Chicago Indie Critics, the Windy City movie reviewers organization that celebrates diversity in film criticism, has announced the nominees in its ninth annual Windie Awards competition. Details on the nominees, including a complete list of contenders in the program’s 27 categories, is available here. Voting among the organization’s members is currently ongoing, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony for members and their guests on January 15, with social media announcements to follow shortly thereafter. As a proud member of this organization, it’s been a distinct pleasure to participate in the process of honoring these nominees. More to follow when the lucky recipients are announced ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday December 23, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Castbox, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn ...

“Sentimental Value” (“Affeksjonsverdi”) (2025). Cast: Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning, Jesper Christensen, Cory Michael Smith, Catherine Cohen, Andreas Stoltenberg Granerud, Anders Danielsen Lie, Øyvind Hesjedal Loven, Lars Väringer, Ingunn Beate Strige Øyvan, Marianne Vassbotn Klasson, Vilda Søyland. Director: Joachim Trier. Screenplay: Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier. Web site. Trailer. Forgiveness is one of the most challenging but potentially rewarding exercises in which we can engage. Mustering up the courage and gumption to take on this task may be difficult, even anguishing. But, once we make our way through this potentially intimidating process, we often find ourselves feeling renewed, brimming with rejuvenated emotions and grace that we never knew we possessed. In that sense, then, it’s also a revelatory experience, one that can light the way to fulfilling new and satisfying accomplishments, achievements that might have always seemed out of reach. Such are the themes considered in the enlightening new Norwegian domestic comedy-drama, “Sentimental Value” (“Affeksjonsverdi”). Stage actress Nora Borg (Renate Reinsve) has enjoyed a successful career, despite a sometimes-challenging upbringing. She and her younger sister, Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), grew up in a household led by her father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), an accomplished filmmaker, and mother, ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday December 9, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Castbox, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn ...

“Eleanor the Great” (2025). Cast: June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht, Rita Zohar, Will Price, Lauren Klein, Stephen Singer, Elaine Bromka, Ray Anthony Thomas, Barbara Andres. Director: Scarlett Johansson. Screenplay: Tory Kamen. Web site. Trailer. We’ve all been taught the wisdom behind the notion of “honesty is the best policy.” It’s sound, solid guidance that’s nearly always appropriate (provided it’s not carried to an unhealthy extreme). But what about the opposite of this advice: Is there ever any benefit in a falsehood, the so-called “good lie?” At first glance, it might be easy to dismiss this idea out of hand, but what if something less than truthful is capable of imparting insight, inspiration or comfort to someone in distress? In cases like that, can it realistically be summarily rejected? Those are intriguing questions raised in the new comedy-drama-character study, “Eleanor the Great.” Eleanor Morgenstein (June Squibb) has lived a long and happy life. The spry 94-year-old former New Yorker has spent the past few decades in retirement in Florida, first with her devoted husband, who died 12 years ago, and since then with her longtime best friend and roommate, Bessie Stern (Rita Zohar). But, when Bessie passes, Eleanor ...

Reviews of “Bugonia” and “Eternity,” along with a Chicago Film Festival wrap-up, are all in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Media Network, by clicking here ...