Tilda Swinton

CHICAGO – As a graduate of the University of Illinois, I can tell you there is one time of the year that is very close to my heart, and many others in the Champaign-Urbana community. That is the last weekend of April every year which brings us Roger Ebert’s Film Festival (aka Ebertfest). And tonight, the lineup for the 14th Annual Ebertfest was announced and includes some very exciting guests.

CHICAGO – The mother and son relationship is perhaps one of the most complicated ever invented. In giving birth to an opposing gender, the woman must then deal with a maturation process foreign to her own, with all the potential psychosis attached. Tilda Swinton and Ezra Miller play the game in “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”

CHICAGO – In the new film, “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” there is a breakout performance that is simply mind-blowing. Playing opposite the conflicted mother – portrayed by the great Tilda Swinton – is Ezra Miller, as her son Kevin. The character is a teenager in crisis, motivated by forces beyond his control.

CHICAGO – The National Board of Review made its announcements for the winners of their favorite films and performances of 2011 earlier today, and the winner came as a bit of a surprise. After “The Artist” won the New York Film Critics Circle pick for top film on Monday and the film also tied “Take Shelter” for the most nominations for this year’s Spirit Awards, the National Board of Review named Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” as its top film of 2011.

CHICAGO – Since veteran character actor John C. Reilly was born in Chicago, it’s natural that he walked the red carpet at the the 2011 Chicago International Film Festival to promote his new film, “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”

CHICAGO – Chicago movie buffs psyched for the 47th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) have a limited-time opportunity to purchase their passes at a discounted price. Festivalgoers can save $10 on their purchase through Sept. 21, 2011. CIFF has wisely enticed attendees by releasing the names of their 25 official selections at the 2011 festival, which is scheduled from Oct. 6 through the Oct. 20, 2011.

CHICAGO – “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is a well-intentioned blockbuster, a morally and spiritually strong piece about heroism and believing in yourself that bursts at the seams with the kind of striking visual imagery that keeps the little ones entertained long enough for them to possibly even learn something. It’s far from a great film as it drags and meanders to nearly two hours and contains a few awkward child performances, but it looks stunning on Blu-ray and Fox has put together another solid family offering for clans with HD capability.

CHICAGO – With the over-hyped and underwhelming 2010 Oscar ceremony finally in our rearview mirrors, moviegoers are ready for something completely different. How about a rare and acclaimed foreign film screening for the first (and, perhaps, only) time in Chicago? Look no further than the Siskel Film Center’s annual European Union Film Festival.

CHICAGO – Critics don’t have any business reviewing films if they aren’t able to admit when they are wrong. I am here to freely admit that I was wrong about “I Am Love.” While it blindsided me at the European Union Film Festival, I detected certain glaring flaws in its plot during the film’s limited theatrical run, which seem to have evaporated upon its magnificent DVD release.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “I Am Love” is the type of visceral tone poem that requires its audience to feel more than think. As the end credits roll, viewers may find themselves going over the plot in their heads, and discovering its inherent shallowness. It’s only after we wake up from a dream that we discover just how silly or inexplicable it all was.