CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
October 2017
Podtalk: ‘Maktub’ Premieres at 53rd Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 15, 2017
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 15, 2017 - 8:54amCHICAGO – The world comes to Chicago for the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival, and screenwriters/lead actors Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon has brought their new film “Maktub” for screening on Sunday night, October 15th, 2017 (8pm). The unique comedy is the first film for the Israeli television hitmakers.
Slideshow, Audio: Opening Night for ‘Marshall’ at 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 15, 2017 - 12:42amCHICAGO – On the night before the nationwide opening of the new film “Marshall,” the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival was alive with the premiere Red Carpet event – both for the start of the Festival and for the film and its stars. Chadwick Boseman, Sterling K. Brown, Jussie Smollett and John Marshall (the son of Thurgood Marshall, the subject of the film) all walked the carpet.
Slideshow: Preview of 2017 ‘Days of the Dead’ Chicago with 2016 Exclusive Portraits
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 14, 2017 - 12:19am- Alice Cooper
- American Pie
- Caroline Williams
- Chicago Schaumburg Marriott
- Chris Sarandon
- Darth Maul
- Days of the Dead
- Dee Snider
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Slideshow
- Joe Arce
- Linda Blair
- Megadeth
- Patrick McDonald
- Ray Park
- Ric Flair
- Shannon Elizabeth
- Star Wars
- Steve Dash
- The Exorcist
- Twin Peaks
- WWF
CHICAGO – The “Days of the Dead” convention is an annual event in Chicagoland and elsewhere, that brings together admirers of the horror film genre, cult movies enthusiasts, vendors, and panel discussions related to it all. Several celebrities also attend the event, including Linda Blair (“The Exorcist”), Ray Wise (“Twin Peaks”) and rocker Dee Snider (Twisted Sister). The 2017 convention will be held November 17th-19th at the Chicago Schaumburg Marriott in Schaumburg, Ill. (click link below for more information).
Interview, Audio: Director Sean Baker Builds ‘The Florida Project’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 13, 2017 - 11:02pmCHICAGO – It’s an epidemic in America, and it exists in a gray area that is not as prominent as other socio-economic issues. It is the “hidden homeless,” and the problem is uniquely defined as individuals who live week-to-week in cheap hotels, shelters and SROs, one circumstance away from being officially homeless. Writer/director Sean Baker takes this subject on in a stark-but-accessible narrative film called “The Florida Project.”
Film Review: No New Frights in Store for ‘Happy Death Day’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 13, 2017 - 7:25pmCHICAGO – “Happy Death Day” has a “Groundhog Day” gimmick, but that’s about it, offering essentially an ‘80’s style slasher flick with the hope that with a little cosmetic window dressing will help it appeal to an audience in 2017… Live, Die, Repeat. That’s all this film offers with precious few improvements to justify its existence.
No New Frights in Store for ‘Happy Death Day’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 13, 2017 - 7:22pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Happy Death Day” has a “Groundhog Day” gimmick, but that’s about it, offering essentially an ‘80’s style slasher flick with the hope that with a little cosmetic window dressing will help it appeal to an audience in 2017… Live, Die, Repeat. That’s all this film offers with precious few improvements to justify its existence.
Interview, Audio: Artistic Director Mimi Plauché on 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 12, 2017 - 4:48pm- 2017
- 53rd
- After Dark
- Alfre Woodard
- Architecture
- Because Life is a Movie
- Black Perspectives
- Chicago International Film Festival
- Cinemas of the Americas
- City & State
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Industry Days
- International Film Noir
- Interview
- LGBTQ+
- Mimi Plauché
- Outlook
- Patrick McDonald
- Patrick Stewart
- Short Films
- Spotlight
- Vanessa Redgrave
CHICAGO – In May of this year, Cinema/Chicago – the parent organization of the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) – announced that Mimi Plauché was the new Artistic Director of the Fest. She assumed the position that had formally been held by CIFF founder Michael Kutza, who continues as President and CEO.
Film Feature: 5 Ways to Love the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 10, 2017 - 11:02am- After Dark
- Alfre Woodard
- Because Life is a Movie
- Black Perspectives
- Chicago International Film Festival
- Cinemas of the Americas
- City & State
- Documentary
- Film News
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Industry Days
- LGBTQ+
- New Directors
- Outlook
- Patrick McDonald
- Patrick Stewart
- Short Films
- Spotlight
- U.S. Indies
- Vanessa Redgrave
CHICAGO – They’re warming up the spotlights, and gathering up all the glam for the next two weeks. The 53rd Chicago International Film Festival opens on Thursday, October 12th, 2017, with the film “Marshall” (details below), and it’s time for movie lovers to come together in the Windy City.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Pairs of Passes to ‘Happy Death Day’ From Producer Jason Blum
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on October 9, 2017 - 11:27amCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new horror film “Happy Death Day” from horror producer Jason Blum!
Slideshow, Audio: Red-Carpet Portraits from The Second City Roast of George Wendt
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 7, 2017 - 11:16pm- Andrew Alexander
- Betty Thomas
- Bob Odenkirk
- Cheers
- David Koechner
- George Wendt
- Gilda’s Club
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Slideshow
- I Can’t Believe They Wendt There: The Roast of George Wendt
- Jason Sudeikis
- Joe Arce
- Joel Murray
- Julia Sweeney
- Keegan-Michael Key
- Laura Jane Hyde
- Pat Finn
- Patrick McDonald
- The Second City
- Tim Kazurinsky
CHICAGO – On September 9th, 2017, it seemed like the whole of The Second City theater on Wells Street in Chicago let out a collective cry of “NORM!” The favorite barfly of TV’s “Cheers,” George Wendt, came back to his old comedy stomping ground at The Second City to participate in “I Can’t Believe They Wendt There: The Roast of George Wendt.”
Film Review: Cautionary ‘Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 7, 2017 - 12:33pm- Bernstein
- Bruce Greenwood
- Deep Throat
- Diane Lane
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Liam Neeson
- Mark Felt - The Man Who Brought Down the White House
- Marton Csokas
- Movie Review
- Noah Wyle
- Patrick McDonald
- Peter Landesman
- Richard M. Nixon
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Tom Sizemore
- Washington Post
- Watergate
- Woodward
CHICAGO – Everything old is new again, in the 1970s story of the infamous “Deep Throat” – the source in the FBI who tipped off the Washington Post about the issues surrounding Watergate scandal – who revealed himself in 2005. He is now the subject of a new film, and is portrayed by Liam Neeson, in “Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House.”
Cautionary ‘Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 7, 2017 - 12:30pm- Bernstein
- Bruce Greenwood
- Deep Throat
- Diane Lane
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Liam Neeson
- Mark Felt - The Man Who Brought Down the White House
- Marton Csokas
- Movie Review
- Noah Wyle
- Patrick McDonald
- peter landesman
- Richard M. Nixon
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Tom Sizemore
- Washington Post
- Watergate
- Woodward
Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Everything old is new again, in the 1970s story of the infamous “Deep Throat” – the source in the FBI who tipped off the Washington Post about the issues surrounding Watergate scandal – who revealed himself in 2005. He is now the subject of a new film, and is portrayed by Liam Neeson, in “Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House.”
Interview, Audio: John Carroll Lynch Directs an Elegy for Harry Dean Stanton in ‘Lucky’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 6, 2017 - 11:06am- Audio
- Beth Grant
- David Lynch
- Drago Sumonja
- Ed Begley Jr.
- Harry Dean Stanton
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Hugo Armstrong
- Interview
- Jackie
- James Darren
- John Carroll Lynch
- Logan Sparks
- Lucky
- Lyndon Johnson
- Magnolia Pictures
- Patrick McDonald
- Podcast
- Ron Livingston
- The Founder
- Tom Skerritt
- Twin Peaks
- World War II
CHICAGO – He is a familiar character actor, having a long career with roles in TV and film as diverse as “Fargo,” “The Drew Carey Show,” “Gran Torino,” “The Americans.” and the recent “Jackie” and “The Founder.” He is actor John Carroll Lynch, and he has made his directorial debut in the wonderfully essential “Lucky,” whose title character is portrayed by Harry Dean Stanton. The film is a perfect elegy for the actor, who passed away last month at the age of 91.
Film Review: Thin Story a Contrast to Visuals of ‘Blade Runner 2049’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 5, 2017 - 9:40pmCHICAGO – It comes down to compelling an audience with a story riff that’s a hook. “Blade Runner 2049” doesn’t possess either the riff or the hook, but what it does do is create a dystopian world that is beautiful in its bleakness, and unsettlingly weird in its twists and turns.
Thin Story a Contrast to Visuals in ‘Blade Runner 2049’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 5, 2017 - 9:36pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It comes down to compelling an audience with a story riff that’s a hook. “Blade Runner 2049” doesn’t possess either the riff or the hook, but what it does do is create a dystopian world that is beautiful in its bleakness, and unsettlingly weird in its twists and turns.
Podtalk: Chicago’s Women of the Now Presents ‘Deities of the Divine’ on Oct. 7, 2017
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 4, 2017 - 7:50pmCHICAGO – The filmmaker/creative group known as Women of the Now are keen to present happenings in Chicago, decorating their events with installations and themed entertainment. Their next gathering, the last big bash of the year, will take place on Saturday, October 7th, 2017, at Camera Ambassador (details below) and is called “Deities of the Divine.”
Interviews: ‘Signature Move’ at the Midwest Independent Film Festival on Oct. 3, 2017
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 1, 2017 - 9:47am- Audio
- Audrey Francis
- Fawzia Mirza
- First Tuesdays
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Immigration
- Interview
- Jennifer Reeder
- Midwest Independent Film Festival
- Midwest Pilot Showcase
- Mike McNamara
- Molly Brennan
- Music Box Theatre
- New City
- Pakistan
- Patrick McDonald
- Ryan Logan
- Sari Sanchez
- Shabana Azmi
- Signature Move
- Wrestling
CHICAGO – The Made-in-Chicago film “Signature Move” will have a Midwest festival premiere through a “first Tuesday” showcase at the Midwest Independent Film Festival on October 3rd, 2017, and it will take place at a different location, the Music Box Theatre in Chicago (usually the Festival is at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema). Lead Actor Fawzia Mizra, director Jennifer Reeder and other cast/crew members are all scheduled to attend.