Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips is the Chicago Tribune film critic. He previously wrote about theater, movies, arts and culture for the Los Angeles Times and other outlets. He has taught cinema studies and arts journalism around the nation, guest-hosts Filmspotting" on Chicago Public Radio, and lives in Logan Square with his wife, children and, for now, dog."
All Stories
‘Shirley’ review: Now on Netflix, the story of the first Black congresswoman on the ’72 campaign trail
Regina King stars as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black female member of the U.S. Congress, who campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972.
The old ‘Road House’: ridiculous trash. And fun. The new one with Jake Gyllenhaal: just plain vicious
You know who's great in "Road House"? Conor McGregor, the Irish UFC fighter, making his feature debut as a special guest assailant.
‘Yellowjackets’ and ‘Girlfight’ filmmaker Karyn Kusama’s advice to young directors? Get more sleep
"Yellowjackets" executive producer and "Girlfight" director Karyn Kusama has sound advice for young directors.
Column: Best Oscar night in a long time. Here’s why, in 5 easy pieces
For the civilian me, the one with a 50-year rap sheet of Oscar night viewership, Sunday's Academy Awards went down nice and easy.
Review: ‘They Shot the Piano Player’ follows the trail of a Brazilian jazz giant’s murder
The story of Francisco Tenório Júnior is told in an animated movie that blends fact and fiction, as well as music and in-depth investigation.
‘Mea Culpa’ review: In Tyler Perry’s Chicago, attorney-client privileges include sex and painting lessons
Attorney Mea keeps it strictly business with her artist client for a scene or two. Then we move on to the candlelit finger painting.
Column: A new book on Blaxploitation movies celebrates it all, from Pam Grier to ‘Black Belt Jones’
Author Odie Henderson on Blaxploitation movies: "Like anything starting underground, once it goes mainstream it's going to be destroyed."
‘Dune: Part Two’ review: Sand-filled vision of Arrakis continues to work on a massive scale
"Dune: Part Two" has all the astonishments and some of the narrative sags of the 2021 film. It also has Austin Butler as a killer adversary.
‘How to Have Sex’ review: A teen holiday frames an arresting portrait of trust and consent
Mia McKenna-Bruce stars in "How to Have Sex," debut filmmaker Molly Manning Walker's incisive answer to every losing-virginity teen comedy in existence.
Hits and misses from the 2024 Super Bowl commercials
Love that Dunkin' Affleck sequel! But the Squarespace UFO invasion? Some high and low points from Sunday's Super Bowl of advertising.