The 41st 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 in local theaters and community centers. While I must admit that I initially found the event’s lineup of 2025 offerings somewhat underwhelming (primarily due to a plethora of films that struck me as thematically redundant) and given my disappointing experience with last year’s festival, I must say I had my doubts going into this year’s edition. However, overall, I must have made my viewing choices count, as I was generally pleased with what I screened, somewhat to my surprise. In all, I managed to catch four feature films and three shorts during the festival’s 11-day run. 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 “Damned Old People” (“Viejos Malditos”) (Ecuador/Argentina) (5/5); Letterboxd (4.5/5), TMDB.com (9/10); Web site, Trailer To most of us, an inconsolable loss is something from which recovery may often be next to impossible. The pain and anguish can be unbearable, especially ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday April 8, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn ...

“Flow” (“Straume”) (2024). Director: Gints Zilbalodis. Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, Matiss Kaza and Ron Dyens. Web site. Trailer. Sometimes the simplest yet most profound messages come to us from the unlikeliest of sources. In many cases, those messengers deliver their insights metaphorically and unwittingly, with an almost “innocent” nature, as if to give license to the notion of “out of the mouths of babes.” So imagine how valuable that information can be when its impact is significant and inspired and comes at a time when the stakes are at their highest. Such is the case in the charming, insightful and enlightening new animated feature from Latvia, “Flow” (“Straume”). This stunningly beautiful, deeply moving second offering from writer-director Gints Zilbalodis tells the tale of a band of animals seeking to find their way and survive in a brave new world. When a great flood essentially destroys the world of man, a wide-eyed black cat must figure out how to get by when this consuming deluge wipes out the existence he has known, armed with only his own wits and the cooperation of fellow animal kindreds. These bold collaborators include an unassuming capybara, an endlessly curious meerkat, a flock of secretary birds (a ...

For those who may have missed the most recent movie review edition of The Good Media Network’s Frankiesense & More video podcast, the recorded version is now available for viewing on Facebook and YouTube. Join show host Frankie Picasso and yours truly as we review five new movies and look back at what we predicted at the Oscars. Tune in for all the fun and lively discussion! ...

Join yours truly and show host Frankie Picasso for looks at five new films on the upcoming movie review edition of the Frankiesense & More video podcast, to begin airing Thursday March 27 at 1 pm ET. Tune in on Facebook or YouTube for all the lively chat and movie fun! Sorry, everyone — due to unforeseen technical difficulties, the show has been rescheduled for Friday March 28 at 1 pm ET. Sorry for the inconvenience. Be sure to tune in at the new time! ...

Reviews of “The Room Next Door,” “Hard Truths” and “Nightbitch,” along with a podcast preview and my Oscar scorecard, are all in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Media Network, available by clicking here. Sorry, everyone — due to unforeseen technical difficulties, the podcast listed here has been rescheduled for Friday March 28 at 1 pm ET. Sorry for the inconvenience. Be sure to tune in at the new time! ...