CHICAGO – It’s coming! YippieFest 2020 – joining the virtual and online revolution during these particular times – is set for August 21st through the 23rd. Details to come on schedules and times, but the whole fest can be downloaded for FREE on those dates through TWITCH streaming service. Click here for more details.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Podtalk: Director Benh Zeitlin Finds Neverland in ‘Wendy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 4, 2020 - 5:36pmCHICAGO – The Peter Pan mythos is as well known as any legend, ever since J.M. Barrie invented the character in 1904. Through nearly a hundred versions in virtually all media, the theme remains the same … what happens if we never grow up. Benh Zeitlin adds his spin in “Wendy,” the follow-up to his Oscar nominated “Beasts of the Southern Wild” (2012).
Feature: Ten Memories from Sophia Wong Boccio Celebrates Season Ten of Asian Pop-Up Cinema
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 2, 2020 - 5:00pmCHICAGO – Season Ten for Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) will kick off on March 10th, 2020, and this cultural gift to the city has grown with each new Opening Night. The success of APUC is due to its founder – veteran film curator Sophia Wong Boccio – who coordinates her board of directors, vendors, Chicago communities and volunteers to present the screenings and events.
Film Review: ‘The Invisible Man’ is a True Heart Pounding Thriller
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 28, 2020 - 4:17pmCHICAGO – When I think of “The Invisible Man” the first thing I think of is the special effects… and that’s largely what it’s been about … from Claude Raines initial portrayal of “The I Man” in the 1930s, all the way through more modern takes like Kevin Bacon in the thriller “Hollow Man” (2000).
Film Review: ‘The Call of the Wild’ Offers Only Tame Adventure
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 24, 2020 - 1:31pmCHICAGO – “The Call Of The Wild” is an old fashioned story with some expensive and unnecessary technological upgrades. Foregoing man’s best friend in reality, the film replaces the featured dog with an entirely digital creation … which I can’t say was an improvement.
Podtalk: Erica Duffy Introduces Rebooted Midwest Film Festival in Chicago on Feb. 22, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 20, 2020 - 11:15amCHICAGO – Facing extinction, the Midwest Independent Film Festival was resurrected through the efforts of new Executive Director Erica Duffy, who will introduce the rebooted “Midwest Film Festival” to Chicago on February 22nd, 2020.
Exclusive Photo: Jessica Simpson for Her New ‘Open Book’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 19, 2020 - 12:38pm- Anderson’s Book Shop
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CHICAGO – When your life is an open book, it’s appropriate to finally get around to putting it on paper. Jessica Simpson – singer, actress, reality TV star, fashion designer and now author – has just released her new memoir “Open Book,” and it has shot to number one on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Interview: Matthew Weinstein on ‘A Missed Connection’ at Beloit Film Fest, Feb. 21-22, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 19, 2020 - 11:38amCHICAGO – Writer/director Matthew Weinstein is bringing a bit of Chicago to the Beloit (Wisconsin) International Film Festival this upcoming weekend (February 21st and 22nd) as he presents his short made-in-Chicago film, “A Missed Connection.” Featuring a couple, a chance encounter and a meditation on the past, more information on the screening is available by
Film Review: ’Sonic the Hedgehog’ is Fast & Furry But Not Funny
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 14, 2020 - 11:43amCHICAGO – It may be damning with faint praise, but I can assure you that “Sonic the Hedgehog” is no longer the stuff of nightmares. The-Island-of-Dr-Moreau-like creation which seemed half human and half hedgehog in the film’s first trailer, has been replaced by something more akin to the Sonic we know from video games and cartoons. He’s cute. He’s fast. But he’s not particularly funny.
Podtalk: Melissa Grubbs of Chicago's Reckless Records on ‘High Fidelity’ Pop Up, Feb. 13-15, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 13, 2020 - 12:06pmCHICAGO – “High Fidelity” is back! The iconic 2000 film, which was set in Chicago, is being rebooted as a Hulu series featuring Zoë Kravitz.
Film News: ‘Parasite’ Makes History at 92nd Academy Awards
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 10, 2020 - 11:15amCHICAGO – In a surprising sweep, the South Korean film “Parasite” – created through the vision of director Bong Joon Ho – won all the major creative categories, including Best Original Screenplay and Director, as well as securing Best International Film and making Oscar history as the first non-English-speaking Best Picture.
Podtalk: Director Lulu Wang on ‘The Farewell,’ 2020 Independent Spirit Best Picture
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 8, 2020 - 7:44pmCHICAGO – One of the hottest films from the first half 2019 festival season was an emotional story about family, and scored the Best Picture at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 8th. “The Farewell” is a breakout for both the lead actor Awkwafina (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Zhao Shuzhen (who won the Indie Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress) and their director Lulu Wang. Wang’s story of her grandmother became a universal spirit about our relative connections.
Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com 2020 Oscar Predictions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 8, 2020 - 4:01pmCHICAGO – Let’s make this important! The 92nd Academy Awards are on Sunday, February 9th, 2020, and HC.com film/entertainment contributors Patrick McDonald, Michael “Spike” Walters and Jon Lennon Espino are ready to add their Swami-like powers to eight major categories, plus three wild cards. Let the predicting begin.
Film News: Champion Movie Star Kirk Douglas Dies at 103
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 6, 2020 - 3:10pm- 000 Leagues Under the Sea
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LOS ANGELES – From his chiseled-from-marble good looks to his actor intensity on screen, Kirk Douglas defined the very concept of Movie Star. The actor also broke records for longevity, living to the ripe old age of 103. Kirk Douglas died of natural causes on February 5th, 2020, at his home in Los Angeles.
