1 The Crime Of Monsieur Lange (Siskel, opens January 12) The only good reason this warm, rollicking, if murderous political comedy is one of Jean Renoir’s lesser-known movies is that it’s been out of circulation for years. A savory 4K restoration will put it up there with any Renoir considered his best.
2 Phantom Thread Paul Thomas Anderson’s serenely sensual sub-dom stare-down rom-com is generous, wicked and tailored with surprise after surprise. Another all-American original.
3 Happy End (Landmark Century, opens January 5) It’s Michael Haneke’s indiscreet, harm-of-the-bourgeoisie apocalypse, we just live in it.
4 Porto (Music Box, opens January 19) Jake meets Mati, in the picturesque Porto, Portugal, Gabe Klinger’s first fiction feature.
5 Stranger Than Fiction (Siskel) The winter selection of the world doc crop includes fest favorites “Beuys,” “42 Grams,” “No Dress Code Required,” “Tokyo Idols” and “Shadowman.”
Ray Pride is Newcity’s film critic and a contributing editor to Filmmaker magazine.
His multimedia history of Chicago “Ghost Signs” will be published soon. Previews of the project are on Twitter and on Instagram as Ghost Signs Chicago. More photography on Instagram.
Film Top 5: January 2023 Epic movies at a single sitting, including "OUT 1," "Sátántangó" and "Dekalog"; two months of Billy Wilder movies in 35mm; and one creepy doll.
Film Top 5: January 2021 Old folks, young love, aspiration in India, Denzel Washington still hunting serial killers, and Tom Hanks way out west.
