at the movies with The Coen Brothers.

With the Oscars approaching, I watched a movie that was intriguing, intense, and haunting. That movie is “Room.” Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, this film is destined to be a faithful movie for its viewers. It stars Brie Larson (as Ma), Jacob Tremblay (as Jack), Sean Bridgers (as Old Nick), Joan Allen (as Nancy), and William H. Macy (as Robert). “Room” is nominated for best actress, best director, best-adapted screenplay, and best picture. I see “Room” to having a chance of winning for best director and best-adapted screenplay because both of those elements are why the film is enticing.

“Room” is about a Ma and her little boy Jack. For many years they have been confined in a space that is very small shed. That is where Jack has lived his whole life. His mom does everything she can to ensure his safety. However, the hard part for Jack is that he has never seen the real world. Therefore, he wonders everyday what it will be like. However, after an escape, Jack and his Ma are finally out in the real world. The hard thing for Jack is that he has not seen so much, but now he is getting use to the world he has in the many years of his life ahead of him.

Later on in the film, we are introduced to the parents Nancy and Robert. They do their best to try and help out Ma and Jack into feeling safe and from the press. They have quite a hard story and past behind them, which leaves for unsettling news. Also, Ma is not so sure that she is in the right place for her boy either. Jack has rarely socialized, has not received much education, attention, and still is confused of how the world works. He had no idea how many humans there even are on the planet.

“Room” is a movie that I found enthralling by its directing. My other favorite Abrahamson film is “Frank” (2014): a movie with a similar concept but more lighthearted and funny. He completely transitions directing. From a dark comedy (with “Frank”) to a serious movie (“Room”).

I believe “Room” is worthy of many awards. I found myself crying at certain moments of the movie. With honesty, no one can take away the performance that Brie Larson put on. “Room” is a film that is like a journey. A journey that is very unexpected until one reaches the climax.

Four stars.