Last night my critics’ group, the Chicago Indie Critics, handed out our Windie film awards for 2022. It was a fun evening at the Music Box Theatre…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: “EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE” WINS BIG AT THE WINDIES”

During the first half hour of the new psychological thriller ALICE, DARLING, I wondered why Anna Kendrick’s character would ever put up with such bullying from her…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: “ALICE, DARLING” ILLUMINATES TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS AND WHY GOOD PEOPLE MAKE BAD CHOICES”

Original caricature by Jeff York of Bill Nighy in LIVING. (copyright 2023) There are actors who leap off the screen with their larger-than-life approach to performing, and…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: BILL NIGHY GIVES A DELICATE PERFORMANCE IN THE CHARACTER STUDY “LIVING””

Horror comedies don’t come much more entertaining than M3GAN. What could have been just an anti-tech downer or dispiriting kill fest about an advanced A.I. doll taking…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: “M3GAN” IS A HOOT AND A HOLLER IN THE WORLD OF HORROR”

Sometimes, an American movie adaptation from a foreign film doesn’t convert particularly well. More than a language gap, it often has to do with a tonal chasm.…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: “A MAN CALLED OTTO” STRUGGLES TO ADAPT ITS SWEDISH ROOTS”

My choices for the 10 Best Films of 2022 make up the most international list I’ve logged since starting to review films here back in 2011. Those…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: JEFF YORK’S PICKS FOR THE 10 BEST FILMS OF 2022”

I saw three great animated films this year: GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO, MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON, and the holiday release PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: “PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH” IS THE CAT’S MEOW THIS SEASON”

Original caricature by Jeff York of the principles of WOMEN TALKING: Claire Foy, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, Jessie Buckley, Sheila McCarthy, and Rooney Mara. (copyright 2022) Filmmaker…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: THE POWERFUL “WOMEN TALKING” SHOWCASES AN INCREDIBLE STORY AND ENSEMBLE”

The comeback is legitimate as 90s leading man Brendan Fraser returns to glory in a performance that stands as one of the year’s very best. In THE…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: BRENDAN FRASER ADDS MUCH-NEEDED SENSITIVITY TO “THE WHALE””

Stories about the days of early Hollywood have been told countless times in productions from the sublime (SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN and THE ARTIST) to the ridiculous…… Read more “New from Jeff York on The Establishing Shot: AN EXCESSIVE “BABYLON” INSULTS THE ARTISTS AND HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD”