We're happy to be nominated in four categories for the Reader's 2024 Best of Chicago poll. Find them all here and cast your ballot by December 31!
We're happy to be nominated in four categories for the Reader's 2024 Best of Chicago poll. Find them all here and cast your ballot by December 31!
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by Kyle Sanders
Hello fellow moviegoers, I have some exciting news! The 10th Annual Chicago Critics Film Festival is taking place this week and yours truly will be reviewing it!
While this isn't my first time attending, this IS my first time covering, and what an exciting time to start as this festival celebrates TEN YEARS of local film critics actively working to "unite filmmakers, art, and an audience willing to embrace both!"
This year, Chicago critics have selected thirteen features, five documentaries, one animated feature, and fourteen shorts for you to choose from--some of which I'll be reviewing here!
To open this year's festival, CCFF chose the upcoming release BlackBerry, Matt Johnson's "fictionalization" recounting the origins of the world's first smartphone. Beginning in 1996, this comedy-drama traces the early roots of Mike Lazaridis' (Jay Baruchel) and Douglas Fregin's (Johnson) mobile game changer and their fateful partnership with business shark Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton). Jim has the brawn, Mike and Doug have the brains...so why not make lots of money?
Check out the full version of this interview on the CHIRP Podcasts feed!
There is no long-term plan for one of Chicago’s most buzzed-about bands, OK Cool, though their new record "fawn" drops April 28. “We’re just two buds. We're just hanging out. Sometimes we make music, sometimes we don't,” bassist Haley Blomquist said.
Bridget Stiebris plays guitar and acts as primary vocalist, in addition to playing drums for studio recordings. Blomquist is the bassist but also lends guitar and backup vocals.
The two have been friends for seven years, first connecting online when Blomquist was looking for a new member for a cover band. OK Cool is the pair’s second band, previously also having been part of Weekend Run Club.