1 Uncut Gems The scintillating Safdies crank it higher with Adam Sandler’s externalized frenzy of one Manhattan’s mental mayhem: among other virtues, it may well be an unsentimental riff on the existence of disgraced NYC filmmaker James Toback. December 25
2 Little Women (Music Box) Greta Gerwig’s deconstruction-reconstruction of the novel and the life of Louisa May Alcott features “Lady Bird” muse Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Watson and Meryl Streep, a score by Alexandre Desplat and camerawork by the estimable Yorick Le Saux. Opens December 25
3 Law Of Desire (Siskel) 35mm print of Almodóvar’s sixth feature, paired with a second-run engagement of his magisterial 2019 masterpiece, “Pain and Glory.” December 28 & January 2
4 American Dharma (Siskel) “The Brink” is one of 2019’s most offhandedly fastidious documentaries, following political wrecking ball Steve Bannon through his vexatious paces; this is Errol Morris’ long-delayed sit-down with the éminence grise. Opens December 13
5 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Retcon mayhem ensues in fan-service frenzy as great swathes of “Last of the Jedi” are effaced from holy canon. December 20
Ray Pride is Newcity’s Senior Editor and Film Critic. He is a contributing editor of Filmmaker magazine.
Ray’s history of Chicago Ghost Signs is planned for publication next year. Previews of the project are on Twitter and on Instagram. More photography on Instagram.
