“Viva Verdi!” (2025) (Italy/USA). Cast: Claudio Giombi, Chitose Matsumoto, Tina Aliprandi, Lina Vasta, Anthony Kaplen, Leonello Bionda, Catherine Geller, Massimiliano D’Antonio, Ferdinando Dani. Director: Yvonne Russo. Screenplay: Christine La Monte and Yvonne Russo. Web site. Trailer. One of the most inspiring messages I’ve run across in my life maintains that “The greatest joy is in creation,” a message that, ironically, came my way via a Chinese fortune cookie just as I had begun work on my first book. The timing couldn’t have been better, as this sentiment fed directly and abundantly into my writing. It proved to me at the time – and ever since – that creativity is essential to help keep us feeling young, fulfilled, prolific and vital. And, not surprisingly, that notion has also been crucial in the lives and well-being of a remarkable group of seniors who reside in a truly special retirement community in Milan, Italy, one that celebrates the joy and power of creation and what those qualities can do to help sustain – and even revitalize –.them and us. These talented individuals serve as inspiring role models not only for their peers, but also for anyone in need of rejuvenation in their lives, ...

Photo by Trevor Laster With 2025 now in the books, it’s time to look back on the year in movies. In this second of three blogs, I spotlight my Bottom 10 Films of 2025, followed by 10 Dishonorable Mentions and an open-ended list (in alphabetical order) of other releases that I found disappointing or worth skipping. As much as possible, I’ve included web site and trailer links, as well as those for a few film clips. In separate blog posts, I examine my Best Films of 2025, with an upcoming post about my Best and Worst in 2025 Documentaries. In any given year, for as many good or great movies as there may be, there are also invariably a crop of cinematic disappointments, and 2025 was no exception. These include both films that haven’t lived up to expectations, as well as those that never should have gotten out of the development phase. And, in 2025, there were more than a few examples of both. As much as I enjoy celebrating good films, I also feel it’s my responsibility to call out those that end up failing in their missions, no matter what the cause might be. And, as someone who ...

Photo by Trevor Laster With 2025 now in the books, it’s time to look back on the year in movies. In this first of three blogs, I spotlight my Top 10 Films of 2025, followed by 10 Honorable Mentions and an open-ended list (in alphabetical order) of other releases that I found noteworthy or worth a look. As much as possible, I’ve included web site and trailer links, as well as links to my own reviews. In separate blog posts, I will examine my Worst Films of 2025 and my Best and Worst in 2025 Documentaries. The year just passed was a decent one for movies, with many good (but not great) films, as will become apparent in my selections and reviews. It was certainly a good year for international releases, and many are represented here. It was also a year that saw a marked rise in the number of good smart horror offerings, offbeat comedies (especially romcoms), and releases with themes characterized by issues of contemporary relevance, true cinematic signs of the times. I certainly appreciate the diversity, though those familiar with my tastes and writings will recognize that I believe there’s always room for more. The past year ...

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 ...