October 2023

CHICAGO – When one man wanted to screen independent films beyond Chicago, he founded the Lake County Film Festival (LCFF). That Founder and now Executive Director is Nat Dykeman, and the 13th LCFF will take place over the next two weekends, with Opening Night on Halloween. For details and tickets, click 13th LCFF.

CHICAGO – For the uninitiated, “Five Nights At Freddy’s” is based on a popular series of video games with a simple premise … you play a security guard trapped inside a Chuck E Cheese-type pizzeria where the animatronics come to life and keep trying to kill you. Yet the biggest threat facing audiences with the film is that they just might die… of boredom.

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 October 26th, 2023, reviewing “When Evil Lurks,” an Argentinian horror film that’s just in time for the Halloween weekend. In theaters now and streaming on Shudder October 27th, 2023.

CHICAGO – Use the word “surely” in any conversation, such as “Surely …” and inevitably you’ll get the answer, “Blah Blah, and don’t call me Shirley.” One of a trio that came up with that famous riposte, David Zucker, was at the Chicago Humanities Festival as co-author of “Surely you Can’t be Serious: The True Story of Airplane!”

CHICAGO – That’s a wrap! The 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) Closing Night is October 22nd, 2023, with “The Bikeriders,” which is set in Chicago and directed by Jeff Nichols (“Mud,” “Take Shelter”), who will make an appearance on behalf of the film. Click CLOSING for info and tickets.

CHICAGO – The 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) announced its competitive award winners on October 20th 2023, and the recipient of The Gold Hugo in the International Feature Film Competition – the festival’s top honor – is ‘Explanation for Everything” (directed by Gábor Reisz), a coming-of age story.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 19th, 2023, reviewing “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the 26th feature film directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring Leonardo DiCaprio. In theaters on October 20th, 2023.

CHICAGO – Stand-up comic Liz Miele is a true comedy veteran, even in her current youth. She began her career at age 16 and has kept up with the evolution of both comedy and reaching an audience, as evidenced by her YouTube specials garnering millions of views. She brings her act to Chicago on October 22nd, 2023 (7:15pm), at the Den Theatre on Milwaukee Avenue. For tickets and info, click LIZ MIELE.

CHICAGO – David Dastmalchian’s star is rising rapidly. The actor, who studied locally at DePaul University, brought his new role on film – “Late Night with the Devil” – to the 59th Chicago International Film Festival. A reprise screening will take place on October 19th, 2023. Click LATE NIGHT for info and tickets.

Rating: 2.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 12th, 2023, reviewing “The Burial,” a courtroom drama featuring Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jone. Streaming on Prime Video since October 13th.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 12th, 2023, reviewing “Dicks: The Musical” a raucous new romp featuring Nathan Lane and Megan Thee Stallion. In select theaters on October 13th, wider release on October 20th.

CHICAGO – It’s officially launched! The 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) began on October 11th, 2023, with a Block Party near the historic Music Box Theatre and continues through October 22th. HollywoodChicago.com caught up with the director of the Opening Night film, “We Grown Now,” and offers a preview to this weekend’s Industry Days.

CHICAGO – The City of Neighborhoods is Chicago, and director/co-writer Haroula Rose (with co-writer Coby Goss) has constructed a modern issue “dramedy” set there entitled “All Happy Families,” which has its World Premiere at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival on October 12th, 2023. For tickets and info, click FAMILIES.

CHICAGO – The greatest annual 11 days of Chicago cinema is about to commence … the 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF)… and like last year will kick off with a block party in the vicinity of the historic Music Box Theatre on Southport Avenue.