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
Podtalk: Director Jack C. Newell is ‘Reporting for Christmas’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2023 - 9:28amCHICAGO – When a locally filmed romantic Christmas movie was released last week on HULU, the audience comfort and joy for this genre was proven once again by its TOP TEN trending status on the streaming service. The merry elf director behind “Reporting for Christmas” is Chicago-based Jack C. Newell.
Exclusive Portrait: Geri ‘Ginger Spice’ Halliwell for New Book
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2023 - 3:35pmCHICAGO – In the case of this Ginger and Geri, no choice needs to be made because they are one and the same. Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell was a member of the best selling female pop group in history, the Spice Girls. She appeared in Downers Grove (Illinois) for her new novel, “Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen.”
On-Air Film Review: Three Kings of Lonely in 'The Holdovers'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 4, 2023 - 11:34amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 3rd, 2023, reviewing “The Holdovers,” a reunion of the “Sideways” duo … director Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti. In theaters on November 4th, 2023, wide release on November 10th.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Priscilla’ is a Hunka Hunka Burning Love
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 3, 2023 - 9:39pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 3rd, 2023, reviewing “Priscilla,” the story of the relationship between Elvis and Priscilla Presley. In theaters on November 4th, 2023.
Podtalk: Deidre Searcy of 40th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, Nov. 3-19, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 3, 2023 - 12:18pmCHICAGO – Opening Night of the 40th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival’s (CICFF40) is November 3rd, and Festival Director Deidre Searcy presents a night at Chicago History Museum. For details/tickets, click CICFF.
Audio Theater Review: John Michael Opens ‘Spank Bank Time Machine’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 2, 2023 - 3:13pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com Audio Theater Review of “Spank Bank Time Machine,” an uproarious journey created by monologist John Michael, opening November 2nd, 2023, at the Neo-Futurist Theater in Chicago. For info and tickets, click SPANK BANK.
Podtalk: Curator Jada-Amina of the 29th Black Harvest Film Festival, November 3-16, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 1, 2023 - 8:00amCHICAGO – As Chicago’s Black Harvest Film Festival enters its third decade, new leadership are providing the filmmaker’s showcase. The theme for 2023 is “Revolutionary Visions,” and putting the program together is Lead Film Curator Jada-Amina and Fest Coordinator Nick Leffal. Opening Night is November 3rd, and for a list of films/info, click BLACK HARVEST.
Film News: 2023 ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards on Thursday, Nov. 2
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 31, 2023 - 8:12pmCHICAGO – The first awards show of the season takes off on Thursday, November 2nd, as the BEST OF THE MIDWEST Awards will be presented by the Midwest Film Festival at CineCity Studios in Chicago. Tickets are rapidly selling out, so click on BEST OF THE MIDWEST for the levels of tickets that are available.
Podtalk: Exec Director Nat Dykeman of 13th Lake County Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 30, 2023 - 5:32pmCHICAGO – When one man wanted to screen independent films beyond Chicago, he founded the Lake County Film Festival (LCFF). That Founder and now Executive Director is Nat Dykeman, and the 13th LCFF will take place over the next two weekends, with Opening Night on Halloween. For details and tickets, click 13th LCFF.
CIFF23 Podtalk: Director Olmo Schnabel’s Debut ‘Pet Shop Days’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 28, 2023 - 11:03amCHICAGO – The director debut is the flourishing element of any film festival, and the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) has always been a nurturing place for the latest cinema talent. “Pet Shop Days” is the debut of director and co-writer Olmo Schnabel, and screened at the 59th CIFF.
Film Review: ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ is Five Nights Too Many
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 27, 2023 - 11:21amCHICAGO – For the uninitiated, “Five Nights At Freddy’s” is based on a popular series of video games with a simple premise … you play a security guard trapped inside a Chuck E Cheese-type pizzeria where the animatronics come to life and keep trying to kill you. Yet the biggest threat facing audiences with the film is that they just might die… of boredom.
On-Air Film Review: Devil Takes a Stroll in ‘When Evil Lurks’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 27, 2023 - 9:32amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 26th, 2023, reviewing “When Evil Lurks,” an Argentinian horror film that’s just in time for the Halloween weekend. In theaters now and streaming on Shudder October 27th, 2023.
Podtalk: David Zucker for ‘Airplane!’ Book at Chicago Humanities Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 26, 2023 - 10:06pmCHICAGO – Use the word “surely” in any conversation, such as “Surely …” and inevitably you’ll get the answer, “Blah Blah, and don’t call me Shirley.” One of a trio that came up with that famous riposte, David Zucker, was at the Chicago Humanities Festival as co-author of “Surely you Can’t be Serious: The True Story of Airplane!”
