Patrick McDonald

Entertainment News: Hugh O’Brian of ‘Wyatt Earp’ TV Fame Dies at 91

Hugh O'Brian photo by Joe Arce

LOS ANGELES – Old time, 1950s television had its share of break out stars as the medium found its footing as new entertainment. Hugh O’Brian, who starred in the ABC-TV series “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp,” was one of those stars. The actor, who was also known for his Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation – nicknamed HOBY – died of natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on September 5th, 2016. He was 91.

Interview: Director Ira Sachs on Modern Life Issues Explored in ‘Little Men’

Ira Sachs, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – When meeting an interview subject for the third time, and remembering him as the first professional interview I ever did, results in a comfortable familiarity. Director Ira Sachs is the subject, and his latest film is “Little Men.” Taking on adolescent friendship, adult passive-aggressiveness and gentrification all in one film, it also spotlights the expansiveness of this talented filmmaker.

Film Review: Strong Cast Turns on ‘The Light Between Oceans’

CHICAGO – In the early 1970s, “Love Story” was all the rage, with its catchphrase “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Just as sudsy, and with its own catchphrase, is “The Light Between the Oceans.” The film, set in the early 20th Century, salvages a by-the-numbers tale with fine performances.

Film News: 2016 Black Harvest Festival Closes in Chicago on Sept. 1 with ‘Agents of Change’

2016 Black Harvest Film Festival

CHICAGO – A sold out Gene Siskel Film Center will be the scene for the Closing Night of the 2016 Black Harvest Film Festival on Thursday, September 1st, 2016. For the last three and a half weeks, the theater has been buzzing with African American-centric films, in a celebration of culture and history. The Closing Night Film is “Agents of Change: Black Students and the Transformation of the American University,” directed by Frank Dawson and Abby Ginzberg. The directors will be in attendance.

Interview: John Krasinski Turns Toward Family in ‘The Hollars’

CHICAGO – Any story involving family interactions is ripe for exploration, and John Krasinski (“The Office”) performs in and takes the director’s chair for the new film, “The Hollars.” This is his second directorial effort, looking at the somewhat dysfunctional title family during a medical crisis involving the mother (Margo Martindale).

Interview: Jackie Joyner-Kersee on Comcast’s Internet Essentials Expansion in Chicago

Internet Essentials by Comcast

CHICAGO – When Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Comcast Senior Executive VP David L. Cohen gather the press corp to represent the company’s “Internet Essentials,” it’s sure to become a benefit for the City of Chicago. The Essentials program seeks to close the “Digital Divide” – the gap for web access in poorer communities – and bring the internet to everyone’s home.

Slideshow: ‘Southside With You’ Red Carpet, Press Conference featuring John Legend

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John Legend, Executive Producer of ‘Southside with You.’

CHICAGO – There are previous examples of films that were made with a president as a character while he was in office, including “P.T. 109” (John F. Kennedy, war story), “W.” (George W. Bush, Oliver Stone biography) and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (Franklin D. Roosevelt, cameo). President Barack Obama has joined their ranks, but the subject matter of “Southside With You” is decidedly different. The film chronicles his first date with Michelle Robinson, now the First Lady.

Film News: Gene Wilder of ‘Willy Wonka’ Fame Dies at 83

LOS ANGELES – The genius comedy of Gene Wilder was often in the subtlety. With a slow burn or a raised eyebrow, Wilder was able to draw big laughs. The star of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and “Young Frankenstein” died in Stamford, Connecticut, according to his nephew in Los Angeles. He was 83.

Film News: 2016 Chicago 48 Hour Film Project Kicks Off Aug. 26

2016 48 Hour Film Project

CHICAGO – The annual Chicago 48 Hour Film Project, 2016 edition, begins on Friday, August 26th. Filmmakers from all over the Chicagoland area will compete in an attempt to make the best short film in 48 hours. Starting at 7:30pm, the movie making teams will be assigned a genre, character, prop and line of dialogue, that they will use to base their film on. By Sunday, August 28th, they must deliver a finished 4-7 minute film. For complete details, click here.

Interview: Actor Stephen Lang, Director Fede Alvarez Advise You to ‘Don’t Breathe’

CHICAGO – The horror genre in film is always looking for a shot in the old fear factor, and the new release “Don’t Breathe” delivers that injection (heh-heh). The second film by director Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead”) features character actor favorite Stephen Lang – he prefers “Slang.” The film opens nationwide on August 26th.

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TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • 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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