CHICAGO – Comic book fatigue is real, and not just because there is an embarrassment of riches in screened content but because more than a few of…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Now On VOD: ‘Birds of Prey’ Soars High Above Our Expectations”

CHICAGO – In this most unprecedented of times, the film community of Chicago has been affected profoundly by the coronavirus pandemic. The spring film festivals were just…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film News: Chicago Film Cancellations & Postponements”

CHICAGO – Even before I figured out my own sexuality, Judy Garland’s status as a gay icon was known to me. I wouldn’t understand why until much…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film Review: Zellweger’s Star Power Single-Handedly Saves Stale ‘Judy’”

CHICAGO – The changing view on yetis goes to show just how different my childhood was from kids growing up today. Back in my day, yeti’s were…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film Review: Visual Beauty Can’t Cover Up Cultural Vagueness in ‘Abominable’”

CHICAGO – We all have those family stories that seem just so uniquely ours that it is hard to believe anyone could actually relate to them. Stories…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film Review: ‘The Farewell’ Greets Us With Cultural and Emotional Exploration”

CHICAGO – There is such an unnerving quality to older dolls, which is why they lend themselves so perfectly to horror stories. There’s just an unsettling feeling…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film Review: This Horror Homecoming is Worth a Visit in ‘Annabelle Comes Home’”

CHICAGO – There are some fears in this world that seem irrational to us. Like a fear of clowns or the fear of using an elevator. Horror…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film Review: Less Black Magic, More Black Mirror Succeeds in ‘Child’s Play’”

CHICAGO – Before Jordan Peele, before Mike Flanagan, before James Wan, and especially before all of Blumhouse, there were other masters of horror who paved the way…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film Review: ‘The Dead Don’t Die’ Offers Full-On Horror Homage But Little Else”

CHICAGO – As a pet owner, I know firsthand that I want an exciting life for my guinea pigs. When I’m off at work, I’d like to…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film Review: ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ Feels More Like a Cat Nap Than Catnip”

CHICAGO – The opening to the 1950s “Adventures of Superman” TV series includes the words “strange visitor from another planet.” But because Supes had used his subsequent…… Read more “New Review from Jon Espino of Hollywood Chicago: Film Review: Exploring an Inverse Superman Makes ‘Brightburn’ Shine”