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‘The Girl in the Snow’ (‘L’Engloutie’) – Brent Marchant
“The Girl in the Snow” (“L’Engloutie”) (France) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (New Directors Competition) (North American Premiere) (1/5) Letterboxd (0.5/5), Imdb.com (1/10), TMDB.com (1/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Film Clip #BrentMarchant #TheGirlintheSnow #ChiFilmFest #France #HautesAlpes #schoolteacher #LouiseHémon #superstitions When a filmmaker tackles a project that has a
‘My Father’s Shadow’ – Brent Marchant
“My Father’s Shadow” (UK/Nigeria/Ireland) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (International Competition) (5/5) Metacritic (9/10), Letterboxd (4.5/5), Imdb.com (9/10), TMDB.com (9/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Film Clip #BrentMarchant #MyFathersShadow #ChiFilmFest #Nigeria #Lagos #fathersandsons #AkinolaDaviesJr #1993election #daytrip Fathers and sons often have complicated relationships. In many instances, boys often don’t
‘Sirât’ – Brent Marchant
“Sirât” (Spain/France) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (International Competition) (4/5) Letterboxd (4/5), Imdb.com (8/10), TMDB.com (8/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer #BrentMarchant #Sirât #ChiFilmFest #Morocco #missingdaughter #rave #desert #war #OliverLaxe No matter how desperate circumstances may become in our lives, they can always get worse, presenting us with
‘Rental Family’ – Brent Marchant
“Rental Family” (Japan/USA) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (2/5) Letterboxd (2/5), Imdb.com (4/10), TMDB.com (4/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer #BrentMarchant #RentalFamily #ChiFilmFest #Japan #BrendanFraser #impersonator #outofworkactor #Hikari Forging personal connections can be difficult enough these days, even in casual circumstances. But what happens when we require someone
‘Oca’ – Brent Marchant
“Oca” (Mexico/Argentina) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (New Directors Competition) (3/5) Metacritic (7/10), Letterboxd (3.5/5), Imdb.com (7/10), TMDB.com (7/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer #BrentMarchant #Oca #ChiFilmFest #Mexico #convent #destiny #connection #dreams #premonition #Godsplan #spiritualjourney #boardgame Life, as we all know, is full of twists and turns, some
‘The Love That Remains’ (‘Ástin sem eftir er’) – Brent Marchant
“The Love That Remains” (“Ástin sem eftir er”) (Iceland/Denmark/Sweden/France) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (International Competition) (2/5) Letterboxd (2/5), Imdb.com (4/10), TMDB.com (4/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Film Clip #BrentMarchant #TheLoveThatRemains #ChiFilmFest #Iceland #artist #fisherman #divorcedcouple #HlynurPálmason Divorce can have a very strange effect on a family, both
‘A Brief History of Chasing Storms’ – Brent Marchant
“A Brief History of Chasing Storms” (USA) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (1/5) , Letterboxd (1/5), Imdb.com (2/10), TMDB.com (2/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer #BrentMarchant #ABriefHistoryofChasingStorms #ChiFilmFest #TornadoAlley #Oklahoma #Kansas #Texas #stormchaser For what it’s worth, first-time filmmakers are sometimes the target of exaggerated criticism that may
‘The Helsinki Effect’ – Brent Marchant
“The Helsinki Effect” (Finland/Germany/Norway) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (Documentary Competition) (North American premiere) (4/5) Letterboxd (4/5), Imdb.com (8/10), TMDB.com (8/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer #BrentMarchant #TheHelsinkiEffect #ChiFilmFest #CSCE #Finland #LeonidBrezhnev #HenryKissinger #GeraldFord #Europeansecurityandcooperation #UrhoKekkonen A widely held theory known as “the butterfly effect” maintains that seemingly
‘Peacock’ seeks the nature of the self and our existence – Brent Marchant
“Peacock” (“Pfau – Bin ich echt?”) (2024 production/2025 release). Cast: Albrecht Schuch, Anton Noori, Julia Franz Richter, Salka Weber, Theresa Frostad Eggesbø, Maria Hofstätter, Branko Samarovski, Tilo Nest, Roland Silbernagl, Marlene Hauser, Doris Drechsel, Christopher Schärf. Director: Bernhard Wenger. Screenplay: Bernhard
‘The Secret Agent’ (‘O Agente Secreto’) – Brent Marchant
“The Secret Agent” (“O Agente Secreto”) (Brazil/France/Netherlands/Germany) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (International Competition) (2/5) Letterboxd (2/5), Imdb.com (4/10), TMDB.com (4/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer #BrentMarchant #TheSecretAgent #ChiFilmFest #Brazil #militarydictatorship #universityresearcher #corruption #WagnerMoura The key to making a successful political thriller is to maintain a taught sense
‘New Group’ – Brent Marchant
“New Group” (Japan) Screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival (4/5) Letterboxd (4/5), Imdb.com (8/10), TMDB.com (8/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer #BrentMarchant #NewGroup #ChiFilmFest #Japan #humanpyramid #highschool #conformity #EugeneIonescu #Rhinoceros #CarolineMyss In an age where asserting our independence and individuality has become something of a personal liability, it’s refreshing
See Me at the Festival! – Brent Marchant
Anyone in, near or visiting Chicago through October 26 should look for me at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, taking place at various venues around the city, including the AMC New City 14 Theaters and the Music Box Theater, among other locations. I have an ambitious schedule of 22
‘Warfare’ – Brent Marchant
“Warfare” (USA/UK) Metacritic (1/10), Letterboxd (0.5/5), Imdb.com (1/10), TMDB.com (1/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer They say “War is hell,” and, without a doubt, there’s plenty of evidence to back up that contention. But rarely, if ever, does anyone say that “War is boring,” although that can certainly
‘Anemone’ – Brent Marchant
“Anemone” (UK/USA) Metacritic (7/10), Letterboxd (3.5/5), Imdb.com (7/10), TMDB.com (7/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer When a new filmmaker emerges on the scene, that director is often held to an almost impossibly high level of scrutiny, as if being judged before a panel evaluating a grad student’s thesis.
‘Roofman’ – Brent Marchant
“Roofman” (USA) Metacritic (6/10), Letterboxd (3/5), Imdb.com (6/10), TMDB.com (6/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer Few will likely take issue with the notion that “Crime doesn’t pay.” And that idea rings even more true if restated as “Crime doesn’t pay if you’re a nice guy.” That’s one of
A Big Bold Beautiful Cinema Scribe – Brent Marchant
Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday October 14, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Castbox, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn.
‘Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5’ – Brent Marchant
“Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5” (USA/France) Metacritic (7/10), Letterboxd (3.5/5), Imdb.com (7/10), TMDB.com (7/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer George Orwell (born Eric Arthur Blair, 1903-1050), author of such legendary novels as the allegorical Animal Farm and dystopian 1984, has been called one of the greatest and
‘Peacock’ (‘Pfau – Bin ich echt?’) – Brent Marchant
“Peacock” (“Pfau – Bin ich echt?”) (Austria/Germany) Metacritic (9/10), Letterboxd (4.5/5), Imdb.com (9/10), TMDB.com (9/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer In this age of increasingly untrustworthy AI, rampant fake news and unabashedly self-serving social media, it’s becoming ever more difficult for many of us to distinguish what’s “real”
‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ – Brent Marchant
“Kiss of the Spider Woman” (USA/Mexico) Metacritic (7/10), Letterboxd (3.5/5), Imdb.com (7/10), TMDB.com (7/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer Life in an Argentine prison during the country’s infamous Dirty War might seem like an odd backdrop for a movie musical. But, given the engaging source material on which
‘Preparation for the Next Life’ – Brent Marchant
“Preparation for the Next Life” (USA) Metacritic (4/10), Letterboxd (2/5), Imdb.com (4/10), TMDB.com (4/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer An essential element of any love story is chemistry between the lead characters, even if it takes an unconventional form. Regrettably, however, that’s exactly what’s missing in director Bing
‘Tron: Ares’ – Brent Marchant
“Tron: Ares” (USA) Metacritic (5/10), Letterboxd (2.5/5), Imdb.com (5/10), TMDB.com (5/10); Imdb.com critics review Web site Trailer If a movie franchise has nothing especially new to say about itself or its mythology, perhaps it’s best if it refrains from trying to say anything at all. Such is the case
‘Beautiful Journey’ brings the nature of existence to life – Brent Marchant
“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” (2025). Cast: Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Kevin Kline, Jennifer Grant, Hamish Linklater, Lily Rabe, Yuvi Hecht, Billy Magnussen, Sarah Gadon, Jodie Turner-Smith (voice). Director: Kogonada. Screenplay: Seth Reiss. Web site.
Wrapping Up Reeling 2025 – Brent Marchant
The 43rd annual edition of Chicago’s Reeling International LGBTQ+ Film Festival [https://reelingfilmfest.org/] is now in the books, having featured an array of narrative, documentary and short films. The festival’s lineup was something of a mixed bag compared to past years,
Film Festival Season Is Back! – Brent Marchant
It’s that time of year again – the return of film festival season, one of my favorite times of year. And, as a member of the Chicago Indie Critics organization, I’m looking forward to attending three of the Chicago area’s best programs, this time as an official member of the press corps.
‘The Apprentice’ chronicles the roots of a President’s rise to power – Brent Marchant
“The Apprentice” (2024). Cast: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Walter Donovan, Maria Bakalova, Catherine McNally, Charlie Carrick, Ben Sullivan, Mark Rendal, Joe Pingue, Stuart Hughes, Ian D. Clark, Chris Owens, Valerie O’Connor, Tom Barnett. Director: Ali Abbasi. Screenplay: Gabriel Sherman.
Celebrating the Inner Rebel on The Cinema Scribe – Brent Marchant
Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday September 23, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Castbox, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn. https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-cinema-scribe--3455732
Surviving Marriage on The Cinema Scribe – Brent Marchant
Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday September 9, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Castbox, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn.
‘Familiar Touch’ examines the fragility and wonder of memory – Brent Marchant
“Familiar Touch” (2024 production, 2025 release). Cast: Kathleen Chalfant, H. Jon Benjamin, Carolyn Michelle, Andy McQueen, Mike G., Joahn Webb. Director: Sarah Friedland. Screenplay: Sarah Friedland. Web site. Trailer. Memory is one
‘The Roses’ advises ‘Don’t take love for granted’ – Brent Marchant
“The Roses” (2025). Cast: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate McKinnon, Andy Samberg, Allison Janney, Ncuti Gatwa, Sunita Mani, Zoë Chao, Jamie Demetriou, Belinda Bromilow, Delaney Quinn, Hala Finley, Ollie Robinson, Wells Rappaport, Caroline Partridge, Matt Corboy (voice). Director: Jay Roach. Screenplay:
Exposing the Truth on The Cinema Scribe – Brent Marchant
Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday August 26, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Castbox, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn.
A World Gone Mad on The Cinema Scribe – Brent Marchant
Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday August 12, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Castbox, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn.
‘We Were Dangerous’ celebrates the inner rebel – Brent Marchant
“We Were Dangerous” (2024 production, 2025 release). Cast: Erana James, Manaia Hall, Nathalie Morris, Rima Te Wiata, Stephen Tamarapa, Hillary Moulder, Portia Regan, Rosie Leishman, Malena Taurima, Stephen Lovatt, Barry de Lore, Luanne Gordon, Cian Parker, Manaia May. Director: Josephine Stewart-Te
‘Words of War’ courageously exposes a terrible truth – Brent Marchant
“Words of War” (2025). Cast: Maxine Peake, Jason Isaacs, Ciarán Hinds, Harry Lawtey, Naomi Battrick, Fady Elsayad, Anton Valensi, Ellie Bamber, Moe Bar-El, Lujza Richter, Tomi May. Director: James Strong. Screenplay: Eric Poppen. Web site.
Check Out My New Profile! – Brent Marchant
I'm pleased to announce the publication of my profile on the Members page of the Chicago Indie Critics website. Click here, scroll down to my photo and then click on it to take you to my bio. As I indicated when I was accepted into the group, I'm thrilled to
‘Eric LaRue’ explores coping under fire – Brent Marchant
“Eric LaRue” (2023 production, 2025 release). Cast: Judy Greer, Alexander Skarsgård, Nation Sage Henrikson, Paul Sparks, Tracy Letts, Allison Pill, Mierka “Mookie” Girten, Lawrence Grimm, Jennifer Engstrom, Annie Parise, Kate Arrington, Jacob Alexander, Sierra Foley, Marylouise Burke, Logan Newkirk (uncredited). Director:
Appraising Paradise on The Cinema Scribe – Brent Marchant
Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday July 22, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Castbox, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn.
This Week in Movies with Meaning – Brent Marchant
Reviews of "Can I Get a Witness?", "Watch the Skies" and "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies," as well as a special announcement, are all in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Media Network, available by clicking here.