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.
Gay
Podtalk: REELING2023 Presents ‘Febrero’ on Sep. 27, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 26, 2023 - 1:56pmCHICAGO – The queer community is everywhere in this spinning world, even Cuba. A new filmmaker, Hansel Porras Garcia, spotlights a story of Cuba in his debut feature film “Febrero” at the Chicago Reeling2023 International LBGTQ+ Film Festival on September 27th, 2023. For details and tickets, click FEBRERO.
Podtalk: REELING41 Begins on Sept. 21, 2023, with Opening Night Film ‘The Mattachine Family’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 20, 2023 - 12:06amCHICAGO – The 41st edition of the REELING International LBGTQ+ Film Festival kicks off on September 21st, 2023, and runs through October 7th. The Opening Night film is “The Mattachine Family” at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. For info/tickets click REELING41.
Podtalk: Richard Knight Jr. on Chicago Live Staging of ‘Scrooge & Marley,’ Dec. 12, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 11, 2022 - 11:42amCHICAGO – Ten years ago, an Independent film was released in Chicago, co-written and co-directed by Richard Knight Jr., an entertainment fixture in the Windy City. “Scrooge & Marley” offered a bit more than the previous versions of the familiar “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, it was the first to filter the story through same sex coupling and LGBTQ+ themes. A new staged version of the film, complete with the featured songs, will be presented at Chicago’s Center on Halsted on December 12th, 2022, at 7pm. It’s a FREE event, register for tickets by clicking SCROOGE & MARLEY.
Audio Film Review: ‘The Inspection’ is Hoorah for Fresh Recruits
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 24, 2022 - 8:06pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Inspection,” a based-on-his-own-life memoir film by writer/director Elegance Bratton on his experiences in Marine Corps boot camp, in theaters on November 23rd.
Podtalk: Writer/Director Elegance Bratton Passes ‘The Inspection’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 23, 2022 - 11:55amCHICAGO – The journey of Elegance Bratton took him from homelessness to the U.S. Marine Corps to to his first film … all based on his life. “The Inspection” is about Ellis (Jeremy Pope). a gay black youth who decides he has one last shot at a chance to get off the streets … if he can survive Marine boot camp.
Red Carpet: Mayor Lori Lightfoot at 58th Chicago Intl. Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 16, 2022 - 11:52amCHICAGO – The honoring of an institution in the City of Chicago via the documentary “Art and Pep” – the owners of the iconic Sidetrack gay bar in Chicago’s “Boystown” LGBTQ+ neighborhood – was supported by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who walked the Red Carpet at the 58th Chicago International Film Festival on October 14th.
Red Carpet: ‘Art and Pep’ Doc at 58th Chicago Intl. Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 15, 2022 - 10:24amCHICAGO – A legacy in Chicago LGBTQ+ history took center stage at the 58th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on October 13th. “Art and Pep” is a documentary about life partners Art Johnson and Pepe Peña, the proprietors of Sidetrack, the largest gay bar in the Midwest. There will be one more screening on October 16th, click ART/PEP for location/tickets.
Film News: Reeling40, Chicago’s International LBGTQ+ Film Fest, Now Online Thru Oct. 6, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 3, 2022 - 7:04pmCHICAGO – The 40th edition of the REELING International LBGTQ+ Film Festival ended its in-person run on September 30th. Until the end of the festival on October 6th, 2022, a number of films will be available for online viewing. For information, click REELING40 ONLINE. NOTE: Some films have territory restrictions for viewing, check before downloading.
On-Air Film Review: All You Need of Love is Love in ‘Bros’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 1, 2022 - 9:00amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 29th, 2022, reviewing “Bros,” a mainstream studio LBGTQ+ romantic comedy, with all cast members who are queer portrayed by LBGTQ+ actors. In theaters now.
Via Zoom: ‘Two Eyes’ Screens at REELING40 on Sept. 29, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 29, 2022 - 1:02amCHICAGO – The spiritual film “Two Eyes” is in the spotlight at the REELING40 LGBTQ+ International Film Festival on Thursday, September 29th, 2022 (7p). Producer Steve Kozlowski will appear on behalf of the film, click TWO EYES for info and tickets.