Joe Arce

CHICAGO – “The Class,” a film with strong Chicagoland ties – both in the past and present – will have a one-night-only premiere at Chicago’s iconic Music Box Theatre on September 8th, 2022 (7pm). Select stars and production crew will attend, and all the deets are available by clicking THE CLASS.

SILVER CITY, N.M.– No more can Uhura communicate. The ground breaking actor who originated the role of Nyota Uhura, the Communications Officer on The Original Series (TOS) “Star Trek,” passed away on July 30th at her home in New Mexico. Nichelle Nichols was 89. Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took this Exclusive Portrait in Chicago in 2018.

TOPANGA, CALIF – Tony Dow is still dead. The featured cast member of the iconic 1950s sitcom “Leave it to Beaver” joined the ranks of Mark Twain and Generalissimo Francisco Franco on the list of deaths that were announced before the individual had died. On July 26th, 2022, a rep inadvertently leaked that Dow had passed, after a battle with cancer. His family had to intervene, expressing that he was still alive. Dow officially died on July 27th at his home in Topanga, California.

CHICAGO – In one of my trips to New York City, I saw him in the distance on the street (this actually happens often in NYC. Pay attention!). Actor Paul Sorvino, Paulie Cicero of ‘Goodfellas’ legend, as well as many other films/stage/TV/opera work, was unmistakably walking right towards me. “Hey Paulie,” I instinctively said. “Hey,” he said back. Fast forward several years later, Mr. Sorvino was honored by the Chicago Film Critics Awards in 2013, I was a newly minted Chicago Film Critic, and I met him again (see below). Paul Sorvino died on July 25th, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 83.

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Writer/Director Kevin Smith is Silent Bob in ‘Clerks III.’

CHICAGO – “They’re Bringing it Back!” Is the inevitable tagline for “Clerks III,” the highly anticipated final (?) chapter of Kevin Smith’s Clerks universe of films. The main classic cast appeared at Fan Expo Chicago last weekend, and photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com captured the Exclusive Portraits. “Clerks III” is set to release on September 13th, 2022.

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Lana Parrilla of TV’s ‘Once Upon a Time’ and ‘Why Woman Kill.’

CHICAGO – The fan gathering conventions are coming back, and a new one has emerged. The 2022 Fan Expo is the new name for the former Wizard World, which had met in pre-pandemic Chicago for years. The Fan Expo offers the same celebrity meet-and-greets, including Joel McHale (“Star Girl”), Carl Weathers (“Rocky”), Ron Perlman (“Hellboy”), Anthony Daniels (“Star Wars”), Jonathan Frakes (“Star Trek; TNG”) and director Kevin Smith (“Clerks”).

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Prime Video’s ‘A League of Their Own’ will premiere in Rockford.

ROCKFORD, ILL. – It’s time for the classic film “A League of Their Own” to go back to their roots … Rockford, Illinois, home of the old timey woman’s baseball team the Rockford Peaches. To celebrate the NEW Prime Video series adaptation of “League,” and the 30th anniversary of the film, Prime Video will be premiering the series in a special Rockford screening on July 2nd, 2022.

CHICAGO – In 2015, I got the call that I would get an opportunity to interview legendary songwriter and pop artist Brian Wilson of the 1960s supergroup The Beach Boys. He was at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago introducing the bio-film “Love & Mercy.” Today (June 20th) is Brian Wilson’s 80th Birthday, and the interview is reprinted below.

CHICAGO – Cooper Raiff was ready for his close-up. His improbable journey to filmmaker, aided in part by a random tweet to Jay Duplass, came to fruition with the success at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival with “Cha Cha Real Smooth.” The film streams on Apple TV+ beginning June 17th, 2022.

CHICAGO – The binge world is abuzz with the anticipation of what actor Bryan Cranston will bring in reprising his Walter White character (‘Breaking Bad), in the prequel/sequel series ‘Better Call Saul.’ In the meantime, he has a branded tequila to promote, and photographer Joe Arce got the Exclusive Portrait.