1
Elle
(Opens Friday, November 18)
Paul Verhoeven’s return to the big screen is an assured black comedy of power in the modern world: shocking and thrilling and oh so funny. Plus, Isabelle Huppert at the height of her monstrous power to delight.
2
Manchester By The Sea
(Opens Friday, November 25)
After the protracted post-production and off-screen legal drama of the ragged but mighty “Margaret,” Kenneth Lonergan returns with a wrenchingly emotional family drama.
3
Daughters of the Dust
(Siskel, opens Friday, November 25)
Julie Dash’s long-unseen landmark 1991 drama of Gullah life on the South Carolina coast returns in a digital restoration.
4
Raising Bertie
(Siskel, opens Friday, November 18)
A few years in the life of three boys in a rural North Carolina town: Margaret Byrne’s documentary is bright and piercing.
5
The Love Witch
(Siskel, opens Friday November 25)
Anna Biller’s blissfully strange appropriation of the trappings of sexploitation, horror and high art is a rubicund marvel. Shown in 35mm.
Ray Pride is Newcity’s film critic and a contributing editor to Filmmaker magazine.
His history of Chicago “Ghost Signs” in words and images is in the works. Previews on Twitter (twitter.com/chighostsigns) as well as photography on Instagram: instagram.com/raypride.
Twitter: twitter.com/RayPride.
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