CHICAGO – In the last several years, how many times have you wanted to shout the “Mad as Hell” movie quote? Well, Invictus Theatre Co. has produced a stage adaptation of “Network” – with that quote shout worthy – at the Windy City Playhouse in Chicago through September 29th. For tickets/details, click HOWARD BEALE.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Film Review: Hercule Poirot Will Go ‘A Haunting in Venice’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 14, 2023 - 6:37pmCHICAGO – While Kenneth Branagh still isn’t a favorite Hercule Poirot, I was as surprised as anyone to find that this third go around as the Belgian detective was my favorite. As the title implies, there are jump scares a-plenty as Poirot tries to get his little gray cells around the strange goings-on in a spooky house, and solve the mystery.
Theater Review: City Lit’s Fascinating ‘The Innocence of Seduction’ Now Thru Oct. 8, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 14, 2023 - 9:08amCHICAGO – Society, or at least certain elements of society, are always looking for scapegoats to hide the sins of themselves and authority. In the so-called “great America” of the 1950s, the scapegoat target was comic books … specifically through a sociological study called “The Seduction of the Innocent.” City Lit Theater Company, in part two of a trilogy on comic culture by Mark Pracht, presents “The Innocence of Seduction … now through October 8th, 2023. For details and tickets, click COMIC BOOK.
Podtalk: Elisa Levine on Doc 'Sweetheart Deal,' screening at CUFF30 on Sep. 15 & 17, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 13, 2023 - 9:15pmCHICAGO – The 30th edition of the Chicago Underground Film Festival continues with the documentary “Sweetheart Deal,” co-directed by Elisa Levine and Gabriel Miller, which will screen on Friday, September 15th (9pm) and Sunday, September 17th (3pm) at Harper Theatre in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. For details and ticket info, click DEAL.
Film News: Chicago Underground Film Fest, Sep. 13-17, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 12, 2023 - 9:20amCHICAGO – The longest running underground film festival in the world kicks off its 30th Edition on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023. The Chicago Underground Film Festival opens with “Hello Dankness” at the Gene Siskel Film Center. For tickets and info, click CUFF30.
Podtalk: New Artistic Director Sarah Slight of Chicago’s Raven Theatre on the 41st Season
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 9, 2023 - 12:28pmCHICAGO – On July 1st, 2023, Sarah Slight was named Artistic Director of the Raven Theatre, beginning with the 41st Season, which begins October 5th with Lucille Fletcher’s from-Broadway thriller “Night Watch.” In 2024, the season will continue with two original commissioned stage plays, Paul Michael Thomson’s ‘brother sister cyborg space’ in February and the final installment of the Grand Boulevard Trilogy, “The Prodigal Daughter,” by Joshua Allen. For all information and tickets, click RAVEN.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Sitting in Bars with Cake’ is a Slice of Life
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 9, 2023 - 11:04amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 7th, 2023, reviewing “Sitting in Bars with Cake,” an adaptation of a cookbook memoir by Audrey Shulman. In theaters on September 8th.
Podtalk: George Ellzey Jr. on His ‘Bosom’ and ‘Cottage Grove’ Shorts
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 9, 2023 - 10:33amCHICAGO – The film festival season for Autumn 2023 is gearing up, and a local Chicago filmmaker has two of his short films in the mix. Writer/director George Ellzey Jr., has his family relationship films “Bosom” and “Cottage Grove” currently on the circuit. “Bosom” will screen on September 27th at the upcoming (click link) Charlotte Film Festival and “Cottage Grove” will be at the Wichita, Kansas, Tall Grass Film Festival on October 6th.
Audio Film Review: ‘Fremont’ is a Reflection on the Way We Are
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 8, 2023 - 1:53pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Fremont,” a beautiful and poignant story of an Afghanistan immigrant, stuck between two cultures in America … co-written and directed by Babak Jalali. In select theaters on September 8th, see local listings.!—break—>
On-Air Film Review: RSVP to ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 8, 2023 - 9:03amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 7th, 2023, reviewing “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,” the third film that highlights that wacky Greek family. In theaters on September 8th.!—break—>
Podtalk: Sophia Wong Boccio on Asian Pop-Up Cinema SEASON 17
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 6, 2023 - 8:12amCHICAGO – Fall film festivals begin this week with Season 17 of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema, curated by Executive Director/Founder Sophia Wong Boccio. Opening Night is Friday, September 8th, with the Japanese film “Yudo,” subtitled “The Way of the Bath,” directed by Masayuki Suzuki. For tickets and info, click APUC 17.
On-Air Film Review: Go With ‘Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 4, 2023 - 4:19pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show with Hannah B on a 3-Station Broadcast … Star 96.7 Joliet (IL), Star 102.3 Waukegan and Star 105.5 McHenry on September 1st, reviewing the animated French film “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia.” In theaters since September 1st.!—break—>
Podtalk: Tobi Shinobi & Lonnie Edwards Exhibit ‘Shadow Dancer,’ in Chicago Thru Sep 30, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 2, 2023 - 2:16pmCHICAGO – Two of the most cutting edge and modern artists have teamed up to present an unforgettable kaleidoscope of imagery in the hot up-and-coming neighborhood of West Town in Chicago, specifically at the West Town Chamber of Commerce space. The exhibit is called “Shadow Dancer,” and it is in its last month, closing on September 30th, 2023. For more information, click DANCER.
On-Air Film Reviews: What to See This Labor Day Weekend
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 2, 2023 - 9:56amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on August 31st, recommending five films for the Labor Day Weekend … “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “Blue Beetle,” “Landscape with Invisible Hand,” “Golda” and “Barbie.”