Holy Motors

CHICAGO – One of the best movies of 2012 had monsters, action heroes, animation, heart-breaking drama, Christ imagery and a sense of redemption in all of what it conveyed. “Holy Motors” may have been ignored at Oscar time, but it’s destined to make an impact for cinema fans in generations to come, and was released on Blu-ray and DVD on February 26th.

CHICAGO – I expected to write this feature from a relatively satisfied place. After all, it was such a good year for film and it seemed likely that the Academy were going to make some smart, forward-thinking decisions this morning. And then they took several steps back. Taking safe routes when more interesting ones were available.

CHICAGO – Some writing sounds better on the page than it does when read aloud. That’s certainly the case with Don DeLillo’s 2003 novel, “Cosmopolis,” a spectacularly unsettling social commentary largely confined within the limo of billionaire asset manager, Eric Packer. He claims that he’s 28, but looks as if he’s been strolling the streets for centuries, while displaying all the decadent beauty of Dorian Gray.

CHICAGO – Hot on the heels of the wondrous 10 Most Overlooked Films of 2012 and the illustrious first look at The 10 Best Films of 2012 comes “The 10 Best Films of 2012, Part Two,” as rendered by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

CHICAGO – Paul Thomas Anderson’s divisive “The Master” led the 2012 Chicago Film Critics Association nominees on Friday morning with a stunning ten.

CHICAGO – Leos Carax’s “Holy Motors,” the winner of the Gold Hugo at 2012’s Chicago International Film Festival, opens with the director himself climbing out of bed, opening a door in the side of his bedroom, and entering a packed movie theater. It’s a surreal, dreamlike moment and it sets the tone for a film that challenges not only perception of reality but the purpose of cinema.

CHICAGO – The 2012 48th Annual Chicago International Film Festival and Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director, announced the competition award winners at a ceremony in the ballroom of the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel on October 19th, 2012. The Gold Hugo for Best Film went to “Holy Motors,” from France and Germany.

CHICAGO – The 48th Annual Chicago International Film Festival boasts one of the starriest opening nights in its history, with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin and Jon Bon Jovi all scheduled to walk the red carpet for the October 11th world premiere of Fisher Stevens’ crime comedy, “Stand Up Guys.” Yet that is far from the only picture worthy of attention at the year’s festival.

CHICAGO – The full schedule has been announced for the 48th Annual Chicago Film Festival, which runs from October 11 to October 25, 2012 and opens with a red carpet appearance by Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, & Alan Arkin and ends with one by Robert Zemeckis.