April 2021

Via Zoom: Sophia Wong Boccio of Asian Pop-Up Cinema on Closing Night Film, ‘Ready O/r Knot’

Ready O/r Knot

CHICAGO – Within the successful Season 12 for the Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) series of Chicago – the Closing Night film is Hong Kong’s “Ready O/r Knot” at the Davis Theater (relocated from the Lincoln Yards Drive-In) on May 7th, 2021 (rescheduled from May 1st/2nd) – were the usual variety of adventurous Asian films.

Film Review: Fam Bam! On-Air Review of ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 29th, 2021, reviewing the new film “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” streaming on Netflix beginning April 30th.

Fam Bam! On-Air Review of ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 29th, 2021, reviewing the new film “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” streaming on Netflix beginning April 30th.

Via Zoom: Director Ryan Crego of 'Arlo the Alligator Boy'

CHICAGO – A couple weeks ago, Netflix released for streaming the new animated film “Arlo the Alligator Boy” and immediately it went to 100% FRESH on Rotten Tomatoes (including a 4.5/5 on this forum). This fresh, delightful and full-of heart “2D” cartoon musical is the product of creator and director Ryan Crego.

Film News: It’s a ‘Nomadland’ Night at 93rd Academy Awards

CHICAGO – In a low key and later-in-the-awards season ceremony due to the pandemic, the 93rd Academy Awards took place on Sunday, April 25th, 2021. ‘Nomadland,’ the story of on-the-road drifters in the U.S., scored Best Picture, Best Director (for Chloé Zhao) and Best Actress (Frances McDormand).

Oscar 2021: Spotlight on Best Actor Nominee Gary Oldman for 'Mank'

Mank Two

CHICAGO – The great Gary Oldman is a veteran actor who has created so many memorable roles that he’s his own Hall of Fame. His surprising turn as Herman Mankiewicz, the co-screenwriter with Orson Welles on “Citizen Kane” in “Mank,” is being honored by yet another Best Actor nomination in 2021 (his third with one win).

Oscar 2021: And the Nominees Are … in a Exclusive Slideshow by Photographer Joe Arce

| Image 1 of 7 |
Glenn Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”) in Chicago, 1998.

CHICAGO – Roll out the red carpet on Oscar Day 2021! Throughout the years, Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago has had close encounters with many of this year’s nominees and had captured them with his intrepid camera eye. Presenting a slideshow of the 93rd Academy Awards Best Acting nominations.

Oscar 2021: Top Category Predictions for 93rd Academy Awards

CHICAGO – Predicting the Oscars is like going on a blind date. You really don’t know what’s going to happen, and often you’re humiliated to boot. But here goes Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, along with one million other online prognosticators. The 93rd Academy Awards are Sunday, April 25th, 2021, in Hollywood.

Oscar Week 2021: Spotlight on Best Actress Nominee Carey Mulligan

CHICAGO – Making an impact has pretty much defined the career of Carey Mulligan. Her film characters have had a depth and energy to them that only she can deliver. 11 years after her first Best Actress Oscar nomination (“An Education”), Mulligan is nominated in 2021 for her searing portrayal in “Promising Young Woman.”

Film Review: Ready Player Ninja! Audio Review of ‘Mortal Kombat’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review, a review of the rebooted film franchise “Mortal Kombat,” a new action series based on the popular video game. In theaters and on HBO Max beginning April 23rd, 2021.

Ready Player Ninja! Audio Review of ‘Mortal Kombat’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review, a review of the rebooted film franchise “Mortal Kombat,” a new action series based on the popular video game. In theaters and on HBO Max beginning April 23rd, 2021.

Oscar Week 2021: Spotlight on Best Actress Nominee Viola Davis

CHICAGO – Building a career role by role, Viola Davis has emerged at the top of her profession as an actress, with four Oscar nominations in her journey – and one win for “Fences” (2016) – including this 2021’s nod for her shape shifting performance as a real-life 1920s Blues Singer in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

Oscar Week 2021: Spotlight on Best Actor Nominee Chadwick Boseman

CHICAGO – In one of the crueler events during the cruel year of 2020, the actor Chadwick Boseman died from cancer at age 43. But he left us two prominent roles in 2020, as a pivotal character in Spike Lee’s “Da Five Bloods” and in his 2021 Oscar nominated performance as Levee in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

Oscar Week Flashback: How Photographer Joe Arce ‘Got the Shot’ of Oscar Winner Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – My portrait of Liza Minnelli is one of my favorites not just for what appears in frame, but equally for the story of what happened after the shutter was clicked. This was back in 1992, when my focus was on Rock and Roll photojournalism, and I had been granted access to Liza through Tower Records in Chicago. She was promoting her “Live From Radio City Music Hall” release.

Film Review: Croc Rocks! On-Air Review of ‘Arlo the Alligator Boy’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 15th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Arlo the Alligator Boy,” streaming on Netflix beginning April 16th.

Croc Rocks! On-Air Review of ‘Arlo the Alligator Boy’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 15th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Arlo the Alligator Boy,” streaming on Netflix beginning April 16th.

Exclusive Photo: Happy 74th Birthday to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – The legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is 74 years young on April 16th, 2021, and the athlete/activist is more in demand than ever. With a commitment to social justice his entire basketball career, his achievements in that pursuit shine as bright as his record-breaking days on the b-ball court. Photographer Joe Arce publishes an Exclusive Photo of Jabbar from 2016, when he appeared at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, through Anderson’s Bookshop.

Film News: Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema Goes to the Drive-In Beginning April 15, 2021

APUC Season 12, 2021

CHICAGO – Season 12 continues for the Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) series of Chicago with a series of 11 films at the Lincoln Yards Drive-In from April 15th through May 2nd, 2021. For a complete schedule and ticketing information, click here.

Film Review: Teen a-Go-Go in Space! On-Air Review of ‘Voyagers’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 8th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Voyagers,” in theaters now.

Teen a-Go-Go in Space! On-Air Review of ‘Voyagers’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 8th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Voyagers,” in theaters now.

Via Zoom: Day by Day with Robin Lamont of 1973’s ‘Godspell’

CHICAGO – Easter has just passed, and one of the film traditions during that holiday is the musical “Godspell.” This 1973 classic retells the story of Jesus from the Gospel of St. Matthew, through a group of hippie performers, including Victor Garber as Jesus. Robin Lamont sings the signature song in the show, “Day by Day.”

Film Review: Titans Clash! On-Air Review of ‘Godzilla vs Kong’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 1st, 2021, reviewing the new film “Godzilla vs. Kong,” in theaters now and streaming on HBO Max.

Titans Clash! On-Air Review of ‘Godzilla vs Kong’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 1st, 2021, reviewing the new film “Godzilla vs. Kong,” in theaters now and streaming on HBO Max.

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