October 2024

CHICAGO – On Thursday, October 18th, the 2024 60th Chicago International Film Festival screened “The Art of Joy,” an adaptation of an infamous and epic Italian novel following the adventures of the heroine Modesta. The monumental task was taken on by actor/director Valeria Golino (“Rain Man,” “Hot Shots”).

Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 24th, reviewing the film “Anora,” written/directed by Sean Baker and the winner of the 2024 Palme d’or at Cannes. In theaters now and through November.

CHICAGO – The Chicagoland band whitewolfsonicprincess is launching their latest album “Love Without Fear” on Monday, October 28th, in anticipation of their (click for ticket info) October 31st Release Show at SPACE venue in Evanston, Illinois. OCT 28 … download the album from iTUNES and BANDCAMP.

CHICAGO – On Friday, October 18th, the 60th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) paid tribute to one of Japan’s master directors, Kore-eda Hirokazu. The filmmaker achieved international acclaim for films like “After Life” (1998), “Distance” (2001), “Nobody Knows” (2004), “Like Father, Like Son” (2013) and in 2018, Kore-eda won Cannes’ highest award, the Palme d’Or, with his film “Shoplifters.”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 24th, reviewing the film “CONCLAVE” an adaptation of the popular Robert Harris novel about papal succession. In theaters on October 25th.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio and on-air film reviews for the family oriented “Panda Plan” with Jackie Chan, “Exhibiting Forgiveness” with André Holland portraying an artist and Michael Keaton featured in “Goodrich.” In select theaters since October 18th See local listings.

CHICAGO – Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown is the award-winning podcast hosted by Kate McCoy and Kevin Corbett, which explores the dark underbelly of Hollywood, is taking their stories to the stage in Chicago on October 25, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at the Venus Cabaret Theater (3745 North Southport Avenue). For tickets and more info, click here.

CHICAGO – On Saturday, October 19th, the 60th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) was alive with laughs and memories with one of Canada’s greatest comic treasures, Mike Myers (“Saturday Night Live,” “Wayne’s World,” the Austin Powers Series, the voice of Shrek).

CHICAGO – On Wednesday, October 17th, the 2024 60th Chicago International Film Festival screened “Rita,” a whole-hearted exploration of how parental discord and abuae affects children. The film was the directorial debut of actor Paz Vega (“Sex and Lucia”) and she spent seven years getting it to the screen. The festival runs through October 27th.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Rumours” the latest film from Canadian director Guy Madden (with Evan and Galen Johnson), a political satire/surrealist story about the geopolitical international G7 Conference. In select theaters since October 18th See local listings.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with BenThompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 17th, reviewing the film “We Live in Time” a modern Love Story of a relationship bound in destiny. Wide release in theaters on October 18th.

CHICAGO – The sequel to the surprise horror hit “Smile” won’t give you anything to turn your frown upside down. It’s longer and gorier than the original, but it yields precious few surprises and is an ultimately pointless exercise in commerce and drudgery.

CHICAGO – The After Dark series at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) encompasses the “genre” category of films … horror, sci-fi, fantasy and the just plain bizarre. And the programmer behind it is film veteran Raul Benitez.

CHICAGO – There is no better time to take in a stage play that is based in U.S. history, depicting the battle between fact and religion. The old theater chestnut – first mounted in 1955 – is “Inherit the Wind,” now at the Goodman Theatre, completing it’s short run through October 20th. For tickets and more information, click INHERIT.