Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday January 27, 2 pm ET, 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 ...

“The Plague” (2025) (Australia/UAE/USA/Romania). Cast: Everett Blunck, Joel Edgerton, Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen, Lucas Adler, Caden Burris, Elliott Heffernan, Lennox Espy, Kolten Lee, Nicolas Raşovan. Director: Charlie Polinger. Screenplay: Charlie Polinger. Web site. Trailer. Anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of a bully’s wrath can understand the hurt, anxiety and self-esteem issues that frequently accompany such physical and emotional trauma. The abusive taunting, teasing, mockery and ostracism that come with such cruel treatment can leave its victims devastated for years afterward, making it difficult, if not impossible, to recover. And this doesn’t even account for the awkwardness that the abused go through in seeking to assimilate into society and its everyday course of conduct. However, such incidents – as painful as they can be – frequently lead to valuable life lessons in empowerment and overcoming adversity, despite the seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against their targets. Those are among the important teachings to emerge in the new coming of age drama, “The Plague.” Summer camp is supposed to be one of those memorable, fun-filled youthful rites of passage that stays with us for a lifetime. At least that’s what 12-year-old Ben (Everett Blunck) hopes for. The reserved, somewhat ...

Windie Awards Master of Ceremonies and CIC Director Don Shanahan. “Sinners,” the smart horror blockbuster released in early 2025, took top honors at the Ninth Windie Awards ceremony, the annual awards program of Chicago Indie Critics, held January 15 at Chicago’s Blue Bayou Restaurant. In all, the film won 10 awards, including best studio film, best actor and best director, among other honors. Winners were determined based on three rounds of voting by members of the organization (yours truly included). A complete list of the nominees on which the winners were voted is available by clicking here. In addition to the 26 artistic and technical categories, CIC presented its annual Impact Award to Michael Phillips, former film critic of The Chicago Tribune. The award is given to an individual or organization in recognition of outstanding efforts that have had a positive influence on the Chicago area film community. Mr. Phillips frequently appeared on At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper from 2006 through 2008 before becoming a semi-regular host shortly before Roeper and Ebert ended their association with the series. He has also introduced over 100 feature films for Turner Classic Movies (TCM) over the years. A video recording of ...

Reviews of “Sentimental Value,” “Eleanor the Great” and “Rebuilding,” along with a Windie Awards preview, are all in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Media Network, available by clicking here ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday January 13, 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 ...

“Rebuilding” (2025). Cast: Josh O’Connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Amy Madigan, Sam Engbring, Kali Reis, Zeilyanna Martinez, Dwight Mondragon, Christopher Young, Teresa Ott Beiriger, David Bright, Nancy Morlan, Kathy Rose, Jeanine London, Binky Griptite, Jefferson Mays. Director: Max Walker-Silverman. Screenplay: Max Walker-Silverman. Web site. Trailer. When the slate gets involuntarily wiped clean, we generally have two choices available to us: (1) walking away and starting anew or (2) attempting to rebuild. Both options usually represent hard choices, not only because of the effort required, but also due to the emotional anguish we’re likely to face. Of those two choices, the restoration option can be particularly trying, given that, as we go through it, we’re constantly reminded of what we lost. However, there are also things to be gained, especially when it comes to the compassion, assistance and support we’re likely to receive from those who want to help. And that’s the message to be found in the heartfelt new story of recovery, “Rebuilding.” Some might say that fate is playing some cruel tricks on Dusty Fraser (Josh O’Connor). The Colorado rancher has been forced off the land that has been in his family for generations by a wildfire that has ...