January 2021

Film News: Virtual 2021 Sundance Film Festival Keeps Delivering

On the Count of Three

CHICAGO – The 2021 Sundance Film Festival is now in Day Four, offering over 20 premieres on January 31st. This year’s festival is virtual and online, meaning anyone with a ticket or a pass can indulge in the film offerings throughout the festival, which runs until February 3rd.

Film Review: Firth and Tucci Deliver Stellar Performances in 'Supernova'

CHICAGO – Stars are a concept that I don’t think I will ever understand. Giant celestial bodies of gas and fire that burn and shine with an unimaginable intensity. Their spherical appearance masks a double-edge that can both bring and sustain life, or out-right end it. Love is much the same way, simultaneously nurturing us up until the moment it isn’t.

Firth and Tucci Deliver Stellar Performances in 'Supernova'

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Stars are a concept that I don’t think I will ever understand. Giant celestial bodies of gas and fire that burn and shine with an unimaginable intensity. Their spherical appearance masks a double-edge that can both bring and sustain life, or out-right end it. Love is much the same way, simultaneously nurturing us up until the moment it isn’t. Although Supernova doesn’t take us on the incredible interstellar adventure its title suggests, the grounded, emotional journey is still otherworldly.

Film News: Virtual 2021 Sundance Film Festival Kicks Off

CHICAGO – The 2021 Sundance Film Festival heads into Day Three after Opening Night and a full slate of films for Day Two. This year’s festival is virtual and online, meaning anyone with a ticket or a pass can indulge in the film offerings throughout the festival, which runs until February 3rd.

Film Review: Big Time Acting! On-Air Review of ‘The Little Things’

Little Things, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on January 29th, 2021, reviewing the new release “The Little Things,” premiering on HBO MAX and in theaters on January 29th, 2021.

Big Time Acting! On-Air Review of ‘The Little Things’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on January 29th, 2021, reviewing the new release “The Little Things,” premiering on HBO MAX and in theaters on January 29th, 2021.

Film Review: Uncovering the Past! On-Air Review of ‘The Dig’

Dig, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 28th, 2021, reviewing the new film “The Dig,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 29th, 2021, PLUS a preview of the virtual and online Sundance Film Festival.

Uncovering the Past! On-Air Review of ‘The Dig’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 28th, 2021, reviewing the new film “The Dig,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 29th, 2021, PLUS a preview of the virtual and online Sundance Film Festival.

Film News: Virtual 2021 Sundance Film Festival Opening Night

CHICAGO – The 2021 Virtual Sundance Film Festival opens tonight (January 28th) with six films … “CODA,” “In the Same Breath,” “Flee,” “Summer of Soul” “One for the Road” and “Censor” will kick off the fest, available online tonight and Saturday for the second viewing. For descriptions, ticket information and schedules, click here.

Film News: Virtual 2021 Sundance Film Festival Available to All, Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2021

CHICAGO – If you ever wondered about the mystery and excitement of one of the premiere film festivals in any year – and traditionally the first one out of the gate – the Sundance Film Festival for 2021 will be virtual and online due to the ongoing pandemic, and accessible to all for the price of a ticket or pass.

Via Zoom: Actress Anna Gold in ‘Broke AF’ on Amazon Prime Video

CHICAGO – These days, getting to “prime time” often means getting a film or series to Amazon Prime Video. Chicago-based actress Anna Gold got that streaming distinction, after collaborating on a TV series called “Broke AF” … created by Maurice Profitt. In Episode Three she portrays Polly, fresh from a small town and living in the big city.

Podtalk: Rula Gardenier of ‘Breaking Fast,’ Available Thru Video-On-Demand, Jan. 22, 2021

Rula Gardenier

CHICAGO – After a successful festival run, the film “Breaking Fast” – a heartwarming gay romantic comedy – was released through Video-On-Demand on January 22nd, 2021. One of the key screenings previously was at REELING, the international Chicago LGBTQ+ film fest, and during that time an actor from Chicago with a vital role, Rula Gardenier, talked about “Breaking Fast” and her move to Los Angeles.

Film Review: Gotta Serve Somebody! On-Air Review of ‘The White Tiger’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 21st, 2021, reviewing the new film “The White Tiger,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 22nd, 2021.

Gotta Serve Somebody! On-Air Review of ‘The White Tiger’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 21st, 2021, reviewing the new film “The White Tiger,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 22nd, 2021.

Film Review: Hey-Hey My-My! Audio Review of ‘Rock Camp: The Movie’

Rock Camp: The Movie

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 15th, 2020, reviewing the new film “Outside the Wire,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 15th, 2021.

Hey-Hey My-My! Audio Review of ‘Rock Camp: The Movie’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com does an Audio Film Review on January 15th, 2021, with an overview of the new film “Rock Camp: The Movie,” opening on virtual cinema – including MusicBox.com in Chicago – on January 15th, 2021.

Film Review: Inside the Dire! On-Air Review of ‘Outside the Wire’

Outside the Wire

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 15th, 2020, reviewing the new film “Outside the Wire,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 15th, 2021.

Inside the Dire! On-Air Review of ‘Outside the Wire’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 15th, 2020, reviewing the new film “Outside the Wire,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 15th, 2021.

Film Review: No Flipping! On-Air Review of ‘WandaVision’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on January 15th, 2021, reviewing the new series from Disney+ and Marvel Studios, “WandaVision,” kicking off Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

No Flipping! On-Air Review of ‘WandaVision’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on January 15th, 2021, reviewing the new series from Disney+ and Marvel Studios, “WandaVision,” kicking off Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Via Zoom: Director Sam Pollard Revives the History of 'MLK/FBI'

CHICAGO – Sam Pollard has been a behind-the-scenes film editor/producer for most of his career, best known for his work with Spike Lee. But recently, after sporadic director assignments over the years, he has broken out with two major profile documentaries, one on Sammy Davis Jr. in 2017, and his most recent “MLK/FBI.”

Film News: Midwest Film Festival’s Virtual ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards on Jan. 14, 2021

2020 Best of the Midwest MMF

CHICAGO – Getting through Year 2020 intact would prove to be a major accomplishment for any monthly film festival, but the Midwest Film Festival (MFF) did it with both style and their trademark sense of a film community during a year where that was missing for so many. The Fest is going virtual and online for their BEST OF THE MIDWEST AWARDS on January 14th, 2021. 7-9pm. You’ll need a ticket for this spectacular event, click here for all the particulars, including General Admission and VIP levels.

Film Review: Stayin’ Alive! On-Air Review of ‘The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart’

Bee Gees Doc

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) in December of 2020, in a BONUS REVIEW of “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” now on HBO MAX.

Stayin’ Alive! On-Air Review of ‘The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) in December of 2020, in a BONUS REVIEW of “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” now on HBO MAX.

Film Review: A Little Drama! On-Air Review of ‘Stars Fell on Alabama’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 7th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Stars Fell on Alabama,” which is available now through Video-On-Demand.

A Little Drama! On-Air Review of ‘Stars Fell on Alabama’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 7th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Stars Fell on Alabama,” which is available now through Video-On-Demand.

Via Zoom: Misty Rowe of ‘Hee Haw’ & as Marilyn Monroe in Her Book ‘Misty Memories,’ PART TWO

CHICAGO – Misty Rowe is a Country Music cultural icon, through her many years with TV’s “Hee Haw,” but she also portrayed Marilyn Monroe in “Goodbye, Norma Jean” (1976). She remembers it all in her new memoir, “Misty Memories.”

Film Feature: The 10 Best Films of 2020, By Patrick McDonald

CHICAGO – In a world gone a bit madder and sadder, the films of 2020 were a welcome escape from the travails of weekly reality. Without theater exhibition by and large, films had to be experienced on smaller home screens, shrinking bold cinematography and emphasizing the story.

Slideshow: In Memoriam Dawn Wells, Mary Ann of ‘Gilligan’s Island’

| Image 1 of 6 |
Dawn Wells in a 2017 salute to her Gilligan’s Island past.

CHICAGO – To top off the end of 2020, it was announced on December 30th that Dawn Wells, best known for the girl-next-door role she had as Mary Ann on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” had passed away due to COVID complications. She was 82. Dawn Wells was also a friend of HollywoodChicago.com, and had posed for the camera of photographer Joe Arce on several occasions.

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