Tag Archives: Film reviews

Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025, Film reviews

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025)

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This film paints a portrait of what reality is like for a younger individual to be faced with poverty. On some level this truthful portrait hurts, but at the same time, it is eerie. Written and directed by Embeth Davidtz, she is legendary as she also plays one of the leads. The pacing of the film in an austere setting is done artfully. The harsh environment spirals to reveal honesty.

The film is based on a memoir focused on a young girl named Bobo (played by Lexi Venter) who tells the story. Bobo is an eight-year-old living with her family on a Rhodesian (now Zimbwawe) farm. At a very young age, she is exposed to extreme poverty. Her mother is Mrs. Fuller (Davidtz). The film highlights hardship and politics in an era before technological advancements.

What came to mind while watching this film was the theme of working hard for a purpose. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight portrays inequality in a realistic way that creates empathy. The story demonstrates resilience. It is by far one of the best features presenting the effects of poverty during childhood. The film’s subject is a great discussion starter, because the audience gets to see the world through the eyes of an eight-year-old surroundedby drugs, harsh language, and parents who provoke objectionable behavior in a country where harsh conditions are the norm. When seeing this film at The Chicago Critics Film Festival, it moved me to think more politically and empathetically.

Capsule Reviews, Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025, Film reviews

Brother Verses Brother (Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025)

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This is one of those rare masterpieces where humanistic value hits the championship level due to an intertwining connection. Brother Verses Brother, written and directed by Ari and Ethan Gold, is an enthralling narrative in which musical tones and beats find meaning in unexpected corners. Much of this engrossing film is improvised which knocks it out of the ballpark. The vibing ride of music ebbing and flowing and the dynamics fading in and out spark feelings poetically.

The film’s inspiration is based upon family tales to the Gold brothers. It is also inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s narrative of live cinema. The pacing of Brother Verses Brother is under the control of Ari and Ethan while finding their paths in San Francisco. Family emotions and all kinds of memories make the movie tremble. When scenarios run deep, the music abounds. While this film is much like Once, Brother Verses Brother has more continuity that requires audiences to change gears repeatedly. The deep writing does not stop throughout all the mesmerizing ups and downs of the Gold brothers in Brother Verses Brother.

The film’s music is a combination of pieces from Ari and Ethan along with tracks from Brian Bell and Lara Louise. It is a journey of musical people connecting to two brothers finding themselves and experiencing tons of growth along the way. The changes the brothers go through in Brother Verses Brother makes the movie hum. Their creativity gives them a sense of power and curiosity to expand to even more positive influences. By far, one of the best narratives of the year. This is a film that is for all artists around the world. The musical component and sharing of artistic crafts are just spectacular. Four out of four stars for Brother Verses Brother.

 

 

Film reviews

Fight or Flight Review

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This is by far one of those suspense thrillers that I found somewhat lackluster. It begins with the setup being that of saving someone. The writing appears to be in scribbles as this film dilly dallies into the sky with much mayhem. There are politics and corruption involved, but that aspect has poor writing as well. Fight or Flight is a title that got me thinking of the phrase “like or dislike”—altogether I am neutral (but something in the back of my mind wants to despise this movie).

The selling point is Josh Hartnett. It is like he is a new Liam Neeson type actor of interest for suspense films. This is because he just did Trap, a film where he is an enemy in a concert. Now, in Fight or Flight, he is a mercenary on a plane. Both of these roles have similarities. The biggest one of them is that they are a blur, glorifying sinisterism without meaning. 

Hartnett plays Lucas Reyes, an operative who has done covert missions. He has lived off the grid and developed many bad habits, however, he has a chance for redemption. He is hired byKatherine Brunt (played by Katee Sackhoff), to track down an unidentified and threatening target. For Lucas this is one of those missions that he feels is an entrapment and it truly is. He arranges to get on a flight for this mission and the plane ride is where all the unveiling moments show their true colors. 

The dynamic is very off-putting, as the film rushes its patterns by throwing characters into the mix with a lack of a background.Lucas meets Isha (played by Charithra Chandran). She is on the plane for the same purpose. With the threat lingering on the plane, Fight or Flight turns into an onboard death match which keeps the poor writing and continuity to the lowest level possible. Its violence aims to be like the Netflix series Squid Game. The combat had me sold, but the reasons behind it all happening…not so much. 

When there is suspense on a plane, I tend to want more emphasis on understanding what I am getting into. Fight or Flight did not start with any of that, it just threw in the tangential elements instantly.  Leaving the rails of the main storyline whichwas that there is a threat aboard. Instead of developing what the problem is, the rollercoaster of violence kept going on a tirade. So much so that just lacked a sense of meaning. However, the violence did speak to the film’s title.

One of the most rushed and quality-lacking airport thrillers I have seen. It is hard to see the positive in Fight or Flight, as overall I just felt that the context failed to captivate me. Unfortunately, it will be one of those films that is all based on its viewership. Others may be sold by its concept, but some may not. I was one of those that kept rattling my head and wishing for better. One out of four stars for Fight or Flight.