October 2018

Slideshow, Audio: Red Carpet for ‘The Hate U Give’ at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival

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Amandla Stenberg portrays Starr Carter in ‘The Hate U Give’

CHICAGO – With a film that is seemingly ripped from the headlines, “The Hate U Give,” made its Red Carpet debut at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Thursday, October 11th, 2018. The lead actor in the film, newcomer Amandla Stenberg, along with veteran director George Tillman Jr. (“Soul Food”) and producer Robert Teitel, walked the carpet.

Podtalk: Director Gregory Dixon of ‘Olympia’ at 54th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 15, 2018

Olympia

CHICAGO – As each generation transitions to adulthood, the overwhelming changes that occur in employment, relationships and loss become their drama. Director Gregory Dixon and writer McKenzie Chinn teamed up to create a film that addresses that drama, in the made-in-Chicago “Olympia.” The film is screening at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Monday, October 15th, 2018 (5:30pm). For details and tickets, click here.

Film News: DAY SIX of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Discovers ‘Friedkin Uncut’

Friedkin Uncut

CHICAGODAY SIX of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Monday, October 15th, 2018, features a tribute to the Chicago-born director William Friedkin (“The Exorcist,” “The French Connection”), two made-in-Chicago films and four films vying in the International Competition.

Podtalk: Director Jennifer Hou Kwong & Producer Ellis Goodman on the film ‘Art Paul of Playboy’

Art Paul of Playboy Magazine

CHICAGO – There was a time in America when the medium of the magazine produced superstars. Famous writers, reporters, photographers and illustrators ruled the day, from the magazine’s invention in the 1920s to their ebbing in the 1960s (when TV became a rival) to their last gasp before the internet. One superstar that emerged worked for Playboy Magazine, and was as influential as founder Hugh Hefner in creating the ethos of that particular empire. A legendary art director is profiled in the documentary, “Art Paul of Playboy: The Man Behind the Bunny.” The film is screening at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Sunday, October 14th, 2018 (7pm). For details and tickets, click here.

Film News: DAY FIVE of 54th Chicago International Film Festival is ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

CHICAGODAY FIVE of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Sunday, October 14th, 2018, is a day to introduce yourself to a new side of Melissa McCarthy in “Can You Forgive Me?, to make a date with “Watergate,” the remarkable four hour documentary about that American history, to hop on “The Band Wagon” and to remember a magazine-era icon, Chicago’s own Art Paul.

Red Carpet: OPENING NIGHT with 'Beautiful Boy' at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival

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Andre Royo portrayed Spencer in ‘Beautiful Boy.’

CHICAGO – It was with much anticipation that the 54th Chicago International Film Festival launched with a special screening of “Beautiful Boy,” starring Steve Carell and Timotheé Chamalet. Walking the Red Carpet was one of the supporting cast members, Andre Royo, and the director of the film, Felix Van Groeningen.

Film Review: 'First Man' is Reverential to Moon Landing Mission

CHICAGO – There were several “firsts” for humankind in our civilization and technology breakthroughs, but until 1969 no person had even stepped on a planetary surface other than on earth. Neil Armstrong was that man, and he is portrayed by Ryan Gosling in a respectful overview of that Apollo 11 mission in “First Man.”

'First Man' is Reverential to Moon Landing Mission

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – There were several “firsts” for humankind in our civilization and technology breakthroughs, but until 1969 no person had even stepped on a planetary surface other than on earth. Neil Armstrong was that man, and he is portrayed by Ryan Gosling in a respectful overview of that Apollo 11 mission in “First Man.”

Film News: DAY FOUR of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Visits ‘Widows’

Widows

CHICAGODAY FOUR of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Saturday, October 13th, 2018… to kick off a huge festival weekend… continues with Industry Days from 10am-5pm (click here for details), a CINEYOUTH “Best of the Fest” screening (click) and the a mega-Red Carpet for the film “Widows,” including Liam Neeson.

Film News: DAY THREE of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Grooves with ‘United Skates’

United Skates, 2018 CIFF

CHICAGODAY THREE of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Friday, October 12th, 2018, continues with Industry Days from 10am-4pm (click here for details), the beginnings of the “After Dark” screenings (click) and the center stage presentation of the amazing documentary “United Skates.”

Film News: DAY TWO of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Spotlights ‘The Hate U Give’

Hate U Give, The

CHICAGODAY TWO of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Thursday, October 11th, 2018, features a Red-Carpet event for the hot American film “The Hate U Give.” the beginning of Industry Days at the Fest, and the cranking into gear of the daily cinema offerings.

Film News: ‘Beautiful Boy’ Opens the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 10, 2018

CHICAGO – It’s Opening Night for the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Wednesday, October 10th, 2018, and the film that kicks it off is the highly anticipated “Beautiful Boy,” featuring Steve Carell and Timotheé Chalamet, and directed by Felix Van Groeningen.

Feature: Navigation Guide to the 54th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 10-21, 2018

2018 54th Chicago International Film Festival

CHICAGO – Having an international film festival is one of the reasons Chicago became an international city, and the 54th Chicago International Film Festival is about to crank up the projection machines for 11 days of amazing cinema treats, from October 10th through the 21st, 2018. How does an film buff or curious participant navigate the waters of the festival? HollywoodChicago.com is here to guide you.

Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com Remembers Burt Reynolds

CHICAGO – The Bandit. Gator. The Man Who Loved Women. Jack Horner. Burt Reynolds played all these roles, in a roller coaster career that encompassed three eras of film and television. Reynolds died last month at age 82, taking with him a different breed of movie star, one that stole a scene with a self assured wink, mischievous smile and high pitched laugh.

Podtalk: Director Robert Greene of ‘Bisbee ’17’ at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre

Bisbee '17

CHICAGO – In a film that worked like destiny for veteran documentary filmmaker Robert Greene, “Bisbee ’17” will open at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago on Friday, October 5th, 2018, and run through October 11th. As part of the run, director Greene will make an appearance on behalf of the film on October 5th, in a post-screening discussion moderated by fellow documentary maker Steve James (“America To Me”). For details and tickets, click here.

Film Review: Spreading Comic Book Fatigue to Everyone, ‘Venom’ Poisons the Well

CHICAGO – I was one of the last sentinels; a conscientious objector in the war against comic book films. The handful of these that come out yearly had yet to weigh heavy on my film soul, especially when so many of the newer ones creating unique experiences, like “Deadpool” and “Thor: Ragnarok”.

Spreading Comic Book Fatigue to Everyone, ‘Venom’ Poisons the Well

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 1.5/5.0
Rating: 1.5/5.0

CHICAGO – I was one of the last sentinels; a conscientious objector in the war against comic book films. The handful of these that come out yearly had yet to weigh heavy on my film soul, especially when so many of the newer ones creating unique experiences, like “Deadpool” and “Thor: Ragnarok”. Even DC films, in all their failure, are products of their time. “Venom” changed all that.

Film Review: Lady Gaga Characterizes the Title ‘A Star is Born’

CHICAGO – Stefani Joanne Angelina Gemanotta, also known as Lady Gaga, is the only reason to see the latest iteration of ‘A Star is Born.’ The luminous stage presence that propelled her to music superstardom is present in her major film debut, taking the female lead reins from Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.

Lady Gaga Characterizes the Title ‘A Star is Born’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Stefani Joanne Angelina Gemanotta, also known as Lady Gaga, is the only reason to see the latest iteration of ‘A Star is Born.’ The luminous stage presence that propelled her to music superstardom is present in her major film debut, taking the female lead reins from Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.

Film News: Chicago Premiere of ‘Banana Season’ at Gene Siskel Film Center, Oct. 5, 2018

Banana Season

CHICAGO – The Gene Siskel Film Center is screening a Chicago premiere, and it’s the debut director effort of producer/cinematographer Sanghoon Lee. “Banana Season” is the story of friendship and redemption through two dreamer souls. The premiere is set for 8pm on Friday, October 5th, 2018, and director Lee will make an appearance on behalf of the film. For more details and tickets, click here.

Podtalk: Kyle MacLachlan at Michigan Avenue Magazine 10th Celebration

CHICAGO – At Chicago’s Michigan Avenue Magazine 10th Anniversary Issue event on September 11th, 2018, a surprise visitor joined cover celebrity Darren Criss, and his low-key appearance brought a stir of excitement to the room. Actor Kyle MacLachlan, best known for the extraordinary work in “Twin Peaks,” was in the house.

Film News: Hong Kong Film Centerpiece at Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema, Oct. 2 & 3, 2018

Asian Pop Up Cinema 2016 Logo

CHICAGO – Season Seven of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) continues on October 2nd and 3rd, 2018, with the films “Concerto of the Bully” and “When Sun Meets Moon,” the festivals’ Centerpiece Double Feature from Hong Kong. Both features will screen at the AMC River East 21 theatre. For details and tickets, click here for “Concerto” and click here for “Sun Meets Moon.”

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