October 2021

DAY FOUR: Holly Morris of 'Exposure' at 57th Chicago International Film Fest, Oct. 16, 2021

CHICAGO – Day Four of the 57th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) will feature a filmmaker appearance by Holly Morris of the documentary “Exposure” (click EXPOSURE for details), and many other special events.

Film Review: 'Halloween Kills' Challenges What We Know About the Franchise

CHICAGO – There’s no way around it, horror is one of the most difficult film genres to work within. It constantly needs to be evolving in order to keep up with the ever-growing terror that is living in the 21st century. It becomes harder and harder to fear something, like say, a possessed doll you could probably just stop by kicking it away.

'Halloween Kills' Challenges What We Think We Know About the Franchise

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

CHICAGO – There’s no way around it, horror is one of the most difficult film genres to work within. It constantly needs to be evolving in order to keep up with the ever-growing terror that is living in the 21st century. In a time where you can get taken out by a plague, or simply get shot based on the color of your skin, horror draws the short straw in that it has to come up with something much scarier than real life.

DAY THREE: Thriller Films on Tap at 57th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 15, 2021

CHICAGO – Day Three of the 57th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF), and the festival kicks into gear with many notable films, including the much anticipated thriller “Antlers” at the ChiTown Movies Drive-In (click ANTLERS for details).

DAY TWO: Tony Scott-Green, Composer of ‘Sink’ at Chicago International Film Fest, Oct. 14, 2021

CHICAGO – It’s Day Two of the just-begun 57th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF), and the spotlight shines on local short films at the CITY & STATE program, which includes ”Sink” directed by Curtis Matzke, with music composed by Tony Scott-Green. Click the titles for more information.

Via Zoom: Raul Benitez on the After Dark Series, Chicago International Film Festival

2021 CIFF After Dark

CHICAGO – One of the more popular series at the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) – opening tomorrow, October 13th, 2021 – is the After Dark series. The title screams horror films, but the series also focuses on outliers in categories such as sci-fi, fantasy and the just plain bizarre.

Via Zoom: Joshua Young of Chicago Southland International Film Festival, Oct. 11-17, 2021

Chicago Southland Film Fest

CHICAGO – South of Chicago, specifically the south suburbs, is Governors State University (University Park, Illinois). Emerging from the pandemic is the Chicago Southland International Film Festival, which takes place October 11th through the 17th, 2021, and is presented by the University.

On-Air Film Review: Black Sheep of the Family! Review of ‘Lamb’

Lamb

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 7th, 2021, reviewing the new A24 independent film “Lamb,” in select theaters beginning October 8th.

Black Sheep of the Family! On-Air Review of ‘Lamb’

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 Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 7th, 2021, reviewing the new A24 independent film “Lamb,” in select theaters beginning October 8th.

On-Air Film Review: The Bonding Agent! Review of ‘No Time to Die’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 7th, 2021, reviewing the new James Bond epic “No Time to Die” in theaters beginning October 8th.


The Bonding Agent! On-Air Review of ‘No Time to Die’

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 Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 7th, 2021, reviewing the new James Bond epic “No Time to Die” in theaters beginning October 8th.

Via Zoom: Maria Finitzo’s ‘The Dilemma of Desire, on Oct. 5, 2021

CHICAGO – “The Dilemma of Desire,” a sex education film (but much more) that should be shown everywhere, is about women’s biology, the female freedom of desire and the equality of honest dialogue. Created by filmmaker Maria Finitzo, this doc is being released on October 5th, 2021, on the digital streaming service ALTAVOD. For more info and to stream click The Dilemma of Desire.

Via Zoom: Sophia Wong Boccio on Hong Kong Films in October 2021 for Asian Pop-Up Cinema

2021 Asian Pop Up Cinema

CHICAGO – The Season 13 “second half” of Chicago’s Asian Pop Up Cinema (APUC) will focus on several Hong Kong films, leading up to the Season 13 Closing Night (“Limbo”). Click each film to link for more info and tickets.

Film Review: ‘Vemom: Let There Be Carnage’ is One of the Worst Modern-Era Comic Book Films

Venom 2

CHICAGO – The best that can be said for “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” is that it is mercifully short. Otherwise this is an appalling incomprehensible mess of misbegotten ideas, uninspired action sequences, and truly woeful performances.

‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ is One of the Worst Modern-Era Comic Book Films

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 0.5/5.0
Rating: 0.5/5.0

CHICAGO – The best that can be said for “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” is that it is mercifully short. Otherwise this is an appalling incomprehensible mess of misbegotten ideas, uninspired action sequences, and truly woeful performances. Those expecting some comic book fun are treated instead to the bizarre odd couple act of Tom Hardy arguing with himself …

Film Review: ‘The Addams Family 2’ is Pure Torture for Old & Young

Addams Family 2, The

CHICAGO – Sometimes sequels serve as a cinematic do-over, a second chance to fix what they got wrong the first time. Other times, they offer a chance to build on the bones of a good story and make it better.

‘The Addams Family 2’ is Pure Torture for Old & Young

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 1.0/5.0
Rating: 1.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Sometimes sequels serve as a cinematic do-over, a second chance to fix what they got wrong the first time. Other times, they offer a chance to build on the bones of a good story and make it better. But all too often, they’re lazy cash grabs to half forgotten films where no one seems to have learned any lessons from the first outing …

Via Zoom: Director Maria Finitzo’s ‘The Dilemma of Desire’ at Midwest Film Festival, Oct. 2, 2021

Dilemma of Desire, The Midwest Film Festival

CHICAGO – The Midwest Film Festival, which launched a reboot in the beginning of 2020, will hold their first in-theater event – at Chicago’s downtown Gene Siskel Film Center – since that time.

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  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

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