As far as predictions go, it looks like we were pretty darn prescient. Sort of. The awards were indeed spread far and wide among many films. more ›

Oscar nominations are out, and for the second year in a row, there were few surprises save for one notable exception. Confounding the experts and flying in the face of several critics’ awards, Dreamgirls did not pick up nominations for either best picture or best director. The film was a victim of an underdog victory by Clint Eastwood’s film Letters from Iwo Jima. It may also have been a pre-emptive strike on the kind of... more ›

This week, the Chicago Film Critics announced its nominations for the best films and cinematic performances of the past year. Babel picked up nine nominations, while The Departed and The Queen followed with six. As usual, the CFCA made some unconventional choices: Maggie Gyllenhaal picked up a nod for her work in the largely ignored Sherrybaby, and an adapted screenplay nomination went to A Prairie Home Companion. The CFCA also fueled the comebacks of Ben... more ›

Remember how people used to get spooked when a Friday would fall on the 13th of the month? There’d be a few articles about superstitions or about some dead kid’s mother terrorizing some campers. But lately? Bupkus. We’re bored with Friday the 13th. We crave a greater excitement. And who knows just how to take advantage of that ennui? Satan, natch! Shout at the devil, bitches, because it’s 6/6/06! Truth be told, the 14-year old... more ›