September 2022

Rating: 0.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Smile is unsettling and deeply unpleasant … its whole reason for being is to be unsettling and deeply unpleasant. And in that regard, it worked. I was uncomfortable sitting in a theater as these images flashed across the screen. But you know what else I was? Bored. The first kill happens around the 15 minute mark, and I know that because I was already checking my watch at that point.

CHICAGO – Chaz Ebert carries on. The standard bearer for representing Chicago’s film world also continues her advocation for the community beyond film, since the passing of her husband Roger Ebert in 2013. Chaz will be honored by FACETS Chicago at their Screen Gems Benefit on September 28th, 2022.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show with Hannah B on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on September 23rd, reviewing the new rock bio documentary “Moonage Daydream,” an overview of the life of David Bowie. In theaters now.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 22th, 2022, reviewing “Blonde,” the latest biography film of Marilyn Monroe. In select theaters now, streaming on Netflix on September 28th.

CHICAGO – Mention the name Colin Higgins and it might draw a blank. But mention the film “Harold and Maude” (1971) and any cinema room will light up with passion. Higgins took his Grad Thesis screenplay from his late 1960s USC days and created (with director Hal Ashby) a legitimate 1970s classic. This film, and many other fan favorites, are in the documentary The Life and Films of Colin Higgins” … directed by Nicholas Eliopoulos. Click COLIN for info and tickets.

CHICAGO – South Korea takes the spotlight at the 15th Season Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) film fest, from September 24th through October 2nd, 2022. HollywoodChicago.com caught up with Sophia Wong Boccio … the Founder, Executive Director and Curator of APUC … for a preview of the South Korea Cinema Showcase and her launch of the new season so far. For more information, click SOUTH KOREA.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – A sure hand behind the camera and a dynamic performance from Florence Pugh help “Don’t Worry Darling” pull off an extremely difficult balancing act. This isn’t a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination, but it inspires the kind of impressions and ideas that you will still be talking about a week later.

CHICAGO – The 40th edition of the REELING International LBGTQ+ Film Festival kicks off on Thursday (9-22-22) with the film “The Shiny Shrimp Strike Back,” at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre, followed by a legendary After Party. For info/tickets on both, click REELING40.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 15th, 2022, reviewing “The Woman King,” about Woman Warriors in 19th Century Africa. In theaters on September 16th..

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 15th, 2022, reviewing “Clerks III,” the third film in Kevin Smith’s New Jersey convenience story trilogy. Currently in theaters after opening on September 13th.

CHICAGO – Putting together a documentary, especially as it involves a step-by-step process, can take a bit of time. Filmmaker Jack C. Newell has spent 10 years putting together “How (Not) to Build a School in Haiti.” The Premiere of the film is Friday, September 16th at Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center. Click HAITI for info and tickets.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio review of the new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray version of 1979’s “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” the first film of one of the most successful film franchises in movie history, spun off from the original breakthrough sci-fi TV series of the 1960s. Beam me up.

CHICAGO – After a triumphant tour of Canada, the unforgettable Chicago monologist John Michael is back in the Windy City to perform his award-winning “Meatball Seance.” The internationally staged audience participation event will be in the Raven Room at the Redline VR on this Friday (9/16 at 9:30p). Click Meatball for tickets and details.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 8th, 2022, reviewing “Pinocchio,” the live-action remake of the 1940 animated classic, directed by Robert Zemeckis. It’s streaming on Disney+ beginning September 8th.