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Film reviews

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Review

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Matt Johnson is not afraid to bring his creative visions to lifeand bring realism to the table. He brought his audience on a visually real adventure with BlackBerry in 2023. He was successful at showcasing the stress and suspense of actual events. Some of Johnson’s writing is sketchy and all over the place, but he is a master at tying his characters and their quotes together in a way that brings misdirection to the highest level. His new film, Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie, is like a lengthy sketch comedy show, but with the right number of jokes and continuity which works.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie has seven individuals with writing credits, but the two main writers are also the stars themselves. Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol are what makes the film a treasure. It is a mockumentary that has a lot of dazzling features. Matt and Jay are a duo that combine for a masterclass in comedy that will bring laughs around the world. Think about Back to the Future with writing that feels scribbled, because the comedy moves in a direction that makes even scribbled elements brilliant.

The setting is Toronto, Canada. The friends have a time machineand plan to perform at a venue called The Rivoli. They repeatedly think of acts or stunts to attract an audience that will allow their dream to come true. The dynamics between Matt and Jay make Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie so irresistible. The Canadian adventures lead to successful 3-ring circus thanks to the creative genius of Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol.

One of their plans is to do a high dive into a dome. Their idea has risks, but building a fanbase is most important. Their dreams hit plateaus in their time machine that blow audiences out of the water. The duo ends up in the year 2008. The two friends/collaborators bring in innovative aspects that areexhilarating and keep audiences laughing from head to toe. The Rivoli is their calling but ending up in different time zones back in the future leads to the most meaning.

The film is quirky and resilient because the gags are endless. The time machine leads to many moments of trial and error that offer new and exciting situations throughout Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. The saying, “If you build it, they will come,” does not come around easily in Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. Without the two-man sketch components this movie would not be nearly so wonderful.  The film loops in so many moments from 2008 which is brought me so much joy during this comedy. At times, it felt like a twisted Back to the Future. I will not spoil it, but Johnson knows realism, and how to make it purposeful, serious, and yet hysterical. There are stereotypes, movie references, hidden jokes—and they all work in a structured context with syrupy entertainment. Four out of four stars for Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.

Film reviews

Sentimental Value Review

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This film is an achievement of humanistic approaches with an artistic natural vibe to the writing. Sentimental Value is a title that speaks for itself. Directed by Joachim Trier, he takes the life of a family and the arts to a new level where disconnect and reality present mental and emotional challenges. It is stunning, audacious, and breathtaking. So many human emotions are on full display and interesting layers of art are out of this world in Sentimental Value.

The life of directors has many ups and downs in this story about a family who is curious about finding out where the focus lies. The main characters are sisters, Nora Borg and Agnes Borg Pettersen (Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleas). Their father is Gustav Borg (Alexander Stellan Skarsgard), an accomplished director. All three of these individuals find themselves at the heart and mercy of disconnect as well as a tumultuous relationship caused by their success in the cinematic and theatrical world. There is so much pressure on the sisters from their father, Gustav. Nora finds herself encountering hurdles and struggling to adapt. Gustav comes around a lot more frequently in their lives. At the same time, however, Nora and Agnes work on achieving happiness while they share their lingering disconnect. In the meantime, their father is on the search to make art come to life in his new project.

The film goes from scenes showcasing success to theatre stages and the movies. Suffering from their past comes into play, and at the same time there is love that is present. The feelings stirred by the story can be hard to feel. Trier fuels emotional component hard in Sentimental Value. At times, it gets to the point of making audiences ponder why some people push themselves to the limit.

The new star that Gustav is working with is a young actress named Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning). She is working on building a following. Gustav’s daughters find themselves a bit jealous of her and she ends up right in the middle of all the chaos and family drama. The complex elements of becoming successful are manipulated by the father. Sentimental Value portrays howfavoritism can have serious consequences. The film reveals some astonishing truths and is a unique arthouse film that I found worthy. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

61 Chicago International Film Festival, Capsule Reviews, Film reviews

Chicago International Film Festival 2025-It was Just an Accident

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A daring political thriller that does all it can to fly below the radar. From director Jafar Panahi, It Was Just an Accident has intriguing components involving Middle East politics. This film contains family dynamics which makes its audience wonder about the consequences moving forward. The storyline pushes the envelope but also places family values up front.

In this film, a man named Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) seeks revenge on a man named Eghbal (Ebrahim Azizi) because he believes Eghbal tormented him in prison ages ago. During his time as a prisoner, Vahid was always blindfolded, but he claims he can tell by the voice and the noises made by Eghbal’s artificial leg. Therefore, Vahid kidnaps Eghbal. However, Vahid’s family doubts his morals considering the political war and many accusations that could be either true or false.

I found this feature set in Iran to be one of the most realistic films in the Chicago International Film Festival. Given Panahi’s skillful approach to creating complicated moral dynamics, he lays a foundation for an effective political and ethical cinematic experience.  Three out of four stars for It Was Just an Accident.