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.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Film News: Reeling40, Chicago’s International LBGTQ+ Film Fest, Now Online Thru Oct. 6, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 3, 2022 - 7:04pmCHICAGO – The 40th edition of the REELING International LBGTQ+ Film Festival ended its in-person run on September 30th. Until the end of the festival on October 6th, 2022, a number of films will be available for online viewing. For information, click REELING40 ONLINE. NOTE: Some films have territory restrictions for viewing, check before downloading.
Audio Film Review: Ti West’s ‘Pearl’ Takes a Stab at a New Life
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 2, 2022 - 9:02pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Pearl,” a horror film by filmmaker Ti West that is a prequel to last year’s “X”. “Pearl” is set at the same farm as “X,” and tells the story of the old woman from that film. “Pearl” is currently in theaters.
On-Air Film Review: Divine Ms. Midler Witchery in ‘Hocus Pocus 2’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 1, 2022 - 9:30amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 29th, 2022, reviewing “Hocus Pocus 2,” a Disney sequel to the bewitching 1993 original, streaming on Disney+ beginning September 30th.
On-Air Film Review: All You Need of Love is Love in ‘Bros’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 1, 2022 - 9:00amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 29th, 2022, reviewing “Bros,” a mainstream studio LBGTQ+ romantic comedy, with all cast members who are queer portrayed by LBGTQ+ actors. In theaters now.
Film News: Opening Night of 'Alex/October' at La Grange Theatre on Sept. 30, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 30, 2022 - 11:01amCHICAGO – Big Opening Night tonight (September 30th, 2022) for the shot-in-Chicagoland indie film “Alex/October,” written and directed by Josh Hope. The La Grange Theatre (La Grange, Ill.) will screen the film with a Q&A to follow, moderated by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. Click A/O for ticket info.
Film Review: Unsettling & Unpleasant ‘Smile’ is Also Deadly … Boring
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 30, 2022 - 10:07amCHICAGO – Smile is unsettling and deeply unpleasant … its whole reason for being is to be unsettling and deeply unpleasant. And in that regard, it worked. I was uncomfortable sitting in a theater as these images flashed across the screen. But you know what else I was? Bored. The first kill happens around the 15 minute mark, and I know that because I was already checking my watch at that point.
Via Zoom: ‘Two Eyes’ Screens at REELING40 on Sept. 29, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 29, 2022 - 1:02amCHICAGO – The spiritual film “Two Eyes” is in the spotlight at the REELING40 LGBTQ+ International Film Festival on Thursday, September 29th, 2022 (7p). Producer Steve Kozlowski will appear on behalf of the film, click TWO EYES for info and tickets.
Podtalk: FACETS Chicago Honors Chaz Ebert on Sept. 28, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 27, 2022 - 8:52amCHICAGO – Chaz Ebert carries on. The standard bearer for representing Chicago’s film world also continues her advocation for the community beyond film, since the passing of her husband Roger Ebert in 2013. Chaz will be honored by FACETS Chicago at their Screen Gems Benefit on September 28th, 2022.
On-Air Film Review: Bowie as Stardust in ‘Moonage Daydream’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 26, 2022 - 9:28pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show with Hannah B on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on September 23rd, reviewing the new rock bio documentary “Moonage Daydream,” an overview of the life of David Bowie. In theaters now.
Via Zoom: Writer/Director Todd Flaherty’s “Chrissy Judy” at REELING40, Sept. 25, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2022 - 5:54pmCHICAGO – With drag in its spotlight, but relationships at its core, the comedy “Chrissy Judy” screens on the first weekend of Chicago’s iconic REELING40 LGBTQ+ International Film Festival on Sunday, September 23rd, 2022 (6:30p). Writer/director Todd Flaherty will appear on behalf of the film, click CHRISSY JUDY for info and tickets.
On-Air Film Review: The Never Known Marilyn Monroe in ‘Blonde’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2022 - 11:45amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 22th, 2022, reviewing “Blonde,” the latest biography film of Marilyn Monroe. In select theaters now, streaming on Netflix on September 28th.
Via Zoom: Filmmaker Nicholas Eliopoulos on Colin Higgins Doc at REELING40, Sept. 24, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 23, 2022 - 5:37pmCHICAGO – Mention the name Colin Higgins and it might draw a blank. But mention the film “Harold and Maude” (1971) and any cinema room will light up with passion. Higgins took his Grad Thesis screenplay from his late 1960s USC days and created (with director Hal Ashby) a legitimate 1970s classic. This film, and many other fan favorites, are in the documentary The Life and Films of Colin Higgins” … directed by Nicholas Eliopoulos. Click COLIN for info and tickets.
Film News: Films, Tickets & More for 58th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 12-23. 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 22, 2022 - 11:12amCHICAGO – The vital information for the 58th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) was released this week, including the COMPLETE FILM SCHEDULE, general TICKET PURCHASE info and
