Patrick McDonald

CHICAGO – Some mothers are born great, others have greatness thrust upon them. The Mom of “The Meddler” – portrayed with precise intuition by Susan Sarandon – is of the greatness-of-the-future variety, by simply evolving to be herself. Rose Byrne as daughter Lori tags along.

CHICAGO – The combining of icon Susan Sarandon and a “smother mother” from New Jersey is unbeatable, especially under the sure hand of writer/director Lorene Scafaria. The distinctive voice that brought us “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,’ now is taking on mother/daughter relationships in “The Meddler.”

CHICAGO – Tom Hanks is using his golden years as a vehicle to stretch his performance skills, and his role as a sort of “Death of a Salesman” spin in “A Hologram for the King” gives him an opportunity to keep stretching. The stylish film floats within the focus on his character, and he delivers.

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Edward James Olmos of ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,’ ‘Stand and Deliver.’

CHICAGO – The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) was recently in town, and the geek world was in heaven. For three days, the best in the comic book, entertainment, TV and movie world were gathered at the McCormick Place convention center on the near south side.

CHICAGO – The Country Music industry has become as huge as any category of music entertainment. So Mark Roberts, the creator of the TV sitcom “Mike & Molly,” has fashioned a boisterous new play about the machinations of that genre of music industry, and gave it the plaintive title of “New Country.”

CHICAGO – “When two great saints meet, it’s a humbling experience,” said Paul McCartney of John and Yoko. Well that also applies to “Elvis & Nixon.” Their meeting, albeit brief, has layers of meaning for our times – and their time – and the movie with the “E&N” title exposes that meaning with humor and grace.

CHICAGO – It has been two weeks of films and culture for the 32nd Chicago Latino Film Festival, but all great things come to a conclusion. Thursday, April 21st, 2016, will be the final film gathering of the festival, at the Chicago History Museum, with a showing of “No Kids,” from Argentina.

CHICAGO – Hot off the PERFECT SCORE review for (click the title) The First Monday in May comes a fashion event at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, on April 21st, 2016, It will be the first time the theatre will host a fashion show – in conjunction with a screening of the film – and it will be curated by Elle Val, an online Chicago boutique.

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. – She was an actress, model, bodybuilder and even adult film star, but Chyna – AKA Joanie Laurer – will always be remembered as the “Ninth Wonder of the World” during her undefeated reign as World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Woman’s Champion and gender crossover WWF Intercontinental Champion. She was found dead on April 20th, 2016, in her Redondo Beach (California) home at the age of 45.

CHICAGO – Combining punk rock, neo-Nazism and horror is not an easy balancing act, but filmmaker Jeremy Saulnier (“Blue Ruin”) was up to the task. As a former punker himself, it was natural to transfer the energy of that music, and translate it into a slash and burn scary movie. It’s time to step into the ‘Green Room.’