Film News: DAY FIVE of 54th Chicago International Film Festival is ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGODAY FIVE of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Sunday, October 14th, 2018, is a day to introduce yourself to a new side of Melissa McCarthy in “Can You Forgive Me?, to make a date with “Watergate,” the remarkable four hour documentary about that American history, to hop on “The Band Wagon” and to remember a magazine-era icon, Chicago’s own Art Paul.

FFDay5
’Can You Ever Forgive Me’ on Day Fiveof the 54th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival/Fox Searchlight Pictures

EVENTS A Chicago-centric vibe will be in the house on Sunday, as CIFF celebrates Windy City’s own Art Paul, one of the most influential graphic designers of the late 20th Century. The new documentary of his life, “Art Paul of Playboy: The Man Behind the Bunny” explains it all, as Art Paul was the man – in collaboration with Hugh Hefner – who designed Playboy’s “bunny” icon (one of the most valuable logos in publishing history). But he also created a design aesthetic for the magazine that was recognized as groundbreaking, and part of the iconography of his era. A Red Carpet and film discussion are part of the special night (click here for details).

Also, don’t miss an opportunity to see legendary director William Friedkin (“The Exorcist”) introduce one of his favorite films of all time, the classic backstage musical “The Band Wagon,” featuring Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Oscar Levant (click).

FILM OF THE DAYCAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?” (USA) It’s another side of comic actor Melissa McCarthy, as she creates the character of real-life writer Lee Israel, a writer who had early success but found herself down and out in early 1990s New York City. Desperate, she lands upon a scheme to sell the letters of famous authors for collectors… and forges every single one of them. McCarthy’s performance is low key yet effective, as she finds the humanity in someone who had forgot to care (click here).

WATCH OUT FOR The extraordinary 4-hour history of “Watergate” by Charles Ferguson (click here.). How about some New Directors Competition films? Four of them – “Guie’dani’s Navel,” “The Mercy of the Jungle,” “As I Lay Dying” and “Core of the World” – screen on Sunday (click). Also two shorts programs, focusing on comedy and drama, are early day treats (click).

The 54th Chicago International Film Festival primarily takes place at the AMC River East 21, 322 East Illinois Street, Chicago from October 10th to October 21st, 2018. Click here for film schedules, information and to purchase tickets.

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2018 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
tracker