Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: New Trier High School Entry Title: ‘A Complete Unknown’ shows us why Bob Dylan is anything but Entry Credit: Brendan Fijol Judge Comment: This magnificent review succeeds in doing justice to the various contradictory sides of the film's iconic subject.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: New Trier High School Entry Title: ‘Nosferatu’ brings the vampire into the light Entry Credit: David Rhee Judge Comment: The reviewer superbly captures how the film's titular character becomes an environment unto himself.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Glenbrook South High School Entry Title: Swift's new album underwhelms Entry Credit: Molly Tomczyk Judge Comment: An excellent, richly textured look at the disappointments and strengths of Taylor Swift's new album.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Downers Grove South High School Entry Title: Mitchell Tenpenny brings his meaning of life, love, and growing up to the spotlight in ‘The 3rd’ Entry Credit: Liam Wells Judge Comment: A sophisticated and thorough analysis of James Mitchell Tenpenny III's new album that makes effective use of lyric excerpts.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Stevenson High School Entry Title: Third Time's the Charm Entry Credit: Aisha Fatima, Alex Xie Judge Comment: Even amidst the praise given here by the writers, they do a fine job of pinpointing the film's nagging flaws as well.
Competition Comment: I am frankly blown away by the quality and sophistication of these submissions, some of which would feel right at home on RogerEbert.com.
