CHICAGO – The story of “Little Women,” by Louisa May Alcott, has been an American institution since its publication in 1869. The story of four girls-to-little-women during the American Civil War, with their indomitable mother holding down the household while their father is away in the war, was a perfect candidate to become a Broadway musical. The Brown Paper Box Co. (BPBCo) is currently presenting a brilliant adaptation of that musical for the storefront stage, and its emotion, music craft and energy is nothing sort of a triumph… this small theater company that could does it again. The show has various evening/matinee performances at the The Strawdog Theatre in Chicago through February 9th, 2018. Click here for more details, including ticket information.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Podtalk: Joel Edgerton & Garrard Conley for ‘Boy Erased’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2018 - 11:57amCHICAGO – In “Boy Erased,” the story is based on a memoir by Garrard Conley, about his experiences going through “gay conversion” therapy… that exists to change a gay person to a straight person. Director/actor Joel Edgerton adapted Conley’s book, and created a heart-breaking film of real American institutions that try to deny nature.
Podtalk: Exec Director Brent Kado of the 8th Chicago Comedy Film Festival, Nov. 9-11, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 7, 2018 - 8:35amCHICAGO – It is time once again for Chicago to get its funny on, in the category of contemporary comedy films. The 8th Chicago Comedy Film Festival (CCFF) is from November 9th to 11th, 2018, and this year the Fest will be doing their primary screenings at Columbia College on South Wabash Avenue. For direct ticket information, click here.
Film News: Next Screening for Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema is ‘Dear Ex’ on Nov. 8th, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 7, 2018 - 1:41amCHICAGO – Season Seven of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) continues on Thursday, November 8th, 2018, with “Dear Ex,” a story of duplicity and acceptance. The Taiwanese film will make its North American premiere at APUC, and includes an appearance by co-director Hsu Chih-yen.
Exclusive Photo: Tiffani Thiessen Invites Us to ‘Pull Up a Chair’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2018 - 6:20amCHICAGO – Tiffani Thiessen’s career has been “cooking” lately, as she’s been hosting “Dinner at Tiffani’s” for the Cooking Channel and has a new recipe book out called “Pull Up a Chair.” The former “Saved by the Bell” and “Beverly Hills 90210” star recently appeared at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville (Illinois).
Film News: Advertising Community Shorts at Midwest Independent Film Festival, Nov. 6th, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 5, 2018 - 8:33amCHICAGO – The opportunity to showcase talent beyond day-to-day client work is one of the reasons the Advertising Community Shorts is one of the most popular “First Tuesdays” of the Midwest Independent Film Festival. On November 6th, 2018, ten short films will screen, selected by a jury of advertising professionals throughout Chicago. For more information about the jury, the event schedule and ticket info, click here.
Film Review: A Star is Re-Examined in ‘Making Montgomery Clift’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 3, 2018 - 9:50pmCHICAGO – Montgomery “Monty” Clift was an enigma as a “movie star” from the minute his image reflected from the silver screen. Dark and intense, he exhibited a inner ferocity that was unmatched from any other actor of his era, including Marlon Brando. Because of the enigma, his persona has often been mischaracterized, and he died young in his mid-forties. His nephew Robert Anderson Clift seeks to revitalize the authentic Monty in the new documentary “Making Montgomery Clift.”
Podtalk: Filmmaker Gabe Polsky is ‘In Search of Greatness’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 2, 2018 - 9:08amCHICAGO – What is “greatness”? Is it an undefinable element in human beings that no one can explain, or can we get insight if we listen to those who have achieved it? Documentary filmmaker Gabe Polsky (“Red Army”) went on a journey to understand the concept in his new film, “In Search of Greatness.”
Film Review: ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ is Beautiful, But Broken
Submitted by JonHC on November 1, 2018 - 2:57pmCHICAGO – Film has always felt like a much more accessible way to get cultured than, say, going to watch a play or opera. Watching a foreign film can educate you about the world and history as well as any play. “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” promised that kind of experience, but your time is better served catching the actual ballet at a local theater instead.
Film Review: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was Destined to Celebrate Queen
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 1, 2018 - 10:03amCHICAGO – The lyric “And now it’s ‘Easy Come/Easy Go/Little High/Little Low” from the song/movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” might just be the best description of this rock band biopic. The high is the celebration of the band Queen and its unforgettable lead singer Freddie Mercury, and it is enough to get through the story “lows.”
Exclusive Photo: Busy Philipps is Living Up to Her Name
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 31, 2018 - 10:47amCHICAGO – Yep, “Busy” is her nickname, and that describes Elizabeth Jean “Busy” Philipps in October of 2018. Besides releasing a memoir, “This Will Only Hurt a Little,” Ms. Philipps also has launched the talk show “Busy Tonight” on the E! Channel, also with her regular slate of prime acting gigs.
Film Review: Growing Up Fast in the Skateboard Life of ‘Mid90s’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 29, 2018 - 9:36amCHICAGO – Character actor Jonah Hill has just scored behind the camera. As writer/director of a authentic look back at the “Mid90s” he went back to his inner source of growing up in that 1990s time, skateboarding with his buds and experiencing the teenage life. The story never blinks, as the teens are authentic and the situations they get in even more so.
Film Review: Sub Movie ‘Hunter Killer’ is Absurd and Entertaining
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 29, 2018 - 6:42amCHICAGO – The United States military as superheroes has never gotten a better workout than in “Hunter Killer,” the title that sounds like a Halloween-themed movie, but it’s a style of submarine that seeks to adjust our geo-political balance. Gerard Butler is the commander hoping to prevent World War 3.
Film News: FREE SCREENING of 'Ritoma' at Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema on Oct. 26th, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 25, 2018 - 8:53amCHICAGO – Season Seven of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) continues on Friday, October 26th, 2018, with a FREE SCREENING of “Ritoma,” a film about the surprising obsession of Tibetian nomads regarding basketball. The U.S.
