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“Andre Is An Idiot” Sundance Film Promotes Colonoscopies at 45 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Andre Ricciardi was an eccentric advertising man who lived an interesting and unusual life. Even one of his daughters (Tallula and Delilah) described her father as “he looks like someone who lives on the street.” In this 88-minute film we learn that Andre has dubbed himself an idiot because he rejected his best friend Lee’s
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” Screens at Sundance Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” about the Putin-dictated shift in Russia’s schools was made possible by a young Russian schoolteacher named Pavel (“Pasha”) Talankin. At the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pasha was serving as the school videotographer and event coordinator for Karabash Elementary School, the biggest school in what is a very small
“2000 Meters to Andriivka” Premieres at Sundance, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
AP journalist Mstyslav Chernov filmed “20 Days in Mariupol” two years ago. His first documentary showing the Russian invasion of Mariupol won the Oscar as Best Documentary of the year at the 2024 Academy Awards. At Sundance this year the 97-minute documentary “2000 Meters to Andriivka” embeds Chernov and Cinematographer Alex Babenko with troops advancing
“Train Dreams” is Break-Out Film at Sundance 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
One of the big break-out success stories of Sundance 2025, so far, is “Train Dreams,” the 102 minute film based on Denis Johnson’s novella. Director Clint Bentley premiered the film on January 26th at the Library Center Theatre in Park City and it has since been snapped up by Netflix for a figure said to
“Sally” & “Marlee Matlin” Screen at Sundance, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The first two Sundance 2025 offerings I watched turned out to have very similar themes, although focused on two very different people. “Sally,” was a 103 minute documentary helmed by Cristina Costa, which screened at the Ray Theatre in Park City at Sundance 2025 on January 28th, 2025. The second 97-minute documentary, directed by deaf
“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” at Sundance 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Deaf actress and activist Marlee Matlin was born 58 years ago in Morton Grove, Illinois. When asked to do a PBS Masters biography of her life, she requested a deaf director. Shoshanna Stern became the guiding force behind this autobiographical recounting of Matlin’s life and career. She lost her hearing at 18 months of
“Inkwo for When the Starving Return” at Sundance, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
"INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN" debuted January 24th at Sundance in the Animated Shorts Film Program with three additional in-person screenings to follow. The film will also screen online across North America January 29th, 7:00 AM PST through February 3rd, 3:55 AM PST. The series is in development. It is being coproduced by Spotted Fawn Productions (SFP) and
Australian Short “Stranger, Brother” Screens at Sundance on September 25, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Tiaki Teremoana of "Stranger, Brother" (Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival). The opening sequence at Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, January 25th, 2025, for “Stranger, Brother,” an Australian short directed by Tongan/Australian director Annelise Hickey, is a beautiful ocean scene, silhouetting charismatic lead Tiaki Teremoanna who plays Adam. The music (Will Morrissey composed) is good. The
“Inkwo for When the Starving Return” Series at Sundance - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
"INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN" debuted January 24th at Sundance in the Animated Shorts Film Program with three additional in-person screenings to follow. The film will also screen online across North America January 29th, 7:00 AM PST through February 3rd, 3:55 AM PST. The series is from Spotted Fawn Productions (SFP), an Indigenous-led and community-oriented Vancouver-based studio founded
“Scarecrows: Appalachian Tales” by Steve Rasnic Tem - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Steve Rasnic Tem has compiled a second new collection of short stories, “Scarecrows: Appalachian Tales,” that revisit the Appalachian states like Tennessee and Virginia, sketching memorable stories of the miners and kinfolk who live there. When I read the story “Willie the Philologist,” the third story of the twenty-six stories in the 180 page
“Everyday Horrors:” Short Stories By Steve Rasnic Tem - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Steve Rasnic Tem has written over 500 published short stories. His stories have won awards from the International Horror Guild, the Horror Writers’ Association, and he has won the British and World Fantasy Awards. His novels and writing with his late wife Melanie Tem are also lauded. His short fiction has been compared to that
“Ryan Can’t Read” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Ryan Can’t Read” is a depressing 2025 Oscar-eligible short that tells the story of Ryan, who, as the title suggests, is illiterate. Since there are estimated to be at least 8 million others in the United Kingdom who cannot read, Ryan is not alone. Lewis Ian Bray plays Ryan. Lewis is “neurodivergent” in real life.
“Marion” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Marion” is a story about the only female bull-jumper in France, Caroline Nogues-Larbere. Who knew that France had a sport called “La Course Landaise” which looks a lot like a bullfight, except that the bullfighters don’t kill the bull but simply jump out of the way of the charging animal? DIRECTORS Joe Weiland and
“In the Garden of the Tulips” Short Is Oscar-Eligible - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“In the Garden of Tulips” – This 19 minute 88 second short was the favorite of a friend who had seen it. It is directed by Julia R. Eihu. Julia Eihu’s previous writing/directing credit for “Yasamin” was a nominee for the 2018 Grand Jury Prize at the AFI Film Fest. Ava Lalezarzadeh played Mimi in
“Sister Wives” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Sister Wives” – Director/Star Louisa Connolly-Burnham plays Kaidence, the wife of a polygamous husband (Mormon) who must welcome a new wife, 19-year-old Galilee, into her home. Galilee is played by Mia McKenna-Bruce. This is actually streaming on Channel 14, which, I assume, is British, as it has qualified for Best British film and Best Actress
“Motherland” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short from Jasmin Mozzafari - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Motherland” – This 24 minute 21 second short dealt with a couple--an Iranian man and a girl from Iowa--- who are meeting the girl’s in-laws for the first time. The Jasmin Mozaffari film is set against the backdrop of the Iranian hostage crisis, which took place in 1979 and lasted for 444 days during
“His Mother” Is 2025 Oscar-eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“His Mother,” a 13 minute and 39 second short film that is Oscar eligible, stars Jennifer Lawrence look-alike Bethany Anne Lind as the mother of a young man who is threatening violence at his college, Southern Tech. Young Harrison Miller, age 19, 5’ 10”, has left a variety of clues that he is about to
“Buscando Alma” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
"Buscando Alma," a 15 minute 21 second short, has qualified for the 2025 Academy Awards in competition in Atlanta. It is also a timely subject, given the Trump administration's vow to deport millions of immigrants. It is directed by a woman and stars a trans-gender female, also topics that are current. "Buscando Alma" was written
Key Considerations When Shipping Motorcycles Across the U.S. - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Key Considerations When Shipping Motorcycles Across the U.S. Shipping a motorcycle across the United States can be a convenient and efficient way to transport your bike, whether you're relocating, selling a motorcycle to a buyer in another state, or heading to a rally. However, it's not as simple as loading your bike onto a
Scott Beck & Bryan Woods Talk “Heretic” - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
One of the most interesting and well-scripted films out now is “Heretic,” a horror/suspense thriller written and directed by the boys from Bettendorf (Iowa), Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who gave us “A Quiet Place” back in 2018. During my interview with them at SXSW on March 10, 2018, I wrote, “I’m predicting ‘A Quiet
Five Oscar-Eligible Shorts - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Here are 5 more Oscar-eligible shorts in an attempt to acquaint audiences with some of the contenders for this year's Academy Awards: "Moeder," "Then Comes the Body," "Fireline," "Will I See You Again?" and "Sunflower." “Moeder” – This 20 minute film, directed by Salomon Ligthelm focused on the deaths of 298 civilian passengers when the
Behind the Cards: Legendary Movie Moments Set in Casinos - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
From the opulent halls of traditional land-based casinos to the digital world of online casino for real money platforms, gambling has adapted to a massive change in the broader social change in technology and accessibility. This evolution translates to gambling taking center stage in global cinematic storytelling, an irresistible backdrop. The casino scene from Monte
Requiem for a Dream: Trump Wins; World Loses - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
I'm sitting here on election night, watching the blue wall fall and feeling dejected, but not as "taken off guard" as I felt in 2016 after Hillary Clinton lost her much-vaunted race against Agent Orange. I am convinced that Donald J. Trump (and cohorts) have bought the presidency (Thanks, Elon!, she said ruefully) and misogyny,
Valor Team Is Working Towards State Berth on Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
So it's one day post the presidential election, and I am turning my attention to the granddaughter's volleyball tournament action. Oddly enough, the Valor team played another Valor team tonight, after winning all of their regular season games to get to this night, They still have to win a game this coming Tuesday night at
What I Did to Help Kamala Harris Win the Presidency Over DJT - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Driving to Austin (Texas) from Illinois is always a multi-day trek. We generally spend one night in St. Louis with family. (Thanks, Mark!) After that, normally, we take our own sweet time, but my spouse decreed that we would not leave until Saturday (Nov. 2) and that has made all the difference. I don't know
“Here” Closes the 60th Chicago International Film Festival with Director Robert Zemeckis “Here” - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Robert Zemeckis often produces movies at the fore-front of technology (Back to the Future (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Forrest Gump (1994), Contact (1997), The Polar Express (2004)). The Chicago native returned to his hometown for closing night of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival with “Here.” “Here” is also cinematically ground-breaking. Since the entire film is shot
“Jenny Pen Rules” At the 60th Chicago International Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
In 2021, when I was covering Sundance as Press, a small film entitled “Coming Home in the Dark” from New Zealand caught my eye. I watched this story based on an Owen Marshall short story and directed by James Ashcroft. It showed a family having a lovely time in a scenic pastoral setting
“Blitz” is Steve McQueen Film Screened at CIFF 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Blitz,” from British director Steve McQueen, depicts Londoners during the Blitz of World War II in 1940. The harrowing drama focuses on a young bi-racial boy (Elliott Heffernan) sent to the countryside by his mother (Saoirse Ronan) for safekeeping. Approximately 500,000 young children were sent to the countryside from London to protect them from the blitz.
Five Interesting Oscar-Qualifying Shorts - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Five Oscar-eligible shorts have come to me recently. They are “Tea,” “Corpse Fishing,” “Anuja,” “Heart of Texas” and “Deck 5B.” There are more to come, but here’s how the first five struck me, listed in the order I enjoyed them: “Tea” was directed by Blake Rice and starred Michael Gandolfini (“The Many Saints of Newark”),
Finnish Film “Long Good Thursday” Screens at 60th Chicago International Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The Finnish film “Long Good Thursday” screened at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival on Wednesday, October star 23rd, with star Jaana Saarinen in attendance. Director Mika Kaurismaki is not the first to tell the story of the Grump, portrayed by Finnish comedy star Heikki Kinnunen. There are a series of novels concerning the
“September 5” Is Timely Look at the Munich Massacre - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
(Trailer is in German; Film is dubbed in English) On September 5th, 1972, 900 million viewers nationwide watched the first-ever live-and-in-color feed of the Olympics from Munich, Germany. A Palestine terrorist organization known as Black September chose this date, two weeks into the Olympic games, to send 8 operatives into the Olympic Village and
“Nightbitch” Screens on October 21, 2024 at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Marielle Heller walked the Red Carpet outside the Music Box Theater on Monday, October 21st at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival in support of “Nightbitch,” which she co-wrote and directed. The screenplay is based on the book by Rachel Yoder. Heller’s previous directing forays include “Diary of a Teen-aged Girl” (2015), “Can You Ever
Director Antonio Piazza Discusses “Sicilian Letters” at 60th CIFF on October 20, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Writer-Director Antonio Piazza ("Sicilian Ghost Story"), who spoke with me one-on-one on October 20, 2024. Directors Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, who directed “Sicilian Ghost Story” in 2017, return to the screen with “Sicilian Letters,” the story of an attempt to capture real-life Mafia crime boss Matteo Messina Denaro. The crime boss known as the
“Life and Other Problems” Screens at the Chicago International Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Ten years ago in 2014, the news that Marius the giraffe was being put down by the Copenhagen Zoo went viral all the way from Hollywood to Chechnya. This Matt Kestner directed 98-minute documentary about that Marius controversy is a nominee for the Gold Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival. It’s a philosophical
“Okie” Is Great Find @ CIFF This Weekend - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The first thing that struck me about “Okie” were the gorgeous cinematic images. Kudos to Director of Photography Wojciech Kielar. There are so many panoramas and rural vistas that are shot with wide lens beauty. Creston, Illinois, never looked better. The music is good and the acting is top-notch, with Scott Michael Foster (“Greek,” “Crazy
“Unstoppable” Screens at 60th Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 17th, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Unstoppable,” the directorial debut of William Goldenberg, screened on October 17, 2024, at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. The autobiographical story of the life of Arizona State champion wrestler Anthony Robles is based on "Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion" by Anthony Robles. Goldenberg read the book and realized it
Chicago International Film Festival: 2016-2023 (Con’t). - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
(*Photos are nearly all mine, taken at the respective film festivals. Installment #2 describing festivals of the past 21 years I've attended.) 2016: Damien Chazelle showed up to promote “La La Land.” He was very gracious and friendly. I anticipated “La La Land” winning for Best Picture (and so did most of the Academy when
“The Piano Lesson” Opens 60th Chicago International Film Festival, October 16, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Opening night of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival kicked off at the Music Box Theater in Chicago on Wednesday, October 16th, with the appearance of John David Washington (“Tenet,” “Black Klansman”) and his brother Malcolm, who directed and co-wrote (with Virgil Williams) the screenplay for “The Piano Lesson,” based on an August Wilson play.
60th Chicago International Film Festival Kicks Off Oct. 16-27 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Chicago, Illinois (October 15, 2024) – Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed tomorrow, October 16, 2024 as “Chicago International Film Festival Day” in the state of Illinois, in honor of the Opening Night of this year’s Festival, the 60th edition of the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. Opening Night will take place at the iconic Music
60th Chicago International Film Festival: A Stroll Down Memory Lane – 21 Years of CIFF - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
My first memory of attending a Chicago International Film Festival was 2003’s “The Human Stain” at the Chicago Theater. The film was miscast from the get-go, featuring Anthony Hopkins as a (secretly) Black man and Nicole Kidman as a washer woman. I went to school with Nicholas Meyer ("Time After Time," "Star Trek II: The