HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News

Podtalk: Filmmaker Raven Jackson for ‘All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt’

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt

CHICAGO – Reflective and observational films … as if the audience is inside looking out along with the the characters … are very rare and takes a quality creator to pull off. One such film is “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” and it is written and directed by a quality creator, the poet-turned-filmmaker Raven Jackson.

Podtalk: Director Jack C. Newell is ‘Reporting for Christmas’

CHICAGO – When a locally filmed romantic Christmas movie was released last week on HULU, the audience comfort and joy for this genre was proven once again by its TOP TEN trending status on the streaming service. The merry elf director behind “Reporting for Christmas” is Chicago-based Jack C. Newell.

Exclusive Portrait: Geri ‘Ginger Spice’ Halliwell for New Book

CHICAGO – In the case of this Ginger and Geri, no choice needs to be made because they are one and the same. Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell was a member of the best selling female pop group in history, the Spice Girls. She appeared in Downers Grove (Illinois) for her new novel, “Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen.”

On-Air Film Review: Three Kings of Lonely in 'The Holdovers'

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 3rd, 2023, reviewing “The Holdovers,” a reunion of the “Sideways” duo … director Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti. In theaters on November 4th, 2023, wide release on November 10th.

On-Air Film Review: ‘Priscilla’ is a Hunka Hunka Burning Love

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 3rd, 2023, reviewing “Priscilla,” the story of the relationship between Elvis and Priscilla Presley. In theaters on November 4th, 2023.

Podtalk: Deidre Searcy of 40th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, Nov. 3-19, 2023

CHICAGO – Opening Night of the 40th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival’s (CICFF40) is November 3rd, and Festival Director Deidre Searcy presents a night at Chicago History Museum. For details/tickets, click CICFF.

Audio Theater Review: John Michael Opens ‘Spank Bank Time Machine’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com Audio Theater Review of “Spank Bank Time Machine,” an uproarious journey created by monologist John Michael, opening November 2nd, 2023, at the Neo-Futurist Theater in Chicago. For info and tickets, click SPANK BANK.

Podtalk: Curator Jada-Amina of the 29th Black Harvest Film Festival, November 3-16, 2023

CHICAGO – As Chicago’s Black Harvest Film Festival enters its third decade, new leadership are providing the filmmaker’s showcase. The theme for 2023 is “Revolutionary Visions,” and putting the program together is Lead Film Curator Jada-Amina and Fest Coordinator Nick Leffal. Opening Night is November 3rd, and for a list of films/info, click BLACK HARVEST.

Film News: 2023 ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards on Thursday, Nov. 2

CHICAGO – The first awards show of the season takes off on Thursday, November 2nd, as the BEST OF THE MIDWEST Awards will be presented by the Midwest Film Festival at CineCity Studios in Chicago. Tickets are rapidly selling out, so click on BEST OF THE MIDWEST for the levels of tickets that are available.

Podtalk: Exec Director Nat Dykeman of 13th Lake County Film Festival

CHICAGO – When one man wanted to screen independent films beyond Chicago, he founded the Lake County Film Festival (LCFF). That Founder and now Executive Director is Nat Dykeman, and the 13th LCFF will take place over the next two weekends, with Opening Night on Halloween. For details and tickets, click 13th LCFF.

CIFF23 Podtalk: Director Olmo Schnabel’s Debut ‘Pet Shop Days’

Pet Shop Days

CHICAGO – The director debut is the flourishing element of any film festival, and the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) has always been a nurturing place for the latest cinema talent. “Pet Shop Days” is the debut of director and co-writer Olmo Schnabel, and screened at the 59th CIFF.

Film Review: ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ is Five Nights Too Many

CHICAGO – For the uninitiated, “Five Nights At Freddy’s” is based on a popular series of video games with a simple premise … you play a security guard trapped inside a Chuck E Cheese-type pizzeria where the animatronics come to life and keep trying to kill you. Yet the biggest threat facing audiences with the film is that they just might die… of boredom.

On-Air Film Review: Devil Takes a Stroll in ‘When Evil Lurks’

When Evil Lurks

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 26th, 2023, reviewing “When Evil Lurks,” an Argentinian horror film that’s just in time for the Halloween weekend. In theaters now and streaming on Shudder October 27th, 2023.

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  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

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