Chicago Critics Film Festival 2023 Preview: Chicago Premieres of Acclaimed Films from Around the World | Festivals and Awards


FRIDAY, MAY 5th

7PM: “BLACKBERRY” (includes Q&A with star/writer/director Matt Johnson)

Johnson runs “Blackberry” like that rocket. It moves easily without over-styling, clicking on dialogue and character instead of cheap tricks. We’ve seen a lot of movies about tech nostalgia lately (the lowest “Tetris” premiered across town at the same fest), but Johnson doesn’t resort to easy choices. The film is a bit long, but he also drives a ton of story, and I love his extended cast, including short turns from Cary Elwes, rich summer, Michael Ironside, and so on. “Blackberry” is a smart movie about smart people being destroyed by a dumb system that eats people like Mike Lazaridis alive. – Brian Tallerico (from SXSW)

9:45PM: “SANCUTY”

Qualley seems to get better with each outing. Her work in “Maid” is outstanding, and it is probably her best film performance to date, refusing to rely on clichés about sex workers and finding such a complex range in this fascinating character, a person who can be a hired employee in this dynamic but has all the control. Yes, Hal pays Rebecca, and even writes the scripts, but he knows how to push his buttons. Even if you’re paying someone to pull your strings, they’re doing the actual pulling. And Qualley perfectly nails a part that’s harder than it looks, making Rebecca subtle, sexy, and mesmerizing. Abbott matches him on every beat, and it’s the chemistry between the two that really gives the film its kinetic energy. There is something very exciting about watching two performers play a game of tennis like this, made better by the athleticism of their opponent. – Brian Tallerico (from TIFF)

12AM: “BLACK CITY”

The thrill of “Dark City” emerges in its love stories. At a key point, John Murdoch tells Emma, ​​”Everything you remember, and everything I need to remember, never happened.” Emma doesn’t think that that would be true. “I am very clear. remember that we met,” he said. “I remember that I loved you.” Yes, he remembered. But it was only the first time they met. “I love you, John,” he said. “You can’t be fake. like that.” And Murdoch said, “No, you can’t.” You can tell someone they love, and that’s what the Strangers did with their memory injection. But what he felt couldn’t be -inject. part that strangers don’t understand. Emma has a small role but it’s the center of the movie, because she really knows love; John still has to discover it – to learn it from her. – Roger Ebert



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