HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News

Podtalk: Programmer Raul Benitez on FACETS Chicago Speakeasy Cinema on May 11. 2024

Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 10, 2024 - 10:38pm

CHICAGO – 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 - 12:46pm

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

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.

CCFF2024: Kelly O’Sullivan on ‘Ghostlight,’ the Closing Night Film

Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 8, 2024 - 9:04pm

CHICAGO – 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.

Exclusive Portrait: KiKi Layne of ‘Dandelion’ at 2024 Chicago Film Critics Fest on May 6th

Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 7, 2024 - 4:35pm

CHICAGO – “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 - 10:12am

CHICAGO – 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 - 9:10pm

CHICAGO – 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 - 11:58am

CHICAGO – 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 - 10:36am

NASHVILLE – 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 - 11:05am

CHICAGO – 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 - 9:06am

CHICAGO – 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 - 12:46am

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 - 12:10pm

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.