CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.
Organized Crime
On-Air Film Review: Speak Softly with Toni Collette as 'Mafia Mamma’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 14, 2023 - 6:20pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 13th, reviewing “Mafia Mamma,” featuring Toni Collette in a comedy role offer she couldn’t refuse. In theaters on April 14th.
Film Review: John Travolta Captures the Life & Times of ‘Gotti’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 16, 2018 - 3:26pmCHICAGO – Probably the last classic era of romanticized organized crime (mafia, mob, etc.) in New York City was the reign of John Gotti… the high profile boss of the Gambino family from 1986-1992. Nicknamed both the Dapper Don and Teflon Don (because of his ability to avoid prosecution), he is brought back to life by John Travolta in the sparely titled “Gotti.”
Video Interview: John Travolta on His New Role as ‘Gotti’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 13, 2018 - 9:27amCHICAGO – John Travolta has fulfilled his career legacy of icon status, and he continues to work on projects that highlight his performance abilities. Fresh off his role as real-life Robert Shapiro in “The People Vs. O.J. Simpson,” Travolta takes on another historical figure in his portrayal of mobster John Gotti in the new film “Gotti.”
Interview, Audio: Director Mei-Juin Chen of ‘The Gangster’s Daughter’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 20, 2017 - 12:16pmCHICAGO – Opening Night of the fifth season of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema is Wednesday, September 20th, 2017, and the first film is a doozy. “The Gangster’s Daughter” is a different take on the popular Taiwanese mobster movie, a relationship film as much as the pure crime. At the helm is director Mei-Juin Chen, with her first narrative film.
Exclusive Photo: Remembering Frank Vincent of ‘The Sopranos’ & ‘Goodfellas,’ Dead at 80
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 16, 2017 - 4:15pmCHICAGO – Frank Vincent always looked good, no matter what role he was playing, but he mostly portrayed mafia types, and was styling as those guys as well… he even wrote a book on dress, “A Guy’s Guide to Being a Better Man.” He was best known as Phil Leotardo on the legendary HBO series, “The Sopranos,” and he passed away at age 80 in New Jersey on September 13th, 2017.
Film Review: ‘The Family’ Whacks Obsession with Mafia Movies
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 12, 2013 - 7:59pmCHICAGO – “The Godfather” saga, “Goodfellas,” “Donnie Brasco,” “The Departed” – the list of America’s obsessive adoration of organized crime and mafia movies goes on and on. Finally, one film comes along to virtually kill the genre, the almost-unwatchable “The Family.”
Film Review: ‘Kill the Irishman’ Offers History as Explosions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 18, 2011 - 4:54pmCHICAGO – The amalgamation of big time unions and organized crime in post-WW2 industrial America is as enlightening as any struggle for power. Cleveland, Ohio, in the 1950s thru the ‘70s was both on the waterfront and had the East Coast influence of New York City’s most notorious crime families. That history is wasted in “Kill the Irishman.”