CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Podtalk: Christian Taylor on ‘The Girl Who Wore Freedom' for D-Day 80th Thru June 9, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 1, 2024 - 8:10amCHICAGO – “The Girl Who Wore Freedom,” a documentary created by filmmaker Christian Taylor, is a film that speaks not only of the celebration of France’s appreciation for the Allies liberation of the country in World War II (beginning with D-Day), but also of the remembrance that this vital story evokes every June 6th, as in 2024 with the D-Day 80th Anniversary. The documentary will be on 300 screens across the U.S. from now through June 9th. Chicago area screenings are through Classic Cinemas (see end of article below). For a complete map of all U.S. screenings, click TheGirlWhoWoreFreedom.com.
Podtalk: Rob Smigel as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Chicago’s Den Theatre, June 3, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2024 - 1:25pmCHICAGO – I call him the Rosetta Stone of Show Business for the modern comedy era. Rob Smigel will appear in Chicago as the legendary Triumph the Insult Comic Dog at the Den Theatre LIVE on Monday June 3rd, 2024, with “Let’s Make a Poop,” featuring special guests and more! Get tickets and more info at POOP.
On-Air Film Review: The Muppet Master is ‘Jim Henson: Idea Man’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2024 - 10:11amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Jim Henson: Idea Man,” directed by Ron Howard and featuring Frank Oz and The Muppets. Streaming on Disney+ beginning May 31st.
On-Air Film Review: He’s Talking to Robert De Niro in ‘Ezra’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2024 - 8:27amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Ezra,” featuring Bobby Cannavale and Robert De Niro as a son and father, struggling to help raise an autistic boy. In theaters on May 31st.
Interview, Review: Brian Wallach, Sandra Abrevaya ‘For Love & Life … ‘
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 30, 2024 - 7:48pmCHICAGO – When Sandra Abrevaya met her future husband Brian Wallach while on the staff of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, their future seemed bright. But then Brian was was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and his prognosis was dim. Their story is told in “For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign.”
Podtalk: Clayton Stamper on Wayfarer Theaters Highland Park Grand Opening, May 31, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 30, 2024 - 6:26pmCHICAGO – There is a new movie theater in Chicagoland’s Highland Park, with the Grand Opening of Wayfarer Theaters at 1850 2nd Street. On May 31st, the official start of a new era in theatergoing in Highland Park begins, with multiple screenings of “Ezra” from the theater’s sister company, Wayfarer Studios. For complete information on these FREE SCREENINGS and the theater, click WAYFARER.
Exclusive Portraits: Superstar Renée Fleming at Chicago Humanities
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2024 - 11:42am- Carnegie Hall
- Chicago Humanities Festival
- Countess Almaviva
- Exclusive Photo
- Grammy Award
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Joe Arce
- Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Le nozzle di Figaro
- Mozart
- Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness
- Opera
- Patrick McDonald
- Practice
- Renée Fleming
- Soprano
CHICAGO – When the word “Opera” is defined today, the person that would illustrate the word is Renée Fleming. The lyric soprano has done most major female opera roles, and has written a new book … “Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness” … and recently appeared at the Chicago Humanities Festival.
Red Carpet Podtalk: Director Pamela Adlon of ‘Babes’ at CCFF 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 25, 2024 - 7:02pmCHICAGO – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). “Babes” expanded nationwide on May 24th for Memorial Day weekend.
On-Air Film Review: God Only Knows the Talent of ‘The Beach Boys’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 25, 2024 - 6:08pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for The Beach Boys,” the latest rock documentary on the most famous California band of the 1960s, featuring insights from Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Al Jardine. Currently streaming on Disney+ since May 24th.
Audio Film Review: That Darn Cat Rides Again in 'The Garfield Movie'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 24, 2024 - 8:21am- Bowen Yang
- Cecily Strong
- Chris Pratt
- Eddie Volkman
- Hannah Brummer
- Hannah Waddingham
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- I Hate Mondays
- Jim Davis
- Monroe
- Movie Review
- Nicolas Hoult
- Pat Über TV
- Patrick McDonald
- Samuel L. Jackson
- Scott Thompson
- Snoop Dogg
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- The Garfield Movie
- Ving Rhames
- WBGR-FM
- Wisconsin
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Garfield Movie,” an animated film based on the popular comic strip by Jim Davis, and featuring the Monday-hating, lasagna-loving Orange Tabby cat (voice of Chris Pratt) and his friends. In theaters on May 24th.
Film Review: ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ Creates an Energy of Its Own
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 24, 2024 - 5:28amCHICAGO – It’s no “Fury Road,” but “Furiosa” is a suitably high octane summer blockbuster that delivers the eye popping action that Mad Max fans come for. The film is a prequel to that Oscar winning film, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking over for Charlize Theron as the one armed, shaved headed all around world-class bad ass.
On-Air Film Review: Everything Must Converge in Ethan Hawke’s ‘Wildcat’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 22, 2024 - 2:27pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “Wildcat,” co-written and directed by Ethan Hawke and featuring his daughter Maya as 20th Century writer Flannery O’Connor. Currently in select theaters since May 17th. See local listings.
On-Air Film Review: Future is Now in Yance Ford’s ‘Power’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 22, 2024 - 2:14pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new documentary “Power,” directed by Yance Ford, as a supplement informational survey of the history and militarization of the U.S. police force. Currently streaming on Netflix since May 17th.
