CHICAGO – The late playwright August Wilson left a gift to the world in the form of his “American Century Cycle,” a series of plays each individually set in a decade of the 20th Century, focusing on the black experience. Chicago’s Goodman Theatre presents Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” now through May 19th, 2024 (click here).
Patrick McDonald
Interview: Crispin Glover Brings ‘Big Slide Show’ to Chicago
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 4, 2014 - 12:44pmCHICAGO – Nobody puts actor Crispin Hellion Glover in a corner. The eclectic and insightful performer is also a filmmaker, musician and author, and he brings all those elements to Chicago with the presentation of his “Big Slide Show” at the Patio Theater, 6008 Irving Park Road, on Friday, February 7th, 2014.
Film News: 10th Year of Midwest Independent Film Festival Kicks Off Feb. 4, 2014
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 3, 2014 - 5:48pmCHICAGO – One of the finest film fest gathering places in Chicago is the Midwest Independent Film Festival, a year-long event that meets every first Tuesday of the month. The festival’s 10th year kicks off on Tuesday, February 4th, with the comedy “Adventures in the Sin Bin.”
Film News: Oscar Winner Philip Seymour Hoffman Dies at 46
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 2, 2014 - 3:18pmNEW YORK CITY – Philip Seymour Hoffman, Best Actor Oscar Winner for ‘Capote,’ was found dead in his New York City apartment early Sunday morning. The 46-year-old Hoffman had struggled with heroin addiction, and police suspect an overdose, but the cause of his death is yet to be determined.
Exclusive Portrait: Happy Birthday to Lauren Conrad of ‘The Hills’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 2, 2014 - 6:39amCHICAGO – Reality TV star Lauren Conrad turns 28 years old on February 1st. Best known for the MTV reality series, “The Hills,” Conrad recently wrote a book called “Infamous,” and was photographed for HollywoodChicago.com, during a promotional appearance at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill., in June of 2013
Film Review: ‘At Middleton’ Never Reaches Its Star Power Potential
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 31, 2014 - 7:52pmCHICAGO – Since the world has been clamoring for a film about high school seniors touring a liberal arts college, “At Middleton” fills the bill, and throws in a symbolic midlife liaison between characters portrayed by Andy Garcia and Vera Farmiga, tripping across their own “life campus.”
Film Review: ‘Labor Day’ Provides Meaning to Romantic Tension
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 31, 2014 - 9:54amCHICAGO – There is a real power when the right filmmaker connects with the right performers. What appears on the surface to be a slight and well-worn story, gains a decided psychological edge. ‘Labor Day’ features Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin, and writer/director Jason Reitman.
Interview: Andy Garcia Finds His Character ‘At Middleton’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 29, 2014 - 3:14pmCHICAGO – The actor Andy Garcia has been known throughout the years as a tough-guy leading man, with memorable roles in “The Godfather: Part III” and the “Ocean’s Eleven” series. He latest role is a gentle and comic turn, as a father doing a college tour with his son, and discovering more than expected in “At Middleton.”
Interview: Author Joyce Maynard for New Film ‘Labor Day’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 28, 2014 - 1:16pmCHICAGO – She has had two of her books adapted by top modern directors – Gus Van Sant directed “To Die For” (1995), and Jason Reitman is just about to release “Labor Day,” starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. But the journey of author Joyce Maynard extends even beyond these accomplishments, affecting literary history.
Slideshow: Women in Film Chicago 2014 Kick-Off Party
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 26, 2014 - 6:29amCHICAGO – For over 30 years, Women in Film has been building a global community of film, television, advertising, digital and on-screen media professionals. The Chicago chapter is a vibrant part of that community, and on January 23rd Women in Film Chicago began the new year with their 2014 Kick-Off Party.
Interview: Hanson Brothers to Introduce ‘Slap Shot’ in Chicagoland
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 24, 2014 - 10:57amCHICAGO – The legendary Hanson Brothers, those child-like ice hockey enforcers from the classic sports film, “Slap Shot” (1977), will be in the Chicago area January 24th-26th, introducing the movie, signing autographs and greeting admirers at the Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville, Ill., and the Hollywood Blvd Cinema in Woodridge.
