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.
Adam McKay
On-Air Film Review: Objects Appear Closer! ‘Don’t Look Up’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 1, 2022 - 12:24pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on December 30th, 2021, reviewing the new Adam McKay film satire “Don’t Look Up,” currently streaming on Netflix.
Via Zoom: Cindy Caponera in Chicago ‘Messing with a Friend’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 6, 2021 - 12:26amCHICAGO – When we last talked to author/actor/producer and Chicago native Cindy Caponera in 2017, she was working on the excellent Showtime Network series “I’m Dying Up Here,’ about stand up comics in the 1970s. She’s currently in Chicago and will appear in the ongoing “Messing with a Friend” at the Annoyance Theatre. Click MESSING for ticket info.
DAY SIX: Podtalk, Heather Ross of ‘For Madmen Only’ at 56th Chicago International Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 19, 2020 - 6:11pm- 2020
- 56th
- Adam McKay
- Amy Poehler
- Bernie Sahlins
- Bill Murray
- Bob Odenkirk
- Chicago International Film Festival
- Dave Thomas
- Film News
- For Madmen Only. Stories of Del Close
- George Wendt
- Heather Ross
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Improv Olympics
- Improvisation Olympics
- James Urbaniak
- Mike Myers
- Patrick McDonald
- Podcast
- Podtalk
- SCTV
- The Second City
- Tina Fey
CHICAGO – One of the prime Chicago-centric documentaries at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival is “For Madmen Only: Stories of Del Close.” Del Close was a legendary instructor in the Chicago comedy improv scene, and director Heather Ross created this multi-layered doc of his comic force.
Exclusive Photos: Rachel Dratch & Friends are ‘Superior Clean’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 8, 2019 - 1:49pmCHICAGO – The cleanest Improvisation act took place at Chicago’s Navy Pier on August 25th, 2019. Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Rachel Dratch & Friends headlined the Cottonelle Superior Clean County Fair for National Toilet Paper Day (8/26). Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com got the Exclusive Photos.
Oscar Week: Podtalks with Nominated Best Director Adam McKay on His Filmmaker Philosophy
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 21, 2019 - 9:13amCHICAGO – Director Adam McKay has come to the meatiest part of his long and successful career. He began with comedy in TV and film, and was first known for hilarious movies like “Anchorman,” “Talledega Nights,” and “Step Brothers.” Recently, he has moved into more complex filmmaking, like the highly touted (and Oscar nominated for Best Picture and Director) “The Big Short” in 2015, and this year’s “Vice,” nominated again for Best Picture, Best Director and for his Best Original Screenplay.
Interview: Alonzo Alcaraz on ‘One Night Stand’ at Chicago Latino Film Festival on April 15, 2016
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 15, 2016 - 10:05amCHICAGO – One of the most exciting days for any filmmaker is the World Premiere of their first feature film. Alonzo Alcaraz will be experiencing that excitement at the 2016 Chicago Latino Film Festival as the the World Premiere of “One Night Stand” is screened on Friday evening, April 15th. For details, click here.
Oscar Week Feature: Top 20 Interviews of 2015, by Patrick McDonald
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 24, 2016 - 3:11pmCHICAGO –The movers, the shakers, the prominent filmmakers – they’ve all gone through the interview filter by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. What better way to celebrate Oscar week than to review the TOP 20 talks of the 2015, with many 2016 Oscar favorites among the celebrated.
Interview: Adam McKay Comes Up Large in ‘The Big Short’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 24, 2015 - 10:21amCHICAGO – When HollywoodChicago.com last spoke to writer/director Adam McKay in 2013, he was about to release “Anchorman 2,” and wasn’t really known for anything but his wacky comedy films. That all changed this month, with the release of “The Big Short,” a brilliant indictment of the financial meltdown of 2007 and ’08, and an impressively creative and serious effort from the comic director.
Interview: Cindy Caponera on Her New Book ‘I Triggered Her Bully’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2014 - 3:33pmCHICAGO – It was a cold Chicago day in May, typical of the endless winter. The coffee shop was warm and inviting, as I waited to interview the comedy icon, Cindy Caponera. She had written a book – “I Triggered Her Bully” – but as she walked in I was more interested in what she was wearing.
Film Review: ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues’ Defies Pattern of Comedy Sequels
Submitted by BrianTT on December 17, 2013 - 1:49pmComedy sequels are SO rarely worthwhile. Most good comedy is dependent on being fresh, new, and unpredictable – words not commonly uses to describe sequels. For every “Wayne’s World 2,” there are a dozen films of the caliber of “Ghostbusters 2,” “Arthur 2,” and “Caddyshack II” – movies that are so bad that they almost diminish the legacy of their predecessors.