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Ebertfest 2025, Lists

Ebertfest 2025 Preview

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“We live in a box of space and time. Movies are windows in its walls.”

-Roger Ebert.

I feel I will live in a box of both “space” and “time” at Ebertfest.This festival of community and inspiration begins April 23 and will conclude April 26.  Roger was my inspiration to be a film critic not only because I have always loved movies, but also when my parents turned on his program Ebert & Roeper and I saw him in his element and was hooked. The discussions of new releases and ratings with thumbs up and thumbs down came to me in an instant. From that day on, Roger was my idol in my film critique journey. This year, I feel that Ebertfest is emphasizing the importance of surrealism and revisiting pure classics. As one who has attended the festival since 2015, I feel this year is going to be one of enticement and appreciation among many audiences for Ebertfest. These are my four most anticipated titles in this year’s festival.

The first one is Desperately Seeking Susan. This is going to be my first time watching this film, although I have read about the direction and the many classic moments of the characterizations. The concept of finding boredom is what makes me anticipatethis one at Ebertfest this year, especially with the film entering its forty-year anniversary. There is that vibe of the 1980s that is going to blend a special feeling of wonder for the many audiences with Desperately Seeking Susan at Ebertfest this year.

The second one is His Three Daughters. This was by far one of the most influential and personal journeys of a story I have seen. His Three Daughters is a film that encompasses empathy andfinding common ground among siblings. I am looking forward to revisiting His Three Daughters because of how it will bring many emotions to the table. It will bring some uplifting moments and some on the more serious side–deep down the audiences at Ebertfest are going to feel engaged with the film. The performances of Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen will dive into the core of the film without holding anything back. The director of the film, Azazel Jacobs, will be in attendance, and his discussion is going to take the meaning of His Three Daughters to heights that connect the themes of relativity, personality, and compassion in telling this story.

The third one is The Searchers. This title is also special becauseit is a first time viewing for me and it is going to be screened in a restoration print. In addition, it is the opener to the festival. A quintessential John Wayne and Western classic is the way to start festival, as Roger worshipped films in this category. It will also make us feel we are part of an era that feels dismissed, yetits presence still fulfills and has merit with the ability to see this film in print. In seeing The Searchers, I feel I am going to feel like I am in a historical setting around its era. 

The fourth film is Megalopolis. A project by Francis Ford Coppola where I felt my initial experience was an on and off one. Despite its efforts with many decades in the making, the flawed moments add an interactive track to the film itself. Overall, Megalopolis is a title that adds a lot of worthiness to the festival. With Coppola himself, taking part in a discussion, this will add to the surreal component surrounding Megalopolis. There are a lot of flaws in back-and-forth efforts which somedislike, and others love. I am one that is neutral about Megalopolis, but I know that revisiting it is only going to fuel my mind with more curiosity to the visionary efforts of Coppola himself.

Finally, The Hangover will be screened. This is a comedy that is genius and has many memories that live in the mind to this day. A classic comedy of moving parts and raunchy humor where Vegas does not have the greatest outcome for its bachelor party friends—all together though, it is one wild ride that brings in the biggest laughing moments to this day. I love The Hangover.  “Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” is a saying that feels like a monumental and appropriate conclusion to this year’s festival, as it closes out the fest. To add to the fun, Producer Scott Budnick will be there for a Q and A after the movie.

To conclude, this year’s festival is going to be my fourth time attending. I attended in 2015, 2023, and 2024 and I look forward to returning for another year. I have attended many film festivals ranging from Cannes Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago Critics Film Festival, Chicago Reeling Film Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival, and I have done virtual coverage of Fantastic Fest. Many festivals have lots of chaos with jumping from screening to screening and always taking risks to get into the big events. There is fun to that, but it also adds the stress and anxiety. There is none of that at Ebertfest. All the films are in the same place, the iconic The Virginia Theatre. With a fest in one place, soaking in what films mean, and their context of wonders, the mind is more stimulated. With the foundation of Ebertfest, appreciation comes to a light where there is so much to be thankful for and emphasize film as an art-form in a context that offers a spectrum of films and many opportunities to change gears. That is what makes a festival one to be remembered for ages along with thediversity among filmmakers, actors, critics, and audiences itself.  Ebertfest builds a fundamental appreciation of film to a level that is unforgettable.

What touches my heart the most is I feel I am in a certain environment. That “environment” belongs to my influence…Roger Ebert! Watching the many films he loved or would have loved. Roger’s presence is always with me as a critic, and I know it will shine with me again at this year’s Ebertfest starting April 23rd! Festival passes (available now) and individual tickets (available closer to the start of the festival) can be purchased on Ebertfest.com! 

Capsule Reviews, Ebertfest 2024

EbertFest 2024…Star 80, Conducting Life, & The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells

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The opening night of the 25th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival began with Bob Fosse’s Star 80. In this this film, boundaries were challenged due to the behaviors in a pressure-filled relationship. Award-winning actor Eric Roberts attended the festival and engaged in a discussion after the film. Hearing Roberts talk about his days working on the film added much emphasis to the experience. The sense of realism in the diverse viewpoints about Star 80 still captivates with evolving revelations. Roberts talked about how Fosse was a director who had some strange behavior patterns himself, in part related to drug use. Roberts has continued to persevere as an actor and to this day Star 80 remains one of his most well-known films.

This film is a true story of a monumental talent. It is brilliant, spellbinding, and only half an hour long. Conducting Life follows the life story of a man who worked through his way upto make it as a conductor. That man is Roderick Cox and this movie about his passion, trials, and errors is under the direction of filmmaker Diane Moore. The exploration of talent and what it takes to truly grow as a conductor is inspirational in Conducting Life. Cox is now on the road working as a conductor in many places around the world. Seeing his story moved me and resonated with the audience. Persistence is where Conducting Life shines with an encouraging message to never give up.

Directed by Rana Segal, this is an honest, artistic documentary about the struggle for culture and rights. The story is real and is supported by layers of empathy. The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells paints a portrait of how racism and history have important roles to play in art. It follows an artist, Richard Hunt (who has sadly passed), who builds meaningful sculptures involving his backstory and his ethnicity. His art is also a way of showing appreciation for how times are different than the past. Hunt’s legacy involves honoring the work that African American journalist and activist Ida B. Wells did fighting for racial and gender equality. This film is an insightful portrait of courage and positive empowerment.

Ebertfest 2023, Revisited classics

Ebertfest 2023–Final Days

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This was my second time experiencing To Leslie in a festival setting. The first time was at last year’s Chicago Critics Film Festival. Director Michael Morris brings us a film that challenges the concept of making mistakes and having a fresh start. The film focuses on Leslie (played by Andrea Riseborough). Leslie is a single mother who won tons of money in a lottery and burned it all. She has hit hard ground with addictions and a world of problems. The whole town knows her for her errors in a small area of West Texas. With Morris directing a film based on true events, To Leslie displays that there are always second chances. With the help of a hotel manager named Sweeney (played by Marc Maron), Leslie starts to find more confidence in herself. Leslie’s troubles are intense, but inspiring. The approach the director takes with portraying her errors sends a message that Leslie just needs a little more faith in herself. The film is an astonishing independent work of art that I found mesmerizing.

From a PBS documentary comes one of the most honest films which is sure to touch viewers. The film includes much archived footage of Marian Anderson, and the title speaks for itself. Directed by Rita Coburn, there are loads of historical factors that are mentioned and carefully detailed. It is a journey of a woman with a voice who faced many conflicts due to segregation and other challenges of the times. Where I found honesty in this film was in how it raised awareness of many African Americans who faced rejection. The quote, “Her success is our success” resonated with me. Marian Anderson’s talent is worshipped through the artistic direction of Coburn. The era of the 1920s through the 1940s are depicted through an invigorating timeline of real events. I love the film for how it inspires people to shoot for their dreams, to not let rejection get them down, but instead allow it to encourage them.

Two short films were screened. Both display realism and talented voices in the shortened length of time. Team Dream is directed by Luchina Fisher and Club Alli is directed by Julien and Justin Turner. Team Dream is a true story about Ann Smith and Madeline Murphy Rabb, swimmers in the 2022 National Senior Games. The film covers background on their lives and displays empathy related to accomplishing their goals as athletes. It is touching and encourages its audience with the message that it is never too late to accomplish something you’re passionate about. It has its moments of trial and error but visits those concepts with passion and dedication through a compelling narrative that is unforgettable. Club Alli is a short film about a robbery operation with a retro vibe. The film challenges race but incorporates it into a story about having an operation not go awry. This is a dark short film from the creative minds of talented directors. I was blown away by all its cinematic elements. Both films covering the topics of race and segregation are mesmerizing well-laid out stories.

From director Boaz Yakin, Fresh is close to its anniversary of being two decades old. To this day, it is a masterpiece with significant depth that stirs the pot of conflict. It is a film that illustrates the obstacles of life for an orphan. That orphan goes by the name “Fresh”, and he is played by Sean Nelson. He spends his time among gangs and violence. At the age of twelve, he finds himself on a plateau of legal problems which put him in a risky danger zone. In the eyes of Fresh, he is bored and lonely, which causes him to get involved with gangs. The moments where he finds some joy in his life are playing chess with Sam (played by Samuel L. Jackson). With all the turmoil in the film, Fresh is a realistic example of life for younger kids in an environment that is toxic for them. The film’s message is that there is an opportunity to start somewhere new, even in the worst of times. The film’s compelling suspense makes for an invigorating ride. The audience knows that Fresh only wants to have a life that is good for him.

This was my third time experiencing this film.  The trails of storytelling come into play and are vital in achieving what this film is trying to portray. Director Wim Wenders challenges the cinematography with the story. He also makes his audience think about what his characters have on their minds. Wings of Desire is quite an experience. The plot is focused on two individuals, Damien and Cassiel (played by Bruno Ganz and Otto Sander).  They are two angels who are observing the world. In their observations, there are narrations involving how they feel about what they see, hear, touch, or feel. These feelings are presented in the most astonishing shots some of which are obscure or haunting. The realism and the mental capacity that Wings of Desire requires stirs up a range of inner thoughts that make its audience wonder about their presence in this world. I continue to be amazed by the experience of this film. The restoration of Wings of Desire is a triumph and among of the best cinematic masterpieces this world has to offer.

The beloved classic Forrest Gump touches my heart and always will. The life of one man with many struggles, Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks). However, his “struggles” are not the film’s sole focus. The film begins with him sitting on a bench telling stories of his accomplishments to others waiting for a bus. Then it jumps to his early childhood when he is explaining how his mother (played by Sally Field) had him observed. She is informed that his IQ is not the greatest. In a heartbeat, Forrest is found to have many talents and aspirations that emerge out of nowhere. His biggest focus is his love for Jenny (played by Robin Wright). His life of accomplishments spans real-life events which include American presidents, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and many more. Forrest has social problems, but he is one-of-a-kind with amazing gifts. It is not just because of Hanks’s performance that I love Forrest Gump. It is also because of how Forrest makes his priority and focus the people he cares about the most who include Lieutenant Dan (played by Gary Sinise) and Bubba (played by Mykelti Williamson). As an individual on the spectrum who is always working to grow and improve myself, Forrest Gump reminds me that there is always a bright side to life, in the good and the bad times. As Forrest says, “My Mama always said you’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move on.”

Attending Ebertfest this year was one of the most rewarding experiences. There are many film festivals in the world, but none are quite like this one. A lot of festivals require attendees to pick which films they want to see. Not at Ebertfest!  I enjoyed getting to know everyone because it is a festival with a community who share a common love of movies, The critics, the audience, and the many people I know who attended the fest have been a positive inspiration to me. This experience truly encouraged me to keep watching movies and writing reviews. I hope this festival continues to be a unique community festival experience. I was so moved by Ebertfest 2023, and I hope to attend again in the future.