CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
January 2017
Film Review: Joy of Life Expands When Meeting ‘Toni Erdmann’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 30, 2017 - 10:43amCHICAGO – If you need a little cinema therapy, it doesn’t get any better than “Toni Erdmann.” This subtle story builds to generate a joyful feeling, which defines the small-but-important survival guides for this thing called life. Writer/director Maren Ade has delivered the goods, and the film is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Joy of Life Expands When Meeting ‘Toni Erdmann’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 30, 2017 - 10:37amRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – If you need a little cinema therapy, it doesn’t get any better than “Toni Erdmann.” This subtle story builds to generate a joyful feeling, which defines the small-but-important survival guides for this thing called life. Writer/director Maren Ade has delivered the goods, and the film is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Photo Gallery: ‘America’s Got Talent’ Star Aiden Sinclair’s ‘Illusions of the Passed’ Magic Show
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 29, 2017 - 10:10pmCHICAGO – While vacationing in Colorado, an unusual twist of fate landed me before “America’s Got Talent” star Aiden Sinclair while staying at The Stanley Hotel. His one-man show, “Illusions of the Passed,” took place in the billiards room of the hotel where Stephen King’s “The Shining” was inspired. Here are photos from the unusual experience.
Photo Gallery: The Lumineers at Allstate Arena on Jan. 20, 2017
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 29, 2017 - 9:59pmCHICAGO – The Lumineers sold out Chicago’s Allstate Arena on Jan. 20, 2017. HollywoodChicago.com photographer Layne Lindroth brings you front-row photos illustrating the incredible folk/rock show. Enjoy!
Theater Review: Brown Paper Box Co. Dances ‘The Baltimore Waltz’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 29, 2017 - 11:54amCHICAGO – During the scourge of the AIDS epidemic, at its height in the late 1980s, a playwright lost her brother to the condition. Inspired by him, Paula Vogel wrote “The Baltimore Waltz,” a story about her and her brother’s travels through Europe – and filtered through the prism of fantasy and the movies. The Brown Paper Box Company presents a re-staging of the play in Chicago through February 19th, 2017.
HollywoodChicago.com ESP, En Español: ‘xXx,’ ‘Split,’ ‘Paterson’ y ‘20th Century Women’
Submitted by JonHC on January 28, 2017 - 6:48amCHICAGO – Cada semana, HollywoodChicago.com le traerá las criticas de las películas que hemos visto y que están saliendo esa semana, pero en español. HollywoodChicago.com ESP no sólo representa HollywoodChicago.com Espanol, sino también Esta Semana en Peliculas.
What is HollywoodChicago.com ESP? / Que es HollywoodChicago.com ESP?
Submitted by JonHC on January 28, 2017 - 6:30amCHICAGO – This week, we’re introducing HollywoodChicago.com ESP. What exactly is HollywoodChicago.com ESP? Well, in an attempt to keep up with our ever-growing and evolving readership, we will now be providing film reviews in Spanish. HollywoodChicago.com has always prided itself on being inclusive and progressive, and we know that many of our readers learned English as a second language. We have heard your suggestions and here is our response.
HollywoodChicago.com ESP, En Español: ‘xXx,’ ‘Split,’ ‘Paterson’ y ‘20th Century Women’
Submitted by JonHC on January 28, 2017 - 5:15amCHICAGO – Cada semana, HollywoodChicago.com le traerá las criticas de las películas que hemos visto y que están saliendo esa semana, pero en español. HollywoodChicago.com ESP no sólo representa HollywoodChicago.com Espanol, sino también Esta Semana en Peliculas.
Film Review: Matthew McConaughey is All That Glitters in ‘Gold’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 27, 2017 - 12:24pmCHICAGO – The relish that Matthew McConaughey displays in creating his latest character in “Gold,” a Willy Loman-type mining exec who is looking for his biggest score, is most of the reason to experience the film. However, there isn’t exactly a motherlode when it comes to the story.
Matthew McConaughey is All That Glitters in ‘Gold’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 27, 2017 - 12:19pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The relish that Matthew McConaughey displays in creating his latest character in “Gold,” a Willy Loman-type mining exec who is looking for his biggest score, is most of the reason to experience the film. However, there isn’t exactly a motherlode when it comes to the story.
Interview: Oriana Oppice of Women in Film Chicago & Their Open House on Jan. 26, 2017
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 26, 2017 - 7:37amCHICAGO – Women in Film Chicago (WIFC) continues its role as one of the best resource and advocacy groups for women filmmakers and their supporters. The organization has roots to the 1970s, when the first WIFC group was formed in Los Angeles, and the Chicago chapter has experienced strong growth, both in numbers and what it offers to its membership. The WIFC will be celebrating all of this with their Open House, January 26th, 2017, at Columbia College in Chicago (details below).
Entertainment News: TV Icon Mary Tyler Moore Dies at 80
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 25, 2017 - 5:39pmGREENWICH, CONN. – She was the ideal woman for two generations of TV viewers, first in the 1960s as wife Laura to comedy writer Rob Petrie on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” and then in the 1970s as feminist breakthrough Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Ms. Moore died on January 25, 2016, near her home in Greenwich, Conn. She was 80.
Film News: ‘La La Land’ Gets Record 14 Oscar Nominations for 2017
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 24, 2017 - 12:21pm- 2017
- 89th
- Academy Award
- Arrival
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Picture
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Fences
- Film News
- Hacksaw Ridge
- Hell or High Water
- Hidden Figures
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jimmy Kimmel
- LA LA Land
- Lion
- Manchester by the Sea
- Moonlight
- Nominations
- Oscar
- Patrick McDonald
CHICAGO – The film musical “La La Land” received 14 nominations (including Best Picture), tying a record, as all nominees were announced for the 89th Academy Awards on January 24th, 2017. The rest of the Best Pictures nominees were “Arrival,” “Fences,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Hell or High Water,” “Hidden Figures,’ “Lion,” “Manchester by the Sea” and “Moonlight.”
Film Review: M. Night Shyamalan Returns, Full of Personality in ‘Split’
Submitted by JonHC on January 23, 2017 - 4:50pmCHICAGO – M. Night Shyamalan is a complicated filmmaker whose work seems to reflect a variety of different sides to the artist. “The Visit” marked a return to a new, yet familiar side of Shyamalan that most of us thought blew away with “The Last Airbender.” it seems “Split” marks the return/re-emergence of the too-long departed Shyamalan that we thought was buried in the past.
M. Night Shyamalan Returns, Full of Personality in ‘Split’
Submitted by JonHC on January 23, 2017 - 4:29pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – M. Night Shyamalan is a complicated filmmaker whose work seems to reflect a variety of different sides to the artist. “The Visit” marked a return to a new, yet familiar side of Shyamalan that most of us thought blew away with “The Last Airbender.” It seems “Split” marks the return/re-emergence of the too-long departed Shyamalan that we thought was buried in the past.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Passes to ‘Gold’ With Matthew McConaughey
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 21, 2017 - 4:59pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new film “Gold” starring Matthew McConaughey!
Entertainment News: Travel & Adventure Show Returns to Chicagoland on Jan. 21 & 22, 2017
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 20, 2017 - 1:15pmCHICAGO – Travel buffs and soulful adventurers will get a taste of the upcoming year in wanderlust at the Travel & Adventure Show, returning to Chicago on January 21st and 22nd, 2017, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The show features leading destinations, local experts, celebrity travel speakers and vendors that highlight everything you need to get to those special destinations.
Exclusive Portrait: Hail to the Chief, a Tribute to President Barack Obama
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 20, 2017 - 12:19pmCHICAGO – The year was 2006, and the photographer was Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com. The portrait subject was the future president of the United States, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. For the first time, on his last day in office, we publish this portrait of the 44th executive representative of America.
Film Review: ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ is Action as Phantasm
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 20, 2017 - 11:27amCHICAGO – The true miracle of “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” – besides constantly breaking the law of physics – was making the sonorous line readings of Vin Diesel almost palatable. This over-the-top action fantastic turns up every implausibility dial to the red zone, but satisfactorily entertains.
‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ is Action as Phantasm
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 20, 2017 - 11:23amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The true miracle of “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” – besides constantly breaking the law of physics – was making the sonorous line readings of Vin Diesel almost palatable. This over-the-top action fantastic turns up every implausibility dial to the red zone, but satisfactorily entertains.
Film Review: Gravity of Poetic Dreams Carry Weight in ‘Paterson’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 20, 2017 - 11:12amCHICAGO – What is more ordinary than a man alone with his thoughts, and then applying those thoughts to paper in the form of poetry? “Paterson” is a celebration of such ritual, and other dreams in the working class. It never panders, it never makes the “hero” that heroic, but it does challenge him in an ordinary sense, to work it out as meaningful poetics.
Gravity of Poetic Dreams Carry Weight in ‘Paterson’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 20, 2017 - 11:08amRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – What is more ordinary than a man alone with his thoughts, and then applying those thoughts to paper in the form of poetry? “Paterson” is a celebration of such ritual, and other dreams in the working class. It never panders, it never makes the “hero” that heroic, but it does challenge him in an ordinary sense, to work it out as meaningful poetics.
Film Review: Michael Keaton is a Man with a Brand in ‘The Founder’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 19, 2017 - 8:57pmCHICAGO – Michael Keaton is the real reason to see “The Founder” – it’s a movie that probably wouldn’t work at all without him. Keaton portrays Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald’s into a multinational fast food behemoth. But “The Founder” is an origin story of both the man and the brand…and Kroc is not the genius of American business he’s been made out to be.
Michael Keaton is a Man with a Brand in ‘The Founder’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 19, 2017 - 8:52pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Michael Keaton is the real reason to see “The Founder” – it’s a movie that probably wouldn’t work at all without him. Keaton portrays Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald’s into a multinational fast food behemoth. But “The Founder” is an origin story of both the man and the brand…and Kroc is not the genius of American business he’s been made out to be.
Film Review: ‘Monster Trucks’ May Be One of the Weirdest Films Ever
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 18, 2017 - 7:05pmCHICAGO – A four year old walks into a room with a great idea for a movie, and unfortunately his father is president of a “motion picture group.” Millions of dollars and four years later, this child’s idea became “Monster Trucks,” one of the strangest movies ever conceived.
‘Monster Trucks’ May Be One of the Weirdest Films Ever
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 18, 2017 - 7:02pmRating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – A four year old walks into a room with a great idea for a movie, and unfortunately his father is president of a “motion picture group.” Millions of dollars and four years later, this child’s idea became “Monster Trucks,” one of the strangest movies ever conceived.
Film Feature: 10 Worst Films of 2016, by HollywoodChicago.com
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 18, 2017 - 11:24amCHICAGO – Film reviewing can be a blood sport – not everything is a highfalutin art night at the cinema. The three reviewers of HollywoodChicago.com – Patrick McDonald, Spike Walters and Jon Espino – did spend some time wasting energy on some really bad movies in 2016, and lived to tell about it.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Pairs of IMAX Passes to ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ With Vin Diesel
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 17, 2017 - 2:16amCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening IMAX movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new film “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” starring Vin Diesel!
Photo Gallery: Humorcore Rock Band Psychostick at Bada Brew on Jan. 12, 2017
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 17, 2017 - 1:40amCREST HILL, Ill. – HollywoodChicago.com photographer Jeff Doles brings you a front-row seat to humorcore rock band Psychostick’s performance at Bada Brew on Jan. 17, 2017. Self-coined a “humorcore” band, Psychostick is an American comedy rock band from Tempe, Ariz. who is known for their silly imagery and usage of humor in their songs and lyrics. Enjoy!
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Passes to ‘The Founder’ With Michael Keaton
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 16, 2017 - 1:47am- Adam Fendelman
- B.J. Novak
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- John Carroll Lynch
- John Lee Hancock
- Kate Kneeland
- Laura Dern
- Linda Cardellini
- Michael Keaton
- Nick Offerman
- Patrick Wilson
- Ray Kroc
- Robert D. Siegel
- Saving Mr. Banks
- The Blind Side
- The Founder
- The Weinstein Company
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new true-story film “The Founder” starring Michael Keaton about the creation of McDonald’s!