The Chicago Critics Film Festival has ended, and our coverage was not what I expected it to be this year. Due to a cold and being booked for other events, I watched half the movies I originally intended. Thankfully, the staff from the film fest was able to send me some screener links to a few of the movies on my list. While watching them from home is a great advantage, it does not replace the feeling of seeing a film in a full theater with an audience. Let us go over what I watched and my thoughts on these films.

Mr. K

I was sold on this the moment I knew Crispin Glover was attached. There is something about him that just draws you in and makes you want to see what he is going to do. Mr. K is the perfect film for fans of the absurd and bizarre. Mr. K feels like a fever dream that surrounds you with tranquil moments one second and outlandish antics the next. This will be one of those movies that will stir up conversations long after the film finishes. 

It Ends

The premise of It Ends seems pretty straightforward: 4 friends on a late-night ride when the world goes suddenly bizarre. Anthony Ullum’s directorial debut is a fantastic look into life and how much we are willing to put up with to be happy. The film’s claustrophobic setting puts you in the thick of it with the characters and makes you become part of the story. It Ends is not to be missed, and you should see this when it comes out near you. 

Watch our interview with director, Alex Ulom.

40 Acres

I did not know what to expect from 40 Acres except, like Mr. K, I knew it had Danielle Deadwyler, and I was already in. The movie started off swinging and did not let go of my attention until the very end. The themes of ownership, family, and survival are very prevalent in today’s age, and this film shows us a future that might be. 

Sister Midnight

One of the highlights for me this year was Sister Midnight. I wish I had seen this in the theater with an audience to witness their reaction at certain moments. The movie teeters between a dark-comedy and a horror movie in the themes it covers. Radhika Apte is fantastic in this and her performance must be seen!

A Little Prayer

A Little Prayer is a beautiful movie that explores the line between being family and friends. David Strathairn plays Bill, who tries to toe the line in being a father and a father-in-law. As we watch the story unfold, we see that he questions his parenting and how his children have turned out. Jany Levy plays Tammy, who is his daughter-in-law, and is caught in a marriage that might not be all that it seems. Very powerful performances from the entire cast make this one a sure contender for awards this year. Keep this one on your radar! 

We were lucky to talk to Director/writer Angus MacLachlan about A Little Prayer.

I hope when next year’s Chicago Critics Film Festival comes around I am in better health and am able to cover more films.

Did you attend this year’s festival? If yes, let us know in the comments what movies you saw and what you thought of them.