CHICAGO – It began with a boy and his dream (nightmare?). John LaFlamboy, to be exact, as he took an idea he had in college and made it his life’s work. He owns and operates the HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport (Illinois), which was designed, built and put together by Haunted House experts expressly for the spookiest month of the year. For info on how to purchase tickets, click HellsGate.
Jackie Robinson
Via Zoom Flashback: Director Sam Pollard of ‘The League’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 15, 2023 - 10:38amCHICAGO – Sam Pollard has established himself as a top director of documentaries, to add to his stellar career as a film editor … including for Spike Lee. His latest doc is a deep dive into the 20th Century curiosity of the Negro League. With interviews, archival photos/footage and comprehensive storytelling, the doc is entitled “The League.”
Via Zoom: Sarah Burns on ‘The Central Park Five,’ ‘Jackie Robinson’ & “Muhammad Ali’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 29, 2021 - 2:22pmCHICAGO – Say the name “Ken Burns” and immediately images are evoked regarding the best of American documentaries. For three films – “The Central Park Five,” “Jackie Robinson” and the latest PBS documentary series, “Muhammad Ali” – Ken’s daughter Sarah Burns co-directed with him. Sarah talked to Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com on the three landmark films.
Film News: Chadwick Boseman, Star of ‘Black Panther,’ Dies at 43
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 29, 2020 - 7:27amLOS ANGELES – In another shocking piece of news in this year of 2020, the actor Chadwick Boseman, who embodied the Marvel superhero Black Panther in the film and universe, passed away on Aug. 28. He was known also for portraying black icons such as Jackie Robinson (“42”) and James Brown (“Get on Up”). He was only 43 years old.
Blu-ray Review: Emotional ‘42’ Has Power But Lacks Depth
Submitted by BrianTT on July 15, 2013 - 6:22pmCHICAGO – “World’s not so simple any more. Guess it never was.” I wish “42” wasn’t so simple either. Because the story of the amazing accomplishments of Jackie Robinson sure were anything but simple. He was not only chosen to be the man who would break the color barrier but he was asked to do so peacefully, never displaying the anger that 99 out of 100 men would in the same situation.
Interview: John C. McGinley Channels Red Barber in ‘42’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 30, 2013 - 7:45amCHICAGO – John C. McGinley will probably always be known for the classic TV character Dr. Perry Cox on the long-running “Scrubs.” But through his character actor career, he has taken on a variety of roles, including the portrayal of Red Barber, the play-by-play man for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the recent film “42.”
Film Review: ‘42’ Celebrates Jackie Robinson, the Promise of America
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 12, 2013 - 3:28pmCHICAGO – It took baseball, that noble sport, to recognize in 1947 what the universe had dictated since day one – all persons are equal and all deserve an equal chance. Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to break the “color line” in baseball, and the story of that achievement is magnificently told in “42.”
