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).
Patrick McDonald
Film Review: ‘Magic in the Moonlight’ is Woody Allen By the Book
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 3:53pmCHICAGO – After last year’s powerful “Blue Jasmine,” writer/director Woody Allen’s trajectory seemed destined toward another film masterpiece, but “Magic in the Moonlight” isn’t it. Colin Firth and Emma Stone are an unlikely pairing in this seen-it-before-Woody film trifle.
Film Review: Emotional Destiny Versus Science Debate in ‘I Origins’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 3:33pmCHICAGO – In the current debate between metaphysical spirituality or intelligent design versus scientific and provable fact, there are demands regarding the religious or metaphysics that do not relate to those facts. What the new film “I Origins” hopes to provide for, is that there is room for both forms of mysticism in our lives, if only the eyes remain open.
Film Review: Script Weakens Cast, Director in ‘And So it Goes’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 11:28amCHICAGO – “And So it Goes” can be summed up in its incredibly weak title, as just lazy hackery. In attempting to tell a story of redemption for a old white rich man, the film falls back on clichés, predictability, improbability, overdone physical comedy and stereotypes. The first-time pairing of Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, and the direction of old pro Rob Reiner, couldn’t overcome the stench of the hackneyed screenplay.
Interview: Comedian Gabriel Iglesias For ‘The Fluffy Movie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 24, 2014 - 10:38amCHICAGO – One the hottest, most creative and “fluffiest” stand-up comics working today is Gabriel Iglesias. The comedian riffs on the circumstances of his own life, as he deals with his adventures in the comedy world. He has put that all together in a new stand-up concert film, appropriately entitled “The Fluffy Movie.”
Interview: Director Mike Cahill, Actor Michael Pitt on ‘I Origins’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 23, 2014 - 7:46pmCHICAGO – The debate between science and intelligent design (God) will go on as long as man evolves and searches for answers. A new and provocative film, “I Origins,” takes on the challenge of the debate through storytelling, and features hot actor Michael Pitt (“Boardwalk Empire”), directed by Mike Cahill (“Another Earth”).
Interview: Director Rob Reiner on Latest Film ‘And So it Goes’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 23, 2014 - 12:18pm- 1960s
- A Few Good Men
- Activism
- All in the Family
- And So it Goes
- Carroll O’Connor
- Clarius Entertainment
- Diane Keaton
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Interview
- Jean Stapleton
- Michael Douglas
- Misery
- Patrick McDonald
- Progressives
- Rob Reiner
- Stand by Me
- The American President
- The Princess Bride
- The Smothers Brothers
- This is Spinal Tap
CHICAGO – Rob Reiner has lived two distinct show business lives. He played a major role in one of the most famous television shows in history, “All in the Family,” and broke out afterward as a classic American film director, with hits such as “This is Spinal Tap” and “The Princess Bride.” His latest film is “And So it Goes.”
Movie News: Film, TV Icon James Garner Dies at 86
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 20, 2014 - 9:26amLOS ANGELES – He was the guy that could take care of things for you, with a wink of the eye and a slightly cynical air. Handsome star James Garner distinguished himself in both film and television, and passed away on July 19th, 2014, in Los Angeles after a long stretch of health problems. He was 86.
Slideshow: ‘Glee’ Star Chris Colfer Tours Chicagoland for New Book
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 19, 2014 - 10:31amCHICAGO – The irrepressible character of Kurt Hummel from the popular TV series “Glee” came to Naperville, Ill. in the guise of Chris Colfer: the actor who portrays him. Colfer is also an author and was at Anderson’s Bookshop to greet fans and promote his book “The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning”.
Film Review: Circumstances of Life, Truth Exist in ‘Boyhood’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 5:08pmCHICAGO – Life is made up of moments, as the philosophy of the new Richard Linklater film wants to convey. What formulates a person’s ideals and soul, born in a certain place and time? Over 12 years, the writer and director created a fictional family using the same actors in “Boyhood.”
Film Review: ‘Wish I Was Here’ Will Make You Wish You Weren’t There
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 11:47amCHICAGO – Writer, director and lead actor Zach Braff has put it on the line for his latest feature, “Wish I Was Here.” He infamously used a crowd funding Kickstarter campaign to maintain creative control of the film, but he needn’t have bothered. The movie result is a sappy, high concept emotional manipulator with no basis in authenticity, and that might be the best thing that can be said about it.