CHICAGO – The great and lofty Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago has brought the current political season right on target with “POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” now extended through December 17th. Click POTUS.
IFC Films
On-Air Film Review: Devil Takes a Stroll in ‘When Evil Lurks’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 27, 2023 - 9:32amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 26th, 2023, reviewing “When Evil Lurks,” an Argentinian horror film that’s just in time for the Halloween weekend. In theaters now and streaming on Shudder October 27th, 2023.!—break—>
On-Air Film Review: Called CrackBerry, Addicted to ‘BlackBerry’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 13, 2023 - 7:23amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 11th, reviewing “BlackBerry,” the story of the rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone. In theaters on May 12th.!—break—>
CCFF23: 'Theater Camp' is Chicago Critics Film Fest Closing Night
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 11, 2023 - 6:29amCHICAGO – All great things must come to an end, as the 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) Closing Night is on Thursday, May 11th, with the anticipated “Theater Camp” at the Music Box Theatre. The Fest spanned six days, click CCFF FINALE for closing night ticket info.
Podtalk: Co-Writer/Director/Actor Matt Johnson of ‘BlackBerry’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 8, 2023 - 6:25pmCHICAGO – As technology goes, it seems so long ago, but at its peak the first multi-use smartphone was nicknamed the “CrackBerry” because of user addiction. The product’s improbable rise and fall is told in the new film “BlackBerry,” co-written/directed and featuring Matt Johnson.
CCFF2023: 10th Chicago Critic’s Fest Weekday Films Preview
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 8, 2023 - 8:48amCHICAGO – The 10th Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) continues through May 11th, with many screenings to come. On Wednesday, May 10th, a searing drama of sibling youth set in early 1990s Toronto is “Brother.” Click on BROTHER for tickets and more information.
CCFF2023: 10th Chicago Critic’s Fest Weekend Films Preview
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2023 - 10:20amCHICAGO – The 10th Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) continues on May 6th, with a local filmmaker and her feature debut. “Waiting for the Light to Change,” directed by Lihn Tran, is Sunday’s featured film. Click on WAITING for tickets and more information.
Film News: 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival Opens with 'BlackBerry' on Friday, May 5th
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 3, 2023 - 10:54pmCHICAGO – One of the best local film gatherings is back, as the 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) opens on Friday, May 5th, with “BlackBerry” at the Music Box Theatre. The Fest runs through May 11th, click CCFF for opening night ticket info.
Film Review: Mellow Fellow Owen Wilson Channels Bob Ross in ‘Paint’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 6, 2023 - 10:04pmCHICAGO – The newly released “Paint” film offers an amiable enough premise that’s amusing in a two minute trailer, but entirely out of gas 20 minutes into the story, and then plods around for a whole other hour. While it’s hard to hate it, but I don’t think my time was very well spent either. !—break—>
SXSW2023: Spotlight Narrative ‘BlackBerry’ Tells a Story of Our Times
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 27, 2023 - 1:19pmAUSTIN, TX – Remember the term “CrackBerry”? It described the addicts of the earliest multi-function smartphone, the BlackBerry. In the days before the iPhone, it was the BlackBerry that held the mobile communication crown. The fascinating story of extreme success and monumental miscalculation is all encompassing.
Podtalk: Director David Siev for His Doc on Hometown ‘Bad Axe’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 14, 2022 - 11:17amCHICAGO – The combination of the divisive Donald Trump election and the pandemic affected many U.S. communities. David Siev, an American filmmaker from a Cambodian-origin family, turned on his camera to tell the story of that time in his hometown of Bad Axe, Michigan. The results became the documentary “Bad Axe.”!—break—>
