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.
Yuletide
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.
Podtalk: Director Dana Nachman Puts Her Stamp on ‘Dear Santa’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 30, 2020 - 10:14amCHICAGO – Now that the socially distanced Thanksgiving is past us, it’s time to turn to Christmas and the films that are associated with that holiday. Documentary director Dana Nachman has a series of emotional and true stories in her latest film “Dear Santa,” an overview of a gift-giving charity that starts with a child’s letter.
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.
Podtalk: Cassidy Russell on ‘It’s Christmas, Goddamnit!’ at Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 22, 2019 - 8:54pmCHICAGO – With a goal to put some poignancy and “fun” in a dysfunctional family holiday story, Cassidy Russell directs the annual “It’s Christmas, Goddamnit!” at Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre, Saturdays from November 23rd through December 28th, 2019. Click here for more details and tickets.
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.
