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Film reviews

Back to Black Review

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The film adaptation of Amy Winehouse’s story is unsettling.While the film about her life seemed compelling, it spiraled downhill just like her life and left me with mixed feelings. Back to Black is written by Sam Taylor-Johnson and I had faith in her ability to direct this adaptation. Given her direction of Nowhere Boy in 2009, I felt Taylor-Johnson had the track record to make this type of movie a success. Back to Black is interesting, yet somewhat inconsistent. It is a deep and thorough look into the complicated life of Winehouse. The pacing is what causes it to not exactly hit the mark.

Marisa Abela plays Amy. She has the voice, the attitude, and the personality that sends electricity through the screen. Eddie Marsen plays Mitch, Amy’s father, who always looks out for his daughter. Jack O’Connell plays Blake, Amy’s husband, and the love of Amy’s life. Amy has people in her life who provide much support. Her life, however, is condemned because it is fueled by pressure, attention, and alcohol and drug abuse. Amy’s mentality fluctuates with the many hurdles of her instability.

The beginning of Back to Black features the happy moments of Amy’s life. This approach takes away the realistic point of view that the film could have had and jumps quickly to fame. The background of the Winehouse family is explored with in-depth writing, but Amy’s drug use is the hidden secret in Back to Black.

The pacing is what caused my mind to wander during the film.There was so much of the film focused on Amy’s musical fameand accomplishments, and then the spiral down to personal tragedies. The story picks itself up when her relapse into drug abuse begins to hover over her head. When that happens, Back to Black feels like an overwhelming array of overly done dramatics which does not work in the film’s favor.

The style of filmmaking does not do the story justice and is not as captivating as it could be. Amy says, “Music is my rehab.” Those words prove she was in denial about her addictions. Why make her addictions the primary focus?  The story could have had more layers by also focusing on art and empathy. Amy was such a deep character and reflecting that in the film’s writing could have led to an improved result.

My level of respect for the film was boosted by how managed to capture the reality of who Amy was. While she was growing popular, she was throwing it away. The movie painted a clear picture of her journey with addiction. People love Amy for her music but find it harder to accept the conflicts she fought within herself. While her story has some happiness, the downward spiral of sadness is pervasive.

Back to Black does reveal the extreme difficulty people face when fighting to overcome addictions. It also shows how fame becoming someone’s new normal can have negative consequences. The themes of addiction and fame are authentic in Back to Black, but I still give the film just two out of four stars. 

Film reviews

Lisa Frankenstein Review

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From the mind of Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda Williams comes a unique and heartfelt romantic comedy blended with horror. A flick that is fun and is twisted, perfect for mature audiences to get a taste of 1980s jam with science fiction thrown in. A film where a Frankenstein creature is helping a girl who is trying to find connection in her life. That film is Lisa Frankenstein.

The plot of Lisa Frankenstein gears on Lisa (played by Kathryn Newton), a high-school teen in Louisiana who lost her mother at a young age. It’s 1989 and Lisa has been adopted by a family. Her adoptive parents are Janet and Dale (played by Carla Gugino and Joe Chrest), and their daughter is Taffy (played by Liza Soberano). Lisa feels hatred from her adoptive family, but she’s just trying to live her best life. She is seeking attention and popularity, but she spends her time by a graveyard because she has developed a crush on a corpse there. And then a wild dream comes true—the corpse comes to life! The monster is called The Creature (played by Cole Sprouse), and Lisa is terrified at first. But then she realizes that The Creature has feelings like she does. Together, they build a bond and go on a bizarre journey to find happiness. Lisa’s new attachment to The Creature is a ride of unexpected surprises that will make audiences laugh out loud, and a lot.

From my perspective, Lisa Frankenstein is like Risky Business meets Young Frankenstein. It’s over-the-top and frequently cheesy, but it had me sold. There is a 1980s jam that flows smoothly throughout the many adventures of Lisa and The Creature. She uses him for revenge, or to make her feel special. It is both a comedy and horror film where hearts are strong, and it will give audiences an adrenaline escape that keeps finding its right connections. It does go awry at times, as The Creature kills some folks out of the blue, but Lisa is invigorated by The Creature’s mission of helping her find happiness.

Lisa Frankenstein may seem predictable, and on some levels it is, but Williams’ directing will have its viewers pulling for a film that tries hard to find its funny, just like her father Robin always inspired his audience to find joyful moments in the movies and the arts. The story of a Frankenstein with a twist—a big heart—makes for a screenplay where connection and empathy matter, as does feeling connected.

There is a lot of mayhem around this monster. He doesn’t speak, and Sprouse plays the role very well, being in tune with the silence and showing through his actions the mind of a creature trying to adapt to a world he has never seen before. But does Lisa truly love The Creature? Catch Lisa Frankenstein and find out. It is a fun and tasteful experience; a journey of new adventures for both Lisa and The Creature in the year 1989. Three out of four stars for Lisa Frankenstein.

59th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

The Holdovers Review

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The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson, is a film about people who know how to turn hard times into good times. Paul Giamatti plays the lead in the film, and his performance as a lonely man and a frustrated teacher is stellar. The Holdovers is simply one of the best films of 2023.


The Holdovers takes place in the 1970s. It is the depth of winter at a New England boys prep school. Teacher Paul Dunham (Giamatti) volunteers to stay on campus with boys who can’t go home for the holidays. Many of the boys are hot-headed and not very academically inclined. Dunham is strict teacher, and the students tend to rebel against him.

One of the students, Angus Tully (played by Dominic Sessa), couldn’t go home because his mother is in a new marriage and she didn’t want him home for the holidays. All the other boys manage to find a way to get home, so Paul is stuck with just Angus and the cafeteria lady, Mary (played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph). Angus is desperate for a holiday feeling so Paul begins to take him on excursions, mostly restaurants and a few other places. Paul can see that Angus craves a sense of connection at a time when his family is not there for him.

One of the fascinating things about the writing in The Holdovers is that even though Paul is all about discipline and tough love, he breaks the rules many times to help Angus feel connected. It’s the holidays, a time when it’s important to be with family. And we find out that not only is Angus alone for the holidays, Paul also doesn’t have anyone to be with either. Paul is tenured and has been at the school for many years, so even though he’s breaking the rules, he probably wouldn’t lose his job and he thinks it’s worth the risk in order to provide Angus with some happiness.

Paul Giamatti’s performance in The Holdovers is on par with his brilliant performance in Payne’s Sideways (2004). Almost two decades later, Giamatti still has that frustrated yet heartfelt attitude of inspiration. He inspired his friend in Sideways as much as he inspires Angus in The Holdovers. Payne’s directing is such that the key characters in many of his projects often find encouragment for others. The Holdovers is a masterpiece of connection.

I loved The Holdovers because it deals with loneliness and melancholy in an interesting and encouraging way while the characters navigate situations that are difficult and unavoidable. And we all have difficult and unavoidable situations in our life. It’s a film where the joy of feeling loved is restored, where good times come out of the bad. The Holdovers is an achievement that is unique in its brilliance. It is not to be missed. Four stars for The Holdovers.