Sarah Polley

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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Legendary director William Friedkin presented a 35mm print of ‘Sorcerer.’

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.

CHICAGO – Sarah Polley’s “Take This Waltz” both illustrates its director’s uniquely confident vision as a filmmaker and her room to grow as a screenwriter. Despite the best efforts from a very talented cast led by a fearless performance from Michelle Williams, Polley’s film is frustrating in its inability to reflect the real world.

CHICAGO – Didja like “Blue Valentine”? Then you’ll love “Take This Waltz”! In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 50 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the highly recommended new film “Take This Waltz”!

CHICAGO – In the opening moments of “Splice,” the audience is experiencing the world through the eyes of a newborn baby. Yet unlike Gaspar Noé’s “Enter the Void,” which recreated human perception with eerie perfection, this point of view shot is blatantly skewed. The doctors seem to be looking at a pulsating fishbowl rather than a baby. That theory is swiftly proven to be fairly accurate.