CHICAGO – The Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago continues to provide different viewpoints on the American stage, and their latest “Little Bear Ridge Road” is no exception. Featuring ensemble member Laurie Metcalf, it’s the resonate story of a family at the crossroads. For tickets/details, click LITTLE BEAR.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Audio Film Review: The Journey and Destination of ‘Joy Ride”
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 4, 2023 - 8:21amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new “hard-R-rated” comedy “Joy Ride,” featuring Stephanie Park (“Emily in Paris”) and the recently Oscar nominated Stephanie Hsu of Best Picture “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” In theaters on Friday July 7th.
Podtalk: Alice Da Cunha of Physical Theater Festival Chicago
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 3, 2023 - 11:51am- Alice Da Cunha
- Asinamali
- Chicago
- Chicago Latino Film Festival
- Chicago Park District
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Marc Frost
- Marrano A Tale from The Inquisition
- Nichols Park
- Patrick McDonald
- Physical Theater Festival
- Podcast
- Podtalk
- Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
- South Africa
- Theater
- Theatre Wit
- Theater, TV, DVD & Blu-Ray
CHICAGO – One of the more unique theater festivals in Chicago invites us to “get physical.” The 10th Physical Theater Festival Chicago will take place from July 8th-16th, 2023. For the complete show line-up, including ticket links, click PHYSICAL FEST.
In Memoriam Portrait: Oscar Winning Actor Alan Arkin Dies at 89
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 2, 2023 - 7:56pm- 89
- Alan Arkin
- BoJack Horseman
- Dead
- Dies
- Exclusive Portrait
- Glengarry Glen Ross
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Joe Arce
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Minions: The Rise of Gru
- Passing
- Patrick McDonald
- The In-Laws
- The Kominsky Method
- The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming
- The Second City
- The Tarriers
- Wait Until Dark
SAN MARCOS, Calif – There was an Alan Arkin for every generation. Post World War Two adults may have seen him at Chicago’s “The Second City.” Baby Boomers remember his films “Wait Until Dark” and “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians are Coming” and Gen X saw him in “The In-Laws” (“Serpentine, Shel”), “Glengarry Glen Ross” and his Oscar winning turn in “Little Miss Sunshine.” He even did a Netflix series, “The Kominsky Method.” For every generation, for every form of acting, there was Alan Arkin. He passed away on June 29th, 2023, at the age of 89.
Podtalk: Director Leo Milano for His Debut Feature ‘The Crusades,' Releasing July 7, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 2, 2023 - 4:54pmCHICAGO – It’s rare to see a director debut that is nuanced, anarchistic and different, but the high school coming-of-age comedy “The Crusades” – by first-timer Leo Milano – scores with its solid comedic script, unique characters and passionate homage to Chicagoland’s Northwest Burbs, as well as featuring hot actor Rudy Pankow (Netflix’s “Outer Banks”).
On-Air Film Review: Knights of the Animated Realm in ‘Nimona’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 30, 2023 - 4:42pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 29th, reviewing “Nimona,” a new Netflix animated film featuring the voices of Grace Chloe Moretz and Riz Ahmed. Streaming beginning June 30th.
Film Review: Indy the Fifth! ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 28, 2023 - 3:50pmCHICAGO – By all accounts the Indiana Jones series had nowhere to go but up after the woebegone “Crystal Skull.” But “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” manages to clear that admittedly low bar to add a sense of adventure back to the tales of the graying archeologist. That said there’s a certain pointlessness to the whole endeavor.
Theater Review: Chicago Feels the Passionate Power of ‘Tommy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 27, 2023 - 11:19amCHICAGO – The Opening Night ovation certainly acknowledged that the audience “Saw, Felt, was Touched and Healed” by the passionate and celebratory performance of “The Who’s Tommy.” Adapted from the iconic rock opera created by The Who in 1969, the Goodman Theater revival … with 1990s origins … was written by Pete Townsend and Des McAnuff (also director).
Film News: Analog Night with Cinema-Luz Collective at Midwest Film Festival, June 26, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 24, 2023 - 2:04pmCHICAGO – The Midwest Film Festival (MFF), in collaboration with Cinema-Luz Collective, presents Analog Night on Monday, June 26, 2023, showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of this distinct medium at the Gene Siskel Film Center. As a form of art that is both nostalgic and demanding, analog filmmaking is experiencing a media-wide resurgence. Click ANALOG for tickets and more information.
Film Review: ‘No Hard Feelings’ Exposes a Hard-R Jennifer Lawrence
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 24, 2023 - 1:29pmCHICAGO – Jennifer Lawrence doesn’t hold back and gives it her all in the “Hard R” rated sex comedy “No Hard Feelings.” But despite her herculean efforts, the film only manages the occasional tee-hee when it should be scoring guffaws. You’ve got to hand it to Lawrence for going all in, I just wish the script rewarded her efforts.
On-Air Film Review: Meet Me Tonight in Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 22, 2023 - 2:26pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 22nd, reviewing “Asteroid City,” the latest film directed by America’s auteur, Wes Anderson. In theaters on June 23rd.
Pride Week! Three Audio Film Reviews for a Happier Pride
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 21, 2023 - 5:19pm- 1968
- 2020
- A24
- Best Picture
- Boris Karloff
- Carla Bruni
- Eddie Volkman
- Elsa Lanchester
- Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Hannah B
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- James Whale
- Jon Lennon Espino
- Matt Crowley
- Michelle Yeoh
- Movie Review
- Netflix
- New York City
- Pat Über TV
- Patrick McDonald
- The Boys in the Band
- The Bride of Frankenstein
- The Daniels
- Universal Pictures
- WGBR-FM
- WSSR-FM
CHICAGO – Happy Pride! One of the best ways to celebrate Pride Week in Chicago is to take in some LGBTQ+ themed films, and HollywoodChicago.com presents three choices, reviewed by Patrick McDonald, contributor Jon Lennon Espino and guest reviewer, Chicago Preservationist Carla Bruni.
Pride Week: Activist Gary G. Chichester on Keeping the Pride Alive
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 20, 2023 - 8:54pmCHICAGO – In a fulfillment of his destiny, gay activist Gary G. Chichester was Grand Marshall of the Chicago Pride Parade in 2022, to celebrate his consistent contribution to LGBTQ+ causes, including organizing and participating in the first Gay Liberation March in Chicago on June 27th, 1970. One year later in 1971, he helped put together the first Pride Parade.
Audio Film Reviews: ‘Stan Lee’ and ‘Yogi Berra It Ain’t Over’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 20, 2023 - 7:10pm- All Star
- Black Panther
- Black Widow
- Catcher
- Disney+
- Eddie Volkman
- Fantastic Four
- Hannah B
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Hulk
- Iron Man
- Marvel Universe
- Movie Review
- New York Yankees
- Pat Über TV
- Patrick McDonald
- Scott Thompson
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Spider-Man
- Stan Lee
- Thor
- WGBR-FM
- WSSR-FM
- Yogi Berra It Ain’t Over
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film reviews for the new biography documentaries “Stan Lee,” an overview of the Marvel Universe creator (on Disney+ since June 16th) and baseballer “Yogi Berra It Ain’t Over” (currently in select theaters and available for digital download).
