Best films of 2017

It was an outstanding year for Indy films and international cinema, but most of the big budget Hollywood movies and franchise films lacked the spark of genius.

Best films of 2016

I only included films that opened in Chicago in 2016 so Silence and Patterson may appear on next year’s list. I saw several of these films (such as Embrace of the Serpent, Lolo, and Mia Madre) at the Gene Siskel’s Center’s Chicago European Film Festival which continues to be one the more outstanding and underecognized … [Read more…]

Best Films of 2013 (revised)

I’ve decided to repost this because I have changed almost half the article. Most of the changes were in the honorable mention section. My top ten list finalized in late December or early January.

Best Films of 2013

While TV has probably never been better, some critics (such as one New York Times writer and director Steve Soderberg) may have prematurely pronounced the death of cinema.

The Best Zombie Films

Zombies are shambling around everywhere in the cultural landscape. The Walking Dead is the bestselling and most highly regarded Indy comic series in a long time. Also, the TV series that was partially adapted from it is nearly as good (it actually takes the characters in some worthwhile alternate directions.)

Best Films of 2009

I’ve been doing these top 10 lists for over a decade, and 2009 was a particularly outstanding year for cinema; it brought the decade to an aesthetically pleasing close.