CHICAGO – YIPPIE! It’s back, in the neighborhood of its roots. YippieFest 2023 will be August 4th-6th in the Lakeview/Buena Park venue of PRIDE ARTS, 4139 North Broadway in Chicago. The space is less than a half mile from the former Mary-Arrchie Theatre, whose “Abbie Hoffman Festival” was the template for the three-day performance celebration. YippieFest currently has slots for theater acts, including one-act plays, monologue, sketch, improv, vaudeville and other stage performance arts. Artists get free admission to the rest of the festival, so click YiPPIE FEST 2023 to sign up.
Steve Carell
Via Zoom: Director Mary Wall’s ‘The Fan Connection’ at Wilmette Theatre, Oct. 7-8, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 7, 2022 - 7:47amCHICAGO – A fascinating documentary on the essence of ardent hockey fanatics is in “The Fan Connection’ by Mary Wall, her debut film. Wall is originally from the Buffalo, New York, area and observed the hope that the Buffalo Sabres NHL hockey team gave the sports crazy city, which resulted in her chronicle in “The Fan Connection.” The film will screen at the Wilmette (Illinois) Theatre on October 7th and 8th, with an appearance by Mary Wall. Click LET’S GO BUFFALO for details and a ticket link.
On-Air Film Review: Loving the Man in ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 1, 2022 - 1:08pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 30th, reviewing “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the fifth film in the “Despicable Me” animated film series, in theaters beginning July 1st.
TV Review: HollywoodChicago.com On-AIr with Netflix’s 'Space Force'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2020 - 8:53amCHICAGO – Seemingly ripped from the headlines, by way of “Dr. Strangelove,” the new Netflix TV series “Space Force” debuted on May 29th, 2020. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com reviewed the series during the Eddie Volkman Show (Star 96.7 FM in Joliet, Illinois) on June 5th, 2020.!—break—>
Film Review: ‘Vice’ Proves It’s Okay to Laugh at Dick Cheney
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 27, 2018 - 6:49pmCHICAGO – “Vice” is an occasionally very funny attempt to demystify the life and legacy of former Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney. Using some of the same gimmicks and narrative trickery he employed to great effect in “The Big Short,” writer/director Adam McKay goes deep into the weeds to try to explain how Cheney made it to the second highest office in the land.
Podtalk: Director Felix Van Groeningen of ‘Beautiful Boy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 21, 2018 - 11:13amCHICAGO – In a film certain to get Oscar buzz, “Beautiful Boy” opened on October 19th in Chicago, and opened the recent Chicago International Film Festival. The delicate and sensitive portrayal of addiction features fine performances from Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet, guided by director Felix Van Groeningen.
Red Carpet: OPENING NIGHT with 'Beautiful Boy' at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 13, 2018 - 12:17amCHICAGO – It was with much anticipation that the 54th Chicago International Film Festival launched with a special screening of “Beautiful Boy,” starring Steve Carell and Timotheé Chamalet. Walking the Red Carpet was one of the supporting cast members, Andre Royo, and the director of the film, Felix Van Groeningen.
Film News: ‘Beautiful Boy’ Opens the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 10, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 9, 2018 - 9:16pmCHICAGO – It’s Opening Night for the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Wednesday, October 10th, 2018, and the film that kicks it off is the highly anticipated “Beautiful Boy,” featuring Steve Carell and Timotheé Chalamet, and directed by Felix Van Groeningen.
Film Review: ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Parallels a Fight That’s Going on Today
Submitted by JonHC on September 22, 2017 - 5:03pmCHICAGO – Since the time of early hominids, there has been a battle raging with your side being chosen before you’re even born. It all began when men claimed they were superior to women, forcing women to fight for the right at equality. Unfortunately, it remains as alive in the 70’s, when “Battle of the Sexes” takes place, as it is now.
Film Review: ‘Despicable Me 3’ Reemerges as Despicably Dull
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 29, 2017 - 11:33pmCHICAGO – This is it. The point where Gru and his Minions went from mildly irritating to excruciating. The series will undoubtedly entertain the children it’s intended for, my twins probably would have liked it if they had been able to come. But pity the poor parents who have to sit through another film full of Minion fart noises… which seems to last for roughly three whole days.
Red-Carpet Video Interviews: ‘Café Society’ Filmmaker Woody Allen
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 25, 2016 - 12:01pmCHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com presents our red-carpet video coverage of the “Café Society” premiere in Chicago on July 21, 2016. We interview legendary filmmaker Woody Allen along with executive producer Ron Chez and Metropolitan Capital Bancorp Chairman/CEO Michael Rose at the Chicago History Museum.
