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Movies, Reviews · May 11, 2019

Playing Catch Up: Latest Reviews

I set myself a goal at the beginning of 2019 to write a film review every week, and after nearly half a year I’m proud to say that I’ve managed to do that for all but one week. Go me! Some weeks, I’ve even managed to post two reviews rather than just one, over-achiever that I am.

Only problem is that rather than getting all that coverage posted here, I’m putting it all up over at Third Coast Review, the Chicago-centric culture website I’ve been working with for a couple of years now. Which is great, given that it’s an outlet with a significantly larger following that this ol’ thing. My writing there has opened all kinds of doors for me, including media accreditation at various festivals and events.

And as of this week, it afforded me official critic certification with Rotten Tomatoes! I love writing about movies, and that’s always been worth it to me; even if no one’s reading it, I enjoy the chance to hash out my own thoughts on what I see. None of that really changes with this latest development, I suppose, except that now I get to include my takes in a broader conversation about any given release. Which is pretty dang cool!

Here’s what I’ve been posting about recently at Third Coast Review:

Her Smell — If you only know Elisabeth Moss from her “Mad Men” days, you’re really missing out. From her starring role in “The Handmaid’s Tale” to this impressive turn as a rockstar on 11, she’s taking on interesting roles and knocking them out of the park. Read my full review here.

A Chorus Line at Porchlight Music Theater — A classic in its day (apparently unseated only by Cats‘ epic run), I was stoked to see a production I’d never seen before, and certainly Porchlight’s production delivers. But it’s not a show that resonates with me overall, and I’ve certainly seen better at this local musical theater company. Read my full review here.

Hesburgh — Somewhere, someone obviously thought this tribute to Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, a priest and the long-serving president of University of Notre Dame, was a good idea. And certainly he seemed like quite the public servant. It’s just that something about the “here’s how white men did it back in the day” take feels a bit stale… Read my full review here.

Hail Satan? — I saw this one for its Chicago premiere at Doc10 (one of my favorite film weekends of the year!), and wrote up a full review when it hit theaters shortly thereafter. It’s a wonderfully insightful look at members of The Satanic Temple, an organization much less about religion than it is about civic engagement and action. Read my full review here.

Ask Dr. Ruth — On the heels of another captivating doc about an inspiring octogenarian (the must-see RBG), Ryan White’s profile of the feisty, no-nonsense sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer offers a glimpse into her childhood (escaping the Nazi regime) and personal life (interviews with her grown children) alongside all the fame she found in the ’80s and ’90s talking about all the stuff no one else would. Read my full review here.

West Side Story at Lyric Opera of Chicago — In and around covering films and film festivals, I love getting to check out local theater, too. Chicago has such a vibrant theater scene, it’s an absolute treat getting to see so much of it each month. Lyric’s latest Broadway production is one of their best yet. Read my full review here.

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Posted By: Lisa Trifone · In: Movies, Reviews

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lisabeesa

Two years ago today, I was coming off what - until Two years ago today, I was coming off what - until that point - was the biggest adventure of my life. I bought a home. I turned 40. I spent a month in Paris. I’d hit a new career milestone. Life was every bit what I imagined it could be. 

Then I walked into a first date with a guy I met on the internet and very quickly realized my (our!) best adventure had just begun. 

Two years of getting my goat (and delighting in it), because you love to see me laugh. Two years of not just making dinners but plating them, too, because you know I like a pretty plate. Two years of grand gestures not because you’re big on gestures, but because I am.

I thought I had it all figured out, and I think I would’ve been fine if you’d never walked into my life. But good grief am I glad you did. ❤️
🎄 Holiday Playlist! 🎄 It's my favorite trad 🎄 Holiday Playlist! 🎄

It's my favorite tradition (of so many!) of the season: my annual holiday playlist. Twenty-four songs. Two hours of tunes.

Sabrina Carpenter and The Kinks. My Morning Jacket and Kacey Musgraves. Ben Folds and Bette Midler and Bad Religion. 

You can listen on Spotify at the link in my bio!

Happy, happy holidays to you and yours. Wishing you a joyful season!
I’d watch Pablo Larrain’s version of paint dry I’d watch Pablo Larrain’s version of paint drying, but thankfully his latest biopic of a famous, troubled woman (after JACKIE and SPENCER) is a far more engaging fever dream of passing time and missed opportunities.

MARIA, featuring a performance by Angelina Jolie that vibrates with vulnerability, is not perfect but it is fascinating. 

Now in theaters; on Netflix next month. Full review at the link!
My phone yelled at me this morning that I was out My phone yelled at me this morning that I was out of storage space, so over a couple cups of coffee I went back through this year’s photos and videos to purge what I don’t need on my device. 

Stumbled on this snap Brian took of me over dinner back in…June?…and honestly, I just love it. I love the way he sees me and I love the way I look when I see him. ❤️

Take care of each other. That’s all.
Eight years ago this week, @justin.f.brady and I w Eight years ago this week, @justin.f.brady and I went to see @waitressmusical on Broadway, and after the show we were treated to full band karaoke with die-hard fans. 

At the end of the show tunes lovefest, @sarabareilles—who wrote the show’s music and was hosting the karaoke—took to the mic to perform Brave, and it was more cathartic than I think any of us realized in the moment. 

It was the night before the 2016 election and none of us were (looking back now) as worried as we should have been. I had early voted, the wind seemed to be at @hillaryclinton’s back and we were ready for history to be made. 

I’ve thought about (and talked about) that moment a lot in the years since - it’s a great story! But especially today, as we’re on the eve of another monumental Election Day, I am imploring anyone reading this who may still be unsure or may not yet have a plan to be brave and vote for the person who is NOT a convicted criminal, serial sexual assaulter, con-man and dictator-in-waiting. @kamalaharris is the only way forward.

We can get back to debating policy in four years. For now, please vote for humanity, for democracy, for decency and for sanity. I wanna see you be brave.
Signs of life! 👋 I feel like I’ve been in a Signs of life! 👋 

I feel like I’ve been in a fog the last week or so, and it’s going to last at least through Tuesday…but I’m here, I promise!

Got to catch @musictheaterworks’ LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (with the lovely @yersha_la_la_la for company!) and it was delightful. Great production with just a hint of that community theater patina, a bit rough around the edges. (Is it just me or is that S in “Florist” totally upside down?!)

Full review coming soon at @thirdcoastreview!
This one gets a spot on the grid! Congrats to Drew This one gets a spot on the grid! Congrats to Drew and Jean on a beautiful wedding day and the start of an exciting new chapter. (But really, thanks for such a great reason to wear my new favorite dress! 😉)
I absolutely love this time of year. 🍂🍁 I absolutely love this time of year. 🍂🍁
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