Backstage Pass

The film “Hamnet” is hailed as one of the most remarkable cinematic achievements of 2025, capturing attention and stirring excitement for the Oscars. Set against the backdrop of England in 1596, this historical drama weaves a poignant tale of personal tragedy and a deep love story between the legendary playwright…

Director Jim Jarmusch’s film is divided into three parts, each exploring family roles and dynamics, which helps keep viewers engaged by highlighting its thematic structure. His dramedy ‘Father Mother Sister, Brother,’ starring Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Cate Blanchett, and Tom Waits, follows a day in the lives of two siblings…

Yes, it was all smiles despite the cloudy skies and light sprinkles at the 31st Critics Choice Awards on January 4, 2026. I’ve covered the awards for the last eleven years, and this Chicago-based critic always looks forward to warmer weather during the event held at the Barker Hanger in…

  While viewing the awe-inspiring world of Avatar sixteen years ago, and again in Avatar 2, you find yourself either captivated by the enchanting blue beings of Pandora or not. As for me, I’m totally fascinated by them and the intricacies of their vibrant biosphere—bring it on! I was especially thrilled…

The Academy Award-winning director Noah Baumbach co-wrote the script for his comedy-drama film “Jay Kelly” with Emily Mortimer, who is also an actress. His film stars George Clooney as Jay, Kelly, the famous movie star, traveling through Tuscany, Italy, while having a midlife crisis. He feels he wasn’t a great…

The animated movie “Zootopia 2” is an animated buddy- police officer movie that’s breaking box-office records. Opening with the highest global animated opening of all time $500.59 million dollars. Jason Bateman reprises his role as Nick the Fox and Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy the Bunny. This oddball team teaches us that…

The comedy-drama film “Rental Family” starring Brendan Fraser combines heartfelt moments with lighthearted humor, making it appealing to fans of both genres. Fraser, an actor living in Japan, plays a character who deeply impacts people’s lives. Here, a Japanese girl is told that her long-lost ‘white’ biological father wants to…

The musical, fantasy film “Wicked: For Good” rated PG-13 is absolutely outstanding! I was truly captivated by its powerful messages of acceptance, the importance of following your heart, and showing empathy towards others. Another significant element of this film is that the screen time has been widened for all characters….

Jeremy Allen White is fabulous in “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” although the script is very narrow, focusing on his loss of self and inner reflection of who Bruce really was, also the period when he wrote the album Nebraska—written and directed by Academy Award winner Scott Cooper of 2009’s…

The hilarious movie “Good Fortune,” starring Aziz Ansari, Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and KeKe Palmer, is a comedy with a deeper message about people struggling to make ends meet. The movie has the theme of swapping places with another person, as in the 1988 movie “Vice Versa.” Remember the 11-year-old…