CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
May 2024
CCFF2024: Audience Awards for 11th CCFF, and HollywoodChicago’s Five Best Films
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 12, 2024 - 1:01pm- 11th
- 2024
- Alex Thompson
- Audience Award Winners
- Bob’s Funeral
- CCFF
- CFCA
- Chicago Critics Film Festival
- Chicago Film Critic’s Association
- Christopher Wilcha
- Film News
- Flipside
- Ghostlight
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jack Dunphy
- Kelly O’Sullivan
- Music Box Theatre
- Patrick McDonald
- Rotten Tomatoes
- Sarah Lasley
- Short Films
- Welcome to the Enclave
CHICAGO – The Audience is the determiner for the Award Winners of the 11th Chicago Film Critics Film Festival, which took play from May 3rd-9th, 2024.
On-Air Film Review: Ryusuke Hamagachi’s ‘Evil Does Not Exist’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 12, 2024 - 11:52amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “Evil Does Not Exist,” the latest film from Japanese writer/director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, whose “Drive My Car” won Best International Film at the 2022 Oscars. In select theaters since May 10, 2024. See local listings.
Green Peacemakers! Audio Film Review ‘Evil Does Not Exist’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 12, 2024 - 11:45amRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “Evil Does Not Exist,” the latest film from Japanese writer/director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, whose “Drive My Car” won Best International Film at the 2022 Oscars. In select theaters since May 10, 2024. See local listings
Podtalk: Michael Shannon & Travis A. Knight in Red Orchid’s ‘Turret’ Through June 9, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 11, 2024 - 11:01amCHICAGO – One of Chicago’s icon theater actors … Michael Shannon … is performing again in town, in the company that he co-founded. Red Orchid Theatre presents Michael Shannon and Travis A. Knight in the World Premiere of “Turret” by Levi Holloway, now at the Chopin Theatre through June 9, 2024.
On-Air Film Review: Time to Visit ‘The Last Stop in Yuma County’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 11, 2024 - 8:38amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 9th, reviewing “The Last Stop in Yuma County,” a throwback noir and the director debut of Francis Galluppi. In select theaters and available for digital download on May 10th.
Fill ‘er Up! On-Air Film Review of ‘The Last Stop in Yuma County’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 11, 2024 - 8:34amRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 9th, reviewing “The Last Stop in Yuma County,” a throwback noir and the director debut of Francis Galluppi. In select theaters and available for digital download on May 10th.
Podtalk: Programmer Raul Benitez on FACETS Chicago Speakeasy Cinema on May 11. 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 10, 2024 - 10:38pmCHICAGO – Get out your flapper dresses and raccoon coats as FACETS Chicago goes back to the early talkies and so-called “pre-code” films, paired with a cocktail bar at their new “Speakeasy Cinema,” programmed by Raul Benitez. The first film is “The Doorway to Hell” (1930) on Saturday May 11th, starting at 6:30p. For ticket info and more details, click SPEAKEASY.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Goes Bananas
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 10, 2024 - 12:46pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 9th, reviewing “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the fourth installment of the current iteration of the franchise. In theaters on May 10th.
Bananas! On-Air Film Review of ‘Kingdom of The Planet of the Apes’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 10, 2024 - 12:43pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 9th, reviewing “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the fourth installment of the current iteration of the franchise. In theaters on May 10th.
Podtalk: Brittani Ward for ‘Single Car Crashes’ at Midwest Film Fest in Milwaukee, May 11, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 9, 2024 - 11:40am- Angie Gaffney
- Billy Dec
- Billy Zane
- Brittani Ward
- Charín Alvarez
- Chris Lee
- Cinequest Film Festival
- Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel
- film two one films
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Interview
- Lindsey Morgan
- Midwest Film Festival
- Milwaukee
- New Vision Award.
- Patrick McDonald
- Paulina Olszynski
- Podcast
- Podtalk
- Road Trip
- Single Car Crashes
- Trevor Morgan
- Wisconsin
CHICAGO – The Midwest Film Festival of Chicago is on the road this weekend and heading north to Milwaukee to screen writer/director Brittani Ward’s award-winning “Single Car Crashes” at the historic Oriental Theatre on May 11, 2024 (11am). For details and tickets for this road show event, click MFF ROAD TRIP.!—break—>
CCFF2024: Kelly O’Sullivan on ‘Ghostlight,’ the Closing Night Film
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 8, 2024 - 9:04pmCHICAGO – Closing Night for the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) is Thursday, May 9th, and the final film centerpiece is “Ghostlight,” directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson. For the full schedule, info and tickets, click CCFF Closing Night. For individual films, click titles below.!—break—>
Exclusive Portrait: KiKi Layne of ‘Dandelion’ at 2024 Chicago Film Critics Fest on May 6th
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 7, 2024 - 4:35pmCHICAGO – “Dandelion” was the centerpiece film at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) on May 6th, and featured an appearance by the actor portraying the title character, KiKi Layne (“If Beale Street Could Talk”). Ms. Layne walked the Red Carpet at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.
CCFF2024 Preview: Centerpiece Film on May 8th is ‘Good One’ at Chicago Critics Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 7, 2024 - 10:12amCHICAGO – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival on Day Six – Wednesday, May 8th – screens a feature film director debut about a hiking trip and the scattered remnants of disconnected people.
CCFF2024 Preview: ‘Dandelion’ and ‘Flipside’ Highlight Day Four of Chicago Critics Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2024 - 9:10pmCHICAGO – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival Day Four – Monday, May 6th – presents a film about music dreams and a documentary on a music store. “Dandelion” is written and directed by Nicole Riegel and “Flipside” by Chris Wilcha are the centerpiece screenings. For the full schedule, info and tickets, click CCFF May 6th.
Exclusive Portraits: Director Pamela Adlon of ‘Babes’ at Chicago Critics Film Fest, May 4, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2024 - 11:58amCHICAGO – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). Ms. Adlon walked the Red Carpet at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.
Music Review: Zandi Holup Shines at Nashville’s ‘The Listening Room’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2024 - 10:36amNASHVILLE – I recently had the extraordinary opportunity to attend a performance at The Listening Room Cafe, where I was treated to an unforgettable evening featuring the “Next from Nashville” lineup. The showcase was nothing short of exceptional. Amidst this lineup of talent, one performer truly stood out to me … Zandi Holup.
CCFF2024 Preview: ‘I Saw the TV Glow’ and ‘Little Women’ 30th Anniversary on May 5, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 4, 2024 - 11:05amCHICAGO – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival is off and running, and the third day – Sunday, May 5th – screens and the 30th Anniversary of a modern classic and a highly anticipated upcoming release. “I Saw the TV Glow” by Jane Schoenbrun and “Little Women” (the 1994 version) anchor a full day of cinema heroics. For the full schedule, info and tickets, click CCFF May 5th. For individual films, click titles below.
Film News: 2024 Doc10 Closing Night Film is ‘War Game’ on May 5th
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 4, 2024 - 9:06amCHICAGO – Doc10, the annual Chicago documentary film festival, highlights a cautionary note for its 2024 Closing Night film on Sunday May 5th, at Chicago’s Davis Theater. ‘War Game’ is a look into a consequence exercise with expert participants playing roles, regarding a “what-if” the insurrection that occurred on January 6th, 2021 would escalate into a more coordinated attack … including the use of extremists within the military for the potential coup. Click WAR GAME for information and tickets.
Film Review: Pride Goeth Before ‘The Fall Guy’ with Ryan Gosling
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 4, 2024 - 12:46amCHICAGO – “The Fall Guy” is one of those movies where what’s happening on the margins is so much more interesting than the main event. And the promotional campaign for it is far superior to the film itself. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt have the romantic chemistry to fuel a high octane action comedy … but “The Fall Guy” never steps on the gas.
Pride Goeth Before ‘The Fall Guy’ with Ryan Gosling & Emily Blunt
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 4, 2024 - 12:39amRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “The Fall Guy” is one of those movies where what’s happening on the margins is so much more interesting than the main event. And the promotional campaign for it is far superior to the film itself. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt have the romantic chemistry to fuel a high octane action comedy … but “The Fall Guy” never steps on the gas.
On-Air Film Review: Jerry Seinfeld Gets Toasty in ‘Unfrosted’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 3, 2024 - 12:10pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 2nd, reviewing “Unfrosted,” featuring Jerry Seinfeld as lead role, co-writer and his debut as director. Streaming on Netflix beginning May 3rd.
Time to Get Toasted! On-Air Film Review of ‘Unfrosted’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 3, 2024 - 12:05pmRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 2nd, reviewing “Unfrosted,” featuring Jerry Seinfeld as lead role, co-writer and his debut as director. Streaming on Netflix beginning May 3rd.
On-Air Film Review: Anne Hathaway Figures Out ‘The Idea of You’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 2, 2024 - 9:25pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “The Idea of You,” adapted from the popular novel by Robinne Lee, directed by Michael Showalter and featuring Anne Hathaway. Streaming on Prime Video beginning May 2nd, 2024.!—break—>
Here’s to You Ms. Hathaway! Audio Film Review ‘The Idea of You’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 2, 2024 - 9:22pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “The Idea of You,” adapted from the popular novel by Robinne Lee, directed by Michael Showalter and featuring Anne Hathaway. Streaming on Prime Video beginning May 2nd, 2024.
CCFF24: Lee Sun-kyun’s Last Film ‘Sleep’ on Chicago Critics Fest Opening Night, May 3rd
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 2, 2024 - 3:52pmCHICAGO – Opening Night at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) on May 3rd will include the last film of popular South Korean (SK) Actor Lee Sun-kyun, entitled “Sleep” (click here for tickets) The world was rocked on December 27th, 2023, when the report came through that that actor – who had a prominent role in the 2019 Oscar Best Picture “Parasite’ – had died at age 48 from an apparent suicide in Seoul (SK), months after his appearance in Chicago during the Asian Pop-Up Cinema.
Film News: Cinema Femme Film Festival, Two Closing Night Shorts Programs on May 1, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 1, 2024 - 9:41amCHICAGO – The Closing Night of the 2024 Cinema Femme Film Festival will be the short film showcase, based on letter writing themes, as the “Sincerely, Yours” block will start at 7:30pm, and “P.S.” will begin at 9:30pm. Both programs will be at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre. For more information and tickets, click SINCERELY or P.S.