Sarah Polley

CHICAGO – If you’ve ever worked retail or in the service industry, you’re aware of the mental and physical state lovingly known as “Cruise Control”. That’s when the crippling monotony of everyday life forces our body into a sort of energy-saver setting that is meant to keep us from having psychotic mental breaks on a semi-regular basis. A sort-of zombie mode, if you will.

CHICAGO – Every year, the movie stars, actor/actresses and filmmakers come knocking, and HollywoodChicago.com is there to answer. Film Critics Brian Tallerico and Patrick McDonald have combined their best-of interviews for 2013, and it’s an intriguing and eclectic mix.

CHICAGO – Sarah Polley’s amazing “Stories We Tell” earned raves a year ago when it played at the Toronto International Film Festival, continued to build buzz at Sundance, opened the first Chicago Critics Film Festival, and had a successful theatrical run but never quite made it to a lot of major markets. Now it’s on DVD and everyone in the country and around the world can finally see the best documentary of 2013. And everyone should.

CHICAGO – Sarah Polley’s “Stories We Tell” may seem deceptively simple or even boring in concept. At its core, it’s a film about a talented filmmaker and actress investigating her family’s past and her own lineage. Where Polley’s work goes from mere family movie to something much greater is in how she uses her own quest for answers to illuminate why & how we tell stories in the first place, especially in the form of film.

CHICAGO – Sarah Polley’s brilliant “Stories We Tell” was the opening night film of the 2013 Chicago Critics Film Festival and the writer/director/actress sat down with HollywoodChicago.com to discuss the very personal documentary about her family history. It opens next Friday, May 17, 2013. Come back next week for a full review of the best film of the year to date.

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CHICAGO – It was a weekend of spectacular film previews and premieres. The FIRST Chicago Critics Film Festival highlighted the hottest new filmmakers, had a sold-out tribute to the legendary director William Friedkin and put them together with all the cinema buffs in the Chicagoland area. And it was all accommodated within the Muvico Theatres in Rosemont, Ill.

CHICAGO – Exclusive massive Hookup! Nearly $1,500 in free tickets! In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 100+ movie passes valued at $1,500 up for grabs to the Chicago Critics Film Festival, which runs from April 12 to 14, 2013!

CHICAGO – The full schedule has been announced for the 2013 Chicago Critics Film Festival, featuring appearances by Sarah Polley, William Friedkin, William Katt (“The Greatest American Hero”), Ashley Bell (“The Last Exorcism”), James Ponsoldt (“Smashed”), and much more! Check out the schedule below and get your tickets now right here!

CHICAGO – The 1st Annual Chicago Critics Film Festival, hosted by the Muvico Rosemont 18 and spearheaded by the Chicago Film Critics Association, was announced today and will take place on April 12-14, 2013. Highlights include a presentation of Sarah Polley’s “Stories We Tell” with the director in attendance, the Chicago premiere of Sundance fave “The Spectacular Now” with Shailene Woodley, and an appearance by William Friedkin, who will introduce a presentation of one of his classic films.

CHICAGO – “Take This Waltz” is one of my most personally divisive films of the year. What I mean is that for every element of the movie that I truly adore, there’s one that I loathe. In the former category, there’s Michelle Williams’ striking performance and director Sarah Polley’s eye for color. In the latter category, there’s Polley’s script, one that simply never resonates as truthful and carries some of the worst dialogue of the year. There are elements here that work but every one is balanced by something that drives me crazy.