Jim Laczkowski
@jimlaczkowski.net
Hat-Wearing Librarian (chipublib.org). Podcaster/Writer (jimlaczkowski.net), Film Critic, (chicagofilmcritics.org), (http://linktr.ee/jimlaczkowski). Movies, music, cats, coffee, books, podcasts, libraries!
Pinned
My first commentary track is out and available; huge thanks to Bill Ackerman and @jlalibs.com for all their support and hard work. Grateful for this opportunity to share my love of AT CLOSE RANGE. Hope everyone enjoys this @vinsyn.bsky.social @cine-matographe.bsky.social release as much as I will!
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
As usual, our four acting winners were just about perfect.
December 12, 2025 at 4:53 AM
As usual, our four acting winners were just about perfect.
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
When we talk about physical media, we are often only taking about personal collections but a big part of shunning the current digital ecosystem is supporting your local library. Not just for print books and periodicals but for movies, games and other medias too. Get. A. Library. Card.
December 6, 2025 at 9:12 PM
When we talk about physical media, we are often only taking about personal collections but a big part of shunning the current digital ecosystem is supporting your local library. Not just for print books and periodicals but for movies, games and other medias too. Get. A. Library. Card.
My first commentary track is out and available; huge thanks to Bill Ackerman and @jlalibs.com for all their support and hard work. Grateful for this opportunity to share my love of AT CLOSE RANGE. Hope everyone enjoys this @vinsyn.bsky.social @cine-matographe.bsky.social release as much as I will!
December 11, 2025 at 3:43 PM
My first commentary track is out and available; huge thanks to Bill Ackerman and @jlalibs.com for all their support and hard work. Grateful for this opportunity to share my love of AT CLOSE RANGE. Hope everyone enjoys this @vinsyn.bsky.social @cine-matographe.bsky.social release as much as I will!
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
December 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
FFC review: NO OTHER CHOICE, by Walter Chaw (@mangiotto.bsky.social). filmfreakcentral.net/2025/12/no-o...
No Other Choice (2025) - FILM FREAK CENTRAL
어쩔수가없다****/****starring Lee Byung-hun, Son Yejin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-minscreenplay by Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-mi, Don McKellar, Jahye Lee, based upon the novel The Ax by Donald E. Westlakedire...
filmfreakcentral.net
December 10, 2025 at 2:25 AM
FFC review: NO OTHER CHOICE, by Walter Chaw (@mangiotto.bsky.social). filmfreakcentral.net/2025/12/no-o...
THIS
Hamnet is a superb film that shouldn't need defending, but apparently it does, so I'll just say that I can't count the number of Oscar seasons in which a movie labeled as "soft" or "manipulative" is attacked bc it putatively threatens the chances of a NOT-soft film that is at least as manipulative.
December 9, 2025 at 6:08 PM
THIS
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Hamnet is a superb film that shouldn't need defending, but apparently it does, so I'll just say that I can't count the number of Oscar seasons in which a movie labeled as "soft" or "manipulative" is attacked bc it putatively threatens the chances of a NOT-soft film that is at least as manipulative.
December 8, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Hamnet is a superb film that shouldn't need defending, but apparently it does, so I'll just say that I can't count the number of Oscar seasons in which a movie labeled as "soft" or "manipulative" is attacked bc it putatively threatens the chances of a NOT-soft film that is at least as manipulative.
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Terrific crop, and also hell yeah:
December 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Terrific crop, and also hell yeah:
Officially announcing the Chicago Film Critics Association award nominees for 2025. Click here for more! Yay OBAA!
chicagofilmcritics.org/blog/cfca202...
chicagofilmcritics.org/blog/cfca202...
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER AND SINNERS TIE WITH RECORD TWELVE NOMINATIONS AT CHICAGO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION 2025 AWARDS — Chicago Film Critics Association
MARTY SUPREME notches seven noms while IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, TRAIN DREAMS round out Best Picture category; over forty films recognized overall with nominations. The Chicago Film Critics Assoc...
chicagofilmcritics.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Officially announcing the Chicago Film Critics Association award nominees for 2025. Click here for more! Yay OBAA!
chicagofilmcritics.org/blog/cfca202...
chicagofilmcritics.org/blog/cfca202...
Wow, was not expecting The Shrouds! Great writing and an eclectic list!
One of my favorite days of the year is the reveal of the @ebertvoices.bsky.social top ten. What a great list this year including some expected picks (PTA! Panahi!) and some not as predictable (Cronenberg! Lund!). Check it out. www.rogerebert.com/features/the...
The Ten Best Films of 2025 | Features | Roger Ebert
The best films of 2025, as chosen by the regular film critics of RogerEbert.com.
www.rogerebert.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Wow, was not expecting The Shrouds! Great writing and an eclectic list!
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
I’ve waited the entire year to write about Carson Lund’s wonderful baseball film EEPHUS.
I finally got to do so for the Top 10 films of the year on @ebertvoices.bsky.social, where it placed at #8!!!
Read my blurb and many more: www.rogerebert.com/features/the...
I finally got to do so for the Top 10 films of the year on @ebertvoices.bsky.social, where it placed at #8!!!
Read my blurb and many more: www.rogerebert.com/features/the...
December 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I’ve waited the entire year to write about Carson Lund’s wonderful baseball film EEPHUS.
I finally got to do so for the Top 10 films of the year on @ebertvoices.bsky.social, where it placed at #8!!!
Read my blurb and many more: www.rogerebert.com/features/the...
I finally got to do so for the Top 10 films of the year on @ebertvoices.bsky.social, where it placed at #8!!!
Read my blurb and many more: www.rogerebert.com/features/the...
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
What's happening with the Chicago Public Libraries right now is terrible. The proposed budget of the city would CUT 89 CPL positions. Importantly, 78 positions were lost LAST year. That would be 167 positions in 2 YEARS while COPS KEEP GETTING MORE MONEY. ENOUGH. SAY NO.
December 2, 2025 at 10:51 PM
What's happening with the Chicago Public Libraries right now is terrible. The proposed budget of the city would CUT 89 CPL positions. Importantly, 78 positions were lost LAST year. That would be 167 positions in 2 YEARS while COPS KEEP GETTING MORE MONEY. ENOUGH. SAY NO.
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Get in loser, we’re returning to the gothic. chloesnotscared.com/2025/12/06/t...
The 10 Best Horror Movies of 2025
Get in, loser, we’re returning to the Gothic. Read on to find out more about the best horror movies in 2025!
chloesnotscared.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Get in loser, we’re returning to the gothic. chloesnotscared.com/2025/12/06/t...
Stay tuned in an hour for CFCA nominations
December 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Stay tuned in an hour for CFCA nominations
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Chicagoland - CPB and Kristi Noem didn’t like our Christmas caroling. Go home, ICE Barbie. Immigrants are welcome here. Hands Off Chicago. Melt ICE. @indivisiblels.bsky.social @indivisiblechicago.bsky.social @indivisible.org @aaronparnas.bsky.social @altnps.bsky.social
@jesscraven101.bsky.social
@jesscraven101.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Chicagoland - CPB and Kristi Noem didn’t like our Christmas caroling. Go home, ICE Barbie. Immigrants are welcome here. Hands Off Chicago. Melt ICE. @indivisiblels.bsky.social @indivisiblechicago.bsky.social @indivisible.org @aaronparnas.bsky.social @altnps.bsky.social
@jesscraven101.bsky.social
@jesscraven101.bsky.social
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
The founders of Substack don't block Nazis bc they don't want "to be in the censorship business," but they *do* block adult content, just because.
They've told us who they are.
They've told us who they are.
November 29, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The founders of Substack don't block Nazis bc they don't want "to be in the censorship business," but they *do* block adult content, just because.
They've told us who they are.
They've told us who they are.
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Hey Bill I'm a big fan of your work and I'm a big fan of your foodie posts but could you not support a website like substack please they have a long history with neo-nazis arstechnica.com/tech-policy/... I'm not trying to put you on blast I really love your work and I love your food posts.
Substack’s “Nazi problem” won’t go away after push notification apology
Substack may be legitimizing neo-Nazis as “thought leaders,” researcher warns.
arstechnica.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Hey Bill I'm a big fan of your work and I'm a big fan of your foodie posts but could you not support a website like substack please they have a long history with neo-nazis arstechnica.com/tech-policy/... I'm not trying to put you on blast I really love your work and I love your food posts.
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Sorry but if you have a Substack, I will never, ever share your work, no matter how good it is. Migrate to a site that doesn’t promote neo-Nazis and I’ll share your work.
December 5, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Sorry but if you have a Substack, I will never, ever share your work, no matter how good it is. Migrate to a site that doesn’t promote neo-Nazis and I’ll share your work.
It's time to leave Substack and move to Ghost. Thanks to everyone on BlueSky for making me aware as to why. More info here on my decision and the change to come within the next week or so. directorsclub.substack.com/p/ghostisborn
Gone For Good
Hi Folks. Substack isn't for me anymore for a plethora of reasons. Mainly the one that everyone talks about the most BUT I am slowly moving everything over to an exciting one-stop shop soon!
directorsclub.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM
It's time to leave Substack and move to Ghost. Thanks to everyone on BlueSky for making me aware as to why. More info here on my decision and the change to come within the next week or so. directorsclub.substack.com/p/ghostisborn
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Happy Holidays from the Chicago Police Department
December 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Happy Holidays from the Chicago Police Department
It is an honor to be hosting a Q&A at Rogers Park Library in Chicago in about six weeks for film critic/author/podcaster @nickdigilio.bsky.social to celebrate the release of his memoir 40 YEARS 40 FILMS. If you love movies, you won't want to miss this! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68f7f...
December 4, 2025 at 9:18 PM
It is an honor to be hosting a Q&A at Rogers Park Library in Chicago in about six weeks for film critic/author/podcaster @nickdigilio.bsky.social to celebrate the release of his memoir 40 YEARS 40 FILMS. If you love movies, you won't want to miss this! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68f7f...
Yesterday's library event was a success; grateful to all of those who came. It was a packed house; the author had participants make their own postcards! It was a wonderful experience for all, and we'll definitely be doing a lot more events in 2026! For more on the author: www.sophielucidojohnson.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Yesterday's library event was a success; grateful to all of those who came. It was a packed house; the author had participants make their own postcards! It was a wonderful experience for all, and we'll definitely be doing a lot more events in 2026! For more on the author: www.sophielucidojohnson.com
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Black Friday reminder: You can support independent bookstores and get great deals without lining the pockets of billionaires 😌
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Black Friday reminder: You can support independent bookstores and get great deals without lining the pockets of billionaires 😌