Voices: Film - The Chicago Maroon

Courtesy of Summit Entertainment

Academy Awards 2010

by Michelle Welch

Michelle Welch gives her picks for this year's Oscars.

Courtesy of Overture Films

Romero remake sticks too close to horror tradition

by Hayley Lamberson

Spoiler alert! Military bio-weapon goes awry

Scott Garfield

Dear John: Return to sender

by Michelle Welch

A predictable drama presents a soulless tragedy.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

UChi-Con celebrates myth and Miyazaki

by Ben Sigrist

The Japanese Animation Society hosts its annual convention.

There's nothing Extraordinary about saccharine optimism

by Michelle Welch

Harrison Ford's new film is a melodrama worthy of Lifetime.

Merie Wesimiller Wallace

From doctors to space cowboys, Ford still kicks ass

by Michelle Welch

The Maroon interviews the man, the myth, the legend.

Courtesy of Justin Staple

Student filmmakers see bright future for their feature

by Jessen O'Brien

What happens when your summer project is to make a movie.

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

Top 10 Films of the Decade

by Michelle Welch

Michelle Welch gives us her picks

Dale Robinette

Reitman leaves the connection between adulthood and maturity Up in the Air

by Michelle Welch

Jason Reitman employs the help of George Clooney, in one of his most personal roles to date, to tell a tale of family and maturity.

Miramax Films

Almost everything is wrong with Everybody's Fine

by Michelle Welch

This family drama is as thoughtless as it's characters.

Dale Robinette

Juno's Reitman finds himself an unintentional existentialist

by Michelle Welch

The Chicago Maroon participated in a round table interview with director Jason Reitman, whose new film Up in the Air is now in theaters.

DreamWorks Studios

Part 2 of the Peter Jackson interview

by Michelle Welch

This is part 2 of the Chicago Maroon's interview with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson

Matt Mueller

Peter Jackson shows a knack for the supernatural

by Michelle Welch

The director discusses his career and his new film, the Lovely Bones.

Lacey Terrell

Part 2 of the Columbus Short interview

by Michelle Welch

This is part 2 of the Chicago Maroon's interview with Armored star Columbus Short.

Lacey Terrell

Short goes from Stomp to Hollywood stardom

by Michelle Welch

Columbus Short has risen through the ranks from one of Britney Spear's choreographers to starring in his new film Armored. The Chicago Maroon participated in a round table interview with him earlier this month.

Tom Tian

Voices Top 5

by Ben Sigrist and Hayley Lamberson

Voices gets critical of the past year, giving you our Top 5 picks for Music, Movies, Songs, Guilty Pleasures, Fashion Trends, and Obama Merchandise.

Courtesy 20th Century Fox

Top 5 Movies

by Michelle Welch

The ones you will be talking about years from now.

Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Top 5 Movie Trailers

by Ben Sigrist and Elisabeth Sanders

Regardless of whether the films were good or not, the trailers made you want to see them.

Julia Silverman

Decoding Doc's Programming Process

by Jessen O'Brien

Ever wonder how Doc Films comes up with their quarterly film schedule? Well now you can find out, and maybe even get involved in the process yourself.

Courtesy of Summit Entertainment

The guilty pleasures of sparkly vampirism

by Michelle Welch

Meyer's insufferable dialog doesn't sound better than it reads.

Courtesy of First Look Studios

Cage is a loose cannon cop on the edge...again

by Andreas Nahas

Nicolas Cage's performance meets all your expectations, and then some, in Werner Herzog's newest film.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Forrest Gump director concocts 3-D Carol characters

by Michelle Welch

Robert Zemeckis confesses to his obsession with time travel.

Courtesy of TLA Releasing

Queer comedy takes center stage at Reeling Film Fest

by Mitch Montoya

Reeling's 28th annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival highlights humor in the face of recent setbacks in the struggle for equality.

Siskel Center revisits tragic romance

by Andreas Nahas

All That Heaven Allows, Far from Heaven, and Ali:Fear Eats the Soul will all be showing at the Gene Siskel Film Center this November.

Ken Woroner

Amelia plays up pandering patriotism

by Michelle Welch

Amelia Earhart's fascinating and inspiring story is turned into a dull film.

Courtesy of Sony Picture Classics

The aims of Education: Doubtful minds in changing times

by Andreas Nahas

Strong acting, especially by the lead actress Carey Mulligan, and strong stylistic choices by director Lone Scherfig make An Education stand out among the numerous 60s throwbacks.

Courtesy of Paramount

Paranormal packs predictable horror premises

by Michelle Welch

The casual moviegoer without any foreknowledge of the film's production will get more mileage out of this tame offering than the seasoned horror buffs yawning in the aisles.

Brandon Wetherbee

DePaul graduate proves money is no matter for making movies

by Ilana Kowarski

Wetherbee is a local artist who has recently established the performance company You, Me, Them, Everybody, and works several jobs to support himself and his art—every spare cent he earns goes toward funding his creative projects, which include everything from podcasts to music videos to his current film, The Shuffle.

Courtesy of Chicago International Film Festival

Chicago Film Festival

by Ruben Montiel

Students hoping to catch the latest films drawing Oscar buzz or to see movie stars in real life will be hard-pressed to find a better option this month, or even this year, than the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF), which opened its 45th year last night.

Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

Chris Rock talks Hair, there and everywhere

by Derrick Teo Wee Ghee

Comedian Chris Rock’s “passion project,” Good Hair, is a comedy-documentary that takes a closer look at a lucrative industry producing billions of dollars every year – African-American hairstyles.

Focus Features

Coens' Man fights more than a mid-life crisis

by Andreas Nahas

Despite the ambiguity of its ending, those who see the film for what it truly is will not be disappointed, as it is one the Coens’ best and deserves a spot alongside "Fargo" and "No Country for Old Men."

Rudius Films

Taking it to the Max

by Michael Lipkin

Tucker Max is upfront about why he made "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell," which he co-wrote and produced: He’s a narcissist on a power trip.

Sony Pictures Classics

Tautou Triumphs in Fontaine's Effortless Chanel

by Jingru Yang

Director Anne Fontaine's biopic of the iconic designer puts fashion on the back burner, putting its focus instead on Chanel's early romances.

All's fair in love and gore

by Ben Sigrist

Ben Sigrist gives his take on the summer's best films

Courtesy of Francois Duhame

Top 5 Summer Films

by Michelle Welch

Harry Potter finally sees the light of day, while Tarantino gives us his next bloody offering with Basterds.

Pixar Animation Studios

Up deflated by pandering plot, unoriginal visuals

by Andreas Nahas

In Up, set for nationwide release today, Pixar delivers what is easily its worst film.

Coward caper gets dose of girl power with Elliott’s Virtue

by Dani Brecher

Stephan Elliott's Easy Virtue may be more Andre than Dom Perignon, but it still manages to deliver a pleasurable two hours.

Courtesy of Sony Picture Classics

Y Tu Mamá team’s soccer dramedy hits the post

by Brian White

Even though it lacks the coherent force of a more consistent drama/satire, the individual elements of the film, created by the same team who made Y Tu Mama Tambien, are sound.

Dean La Prairie

Flat performances mar Menendian’s updated Gabler

by Rob Underwood

While Raven Theatre's modern setting and handful of excellent performances elevate Hedda Gabler above cloying melodrama, the poor turns by the two leads ultimately sink this ambitious adaptation.

Industrial Light & Magic

Star Trek hits the big screen

by Michelle Welch

J.J. Abrams's Star Trek is a sophisticated space opera, redefining the Star Trek canon forever more.

Courtesy of Lucky Dragons

Doc and Dragons mix avant-garde movies, music

by Ben Sigrist

Performing at Doc Films on Tuesday, video artists and musicians the Lucky Dragons will offer a unique example of how live accompaniment to film, in this case, Albert Lamorisse’s The Red Balloon, has evolved as its own art form.

Keaton's no Merry Gentleman with smart, gloomy drama

by Michelle Welch

Keaton's directorial debut is a respectable, smart, and unconventional film that does not rely on Hollywood gloss despite its big-name cast and crew.

Scott Saltzman

Rooted in politics, Violet gets buried in its own agenda

by Ben Sigrist

Although mixing political messages with movies can yield huge rewards, American Violet's plot rarely rises above the simplicity of a bullet-pointed political message.

Chicago Latino Film Festival reaches beyond Hispanic Hollywood

by Ruben Montiel

The 25th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival proves there is much more to Latino film than what American audiences have seen so far.

Disney dishes dirt on race, drug laws in Violet

by Ben Sigrist

In American Violet, director Tim Disney exposes the biases inherent in the legal system. VOICES had the chance to interview the director about the film.

Sita stirs up Ramayana, modern romance to the tune of ’20s jazz

by Madelyn Freed

Using an unusual array of animation styles and the music from the 1920s jazz artist Annette Hanshaw, Paley reveals something funny, beautiful, and heartbreaking in Sita Sings the Blues.

"Mobsters, Monsters, and Swords!"

by Hayley Lamberson

CEAS's spring quarter Friday Noon Film series provides Japanese B-movie bliss.

Courtesy Warner Bros.

Partners in crime Hill and Rogen churn out mall cop disaster

by Michelle Welch

Sometimes a movie is so abysmally bad that you just have to wonder: How did this get made? Observe and Report is such a movie.

admin

Roller coaster romance jostles Adventureland’s hapless characters

by Michelle Welch

Greg Mottola’s Adventure- land succeeds as a heartfelt “coming of age” comedy precisely because of its focus on the characters, who are flawed, genuine young adults confronting for the first time real adult issues.

admin

Mouret gives pensive answer to Shall We Kiss?

by Ben Rossi

Although weighed down by colorless dialogue and rather forced farce, Emmanuel Mouret's French film Shall We Kiss makes up in romance what it lacks in comedy.

A Janelle Scharon

Gondry and crew capture Tokyo life's excitement, isolation

by Ben Sigrist

TOKYO!, a collaboration between Michel Gondry, Leos Carax, and Bong Joon-ho, captures the essential spirit of the iconic city with dazzling visuals.

A Janelle Scharon

Watchmen finally hits the big screen

by Michelle Welch

Watchmen is simultaneously difficult and easy to love. It’s simple to love for those dedicated fans whose dream has finally come true, but for the casual moviegoer, Watchmen could be a tough sell.

Goodfellas left out of Gomorrah’s brutal world

by Marcella Delaurentiis

Matteo Garrone's Gomorrah offers an intimate look into a world where every day is a struggle for survival.

Who watched the Watchmen? Advance reviews are in!

by Hayley Lamberson

Devoted fans of the graphic novel may be miffed about the changed ending, but critics say overall the film stays loyal to its source. For nonreaders, strong acting and striking cinematography are sure to please.

The Oscars have been outsourced

by Ben Rossi

As expected, Slumdog Millionaire triumphed with 8 Oscars. But there were a few surprises in the mostly predictable telecast.

Slumdog’s Oscar triumph: Is it written?

by William Glick

The Academy's snubbing of Dark Knight is an insult, and Slumdog's triumph a foregone conclusion; but some of the actor categories are still up for grabs.

Despite Guggenheim shoot-out, International proves bankrupt in originality

by Michelle Welch

Tom Twycker's new thriller features some pretty cityscapes, but little in the way of new ground.

Despite stale gags, the Force is with Fanboys

by Michelle Welch

Though its attempts to imitate other comedies fall flat, Fanboys is strongest when it embraces its nerdiness.

Courtesy

Realities of Lebanese war animate Folman’s Bashir

by Madelyn Freed

Lebanese dance of destruction doesn't let audiences bow out.

Down-and-out in Oregon

by Ben Rossi

Wendy and Lucy hits the right desperate note for today's tanking economy.

Slumdog debate temporarily re-opened

by Supriya Sinhababu

We may have found the middle ground.

Voices editors declare Slumdog truce

by Supriya Sinhababu

Anthropologists around the globe breathe a sigh of relief.

Slumdog, short response

by Ben Rossi

Slumdog Millionaire is about as Indian as George Harrison in an ashram.

Why Ben is wrong about Slumdog Millionaire

by Supriya Sinhababu

He's right about Revolutionary Road though—man, what a drag.

The not very curious case of the Oscars

by Ben Rossi

This year's Oscars remind us that deep down, the Academy just wants a hug.

Courtesy

Top 5 Films of 2008

by Matt Zakosek

The movies that moved us in 2008.

Courtesy

Top 5 Underrated Movies of 2008

by Madelyn Freed

The movies we loved to hate and hated to love in 2008.

Milk tells powerful story, but doesn't reduce Harvey to a figurehead

by Matt Zakosek

Under the expert direction of Gus Van Sant, Sean Penn paints a portrait of a complicated man in volatile times.

J_blitstein_02_image_from_let_them_chirp_awhile_web_sixth

Precocious Blitstein chirps awhile about value of following your own path

by Ilana Kowarski

Chicago native Jonathan Blitstein fought against the odds to become one of the youngest filmmakers ever to write, direct, and produce a feature film.

Frosty political tête-á-tête hits close to home

by Michelle Welch

Though focusing on the aftermath of a thirty-year-old scandal, Frost/Nixon could not be more relevant.

Slumdogmillionare_2_courtesyoffoxsearchlightpictures_web_sixth

Slumdog’s camera work, inspirational story line worth a million rupees

by William Glick

Danny Boyle’s new film Slumdog Millionaire manages the difficult task of portraying an uplifting rags-to-riches story while still giving the audience a compelling, uncompromising, and thorough drama.

Let_the_right_one_in_01_courtesy_of_magnet_releasing_web_sixth

Scandinavian vampire flick warms your heart, makes your blood run cold

by Madelyn Freed

Don’t be fooled by the dark and cold of a Swedish winter—Let the Right One In is an excellent reminder of how much harsher childhood is by comparison.

Fresh-faced Sklar takes Elder and company on tour

by Ilana Kowarski

Todd Sklar, indie filmmaker and founder of Range Life Entertainment, leads his Box Elder and three other films to the Gene Siskel Film Center as part of a 22-city tour.

Quantum can’t find an iota of originality

by Michelle Welch

This frenetic and abrupt installment in the Bond franchise, freighted with high expectations after the success of Casino Royale, is damaged goods.

Despite originality, Synecdoche’s parts fall short of a compelling whole

by William Glick

The world “synecdoche” (pronounced sih-NECK-duh-kee) means a whole standing in for the part, and Kaufman’s film, while epic in scope, is certainly about the journey of one individual.

Soul_men_02_courtesy_of_dimension_films_web_sixth

Script may tread old ground, but these men have Soul

by Jessen O'Brien

The rapport between leads Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson redeems Soul Men's unoriginal plot.

Models set high standards for mediocre films

by Derrick Teo Wee Ghee

Role Models's slacker charm doesn't elevate its fundamentally commonplace premise, but it's still a fun way to spend an hour and half of your time.

In its 27th year, Reeling paints Chicago pink, white, and blue

by Mitch Montoya

Unsurprisingly, the theme of this year’s Reeling Festival, “All American Queer,” joins in with the rest of the country’s fascination with politics.

NYPD flick with Norton and Farrell gets no glory

by Ben Sigrist

Only those who are absolutely sick of Law and Order reruns and are craving even a barely functional police drama might be satisfied by this film.

With Corso, Reininger doesn’t miss a beat

by Supriya Sinhababu

In many ways, Gregory Corso’s late adolescence mirrors that of the typical University of Chicago student. Unfortunately for Corso, the backdrop for his learning and growing experiences was not the U of C, but Clinton Correctional Facility, New York State’s maximum-security prison.

Despite free online release, Princess not worthy of any crowns

by Jingru Yang

The Princess of Nebraska lacks a sympathetic touch.

For film buffs this month, Doc’s not the only game in town

by Andreas Nahas

Although it doesn’t have the beaches of Cannes, the mountains of Sundance, or even the clean streets of Toronto, the 44th annual Chicago International Film Festival packs a punch.

The Express draws no fouls, but scores no extra points

by Yusuf Siddiquee

A run-of-the-mill inspirational story like this needs some thing extra—stellar acting, a great score, powerful dialogue, or clever cinematography—to set itself apart.

A-list stars take backseat to supporting actors

by Matt Zakosek

Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio may be the marquee names, but Body of Lies belongs to two other performers: Mark Strong and Golshifteh Farahani.

Maher’s quick questions and quips abound, but Religulous is no revelation

by Brian White

For the non-religious, Passion of the Christ was a boring, irrelevant movie told in Christianity’s favorite language: excessive drama.

Media satire shows how to lose fans and alienate audiences

by Matt Zakosek

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People opens with a young man equating Hollywood to Shangri-La.

Nick-and-norahs-infinite_voices_web_sixth

With Nick and Norah, it’s love at first ringtone

by Matt Zakosek

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist is bound to get a lot of flak for being a Juno knockoff.

Campus cinema

by Emerald Gao

University offers great opportunities to see, make movies

City cinema

by Emerald Gao

The silver screen is on display in the second city

Web-sexandthecity-craig-blankenhornnew-line-cinema_sixth

The Sex saga continues, inside and outside the city

by Mitch Montoya

Critics have had colorful opinions about the four famous vixens' film debut. But these ladies believe in themselves, and in their ridiculous senses of fashion—how could they go wrong?

Web-thestrangers-glenwatson-roguepictures_sixth

Despite promise, film estranged from originality

by Matt Barnum

After exhaustive research—five minutes on Google—I'm inclined to say that the movie was inspired by true events in the same way that, say, Iron Man was: The only references I could find to these supposed "true events" came from online buzz about the movie itself.