Father

CHICAGO – The Autumnal Film Festivals are in full swing, and filmmakers across the spectrum are screening their cinema works to audiences around the country. Beginning a tour of festivals with his short “Cottage Grove” is writer/director George Ellzey Jr., a Chicago native and DePaul University grad. The film highlights the Chicago neighborhood and parental relations.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “His Three Daughters,” a passionate exploration of the hospice stage of life, and how it affects the three women of the title, as Dad is dying. Currently in theaters or streaming on Netflix beginning on September 20th.

CHICAGO – The truth is out there for David Duchovny, and he is definitely a seeker. The actor, best known for the TV series “The X Files” and “Californication,” has a new film in theaters opening February 14th, in which he portrays a father figure to the title character in “Adam the First.”

CHICAGO – 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.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 10th, 2022, reviewing “Aftersun,” a UK/USA co-production about father and daughter relationships, in select theaters now.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 14th, reviewing “Don’t Make Me Go,” a road trip picture shared by a father and daughter, streaming on Prime Video beginning July 15th.

CHICAGO – Exceptional films that reflect honest relationships are rare, but the latest film “Don’t Make Me Go” – streaming on Prime Video on July 15th – accomplishes the father/daughter dynamic with authentic situations and emotions. John Cho and Mia Isaac portray that relationship, in a film directed by Hannah Marks.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on August 19th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Flag Day” – featuring and directed by Sean Penn – In theaters on August 20th, 2021.



CHICAGO – Combining an intimate, personal story with a superstar cast, writer/director Shana Feste realized a semi-autobiographical journey in her new film “Boundaries.” The cast includes Oscar winners Christopher Plummer and Vera Farmiga, as well as Lewis MacDougall (“A Monster Calls”), Kristen Schaal, Bobby Cannavale, Christopher Lloyd AND Peter Fonda in a road trip picture that reunites ne’er do well Dad Jack (Plummer) with his desperate-to-connect-with-him daughter Laura (Farmiga).

CHICAGO – There is no better Father’s Day present at the movies than director Brett Haley’s new film, “Hearts Beat Loud.” It’s the story of a single Dad, portrayed by Nick Offerman, dealing with his about-to-go-to-college daughter. The riff in the film is that they are also songwriters together, and that becomes a major conflict.