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
Theater Review: Raven Theatre’s ‘The Prodigal Daughter’ is HerStory
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 9, 2024 - 10:41amCHICAGO – One of the open secrets of Chicago is its horrible racist past, which remains like an echo. Playwright Joshua Allen has been exploring this theme in his Grand Boulevard Trilogy – the last chapter talking place during the infamous 1919 race riots – in Raven Theatre’s “The Prodigal Daughter.” For tickets and info, click TPD.
Exclusive Portrait: Al Roker at 60th Chicago Intl Film Festival Gala
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 8, 2024 - 10:02amCHICAGO – I have a new appreciation for Al Roker. Already acknowledged as a famous weatherman and TV host, the “Today Show” staple can add raucous comedian to his resume, as indicated by his hosting duties at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival’s Summer Gala on June 1st, 2024. He killed, as they say.
Exclusive Portraits: John C. Reilly at 60th Chicago Intl Film Festival Gala
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 7, 2024 - 1:16pm- 60th
- A Streetcar Named Desire
- Boogie Nights
- Chicago
- Chicago International Film Festival
- CIFF
- Exclusive Photo
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Joe Arce
- John C. Reilly
- Kong: Skull Island
- Marty
- Mr. Cellophane
- Patrick McDonald
- Stanley Kowalski
- Summer Gala
- Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie
- Wreck-It Ralph
CHICAGO – You’ll never hear a better speech about the actor’s gratitude for his hometown than John C. Reilly’s proclamation at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival’s Summer Gala on June 1st, 2024. He brought the house down with emotional and passionate words about his journey that began in the Windy City.
On-Air Film Review: The Hits Keep Coming for Netflix’s ‘Hit Man’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 7, 2024 - 11:02amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 6th, reviewing “Hit Man,” featuring Glen Powell (also co-writer) and directed by Richard Linklater (“School of Rock”). Streaming on Netflix beginning June 7th.
Pride2024: Jerry Nunn, Co-Sponsor of 1st LGBTQ+ Critic’s Choice Celebration, June 7, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2024 - 12:14pmCHICAGO – When one of Chicago’s own critic/entertainment reporters is instrumental in achieving a LGBTQ+ celebration during Pride Month, it’s a cause for OUR PRIDE. Jerry Nunn is that achiever, and he will oversee … as Co-Sponsor and Programmer … the Inaugural Critic’s Choice Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television on June 7th, 2024, at the Los Angeles Fairmont Hotel. Besides the creme of presenters and honorees scheduled for the event, it is Jerry who spearheaded the effort to make this celebration happen.
Film Review: ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ on the Road to Nowhere
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2024 - 9:15amCHICAGO –“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 - 5:52pmCHICAGO – 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 - 10:02amCHICAGO – 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 - 12:04pmCHICAGO – 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 - 1:04pmCHICAGO – 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 - 10:44amNEW 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 - 10:13amCHICAGO – “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 - 9:10amCHICAGO – “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.
