CHICAGO – 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.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Podtalk: Director Andrew Davis to Introduce His 1978 ‘Stony Island’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 16, 2023 - 10:20amCHICAGO – It was another city in another time when Andrew Davis directed his first film “Stony Island” in 1970s Chicago. The film was released in 1978 to acclaim, but faded into the mist of cinema. Andrew Davis is back in his hometown to introduce “Stony Island” at the Gene Siskel Film Center on Friday, November 17th, 2023. For tickets and info, click STONY ISLAND.
Audio Theater Review: Steppenwolf Theatre Hails to the ‘POTUS,’ Through Dec. 17, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2023 - 12:01pm- Audrey Francis
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- POTUS
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CHICAGO – The great and lofty Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago has brought the current political season right on target with “POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” now extended through December 17th. Click POTUS.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ is a Stable Trip
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 10, 2023 - 10:43amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 9th, 2023, reviewing “Journey to Bethlehem,” a re-telling of the Baby Jesus story as a musical! In theaters on November 10th, 2023.
Film Review: MCU’s ‘The Marvels’ is Decidedly Non-Marvelous
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2023 - 9:23pmCHICAGO – Some Marvel movies are essential viewing for those following the ongoing advancements in the Marvel Cinema Universe (MCU). “The Marvels” is eminently skippable, and draws from so many different MCU properties it almost feels like you’d have to cram for a comic book final exam to understand half of what is going on.
Podtalk: Filmmaker Raven Jackson for ‘All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2023 - 2:03pmCHICAGO – Reflective and observational films … as if the audience is inside looking out along with the the characters … are very rare and takes a quality creator to pull off. One such film is “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” and it is written and directed by a quality creator, the poet-turned-filmmaker Raven Jackson.
Podtalk: Director Jack C. Newell is ‘Reporting for Christmas’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2023 - 10:28amCHICAGO – 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 - 4:35pmCHICAGO – 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 - 12:34pmCHICAGO – 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 - 10:39pmCHICAGO – 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 - 1:18pmCHICAGO – 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 - 4:13pmCHICAGO – 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 - 9:00amCHICAGO – 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 - 9:12pmCHICAGO – 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.
