April 2023

Podtalk: Screenwriter Alex Convery Reaches Rarified ‘Air’

Air

CHICAGO – The “Black List” of Hollywood means something totally different in the current vernacular. This list contains the un-produced screenplays of the highest quality, either optioned and not sold or in turnaround from an attempt to produce. One of those screenplays on the List was “Air Jordan” by Chicagoland native Alex Convery. Once eventual director Ben Affleck got involved, the finished film became “Air.”

Never Grow Up! On-Air Review of ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’

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 April 27th, reviewing “Peter Pan & Wendy,” the live action reboot of the 1953 animated “Peter Pan.” Streaming on Disney+ beginning April 28th.

On-Air Film Review: 'Peter Pan & Wendy' Battle to Never Grow Up

Peter Pan & Wendy

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 27th, reviewing “Peter Pan & Wendy,” the live action reboot of the 1953 animated “Peter Pan.” Streaming on Disney+ beginning April 28th.

On-Air Film Review: Madame Kickassery in ‘Polite Society’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 27th, reviewing “Polite Society,” the debut action film tribute from British/Pakistani director Nida Manzoor (“Lady Parts”. In theaters on April 28th.

On-Air Film Review: Madame Kickassery in ‘Polite Society’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 27th, reviewing “Polite Society,” the debut action film tribute from British/Pakistani director Nida Manzoor (“Lady Parts”. In theaters on April 28th.

After You, Madame! On-Air Review of ‘Polite Society’

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 Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 27th, reviewing “Polite Society,” the debut action film tribute from British/Pakistani director Nida Manzoor (“Lady Parts”). In theaters on April 28th.

Podtalk: Rebecca Martin Fagerholm of Cinema Femme Short Film Festival, April 28-May 4, 2023

CHICAGO – The renaissance for women filmmakers has been a boon for the creative voice in cinema, and in Chicago the conduit of that voice is Rebecca Martin Fagerholm, the founder of Cinema Femme, and festival director for the CINEMA FEMME SHORT FILM FEST.

Podtalk: May Pang on John Lennon in ‘The Lost Weekend A Love Story’

CHICAGO – One of the closest persons to John Lennon in the decade between the break up of The Beatles and his untimely death was May Pang … his lover from 1973 to 1975 … a time in Lennon’s life often called the “Lost Weekend.” Pang narrates a new documentary that sets their record straight, aptly titled “The Lost Weekend A Love Story.”

Podtalk: Sam Mirpoorian & Ian Kibbe on ‘Greener Pastures,’ Midwest Film Fest on April 24th, 2023

Greener Pastures

CHICAGO – The family farm is fast becoming extinct, and the people who continue to try and keep those farms are under tremendous pressure, financially and otherwise. This theme plays out in the documentary “Greener Pastures,” produced by Ian Robertson Kibbe and produced/directed by Sam Mirpoorian.

Audio Film Review: Fear Factors Abound in 'Beau is Afraid’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film from writer/director Ari Aster (“Hereditary,” “Midsummer”) … featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Patti Lupone … entitled “Beau is Afraid.” Currently in theaters, since April 21st.

Fear Factors! Audio Film Review of ‘Beau is Afraid’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film from writer/director Ari Aster (“Hereditary,” “Midsummer”) … featuring Joaquin Phoenix … entitled “Beau is Afraid.” Currently in theaters, since April 21st.

Audio Film Review: King Ray Romano in ‘Somewhere in Queens’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film release “Somewhere in Queens,” featuring Ray Romano as lead actor, co-writer and director, also featuring Laurie Metcalfe. In theaters on April 21st.

The King Borough! Audio Film Review of ‘Somewhere in Queens’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film release “Somewhere in Queens,” featuring Ray Romano as lead actor, co-writer and director, also featuring Laurie Metcalfe. In theaters on April 21st.

Exclusive Portrait: Rainn Wilson at Chicago Humanities Festival, April 21st, 2023

Rainn Wilson, Joe Arce Portrait 2015

CHICAGO –Rainn Wilson is best known of course in his magnificent interpretation as Dwight Schrute on TV’s ‘The Office,’ but his foray into spirituality is why he is appearing at the Chicago Humanities Festival on Friday, April 21st, 2023, promoting his new book, “Soul Boom: Why We Need Spiritual Revolution.” For tickets and more info, click

On-Air Film Review: Kelvin Harrison Jr. is a French ‘Chevalier’

Chevalier

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 20th, reviewing “Chevalier,” which features Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the title character, set in revolutionary France. In theaters on April 21st.

One Stop Fop Shop! On-Air Film Review of ‘Chevalier’

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 April 20th, reviewing “Chevalier,” which features Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the title character, set in revolutionary France. In theaters on April 21st.

On-Air Film Review: Folly of War in Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Covenant’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 20th, reviewing “The Covenant,” which features Jake Gyllenhaal in a tense war drama, set in Afghanistan. In theaters on April 21st.

What is it Good For! On-Air Review of Guy Richie’s ‘The Covenant’

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 April 20th, reviewing “The Covenant,” which features Jake Gyllenhaal in a tense war drama, set in Afghanistan. In theaters on April 21st.

Podtalk: Aviva Kempner for ‘Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting’

Imagining the Indian

CHICAGO – Award winning documentary filmmaker Aviva Kempner is making an appearance in Chicago on behalf of her latest film – co-directed with Ben West – on the continuing controversy regarding sports teams named after Native American tribes and images.

Film News: 18th CineYouth Film Festival on Tap for April 21-23, 2023

CineYouth Fest 2023

CHICAGO – The future is now at the 2023 CineYouth Film Festival, taking place this upcoming weekend April 21st-23rd, at FACETS cinema in Chicago, CineYouth features 65 local, national and international short films from creators that are children, teens and young adults up to 22 years old.

Film Review: ‘Evil Dead Rise’ Rambles Along Until Doomed to Fall

CHICAGO – Watching “Evil Dead Rise,” i was reminded of Roger Ebert’s one and only review of “Friday the 13th Part 2.” In that review Ebert found little to stir him on the screen and instead lamented the audience that would willingly go to see the latest in a string of dead teenager movies.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ Rambles Along Until Doomed to Fall

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

CHICAGO – Watching “Evil Dead Rise,” i was reminded of Roger Ebert’s one and only review of “Friday the 13th Part 2.” In that review Ebert found little to stir him on the screen and instead lamented the audience that would willingly go to see the latest in a string of dead teenager movies.

Exclusive Portrait: Happy Birthday to Movie Star Kate Hudson

CHICAGO –The birthday gal today (April 19th) is movie star Kate Hudson, and Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com is celebrating with an Exclusive unpublished Portrait from a 2016 photo shoot. Hudson’s recent films include “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and “A Little White Lie,” costarring Chicagoan Michael Shannon.

Audio Film Review: May Pang in ‘The Lost Weekend A Love Story’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the newly released documentary “The Lost Weekend A Love Story,” which is a chronicle of May Pang and John Lennon’s brief but historically important love affair. Currently in theaters, since April 14th.

May Pang & John! Audio Review of ‘The Lost Weekend A Love Story’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the newly released documentary “The Lost Weekend A Love Story,” which is a chronicle of May Pang and John Lennon’s brief but historically important love affair. Currently in theaters, since April 14th.

Slideshow: Season 16 Asian Pop Up Finale with Lee Kang Sheng & Johnny Chiang of 'Lost in Forest’

| Image 1 of 4 |
Johnny Chiang, and Lee Kang Sheng of ‘Lost in Forest.’

CHICAGO – Season 16 for the Asian Pop Up Cinema (APUC) had a spectacular finale with “Lost in Forest,” a North American Premiere wrapping up the Taiwan Cinema Showcase. Appearing live at the Red Carpet and participating in a post film Q&A were lead actor Lee Kang Sheng and Director Johnny Chiang.

Midge! Audio Series Review of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Season 5

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio streaming review for Season 5 of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” the popular episodic TV series telling the story of Midge Maisel, a woman stand-up comedian trying to make it in the patriarchal 1960s. First three episodes streaming on Prime Video, since April 14th.

SXSW2023: Podtalk with Tara Bopp, Actor in ‘Never Fuggedaboutit’

CHICAGO – While at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, there are shuttles between the film theaters, and often en route some prime networking takes place. On one such shuttle connection was Tara Bopp, a featured actor in the world premiere of the short film “Never Fuggedaboutit,” a sly take on two legendary media events.

Podtalk: Carla Bruni for ‘Community Glue,’ April 16, 2023

CHICAGO – Carla Bruni is a Chicago preservationist, and had a unique idea for a Fellowship within her discipline. Her idea became “Community Glue,” a gathering of repair artists and seamstresses to … you guessed it … repair/mend broken and damaged items, instead of throwing them away.

Film News: Season 16 Asian Pop Up Wraps Up with Taiwan Cinema Showcase, Apr. 15-16, 2023

APUC Taiwan Cinema Showcase

CHICAGO – A hugely successful Season 16 of Sophia’s Choice Asian Pop-Up Cinema concludes this weekend … April 15th & 16th … with four films from Taiwan, part of the Taiwan Cinema Showcase. For tickets and more information, click links to DAY OFF, MARRY MY DEAD BODY, GAGA and LOST IN FOREST. “Lost In Forest” includes an appearance and Q&A from director Johnny Chiang and featured actor Lee Kang Sheng.

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