Chicago Critics Film Festival Marks Second Year

(CBS) -- The spirit of "Siskel & Ebert" is alive and flourishing this weekend in Chicago, with the Second annual ChicagoCritics Film Festival.

More than two dozen films are being shown at the Music Box Theatre on the North Side.

Erik Childress, one of the festival's producers, says the festival is about finding "diamonds in the Hollywood rough."

"There are a lot of films that do not make their way to Chicago for the movie lovers in general," he says. "There are gems that end up getting lost in the transition; you don't hear about them.

"Every film we are playing is a personal endorsement from a major film critics association.  It's a personal stamp of approval. Someone in our organization believes this is a really great film that you should be checking out."

Childress says everyone is, essentially, a critic because everyone is entitled to their opinion about a movie, and there are more ways than ever now to share your thoughts about films.

But, he adds that being a critic is not simply being someone who says a movie is good or bad.

"Film critics are out there really trying to keep the conversation going about film.  It's not so much about lists and awards and what is the hot movie opening in the theaters this week," he says.

For a complete list of films and show times click here.