FLICK TIPS FROM THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 60TH ANNIVERSARY

“THE PIANO LESSON” (US)

The Washington brothers (Malcolm, director, John David, actor) give immediate license to August Wilson’s 1987 play of the same title.  And an iconic, macabre exorcism, that will satisfy those lusting for the “horror” tremors. FOUR STARS!!!!

“THE ART OF JOY” (ITALY/UK)  DIRECTOR, VALERIA GOLINO)

For devotees of “length” this over five-hour film should satisfy your lusty, greedy appetites!  And if you are into serial killers’ you’re gifted the gorgeous, unforgettable, unmasked “Modesta”  (Tecla Insolia). FOUR STARS!!!!

“THE RETURN” (ITALY/UK)  DIRECTOR, UBERTO PASOLINE

For advocates of Greek and Roman mythology the epochal myth of Odysseus and his long-suffering, faithful wife Penelope are depicted superbly by Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in a landscape that conveys the lushness, and brutality of an island, an arena of slaughter. FOUR STARS!!!!

“MARIA”  (US, ITALY, GERMANY) DIRECTOR, PABLO LARRAIN

Angelina Jolie, with tenacity and massive courage tackles the eponymous opera diva, Maria Callas, through stellar and glorious peaks and depressive phases of her 53 years (1923-1977). The utmost tragedy was that the self-centered, egotistic icon could not survive without her voice. There was so much more that could have defined her. Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) was the ultimate star of the film.  THREE &1/2 STARS!!!

“BIRD”  (UK, US, FRANCE, GERMANY) DIRECTOR, ANDREA ARNOLD

Andrea Arnold is queen of the marginalized, disenfranchised protagonists (“Fish Tank, “Red Road”, “American Honey”, “Wasp”); leaving her films soaked in ennui, fatigued by redundancy, venturing into a lecture by famed Northwestern University Professor, Nick Davis, who with inimitable skill and scholarship “dug” into the rhythm, undiluted vision of a master of the filmic world; a commanding “Bird” places her at a pinnacle she’s aimed for and richly earned in her preeminent character to date, “Bailey” (Nykiya Adams, mercurially marvelous); she’s twelve and the only pure adult in the film; her father, “Bug” (Barry Keoghan, “Saltburn”) is besotted and bewildered by the shenanigans of his blithe spirit. FOUR STARS!!!!

“SILENT TRILOGY” (FINLAND) DIRECTOR, JUHO KUOSMANEN

An enchanting, playful homage to the silent film era; 59 minutes of sheer wonder, beauty and magnetism; featuring the most unlikely characters. FOUR STARS!!!!

To be continued….

Peneflix