Film News

CHICAGO – There is an expo this weekend that is providing educational and product info for the entire Chicago filmmaking community, and every other interested party. FILMSCAPE CHICAGO will take place on September 7th and 8th, 2019, at the magnificent Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. The event itself is free, with some small fee educational panels. For details, hours and ticket information, click here.

CHICAGO – Two notable Midwestern filmmakers recently teamed up for their second film together, as the Midwest Independent Film Festival presents “All Creatures Here Below,” written by Colllin Schiffli and lead actor David Dastmalchian, and directed by Schiffli. After acclaim for their first shot-in-Chicago effort, “Animals” (2014), the duo widened their landscape palette in this road picture, as two desperate souls (Karen Gillan and Dastmalchian) seek asylum in their hometown Kansas City. The night’s activities begins at 6pm on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019, at the Landmark Century Cinema in Chicago, with an after party to follow the screening. Click here for details and tickets.

CHICAGO – There are movie exhibitors, screening rooms, multiplexes and grindhouses, but there is only one Music Box Theatre, and Chicago is privileged to have it. The movie theater of all movie theaters opened on August 22nd, 1929, and is celebrating its 90th Anniversary all week at the venue, in the Southport Corridor neighborhood.

CHICAGO – It’s been a fast four weeks, and the 25th anniversary edition of the Black Harvest Film Festival in Chicago will have its Closing Night on Thursday, August 29th, 2019, at the Gene Siskel Film Center in the downtown Loop. The special presentation will be the 25th Anniversary celebration of Spike Lee’s “Crooklyn,” and will feature appearances by Joie Lee (Spike’s sister and co-screenwriter) and actress Zelda Harris from the film. Click here for tickets and more information.

LOS ANGELES – Peter Fonda, part of Hollywood acting royalty, had many memorable roles in his long career. But he will forever be known as the “Easy Rider,” the 1969 feature (coincidentally, the film was the number one film exactly 50 years ago today) that ushered in a new wave of filmmaking. Portraying a biker named Captain America, his character was “born to be wild” as he motored across the country. Peter Fonda died in Los Angeles due to complications of lung cancer. He was 79.

CHICAGO – One of the longest running and most important Black film festivals is right here in Chicago, as the 25th anniversary of the Black Harvest Film Festival continues through Thursday, August 29th, 2019, at the Gene Siskel Film Center in the downtown Loop. WEEK TWO features two major shorts programs and a debut work from a first time director, for the calendar schedule, click here. The overall Festival link is below.

CHICAGO – Cult character actor Rutger Hauer passed away late last month, but the mark he made with his array of performances carried through two generation of admirers, even receiving the honor of Best Dutch Actor of the (20th) Century in 1999. He died on July 19th, 2019, in his native Netherlands. He was 75.

CHICAGO – A movie milestone highlights the August “First Tuesday” of Chicago’s Midwest Independent Film Festival. “Billy Broke His Head” (1994) celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a screening in association with ReelAbilities Chicago. The festivities kick off at 6pm at Landmark Century Centre Cinema in Chicago, click here for details and tickets.

CHICAGO – One of the longest running and most important Black film festivals is right here in Chicago, as the 25th edition of the Black Harvest Film Festival has Opening Night on Saturday, August 3rd, 2019, and runs through Thursday, August 29th, at the Gene Siskel Film Center in the downtown Loop. For Opening Night details and ticket information, click here.

CHICAGO – Today is the 50th Anniversary of astronaut Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon, and an excellent documentary on the subject – simply titled “Apollo 11” is doing a “one day only” showing on July 20th, 2019. For theater locations and show times around the country (type in your area), click here.