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KSanders writesDispatches from the 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival: “The Unknown Country” and “A Disturbance In the Force”
by Kyle Sanders
The Unknown Country
Is there an unspoken rule about "road trip" movies that requires a character to learn something? To have an "ah-ha" moment of some sort? Perhaps it's the many hours spent behind the wheel, passing the flickering buzz of neon signs belonging to motels and gas stations, or the neverending route to anywhere as you find yourself feeling insignificant surrounded by an ever-expansive landscape. You can do some serious thinking on these journeys--especially when you're out on your own.
This is Tana's situation in The Unknown Country. Still grieving the death of her grandmother, Tana (Lily Gladstone) reunites with her estranged Lakota family in the Badlands area of South Dakota. The visit takes her on an unexpected road trip toward the Texas-Mexico border, as she learns more about the wild and precious life of her grandmother's past and how she will carry forth her own generation in time.
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (May 8 - May 14)
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday May 9: CHIRP Radio and the Chicago Humanities Festival welcome The Microphones and Mount Eerie to the Old Town School of Folk Music
- Wednesday May 10: CHIRP Radio welcomes Goth Babe to the Salt Shed
- Wednesday May 17: CHIRP Radio welcomes Westerman to Lincoln Hall
- Wednesday May 17: CHIRP Radio welcomes Amy Ray Band to the Old Town School of Folk Music
- Saturday May 20: The Chicago Zine Fest at Plumbers Union Hall
- Sunday May 21: CHIRP Radio 2nd Annual CD Blowout Sale
- Wednesday May 31: CHIRP Radio welcomes Alex Lahey to Schubas
- Saturday June 3 + Sunday June 4: CHIRP sponsors the 2023 Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE)
KSanders writesDispatches from the 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival: “BlackBerry”
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?
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (May 1 - May 7)
Upcoming Events:
- Saturday May 6: Chicago Humanities Epiphany Center for the Arts Pass
- Sunday May 7: CHIRP Radio welcomes Fever Ray to The Salt Shed
- Tuesday May 9: CHIRP Radio and the Chicago Humanities Festival welcome The Microphones and Mount Eerie to the Old Town School of Folk Music
- Wednesday May 10: CHIRP Radio welcomes Goth Babe to the Salt Shed
- Wednesday May 17: CHIRP Radio welcomes Westerman to Lincoln Hall
- Wednesday May 17: CHIRP Radio welcomes Amy Ray Band to the Old Town School of Folk Music
- Saturday May 20: The Chicago Zine Fest at Plumbers Union Hall
- Sunday May 21: CHIRP Radio 2nd Annual CD Blowout Sale
- Wednesday May 31: CHIRP Radio welcomes Alex Lahey to Schubas
Ninja writesChicago Band OK Cool Talks ‘fawn’ Singles and Growing their Music Careers
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.
Meet OK Cool
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.