Chicago – Run for your lives, Chicago, or run to the historic Music Box Theatre for “Godzilla vs. Music Box,” an unprecedented mega-festival celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the World’s Most Famous Reptile. Besides the Music Box and the Japanese Arts Foundation, GvMB is programmed and curated by Kyle Cubr, Senior Operations Manager by day, Godzilla Enthusiast through at all other times. The series unspools from June 7th-13th, 2024, for schedule, tickets and details, click GvMB for tickets/details.
Godzilla is a “kaiju” (monster), a prehistoric and reptilian, awakened and empowered after many years by nuclear radiation. With the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still fresh in the Japanese consciousness, Godzilla was conceived as a metaphor for nuclear weapons, among other metaphors (as Kyle explains in the Podtalk below). The selection of films reflects the international and iconic pop culture status of the “King of the Monsters,” who has...
Godzilla is a “kaiju” (monster), a prehistoric and reptilian, awakened and empowered after many years by nuclear radiation. With the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still fresh in the Japanese consciousness, Godzilla was conceived as a metaphor for nuclear weapons, among other metaphors (as Kyle explains in the Podtalk below). The selection of films reflects the international and iconic pop culture status of the “King of the Monsters,” who has...
- 6/4/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Comcast recently announced unprecedented streaming bundle options … Xfinity StreamSaver™ is a service for new and existing Xfinity Internet/TV customers nationwide, and when combined with Now TV can offer Peacock, Netflix And Apple TV+ for one low monthly price. For deets, click Xfinity Streamsaver.
With StreamSaver, customers can enjoy TV shows and movies like Netflix’s “Bridgerton” and “Atlas,” Peacock’s “Bel-Air” and “The Traitors,” and “The Morning Show” and “Slow Horses” from Apple TV+. They will also have access to live sports including MLB Friday Night Baseball from Apple TV+; NFL Football and WWE (starting in 2025) from Netflix; and NFL Football, Big Ten, Premier League, FIFA World Cup, Golf, WWE, NASCAR and every minute from the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics from Peacock.
Xfinity StreamSaver from Comcast
Photo credit: Xfinity.com
Go to the link above, but the basic information is current and new Xfinity Internet or TV customers can...
With StreamSaver, customers can enjoy TV shows and movies like Netflix’s “Bridgerton” and “Atlas,” Peacock’s “Bel-Air” and “The Traitors,” and “The Morning Show” and “Slow Horses” from Apple TV+. They will also have access to live sports including MLB Friday Night Baseball from Apple TV+; NFL Football and WWE (starting in 2025) from Netflix; and NFL Football, Big Ten, Premier League, FIFA World Cup, Golf, WWE, NASCAR and every minute from the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics from Peacock.
Xfinity StreamSaver from Comcast
Photo credit: Xfinity.com
Go to the link above, but the basic information is current and new Xfinity Internet or TV customers can...
- 6/3/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
New York – The legendary Tribeca Film Festival, celebrating its 23rd edition, will again be the talk of New York, as it kicks off Wednesday, June 5th, with “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge.” There are the in-person thrills and an option for at-home screenings. Click Tribeca 2024.
The 2024 Tribeca Festival, presented by Web3 tech company Okx, brings artists and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment.
Diane von Furstenberg was only 22 years old when she had an idea that would change the fashion industry forever. The wrap dress was celebrated as a 1970s symbol of feminine power and liberation when it was first introduced, launching von Furstenberg’s career as a designer and fashion icon. Tribeca alumni Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton’s...
The 2024 Tribeca Festival, presented by Web3 tech company Okx, brings artists and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment.
Diane von Furstenberg was only 22 years old when she had an idea that would change the fashion industry forever. The wrap dress was celebrated as a 1970s symbol of feminine power and liberation when it was first introduced, launching von Furstenberg’s career as a designer and fashion icon. Tribeca alumni Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton’s...
- 6/3/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – “With Love, Mommie Dearest” is a new book by A. Ashley Hoff, chronicling the making of the camp classic. Chicago’s Music Box Theatre will screen “Mommie Dearest” and Hoff will sign his new book on June 4, 2024. Click Crawford for tickets/details.
The 1981 film “Mommie Dearest” has a place in cultural history, and author A. Ashley Hoff decided to do a deep dive into the history of the film in his new book (the subtitle is “The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic”). The story of this only-in-show-business happening starts with its production history, culminating in the film’s release – anticipated with studio backing and awards consideration prestige – only to devolve quickly after early screenings.
‘With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic’ by A. Ashley Hoff
Photo credit: Chicago Review Press
When Paramount Studios understood that audiences were reacting with laughter to the extreme nature...
The 1981 film “Mommie Dearest” has a place in cultural history, and author A. Ashley Hoff decided to do a deep dive into the history of the film in his new book (the subtitle is “The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic”). The story of this only-in-show-business happening starts with its production history, culminating in the film’s release – anticipated with studio backing and awards consideration prestige – only to devolve quickly after early screenings.
‘With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic’ by A. Ashley Hoff
Photo credit: Chicago Review Press
When Paramount Studios understood that audiences were reacting with laughter to the extreme nature...
- 6/2/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – “The Girl Who Wore Freedom,” a documentary created by filmmaker Christian Taylor, is a film that speaks not only of the celebration of France’s appreciation for the Allies liberation of the country in World War II (beginning with D-Day), but also of the remembrance that this vital story evokes every June 6th, as in 2024 with the D-Day 80th Anniversary. The documentary will be on 300 screens across the U.S. from now through June 9th. Chicago area screenings are through Classic Cinemas (see end of article below). For a complete map of all U.S. screenings, click TheGirlWhoWoreFreedom.com.
The genesis of the documentary centers on an obscure story, which would have been lost to time if not for its discovery by the filmmaker. Danielle Patrix was a little girl in 1944 during the World War II liberation of France that occurred after D-Day, and in honor of the Allied troops – but especially the U.
The genesis of the documentary centers on an obscure story, which would have been lost to time if not for its discovery by the filmmaker. Danielle Patrix was a little girl in 1944 during the World War II liberation of France that occurred after D-Day, and in honor of the Allied troops – but especially the U.
- 6/1/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – I call him the Rosetta Stone of Show Business for the modern comedy era. Rob Smigel will appear in Chicago as the legendary Triumph the Insult Comic Dog at the Den Theatre Live on Monday June 3rd, 2024, with “Let’s Make a Poop,” featuring special guests and more! Get tickets and more info at Poop.
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (voice of Rob Smigel) brings his celebrated game show “Let’s Make A Poop” to Chicago with celebrity panelists former (and disgraced) Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Cubs legend Ryan Dempster, WGN Weatherman Paul Konrad and more surprises to come.
Let’s Make a Poop
Photo credit: TheDenTheatre.com
After years of toiling in the Catskills burying hookers for Henny Youngman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog became an overnight national treasure after first appearing on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” in 1997. He has famously pooped on the Westminster Dog Show,...
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (voice of Rob Smigel) brings his celebrated game show “Let’s Make A Poop” to Chicago with celebrity panelists former (and disgraced) Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Cubs legend Ryan Dempster, WGN Weatherman Paul Konrad and more surprises to come.
Let’s Make a Poop
Photo credit: TheDenTheatre.com
After years of toiling in the Catskills burying hookers for Henny Youngman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog became an overnight national treasure after first appearing on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” in 1997. He has famously pooped on the Westminster Dog Show,...
- 5/31/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on Wbgr-fm on May 30th, reviewing “Jim Henson: Idea Man,” directed by Ron Howard and featuring Frank Oz and The Muppets. Streaming on Disney+ beginning May 31st.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Jim Henson was born in Mississippi and raised there and in Maryland. He answered an ad for a Washington, D.C. television station in the 1950s … they were looking for a puppeteer … and astoundingly, Henson got the job with no previous puppetry experience. Partnering with Jane Nebel, who would eventually become his wife, the two created the beginnings of the Muppet phenomenon by gearing their comedy towards adults. Eventually forming a company, Jim and Jane were able to get by through commercials and TV work through the 1960s, until Henson practically invented Sesame Street in 1969. Always itching for new avenues of creativity, he launched “The Muppet Show” in...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Jim Henson was born in Mississippi and raised there and in Maryland. He answered an ad for a Washington, D.C. television station in the 1950s … they were looking for a puppeteer … and astoundingly, Henson got the job with no previous puppetry experience. Partnering with Jane Nebel, who would eventually become his wife, the two created the beginnings of the Muppet phenomenon by gearing their comedy towards adults. Eventually forming a company, Jim and Jane were able to get by through commercials and TV work through the 1960s, until Henson practically invented Sesame Street in 1969. Always itching for new avenues of creativity, he launched “The Muppet Show” in...
- 5/31/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on Wbgr-fm on May 30th, reviewing “Ezra,” featuring Bobby Cannavale and Robert De Niro as a son and father, struggling to help raise an autistic boy. In theaters on May 31st.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
William Fitzgerald portrays the title character, an autistic boy in New York City who is being co-raised by his divorced parents Max (Bobby Cannavale) and Jenna (Rose Byrne). Max is an at-the-brink stand up comedian who lives with his father Stan (Robert De Niro). When Max attacks one of Ezra’s doctors, he is forced into a restraining order, but decides to take matters into his own hands and kidnaps his son, and takes a road trip while learning that he’s landed a gig on the Jimmy Kimmel show. As law enforcement, his ex-wife and Stan pursue Max and Ezra, the whole situation comes into focus.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
William Fitzgerald portrays the title character, an autistic boy in New York City who is being co-raised by his divorced parents Max (Bobby Cannavale) and Jenna (Rose Byrne). Max is an at-the-brink stand up comedian who lives with his father Stan (Robert De Niro). When Max attacks one of Ezra’s doctors, he is forced into a restraining order, but decides to take matters into his own hands and kidnaps his son, and takes a road trip while learning that he’s landed a gig on the Jimmy Kimmel show. As law enforcement, his ex-wife and Stan pursue Max and Ezra, the whole situation comes into focus.
- 5/31/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – When Sandra Abrevaya met her future husband Brian Wallach while on the staff of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, their future seemed bright. But then Brian was was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als) and his prognosis was dim. Their story is told in “For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign.”
Rating: 4.5/5.0
The films tells that Brian was given just six months to live, which inspired the couple’s expertise to create legislation to help other Als patients to gain access to new experimental drugs and disability benefits. Brian decided to become a face of the disease, recruiting other patients to become a founder of “I Am Als.” In the story of Brian and Sandra’s efforts to cut through the red tape of Washington, D.C., the highest level of inspiration, passion and success is the result. The film is currently streaming on Prime Video since May 28th, 2024.
For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign...
Rating: 4.5/5.0
The films tells that Brian was given just six months to live, which inspired the couple’s expertise to create legislation to help other Als patients to gain access to new experimental drugs and disability benefits. Brian decided to become a face of the disease, recruiting other patients to become a founder of “I Am Als.” In the story of Brian and Sandra’s efforts to cut through the red tape of Washington, D.C., the highest level of inspiration, passion and success is the result. The film is currently streaming on Prime Video since May 28th, 2024.
For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign...
- 5/31/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – There is a new movie theater in Chicagoland’s Highland Park, with the Grand Opening of Wayfarer Theaters at 1850 2nd Street. On May 31st, the official start of a new era in theatergoing in Highland Park begins, with multiple screenings of “Ezra” from the theater’s sister company, Wayfarer Studios. For complete information on these Free Screenings and the theater, click Wayfarer.
Wayfarer Theaters Highland Park will open the space as a multi-use facility for films, live events, and conversation, following extensive renovations to the street-level lobby and second floor gallery, along with updates to auditoriums to provide an enhanced audience experience. The theater will also retain the spaces that were modernized in 2023, with luxury reclining seating options in two of the five auditoriums and an inviting café area that was added to the second floor.
May 31st, 2024
Photo credit: WayfarerTheaters.com
The Grand Opening free screenings of “Ezra...
Wayfarer Theaters Highland Park will open the space as a multi-use facility for films, live events, and conversation, following extensive renovations to the street-level lobby and second floor gallery, along with updates to auditoriums to provide an enhanced audience experience. The theater will also retain the spaces that were modernized in 2023, with luxury reclining seating options in two of the five auditoriums and an inviting café area that was added to the second floor.
May 31st, 2024
Photo credit: WayfarerTheaters.com
The Grand Opening free screenings of “Ezra...
- 5/31/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – When the word “Opera” is defined today, the person that would illustrate the word is Renée Fleming. The lyric soprano has done most major female opera roles, and has written a new book … “Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness” … and recently appeared at the Chicago Humanities Festival.
Renée Fleming has performed coloratura, lyric, and lighter spinto soprano operatic roles in Italian, German, French, Czech, and Russian, aside from her native English. A significant portion of her career has been the performance of new music, including world premieres of operas, concert pieces, and songs composed for her by André Previn, Caroline Shaw, Kevin Puts, Anders Hillborg, Nico Muhly, Henri Dutilleux, Brad Mehldau, and Wayne Shorter.
Renée Fleming at the Chicago Humanities Festival, May 8, 2024
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
Renée Lynn Fleming was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and got her Masters of...
Renée Fleming has performed coloratura, lyric, and lighter spinto soprano operatic roles in Italian, German, French, Czech, and Russian, aside from her native English. A significant portion of her career has been the performance of new music, including world premieres of operas, concert pieces, and songs composed for her by André Previn, Caroline Shaw, Kevin Puts, Anders Hillborg, Nico Muhly, Henri Dutilleux, Brad Mehldau, and Wayne Shorter.
Renée Fleming at the Chicago Humanities Festival, May 8, 2024
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
Renée Lynn Fleming was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and got her Masters of...
- 5/26/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). “Babes” expanded nationwide on May 24th for Memorial Day weekend.
Pamela Adlon at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
“Babes” is a hilarious riff on women friendships/bonding and an unexpected pregnancy. Eden and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are besties, having grown up together in New York City, and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree and single Eden finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she decides to have a baby on her own, and her friendship with Dawn will face its greatest challenge. “Babes” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of adulthood and becoming a parent.
Pamela Adlon at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
“Babes” is a hilarious riff on women friendships/bonding and an unexpected pregnancy. Eden and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are besties, having grown up together in New York City, and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree and single Eden finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she decides to have a baby on her own, and her friendship with Dawn will face its greatest challenge. “Babes” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of adulthood and becoming a parent.
- 5/26/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for The Beach Boys,” the latest rock documentary on the most famous California band of the 1960s, featuring insights from Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Al Jardine. Currently streaming on Disney+ since May 24th.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
The core of The Beach Boys were the Wilson brothers … vocalist/guitarist Carl, drummer Dennis and composer Brian, they were joined initially by cousin Mike Love and high school buddy Al Jardine. They caught a wave from 1962 and the next couple of years … combining the tight harmonies of the folk groups with the symphonic guitar sounds of the surf bands, The Beach Boys were on their way with their California Sound on hits like Surfin’ Safari, Surfer Girl, Surfing USA and later Fun Fun Fun and I Get Around … ten Top 10 singles up to 1964. When Brian wanted a new direction, which eventually...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
The core of The Beach Boys were the Wilson brothers … vocalist/guitarist Carl, drummer Dennis and composer Brian, they were joined initially by cousin Mike Love and high school buddy Al Jardine. They caught a wave from 1962 and the next couple of years … combining the tight harmonies of the folk groups with the symphonic guitar sounds of the surf bands, The Beach Boys were on their way with their California Sound on hits like Surfin’ Safari, Surfer Girl, Surfing USA and later Fun Fun Fun and I Get Around … ten Top 10 singles up to 1964. When Brian wanted a new direction, which eventually...
- 5/26/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Garfield Movie,” an animated film based on the popular comic strip by Jim Davis, and featuring the Monday-hating, lasagna-loving Orange Tabby cat (voice of Chris Pratt) and his friends. In theaters on May 24th.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Garfield is introduced to his new generation audience as the fat cat owned by Jon (Nicholas Hoult) and lives with his “intern dog” Odie. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), Garfield and Odie find themselves part of a dairy farm heist involving Otto the Bull (Ving Rhames), Jinx the Persian Cat (Hannah Waddingham) and a security guard name Marge (Cecily Strong).
“The Garfield Movie” is in theaters on May 24th. Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicolas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Bowen Yang and Snoop Dogg. Screenplay adapted by Paul A. Kaplan,...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Garfield is introduced to his new generation audience as the fat cat owned by Jon (Nicholas Hoult) and lives with his “intern dog” Odie. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), Garfield and Odie find themselves part of a dairy farm heist involving Otto the Bull (Ving Rhames), Jinx the Persian Cat (Hannah Waddingham) and a security guard name Marge (Cecily Strong).
“The Garfield Movie” is in theaters on May 24th. Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicolas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Bowen Yang and Snoop Dogg. Screenplay adapted by Paul A. Kaplan,...
- 5/24/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “Wildcat,” co-written and directed by Ethan Hawke and featuring his daughter Maya as 20th Century writer Flannery O’Connor. Currently in select theaters since May 17th. See local listings.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Flannery O’Connor is a struggling writer of fiction in the late 1940s/early ‘50s who is flitting between New York City and her home is Georgia. When she begins to feel ill and breaks out in rashes, she is diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Lupus. Writing in her room for the rest of her life … she died at 39 … she produced three novels and 31 short stories, gathered in collections like “Everything that Rises Must Converge.”
“Wildcat” is in select theaters now, see local listings. Featuring Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, Steve Zahn, Vincent D’Onofrio, Alessandro Nivola and Liam Neeson. Written by Ethan Hawke and Shelby Gaines. Directed by Ethan Hawke. Not Rated.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Flannery O’Connor is a struggling writer of fiction in the late 1940s/early ‘50s who is flitting between New York City and her home is Georgia. When she begins to feel ill and breaks out in rashes, she is diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Lupus. Writing in her room for the rest of her life … she died at 39 … she produced three novels and 31 short stories, gathered in collections like “Everything that Rises Must Converge.”
“Wildcat” is in select theaters now, see local listings. Featuring Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, Steve Zahn, Vincent D’Onofrio, Alessandro Nivola and Liam Neeson. Written by Ethan Hawke and Shelby Gaines. Directed by Ethan Hawke. Not Rated.
- 5/22/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new documentary “Power,” directed by Yance Ford, as a supplement informational survey of the history and militarization of the U.S. police force. Currently streaming on Netflix since May 17th.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Power in policing began with the patrols that went after runaway slaves pre the civil war, and from those white supremacist roots escalated and evolved to today’s police, equipped with paramilitary gear and aggressive and sometimes shoot-first tactics. With police unions demanding and for the most part receiving immunity from their actions, it becomes only these policing forces that can use violent Power.
“Power” is currently streaming on Netflix. Written by Yance Ford and Ian Olds. Directed by Yance Ford. Rated “R”
Click Here for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “Power”
Power
Photo credit: Netflix
Click Here for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “Power”...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Power in policing began with the patrols that went after runaway slaves pre the civil war, and from those white supremacist roots escalated and evolved to today’s police, equipped with paramilitary gear and aggressive and sometimes shoot-first tactics. With police unions demanding and for the most part receiving immunity from their actions, it becomes only these policing forces that can use violent Power.
“Power” is currently streaming on Netflix. Written by Yance Ford and Ian Olds. Directed by Yance Ford. Rated “R”
Click Here for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “Power”
Power
Photo credit: Netflix
Click Here for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “Power”...
- 5/22/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – One of the most reliable and relatable character actors in film is Greg Kinnear. The actor, Oscar nominated for “As Good As It Gets,” has been working steadily in film and TV ever since he made a splash on the scene with “Talk Soup.” From there he was cast in the remake of “Sabrina,” and his roles ascended from there. His latest film role is in “Sight.”
Rating: 3.5/5.0
One of America’s great Eye Doctor/Scientists is Ming Wang (Terry Chen), a Chinese-American immigrant who came from nothing to become one of the world experts on curing blindness through breakthrough discoveries. When a case of a blind girl from India falls on his lap, it leads to one of this greatest sight reviving ideas, with help from his colleague Misha Bartnovsky (Greg Kinnear). In this incredible true story, Wang goes over his life in flashback, including his survival during...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
One of America’s great Eye Doctor/Scientists is Ming Wang (Terry Chen), a Chinese-American immigrant who came from nothing to become one of the world experts on curing blindness through breakthrough discoveries. When a case of a blind girl from India falls on his lap, it leads to one of this greatest sight reviving ideas, with help from his colleague Misha Bartnovsky (Greg Kinnear). In this incredible true story, Wang goes over his life in flashback, including his survival during...
- 5/22/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – One of the great partners of local filmmaking in the Chicago area is Noisefloor Sound Solutions. The company provides the ambience for storytellers not only in cinema, but for the wide range of creative endeavors in the 21st Century … including TV, Web Series, Video Games and of course, Podcasts.
Starting with just two sound experts in 2005, Noisefloor has grown to a 13 person staff of sound designers, music composers, producers, audio implementors, mixers and location recordists. The team has brought their talent and passion to such projects as the films “Hoop Dreams,” “Apollo 13” and the recent locally produced ”Single Car Crashes”, in addition to the Halo series of video games. With their variety of sound services, Noisefloor’s client list ranges from Coca Cola to Ego to The Big Ten Network to Warner Bros.
Noisefloor Sound Solutions
Photo credit: Noise-Floor.com
Katie Waters is a Foley Artist (reproducing Sound...
Starting with just two sound experts in 2005, Noisefloor has grown to a 13 person staff of sound designers, music composers, producers, audio implementors, mixers and location recordists. The team has brought their talent and passion to such projects as the films “Hoop Dreams,” “Apollo 13” and the recent locally produced ”Single Car Crashes”, in addition to the Halo series of video games. With their variety of sound services, Noisefloor’s client list ranges from Coca Cola to Ego to The Big Ten Network to Warner Bros.
Noisefloor Sound Solutions
Photo credit: Noise-Floor.com
Katie Waters is a Foley Artist (reproducing Sound...
- 5/21/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – 2112 is a Chicago Incubator, helping start-ups and entrepreneurs develop, specifically in the creative-entertainment-music industries. 2112 unobtrusively stands in a former industrial district on Chicago’s northwest side. What began (and remains) as a music venture called Fort Knox Studios, has evolved into 2112.
2112 is focused on the Entertainment & Creative Industries, as well as Lifestyle Brands. With a huge space housing rental music spaces, production facilities, a major studio stage for filmmaking, podcast studios and a bullpen of interactive idea people/start-ups/businesses, 2112 is fast becoming the place to get things done.
Rob Tovar (inset) & Work Stations at 2112
Photo credit: 2012Inc.com
Rob Tovar is the Co-Founder and Director of the Hangar, the aforementioned studio stage, and an Operations Director at 2112. In the last decade Rob has been involved with multi-media sales, operations and productions. Some of Rob’s recent projects have included the acclaimed TV series CBS “Redline,” NBC’s “Chicago Fire,...
2112 is focused on the Entertainment & Creative Industries, as well as Lifestyle Brands. With a huge space housing rental music spaces, production facilities, a major studio stage for filmmaking, podcast studios and a bullpen of interactive idea people/start-ups/businesses, 2112 is fast becoming the place to get things done.
Rob Tovar (inset) & Work Stations at 2112
Photo credit: 2012Inc.com
Rob Tovar is the Co-Founder and Director of the Hangar, the aforementioned studio stage, and an Operations Director at 2112. In the last decade Rob has been involved with multi-media sales, operations and productions. Some of Rob’s recent projects have included the acclaimed TV series CBS “Redline,” NBC’s “Chicago Fire,...
- 5/20/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – When in the presence of a powerful acting force like Michael Shannon, the depth of performance is emotional and passionately essential. He co-leads with Travis A. Knight in Red Orchid Theatre’s World Premiere of Levi Holloway’s “Turret,” just extended to June 22nd at the Chopin Theatre. For tickets and info, click Turret.
The story, written and directed by Levi Holloway, is set in a dystopian future, as two men are holed in an underground bunker, after an unnamed event has poisoned the air outside the protective room. Green (Michael Shannon) is a military officer, and Rabbit (Travis A. Knight) is an enlisted grunt who share the bunker space. The place is outfitted with electricity generation, data processing and supplies, which interests an outsider named Birdy (Lawrence Grimm). Can humanity survive in such conditions?
Red Orchid’s ’Turret’ at the Chopin Theatre Extended through June 22nd
Photo credit: RedOrchidTheatre.
The story, written and directed by Levi Holloway, is set in a dystopian future, as two men are holed in an underground bunker, after an unnamed event has poisoned the air outside the protective room. Green (Michael Shannon) is a military officer, and Rabbit (Travis A. Knight) is an enlisted grunt who share the bunker space. The place is outfitted with electricity generation, data processing and supplies, which interests an outsider named Birdy (Lawrence Grimm). Can humanity survive in such conditions?
Red Orchid’s ’Turret’ at the Chopin Theatre Extended through June 22nd
Photo credit: RedOrchidTheatre.
- 5/18/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on Wbgr-fm on May 16th, reviewing “Babes,” the director debut of Pamela Adlon (FX’s “Better Things). In select theaters on May 17th. See local listings.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Eden (ilana Glazer) is a nutty yoga instructor in New York City, who hangs with her lifelong best pal Dawn (Michelle Buteau), and they are with each other when Dawn delivers her second child with husband Marty (Hasan Minhaj). On a long subway ride home, Eden meets Claude (Stephan James), an actor who she immediately is attracted to. After a one night stand later, Eden is preggers and finds out that Claude is ghosting her because he actually has died. With only her best friend, who is exhausted with two kids, Eden will try to single mother her way into a new world.
“Babes” is in select theaters on May 17th.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Eden (ilana Glazer) is a nutty yoga instructor in New York City, who hangs with her lifelong best pal Dawn (Michelle Buteau), and they are with each other when Dawn delivers her second child with husband Marty (Hasan Minhaj). On a long subway ride home, Eden meets Claude (Stephan James), an actor who she immediately is attracted to. After a one night stand later, Eden is preggers and finds out that Claude is ghosting her because he actually has died. With only her best friend, who is exhausted with two kids, Eden will try to single mother her way into a new world.
“Babes” is in select theaters on May 17th.
- 5/17/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on Wbgr-fm on May 16th, reviewing “If” (which means Imaginary Friend) a new live action/animated epic written and directed by John Krasinski. In theaters on May 17th.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
12-year-old Bea (Calley Fleming) has lost her mother to cancer and is trying to leave behind her childhood. When her Dad (John Krasinski) also has a hospital stay, the girl retreats further into a pre-pubescent angst. While staying with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw), Bea notices some strange goings-on in the apartment above them, including an animated bee creature (voice of Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and a put-upon caretaker named Calvin (Ryan Reynolds). It turns out they’re trying to match their collective of IFs (Imaginary Friends) to new kids who will believe in them, and Bea turns out to be the perfect organizer for that task.
“If” is in theaters on May 17th.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
12-year-old Bea (Calley Fleming) has lost her mother to cancer and is trying to leave behind her childhood. When her Dad (John Krasinski) also has a hospital stay, the girl retreats further into a pre-pubescent angst. While staying with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw), Bea notices some strange goings-on in the apartment above them, including an animated bee creature (voice of Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and a put-upon caretaker named Calvin (Ryan Reynolds). It turns out they’re trying to match their collective of IFs (Imaginary Friends) to new kids who will believe in them, and Bea turns out to be the perfect organizer for that task.
“If” is in theaters on May 17th.
- 5/17/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Writer/director Michael Glover Smith’s award-winning feature film “Relative” (2022) was snapped up by Chicago-based Music Box Films, and will have its Digital release on May 21st, 2024. But first, how about one more special screening at the historic Music Box Theatre on Wednesday, May 15th. Click Relative at for tickets and info.
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.
Relative
Photo credit: Music Box Films
Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor, and is based in Chicago. His first feature film,...
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.
Relative
Photo credit: Music Box Films
Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor, and is based in Chicago. His first feature film,...
- 5/15/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “I Saw the TV Glow,” written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun (“We’re all Going to the World’s Fair”). Currently playing in Chicago, opening wider nationwide on May 17th, 2024. See local listings.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate Maddy (Bridgette Lundy-Paine) introduces him to a mysterious late-night cable TV show, “The Pink Opaque” … a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack, even after a number of years go by.
“I Saw TV Glow” is in Chicago theaters now, opening wider nationwide on May 17th. See local listings. Featuring Justice Smith, Bridgette Lundy-Paine, Fred Durst, Danielle Deadwyler and Ian Foreman. Written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun. Rated “PG-13”
Click Here for Patrick McDonald’s audio...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate Maddy (Bridgette Lundy-Paine) introduces him to a mysterious late-night cable TV show, “The Pink Opaque” … a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack, even after a number of years go by.
“I Saw TV Glow” is in Chicago theaters now, opening wider nationwide on May 17th. See local listings. Featuring Justice Smith, Bridgette Lundy-Paine, Fred Durst, Danielle Deadwyler and Ian Foreman. Written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun. Rated “PG-13”
Click Here for Patrick McDonald’s audio...
- 5/15/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – When an entrepreneur is also a storyteller, they work to make that creativity happen. Ian LeWinter is the co-founder of Film.io, or Filmio, a Dao (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) that seeks to make a creator’s dream come true in the ever-evolving Film and TV production industry. Click Film.Io to begin the journey.
Simply put, Film.io is the world’s most powerful decentralized filmmaking (and TV series) ecosystem, placing Hollywood decision-making into the hands of creators and fans. Film.io leverages blockchain technology and fan collaboration to provide filmmakers with an end-to-end solution for creating, funding, and distributing their projects.
Film.io
Photo credit: Film.io
Fan Tokens are used to join and participate in the Film.io Dao, allowing creators (as Dao members) to submit their projects as “proposals,” while asking fans to show their support for the projects they believe in by staking their tokens. Film.io...
Simply put, Film.io is the world’s most powerful decentralized filmmaking (and TV series) ecosystem, placing Hollywood decision-making into the hands of creators and fans. Film.io leverages blockchain technology and fan collaboration to provide filmmakers with an end-to-end solution for creating, funding, and distributing their projects.
Film.io
Photo credit: Film.io
Fan Tokens are used to join and participate in the Film.io Dao, allowing creators (as Dao members) to submit their projects as “proposals,” while asking fans to show their support for the projects they believe in by staking their tokens. Film.io...
- 5/13/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The Audience is the determiner for the Award Winners of the 11th Chicago Film Critics Film Festival, which took play from May 3rd-9th, 2024. The recipients for the 2024 Rotten Tomatoes Audience Award Winners are for Narrative Feature “Ghostlight,’ directed by Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan, Documentary Feature “Flipside” by Christopher Wilcha and the Short Films “Bob’s Funeral” by Jack Dunphy and “Welcome to the Enclave” by Sarah Lasley.
The 11th Ccff
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
The 11th Chicago Critics Film Festival is the the only such festival in the country curated by film critics, and highlights the 2024 films from the early year festivals like Sundance, SXSW and more. Below is the Five Best Films from HollywoodChicago.com Editor and Film Critic/Writer Patrick McDonald.
Five Best Films of 2024 Ccff, Audio Overview by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com
The Chicago Critics Film Festival Audience Awards are sponsored by Rotten...
The 11th Ccff
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
The 11th Chicago Critics Film Festival is the the only such festival in the country curated by film critics, and highlights the 2024 films from the early year festivals like Sundance, SXSW and more. Below is the Five Best Films from HollywoodChicago.com Editor and Film Critic/Writer Patrick McDonald.
Five Best Films of 2024 Ccff, Audio Overview by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com
The Chicago Critics Film Festival Audience Awards are sponsored by Rotten...
- 5/12/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “Evil Does Not Exist,” the latest film from Japanese writer/director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, whose “Drive My Car” won Best International Film at the 2022 Oscars. In select theaters since May 10, 2024. See local listings.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
The film involves a Japanese village within driving distance of Tokyo, pristine in its state of nature and populated by indigenous villagers for several generations. A developer from Tokyo intends to build a “glamping” site … short for luxurious “glamour camping” … to exploit the area’s nature for vacationers. When a meeting is held with the villagers regarding the build-out, there is a questioning to representatives Takahashi (Ryuji Osaka) and Mayuzumi (Ayaka Shibutani) regarding legitimate environmental concerns, especially from Takumi (Hitoshi Omika) the village leader and widower father of daughter Hana (Ryo Nishikawa). When the Tokyo developers ignore the rep’s report, and demand that they alter the villager’s attitudes,...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
The film involves a Japanese village within driving distance of Tokyo, pristine in its state of nature and populated by indigenous villagers for several generations. A developer from Tokyo intends to build a “glamping” site … short for luxurious “glamour camping” … to exploit the area’s nature for vacationers. When a meeting is held with the villagers regarding the build-out, there is a questioning to representatives Takahashi (Ryuji Osaka) and Mayuzumi (Ayaka Shibutani) regarding legitimate environmental concerns, especially from Takumi (Hitoshi Omika) the village leader and widower father of daughter Hana (Ryo Nishikawa). When the Tokyo developers ignore the rep’s report, and demand that they alter the villager’s attitudes,...
- 5/12/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – One of Chicago’s icon theater actors … Michael Shannon … is performing again in town, in the company that he co-founded. Red Orchid Theatre presents Michael Shannon and Travis A. Knight in the World Premiere of “Turret” by Levi Holloway, now at the Chopin Theatre through June 9, 2024. For tickets and info, click Turret.
Two men (Shannon and Knight) survive in a facility deep underground somewhere in the wild woods of the Pacific Northwest, hiding away from something terrible from the outside. Ensnared in a relentless loop of endless tomorrows, they discover the wolf isn’t at the door, it’s already inside, waiting in the creeping darkness all around them. “Turret” is an excavation of masculinity, love, loss and isolation, and a claustrophobic carnival of carnage, carrier pigeons, cribbage, whiskey, music, mischief and mayhem.
Red Orchid’s ’Turret’ at the Chopin Theatre through June 9th
Photo credit: RedOrchidTheatre.org
Michael Shannon was born in Kentucky,...
Two men (Shannon and Knight) survive in a facility deep underground somewhere in the wild woods of the Pacific Northwest, hiding away from something terrible from the outside. Ensnared in a relentless loop of endless tomorrows, they discover the wolf isn’t at the door, it’s already inside, waiting in the creeping darkness all around them. “Turret” is an excavation of masculinity, love, loss and isolation, and a claustrophobic carnival of carnage, carrier pigeons, cribbage, whiskey, music, mischief and mayhem.
Red Orchid’s ’Turret’ at the Chopin Theatre through June 9th
Photo credit: RedOrchidTheatre.org
Michael Shannon was born in Kentucky,...
- 5/11/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on Wbgr-fm on May 9th, reviewing “The Last Stop in Yuma County,” a throwback noir and the director debut of Francis Galluppi. In select theaters and available for digital download on May 10th.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
“Last Stop …” begins with a knife salesman (Jim Cummings) stuck at a last-chance-for-a-hundred-miles gas station/diner with an empty tank, and has to cool his heels at the diner to wait for a delayed fuel truck. A second pair of men walks in (Richard Brake and Nicolas Logan) for the same reason, after having robbed a ban. They assert themselves by taking the salesman and diner owner Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue) hostage, when they become aware that Charlotte is married to the local sheriff. As more folks filter in for the same empty tank reason – and Charlotte and the knife salesman have to...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
“Last Stop …” begins with a knife salesman (Jim Cummings) stuck at a last-chance-for-a-hundred-miles gas station/diner with an empty tank, and has to cool his heels at the diner to wait for a delayed fuel truck. A second pair of men walks in (Richard Brake and Nicolas Logan) for the same reason, after having robbed a ban. They assert themselves by taking the salesman and diner owner Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue) hostage, when they become aware that Charlotte is married to the local sheriff. As more folks filter in for the same empty tank reason – and Charlotte and the knife salesman have to...
- 5/11/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Get out your flapper dresses and raccoon coats as Facets Chicago goes back to the early talkies and so-called “pre-code” films, paired with a cocktail bar at their new “Speakeasy Cinema,” programmed by Raul Benitez. The first film is “The Doorway to Hell” (1930) on Saturday May 11th, starting at 6:30p. For ticket info and more details, click Speakeasy.
Facets invites film lovers to leave their troubles at the door, grab a prohibition-era cocktail, listen to some jazz, and make their way through the secret back entrance to an intimate cabaret-style screening room showcasing underrated gems from the Golden Age of Hollywood. From trailblazing pre-code cinema to classic gangster fare, series programmer Raul Benitez has curated a lineup of films to be presented within their historical context, yet appreciated through a modern lens.
Speakeasy Cinema at Facets Chicago
Photo credit: Facets.org
“The Doorway to Hell” involves Louie Ricarno...
Facets invites film lovers to leave their troubles at the door, grab a prohibition-era cocktail, listen to some jazz, and make their way through the secret back entrance to an intimate cabaret-style screening room showcasing underrated gems from the Golden Age of Hollywood. From trailblazing pre-code cinema to classic gangster fare, series programmer Raul Benitez has curated a lineup of films to be presented within their historical context, yet appreciated through a modern lens.
Speakeasy Cinema at Facets Chicago
Photo credit: Facets.org
“The Doorway to Hell” involves Louie Ricarno...
- 5/11/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on Wbgr-fm on May 9th, reviewing “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the fourth installment of the current iteration of the franchise. In theaters on May 10th.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Many generations after the events of the last film, the society left behind means apes now rule, and humans are the sub species. Noa (Owen Teague as a full CGI ape) is part of a tribe who raise birds for hunting and lives in peace. That peace is upended by Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), King of the Coastal Apes, who accumulates power by destroying other tribes and using the human’s old war technology against his species. When Noa’s tribe becomes victims of destruction, the young ape seeks his revenge with the help of a evolved human named Nova (Freya Allan).
”Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes...
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Many generations after the events of the last film, the society left behind means apes now rule, and humans are the sub species. Noa (Owen Teague as a full CGI ape) is part of a tribe who raise birds for hunting and lives in peace. That peace is upended by Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), King of the Coastal Apes, who accumulates power by destroying other tribes and using the human’s old war technology against his species. When Noa’s tribe becomes victims of destruction, the young ape seeks his revenge with the help of a evolved human named Nova (Freya Allan).
”Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes...
- 5/10/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The Midwest Film Festival of Chicago is on the road this weekend and heading north to Milwaukee to screen writer/director Brittani Ward’s award-winning “Single Car Crashes” at the historic Oriental Theatre on May 11, 2024 (11am). For details and tickets for this road show event, click Mff Road Trip.
Ten years after a devastating car crash took his best friend Zach’s life, Sean (Trevor Morgan), still lives small town where he grew up, struggling with his survivor’s guilt. When Zach’s sister Kendall (Lindsey Morgan) – who also was Sean’s first love – returns to town to marry someone else, Sean is forced to confront his failure to launch and the impact it’s having not only on his own stunted life, but on his now nine-year-old son.
’Single Car Crashes’ at the Midwest Film Festival in Milwaukee
Photo credit: five two one films
Writer/director Brittani Ward...
Ten years after a devastating car crash took his best friend Zach’s life, Sean (Trevor Morgan), still lives small town where he grew up, struggling with his survivor’s guilt. When Zach’s sister Kendall (Lindsey Morgan) – who also was Sean’s first love – returns to town to marry someone else, Sean is forced to confront his failure to launch and the impact it’s having not only on his own stunted life, but on his now nine-year-old son.
’Single Car Crashes’ at the Midwest Film Festival in Milwaukee
Photo credit: five two one films
Writer/director Brittani Ward...
- 5/9/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Closing Night for the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) is Thursday, May 9th, and the final film centerpiece is “Ghostlight,” directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson. For the full schedule, info and tickets, click Ccff Closing Night. For individual films, click titles below.
Ghostlight
Writer/Co-Director Kelly O’Sullivan (inset) of ‘Ghostlight’
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
Dan (Keith Kupferer) is a middle-aged construction worker grieving a family tragedy, and has cut himself off from his devoted wife Sharon (Tara Mallen) and talented but troubled daughter Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer). Through an accidental circumstance, Dan finds comfort and community in a misfit company of amateur actors. While performing for the first in a low-rent production for one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, Dan is forced to confront his buried emotions.
Capsule Review: The premise has sitcom-like plot drivers to get the reluctant Dan on stage, but the path...
Ghostlight
Writer/Co-Director Kelly O’Sullivan (inset) of ‘Ghostlight’
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
Dan (Keith Kupferer) is a middle-aged construction worker grieving a family tragedy, and has cut himself off from his devoted wife Sharon (Tara Mallen) and talented but troubled daughter Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer). Through an accidental circumstance, Dan finds comfort and community in a misfit company of amateur actors. While performing for the first in a low-rent production for one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, Dan is forced to confront his buried emotions.
Capsule Review: The premise has sitcom-like plot drivers to get the reluctant Dan on stage, but the path...
- 5/9/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – “Dandelion” was the centerpiece film at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) on May 6th, and featured an appearance by the actor portraying the title character, KiKi Layne (“If Beale Street Could Talk”). Ms. Layne walked the Red Carpet at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.
Dandelion (KiKi Layne) is a struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter in a downward spiral, takes a last-ditch-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey (Thomas Doherty), a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago. As Dandelion joins Casey’s nomadic group of struggling musicians, the kindred spirits make music together and strike up a whirlwind romance.
KiKi Layne at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
KiKi Layne is an ascending actor after making her feature film debut in “If Beale Street Could Talk” in 2018 as Tish Rivers. She also...
Dandelion (KiKi Layne) is a struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter in a downward spiral, takes a last-ditch-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey (Thomas Doherty), a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago. As Dandelion joins Casey’s nomadic group of struggling musicians, the kindred spirits make music together and strike up a whirlwind romance.
KiKi Layne at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
KiKi Layne is an ascending actor after making her feature film debut in “If Beale Street Could Talk” in 2018 as Tish Rivers. She also...
- 5/7/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival on Day Six – Wednesday, May 8th – screens a feature film director debut about a hiking trip and the scattered remnants of disconnected people. “Good One” is by India Donaldson, and she will appear on behalf of the film For the full schedule, info and tickets, click Ccff May 8th. For individual films, click titles below.
Good One
Good One
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
17-year-old Sam (Lily Collias) embarks on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskills with her dad, Chris (James Le Gros) and his oldest friend, Matt (Danny McCarthy). As the two men quickly settle into a gently quarrelsome brotherly dynamic, airing long-held grievances, Sam, wise beyond her years, attempts to mediate. But when lines are crossed and Sam’s trust is betrayed, she is confronted with her dad’s emotional limitations and experiences the universal moment when the parental bond is tested.
Good One
Good One
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
17-year-old Sam (Lily Collias) embarks on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskills with her dad, Chris (James Le Gros) and his oldest friend, Matt (Danny McCarthy). As the two men quickly settle into a gently quarrelsome brotherly dynamic, airing long-held grievances, Sam, wise beyond her years, attempts to mediate. But when lines are crossed and Sam’s trust is betrayed, she is confronted with her dad’s emotional limitations and experiences the universal moment when the parental bond is tested.
- 5/7/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival Day Four – Monday, May 6th – presents a film about music dreams and a documentary on a music store. “Dandelion” is written and directed by Nicole Riegel and “Flipside” by Chris Wilcha are the centerpiece screenings. For the full schedule, info and tickets, click Ccff May 6th. For individual films, click titles below.
Dandelion
Dandelion
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
Dandelion (KiKi Layne) is a struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter in a downward spiral, takes a last-ditch-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey (Thomas Doherty), a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago. As Dandelion joins Casey’s nomadic group of struggling musicians, the kindred spirits make music together and strike up a whirlwind romance.
Capsule Review: This is a passionate meditation on young love and the sensitive artist trying to interpret it. The love is as much about the...
Dandelion
Dandelion
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
Dandelion (KiKi Layne) is a struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter in a downward spiral, takes a last-ditch-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey (Thomas Doherty), a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago. As Dandelion joins Casey’s nomadic group of struggling musicians, the kindred spirits make music together and strike up a whirlwind romance.
Capsule Review: This is a passionate meditation on young love and the sensitive artist trying to interpret it. The love is as much about the...
- 5/6/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). Ms. Adlon walked the Red Carpet at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.
Pamela Adlon at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
“Babes” is a hilarious riff on women friendships/bonding and an unexpected pregnancy. Eden and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are besties, having grown up together in New York City, and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree-and-single Eden finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she decides to have the baby on her own, and her friendship with Dawn will face its greatest challenge. “Babes” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of being adult and becoming a parent.
Pamela Adlon at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
“Babes” is a hilarious riff on women friendships/bonding and an unexpected pregnancy. Eden and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are besties, having grown up together in New York City, and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree-and-single Eden finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she decides to have the baby on her own, and her friendship with Dawn will face its greatest challenge. “Babes” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of being adult and becoming a parent.
- 5/5/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Nashville – I recently had the extraordinary opportunity to attend a performance at The Listening Room Cafe, where I was treated to an unforgettable evening featuring the “Next from Nashville” lineup. The showcase was nothing short of exceptional. Amidst this lineup of talent, one performer truly stood out to me … Zandi Holup.
Zandi Holup and the other performers had acoustic guitars in hand and standing microphones as their sole companions, inviting the audience into their world of music with nothing but their instruments and voices, bridging the gap between performer and listener. All the performers sang original music, effortlessly captivating the audience with soul-stirring melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
Zandi Holup
Photo credit: ZandiHolupMusic.com
Zandi’s profoundly felt vocals carried an aura of authenticity that immediately drew me in. With a style characterized by raw, unfiltered storytelling, Zandi’s music seemed to flow effortlessly from a deep well of personal emotion and introspective thoughts.
Zandi Holup and the other performers had acoustic guitars in hand and standing microphones as their sole companions, inviting the audience into their world of music with nothing but their instruments and voices, bridging the gap between performer and listener. All the performers sang original music, effortlessly captivating the audience with soul-stirring melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
Zandi Holup
Photo credit: ZandiHolupMusic.com
Zandi’s profoundly felt vocals carried an aura of authenticity that immediately drew me in. With a style characterized by raw, unfiltered storytelling, Zandi’s music seemed to flow effortlessly from a deep well of personal emotion and introspective thoughts.
- 5/5/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival is off and running, and the third day – Sunday, May 5th – screens and the 30th Anniversary of a modern classic and a highly anticipated upcoming release. “I Saw the TV Glow” by Jane Schoenbrun and “Little Women” (the 1994 version) anchor a full day of cinema heroics. For the full schedule, info and tickets, click Ccff May 5th. For individual films, click titles below.
30th Anniversary, Little Women
Little Women
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
Based on the classic 1868 novel about love, family and the female spirit, Louisa May Alcott tells the domestic saga of the March family in post-Civil War America with a cast that includes Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Clare Danes, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, Gabriel Byrne, Samantha Mathis, Eric Stoltz and Trini Alvarado.
Capsule Review: Greta Gerwig’s 2019 re-imagining aside, the 1994 version – directed by Gillian Armstrong – of the oft-filmed classic combines the elements...
30th Anniversary, Little Women
Little Women
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
Based on the classic 1868 novel about love, family and the female spirit, Louisa May Alcott tells the domestic saga of the March family in post-Civil War America with a cast that includes Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Clare Danes, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, Gabriel Byrne, Samantha Mathis, Eric Stoltz and Trini Alvarado.
Capsule Review: Greta Gerwig’s 2019 re-imagining aside, the 1994 version – directed by Gillian Armstrong – of the oft-filmed classic combines the elements...
- 5/4/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Doc10, the annual Chicago documentary film festival, highlights a cautionary note for its 2024 Closing Night film on Sunday May 5th, at Chicago’s Davis Theater. ‘War Game’ is a look into a consequence exercise with expert participants playing roles, regarding a “what-if” the insurrection that occurred on January 6th, 2021 would escalate into a more coordinated attack … including the use of extremists within the military for the potential coup. Click War Game for information and tickets.
The participants who took roles in the exercise … and all will appear at a Q&a on Doc10’s Closing Night … include former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp, retired Major General Linda Singh and National Security Expert Elizabeth Neumann. Also appearing will be CEO Janessa Goldbeck of the VetVoice Foundation, the organization that expedited the war game, and the filmmakers of the “War Game” documentary, Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber.
The participants who took roles in the exercise … and all will appear at a Q&a on Doc10’s Closing Night … include former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp, retired Major General Linda Singh and National Security Expert Elizabeth Neumann. Also appearing will be CEO Janessa Goldbeck of the VetVoice Foundation, the organization that expedited the war game, and the filmmakers of the “War Game” documentary, Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber.
- 5/4/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on Wbgr-fm on May 2nd, reviewing “Unfrosted,” featuring Jerry Seinfeld as lead role, co-writer and his debut as director. Streaming on Netflix beginning May 3rd.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
The year is 1963, and Seinfeld is Bob Cabana, product developer at the Kellogg’s cereal company in Battle Creek, Michigan. He reports directly to company owner Edsel Kellogg III (Jim Gaffigan), and lives the prototype early 1960s American Dream life with John F. Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, Tony the Tiger and daily milk man deliveries. Kellogg’s rival is Post Cereals, also in Battle Creek, owned by Majorie Post (Amy Schumer). Kelloggs is facing off with Post … with the help of food developer Donna “Stan” Stankowski (Melissa McCarthy … to be the first to create a toaster pastry for America’s breakfast tables. The race is on.
”Unfrosted” is streaming on Netflix beginning May 3rd.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
The year is 1963, and Seinfeld is Bob Cabana, product developer at the Kellogg’s cereal company in Battle Creek, Michigan. He reports directly to company owner Edsel Kellogg III (Jim Gaffigan), and lives the prototype early 1960s American Dream life with John F. Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, Tony the Tiger and daily milk man deliveries. Kellogg’s rival is Post Cereals, also in Battle Creek, owned by Majorie Post (Amy Schumer). Kelloggs is facing off with Post … with the help of food developer Donna “Stan” Stankowski (Melissa McCarthy … to be the first to create a toaster pastry for America’s breakfast tables. The race is on.
”Unfrosted” is streaming on Netflix beginning May 3rd.
- 5/3/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on Wbgr-fm on May 2nd, reviewing “The Fall Guy,” featuring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in an adaptation of an 1980s TV series. In theaters on May 3rd.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers, a stunt man for the movies, particularly doubling for famous action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). As the film begins, it’s established that Colt has a relationship with Jody (Emily Blunt), but the relationship is severed after Colt breaks his back with a stunt gone wrong. After a year goes by and he’s healed, Colt gets a call from Movie Producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham from “Ted Lasso”), hiring him back to work on a film that Jody is directing. When a murder occurs and Colt is framed for it, he suddenly involved in more than just stunts
”The Fall Guy...
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers, a stunt man for the movies, particularly doubling for famous action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). As the film begins, it’s established that Colt has a relationship with Jody (Emily Blunt), but the relationship is severed after Colt breaks his back with a stunt gone wrong. After a year goes by and he’s healed, Colt gets a call from Movie Producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham from “Ted Lasso”), hiring him back to work on a film that Jody is directing. When a murder occurs and Colt is framed for it, he suddenly involved in more than just stunts
”The Fall Guy...
- 5/3/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “The Idea of You,” adapted from the popular novel by Robinne Lee, directed by Michael Showalter and featuring Anne Hathaway. Streaming on Prime Video beginning May 2nd, 2024.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Anne Hathaway is Soléne, a woman on the cusp of her 40th birthday who birthed a daughter when she was in her early twenties, and is now divorced from her ex Daniel (Reid Scott). Through a series of wacky circumstances, she meets a boy band singer named Hayes (Nicolas Galitzine), who is s member of August Moon, a favorite of her now high-school-aged daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) … when she was in seventh grade. Hayes is now 24, Soléne is decidedly older, but they instantly connect and begin a relationship. When it takes a turn to serious love, social media and the clickbait press takes notice, and the love connection starts to disrupt everyone’s lives.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Anne Hathaway is Soléne, a woman on the cusp of her 40th birthday who birthed a daughter when she was in her early twenties, and is now divorced from her ex Daniel (Reid Scott). Through a series of wacky circumstances, she meets a boy band singer named Hayes (Nicolas Galitzine), who is s member of August Moon, a favorite of her now high-school-aged daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) … when she was in seventh grade. Hayes is now 24, Soléne is decidedly older, but they instantly connect and begin a relationship. When it takes a turn to serious love, social media and the clickbait press takes notice, and the love connection starts to disrupt everyone’s lives.
- 5/3/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Opening Night at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) on May 3rd will include the last film of popular South Korean (Sk) Actor Lee Sun-kyun, entitled “Sleep” (click here for tickets) The world was rocked on December 27th, 2023, when the report came through that that actor – who had a prominent role in the 2019 Oscar Best Picture “Parasite’ – had died at age 48 from an apparent suicide in Seoul (Sk), months after his appearance in Chicago during the Asian Pop-Up Cinema.
“Sleep” follows newlyweds Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), whose domestic bliss is disrupted when Hyun-su begins speaking in his sleep, ominously stating, “someone’s inside.” From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, Hyun-su transforms into someone else, with no recollection of what happened the night before. Overwhelmed with anxiety that he may hurt himself or their young family, Soo-jin can barely sleep because of this irrational fear.
“Sleep” follows newlyweds Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), whose domestic bliss is disrupted when Hyun-su begins speaking in his sleep, ominously stating, “someone’s inside.” From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, Hyun-su transforms into someone else, with no recollection of what happened the night before. Overwhelmed with anxiety that he may hurt himself or their young family, Soo-jin can barely sleep because of this irrational fear.
- 5/2/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The Closing Night of the 2024 Cinema Femme Film Festival will be the short film showcase, based on letter writing themes, as the “Sincerely, Yours” block will start at 7:30pm, and “P.S.” will begin at 9:30pm. Both programs will be at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre. For more information and tickets, click Sincerely or P.S.
Presented by Cinema Femme Magazine, the film festival emphasizes the importance of supporting emerging female and non-binary filmmakers, and connects those filmmakers to their Breaking Down Walls mentorship and retreat. The letter writing themes will include locally produced short films by Linh Tran (“Video Funeral”), Krista Kane (“Except”), Alison Torem (“Road Head”), Bridget Francis Harris (“Places of Worship”) and Lua Borges (“Madonna”).
Cinema Femme Short Film Festival
Photo credit: CinemaFemme.com
Festival Director Rebecca Martin Fagerholm is also the Managing Editor of Cinema Femme magazine. She founded the publication and began...
Presented by Cinema Femme Magazine, the film festival emphasizes the importance of supporting emerging female and non-binary filmmakers, and connects those filmmakers to their Breaking Down Walls mentorship and retreat. The letter writing themes will include locally produced short films by Linh Tran (“Video Funeral”), Krista Kane (“Except”), Alison Torem (“Road Head”), Bridget Francis Harris (“Places of Worship”) and Lua Borges (“Madonna”).
Cinema Femme Short Film Festival
Photo credit: CinemaFemme.com
Festival Director Rebecca Martin Fagerholm is also the Managing Editor of Cinema Femme magazine. She founded the publication and began...
- 5/1/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Doc10, the annual Chicago documentary film festival, opens on May 2nd, 2024, with a new documentary about the famous avant garde rock band entitled “Devo,” directed by Chris Smith. who will appear live, with the band participating via Zoom. Click Devo for more information and tickets.
This spirited and irreverent portrait of the legendary new wave ban Devo charts the unlikely rise of the musical innovators from Akron, Ohio. From Kent State radicals in the 1970s, galvanized by political unrest, to unlikely icons of the 1980s, featured in Honda Scooter commercials and mainstays of the early days of MTV … they are not men, they are Devo. The film is directed by Chris Smith, known for his breakout debut “American Movie,” and goes beyond the typical bio-doc to channel the absurdity and edginess of the sonic provocateurs of Devo, with the help of their own bizarre and hilarious archival materials. “Whip it,...
This spirited and irreverent portrait of the legendary new wave ban Devo charts the unlikely rise of the musical innovators from Akron, Ohio. From Kent State radicals in the 1970s, galvanized by political unrest, to unlikely icons of the 1980s, featured in Honda Scooter commercials and mainstays of the early days of MTV … they are not men, they are Devo. The film is directed by Chris Smith, known for his breakout debut “American Movie,” and goes beyond the typical bio-doc to channel the absurdity and edginess of the sonic provocateurs of Devo, with the help of their own bizarre and hilarious archival materials. “Whip it,...
- 4/30/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) kicks off on Friday, May 3rd, with “Sing Sing” and continues through May 9th with an amazing cinema week featuring the best of the winter/spring bold face film fests, special guests, revivals and surprises! Click on 2024 Ccff for tickets and schedule.
The 11th Ccff
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
In “Sing Sing,” Divine G (Colman Domingo), who is imprisoned in New York State’s infamous Sing Sing prison, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other men who are incarcerated. The story uses actual incarceration actors alongside Domingo and the other professionals, and the guests for Opening Night includes director Greg Kwedar, and actors Clarence “Divine Eye’ Maclin, Paul Raci and Sean “Dino” Johnson.
Capsule Review: The redemptive power of pretending to be something else is on display in this remarkable tale, filtered through the intense experiences of both society’s...
The 11th Ccff
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com
In “Sing Sing,” Divine G (Colman Domingo), who is imprisoned in New York State’s infamous Sing Sing prison, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other men who are incarcerated. The story uses actual incarceration actors alongside Domingo and the other professionals, and the guests for Opening Night includes director Greg Kwedar, and actors Clarence “Divine Eye’ Maclin, Paul Raci and Sean “Dino” Johnson.
Capsule Review: The redemptive power of pretending to be something else is on display in this remarkable tale, filtered through the intense experiences of both society’s...
- 4/30/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The Midwest Film Festival (Mff) presents “Impact Shorts Night” on April 29th, 2024, and a big part of the new programming and direction for the longtime film networking fest is their new Operations Director Nk Gutiérrez. For tickets and info, click Impact.
“Impact Shorts Night” is an evening of films that make a difference … powerful shorts that not only tell compelling stories but also tackle important societal issues. The line-up features “Teacher of Patience” by Carmen Vincent, “Queer” by Ariana Alejandra Vargas, Sure as the Wind by Mike Ambs and Greg Shewchuk, plus The Inside Singers by Daniel Kolen. The evening begins at 6:30pm with a Networking Reception, followed by a Community Spotlight (details below), the short film screenings (with filmmaker Q&As) and an After Party at the Emerald Loop Bar & Grill in Chicago’s Loop.
April 29th, 2024, at the Gene Siskel Film Center
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.com...
“Impact Shorts Night” is an evening of films that make a difference … powerful shorts that not only tell compelling stories but also tackle important societal issues. The line-up features “Teacher of Patience” by Carmen Vincent, “Queer” by Ariana Alejandra Vargas, Sure as the Wind by Mike Ambs and Greg Shewchuk, plus The Inside Singers by Daniel Kolen. The evening begins at 6:30pm with a Networking Reception, followed by a Community Spotlight (details below), the short film screenings (with filmmaker Q&As) and an After Party at the Emerald Loop Bar & Grill in Chicago’s Loop.
April 29th, 2024, at the Gene Siskel Film Center
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.com...
- 4/29/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The late playwright August Wilson left a gift to the world in the form of his “American Century Cycle,” a series of plays each individually set in a decade of the 20th Century, focusing on the black experience. Chicago’s Goodman Theatre presents Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” now through May 19th, 2024 (click here).
Play Rating: 5.0/5.0
“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is set in the 1910s, only a couple generations past slavery, regarding a group of black folks at a boarding house, both living in and representing their era. The house is run by Seth and Bertha (Dexter Zollicoffer and TayLar), and contains semi permanent residents Bynum (Tim Rhoze) and guitar-playing Jeremy (Anthony Fleming III). One day, a stranger named Loomis (A.C. Smith) and his daughter Zonia (Kylah Jones) take a room. Their mission is a journey to find Loomis’s wife and the mother of Zonia,...
Play Rating: 5.0/5.0
“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is set in the 1910s, only a couple generations past slavery, regarding a group of black folks at a boarding house, both living in and representing their era. The house is run by Seth and Bertha (Dexter Zollicoffer and TayLar), and contains semi permanent residents Bynum (Tim Rhoze) and guitar-playing Jeremy (Anthony Fleming III). One day, a stranger named Loomis (A.C. Smith) and his daughter Zonia (Kylah Jones) take a room. Their mission is a journey to find Loomis’s wife and the mother of Zonia,...
- 4/28/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on Wbgr-fm on April 25th, 2024, reviewing “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed,” In select theaters on April 26th. See local listings.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Joanna Arnow (also writer and director) is Ann, a nebbishy middle of the road type that lives in New York City and works for a bland we-don’t-know-what-they-do marketing company that is in the midst of a merger. Meanwhile, through dating apps, Ann indulges her kink as a submissive in her online hook ups, including her main man Allen (Scott Cohen), who in his “master” role is completely dismissive of her or her needs. As she cycles through other men she lands with Chris (Babak Tafti) who takes a romantic shine to her. Is the feeling that the time for doing something have passed, or is that feeling misjudged?
”The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Joanna Arnow (also writer and director) is Ann, a nebbishy middle of the road type that lives in New York City and works for a bland we-don’t-know-what-they-do marketing company that is in the midst of a merger. Meanwhile, through dating apps, Ann indulges her kink as a submissive in her online hook ups, including her main man Allen (Scott Cohen), who in his “master” role is completely dismissive of her or her needs. As she cycles through other men she lands with Chris (Babak Tafti) who takes a romantic shine to her. Is the feeling that the time for doing something have passed, or is that feeling misjudged?
”The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed...
- 4/28/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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