CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
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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.
SXSW2023: Podtalk with Tara Bopp, Actor in ‘Never Fuggedaboutit’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 16, 2023 - 1:12pmCHICAGO – While at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, there are shuttles between the film theaters, and often en route some prime networking takes place. On one such shuttle connection was Tara Bopp, a featured actor in the world premiere of the short film “Never Fuggedaboutit,” a sly take on two legendary media events.
Podtalk: Irish Actor/Director Tania Notaro on Her Film ‘Glitterbug’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 23, 2023 - 12:19pmCHICAGO – When the term “A Star is Born” is used, behind that moment is hours of toil and stick-to-it-tiveness that actors and creators must go through. In that process is the Irish actor/writer and director Tania Notaro, who recently brought her short film “Glitterbug” to the Chicago Irish Film Festival.
Film News: Chicago Film Critics Association 2022 Best Film is ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 17, 2022 - 11:57am- Actor
- Actress
- Austin Butler
- Best
- Cate Blanchett
- CFCA
- Chicago Film Critics Association
- Colin Ferrill
- Decision to Leave
- Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Film News
- Fire of Love
- Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Martin McDonagh
- Patrick McDonald
- Picture
- TÁR
- The Banshees of Inisherin
CHICAGO – The story of an unusual turn in a 1920s Irish friendship captured the hearts of the Chicago Film Critics Association, as they named “The Banshees of Inisherin” – written and directed by Martin McDonagh – as Best Picture at their annual awards announcement banquet on December 14th, 2022.
Film News: 'Period Drama' is Top Film at 2022 ‘Best of the Midwest’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 2, 2022 - 8:51amCHICAGO – The “Best of the Midwest,” the Awards Ceremony of Chicago’s Midwest Film Festival, were presented on November 3rd, 2022, at CineCity Studios in Chicago. The Grand Prize film was the short “Period Drama,” a clever twist on a woman’s coming of age. Emma Thatcher was a two-trophy BMA recipient, garnering Best Actress and Best Director for her debut feature “Provo.”
Via Zoom: Alex Heller’s ‘The Year Between’ at 58th Chicago Intl. Film Fest, Oct. 14 & 16, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 14, 2022 - 4:05pmCHICAGO – A filmmaker’s feature debut is a special moment, made more special when the debut takes place in the filmmaker’s Chicagoland roots. Ms. Alex Heller screens “The Year Between” at the 58th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on October 14th (8:30p) and 16th, 2022.
Via Zoom: Actor Elizabeth Stam Shines in New Film ‘Relative’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 2, 2022 - 12:26pm- Actor
- Bleed American
- Cameron Scott Roberts
- Clare Cooney
- Elizabeth Stam
- Francis Guinan
- Gene Siskel Film Center
- Gwedolen
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Interview
- Keith D. Gallagher
- Melissa DuPrey
- Michael Glover Smith
- Music Box Theatre
- Pat Über TV
- Patrick McDonald
- Relative
- The Importance of Being Earnest
- Wendy Robie
- White City Cinema
- Zoom
CHICAGO – One of the breakout performances in Michael Glover Smith’s new film, “Relative,” is from Elizabeth Stam, who portrays the pivotal role of Hekla. The “Relative” special Chicago general releases will take place (click links) at Music Box Theatre and the Gene Siskel Film Center on June 8th and 10th.
Podtalk: In-Person ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards on Feb. 1, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 30, 2022 - 9:02pmCHICAGO – Let’s kick off the film year by getting together! Using the safest protocols for gatherings, the Midwest Film Festival presents the Best of Midwest Awards on February 1st, 2022, and it will be an in-person event for the first time in three years. To get tickets, click BEST OF THE MIDWEST.
Film News: Chicago Film Critics Association Best Film of 2021 is ‘The Power of the Dog’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 16, 2021 - 4:40pm- Actor
- Actress
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Best
- CFCA
- Chicago Film Critics Association
- Drive My Car
- Film News
- Flee
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jane Campion
- Kodi-Smit McPhee
- Kristen Stewart
- Licorice Pizza
- Passing
- Patrick McDonald
- Picture
- Princess Diana
- Ruth Negga
- Spencer
- Summer of Soul
- The French Dispatch
- The Power of the Dog
CHICAGO – The sweeping and majestically searing “The Power of the Dog,” directed by Jane Campion, was named Best Picture in 2021 by the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) on Wednesday, December 15th. The film also received recognition as Best Director, Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), Supporting Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography and Original Score.!—break—>
Via Zoom: Filmmaker/Actor Clare Cooney on Her New Short ‘Pick Up’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 16, 2021 - 8:50pmCHICAGO – Although this former Chicago-based actor has moved on to Los Angeles, she continues as a filmmaker with her excellent second short, “Pick Up.” Clare Cooney wrote, directed and is featured in this poignant journey, as two ex-lovers figure out their current status in the midst of the world pandemic.