Interview

CHICAGO – Turner Classic Movies, the popular cable channel, will kick off their third annual TCM Classic Film Festival next week, from April 12th-15th. Recently, the festival preview came to Chicago, as TCM host Ben Mankiewicz and movie star Tippi Hedren introduced Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.”

CHICAGO – Two big openings this week include the re-release tomorrow of James Cameron’s “Titanic” – this time in 3D – and the highly anticipated “American Reunion,” which again brings together the stars of “American Pie.” Shannon Elizabeth is part of the Reunion, and Danny Nucci cruises on the mighty Titanic again.

CHICAGO – There’s been a mix-up. Distraught couple Jakob and Helene were not expecting to host a kid for the local tennis tournament this year, and yet James has mistakenly shown up anyway. Mourning the loss of their son, the couple suddenly begins to relive their past as the tennis star engages in a charade that threatens to culminate in certain disaster.

CHICAGO – For anybody that remembers the 1980s, remembers the flamboyant fame of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, and his army of “Hulkamaniacs.” Behind the glitz of it all was one particular Hogan fan named Chris Sader. The circumstance behind the fandom, and his subsequent relationship with Hogan, is the subject of director Adam Gacka’s documentary, “Sadermania,” which will screen at the Midwest Independent Film Festival on Tuesday, April 3rd.

CHICAGO – For a lot of action movie fans, “The Raid: Redemption” is going to be their favorite genre flick in years. It’s an incredibly accomplished martial arts film that feels like something inspired equally by John Carpenter and Jackie Chan. We’ll be back with a full rave review tomorrow but check out this interview with its soon-to-be-famous writer/director, Gareth Evans, as he details the incredible history of the movie, its most difficult stunts, and its inspirations.

CHICAGO – In Part Two of “The Hunger Games” interviews, Josh Hutcherson (Peeta), Isabelle Fuhrman (Clove) and Jacqueline Emerson (Foxface) talk about aspects of the business they’ve chosen, growing up with technology and more.

CHICAGO – It’s the calm before the pop cultural storm. The first reviews are in, the turnstiles are greased, and the phenomenon of “The Hunger Games” is about to effect a vast audience and stars Josh Hutcherson (Peeta), Isabelle Fuhrman (Clove) and Jacqueline Emerson (Foxface).

CHICAGO – One of the best organizations in the local arts community is Women in Film Chicago. Known for their networking events, they will be highlighting three filmmakers on Monday, March 19th. The “Emerging Talent: Females in Focus” program features the short films “Fitting” (Grace McPhillips), “Off Into Space” (Anna Jung) and “Wednesday’s Child,” produced by Mary Kay Cook.

CHICAGO – The brother directing team of Jay and Mark Duplass have been climbing the success ladder since starting their careers as independent film darlings in 2002. After winning acclaim in 2010 with the offbeat “Cyrus,” they are back with “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” featuring Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer and Susan Sarandon.

CHICAGO – A good comedy film lives and breathes through the right casting of character roles. In the new film “21 Jump Street,” Ice Cube is the angry police captain who guides his undercover recruits Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as they infiltrate high school. Rob Riggle pitches in as a wacky high school coach.