CHICAGO – The funny meter of Netflix went off the scale last week, as the animated series “Chicago Party Aunt” made its debut on September 17th. What began as a Twitter account by comic actor Chris Witaske (who also provides his voice talent) has morphed into the cartoon adventures of Aunt Diane Dumbowski, her nephew Daniel, and an array of familiar Chicago-isms and characters.
Southport Avenue
Film News: Chicago’s Music Box Theatre to Reopen on Feb. 26, 2021
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 24, 2021 - 2:39pmCHICAGO – In another strong sign that the pandemic is lessening its grip, the historic Music Box Theatre of Chicago will reopen to the general public on Friday, February 26th, 2021. The premiere film will be “Night of the Kings,” written and directed by Philippe Lacote. The Music Box will be following strict COVID-19 guidelines recommended by the CDC … get full details by clicking here.
Podtalk: Filmed-in-Chicago ‘Solstice’ with ‘Home Alone’ at Chi-Town Drive-In, Dec. 20, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 18, 2020 - 9:41pmCHICAGO – If you’re itching for some safe holiday cheer outside the confines of home for an evening, a drive-in Christmas film double feature is just the ticket.
Digital Review: Amazon Prime for Chicago-Based Christmas Film ‘Solstice’ on Nov. 27, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 26, 2019 - 12:47pmCHICAGO – It’s that time of year, and many gatherings use the spare time on Thanksgiving weekend to start the holiday movie tradition of the season. Although not many people know it, Chicago was the location used for the first Lifetime Christmas movie in the 1990s. “Solstice” was written and directed by Jerry Vasilatos, and premiered on Lifetime in 1994.
Appreciation: A Tribute to Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on its 90th Anniversary
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 29, 2019 - 1:33pmCHICAGO – There are movie exhibitors, screening rooms, multiplexes and grindhouses, but there is only one Music Box Theatre, and Chicago is privileged to have it. The movie theater of all movie theaters opened on August 22nd, 1929, and is celebrating its 90th Anniversary all week at the venue, in the Southport Corridor neighborhood.
Podtalk: Jerry Vasilatos Presents ‘Solstice’ at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on Dec. 18, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 18, 2018 - 8:31amCHICAGO – In a bit of a Christmas miracle, a film that was shot in Chicago in the early 1990s will see the light of screen again in the same theater – the historic Music Box Theatre – where a key scene was filmed. Writer/Director Jerry Vasilatos presents the 25th Anniversary restoration of his holiday film “Solstice” on December 18th, 2018, with a post screening Q&A moderated by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. For details and ticket info, click here.
Film News: Last 4 Days of Music Box Theatre’s 70mm Film Festival in Chicago
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 7, 2016 - 3:07pmCHICAGO – In the midst of all the Oscar-oriented news, Chicago’s best movie venue – the Music Box Theatre – has been conducting an “ultimate” 70mm Film Festival. It is the last four days of this fest, so this is a reminder to experience it if you haven’t already. 70mm refers to a historical widescreen film format that expresses an amazing cinema canvas, and was used with great fanfare in Quentin Tarantino’s most recent film, “The Hateful Eight.”
