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CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Jim Henson: Idea Man,” directed by Ron Howard and featuring Frank Oz and The Muppets. Streaming on Disney+ beginning May 31st.

Jim Henson was born in Mississippi and raised there and in Maryland. He answered an ad for a Washington, D.C. television station in the 1950s … they were looking for a puppeteer … and astoundingly, Henson got the job with no previous puppetry experience. Partnering with Jane Nebel, who would eventually become his wife, the two created the beginnings of the Muppet phenomenon by gearing their comedy towards adults. Eventually forming a company, Jim and Jane were able to get by through commercials and TV work through the 1960s, until Henson practically invented Sesame Street in 1969. Always itching for new avenues of creativity, he launched “The Muppet Show” in 1976, and began the juggernaut that he was about to sell to Walt Disney Studios right before his death. Along the way he continued his fascination with pushing the boundaries of creativity and his own imagination with cohorts like Frank Oz (voice of Miss Piggy) and Carroll Spinney (Big Bird).

“Jim Henson: Idea Man” is streaming on Disney+ beginning May 31st. Featuring Frank Oz, Carroll Spinney and the Muppets. Written by Mark Monroe. Directed by Ron Howard. Not Rated.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “Jim Henson: Idea Man”

Jim Henson: Idea Man
Photo credit: Disney+

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “Jim Henson: Idea Man”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Ezra,” featuring Bobby Cannavale and Robert De Niro as a son and father, struggling to help raise an autistic boy. In theaters on May 31st.

William Fitzgerald portrays the title character, an autistic boy in New York City who is being co-raised by his divorced parents Max (Bobby Cannavale) and Jenna (Rose Byrne). Max is an at-the-brink stand up comedian who lives with his father Stan (Robert De Niro). When Max attacks one of Ezra’s doctors, he is forced into a restraining order, but decides to take matters into his own hands and kidnaps his son, and takes a road trip while learning that he’s landed a gig on the Jimmy Kimmel show. As law enforcement, his ex-wife and Stan pursue Max and Ezra, the whole situation comes into focus.

“Ezra” is in theaters on May 30h. Featuring William Fitzgerald, Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Rainn Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Written by Tony Spiridakis. Directed by Tony Goldwyn. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “Ezra”

Ezra
Photo credit: Bleecker Street Media

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “Ezra”

CHICAGO – When Sandra Abrevaya met her future husband Brian Wallach while on the staff of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, their future seemed bright. But then Brian was was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and his prognosis was dim. Their story is told in “For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign.”

The films tells that Brian was given just six months to live, which inspired the couple’s expertise to create legislation to help other ALS patients to gain access to new experimental drugs and disability benefits. Brian decided to become a face of the disease, recruiting other patients to become a founder of “I Am ALS.” In the story of Brian and Sandra’s efforts to cut through the red tape of Washington, D.C., the highest level of inspiration, passion and success is the result. The film is currently streaming on Prime Video since May 28th, 2024.

For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign
Photo credit: Prime Video

Brian Wallach is one of the most impressive individuals I have ever met, and with his wife Sandra Abrevaya define the power couple. Their work in using the labyrinth of government for true progress and healing … not to mention preserving Brian’s life … is a lesson in its process, energy and unrelenting love and passion. Not only will Brian and Sandra inspire you, but they are a beacon for what is possible when using the resources and skills of their humanity … the doc is must-see positivity and the audacity of hope.

Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago talked to the power couple Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya (from the 58th Chicago International Film Festival), about process, expression and the extraordinary journey ... "For Love & Life.”

In a video clip from the interview with Sandra Abrevaya and Brian Wallach, the couple talks about the challenges of their campaign. The rest of the interview is transcribed …

HollywoodChicago.com: When you decided to give ALS a public face in this campaign, starting with yourself, what was the reaction initially from other ALS sufferers to expose themselves so to speak, when the first and forgivable instinct is to go away before eventually going away because of the terminal nature or the disease?

Brian Wallach: I think that has been the best thing about ‘I am ALS,’ it has created a community where people do not feel ashamed or afraid to share their story. Instead, they see the power in their lived experience and their ability to give voice to what we live through with ALS.

So for me, the whole reason we did this was to make sure that people see that ALS can and does affect anyone, and is part of the solution to many neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimers and beyond.

HollywoodChicago.com: How did the film become part of what you were doing in the campaign, and how did you and director Christopher Burke decide how to tell the story, and keep creating the narrative, without the intrusiveness of constant filming?


Wallach: It began as Chris just tagging along with us and capturing footage that he knew would never be repeated because of my progression. What we ultimately did was try to tell the story that has the personal exposure which allows people to really engage with the film, but to balance that with the campaign itself. I will say also that we had to redo the film three or four times because we kept having amazing victories and we wanted to capture them.

Sandra Abrevaya: Yes, to that point we thought we were done with the film and then last December the ALS Act passed, so we thought that’s the real ending of the film. And then, just three weeks ago this first new drug in five years for ALS treatment – called Amylyx – was approved. So we held off submitting the film to the Chicago International Film Festival because we had to change the ending again.

HollywoodChicago.com: I’ve read Lou Gehrig’s biography, and the honesty about the disease in its last stages for him was counter to the notion of the “luckiest man” narrative … what problematics, in your point of view, was it to name ALS after him, but hide his public face as the disease ravaged him, as it affects everyone afflicted?


Wallach: The benefit of naming the disease after Lou Gehrig is that there is a whole lot of people who know about him, and don’t know the details of ALS. And this is an issue I’ve struggled with myself, because I’m so public, and I don’t want to make everything about the bad days.

Instead, I want to find a balance where I can educate people about ALS and how hard it is. As you can see right now I’m in a wheelchair, and I have to talk through Sandra … and no one ever wants to talk through their spouse. [laughs] But I also want to show there is real reasons for hope for patients living with ALS right now, and that has never been true for the 150 years previously … so we have a chance to help patients avoid the ending that Lou himself went through.

Sandra Abrevaya & Brian Wallach in ‘For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign’
Photo credit: Prime Video

HollywoodChicago.com: As human beings in general, we tend sometimes to collapse into our own selfishness, depression and anger … those being natural and human emotions. How does being selfless in this fight and campaign help to change your attitude about moments of selfishness, depression and anger? And what acts or work counter those emotions most effectively?

Abrevaya: Brian and I met while doing public service, it’s clearly something that even before we were diagnosed it fueled us, it made us feel good. So when we were diagnosed, we knew that we could … through a version of public service … change the course of this disease with our community and our network, we knew that would make us feel good. That’s the path we took for lots of reasons, but mostly because we saw possibility and that opening that we knew would fuel us.

Wallach: Adding to that, as we’ve been on this campaign I think we’ve become more open to and aware of the bad emotions and the good ones. So for me, I will say that each day I have a bad moment when I become depressed or when I feel selfish, but I will balance those out with an appreciation for all the amazing things that I’m lucky to have around me, and with a community that helps inspire each of us to dream bigger, and to do the impossible.

HollywoodChicago.com: To give someone an idea of what it is like to go from healthy to debilitated, what normal activity can you honestly say that you’ve missed the most, or have expressed that you have missed the most?

Wallach: There are two examples. Number one, it’s not being able being able to carry my daughters. I cannot do that anymore. And secondly, it’s having a conversation with my daughters as well. They often ask, “what did you say Dad?”

HollywoodChicago.com: What are the close-up elements of Barack Obama, that people do not consider, that if history serves him will carve his name into our story as one of the greatest of U.S. presidents?

Wallach: There is actually an amazing line from the documentary that didn’t make the final film. President Obama said when when you have community organizing you have the organization, but even more importantly you have community.

Abrevaya: One of the most remarkable things that President Obama did for Brian and I was in addition to teaching us the skills of organizing, he created this community … we call it the greater Obama family network. It has rallied around us in this remarkable way and has been a key part of this new campaign and made such an impact. In everything he’s doing, sharing and speaking about now, he’s encouraging the next generation to become leaders and believe in their ability to drive change.

We hope we’re carrying that torch in part, along with so many others, and it’s been a remarkable gift from him to give that to us and others.

Wallach: Most people focus on how smart he is us, but for me the most important trait is how he is able to be down to earth, and that is something we are missing because a lot of people tend to retreat into their silos. For example, when you have a president like Obama, and he walks into a restaurant and sits down with people, he will push them to revisit their pre-conceived notions about their fellow human beings. That would be the most important thing for us to carry forward.

Trailer, “For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign” …

HollywoodChicago.com: We live in divisive times, but your success in getting major legislation passed for ALS patients proved the power of the collective spirit and government to actually help people. In that experience, how can that continue despite our divisions?

Wallach: First, thank you. I think the thing I took away from this challenge that despite the background noise in politics today, if we’re able to reduce policy to a few key things that we all agree have to be done – that are not political but human – then we can actually see people come together and make them real.

It won’t be perfect, but look at the ALS Act … what I wrote the first time with member of Congress Mike Quigley and others was different from what was passed. But in what we did, we were able to say that it was not a “blue” or “red’ issue, this an issue about doing right with our fellow human beings. And with that mantra we were able to push through a bill forward that should have never passed because of the current political climate.

I’m always an optimist, and maybe we can use the same framework to do a few key things for our country. And once we do them, people will move away from defining truth about being whatever they want, and make truth be about how we help each other. That is what I hope the movie helps make real, among other things.

HollywoodChicago.com: Brian, what do you fear most about death or more importantly what don’t you fear as a lesson to all of us?

Wallach: What I fear most is not being here to watch my daughters grow up and have the time with Sandra to do more amazing things. On the other hand, I fear death a lot less than I used to, because as was once written, a person dies two times … the day that their body expires and the last day somebody mentions their name.

And for me I know that if my journey ends tomorrow my hope is I will have inspired people to keep dreaming and I will have given them the tools to make good trouble and to change the world. And that is all I can ask for.

”For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign” is streaming on Prime Video since May 28th, 2024. Featuring Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya. Directed by Christopher Burke.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – There is a new movie theater in Chicagoland’s Highland Park, with the Grand Opening of Wayfarer Theaters at 1850 2nd Street. On May 31st, the official start of a new era in theatergoing in Highland Park begins, with multiple screenings of “Ezra” from the theater’s sister company, Wayfarer Studios. For complete information on these FREE SCREENINGS and the theater, click WAYFARER.

Wayfarer Theaters Highland Park will open the space as a multi-use facility for films, live events, and conversation, following extensive renovations to the street-level lobby and second floor gallery, along with updates to auditoriums to provide an enhanced audience experience. The theater will also retain the spaces that were modernized in 2023, with luxury reclining seating options in two of the five auditoriums and an inviting café area that was added to the second floor.

May 31st, 2024
Photo credit: WayfarerTheaters.com

The Grand Opening free screenings of “Ezra” involves an autistic boy (William Fitzgerald) in New York City who is being co-raised by his divorced parents Max (Bobby Cannavale) and Jenna (Rose Byrne). Max is an at-the-brink stand up comedian who lives with his father Stan (Robert De Niro). When Max attacks one of Ezra’s doctors, he is forced into a restraining order, but decides to take matters into his own hands and kidnaps his son, and takes a road trip while learning that he’s landed a gig on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. As law enforcement, his ex-wife and Stan pursue Max and Ezra, the whole situation comes into focus.

In Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, General Manager Clayton Stamper of Wayfarer Theaters touts the Grand Opening …

In video clip, GM Stamper provides the pitch …

The Grand Opening of Wayfarer Theaters Highland Park takes place on May 31st, 2024, with complimentary screenings of “Ezra,” at 1850 2nd Street, Highland Park, Illinois. Click the link above for ticket purchase and information.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – When the word “Opera” is defined today, the person that would illustrate the word is Renée Fleming. The lyric soprano has done most major female opera roles, and has written a new book … “Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness” … and recently appeared at the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Renée Fleming has performed coloratura, lyric, and lighter spinto soprano operatic roles in Italian, German, French, Czech, and Russian, aside from her native English. A significant portion of her career has been the performance of new music, including world premieres of operas, concert pieces, and songs composed for her by André Previn, Caroline Shaw, Kevin Puts, Anders Hillborg, Nico Muhly, Henri Dutilleux, Brad Mehldau, and Wayne Shorter. 

Renée Fleming at the Chicago Humanities Festival, May 8, 2024
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Renée Lynn Fleming was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and got her Masters of Music from the Eastman School at the University of Rochester. She gave her first performance in what would become a signature role … Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s “Le nozzle di Figaro” … in 1984. She continued her study with a Fulbright Scholarship and the Julliard School, won New York’s Metropolitan Opera auditions in 1988, and made her debut with the New York City Opera as Mimi in “La Boheme.”

Her notable opera roles over the years are numerous and legendary … but her signature roles include the aforementioned Countess Almaviva, Desdemona in Verdi’s ”Otello,” Violetta in Verdi’s ”La traviata,” the title role in Dvořák’s ”Rusalka,” the title roles in Massenet’s ”Manon and Thaïs,” Tatyana in Tchaikovsky’s ”Eugene Onegin,” the title role in Richard Strauss’s ”Arabella,” the Marschallin in Strauss’s ”Der Rosenkavalier,” the Countess in Strauss’s ”Capriccio,” and Blanche DuBois in André Previn’s ”A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Ms. Fleming has been nominated for 18 Grammy Awards and has won five times. In June 2023, she was one of the five artists recognized at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors. Other notable honors won by Fleming have included the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur from the French government, Germany’s Cross of the Order of Merit, Sweden’s Polar Music Prize and honorary membership in England’s Royal Academy of Music. 

Renée Fleming and Her New Book
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Renée Fleming has also been an advocate for the study of the relationship between music and health, as well as the utility of music in neuroscience research. On April 9, 2024, Fleming’s anthology “Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness” was published and has a collection of essays about the health benefits of music and the arts, by scientists from leading research institutions, practitioners, educators, arts leaders, musicians, artists and writers.

HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce got the Exclusive Portraits of Renée Fleming at her appearance at the Chicago Humanities Festival on May 8th, 2024.

“Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness” by Renée Fleming is available wherever books are sold. The Chicago Humanities Spring Season 2024 is ongoing … click ChicagoHumanities.org for complete information on upcoming events, which take place through June 13th. Primary source material for this article is from Wikipedia.com.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). “Babes” expanded nationwide on May 24th for Memorial Day weekend.

Pamela Adlon at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

“Babes” is a hilarious riff on women friendships/bonding and an unexpected pregnancy. Eden (Ilana Glazer, also co-writer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are besties, having grown up together in New York City, and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree and single Eden finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she decides to have a baby on her own, and her friendship with Dawn will face its greatest challenge. “Babes” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of adulthood and becoming a parent.

Pamela Adlon is a mighty force of show biz awesomeness. In her early career, she was in the classic films “Say Anything … “ and “Grease 2.” She made name recognition with her husky-voiced characterization of Bobby Hill on the seminal animated series “King of the Hill,” which led to a varied animation VoiceOver career. She also had major supporting roles in “Californication” and “Louie” (on which she also produced and wrote episodes). But her big TV splash was on FX’s “Better Things,” the five-season series that she co-created, wrote, produced, directed and starred in.

Pamela Adlon Strikes Another Pose
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce got the Exclusive Portraits of Pamela Adlon on the Red Carpet at the Chicago Critic’s Film Festival on May 4th, 2024.

In Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com on the Red Carpet from the 2024 CCFF, Director Pamela Adlon gives the pitch for “Babes” …

CLICK HERE for the 4.5/5 review of “Babes” by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

“Babes” released nationwide on May 24th. See local listings. Featuring Ilana Glazer, Michelle Buteau, Hasan Minhaj, Stephan James, Sandra Bernhard, Oliver Platt. Written by Ilana Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz. Directed by Pamela Adlon. Rated “R”

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for The Beach Boys,” the latest rock documentary on the most famous California band of the 1960s, featuring insights from Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Al Jardine. Currently streaming on Disney+ since May 24th.

The core of The Beach Boys were the Wilson brothers … vocalist/guitarist Carl, drummer Dennis and composer Brian, they were joined initially by cousin Mike Love and high school buddy Al Jardine. They caught a wave from 1962 and the next couple of years … combining the tight harmonies of the folk groups with the symphonic guitar sounds of the surf bands, The Beach Boys were on their way with their California Sound on hits like Surfin’ Safari, Surfer Girl, Surfing USA and later Fun Fun Fun and I Get Around … ten Top 10 singles up to 1964. When Brian wanted a new direction, which eventually became the pop masterpiece “Pet Sounds,” the band was also on its way to the next phase of their career.

“The Beach Boys” is currently streaming on Disney+, since May 24th. Written by Mark Monroe. Directed by Thom Zimney and Frank Marshall. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “The Beach Boys”

The Beach Boys
Photo credit: Disney+

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “The Beach Boys”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Garfield Movie,” an animated film based on the popular comic strip by Jim Davis, and featuring the Monday-hating, lasagna-loving Orange Tabby cat (voice of Chris Pratt) and his friends. In theaters on May 24th.

Garfield is introduced to his new generation audience as the fat cat owned by Jon (Nicholas Hoult) and lives with his “intern dog” Odie. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), Garfield and Odie find themselves part of a dairy farm heist involving Otto the Bull (Ving Rhames), Jinx the Persian Cat (Hannah Waddingham) and a security guard name Marge (Cecily Strong).

“The Garfield Movie” is in theaters on May 24th. Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicolas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Bowen Yang and Snoop Dogg. Screenplay adapted by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove and David Reynolds. Directed by Mark Dinal. Rated “PG”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “The Garfield Movie”

The Garfield Movie
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Releasing

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “The Garfield Movie”

CHICAGO – It’s no “Fury Road,” but “Furiosa” is a suitably high octane summer blockbuster that delivers the eye popping action that Mad Max fans come for. The film is a prequel to that Oscar winning film, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking over for Charlize Theron as the one armed, shaved headed all around world-class bad ass.

The film starts with a pint-sized Furiosa picking a piece of fruit in a lush landscape known as The Green Place. She’s abducted by a biker gang and taken back to Dementus’ fiefdom. Her mother nearly pulls off a daring rescue by cutting down bikers with a sniper rifle and fighting off whole hoards single handedly. Furiosa is held captive by Dementus and then essentially traded to rival warlord Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) after Dementus lays siege to Gastown, one of the three fortresses of the wasteland, along with Immortan Joe’s Citadel, which controls water, and the Bullet Farm.

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is in theaters beginning May 24th. Featuring Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Alyla Browne and Lachy Hulme. Written by George Miller and Nick Lathouris. Directed by George Miller. Rated “R”

Continue reading for Spike Walter’s full review of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Continue reading for Spike Walter’s full review of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “Wildcat,” co-written and directed by Ethan Hawke and featuring his daughter Maya as 20th Century writer Flannery O’Connor. Currently in select theaters since May 17th. See local listings.

Flannery O’Connor (Maya Hawke, who also portrays numerous roles in the short stories that are depicted) is a struggling writer of fiction in the late 1940s/early ‘50s who is flitting between New York City and her home is Georgia. When she begins to feel ill and breaks out in rashes, she is diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Lupus. Writing in her room for the rest of her life … she died at 39 … she produced three novels and 31 short stories, gathered in collections like “Everything that Rises Must Converge.”

“Wildcat” is in select theaters now, see local listings. Featuring Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, Steve Zahn, Vincent D’Onofrio, Alessandro Nivola and Liam Neeson. Written by Ethan Hawke and Shelby Gaines. Directed by Ethan Hawke. Not Rated.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “Wildcat”

Wildcat
Photo credit: Oscilloscope Laboratories

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “Wildcat”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new documentary “Power,” directed by Yance Ford, as a supplement informational survey of the history and militarization of the U.S. police force. Currently streaming on Netflix since May 17th.

Power in policing began with the patrols that went after runaway slaves pre the civil war, and from those white supremacist roots escalated and evolved to today’s police, equipped with paramilitary gear and aggressive and sometimes shoot-first tactics. With police unions demanding and for the most part receiving immunity from their actions, it becomes only these policing forces that can use violent POWER.

“Power” is currently streaming on Netflix. Written by Yance Ford and Ian Olds. Directed by Yance Ford. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “Power”

Power
Photo credit: Netflix

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “Power”

CHICAGO – One of the most reliable and relatable character actors in film is Greg Kinnear. The actor, Oscar nominated for “As Good As It Gets,” has been working steadily in film and TV ever since he made a splash on the scene with “Talk Soup.” From there he was cast in the remake of “Sabrina,” and his roles ascended from there. His latest film role is in “Sight.”

One of America’s great Eye Doctor/Scientists is Ming Wang (Terry Chen), a Chinese-American immigrant who came from nothing to become one of the world experts on curing blindness through breakthrough discoveries. When a case of a blind girl from India falls on his lap, it leads to one of this greatest sight reviving ideas, with help from his colleague Misha Bartnovsky (Greg Kinnear). In this incredible true story, Wang goes over his life in flashback, including his survival during China’s cultural uprising in the 1970s.

Greg Kinnear in ‘Sight’
Photo credit: Angel Studios

The film’s story, half of which takes place in Wang’s flashbacks, is the journey of the eye doctor/scientist who uses his past to aid his ideas in the present, and it was a notable way to tell an uplifting story. Kinnear’s supporting role make them an odd Batman and Robin of the eye world, and GK’s steady presence provides a grounding to Wang’s difficult work, visionary thinking and research obsession. This is a fine come-from-nothing and spiritual truth telling about an unlikely medical hero.

Greg Kinnear was born in small town Logansport, Indiana, He was the son of a career diplomat, which meant moving a lot and living overseas as a child. He came into prominence when he hosted the first version of “Talk Soup” on the E! Network in 1991. Four years later, he made a splashy film debut as David Larrabee in the 1995 remake of Billy Wilder’s “Sabrina,” directed by Sydney Pollack.

Three years later, he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his 1997 role in “As Good As it Gets.” Through his career, he has taken a variety of different character parts, including portraying the double life of sitcom star Bob Crane in “Auto Focus” (2002), but he’s also familiar from “You’ve Got Mail,” “Someone Like You” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” His latest roles include “Flash of Genius” (2010), as JFK in TV’s “The Kennedys” (2011) “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” (2013) and a notable part in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” in its last season.

In Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Greg Kinnear talks about “Sight” and his career adventures …
CLICK HERE for a 2014 interview with Greg Kinnear by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

”Sight” is in theaters on May 24th. Featuring Greg Kinnear, Terry Chen, Ben Wang, Fionnula Flannigan and Wai Chin Ho. Written by Andrew Hyatt, John Dulgan and Buzz McLaughlin. Directed by Andrew Hyatt. Rated “PG-13”

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – One of the great partners of local filmmaking in the Chicago area is Noisefloor Sound Solutions. The company provides the ambience for storytellers not only in cinema, but for the wide range of creative endeavors in the 21st Century … including TV, Web Series, Video Games and of course, Podcasts.

Starting with just two sound experts in 2005, Noisefloor has grown to a 13 person staff of sound designers, music composers, producers, audio implementors, mixers and location recordists. The team has brought their talent and passion to such projects as the films “Hoop Dreams,” “Apollo 13” and the recent locally produced ”Single Car Crashes”, in addition to the HALO series of video games. With their variety of sound services, Noisefloor’s client list ranges from Coca Cola to EGO to The Big Ten Network to Warner Bros.

Noisefloor Sound Solutions
Photo credit: Noise-Floor.com

Katie Waters is a Foley Artist (reproducing Sound Effects) and provided the tour of Noisefloor’s expansive facilities for me. She began at the company in 2016 as Studio Manager, and has also been a producer on projects for the sound and music tracks. In 2021 she was promoted to in-house Foley Artist. Our tour concluded in their podcast studio, where we conducted the following interview about Noisefloor and her work.

In Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Foley Artist Katie Waters talks about Noisefloor Sound Solutions, and quality of the Podtalk emanates from their in-house podcast studio …

In a clip from the video portion of the Podtalk, Noisefloor’s sound services are described …

Noisefloor Sound Solutions is located at 320 Ohio Street in Chicago. Click NOISEFLOOR for more information regarding the facility and services.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – 2112 is a Chicago Incubator, helping start-ups and entrepreneurs develop, specifically in the creative-entertainment-music industries. 2112 unobtrusively stands in a former industrial district on Chicago’s northwest side. What began (and remains) as a music venture called Fort Knox Studios, has evolved into 2112.

2112 is focused on the Entertainment & Creative Industries, as well as Lifestyle Brands. With a huge space housing rental music spaces, production facilities, a major studio stage for filmmaking, podcast studios and a bullpen of interactive idea people/start-ups/businesses, 2112 is fast becoming the place to get things done.

Rob Tovar (inset) & Work Stations at 2112
Photo credit: 2012Inc.com

Rob Tovar is the Co-Founder and Director of the Hangar, the aforementioned studio stage, and an Operations Director at 2112. In the last decade Rob has been involved with multi-media sales, operations and productions. Some of Rob’s recent projects have included the acclaimed TV series CBS “Redline,” NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” and the feature films “Come as You Are,” ”Chasing the Blues” and “Signature Move.” Production show runs musicians and bands include Chance the Rapper, Smashing Pumpkins, Spite, Non-point, Night Ranger, Chevelle, and Louis the Child.

In Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Rob Tovar of 2112 talks about the scope of the organization …

In a clip from a 2022 World Business Chicago video, a tour of the facilities via Rob Tovar…

The 2112 Music, Film and Tech Incubator is located at 4245 North Knox Avenue, Chicago. Click 2112 for more information and background.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – When in the presence of a powerful acting force like Michael Shannon, the depth of performance is emotional and passionately essential. He co-leads with Travis A. Knight in Red Orchid Theatre’s World Premiere of Levi Holloway’s “Turret,” just extended to June 22nd at the Chopin Theatre. For tickets and info, click TURRET.

The story, written and directed by Levi Holloway, is set in a dystopian future, as two men are holed in an underground bunker, after an unnamed event has poisoned the air outside the protective room. Green (Michael Shannon) is a military officer, and Rabbit (Travis A. Knight) is an enlisted grunt who share the bunker space. The place is outfitted with electricity generation, data processing and supplies, which interests an outsider named Birdy (Lawrence Grimm). Can humanity survive in such conditions? 

Red Orchid’s ’Turret’ at the Chopin Theatre Extended through June 22nd
Photo credit: RedOrchidTheatre.org

Audio Theater Review of “Turret” by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com …

CLICK HERE for an interview with co-lead actors Michael Shannon and Travis A. Knight by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

Red Orchid Theatre presents “Turret,” extended through June 22nd at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 West Division Street, Chicago. Featuring Michael Shannon, Travis A. Knight and Lawrence Grimm. Written and directed by Levi Holloway. For more information on Red Orchid, click here.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 16th, reviewing “Babes,” the director debut of Pamela Adlon (FX’s “Better Things). In select theaters on May 17th. See local listings.

Eden (ilana Glazer) is a nutty yoga instructor in New York City, who hangs with her lifelong best pal Dawn (Michelle Buteau), and they are with each other when Dawn delivers her second child with husband Marty (Hasan Minhaj). On a long subway ride home, Eden meets Claude (Stephan James), an actor who she immediately is attracted to. After a one night stand later, Eden is preggers and finds out that Claude is ghosting her because he actually has died. With only her best friend, who is exhausted with two kids, Eden will try to single mother her way into a new world.

“Babes” is in select theaters on May 17th. See local listings. Featuring Ilana Glazer, Michelle Buteau, Hasan Minhaj, Stephan James, Sandra Bernhard, Oliver Platt. Written by Ilana Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz. Directed by Pamela Adlon. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “IF”

Babes
Photo credit: A24

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “IF”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 16th, reviewing “IF” (which means Imaginary Friend) a new live action/animated epic written and directed by John Krasinski. In theaters on May 17th.

12-year-old Bea (Calley Fleming) has lost her mother to cancer and is trying to leave behind her childhood. When her Dad (John Krasinski) also has a hospital stay, the girl retreats further into a pre-pubescent angst. While staying with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw), Bea notices some strange goings-on in the apartment above them, including an animated bee creature (voice of Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and a put-upon caretaker named Calvin (Ryan Reynolds). It turns out they’re trying to match their collective of IFs (Imaginary Friends) to new kids who will believe in them, and Bea turns out to be the perfect organizer for that task.

“IF” is in theaters on May 17th. Featuring John Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Calley Fleming, Fiona Shaw and Bobby Moynihan, as well as the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Awkafina, Emily Blunt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Jon Stewart, Written and directed by John Krasinski. Rated “PG”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “IF”

IF
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “IF”

CHICAGO – Writer/director Michael Glover Smith’s award-winning feature film “Relative” (2022) was snapped up by Chicago-based Music Box Films, and will have its Digital release on May 21st, 2024. But first, how about one more special screening at the historic Music Box Theatre on Wednesday, May 15th. Click RELATIVE at for tickets and info.

“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.

Relative
Photo credit: Music Box Films

Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor (at Oakton Community College, the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and elsewhere), and is based in Chicago. His first feature film, “Cool Apocalypse,” premiered in 2015, the same release year as his first book, “Flickering Empire: How Chicago Invented the U.S. Film Industry.” His next two films were “Mercury in Retrograde” in 2017, and “Rendezvous in Chicago” in 2018. “Relative” was delayed 13 months due to the pandemic, and was complete in 2021. His latest short film, doing the festival circuit, is “Handle with Care.”

In PART ONE of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, writer/director Michael Glover Smith explains that everything is “Relative” …

In PART TWO Professor Smith corrects the interviewer’s French pronunciation, the origin of which has been cleverly edited out …

In a Video Clip, Michael Glover Smith gives the pitch …

Trailer for “Relative” …

”Relative” will screen in Chicago at the Music Box Theatre on May 15th, 2024, with the digital release through Music Box Films on May 21st (click here). Featuring Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Cameron Scott Roberts, Elizabeth Stam, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney. Written and directed by Michael Glover Smith. Not Rated.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “I Saw the TV Glow,” written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun (“We’re all Going to the World’s Fair”). Currently playing in Chicago, opening wider nationwide on May 17th, 2024. See local listings.

Owen (younger - Ian Foreman, older - Justice Smith) is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate Maddy (Bridgette Lundy-Paine) introduces him to a mysterious late-night cable TV show, “The Pink Opaque” … a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack, even after a number of years go by.

“I Saw TV Glow” is in Chicago theaters now, opening wider nationwide on May 17th. See local listings. Featuring Justice Smith, Bridgette Lundy-Paine, Fred Durst, Danielle Deadwyler and Ian Foreman. Written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “I Saw the TV Glow”

I Saw the TV Glow
Photo credit: A24

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “I Saw the TV Glow”

CHICAGO – When an entrepreneur is also a storyteller, they work to make that creativity happen. Ian LeWinter is the co-founder of Film.io, or FILMIO, a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) that seeks to make a creator’s dream come true in the ever-evolving Film and TV production industry. Click FILM.IO to begin the journey.

Simply put, Film.io is the world’s most powerful decentralized filmmaking (and TV series) ecosystem, placing Hollywood decision-making into the hands of creators and fans. Film.io leverages blockchain technology and fan collaboration to provide filmmakers with an end-to-end solution for creating, funding, and distributing their projects.

Film.io
Photo credit: Film.io

FAN Tokens are used to join and participate in the Film.io DAO, allowing creators (as DAO members) to submit their projects as “proposals,” while asking fans to show their support for the projects they believe in by staking their tokens. Film.io also had a significant presence at the 2024 SXSW Festival, sponsoring the Filmmakers Lounge.

Ian LeWinter has 30 years experience in creative industries, managing communications in the technology and entertainment verticals. His strategies have been used to brand and promote industry heavyweights such as Toshiba, Intuit, Tenet Healthcare and Kyocera. As a founder, Ian developed and implemented strategy for ID, which included the identification, engagement and conversion of key influencers for entertainment clients such as Cox Communications. Ian also has acted as Executive Producer for Alicia Keys and Brad Paisley televised concerts. He also co-created the world’s first superhero (“Blank”) created in real-time on Twitter in 2007.

In Part One of a Podtalk interview by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, co-founder Ian LeWinter of film.io talks about the platform …

In Part Two, Ian talks nuts and bolts …

In a Video Clip, Ian LeWinter goes global …
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For more information on Film.io, Go to their knowledge base by clicking FILMIO.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com