October 2018

Exclusive Photo: Busy Philipps is Living Up to Her Name

CHICAGO – Yep, “Busy” is her nickname, and that describes Elizabeth Jean “Busy” Philipps in October of 2018. Besides releasing a memoir, “This Will Only Hurt a Little,” Ms. Philipps also has launched the talk show “Busy Tonight” on the E! Channel, also with her regular slate of prime acting gigs.

Film Review: Growing Up Fast in the Skateboard Life of ‘Mid90s’

Mid90s

CHICAGO – Character actor Jonah Hill has just scored behind the camera. As writer/director of a authentic look back at the “Mid90s” he went back to his inner source of growing up in that 1990s time, skateboarding with his buds and experiencing the teenage life. The story never blinks, as the teens are authentic and the situations they get in even more so.

Growing Up Fast in the Skateboard Life of ‘Mid90s’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Character actor Jonah Hill has just scored behind the camera. As writer/director of a authentic look back at the “Mid90s” he went back to his inner source of growing up in that 1990s time, skateboarding with his buds and experiencing the teenage life. The story never blinks, as the teens are authentic and the situations they get in even more so.

Film Review: Sub Movie ‘Hunter Killer’ is Absurd and Entertaining

CHICAGO – The United States military as superheroes has never gotten a better workout than in “Hunter Killer,” the title that sounds like a Halloween-themed movie, but it’s a style of submarine that seeks to adjust our geo-political balance. Gerard Butler is the commander hoping to prevent World War 3.

Sub Movie ‘Hunter Killer’ is Absurd and Entertaining

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – The United States military as superheroes has never gotten a better workout than in “Hunter Killer,” the title that sounds like a Halloween-themed movie, but it’s a style of submarine that seeks to adjust our geo-political balance. Gerard Butler is the commander hoping to prevent World War 3.

Film News: FREE SCREENING of 'Ritoma' at Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema on Oct. 26th, 2018

Ritoma, 2018 APUC

CHICAGO – Season Seven of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) continues on Friday, October 26th, 2018, with a FREE SCREENING of “Ritoma,” a film about the surprising obsession of Tibetian nomads regarding basketball. The U.S.

Podtalk: Robert Forster & Elizabeth Chomko of ‘What They Had’

CHICAGO – Families dealing with the effects of aging parents – which include dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease – can experience a new film which explores these topics through the family dynamic. “What They Had” is writer/director Elizabeth Chomko’s debut, and features Robert Forster, Blythe Danner, Hilary Swank and Michael Shannon.

Slideshow: Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally at Cover Star Event for Michigan Avenue Magazine

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Dynamic Duo: Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally.

CHICAGO – The laconic Nick Offerman and the iconic Megan Mullally made their way back to Chicago – both had been performers here – for a red carpet event and reception at Prime & Provisions Chicago on October 2nd, 2018, to celebrate their “cover star” status for the October 2018 cover of Michigan Avenue Magazine.

Red Carpet Talk: Megan Mullally & Nick Offerman, Cover Stars for Michigan Avenue Magazine

CHICAGO – Arguably Hollywood’s greatest current “power couple” are cover stars for the October 2018 issue of Michigan Avenue Magazine. Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman “graced” that cover and appeared at Prime & Provisions Chicago on October 2nd, 2018.

Film News: Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema Screens ‘Walking Past the Future,’ Oct. 24th, 2018

Walking Past the Future

CHICAGO – After a short break, Season Seven of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) continues on Wednesday, October 24th, 2018, with a film from China, “Walking Past the Future. Director Lee Rui-jun will make an appearance at the screening at the AMC River East Theatre. For details and tickets, click here.

Photos: 54th Chicago International Film Festival Ends with Ruth E. Carter & ‘The Front Runner’

Ruth E Carter, Jason Reitman photos by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – That’s a wrap. The 54th Chicago International Film Festival ended on Sunday October 21st, 2018, with a screening of “The Front Runner,” directed by Jason Reitman (who made an appearance). Also on Saturday, the Black Perspectives event was a career overview of Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter, who contributed to “Black Panther” and “Selma,” among many others.

Photos, Audio: Red Carpet for ‘What They Had’ at 54th Chicago International Film Festival

Elizabeth Chomko & Robert Forster, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – He’s a legendary character actor that began his career in 1967. She’s a first time director interpreting her own script, which that legend called “the best he’s ever been in.” Robert Forster portrays Burt in writer/director Elizabeth Chomko’s “What They Had,” also featuring Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon, Blythe Danner and Taissa Farmiga. Forster and Chomko walked the Red Carpet representing the film at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Monday, October 15th, 2018.

Podtalk: Director Felix Van Groeningen of ‘Beautiful Boy’

CHICAGO – In a film certain to get Oscar buzz, “Beautiful Boy” opened on October 19th in Chicago, and opened the recent Chicago International Film Festival. The delicate and sensitive portrayal of addiction features fine performances from Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet, guided by director Felix Van Groeningen.

Photo, Audio: ‘A Tribute to Carey Mulligan’ at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival

Carey Mulligan, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – She’s a memorable talent in a different age of movie stars. British-born Carey Mulligan has shown her talent for character roles, making her film debut with “Pride & Prejudice” in 2005, breaking out a year later with “An Education,” and taking on a number of parts as an American in “Drive,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Inside Llewyn Davis” and “Mudbound.” Her latest film is “Wildlife,” directed by Paul Dano.

Film News: CLOSING NIGHT film of 54th Chicago International Film Festival is ‘The Front Runner’

afrontrunfront.jpg

CHICAGO – It all comes down to the last night, and what a closer on Sunday, October 21st, 2018 for the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF). “The Front Runner,” featuring Hugh Jackman and J.K. Simmons, and directed by Jason Reitman (“Juno”), will bring down the curtain on the Fest.

Film News: Lake Forest Academy’s ‘Global Generation’ Doc to Premiere on Oct. 22, 2018

Global Generation

CHICAGO – Lake Forest Academy, in the Chicagoland suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois, has made it policy to expand their educational philosophy, developing a high school curriculum centered on global citizenry. Two documentary producers – Mike Leonard and Mary Kay Wall – has created a documentary about the Academy’s perspective entitled “Global Generation.” The film will make its premiere at the Academy on Monday, October 22nd, 2018, and will air on WTTW-TV, Chicago’s PBS outlet, on October 25th, 26th and 27th. For more details and tickets, click here.

Film News: ‘Happy as Lazzaro’ Takes Top Prize at 54th Chicago International Film Festival

2018 CIFF Awards

CHICAGO – The Chicago International Film Festival is competitive, and the 54th edition presented its awards on October 19th, 2018, at the AMC River East Theatre in Chicago. The winner of the Gold Hugo as Best Film was “Happy as Lazzaro” (Italy/Switzerland/Germany/France), directed by Alice Rohrwacher.

Podtalk: Michael Kutza of 54th Chicago International Film Festival in ‘A Tribute to Colleen Moore’

CHICAGO – The Founder and CEO of the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is Michael Kutza. In 1964, when he had the idea for the festival, legendary Chicago Sun-Times columnist Irv Kupcinet suggested a person who could help start the festivities. That person was silent film-era movie star Colleen Moore.

Film Review: Rebooted ‘Halloween’ Sequel Offers Nothing New in 2018

CHICAGO – At this point, the “Halloween” franchise is looking as tattered and tired as Michael Myers old William Shatner mask… fraying around the edges and on the verge of falling apart. The 2018 “reboot” sequel brings back former scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, along with original Michael Myers, Nick Castle.

Rebooted ‘Halloween’ Sequel Offers Nothing New in 2018

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.0/5.0
Rating: 2.0/5.0

CHICAGO – At this point, the “Halloween” franchise is looking as tattered and tired as Michael Myers old William Shatner mask… fraying around the edges and on the verge of falling apart. The 2018 “reboot” sequel brings back former scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, along with original Michael Myers, Nick Castle.

Photo, Interviews: Red Carpet for ‘Roma’ at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival

ROMA Actors, Photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – One of the buzz films at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is “Roma,” the latest from Academy Award winning director Alfonso Cuarón (“Gravity”). This personal and autobiographical film is winning kudos for its beauty and authenticity, as well as its setting in 1970s Mexico City. The film features Mexican actors Marina de Tavira and Yalitza Aparicio.

Film News: DAY ELEVEN of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Has Black Perspectives Tribute

Ruth Carter, Black Perspectives

CHICAGODAY ELEVEN of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Saturday, October 20th, 2018, is Black Perspectives Night, with a tribute to behind-the-scenes production leadership that is vital to the look of a film, through one of its best practitioners. And in the week before Halloween, the “After Dark” series goes spookily into the wee hours.

Film News: ‘Mrs. Maisel’ Rachel Brosnahan at Actors Training Center Fundraiser, Oct. 19, 2018

Rachel Brosnahan

CHICAGO – She’s an Emmy Winner for a television character that lived in a different America, 60 years ago. Rachel Brosnahan is “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” of Amazon Prime, portraying Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a potential stand-up comic in a late 1950s era, when that was something a woman didn’t necessarily consider. She appears on behalf of the Wilmette (Illinois) Actors Training Center on Friday, October 19th, 2018, at a fundraiser for that organization, for which she is an alumni. For more details and tickets, click here.

Film News: DAY TEN of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Goes ‘In Search of Greatness'

In Search of Greatness

CHICAGODAY TEN of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Friday, October 19th, 2018, has one of the more notable documentary screenings, with an appearance by the director. “In Search of Greatness,” by Gabe Polsky, is a examination into the nature of unique genius in sports, with profiles of Wayne Gretzky, soccer icon Pelé and NFL legend Jerry Rice. Also, it’s AWARDS NIGHT, where the festival honors its best.

Podtalk: Ike Barinholtz, First Time Director for ‘The Oath’

CHICAGO – The life we have in these “interesting times” is rife with the peril of outside influences… which makes for difficult confrontations with both the known and the unknown. Comic actor Ike Barinholtz (“Blockers”) writes and directs his first film, “The Oath,” dealing with a family Thanksgiving within a Trump-like world.

Film News: DAY NINE of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Highlights a ‘Boy Erased’

Boy Interrupted

CHICAGODAY EIGHT of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Thursday, October 18th, 2018, spotlights one of the most sensitive and important message films of the years, the stark “Boy Erased,” directed, adapted and featuring Joel Edgerton. Also catch up with Short Films in three programs.

Slideshow: Red-Carpet Photos for ‘Widows’ at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival

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Liam Neeson portrays Henry in ‘Widows.’

CHICAGO – Liam Neeson “Released the Superstars” on October 13th, 2018, as the all-star cast of the new film “Widows” walked the Red Carpet before a premiere screening at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival. Joining Liam was Oscar winner Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez (“Fast & Furious” series), as well as supporting actors Cynthia Erivo and Brian Tyree Henry, plus author/screenplay adapter Gillian Flynn and director Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”).

Film News: DAY EIGHT of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Features a Top Prize Winner

Shoplifters

CHICAGODAY EIGHT of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Wednesday, October 17th, 2018, is filled with two categories of competition films – six in New Directors and three in the International Competition, plus three more “Masters” films, the latest work from today’s most accomplished filmmakers.

Film News: DAY SEVEN of 54th Chicago International Film Festival is Carey Mulligan & ‘Wildlife’

Wildlife

CHICAGODAY SEVEN of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018, and features a tribute to the amazing young actress Carey Mulligan (“Drive,” “The Great Gatsby”), the must-see movie “Diane” and four films in the Documentary group.

Video: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez for ‘Widows’ at 54th Chicago International Film Festival

CHICAGO – It was star power to the max on Saturday, October 13th, 2018, at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) as the cast and director of the new film Widows walked the Red Carpet, including Liam Neeson, Viola Davis and Michelle Rodriguez.

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