It’s that time of year again – the return of film festival season, one of my favorite times of year. And, as a member of the Chicago Indie Critics organization, I’m looking forward to attending three of the Chicago area’s best programs, this time as an official member of the press corps. First comes Reeling 2025, the 43rd Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, the second longest continuously running film festival of its kind in the world, taking place September 19-28 at Chicago’s Landmark Century Centre Cinema and the headquarters of event sponsor Chicago Filmmakers. Reeling’s selections have been getting better by the year, and the schedule for 2025 looks promising. I’ve already attended quite a few screenings at this year’s festival, with summary reviews listed on the Quick Cuts page. A full wrap-up of my reviews will be published on this site at the end of the festival. Next comes the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, North America’s longest-running competitive film festival, to be held October 15-26. This event features an array of films from around the world, as well as a number of special events, many featuring appearances by filmmakers, actors and producers from the presented works. This is ...

“The Apprentice” (2024). Cast: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Walter Donovan, Maria Bakalova, Catherine McNally, Charlie Carrick, Ben Sullivan, Mark Rendal, Joe Pingue, Stuart Hughes, Ian D. Clark, Chris Owens, Valerie O’Connor, Tom Barnett. Director: Ali Abbasi. Screenplay: Gabriel Sherman. Web site. Trailer. It’s virtually impossible these days to pick up a newspaper (remember what those are?) or visit an online news site without seeing something about Donald Trump. Regardless of what one thinks about the President, his presence in our lives, journalism and very existence is ubiquitous. And, because of that, there’s essentially no way of getting away from him. Having been elected to a second term, he obviously had (and, in many circles, still has) his legions of devoted supporters. By contrast, though, in light of recent events, such as the No Kings demonstrations, and steadily declining poll numbers, he also has more than his share of detractors. Those on each side of the fence clearly know how to affirm their loyalty to their views. It’s a comparatively easy task for his backers. But, for those who disagree with his policies and practices, what does it take to make their opposing arguments most effective against such a powerful political ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday September 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. https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-cinema-scribe–3455732 ...

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

Reviews of “The Roses,” “We Were Dangerous” and “Familiar Touch,” along with a film festival season preview, are all in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Media Network, available by clicking here ...

“Familiar Touch” (2024 production, 2025 release). Cast: Kathleen Chalfant, H. Jon Benjamin, Carolyn Michelle, Andy McQueen, Mike G., Joahn Webb. Director: Sarah Friedland. Screenplay: Sarah Friedland. Web site. Trailer. Memory is one of those phenomena that makes the human experience unique and captivating. It plays a central role in defining the character of that experience and, in turn, helps us to define our very own individual nature. It provides a sense of continuity and stability, an assumed, seemingly assured knowledge of what constitutes our lives and existence. It fundamentally allows us to believe in what we know and to know what we believe. However, it also possesses an innate fragility, and, when memory – and the underlying beliefs that support it – begins to fail with age, we’re frequently left confused about the essence of our world, an uncertainty filled with fear and a lack of confidence about what lies ahead, a deepening concern that we can no longer comprehend what we previously took for granted. The rules of life that we once embraced without question are now suddenly being cast to the winds, systematically escaping our comprehension. Indeed, this can be a harrowing, debilitating experience, not only for the ...