Top Area Film Critics Talk Oscar At The Siskel Center

By Joel Wicklund in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 12, 2015 5:30PM

Sure, the Academy Awards are silly. Pitting one film against another for trophy glory has never made much sense, but it's a tradition ... and we love it in all its gaudy triviality.

If the Oscars accomplish anything, it's simply sparking some lively discussion about movies. To that end, the Gene Siskel Film Center's Academy Awards Nominations Panel this Thursday is capitalizing on "Oscar Fever" in a very good way. This discussion panel includes several prominent Chicago film critics: Michael Phillips of The Chicago Tribune, J.R. Jones of The Reader, Tasha Robinson of The Dissolve, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The AV Club and MUBI, and Steve Prokopy (a.k.a. Capone) of Ain't It Cool News.

The panel members' platforms run the gamut from the serious film studies of MUBI to the pop culture geekiness of Ain't It Cool News, but all the writers are smart, movie-savvy scribes who will undoubtedly have a lot to say about the nominations, which will be announced Thursday morning. Phillips and Vishnevetsky may have a leg up on the others in presentation skills, as both are former co-hosts of different versions of At the Movies (Vishnevetsky on Ebert Presents At the Movies), but expect lively contributions from all involved.

The panel discussion is only scheduled for an hour (starting at 4:30 PM), but attendees may get the chance to chat more with the critics (or at least with each other) afterward in the theater's gallery/café, where wine and appetizers will be available.

This event precedes the Film Center's popular Oscars viewing party, Hollywood on State: A Red Carpet Celebration. While I'm sure that cocktail-attire-required gathering is a fun way to watch the show, it costs a minimum $100 to get in. You get more than the TV broadcast on the big screen for your upscale admission: there will be food, drinks, a special honoring of local filmmakers, and—of course—your Daddy Warbucks ticket price helps support the Film Center.

Still, the Academy Awards Nominations Panel seems like the far more interesting event and will also make no dent in your budget, as admission is absolutely free. But get there early, as even with the late afternoon start time, there is sure to be a full house.