CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Podtalk: Stephanie Sack Presents ‘The Art of Murder’ for Comfort Film in October 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 2, 2024 - 4:34pmCHICAGO – The spooky season is also the season for favorite horror films, and the Comfort Film series of Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood has three to put on the viewing list, curated by Chicago programmer Stephanie Sack. Under the theme “The Art of Murder,” scheduled for October 2nd is “Deadly Sweet,” October 9th is “Blind Beast” and October 16th concludes the program with “Smile Before Death.” For information about the films and tickets, click ART OF MURDER.
Music News: whitewolfsonicprincess Releases Single ‘Revelation Blues’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 1, 2024 - 12:28pmCHICAGO – In anticipation of their latest album “Love Without Fear” – due to release on October 28th – the Chicagoland band whitewolfsonicprincess is dropping a single TODAY (10/1/24), entitled “Revelation Blues.” Listen to it on SOUNDCLOUD or BANDCAMP.
Entertainment News: It’s Spooky Season with Author David K. Wilson’s ‘The Girl in the Whispers’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 1, 2024 - 8:20amCHICAGO – It’s the first day of October and that means the “spooky season” leading up to Halloween has begun. Popular mystery author David K. Wilson (Sam Lawson Mysteries) has moved outside his usual genre with “The Girl in the Whispers,” a psychological thriller that has its share of hauntings. The book releases today and is available by CLICKING HERE.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Will & Harper’ are Mindful of Their Transitions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 29, 2024 - 8:20pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 26th, reviewing the film “Will & Harper,” a documentary regarding Will Ferrell and his friend Harper, who has made an important decision. Currently in theaters and streaming on Netflix since September 27th.
Podtalk: Filmmaker Lua Borges on Midwest Film Fest for ‘Analog Shorts Night,’ Sept. 30, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 29, 2024 - 10:02amCHICAGO – The Midwest Film Festival (MFF) presents “Analog Shorts Night” on September 30th, 2024, and one of the shorts (“Where’s South?”) is co-directed by Lua Borges, who also represents the evening’s co-presenter Cinema Luz, the MFF September “Community Spotlight.” Click ANALOG for tickets and information.
Podtalk: Thomas Negovan on Reconstruction of ‘Caligula,’ at Music Box Theatre Sept. 29-30, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 28, 2024 - 10:03amCHICAGO – One of the most notorious films in cinema history is undoubtably “Caligula” (1980). This very expensive independent film about a Roman emperor had a checkered history – from its principle photography beginning in 1976 to its release date – and featured big stars like Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Peter O’Toole and John Gielgud. When a “reconstruction” was in order, the writer, art historian and Chicago native Thomas Negovan was hired to create “The Ultimate Cut.” Negovan will appear at two screenings on September 29th and 30th at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre. For tickets and more information, click CALIGULA.
Audio Film Review: Mechanical Mom’s Day for ‘The Wild Robot’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 27, 2024 - 8:53amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Wild Robot” a new animated film release adapted/directed by Chris Sanders and featuring the voices of Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Stephanie Hsu and Kit Connor. In theaters September 27th.
Podtalk: Stephanie Sack for Chicago Horror Film Festival, Sept. 27-29, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 26, 2024 - 7:05pmCHICAGO – It’s that time of year, and this fest is right on time. The Chicago Horror Film Festival – facilitated by Associate Producer Stephanie Sack – is three days/nights of over 200 indie horror films on September 27th-29th at the Logan Theatre in Chicago. For tickets and more information, click CHICAGO HORROR.
Film Review: Good Effort by Frances Ford Coppola for ‘Megalopolis’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 26, 2024 - 7:51amCHICAGO – You can say this for Francis Ford Coppola, He gets an “A” for effort. “Megalopolis” is a project which boasts loads of ambition, but winds up in a narrative cul-de-sac that Coppola never finds a way to create his way out of … he has so many ideas floating around he never manages to establish much momentum because he’s trying to do too much, too often, all at once
Podtalk: Mike Houlihan for Irish American Movie Hooley at Wilmette Theatre, Sept. 27-29, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 26, 2024 - 6:11amCHICAGO – The Irish American Movie Hooley … a Hooley is a rowdy party … is celebrating its 10th year, and the “Houli” who began the fest, Mike Houlihan, is back as the congenial host. Three Irish and Irish American feature films will be showcased, and will unspool at the Wilmette (Illinois) Theatre in Chicagoland on September 27th-29th this weekend. For details/ticket info, click MOVIE HOOLEY.
Podtalk: George Ellzey Jr. on Festival-Bound Film ‘Cottage Grove’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2024 - 9:47amCHICAGO – The Autumnal Film Festivals are in full swing, and filmmakers across the spectrum are screening their cinema works to audiences around the country. Beginning a tour of festivals with his short “Cottage Grove” is writer/director George Ellzey Jr., a Chicago native and DePaul University grad. The film highlights the Chicago neighborhood and parental relations.
Audio Film Review: What a Drag it is Getting Old in ‘The Substance’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 22, 2024 - 5:16amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Substance” a new release written/directed by Coralie Fargeat and featuring Demi Moore and Margaret Whalley portraying two sides of the same person … older and younger. In theaters since September 20th.
In Memoriam: James Earl Jones Portrait by Photographer Joe Arce
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 21, 2024 - 11:53amCHICAGO – On September 9th 2024, the world lost an icon of acting, voice work and pop culture stardom. The great James Earl Jones passed away at age 93, after a career of prominent statute, memorable characters and a voice to a generation through Darth Vader in “Star Wars” and Mufasa in “The Lion King” (both versions). Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took an Exclusive Portrait of Jones in 1993 during a Chicago book tour.