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
Film Review: ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ on the Road to Nowhere
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2024 - 8:15amCHICAGO –“Bad Boys: Ride Or Die,” the fourth in this series, is a big budget clunker that’s clearing coasting on fumes. A wheezy Martin Lawrence, and a post-slap Will Smith, are trying to recapture some of their former box office glory by trying to milk their still considerable chemistry for all its worth. The best that can be said is that it’s less of an interminable slog than I thought it would be.
Podtalk & Review: Streaming Release for Andy Vallentine's ‘The Mattachine Family’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 5, 2024 - 4:52pmCHICAGO – Happy Pride Month 2024! One of the most beautiful and spirited LGBTQ+ films on the festival circuit last year was “The Mattachine Family,” written by Danny Vallentine and directed by his husband Andy Vallentine. Andy Vallentine talked to HollywoodChicago.com about his film that was partially autobiographical.
Podtalk: Writer, Director & Actor Jenn Harris Expresses ‘She’s Clean’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 5, 2024 - 9:02amCHICAGO – Today (June 5, 2024) is the premiere online for one of the most thought provoking and original ideas in short film. “She’s Clean” is scene-by-scene cinema of a woman who decides to create a path of expression for herself through different sexual partners. What she learns is unexpected. Jenn Harris writes, directs and stars in this revealing story.
Podtalk: Programmer Kyle Cubr on ‘Godzilla vs. Music Box (Theatre)’ from June 7-13, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 4, 2024 - 11:04amCHICAGO – Run for your lives, Chicago, or run to the historic Music Box Theatre for “Godzilla vs. Music Box,” an unprecedented mega-festival celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the World’s Most Famous Reptile. Besides presented by the Music Box and the Japanese Arts Foundation, GvMB is programmed and curated by Kyle Cubr, Music Box Senior Operations Manager by day, Godzilla Enthusiast through at all other times. The series unspools from June 7th-13th, 2024, for schedule, tickets and details, click GvMB for tickets/details.
Entertainment News: Comcast Launches Peacock, Netflix, Apple TV+ NOW TV Bundle
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 3, 2024 - 12:04pmCHICAGO – Comcast recently announced unprecedented streaming bundle options … Xfinity StreamSaver™ is a service for new and existing Xfinity Internet/TV customers nationwide, and when combined with NOW TV can offer Peacock, Netflix AND Apple TV+ for one low monthly price. For deets, click XFINITY STREAMSAVER.
Tribeca2024: 23rd Tribeca Opens with Diane von Furstenberg Doc
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 3, 2024 - 9:44amNEW YORK – The legendary Tribeca Film Festival, celebrating its 23rd edition, will again be the talk of New York, as it kicks off Wednesday, June 5th, with “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge.” There are the in-person thrills and an option for at-home screenings. CLICK TRIBECA 2024.
Podtalk: A. Ashley Hoff on ‘With Love, Mommie Dearest’ Event at Chicago's Music Box, June 4, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 2, 2024 - 9:13amCHICAGO – “With Love, Mommie Dearest” is a new book by A. Ashley Hoff, chronicling the making of the camp classic. Chicago’s Music Box Theatre will screen “Mommie Dearest” and Hoff will sign his new book on June 4, 2024. Click CRAWFORD for tickets/details.
Podtalk: Christian Taylor on ‘The Girl Who Wore Freedom' for D-Day 80th Thru June 9, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 1, 2024 - 8:10amCHICAGO – “The Girl Who Wore Freedom,” a documentary created by filmmaker Christian Taylor, is a film that speaks not only of the celebration of France’s appreciation for the Allies liberation of the country in World War II (beginning with D-Day), but also of the remembrance that this vital story evokes every June 6th, as in 2024 with the D-Day 80th Anniversary. The documentary will be on 300 screens across the U.S. from now through June 9th. Chicago area screenings are through Classic Cinemas (see end of article below). For a complete map of all U.S. screenings, click TheGirlWhoWoreFreedom.com.
Podtalk: Rob Smigel as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Chicago’s Den Theatre, June 3, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2024 - 1:25pmCHICAGO – I call him the Rosetta Stone of Show Business for the modern comedy era. Rob Smigel will appear in Chicago as the legendary Triumph the Insult Comic Dog at the Den Theatre LIVE on Monday June 3rd, 2024, with “Let’s Make a Poop,” featuring special guests and more! Get tickets and more info at POOP.
On-Air Film Review: The Muppet Master is ‘Jim Henson: Idea Man’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2024 - 10:11amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Jim Henson: Idea Man,” directed by Ron Howard and featuring Frank Oz and The Muppets. Streaming on Disney+ beginning May 31st.
On-Air Film Review: He’s Talking to Robert De Niro in ‘Ezra’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2024 - 8:27amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Ezra,” featuring Bobby Cannavale and Robert De Niro as a son and father, struggling to help raise an autistic boy. In theaters on May 31st.
Interview, Review: Brian Wallach, Sandra Abrevaya ‘For Love & Life … ‘
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 30, 2024 - 7:48pmCHICAGO – When Sandra Abrevaya met her future husband Brian Wallach while on the staff of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, their future seemed bright. But then Brian was was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and his prognosis was dim. Their story is told in “For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign.”
Podtalk: Clayton Stamper on Wayfarer Theaters Highland Park Grand Opening, May 31, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 30, 2024 - 6:26pmCHICAGO – There is a new movie theater in Chicagoland’s Highland Park, with the Grand Opening of Wayfarer Theaters at 1850 2nd Street. On May 31st, the official start of a new era in theatergoing in Highland Park begins, with multiple screenings of “Ezra” from the theater’s sister company, Wayfarer Studios. For complete information on these FREE SCREENINGS and the theater, click WAYFARER.
