April 2018

CHICAGO – It’s time to laugh, and the Midwest Independent Film Festival has just the ticket. The 2018 Comedy Short Film Showcase – an annual event – screens on Tuesday May 1st, 2018. at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema in Chicago. The ten films include sneak previews and premieres, in film and TV shorts. For more information, including ticket purchasing and the list of short films, click here.

CHICAGO - High school is either the best or worst experience of people’s lives. There is no middle ground. It’s always a constant battle that doesn’t end even after a decade. Add that pressure on top of coming home for the holiday with a hint of death and you get “Most Likely to Murder”. We talk with Adam Pally and Dan Gregor about comedy, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”, and more!

CHICAGO – Coming off the multi-textured “Black Panther,” Marvel Studios now turns its assignment towards an Avengers movie, and man, everything is on the table. This overstuffed, somewhat overindulged journey of a tale never loses its flavor, and has surprises around every corner. Anticipate “Avengers: Infinity War.”

CHICAGO – Another spring film festival is blossoming up in the Rogers Park neighborhood, the Chicago Independent Film & TV Festival (CIFF). This is the first one, and its goal is to highlight local, U.S. and international indie films from all styles of creators. The festival takes place on Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th, 2018, at The New 400 Theater and Damen (Loyola University) Cinema, and all the information regarding the weekend fest can be accessed by clicking here.

CHICAGO – Verne Troyer will always be one of the more intriguing breakout celebrities of the last 20 years. Always and forever known as “Mini Me” in the Austin Powers series of films, he also endured stereotyping and the health difficulties associated with his diminutive size. Troyer died on April 21st, 2018, at the age of 49. The cause of his death remains unknown.

CHICAGO – It is a neutered Amy Schumer who is portraying her latest character… a schlumpy woman who lacks the confidence to break out of her shell. It takes the most sitcomish of all actions, the whack on the head, to motivate her that she is one of the most beautiful woman in the world. This empowers the story of “I Feel Pretty.”

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The Broken Lizard comedy troupe presents SUPER TROOPERS 2

CHICAGO – They’re back! The gang from the 2002 film “Super Troopers,” also known as the comedy team “Broken Lizards,” are finally releasing a sequel, “Super Troopers 2.” Jay Chandrasekhar (also director), Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske co-wrote and perform in the wacky adventures of their State Trooper characters mediating a Canadian/USA border dispute.

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The premiere of LOVE GILDA at the Beacon Theatre

NEW YORK CITY – The 17th Tribeca Film Festival opened on April 18, 2018, opened with New York City centered film, the documentary “Love, Gilda.” Directed by Lisa Dapolito, the film tells the story of Gilda Radner, an original cast member in 1975 on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). The doc featured past and present members of SNL, relating their stories on the meteoric rise and later battles of Gilda, who almost by accident became famous.

CHICAGO – It’s coming up on Closing Night for the 34th Chicago Latino Film Festival, and the two weeks of the fest was a celebration and gift to film in Chicago. The Closing Night Gala on April 19th, 2018, will feature the film “The Summit” (“La Cordillera”) from Argentina, Spain and France. Actor Ricardo Darín will also receive the Gloria Career Achievement Award as part of the festivities. The event is sold out, but click here for more information.

CHICAGO – The 34th Chicago Latino Film Festival (CLFF) has been nearly two weeks of the best in Latin American, Mexican and Hispanic cinema. As the festival wraps up on April 19th, one of its best comedies – “Life is a Bitch” from Brazil – will screen on Wednesday, April 18th, 2018. For more information, click here.

CHICAGO – We all need some help. The stage play group Nothing Without a Company realizes that, and has collaborated with the organization “Cornerstone” to provide that assistance. Cornerstone is a seminar and a happening in downtown Chicago, facilitated by “experts” to generate your potential. The presentation has a Thursday-Sunday run at Michigan Avenue’s Artspace 8 through May 6th, 2018. Click here for more details, including ticket information.

CHICAGO – Getting to the next step of any new creative project is the goal, and creator/director Larry Ziegelman has done it. One year after premiering his new web series, “Geek Lounge,” he has completed an entire season, and is ready for the festivals. The idea behind Geek Lounge was to combine the nerd culture of “Silicon Valley” with the back-and-forth bar banter of “Cheers.” He will screen the entire series on Tuesday, April 17th, 2018, at the Den Theatre in Chicago, FREE and open to the public. Click here for details and ticket information.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Actor Joaquin Phoenix almost solely specializes in portraying broken souls, but he also does it with such intensity that he adds necessary depth to those characters, to allow for their redemption. As a hit man for hire in the new film “You Were Never Really Here,” he again reaches beyond the darkness.

CHICAGO – Chicago has a wealth of film festivals this spring, and one of the coolest ones will take place on Saturday, April 14th, 2018, at the historic Davis Theater. The 13th Sound of Silent Film Festival combines cutting edge filmmakers – like Brian Zahm of “Tea Party” – and pairs their short works with Chicago-area musicians in all styles, who will provide live in-theater accompaniment. There are two shows, 7pm and 9:30pm, and to purchase tickets to one or both click here.