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.
Cold War
Slideshow: Opening Night at 58th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 12, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 15, 2022 - 10:16amCHICAGO – Opening Night was a sensation for the 58th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF). Besides the Opening Night Red Carpet for the film “A Compassionate Spy,” a Block Party took place on the streets in front of Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre, in a memorable beginning to a Fest that runs through October 23rd. !—break—>
Via Zoom: Steve James’ ‘A Compassionate Spy’ Opens the 58th Chicago International Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 11, 2022 - 8:13amCHICAGO – The 58th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is here, and opens Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre with “A Compassionate Spy,” from master documentary maker Steve James (“Hoop Dreams”).
Via Zoom: Actor Tom Prior of ‘Firebird.’ Opening in Theaters on April 29, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 28, 2022 - 10:34pmCHICAGO – With the subject of Russia at the top of the news, the roots of their oppressive attitudes are revealed in the new film “Firebird,” opening this Friday April 29th. The fascinating based-on-truth story is set in the Cold War era Soviet Union, and was co-written – with director Peeter Rebane – by Tom Prior, who also portrays Sergey, one of the lead roles in the film.
Via Zoom: REELING39 LGBTQ+ Fest Opener is ‘Firebird’ with Tom Prior
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 22, 2021 - 11:19amCHICAGO – Opening Night is near – Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 – for the 39th edition of Chicago’s REELING film festival, an International LGBTQ+ showcase. The Opening film is “Firebird,” a based-on-truth gay love story set in Cold War Russia. It features actor Tom Prior, who co-wrote the film with director Peeter Rebane. For more info and tickets, click REELING39.
Film News: Midwest Independent Film Fest ‘Best of the Midwest’ Best Feature is 'Cold War'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 18, 2019 - 8:39am- 4 Leaf Clover
- Actor
- Actress
- Amy Guth
- Atoms of Ashes
- Best
- Best of the Midwest
- Clare Cooney
- Cold War
- Director
- Documentary Short
- Feature
- Film News
- Grace
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- J. Wilder Konschak
- Lullaby Theories: Cereal Fluid
- Michael Blaiklock
- Midwest Independent Film Festival
- Mike Kweilford
- Patrick McDonald
- Runner
- Saints Rest
- Short Film
- Stage Four
- Stirling McLaughlin
CHICAGO – On a cold day in January, it was a “Cold War” night. The Midwest Independent Film Festival “Best of the Midwest” (BMA) Awards for 2018 were given out on January 17th, 2019, and “Cold War” took home three major honors, including Best Feature.
Podtalk: Mike Kwielford on Midwest Independent Film Fest’s ‘Best of the Midwest,’ Jan. 17, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 14, 2019 - 7:07pmCHICAGO – Local Awards Season is coming up with the Best of the Midwest, honoring the 2018 film year of the Midwest Independent Film Festival. The Gala is on Thursday, January 17th, 2019, click here for tickets and information.
Film News: DAY EIGHT of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Features a Top Prize Winner
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 16, 2018 - 2:24pm- Cannes
- Chicago International Film Festival
- Cold War
- Dear Son
- Documentary
- Everybody Knows
- Facing the Wind
- Film News
- Gala Presentations
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- International Competition
- Little Tickles
- Michael Kutza
- Miriam Lies
- New Directors
- Palme D’Or
- Patrick McDonald
- Penelope Cruz
- Shoplifters
- The Belly of the Whale
- The Third Wife
CHICAGO – DAY EIGHT of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Wednesday, October 17th, 2018, is filled with two categories of competition films – six in New Directors and three in the International Competition, plus three more “Masters” films, the latest work from today’s most accomplished filmmakers.
Podtalk: J. Wilder Konschak & Stirling McLaughlin on Digital Release of ‘Cold War’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 7, 2018 - 10:57am- Amazon
- Antoine McKay
- Cold War
- Couples
- FandangoNow
- Gail Rastorfer
- Google Play
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Interview
- iTunes
- J. Wilder Konschak
- Madeline Walker
- Michael Blaiklock
- Patrick McDonald
- Podcast
- Podtalk
- Relationships
- Scarlett Harper
- Spaceship Town Productions
- Stirling McLaughlin
- Vudu
- Theater, TV, DVD & Blu-Ray
CHICAGO – Local filmmaking is thriving, thanks to the many creators who choose to make independent movies in Chicago. Co-directors Stirling McLaughlin and J. Wilder Konschak (also writer) brought their cast and crew to the Windy City to make their comedy, “Cold War.” The film made its digital debut on April 6th, 2018, and will be available on iTunes, Google Play, FandangoNow, Amazon, Vudu and more.
Film Review: Ethereal ‘The Shape of Water’ Forms Cinema Magic
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 13, 2017 - 2:48pmCHICAGO – This breathtaking morality and love story, set in a backward age, takes all of its major themes – passion, tolerance, symbolism and thrills – to the highest level. Writer/director Guillermo del Toro has created a masterwork that is part fairy tale, part adult desperation and all cinema magic.
Film Review: High-Level Reboot for ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 17, 2014 - 6:23amCHICAGO – Actor Chris Pine should use the term “Rebooter” as his middle name. After taking on the Captain Kirk role in the “Star Trek” series, he now is the latest to portray CIA super spy as “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” a literate and pulse racing adventure directed by Kenneth Branagh.