CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Via Zoom: Jennifer Grey & Will Sharpe Contemplate ‘A Real Pain’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 14, 2024 - 1:41pmCHICAGO – The new film “A Real Pain” is written, directed and features Jesse Eisenberg, with Kieran Culkin as his unhinged cousin. This also features a strong ensemble cast portraying a a tour group, including the iconic Jennifer Grey and up-and-coming Will Sharpe. They talked to HollywoodChicago.com via Zoom.
Podtalk: Kaitlyn Davis on Her Revue ‘Songs From the Bench,’ at Marriott Theatre, Nov. 18-19, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2024 - 6:57pmCHICAGO – After an acclaimed and Jeff Award nominated run as songwriter icon Carole King in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Kaitlyn Davis will be in concert at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire (Illinois) on November 18th (7:30pm) and 19th (1pm) with “Songs from the Bench,” an overview of Kaitlyn’s favorites from the world of Broadway show tunes, pop music and of course Carole King. For tickets and more information, click BENCH.
Film News: 30th Black Harvest Film Festival Nov. 8-21, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2024 - 8:59pmCHICAGO – The Black Harvest Film Festival celebrates its 30th edition on Opening Night, November 8th, 2024, and continues through November 21st. The Film Festival is Chicago’s annual showcase for Black film, born from the urgent need to celebrate the Black experience.
Exclusive Portraits: Randy Rainbow at 2024 Chicago Humanities Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2024 - 8:26pmCHICAGO – Randy Rainbow kept many people sane during the recent election season with his broadside political song parodies, and in the upcoming years he will continue to speak truth to power. Randy was at the Chicago Humanities Festival recently, promoting his new book “Low Hanging Fruit: Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda.”
Audio Film Review: He’s Back in ‘The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2024 - 1:32pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley,” a new Netflix dccumentary about the King of Rock ’n Roll, covering his 1968 “Comeback” TV special and the implications on his career. Streaming on Netflix beginning November 13th.
Audio Film Review: Days of Future Past in Steve McQueen’s ‘Blitz’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2024 - 12:48pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Blitz,” written and directed by British auteur Steve McQueen, and featuring Saoirse Ronan as Rosie the Riveter by day and devoted mother the rest of the time. In theaters on November 8th, and streaming on Apple TV+ on November 22nd.
Podtalk: Erica Duffy on 2024 Best of the Midwest Awards, on Nov. 14th at CineCity Chicago
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2024 - 8:58amCHICAGO – Erica Duffy is calling it her “Last Hurrah” (for now), as she announced a few months ago she was moving on from the Executive Director position at the Midwest Film Festival, after five years. There is no better way to honor her than to join the celebration that kicks off the Awards Season on November 14th, the 2024 BEST OF THE MIDWEST Awards.
Audio Film Review: Hugh Grant a Wish as Mr. Reed in ‘Heretic’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 7, 2024 - 11:12pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Heretic,” featuring Hugh Grant as a mysterious resident of a spooky house, seeking religious information from door-to-door Mormon missionaries, written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. In theaters since November 8th.
Echoes from the Amp: Rediscovering Hard Rock’s Unsung Bands
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 7, 2024 - 12:03pmCHICAGO – I’m Jeff Doles, Music Editor at HollywoodChicago.com.
In this opinion series, I’ll delve into some of my favorite hard rock bands that in my view didn’t get the recognition they deserved. These are bands that brought raw energy and grit to the scene, only to be overshadowed by bigger, sometimes less talented acts. So, turn up your speakers and join me in paying tribute the icons who – despite the odds – left an unforgettable mark on the genre.
Podtalk: Erika Olson of ‘Getting LOST,’ Chicago Premiere Nov. 11, 2024, at Landmark Cinema
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 7, 2024 - 11:37amCHICAGO – Erika Olson is having a full circle moment. In 2004, the J.J. Abrams produced iconic series “Lost” first hit the ABC-TV airwaves, and Erika just had to blog about it. The blog took off, Erika became a freelance media writer, and now she is Executive Producer of the new documentary tribute, “Getting LOST.” The Chicago Premiere will take place on Monday, November 11th, at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Chicago’s Northside. For tickets, click LOST.
On-Air Film Review: Gradually Then Suddenly in ‘The Graduates’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2024 - 3:24pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 31st, reviewing the film “The Graduates,” a fictional account regarding mourners one year after a tragedy. The film opened in select theaters November 1st, and will roll out through November, see local listings.
Podtalk: Director Tim Mielants of ‘Small Things Like These’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 4, 2024 - 12:23pmCHICAGO – One of the best elements of the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is how the world comes to the fest to present their films. One such presenter was director Tim Mielants, whose “Small Things Like These” stars Oscar winner Cillian Murphy. The film, based on the novel by Claire Keegan, opens in theaters this Friday, November 8th.
CIFF24: ‘Transplant’ & ‘Transamazonia’ on the Red Carpet
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 4, 2024 - 10:27amCHICAGO – On Friday October 18th, the 2024 60th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) screened the films “Transplant” (via director Jason Park and lead actor Eric Nam) and “Transamazonia” (actor Jeremy Xido). All three walked the Red Carpet and Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com was there for the interviews.
