Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX

This enchanting, compelling film is a slice of reality served poignantly by writer and director Philippe Falardeau, based on the play by Evelyne de la Cheneliere addressing  loss, trauma, guilt; young and mature souls , seeking a curative redemption. “Monsieur Lazhar” (magnificently and sensitively portrayed by Mohamed Fellag) an Algerian immigrant, is hired as a substitute teacher after a beloved ... Read More »

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) has fascinated me my entire life; an attraction/repulsion whose tentacles have permanently enslaved my lust for the macabre.  His ghoulish, gruesome tales; the “stuff” of nightmares, reflecting his tortured spirit are offset by poetry so magnificently beautiful, spiritual that huge passages have resided comfortably in my memory bank. John Cusack is credible as the crazed, alcoholic, ... Read More »

This fascinating psychological study will leave you pondering long after its conclusion. Personally, I have never given much thought to the job description of the “Pope”; realize he has over a billion “employees” with benefits; monumental “infallibility”, as  the replacement for Simon/ Peter (first Pope), it is impossible for him to error in matters of Church dogma. This is stress ... Read More »

My first thought was of Frank Sinatra’s song of living his life, conquering massive professional and emotional hurdles, thriving on his terms, in hindsight, satisfied. “My Way” is Kang Je-gyg’s epic of WWII from the Korean/ Japanese perspective; at times melodramatic, testing one’s believability in the quasi nonfictional story of two young men, privileged and poor, wizards at running, competing ... Read More »

Why did this well- written, decently- performed anachronism of a deceased era,  bore me to oblivion? College women in 50’s garb running a suicide prevention clinic; clinging to the mission of saving the sanity, with doughnuts,  of those who have not shown an ounce of intellectual integrity or ingenuity in accomplishing the feat on their own. Or the rescue of ... Read More »

“Bully” bravely address pubescent tormentors, ten and eleven- year -olds torturing their peers, ultimately, in some cases driving them to suicide. This is an epidemic of epic proportions; a disease that kills, maims permanently its victims and perpetrators. Why? How do we find the root of this groundless cruelty? What toxin to kill the source and fertilize a healthy remedy? ... Read More »

Kudos to the Film and Cinema Department of Columbia College, Chicago and to the unbiased referee Ronald Falzone for creating a movie, memory moment. Featuring Lars von Trier’s “Melancholia”. Contenders Patrick McDonald (HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM) and Penelope Steiner (www.peneflix.com) ducked it out, wounds inflicted, blessedly not fatal; civility reigned and all enjoyed the fun, feisty debate. The real stars were the youthful ... Read More »

THURSDAY APRIL 12TH;  7PM   FILM ROW CINEMA 1104 SOUTH WABASH AVENUE  8TH FLOOR PRESENTED BY THE FILM AND VIDEO DEPARTMENT OF : COLUMBIA COLLEGE, CHICAGO MODERATOR AND REFEREE: FILM AND VIDEO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND TALK CINEMA HOST, RONALD FALZONE   FILM CRITIC PATRICK MCDONALD LOVED IT! PENEFLIX DETESTED IT!   SEE THE FILM FOR FREE,  DECIDE FOR YOURSELF,  JOIN IN ... Read More »

There are not enough superlatives to describe this monumental feat of wizardly. James Cameron, Merlin of the movies adds the third dimension to enhance the experience; it is subtle, visceral and so astronomically effective that you loose all consciousness of the mandatory eyewear. It is fifteen years since its initial release and its freshness is as redolent as ever; “Rose” ... Read More »

“Between the devil and the deep blue sea” originated in the Bible and has been a universal phrase throughout history; its major implication addresses a choice. Beautifully acted, but a morale depressant. “The Deep Blue Sea” revolves around “Hester" and her choice; Rachel Weisz imbues Hester with the intensity needed to portray a woman so blindly, passionately in love, forsaking ... Read More »