March 2022

Film News: Asian Pop-Up Cinema Presents the Filipino ‘Islands’ to Stream April 1-3, 2022

Islands

CHICAGO – Season 14 of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) continues with the Midwest Premiere of “Islands” – written and directed by Martin Edralin – streaming on APUC’s website from April 1st-3rd, 2022, and featuring a post-film Q&A from Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

Theater Review: Otherworld Theatre in Immersive ‘Murder on Horizon’ Thru May 1, 2022

Murder on Horizon

CHICAGO – Time to get back to live stage shows! The Otherworld Theatre of Chicago (Wrigleyville Neighborhood) presents an immersive sci-fi experience – AKA audience participation – on a space station, enticingly titled “Murder on Horizon.” The audience is part of solving the mystery as a futuristic gumshoe goes from suspect to suspect to find the killer of a prominent scientist.

Podtalk: The ‘Daniels’ on ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’

CHICAGO – One of the more “strap in and enjoy” movie experiences of 2022 is in theaters on April 1st. “Everything Everywhere at Once” is about the multi-universes, but not in the superhero realm and not what you’d expect. This surreal treat comes from the “The Daniels” … co-writers and directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.

Flashback Interview: Jada Pinkett Smith on Her Life and Times

Jada Pinkett Smith, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – The person in the middle of The Slap seen around the world – upon Chris Rock by Will Smith at the 94th Academy Awards – was Will’s wife of 24 years, the actor and musician Jada Pinkett Smith. She had shaved her head due to a diagnosis of alopecia, and Chris Rock raised Will Smith’s ire by making a joke about Pinkett Smith appearing in “G.I. Jane 2,” a reference to her military grade style. Jada Pinkett Smith was photographed in 2008 by Joe Arce and interviewed in 2015 by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

Audio Review: He’s Never Alone in Disney+ Series ‘Moon Knight’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio streaming series review on “Moon Knight,” a new addition to the Marvel Comics Universe roster of superheroes, featuring Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke, and streaming on Disney+ beginning Wednesday, March 30th.

Film News: Will Smith Slap on Chris Rock Mars CODA Best Picture Oscar

CHICAGO – Usually these Oscar wrap ups are ordinary. But in a shocking event at the 94th Academy Awards, eventual Best Actor winner Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Oh and by the way, CODA wins the Best Picture in a historic honor.

Oscar Day: 2022 Best Picture & Best Documentary Interviews

CHICAGO – Happy Oscar Day! The 94th Academy Awards takes place on March 27th, and Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com conducted two major interviews connected to nominees. Actor David Dastmalchian for “Dune” (Best Picture) and Director Jessica Kingdon for “Ascension” (Best Documentary).

Slideshow: Road to the Oscars … Nine Exclusive Portraits for the 94th Academy Awards

| Image 1 of 9 |
Oscar Host Amy Schumer on June 14th, 2012.

CHICAGO – Hollywood is rolling out the Red Carpet for the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 27th, and before the big night it’s time for an Exclusive Oscar Portrait Slideshow.

On-Air Film Review: Shirts Off for Channing Tatum in ‘The Lost City’

Lost City, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 24th, reviewing “The Lost City,” featuring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt, in theaters beginning March 25th.

Shirts Off for Tatum! On-Air Film Review of ‘The Lost City’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.0/5.0
Rating: 2.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 24th, reviewing “The Lost City,” featuring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt, in theaters beginning March 25th.

Podtalk: Susan Messing for the World Comedy Expo Chicago, March 25-27, 2022

Susan Messing, WCE 2022

CHICAGO – She is one of the best and most established improv artists in Chicago, the City of Yes-And. Susan Messing makes history wherever she goes, including her residency at the Annoyance Theatre with her famous “Messing with a Friend” revue, an ongoing and completely improvised hour of hilarity. Messing will be a part of the inaugural World Comedy Expo (natch), performing two shows (click link for tickets and info), MESSING WITH MASON, THE 1-Zs and plus facilitating a workshop, IMPROV FOR STAND UP.

Oscar Week: HollywoodChicago.com 2022 Oscar Predictions

CHICAGO – Here we go again. Welcome to the annual Oscar Predictions on HollywoodChicago.com, for 2022 (the 94th Academy Awards). The film/entertainment contributors – Patrick McDonald, Spike Walters and Jon Lennon Espino – are joined by guest Michael Glover Smith, the director of the upcoming film “Relative.”



Oscar Week: Producer Gigi Pritzker on Jessica Chastain in ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’

CHICAGO – The Oscars are this upcoming Sunday, March 27th, and one of the great performances of the year – nominated for Best Actress – is Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye Bakker in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” The producer of the film is Gigi Pritzker.

Via Zoom: Kerry Sheenan for Inaugural World Comedy Expo in Chicago, March 25-27, 2022

World Comedy Expo 2022

CHICAGO – It’s time to laugh, and just in time the World Comedy Expo is coming to Chicago this weekend – March 25th-27th, 2022 – and is offering an international showcase of stand-up comics, improvisation, sketch, panels and workshops all on the topic of generating laughs. Kelly Sheenan of Chicago is a co-founder.

SXSW22: Zara Katz & Lisa Riordan Seville on ‘A Woman on the Outside’

CHICAGO – Of all the films of the recent 2022 SXSW Festival, one documentary stood out as a profile of empathy. Co-directors Zara Katz and Lisa Riordan Seville presented “A Woman on the Outside,” an overview of a Philadelphia activist who advocates for prison reform while actually having – within her own story – three male family members in and out of incarceration.

In Memoriam: Merri Dee, Chicago Broadcasting Legend, Dies at 85

Merri Dee, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – She was a pioneer in a broadcasting business at a time when it was mostly white and male. The incomparable Merri Dee was a fixture in Chicago media beginning in the 1960s, breaking barriers as a black woman TV personality and newscaster. She passed away in Chicago on March 16th, 2022, at age 85.

SXSW2022: Director Billy Miossi on ‘It’s Quieter in the Twilight’

CHICAGO – As the 2022 SXSW Festival wraps up this weekend, many filmmakers brought their new works, and one that stood out is a new documentary on Voyager, the space probes (1 & 2) that were launched in 1977 and still miraculously are exploring the interstellar galaxy. Filmmaker Billy Miossi profiles the crew keeping tabs on the probes in “it’s Quieter in the Twilight.”

On-Air Film Review: Over Their Heads in ‘Deep Water’

Deep Water

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 17th, reviewing “Deep Water,” featuring Ben Affleck in an adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith novel, and is streaming on HULU beginning March 18th.

Over Their Heads! On-Air Film Review of ‘Deep Water’

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 March 17th, reviewing “Deep Water,” featuring Ben Affleck in an adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith novel, and is streaming on HULU beginning March 18th.

On-Air Film Review: Tailor Made Film Noir in ‘The Outfit’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 17th, reviewing “The Outfit,” a new crime thriller noir set in Chicago, in theaters on March 18th.

Tailor Made Noir! On-Air Film Review of ‘The Outfit’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 17th, reviewing “The Outfit,” a new crime thriller noir set in Chicago, in theaters on March 18th.

SXSW2022: ‘I Love My Dad’ is Top Film at SXSW Film Fest

CHICAGO – Groundbreaking filmmakers often start at the South by Southwest Festival. Influencers like the Duplass brothers, Chicago’s Joe Swanberg and Lena Dunham got their first prominent notices at the fest. In that spirit, the 2022 SXSW Grand Jury Awards were announced on March 15th.

Exclusive Photo Gallery: Slash with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators in Chicago, March 2, 2022

| Image 1 of 10 |
The legendary Slash at the Riviera Theatre. Chicago.

CHICAGO – The concert season has begun full throttle again and what better man to put that accelerator down than Slash, former lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses and now on worldwide tour with band collaborators Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. The band features lead singer Kennedy, Slash, bassist Todd Kerns, drummer Brent Fitz and rhythm guitarist Frank Sidoris. They appeared in Chicago at the Riviera Theatre (The Riv) on March 2nd, 2022, and Music Photographer Jeff “Doc” Doles got the Exclusive Photos.

SXSW2022: Hybrid SXSW Festival Celebration from March 11-20 in Austin, TX

SXSW 2022

CHICAGO – The 2022 SXSW Festival opened Friday with in person events for the first time in THREE years, with its unique mix of music, film, VR and associative networking opportunities. The Opening Night Film on Friday was the Asian American sci-fi film “Everything Everywhere at Once.” There are also participatory online opportunities, for information on joining in, click SXSW2022.

Film News: Amanda Kinsey of ‘Jews of the Wild West’ at Chicago Jewish Film Fest, March 10-27, 2022

Jews of the Wild West

CHICAGO – In the continued reopening the Chicago JCC Jewish Film Festival has put together a hybrid event … in person and online from March 10th-27th, 2022. One of their centerpiece films available to stream is “Jews of the Wild West.” Filmmaker Amanda Kinsey has put together an overview of the Jewish influence in the 19th Century taming of the America West, through immigration and commerce.

On-Air Film Review: Dear Dead Dad in ‘The Adam Project’

Adam Project, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 10th, reviewing “The Adam Project,” featuring the “Free Guy” team of Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy, and is streaming on Netflix beginning March 11th.

Dear Dead Dad! On-Air Film Review of ‘The Adam Project’

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 March 10th, reviewing “The Adam Project,” featuring the “Free Guy” team of Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy, and is streaming on Netflix beginning March 11th.

On-Air Film Review: Going with the Flow in ‘Turning Red’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 10th, reviewing “Turning Red,” a new animated film from Pixar Studios and Disney, streaming on Disney+ beginning March 11th.

Go With the Flow! On-Air Film Review of ‘Turning Red’

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 March 10th, reviewing “Turning Red,” a new animated film from Pixar Studios and Disney, streaming on Disney+ beginning March 11th.

Film News: ‘Relative’ World Premiere at Gasparilla International Film Fest, March 12, 2022

RELATIVE World Premiere

CHICAGO – In more good news on the road to normalcy, one local writer/director – Michael Glover Smith – produced his fourth feature film last year in Chicago and now it’s ready for its World Premiere. “Relative” will screen at the Gasparilla International Film Festival (Tampa Bay, Florida) on March 12th, 2022. For more information, click RELATIVE.

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