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).
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
CCFF2024: Kelly O’Sullivan on ‘Ghostlight,’ the Closing Night Film
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 8, 2024 - 9:04pmCHICAGO – 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.
Exclusive Portrait: KiKi Layne of ‘Dandelion’ at 2024 Chicago Film Critics Fest on May 6th
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 7, 2024 - 4:35pmCHICAGO – “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.
CCFF2024 Preview: Centerpiece Film on May 8th is ‘Good One’ at Chicago Critics Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 7, 2024 - 10:12amCHICAGO – 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.
CCFF2024 Preview: ‘Dandelion’ and ‘Flipside’ Highlight Day Four of Chicago Critics Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2024 - 9:10pmCHICAGO – 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.
Exclusive Portraits: Director Pamela Adlon of ‘Babes’ at Chicago Critics Film Fest, May 4, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2024 - 11:58amCHICAGO – 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.
Music Review: Zandi Holup Shines at Nashville’s ‘The Listening Room’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2024 - 10:36amNASHVILLE – 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.
CCFF2024 Preview: ‘I Saw the TV Glow’ and ‘Little Women’ 30th Anniversary on May 5, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 4, 2024 - 11:05amCHICAGO – 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.
Film News: 2024 Doc10 Closing Night Film is ‘War Game’ on May 5th
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 4, 2024 - 9:06amCHICAGO – 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.
Film Review: Pride Goeth Before ‘The Fall Guy’ with Ryan Gosling
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 4, 2024 - 12:46amCHICAGO – “The Fall Guy” is one of those movies where what’s happening on the margins is so much more interesting than the main event. And the promotional campaign for it is far superior to the film itself. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt have the romantic chemistry to fuel a high octane action comedy … but “The Fall Guy” never steps on the gas.
On-Air Film Review: Jerry Seinfeld Gets Toasty in ‘Unfrosted’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 3, 2024 - 12:10pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 2nd, reviewing “Unfrosted,” featuring Jerry Seinfeld as lead role, co-writer and his debut as director. Streaming on Netflix beginning May 3rd.
On-Air Film Review: Anne Hathaway Figures Out ‘The Idea of You’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 2, 2024 - 9:25pmCHICAGO – 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.
CCFF24: Lee Sun-kyun’s Last Film ‘Sleep’ on Chicago Critics Fest Opening Night, May 3rd
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 2, 2024 - 3:52pmCHICAGO – 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.
Film News: Cinema Femme Film Festival, Two Closing Night Shorts Programs on May 1, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 1, 2024 - 9:41amCHICAGO – 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.
