CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Film News: Chicago Underground Film Fest, Sep. 13-17, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 12, 2023 - 9:20amCHICAGO – The longest running underground film festival in the world kicks off its 30th Edition on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023. The Chicago Underground Film Festival opens with “Hello Dankness” at the Gene Siskel Film Center. For tickets and info, click CUFF30.
Podtalk: New Artistic Director Sarah Slight of Chicago’s Raven Theatre on the 41st Season
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 9, 2023 - 12:28pmCHICAGO – On July 1st, 2023, Sarah Slight was named Artistic Director of the Raven Theatre, beginning with the 41st Season, which begins October 5th with Lucille Fletcher’s from-Broadway thriller “Night Watch.” In 2024, the season will continue with two original commissioned stage plays, Paul Michael Thomson’s ‘brother sister cyborg space’ in February and the final installment of the Grand Boulevard Trilogy, “The Prodigal Daughter,” by Joshua Allen. For all information and tickets, click RAVEN.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Sitting in Bars with Cake’ is a Slice of Life
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 9, 2023 - 11:04amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 7th, 2023, reviewing “Sitting in Bars with Cake,” an adaptation of a cookbook memoir by Audrey Shulman. In theaters on September 8th.
Podtalk: George Ellzey Jr. on His ‘Bosom’ and ‘Cottage Grove’ Shorts
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 9, 2023 - 10:33amCHICAGO – The film festival season for Autumn 2023 is gearing up, and a local Chicago filmmaker has two of his short films in the mix. Writer/director George Ellzey Jr., has his family relationship films “Bosom” and “Cottage Grove” currently on the circuit. “Bosom” will screen on September 27th at the upcoming (click link) Charlotte Film Festival and “Cottage Grove” will be at the Wichita, Kansas, Tall Grass Film Festival on October 6th.
Audio Film Review: ‘Fremont’ is a Reflection on the Way We Are
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 8, 2023 - 1:53pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Fremont,” a beautiful and poignant story of an Afghanistan immigrant, stuck between two cultures in America … co-written and directed by Babak Jalali. In select theaters on September 8th, see local listings.!—break—>
On-Air Film Review: RSVP to ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 8, 2023 - 9:03amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 7th, 2023, reviewing “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,” the third film that highlights that wacky Greek family. In theaters on September 8th.!—break—>
Podtalk: Sophia Wong Boccio on Asian Pop-Up Cinema SEASON 17
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 6, 2023 - 8:12amCHICAGO – Fall film festivals begin this week with Season 17 of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema, curated by Executive Director/Founder Sophia Wong Boccio. Opening Night is Friday, September 8th, with the Japanese film “Yudo,” subtitled “The Way of the Bath,” directed by Masayuki Suzuki. For tickets and info, click APUC 17.
On-Air Film Review: Go With ‘Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 4, 2023 - 4:19pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show with Hannah B on a 3-Station Broadcast … Star 96.7 Joliet (IL), Star 102.3 Waukegan and Star 105.5 McHenry on September 1st, reviewing the animated French film “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia.” In theaters since September 1st.!—break—>
Podtalk: Tobi Shinobi & Lonnie Edwards Exhibit ‘Shadow Dancer,’ in Chicago Thru Sep 30, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 2, 2023 - 2:16pmCHICAGO – Two of the most cutting edge and modern artists have teamed up to present an unforgettable kaleidoscope of imagery in the hot up-and-coming neighborhood of West Town in Chicago, specifically at the West Town Chamber of Commerce space. The exhibit is called “Shadow Dancer,” and it is in its last month, closing on September 30th, 2023. For more information, click DANCER.
On-Air Film Reviews: What to See This Labor Day Weekend
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 2, 2023 - 9:56amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on August 31st, recommending five films for the Labor Day Weekend … “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “Blue Beetle,” “Landscape with Invisible Hand,” “Golda” and “Barbie.”
Podtalk: Co-Writers & Director on New Film ‘The Road Dog,’ at Pickwick Theatre, Sep. 1-7, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 31, 2023 - 2:47pmCHICAGO – “The Road Dog” refers to the stand-up comic who lives that life from town to town. The new film by the same name is co-written by Tony Boswell and Greg Glienna (also director), and will screen at the Park Ridge (IL) Pickwick Theatre (click here).
Audio Film Review: From the Dregs to Destiny with ‘Bottoms’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 29, 2023 - 3:47pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Bottoms,” a dark comedy parody of the high school caste system, featuring jocks, cheerleaders, freaks and geeks, directed and co-wrttien by Emma Seligman (“Shiva Baby”). In theaters since August 25th.
Podtalk: Brett & Jason Butler on Their Film ‘Unfriending’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 26, 2023 - 11:20amCHICAGO – Currently touring the film festival circuit, the new film “Unfriending” … by writer/director/brothers Brett and Jason Butler … is a pitch black comedy on our weirdly filtered world today. The Canadian filmmakers are veterans of five features, and have been building their reputations since the mid-2000s.!—break—>