“Tuner” (2025 production, 2026 release) (Canada/USA). Cast: Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, Tovah Feldshuh, Lior Raz, Gil Cohen, Nissan Sakira, Jean Yoon, Jean Reno, Herbie Hancock. Director: Daniel Roher. Screenplay: Daniel Roher and Robert Ramsey. Web site. Trailer. It’s often been observed that “order comes out of chaos,” a notion that might seem counterintuitive but frequently rings true. It’s also something that can be seen in a variety of contexts, with corollaries all their own tailored to the area of endeavor in question. In the world of music, this idea can be applied to the tuning of instruments – specifically pianos – wherein it’s been said that “harmony can arise out of imperfection,” a principle that, ironically, can also be applied to each of us as well. And such is the case in the gripping new crime thriller/romance, “Tuner.” New Yorker Niki White (Leo Woodall) isn’t living the life that he thought was ahead of him. The prodigy piano virtuoso’s career was derailed in childhood when he was afflicted by a rare but serious hearing impairment that made him sensitive and susceptible to the effects of loud noises, effectively sidelining his performance capabilities. So what was he supposed ...

Reviews of “I Swear” and “Steal This Story, Please!”, as well as a film festival recap, are all in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Radio Network, available by clicking here ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday May 26, 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 ...

“I Swear” (2025 production, 2026 release) (UK). Cast: Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, Peter Mullan, Scott Ellis Watson, Shirley Henderson, Steven Cree, Francesco Piacentini-Smith, Christina Ashford, David Carlyle, Ron Donachie, Adam McNamara, John Davidson (archive footage). Director: Kirk Jones. Screenplay: Kirk Jones. Web site. Trailer. They say “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover,” because you just might be surprised by what’s inside. The content may readily defy observations and expectations in unanticipated ways. And the same, of course, can be said for people, especially those who exhibit traits or behavior that’s outside the mainstream. That’s precisely the point driven home by the excellent new award-winning, fact-based comedy-drama-biography, “I Swear.” John Davidson (Robert Aramayo) has lived a life that few have understood for many years (including himself). Born in 1971 in Galachiels, Scotland, he grew up in a middle class household with his parents, David (Steven Cree) and Heather (Shirley Henderson), and three younger siblings. All seemed fine until his teenage self (Scott Ellis Watson) entered high school, when he unexpectedly began exhibiting uncontrolled forms of unusual behavior, including a variety of tics; sudden and violent body movements; outbursts of foul language, racial slurs, and homophobic and misogynistic insults; and ...

The 42nd annual edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival – the longest continuously running event of its kind in the US – is now in the books, having featured an array of narrative, documentary and short films. Sponsored by the International Latino Cultural Center in Chicago, the event was held at the Landmark Century Centre Cinemas in the city’s Lincoln Park/Lakeview neighborhood. In all, I screened 10 features and 4 shorts during the festival’s 11-day run, and, for the most part, I was pleased with what I watched. My congratulations to the event’s programmers and organizers. So, with that said, here’s my take on what I watched and what I thought. Enjoy! FEATURE FILMS “Homo Sapiens?” (“Homo Argentum”) (Argentina) (4/5) Chicago Premiere; Letterboxd (4.5/5), Imdb.com (9/10), TMDB.com (9/10), Imdb critics review Web site Trailer #BrentMarchant #clff42 #ChicagoLatinoFilmFestival #HomoSapiens? #HomoArgentum #Argentina #16shortfilms #comedy #satire #modernman #machismo #GuillermoFrancella It’s funny how things can turn out in life’s everyday scenarios. And, in this anthology of 16 short films from directors Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duplat, this inspired collection of comic vignettes reveals just how funny those funny situations can be. All of the offerings in this compilation feature performances by actor/comedian Guillermo ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday April 28, 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 ...