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
Audio Film Review: Mother Courage in Savannah Leaf’s ‘Earth Mama’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 22, 2023 - 11:19amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Earth Mama,” written and directed in her feature film debut by Savannah Leaf, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and is distributed by A24, known for their provocative film fare. In theaters since July 21st.
Film Review: ‘Oppenheimer’ is a Masterpiece That Allows Us to Think
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 21, 2023 - 9:21amCHICAGO – With “Oppenheimer,” director Christopher Nolan reminds us of what a blockbuster can be. They need not all be brain dead exercises in grunting and effects. Instead he delivers a thoughtful film that manages to synthesize complex elements like quantum physics into a piece of cinematic entertainment that just might be his most profound film yet.
Audio Film Review: ‘Barbie’ is Living the Dream … House
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2023 - 11:56pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Barbie,” the highly anticipated film adaptation of America’s favorite toy doll, co-written and directed by Greta Gerwig, and featuring Margot Robbie as the title character. In theaters beginning July 21st.
Audio Film Review: ‘Joke Man’ Keeps the Whole World Laughing
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2023 - 9:59amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Joke Man,” a documentary about Jackie Martling, the rapid-fire funny man who spent 18 years as a commentator and sidekick on the Howard Stern Show. Available on digital Video-On-Demand beginning July 18th.
Via Zoom Flashback: Director Sam Pollard of ‘The League’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 15, 2023 - 10:38amCHICAGO – Sam Pollard has established himself as a top director of documentaries, to add to his stellar career as a film editor … including for Spike Lee. His latest doc is a deep dive into the 20th Century curiosity of the Negro League. With interviews, archival photos/footage and comprehensive storytelling, the doc is entitled “The League.”
On-Air Film Review: All the World’s a Stage in ‘Theater Camp’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 14, 2023 - 1:10pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 13th, reviewing “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One,” the seventh film of the Tom Cruise-led action series based on the 1960s TV show. In theaters since July 12th.
Theater Review: Inquisition Tale ‘Marrano’ at the Physical Theater Festival, July 14-15, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 14, 2023 - 7:01amCHICAGO – The Physical Theater Festival in Chicago has one more weekend, and for two of those nights the fest showcases “Marrano A Tale from The Inquisition,” a joint international stage presentation from Israel and Spain. For tickets and info, click PHYSICAL FEST.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 14, 2023 - 6:06amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 13th, reviewing “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One,” the seventh film of the Tom Cruise-led action series based on the 1960s TV show. In theaters since July 12th.
Podtalk: Filmmaker Alex Winter Ponders ‘The YouTube Effect’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 12, 2023 - 8:56pmCHICAGO – In a manifestation of his most famous catchphrase, filmmaker Alex Winter, also known as Bill of “Bill & Ted” fame, wants us to “be excellent to each other” when it comes to our interaction on a certain online video sharing website. He ponders all the implications in his new documentary “The YouTube Effect.”
Theater Review: ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ by Kokandy Productions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 11, 2023 - 9:52amCHICAGO – What began in Chicago in 2016 … as a preview to its eventual Broadway run … comes back to where it now belongs. The passionate and ebullient Kokandy Productions presents “The SpongeBob Musical,” and yes, it will satisfy fans of the cartoon series with flash, dash, and since it’s under the sea, SPLASH!
Theater News: Chicago Life Force Arts Center Presents ‘The Fire of Light’ on July 11, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 10, 2023 - 9:47amCHICAGO – Since 2008, the Life Force Arts Center in the Lakeview Neighborhood has been providing an outlet for the connection of art, healing and human consciousness through ongoing art exhibits, theater, performance and classes in spiritual healing. On July 11th, 2023, they will present “The Fire of Light” Shamanic Sound Healing Theater from 7-9pm at the Arts Center, 1609 West Belmont in Chicago. Click FIRE OF LIGHT to purchase tickets and more information, including a Zoom option.
On-Air Film Review: Teacher of the Year Emerges in ‘The Lesson’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 9, 2023 - 12:58pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 5th, reviewing “The Lesson,” a modern film noir featuring Richard E. Grant and Julie Delpy. In theaters since July 7th.
Audio Film Review: The Journey and Destination of ‘Joy Ride”
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 4, 2023 - 8:21amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new “hard-R-rated” comedy “Joy Ride,” featuring Stephanie Park (“Emily in Paris”) and the recently Oscar nominated Stephanie Hsu of Best Picture “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” In theaters on Friday July 7th.
