New York City

CHICAGO – Police reform and procedural alternatives in the U.S. continue to be in a hurricane of evolution. Despite the attention that the George Floyd incident brought to the perception, the law enforcement culture continues to resist. Stefan Forbes goes back to the past (1973), to inform them (and us) that change can work with his new documentary “Hold Your Fire.”

CHICAGO – The 9th Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) is on DAY THREE, and will feature “Hold Your Fire,” a tense documentary recounting a police incident in 1973 New York City, directed by Stefan Forbes. The Fest continues through May 19th, click CCFF for schedule and ticket info.

CHICAGO – As performance ramps up again in 2022, one of the great comic voices on the stand-up comedy scene is Katie Hannigan. The veteran jokester has recently released a comedy album, the perfect-for-the-times title of “Feeling of Emptiness.” Ms. Hannigan riffs on herself essentially, with sharp observations on being a woman in these particular times.

CHICAGO – In the continued reopening the Chicago JCC Jewish Film Festival has put together a hybrid event … in person and online from March 10th-27th, 2022. One of their centerpiece films available to stream is “Jews of the Wild West.” Filmmaker Amanda Kinsey has put together an overview of the Jewish influence in the 19th Century taming of the America West, through immigration and commerce.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 25th, 2022, reviewing the TV series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” with Season Four currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

CHICAGO – When an interview opportunity comes up with Wallace Shawn, and it lasts more than 15 minutes, a conversation can be born. In our own version of “My Dinner with Andre,” I got an expansion with the actor, writer and one of the most famous dinner guests in cinema history (he is the “My” in “My Dinner … “ ).

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “C’mon C’mon,” a departure for intense actor Joaquin Phoenix as a befuddled Uncle, directed by Mike Mills of the Oscar-winning “Beginners,” and in theaters beginning November 19th, 2021.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 16th, 2021, reviewing the new documentary “The Capote Tapes” – regarding the author Truman Capote – in select theaters beginning September 17th.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on the PRIDE film “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” (2017), currently on Netflix, about the mysterious death and challenging life of the drag queen icon of New York City. Happy Pride Week!

CHICAGO – That’s a wrap! The 2021 Tribeca Film Festival – a hybrid mix of New York City in-person events and online access – has its last day on Sunday, June 20th. It’s also the last day for Tribeca At Home, click Tribeca2021.