You'll Probably Agree

We take a look at a movie that's deemed by many to be the greatest comedy of all time. But how have its jokes aged? Jeff York is a member of the Chicago Indie Critics, whose work you can catch at https://theestablishingshot.org/ Follow him on X @JeffYorkWriter . BlueSky@jeffyorkwriter.bsky.social, Instagram @jeffyorkchicago, TikTok @jeffyorkchicago You can also find him on TikTok as @jeffyorkchica...

Being showered with rave reviews, The Naked Gun returns, but how does it compare to the original, and why do goofball comedies like it barely exist these days? Jeff York is a member of the Chicago Indie Critics, whose work you can catch at https://theestablishingshot.org/ Follow him on X @JeffYorkWriter . BlueSky@jeffyorkwriter.bsky.social, Instagram @jeffyorkchicago, TikTok @jeffyorkchicago You c...

In a long, sad American tradition, comics have been cancelled, arrested, and harassed for exercising their First Amendment rights. 1974's Lenny starring (the ironically now cancelled Dustin Hoffman) shows how far we've come and how much we've stepped back from progress. What differentiates tasteful subversive comedy from exploitative junk? Was Lenny Bruce a great comic, or was he trying too hard t...

Ed Wood's best film is arguably one of the worst in the history of cinema. What constitutes a movie being "so bad it's good?" Is it unintentional laziness on the filmmaker's behalf? Technical errors, bad acting, all of the above? How does something like this become a cult classic before Tim Burton adapted the making of this film, in Burton's best film? Do we think Plan 9 is fun, bad, or plain old...

While we all look up to the sky for a flying fictional hero this week, here’s a look at a group of heroes who put their lives on the line to save others when America was under attack. Paul Greengrass’s “United 93” is still the most heartwrenching 9/11 film to this day, thanks to the film’s disturbing accuracy and attention to detail. Guest Info Sujewa Ekanayake is an independent NYC filmmaker who...

Before there was The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin wrote The American President. A movie that represents the best qualities in America through a leader who exemplifies empathy over ego. Can America be great again? Only if our next President in charge (if there is one) carries more of President Andrew Shepard's characteristics. Jeff York is a member of the Chicago Indie Critics, whose work you can catch...

War! What is it good for? The ascension of the opportunists who profit off of it. Stanley Kubrick's first revered film portrays a picture of war that undermines notions of honor and bravery, instead highlighting how cowards thrive while the bold are overlooked. Guest Info Jeff York is a member of the Chicago Indie Critics, whose work you can catch at https://theestablishingshot.org/ Follow him on...

Tony Gilroy creates a show not just about Star Wars but about the reality of political revolution that will reflect on current global conflicts for years to come. It will be a long time before we see another Disney show like this. Guest Info Sujewa Ekanayake is an independent NYC filmmaker who makes movies every year. You can find his work here https://www.youtube.com/@NYCIndieFilmmakerSujewa Foll...

David Fincher's celebrated film has been lauded as a brilliant commentary on classism and mental illness. But is it too blunt in its approach? Guest Info: Pat McDonald is a writer for Hollywood Chicago and Tour Guide for Chicago films!  Pat’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j14vCtZPrP4  https://hollywoodchicago.com/ X @ubercritic and @ChiFilm Subscribe to YPA Reviews for more conte...

Darren Aronofsky drops his montage-heavy, anxiety-driven shock fests to bring a melancholic pseudo-documentary film about the consequences of self-destructive failure and the loss of relevance. Jeff York is a member of the Chicago Indie Critics, whose work you can catch at https://theestablishingshot.org/ Follow him on X @JeffYorkWriter . BlueSky@jeffyorkwriter.bsky.social, Instagram @jeffyorkchic...

If Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather films (Not You Part II!) mastered the mafia genre, then Martin Scorsese evolved it, leading to a string of films from other directors, including Scorsese himself, to mimic its style. Yet it's Goodfellas that stands as one of the best mob films ever made and Scorsese's most revered film, which has endured for 34 years. Is it worth its admiration? If you say no, t...

From The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters comes a somber follow-up documentary about Walter Day's music career. Walter and Billy spoke to me about their lives after The King of Kong, Walter's generosity, and his legal battle with the internet, which accused him of cheating. Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day releases Worldwide 6/9 on VOD via Apple, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube Movie...

HBO's Temple Grandin is a film that has garnered wide acclaim for its accurate portrayal of autism, highlighting the ability of individuals with autism to thrive. But will it be able to melt the hearts of both these autistic critics? Guest info Tarek Fayoumi is a writer for Movies With Tarek. You can find his reviews on all of the latest movies here. https://movieswithtarek.com/ Follow him on X @m...

Trey Parker and Matt Stone hit the cultural jackpot in their "South Park" feature film, calling out all politically correct hypocrites. Guest Info Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Follow him on BlueSky @flickmythrob.bsky.social‬ Jeff York is a member of the...

We have a new Pope mere months after 'Conclave' was released in theaters. How does the religious thriller compare to what happens in real life? And what is its message regarding the evolution of the Vatican? Join us to find out. Guest Info Sujewa Ekanayake is an independent NYC filmmaker who makes movies every year. You can find his work here https://www.youtube.com/@NYCIndieFilmmakerSujewa You ca...

Guest Info Sujewa Ekanayake is an independent NYC filmmaker who makes movies every year. You can find his work here https://www.youtube.com/@NYCIndieFilmmakerSujewa You can also find him on X @sujewafantastic Mark Krawczyk is a Wisconsin-based critic who constantly pumps out material. You can find his site here https://www.specialmarkproductions.com/ His YouTube Channel here https://www.youtube.co...

The tale of Steve Wiebe vs. Billy Mitchell is a funny, poignant David vs. Goliath story that goes far beyond video game scores. Steve Wiebe's story is a touching narrative about the everyday man who everyone can relate to, taking on a hot sauce king who happens to hold the record for the best Donkey Kong score. But like Bill Belichick, he's a shady sportsman who embarks on cheating tactics to win....

Look out, younglings, because Anakin is back! Was Revenge of the Sith misunderstood at the time, or is it a classic? Or is it just mediocre? Does Disney make you miss George Lucas' input? Three Chicago Critics weigh in. David J. Fowlie is the Editor/Owner of Keeping it Reel https://keeping-it-reel.com/ Follow on Instagram and X @davidjfowlie Don Shanahan is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved and Banana Me...

Author, Filmmaker, and Publisher of RogerEbert.com, Chaz Ebert, chats with me about how cinema displays empathy, the struggle with always being empathetic when the news on TV is always devastating, and the power to do whatever you want no matter what age you are. Chaz's book It's Time to Give a FECK: Elevating Humanity through Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness is available online and...

I speak with Raphael Sbarge (Co-Producer and Co-Host of Inside the Arthouse) about the state of the arthouse and the magic that theatrical experience brings. Subscribe to YPA Reviews for more content. @ypareviews Go to https://www.ypareviews.com/ to read my written reviews and stay up to date on all of my newest podcasts and YouTube content. Follow Me on Twitter and Instagram @ypareviews

I had the pleasure of interviewing the director of my favorite animated film of the year. Move over, Wild Robot! Because here comes Flow Subscribe to YPA Reviews for more content. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQrUmfPvYdxuBYuvkAREhxA?view_as=public Go to https://www.ypareviews.com/ to read my written reviews and stay up to date on all of my newest podcast and YouTube content. Subscribe on Sound...

Are games just for children, teens, and immature men? Or does it appeal to the masses in an emotionally uplifting and devastating way? Two Chicago film critics and one Wisconsin film critic answered yes. But why yes? Watch (or listen) to find out. Robert James Kodjer is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and writer for The Flickering Myth. You can catch his reviews here https://www.f...

Four of Chicago's best critics take the stand to defend a movie that seems indefensible. WARNING: WE SPOIL EVERYTHING! Guest Information: Michael Phillips is a long time Film Critic whose reviews you can read at the Chicago Tribune.https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/michael-phillips/ Follow on X @phillipstribune Michael's Joker 2 Review https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/10/03/joker-folie-a-de...

It may not be worth dying over, but 1998's "Meet Joe Black" has levitated over the public consciousness. However, some viewers have earned an appreciation for its bizarre love story and message of enjoying life instead of dreading death. Anthony Fuentes's Socials Instagram @anthonyfuentescomedy https://www.instagram.com/anthonyfuentescomedy?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw=...

Is "Deadpool & Wolverine" worth syncing your claws into, or is it just another tiresome MCU film? Guest Info: David J. Fowlie is a comic book extraordinaire and film critic at https://keeping-it-reel.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3C6OyX_4v4uS8OymdniASvvG5YMSoB_ErW3Pm4ATJZhW4ONe-okuDDaN8_aem__WiCNu624tjnXsHVPMmrpQ Jeff York is a member of the Chicago Indie Critics and a writer for The Establishin...