CHICAGO – It is Chicago where New York City native Harry Wood is debuting his first play, entitled “Roast,” through The Comrades theater company at the Greenhouse Theater Center. The comic drama, about a gathering of stand up comics and relatives to “roast” – rather than eulogize – a deceased fellow comedian, is a World Premiere that runs through August 18th, 2019. For tickets and more information, click here.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Podtalk: Filmmaker Clare Cooney for Short Film ‘Runner,’ Debuting on YouTube’s Omeleto
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 23, 2019 - 7:29amCHICAGO – The determining factor of a creative work’s shelf life can simply be its excellence. Writer, director and actor Clare Cooney released her first short film “Runner” in 2017, and the positive reaction was immediate. After a number of film festivals and awards, Cooney will release the film nationwide on the YouTube channel “Omeleto” on April 23rd, 2019. To access the film, click here.
Film Review: Vivacity and Simplicity Come Together in ‘Teen Spirit’
Submitted by JonHC on April 22, 2019 - 5:49pmCHICAGO – For most of us, music literally becomes the soundtrack to our lives. They become a reflection of our mood, innermost thoughts, and even our fears. Sometimes they are just a pick me up, the same way Cardi B is currently soundtracking the writing of this review. Certain, well-placed songs can even tell our life story without us having to utter a single word, much like Teen Spirit.
Podtalk: Yvonne Elliman, Mary Magdalene in Rock Opera & Film ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 20, 2019 - 10:41am- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Eric Clapton
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- I Don’t Know How to Love Him
- Ian Gillan
- If I Can’t Have You
- Interview
- Jesus
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Joe Arce
- Mary Magdalene
- Norman Jewison
- Patrick McDonald
- Podcast
- Podtalk
- Rock Opera
- Saturday Night Fever
- Soundtrack
- Ted Neeley
- Tim Rice
- Yvonne Elliman
CHICAGO – To begin with, Yvonne Elliman’s vocal stylings have appeared on albums that have sold 50 million units. The singer was discovered by Andrew Lloyd Webber for his seminal “Jesus Christ Superstar” rock opera (approximately 10 million albums sold), portraying Mary Magdelene, and also had a monster hit – “If I Can’t Have You” – on the legendary “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack (40 million sold).
FLASHBACK Interview: The Confessions of Ted Neeley, Superstar
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 19, 2019 - 8:23amCHICAGO – What can be said for a man who has portrayed Jesus close to 5,000 times, and starred in the definitive Broadway and film versions of the most famous rock opera about Christ? Ted Neeley is as virtuous as his famous title role in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” During this Easter weekend, HollywoodChicago.com reprints this comprehensive overview of Ted Neeley, Superstar.
Podtalk: Action Movie Villain Patrick Kilpatrick Pens New Memoir ‘Dying for a Living’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 18, 2019 - 9:53pm- 24
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Bruce Willis
- Cagney & Lacey
- Dark Angel
- Dying for a Living: Sins and Confessions of a Hollywood Villain & Libertine Patriot
- Eraser
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Interview
- Patrick Kilpatrick
- Patrick McDonald
- Podcast
- Podtalk
- Sam Elliott
- Star Trek: Voyager
- The Grateful Dead
- The Toxic Avenger
CHICAGO – What is it like to usually play the villain?
Interview: Leah Martin-Brown, Lead Singer of ‘Evol Walks’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 18, 2019 - 6:32amCHICAGO – With a healthy dose of attitude, a dynamite lead singer and a predilection for time-honored rock ‘n’ roll, “Evol Walks” is a band that has rapidly emerged as a heavyweight contender. Now based in Los Angeles, Evol Walks has produced an EP, earned plaudits from artists and fans around the world, and played across three continents. The band’s hard edge takes its inspiration from the giants of heavy music, from roots in AC/DC and Black Sabbath, as well as Led Zeppelin, Joan Jett, Stone Sour and Monster Magnet, plus gives it a modern tweak.
Film Review: Disneynature’s ‘Penguins’ in Flight with the Flightless
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 18, 2019 - 5:34amCHICAGO – It is the tenth anniversary of Disneynature, the arm of Walt Disney Pictures that releases a new nature doc around every Earth Day. This year the naturally visual interest of “Penguins” are their subject, and the film does a nice job on the life cycle journey of these fascinating flightless birds.
Film News: Chicago’s Asian Pop-up Cinema Screens ‘Memories of a Dead End’ on April 17, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 17, 2019 - 8:56amCHICAGO – Korea Week continues in Season Eight of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) on Wednesday, April 17th, 2019, and the film presented will be “Memories of a Dead End.” The story of emotional healing is directed by Hyun-young Choi, who will appear on behalf of the co-produced South Korean/Japan film at AMC River East 21 in downtown Chicago.
Interview: Chicago’s Asian Pop-up Cinema Continues with ‘The Pension’ on April 16, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 16, 2019 - 8:32amCHICAGO Two weeks to go in Season Eight of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), and this week (April 16-17, 2019) is Korea week. Director Jeonghuh Deok-Jae will appear on behalf of the film “The Pension” – a anthology film set at the title hotel in South Korea – at AMC River East 21 in Chicago on April 16th, 2019.
Film Review: ‘The Chaperone’ is Excellent Lesson in 1920s Identity
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 15, 2019 - 9:55amCHICAGO – Although mostly set in the early 1920s, “The Chaperone” has some pungent lessons regarding identity, and living life authentically. The story of former silent film star Louise Brooks and her first trip to New York City expresses both how we can live today and how they lived back then.
Film Review: ‘Little’ Squanders Its Comedic and Social Potential in an Attempt to Play It Safe
Submitted by JonHC on April 14, 2019 - 3:12pmCHICAGO – After a typical late night, deep dive of the internet, I found something terrifying. Around the 60’s, creating dinners in Jello were popular for some reason. Although I liked every individual ingredient, seeing the way they fit together was a less than appetizing. Watching “Little” reminds me of this experience except after the film, I was left with a bland, spiceless taste in my mouth.
Podtalk: DOC 10 Co-Founder Steve Cohen on Documentary Art & Fest Finales on April 14, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 14, 2019 - 9:27am- American Factory
- Anthropocene: The Human Epoch
- Biggest Little Farm
- Chicago Media Project
- DOC 10
- Documentary
- Film News
- Hail Satan?
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Knock Down the House
- Midnight Family
- Mike Wallace is Here
- One Child Nation
- Patrick McDonald
- Paula Froehle
- Steve Cohen
- The Distant Barking of Dogs
- The Infiltrators
CHICAGO – One of the exciting weekend film festivals in Chicago is DOC 10, a celebration of non-fiction filmmaking at its highest level. And no one knows that more than Steve Cohen, the co-founder – with Paula Froehle – of the festival. Cohen and Froehle not only help facilitate and curate DOC 10, but also produce documentaries through their Chicago Media Project. The Closing Night Film of DOC 10, on April 14th, 2019, is “Biggest Little Farm.” For more information and tickets, click here.
Film News: Chicago’s DOC 10 Fest Opens with ‘Knock Down the House’ on April 11, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 11, 2019 - 9:34am- American Factory
- Anthropocene: The Human Epoch
- Biggest Little Farm
- Chicago Media Project
- DOC 10
- Documentary
- Film News
- Hail Satan?
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Knock Down the House
- Midnight Family
- Mike Wallace is Here
- One Child Nation
- Patrick McDonald
- Pitch Brunch
- Seminars
- The Distant Barking of Dogs
- The Infiltrators
- Virtual Reality
CHICAGO – One of the great predictors of Oscar worthy films is Chicago’s DOC 10 festival. The Chicago Media Project presents its fourth annual documentary fest, a weekend of 10 prominent documentaries that end up either making a national statement or nominated for awards (last year’s fest included Oscar nominees “Minding the Gap” and “RBG”). It all takes place at the Davis Theatre in the Lincoln Square neighborhood from April 11th-14th, 2019, and opens with “Knock Down the House.” For more information and tickets, click here.
