March 2024

Podtalk: Sophia Wong Boccio of APUC Chicago on Season 18

CHICAGO – Wednesday, March 20th, will begin Season 18 of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), a film festival that has grown and evolved to become a prime cultural influencer. The Founder and Curator of APUC, Sophia Wong Boccio, provides a preview to the new season below. For details, click SEASON 18.

Audio Film Review: ‘Arthur the King’ Defines Doggone Fun

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Arthur the King” the latest film from Mark Wahlberg, regarding an adventure race, a need for fulfillment in the pursuit of victory and an actual victory in a friendship with a dog. In theaters on March 15th.

Doggone Love! Audio Film Review of ‘Arthur the King’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Arthur the King” the latest film from Mark Wahlberg, regarding an adventure race, a need for fulfillment in the pursuit of victory and an actual victory in a friendship with a dog. In theaters on March 15th.

SXSW2024: ‘Magic City: An American Fantasy’ Red Carpet Slideshow

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Killer Mike and ‘Magic City’ creator Cole Brown (right).

AUSTIN, TX – The Red Carpet traditions at SXSW take on a different intensity, and the cast and production crew of “Magic City: An American Fantasy” walked the walk on March 12th, 2024. The documentary series is about a famous strip club in Atlanta that became a hangout for celebrities. One of the narrators in the doc is Atlanta’s own Killer Mike, and he was there.

SXSW2024: Reviews of ‘Arcadian,’ ‘The Gutter,’ Cheech & Chong

AUSTIN, TX – The depth and number of films at the SXSW Film & TV Festival portion of the week is nirvana for a film geek’s adventure. Here are three of the films I caught at SXSW … all led by familiar names and have high interest. “Arcadian,” “Gutter” and “Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie” … look for them in 2024.

SXSW2024: Susan Sarandon, Cheech & Chong and Nicolas Cage

AUSTIN, TX – One thing that SXSW attracts are movie stars. With the big premieres headquartered at the famous art deco Paramount Theatre in Austin, audiences were treated to appearances by the legendary Susan Sarandon (“Gutter”), a reunited Cheech & Chong, and for the creme de la creme we were in the “Cage.” The great Nicolas Cage appeared on behalf of “Arcadian.”

SXSW2024: Independent TV Pilot Program & Picture of the Day

TJ & Dave, BETTENDORF TALKS @SXSW2024

AUSTIN – My first full day at the 2024 SXSW fest was slow to get going, only because my flight came in late Saturday night and I decided to go downtown and partake of a late get together event (it’s about the networking). So after registering on Sunday morning I went through the creativity expo, checked the VR exhibit, and went to my first screening, the Independent TV Pilot Program.

Film News: Best Picture at 96th Academy Awards is ‘Oppenheimer’

CHICAGO – In a breezy and memorable 96th Oscars … which took place on March 10th, 2024 … the Best Picture was “Oppenheimer,” with Cillian Murphy taking Best Actor and Robert Downey, Jr. for Best Supporting Actor from the same film. Emma Stone was the surprising Best Actress for “Poor Things” and Da’Vine Joy Randolph was Best Supporting Actress for “The Holdovers.”

Audio Film Review: 96th Oscar Best Documentary Nominee ‘Bobi Wine: The People’s President’

Bobi Wine

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” a nominee for Best Documentary at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10th, 2024. The story of a Ugandan pop singer-turned-activist is directed by Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp. Currently streaming on HULU and Disney+.

Oscar Week! Audio Film Review of ‘Bobi Wine: The People’s President’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” a nominee for Best Documentary at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10th, 2024. The story of a Ugandan pop singer-turned-activist is directed by Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp. Currently streaming on HULU and Disney+.

Podtalk: Writer/Director Brittani Ward on World Debut of ‘Single Car Crashes,’ Mar. 15, 2024

Single Car Crashes

CHICAGO – The World Premiere of a debut feature film is one of the most important days for the production company and in this case Brittani Ward, the writer and director. ‘Single Car Crashes,” a made-in-Chicagoland film, will have its World Premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California, on March 15th, 2024.

Oscar Week! HollywoodChicago.com 2024 Predictions

CHICAGO – Here we go again. Welcome to the annual Oscar Predictions on HollywoodChicago.com, for 2024 (the 96th Academy Awards). The film/entertainment contributors of HC – Patrick McDonald and Spike Walters – are joined by filmmaker treasure Michael Glover Smith (“Relative”) and film critic Jeffrey L. York of “The Establishing Shot.”

On-Air Film Review: Tilda Swinton in a New Odd Couple For ‘Problemista’

Problemista

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 29th, 2024, reviewing “Problemista,” the debut film of writer/director/lead actor Julio Torres. In select theater now, in Chicago March 8th.

New Odd Couple! On-Air Film Review of Tilda Swinton in ‘Problemista’

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 February 29th, 2024, reviewing “Problemista,” the debut film of writer/director/lead actor Julio Torres. In select theaters now, in Chicago on March 8th.

Oscar Week! Nominee Costumer Holly Waddington of ‘Poor Things’

CHICAGO – One of the great perks of entertainment reporting is the encounter with a movie pro earlier in the year who eventually gets nominated for an Oscar. Last year it was “The Daniels” (eventual Best Director winners) and this year it’s the odds-on favorite for Best Costume Designer, Holly Waddington of “Poor Things.”

Chicago@SXSW: Improv Duo TJ & Dave on TV Pilot ‘Bettendorf Talks’

CHICAGO – The names “TJ & Dave” are legion in the Chicago entertainment scene. The improvisation duo – T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi – are improv performers who heighten the status of the city as a comedic destination. Now they’re featured in a indie TV pilot that will premiere at SXSW 2024 entitled “Bettendorf Talks.”

Oscar Week! Photographer Dale Robinette Envisions ‘Barbie’

CHICAGO – During Oscar week, all eyes turn to Unit Photographer Dale Robinette, who got the assignment on the Oscar nominated “Barbie.” The following on-set pictures were snapped during the production’s time in Los Angeles, which including the iconic cowpoke wardrobe of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

Chicago@SXSW: Curtis Matzke on His ‘Residencies & Retreats’ Panel

CHICAGO – The Windy City will be represented at the upcoming SXSW Festival in Austin (March 8th-16th, 2024), and throughout the week there will be a series of articles previewing their interaction. The series begins with Curtis Matzke of Unfinished Films, sitting on the panel he created, “Understanding Artist Residencies & Retreats for Filmmakers” on March 10th.

Oscar Week! Audio Review of 2024 Oscar Nominated Short Films

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the 2023 Oscar Nominated Short Films in separate programs featuring Live Action, Animation and Documentary Shorts. Presented by Shorts TV/Magnolia Films and currently in select theaters, see local listings.

SXSW2024: ‘Road House’ Opens SXSW Film/TV Fest, Friday, Mar 8

CHICAGO – A reimagining of the 1980s cult classic “Road House,” featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, is the Opening Night Film for the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival on March 8th, 2024. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com will be covering the festival through March 13th.

On-Air Film Review: Spice of Life Found in Epic ‘Dune Part Two’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 29th, 2024, reviewing “Dune Part Two,” the highly anticipated continuation of director Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of author Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic. In theaters beginning March 1st, 2024.

Spice of Life! On-Air Film Review of Epic ‘Dune Part Two’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 29th, 2024, reviewing “Dune Part Two,” the highly anticipated continuation of director Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of author Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic. In theaters beginning March 1st, 2024.

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  • Importance of Being Earnest, The, Strawdog Theatre

    CHICAGO – Just in time for Pride Month, Strawdog Theatre Co. presents an updated staging of the Oscar Wilde classic, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Strawdog policy … the tickets are FREE (donations encouraged), but you must put in a reservation by clicking EARNEST.

  • Prodigal Daughter, The

    CHICAGO – One of the open secrets of Chicago is its horrible racist past, which remains like an echo. Playwright Joshua Allen has been exploring this theme in his Grand Boulevard Trilogy – the last chapter talking place during the infamous 1919 race riots – in Raven Theatre’s “The Prodigal Daughter.” For tickets and info, click TPD.

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