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Film reviews

Chicago Critics Film Festival 2024: Sing Sing Review

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Sing Sing, directed by Greg Kweda, soars with empathy and is a film in which turmoil finds courage. In the initial tone of the movie, it may appear that all is lost. However, there is lightwhen inmates have a chance to feel restored through doing stage performances. 

Sing Sing is the name of the prison in this true story. The main character is John ‘Divine G’ Whitfield (played by Colman Domingo). He is in prison for a crime he is falsely accused of and faces good and bad days. He builds connections with other inmates, such as D Dan (played by Sean Dino Johnson) and Clarence Maclin (played by himself). John shares the disconnect in this life of turmoil. This begins to change with the help of Brent Buell (played by Paul Raci) who provides the voice of inspiration for these inmates. They all act together in a theatrical group. Their fascination with the arts is where they find their voices again.

Sing Sing is about letting go and finding fulfillment. With strong writing by Maclin, the real John ‘Divine G” Whitfield, this true story displays realistic and humanistic qualities which add to the depth of Sing Sing.  By exploring the process of finding rewardsin the present, a powerful message is delivered.

There is value in Sing Sing as it effectively portrays how theperformance arts can create spellbinding achievements. Adrenaline of appreciation went pulsing through my chestduring the film due to my background in the arts, I rememberedhow much the stage meant to me. A heartfelt love for the arts makes for memorable connections with Sing Sing. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Civil War Review

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After the last few years of having life disrupted to the COVID-19 pandemic, there comes a film about a world in turmoil. Civil War is a representation of what the future could look like if we stayed in pandemic mode much longer. Director Alex Garland is brilliant and an auteur at adding layers of realism and political factors into Civil War. This is not a common, explosive war flick, but instead tells an honest story. Once the film began, it felt like just yesterday when I was annoyed with the world because of the harsh realities of Covid 19 which included lockdowns, governments imposing restrictions, and no clear truth.  I was quickly hooked on the film because of its characters and its intention to find “a clear truth.”

The film is set in a future America where mayhem and turmoil have ensued throughout the world. Nick Offerman plays the president and is bound to be the next target if the demolition overcomes Washington DC. Kirsten Dunst plays Lee, Wagner Moura plays Joel, and Stephen McKinley Henderson plays Sammy.  They are all journalists embedded with the military on the front line working their way to DC. They live the reality ofdestruction every day as they work to capture whatever horrific story comes their way. Cailee Spaeny plays Jessie who is eager to join Lee and her team on their journey to DC.

The brilliance of Civil War lies in its pacing in each setting. Each town they encounter has a unique set of challenges based upon the politics of corruption. Whenever there is a moment of impact or combat, Lee and her team suit up to capture the news. Each day includes life-or-death tasks which becomes the new norm as war makes an impact on everyone. Garland is brave in his direction of Civil War which makes it mentally spellbinding given the combination of politics, news, and wars.

Dunst truly steals the film—her persistence is a portrait of determination to make a story count in Civil War. This is one of the best films I have seen her do. Her performance will enthralland captivate audiences. Her husband Jesse Plemmons is also in the film, and he plays an antagonist. Both deliver roles with gutpunches…Dunst for the good and Plemmons for the bad. However, Dunst is the true revelation and makes this surrealistic film memorable.

Civil War is one of the most captivating films of 2024. Deep-down, my love for Civil War is based on the tolerance it reminded me of during the frustrating the days of 2020. It reminded me of how angry I was that my love for movies and the arts was negatively impacted. During that time, I was consumed by political news from around the world. Over time, I had to learn to tolerate the things I couldn’t control and put adopt a more positive mindset. Civil War painted a true image of life in chaos, and showed what it is like for journalists to cover harsh news. Civil War takes a political story to a whole different level that is unforgettable. Four stars for Civil War.

Film reviews

Love Lies Bleeding Review

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Going into this movie, my gut told me it was likely to be an unsettling experience. And it was due to the magnificent suspense in the depths of addiction and abruption. Director Rose Glass adds layers of tension that define the terror of reality in Love Lies Bleeding. I was moved by the film’s bizarre dynamics in which everyone has a strange angle within their characterizations.

The film begins at a gymnasium and focuses on a girl named Lou (played by Kristen Stewart). Lou works as a manager at a run-down gym. She is not friendly or focused on customer service and gets into all kinds of trouble in her spare time. Much of her judgment is based upon her harsh upbringing by her father, Lou Sr. (played by Ed Harris). Lou Sr. owns a gun range and is connected to hidden criminal activities. His history over the years has led to turmoil and an estranged relationship with his daughter. Lou is also a lesbian. During one of Lou’s aggravating shifts, she comes across a bodybuilder named Jackie (played by Katy O’Brian). Lou falls madly in love with Jackie in an instant. Jackie is training for a fitness show in Vegas. Lou finds a way to connect with Jackie by giving her drugs to help buff up her muscles. This lapse in judgment will expose the audience to a world of many dangers.

The film caused me to boggle with many questions. Jackie works for Lou’s father at the gun range, so Lou tries to keep their relationship hidden. Another trouble in Lou’s life involves her sister Beth (played by Jena Malone) and her abusive husband JJ (played by Dave Franco). Lou feels so close with her new-found love Jackie and maintains a close relationship with her sister Beth. However, Lou harbors deep hatred for both JJ and her father. With all the turmoil and drug experimentation,Jackie starts to spiral out of control. While Jackie keeps taking the injections to make her look strong and ferocious for her Vegas show, the drugs also fuel her anger and rage. Jackie’s love for Lou leads her to terrible and unforgivable choices which are so detrimental that Lou’s life of insanity and sadness are thrust into a deeper hole. Jackie’s drug-fueled choices set the wheels in motion for things to go terribly awry in Love Lies Bleeding.

The story is packed with treacherous moments and bad situations. At times due to the drugs, the film starts to feel like a David Lynch experience. Some of the more monstrous scenes are bad news for the audience, but at the same time create an invigorating atmosphere stimulated by all the troubles. I found myself thinking about other films where drug abuse is featured, including The Basketball Diaries and Thirteen. In these movies, youth and drugs do not mix well and eventually boil to a point where a illegal substances become intolerable. In this film, thebehaviors of Lou, Daisy, and Lou Sr. all eventually hit a point of no return. In the end, it is an audacious experience where the artistic value in regret, hate, and redemption are featured in a realistic way. There are times when it was all a bit eerie, but overall it’s worth seeing. Three-and-a-half out of four stars Love Lies Bleeding.