September 2019

Film News: Female Filmmakers Night at Midwest Independent Film Festival, Oct. 1, 2019

2019 Female Filmmakers Night

CHICAGO – It’s the popular Female Filmmakers Night for the First Tuesday Midwest Independent Film Festival, falling on the first day of October, 2019. Nine films will screen at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, with the event beginning at 6pm.

Film Review: Visual Beauty Can't Cover Up Cultural Vagueness in 'Abominable'

abominable1

CHICAGO – The changing view on yetis goes to show just how different my childhood was from kids growing up today. Back in my day, yeti’s were elusive creatures meant to be feared, much like Big Foot or Loch Ness. Films like “Smallfoot” and “Abominable” are paving the way towards acceptance were we ever to encounter a yeti, but the latter is more of a step back than forwards.

Visual Beauty Can't Cover Up Cultural Vagueness in 'Abominable'

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.5/5.0
Rating: 2.5/2.5

CHICAGO – The changing view on yetis goes to show just how different my childhood was from kids growing up today. Back in my day, yeti’s were elusive creatures meant to be feared, much like Big Foot or Loch Ness. Films like “Smallfoot” and “Abominable” are paving the way towards acceptance were we ever to encounter a yeti, but the latter is more of a step back than forwards.

Film Review: Zellweger's Star Power Single-Handedly Saves Stale 'Judy'

CHICAGO – Even before I figured out my own sexuality, Judy Garland’s status as a gay icon was known to me. I wouldn’t understand why until much later in my life, but sure as the sky was blue, the city was emerald, and the brick road was yellow, I knew I was a friend of Dorothy. Heartbreakingly, “Judy” paints a bleak portrait of the star, but never takes a look at the bigger picture.

Zellweger's Star Power Single-Handedly Saves Stale 'Judy'

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Even before I figured out my own sexuality, Judy Garland’s status as a gay icon was known to me. I wouldn’t understand why until much later in my life, but sure as the sky was blue, the city was emerald, and the brick road was yellow, I knew I was a friend of Dorothy. Heartbreakingly, “Judy” paints a bleak portrait of the star, but never takes a look at the bigger picture.

Theater Review: Nothing Without a Company’s ‘Pakalolo Sweet’ Takes on Mental Health

Pakaloho Sweet

CHICAGO – Playwright Hannah Ii-Epstein is a Hawaiian native who is bringing her unique point of view regarding that U.S.“State of Mind” to the Chicago stage. The theater group Nothing Without a Company presents her latest, “Pakalolo Sweet.” through October 5th, 2019, at the Berger Mansion in the Edgewater neighborhood. Click here for more details, including ticket information.

Film News: 7th Annual ‘Shortcut 100’ Film Fest at Chicago’s Logan Theatre, Sept. 28, 2019

2019 Shortcut 100

CHICAGO – The short film gets its due at one of Chicago’s premiere micro-lengthed movie festivals. Twelve shorts from around the world – presented by Nebula Creatives –will unspool at the 7th “Shortcut 100” International Film Festival at the Logan Theatre in the Logan Square neighborhood on September 28th, 2019. For more details and tickets, click here.

Podtalk: Mike Houlihan of 5th Irish American Movie Hooley, in Chicago Sept. 27-29, 2019

2019 Irish American Movie Hooley

CHICAGO – Since Chicago is one of the great Irish immigrant cities in the U.S., it stands to reason that a film festival would be dedicated to Irish American films, and Mike Houlihan – a local writer/radio host/playwright/actor/filmmaker – founded this festival in in the Windy City in 2015.

Podtalk: Director/Lead Actor Molly Hewitt Premieres ‘Holy Trinity’

CHICAGO – Molly Hewitt is an artist from England who has created a whole world of “Glamhag,” the catch-all term for an inclusive celebration of gender fluidity and performance. Hewitt has a Chicago Premiere as a director (and title character) in the film “Holy Trinity” on September 27th, 2019, at the Music Box Theatre.

Interview: Seiji Tanaka & Yoji Minagawa of ‘Melancholic’ at Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema

Melancholic

CHICAGO – Season Nine of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) celebrates Japan this week, and brought in the writer/director Seiji Tanaka and lead actor Yoji Minagawa to represent their film “Melancholic.” This crime drama combines a man’s inability to enjoy life with hired assassins at a bathhouse.

Podtalk: Producer Jerry Vasilatos on Chicago 48 Hour Film Project 2019 Awards on Sept. 25

2019 48 Hour Film Project

CHICAGO – It comes down to this. After the weeks of preparation, filming and post production judging, the local edition of the international 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) competition culminates with their “Best of Chicago” and Awards Ceremony. The 2019 films – created in 48 hours, then whittled down to the finalists – will be screened before the awards ceremonies beginning at 7:00pm, Wednesday, September 25th, at the historic Music Box theater. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com was a judge for this year’s competition, and will present an award at the ceremony. For film line-ups and ticket information, click here.

Interview: Huo Meng of ‘Crossing the Border’ at Asian Pop-Up Cinema, Plus Japan Week Preview

Crossing the Border

CHICAGO – Season Nine of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) celebrated China on the week of September 15th, and brought in the writer/director Huo Meng to represent his film “Crossing the Border.” The drama of generations blends old and new China through the relationship of a boy and his grandfather.

Podtalk: Writer/Producer Alice Austen on ‘Give Me Liberty,’ in Chicago through Sept. 26, 2019

Give Me Liberty, Alice Austen

CHICAGO – Moving from writing plays for the stage to writing for film may seem like a natural transition. But at the roots in each of these separate storytelling forms there are different ways of formulating the connection between dialogue and visuals. Alice Austen made this transition when she wrote – with director Kirill Mikhanovsky – the story and screenplay for “Give Me Liberty.”

Film News: Reeling Film Festival Opens with 'The Shiny Shrimps'

CHICAGO - Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival is not only one of the longest-running film festivals of its kind, but also one of the longest-running film festival in Chicago. The quality of films here shouldn’t be missed. Every year, Reeling is brimming with diverse stories from a variety of cultures around the world, alongside more than a few projects from Chicago locals like Lilly Wachowski.

Interview: Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema Features ‘The Enigma of Arrival’ on Sept. 19, 2019

Enigma of Arrival, The

CHICAGO – Season Nine of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), continues on Thursday, September 19th, 2019, with the North American Premiere of China’s “The Enigma of Arrival.” Director Song Wen will appear on behalf of the film, moderated by Jennifer Dorothy Lee of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. at AMC River East 21 in downtown Chicago.

Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2019 at Douglas Park in Chicago

| Image 1 of 11 |
Kelli of Skating Polly at Riot Fest, Chicago, 1 of 11

CHICAGO – Skating Polly, Anthrax, The Story So Far, Turnstile, Rise Against, The Damned Things and more incredible bands performed at Riot Fest in Chicago’s Douglas Park on September 12th and 13th, 2019. Photographer Jeff Doles of HollywoodChicago.com was there on both days, and took the following Exclusive Photos

Film Review: 'Hustlers' Is Flashy But Empty Stripper Crime Caper

CHICAGO – This striper crime caper is flashy, buffed to a high gloss, and more entertaining and watchable than it has any right to be. But it’s never quite as smart, or layered as it seems to think it is. Constance Wu from “Crazy Rich Asians” stars as the proverbial stripper with a heart of gold, Destiny.

'Hustlers' Is Flashy But Empty Stripper Crime Caper

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – This striper crime caper is flashy, buffed to a high gloss, and more entertaining and watchable than it has any right to be. But it’s never quite as smart, or layered as it seems to think it is.
Constance Wu from “Crazy Rich Asians” stars as the proverbial stripper with a heart of gold, Destiny.

Podtalk: Director Yedidya Gorsetman on Sept. 2019 VOD Release of ‘Empathy, Inc.’

Empathy, Inc.

CHICAGO – A film that made its world premiere in Chicago – at the 2018 Cinepocalypse Film Festival – is making its way into the national consciousness. “Empathy, Inc.,” directed by Yedidya “Jed” Gorsetman, has a theatrical run in the first half of September, (including Chicago) before the release with Video-On-Demand on 9/24.

Interview: Lee Min-Jae Brings Zombies to Chicago on Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s Opening Night

Lee Min Jae

CHICAGO – Season Nine of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) opened with an undead celebration as director Lee Min-Jae brought his hilarious horror satire “The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale” to Chicago on September 10th, 2019. The film was part of a South Korea themed week for APUC, as it launched its latest series.

Podtalk: Wendy Sharon of Wilmette Theatre for ‘This Changes Everything,’ Sept. 13, 2019

This Changes Everything

CHICAGO – When the world broke open during the historic #MeToo entertainment industry scandal, the incidents were simply the tip of the gigantic iceberg. “This Changes Everything” goes deeper behind the subject of women in film, to expose a system in show business that has consistently lacked in opportunities for female filmmakers and production workers. The historic Wilmette (Illinois) Theatre will screen the documentary as part of a Women Filmmaker Celebration on September 13th, 2019 (7pm), with a panel discussion moderated by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. For more details and tickets, click here.

Podtalk: Christopher Biewer of ‘Vendors,’ Screening at iO Theater Chicago, Sept. 14, 2019

Vendors, Christopher Biewer

CHICAGO – With the major league baseball playoffs on the horizon, there is no better way to celebrate than a screening of the ballgame-themed TV pilot “Vendors,” created by Christopher Biewer, directed by Joel Murray and featuring Biewer, Kim DeJesus, Tim Kazurinsky, Emo Philips and former Chicago Cub Ryan Dempster.

Interview: Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema Features South Korea’s ‘Juror 8’ on Sept. 12, 2019

Juror 8

CHICAGO – Season Nine of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), continues on Thursday, September 12th, 2019, with the Chicago Premiere of South Korea’s “Juror 8.” Director Hong Seung-Wan will appear on behalf of the film, moderated by Korean film writer Darcy Paquet. at AMC River East 21 in downtown Chicago.

Film News: Zombies for Opening Night of 9th Asian Pop-Up Cinema Series, Sept. 10, 2019

Zombies on Sale

CHICAGO – Its Opening Night for Season Nine of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), and the first film is a hilarious horror satire. South Korea’s “The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale” has its Chicago Premiere on Tuesday, September 10th, 2019, at AMC River East 21 in downtown Chicago. Director Lee Min-Jae will appear on behalf of the film.

Exclusive Photos: Rachel Dratch & Friends are ‘Superior Clean’

CHICAGO – The cleanest Improvisation act took place at Chicago’s Navy Pier on August 25th, 2019. Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Rachel Dratch & Friends headlined the Cottonelle Superior Clean County Fair for National Toilet Paper Day (8/26). Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com got the Exclusive Photos.

HollywoodChicago.com ESP, En Español: 'It Chapter Two' y 'Official Secrets'

CHICAGO – 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 News: ‘Filmscape Chicago’ Event at Cinespace Film Studios on Sept. 7 & 8, 2019

Filmscape Chicago

CHICAGO – There is an expo this weekend that is providing educational and product info for the entire Chicago filmmaking community, and every other interested party. FILMSCAPE CHICAGO will take place on September 7th and 8th, 2019, at the magnificent Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. The event itself is free, with some small fee educational panels. For details, hours and ticket information, click here.

"Chapter 2" Lacks crucial "IT" factor

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.5/5.0
Rating: 2.5/5.0

CHICAGO – “It Chapter 2” has some of the same problems as its source material, and the previous adaptation of the Stephen King spine-tingler. It has a great beginning, but the ensuing story never tops or reaches the same level as that first scene. So in Chapter 2’s slog on to an ultimately unsatisfying ending, we are witnessing a yarn literally unraveling before our very eyes.

Interview: Local Band whitewolfsonicprincess to Appear at Evanston’s Space, Sept. 4, 2019

Local band wwsp

CHICAGO – The venue called Space is one of the finer rooms in Chicagoland – specifically Evanston, Illinois – and one of the finer local bands will be making an appearance on Wednesday, September 4th. whitewolfsonicprincess (wwsp) will be playing tunes off their third album, “The Alternate Boot,” released in February of this year, and selections from their entire catalog.

Film News:‘All Creatures Here Below’ at Midwest Independent Film Fest, Sept. 3, 2019

All Creatures Down Below

CHICAGO – Two notable Midwestern filmmakers recently teamed up for their second film together, as the Midwest Independent Film Festival presents “All Creatures Here Below,” written by Colllin Schiffli and lead actor David Dastmalchian, and directed by Schiffli. After acclaim for their first shot-in-Chicago effort, “Animals” (2014), the duo widened their landscape palette in this road picture, as two desperate souls (Karen Gillan and Dastmalchian) seek asylum in their hometown Kansas City. The night’s activities begins at 6pm on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019, at the Landmark Century Cinema in Chicago, with an after party to follow the screening. Click here for details and tickets.

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