Posts in NEWS
AWARDS: Nominees for the 2022 Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards

The Hollywood Critics Association has revealed its full list of nominees for the 5th Annual Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards. Each June, the members of the Hollywood Critics Association come together to take a look back at the films released during the first half of the calendar year. During the second to last week of June, the members of the HCA vote (including myself) on the films that they believe stood out as some of the best that the year had to offer so far.

Read More
AWARDS: Winners of the 2nd annual Critics Choice Super Awards

For all those folks who think popular and genre films don't get real awards love, I am happy to report that, for the second year, the Critics Choice Association presents their Super Awards for those very beloved spectacles of entertainment and their adoring audiences. I am even happier to report that I am on the voting committee that helped select and celebrate these winners. How did we do?

Read More
AWARDS: Nominations for the 2nd annual Critics Choice Super Awards

For all those folks who think popular and genre films don't get real awards love, I am happy to report that, for the second year, the Critics Choice Association presents their Super Awards for those very beloved spectacles of entertainment and their adoring audiences. I am even happier to report that I am on the voting committee that helped create these nominations. How did we do?

Read More
NEWS: Awarded One of the "Safest Websites to be Recommended to Users for 2022"

In a cute bit of news, Every Movie Has a Lesson was awarded as one of the “safest websites to be recommended to users for 2022” by the content site Sur.ly. The agencies and their content managers rated sites for malware, phishing, scams, spam, security, and data protection. My site came out with a 96 score out of 100. It’s a nice background distinction to celebrate. Thank you, Squarespace!

Read More
FESTIVAL PREVIEW: The 10 best special presentations at the upcoming 55th Chicago International Film Festival

For the 55th year, the excellent and eclectic of national and international cinematic art descends on the Windy City for a fall conclave. The 55th Chicago International Film Festival begins on Wednesday, October 16th with the Opening Night bow of Edward Norton’s period crime drama Motherless Child and continues until October 27th with the Closing Night documentary premiere of The Torch chronicling the life of blues legend Buddy Guy. Norton’s film leads an eleven-day showcase of 21 different themed programs containing over 120 films.

Read More
EVENT: Season 9 of Asian Pop-Up Cinema in Chicago

Musicals, dramas, comedies, and thrillers are just some of the genres coming Chicago’s way from overseas during the ninth season of Asian Pop-Up Cinemas. For another month between September 10th to October 10th, the non-profit Sophie’s Choice film organization has brought another eclectic slate to the Windy City. Each season, Asian Pop-Up Cinema is the film series that cultivates American interest and understanding of Asian culture through movie storytelling.

Read More
MEDIA APPEARANCE: Every Movie Has a Lesson mentioned on ComicBook.com!

In the spirit of any press counting as good press, Every Movie Has a Lesson was mentioned in a news piece on ComicBook.com recently as one of the first and few Rotten Tomatoes-approved critics to give Toy Story 4 a negative or “rotten” review,. Cameron Bolomolo was reporting on the first wave of negative reviews hitting the Toy Story 4 Tomatometer, spoiling a 100% rating. Dubious as some might find it, it was still an honor to be noticed and mentioned respectfully.

Read More
EVENT: Scenes from the "Toy Story 4" Ultimate RV event at Navy Pier

This past Friday in Chicago, the “Toy Story 4” Ultimate RV event came to Polk Plaza area of Navy Pier. Sponsored by GoRVing.com, the movie-themed event had an alluring array of free activities. Contestants young and old could spin wheels, take selfies with “Forky,” toss snakes into boots, or throw rings around rockets to win various prizes, Toy Story swag, and even Fandango vouchers for free movie tickets. Every Movie Has a Lesson (and my eager family) was able to get an early peek at the festivities and wanted to share some sights and sounds from the sunny display on a perfect June morning, just in time for the movie’s box office debut.

Read More
EVENT: "Toy Story 4" Ultimate RV comes to Chicago's Navy Pier this Friday

Sponsored by GoRVing, the “Toy Story 4” RV is rolling into Chicago’s Navy Pier and bringing the ultimate summer road trip event on Friday, June 21 from 10am to 2pm. With the release of Pixar’s newest family film, start your summer off right with Woody and the gang with a carnival including the “To Infinity and Beyond” rocket ring toss, “There’s a Snake in My Boot” bean bag toss, a prize wheel with “Toy Story 4” plush prizes and tickets to see the film in theaters. Guests can also jump in the “Forky photo booth” to take a picture featuring the gang’s newest friend to join the fun.

Read More
NEWS UPDATE: "Every Movie Has a Lesson" has joined 25YL

In my social media circles of participation, I discovered members of the website 25YL, which is short for “25 Years Later.” They specialize in theory and analysis across personal experiences and creative influences spanning all sorts of media forms and genres. I answered an open call for writers and my press credential standing here in Chicago helps me see films early and give the site timely content. Look for my mainstream and Netflix Original film reviews appearing often as a staff writer.

Read More