April 2022

Via Zoom: Director Hanna Bergholm of ‘Hatching.’ Opening in Theaters on April 29, 2022

Hatching

CHICAGO – What came first, the girl or the egg? The new Finnish film “Hatching” – a Sundance Film Fest sensation – is both answering that question and getting a general release in the U.S. on April 29th, and is one of the most effective horror films of the year so far. Writer Ilja Rautsi collaborated with director Hanna Bergholm to create the story of a family who is experiencing their daughter’s adolescent emergence through a creature the girl has hatched from an egg.

On-Air Film Review: Zeitgeist of the Heist for ‘The Duke’

Duke, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 28th, reviewing “The Duke,” a British heist comedy featuring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren, in select theaters April 29th.

Zeitgeist of the Heist! On-Air Film Review of ‘The Duke’

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 Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 28th, reviewing “The Duke,” a British heist comedy featuring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren, in select theaters April 29th.

Via Zoom: Actor Tom Prior of ‘Firebird.’ Opening in Theaters on April 29, 2022

Firebird Movie

CHICAGO – With the subject of Russia at the top of the news, the roots of their oppressive attitudes are revealed in the new film “Firebird,” opening this Friday April 29th. The fascinating based-on-truth story is set in the Cold War era Soviet Union, and was co-written – with director Peeter Rebane – by Tom Prior, who also portrays Sergey, one of the lead roles in the film.

On-Air Film Review: Total Recall for Liam Neeson in ‘Memory’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 28th, reviewing “Memory,” the latest action film, based on a Belgium novel/film, starring Liam Neeson, in theaters April 29th.

Liam Total Recall Neeson! On-Air Film Review of ‘Memory’

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 Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 28th, reviewing “Memory,” the latest action film, based on a Belgium novel/film, starring Liam Neeson, in theaters April 29th.

Audio Film Review: ‘The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes,” the latest documentary on the movie star who passed away in 1962 but is still revered. The film will stream on Netflix beginning April 27th.

Sensational! Audio Film Review ‘The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes,” the latest documentary on the movie star who passed away in 1962 but is still revered. The film will stream on Netflix beginning April 27th.

Via Zoom: Zachary Trussell for ‘That Night’ Premiere on April 30, 2022

CHICAGO – Any night out in a big city has the potential to be a good night, the risk of being a bad night, and typically ends up somewhere in between … but only some nights can claim to be THAT NIGHT. So describes writer/director Zachary Trussell’s debut feature film, premiering at Chicago’s Logan Theatre on April 30th, 2022.

On-Air Film Review: Eggers Regards Shakespeare in ‘The Northman’

Northman The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 21st, reviewing “The Northman,” an adaptation of the legend that inspired Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” by visionary writer/director Robert Eggers. In theaters April 22nd.

Eggers Shakespeare! On-Air Film Review of ‘The Northman’

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 21st, reviewing “The Northman,” an adaptation of the legend that inspired Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” by visionary writer/director Robert Eggers. In theaters April 22nd.

On-Air Film Review: Nick is In the Cage for ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 21st, reviewing “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” in theaters April 22nd.

In the Cage! On-Air Film Review of ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 21st, reviewing “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” in theaters April 22nd.

Audio Film Review: The New Degeneration in ‘The Bad Guys’

Bad Guys, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “The Bad Guys,” the latest cartoony film from Dreamworks Animation, featuring the voices of Sam Rockwell, Awkafina, Alex Borstein and Zazie Beetz, among others, and in theaters on April 22nd.

New Degeneration! Audio Film Review of ‘The Bad Guys’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “The Bad Guys,” the latest cartoony film from Dreamworks Animation, featuring the voices of Sam Rockwell, Awkafina, Alex Borstein and Zazie Beetz, among others, and in theaters on April 22nd.

Via Zoom: Ryan Saunders of 17th CineYouth Fest, April 22-24, 2022

CHICAGO – The future is now at the 2022 CineYouth Festival, taking place this upcoming weekend in person, April 22nd-24th, at FACETS in Chicago. The 17th annual CineYouth features 71 international short films from creators that are children, teens and young adults up to 22 years old. The Festival Director is Ryan Saunders.

Film News: 38th Chicago Latino Film Fest Opens with ‘Plaza Catedral’ on April 21, 2022

CHICAGO – A hybrid spring film festival – both in-person and online – kicks offs with the 38th edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival (CLFF). The Opening Night Panamanian film “Plaza Catedral,” will screen April 21st, 2022, at the Drive-In theater, ChiTown Movies. Click CLFF for details.

Slideshow: Molly Shannon at Chicago Humanities Festival for New Book ‘Hello Molly!'

| Image 1 of 4 |
Molly Shannon at the Chicago Humanities Fest, April 13, 2022.

CHICAGO – Book Tour season has begun, and the Chicago Humanities Festival welcomed a prominent new author to their event. Molly Shannon, the raucous comic actor of “Saturday Night Live” fame, has written a new memoir entitled “Hello Molly!” On April 13th, 2022, Shannon appeared at the Humanities Festival with fellow SNL alum (and veteran of The Second City) Tim Meadows.

Easter Feature: Robin Lamont of ‘Godspell’ on Dancing at the Top of the World Trade Center

Godspell WTC

CHICAGO – One of the better film treats of Easter weekend is “Godspell” (1973), the hippie musical based on the Bible gospels in the book of Matthew. Featuring Victor Garber as Jesus, the film is set in New York City of the early 1970s, at the same time the World Trade Center was nearly complete. The producers had a great idea … why not film a dance number on the top of the North Tower?

Audio Film Review: Never Alone with Your Clone in ‘Dual’

Dual

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Dual,” the latest film from Riley Stearns (THE ART OF SELF DEFENSE, and featuring Karen Gillan and Aaron Paul. In select theaters on Wednesday, April 15th, see local listings for theaters and show times.

Never Alone with Your Clone! Audio Film Review of ‘Dual’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Dual,” the latest film from Riley Stearns (THE ART OF SELF DEFENSE, and featuring Karen Gillan and Aaron Paul. In select theaters on Wednesday, April 15th, see local listings for theaters and show times.

Film Review: Law-Abiding ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’

CHICAGO – The elements of the Fantastic Beasts franchise that work at all are the ones most closely connected to the larger world of Harry Potter that enchanted the hearts and minds of millions in the first place. In “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” it’s ostensible main character Newt Scamander demoted to supporting character while Dumbledore is now front and center.

Law-Abiding ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’

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

CHICAGO – The elements of the Fantastic Beasts franchise that work at all are the ones most closely connected to the larger world of Harry Potter that enchanted the hearts and minds of millions in the first place. In “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” it’s ostensible main character Newt Scamander demoted to supporting character while Dumbledore is front and center.

Audio Film Review: Mark His Redemption in ‘Father Stu’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Father Stu,” featuring Mark Wahlberg traveling down an unusual life path, portraying a character journey from unsuccessful boxer and actor to the priesthood. In theaters on Wednesday, April 13th, just in time for redemption on Easter weekend.

Mark His Redemption! Audio Film Review of ‘Father Stu’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Father Stu,” featuring Mark Wahlberg traveling down an unusual life path, portraying a character journey from unsuccessful boxer and actor to the priesthood. In theaters on Wednesday, April 13th, just in time for redemption on Easter weekend.

Via Zoom: Comedian Katie Hannigan’s ‘Feeling of Emptiness’

CHICAGO – As performance ramps up again in 2022, one of the great comic voices on the stand-up comedy scene is Katie Hannigan. The veteran jokester has recently released a comedy album, the perfect-for-the-times title of “Feeling of Emptiness.” Ms. Hannigan riffs on herself essentially, with sharp observations on being a woman in these particular times.

Audio Film Review: The Nickel and Timing of ‘The Automat’

Automat, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “The Automat,” a nostalgic look at a long-gone New York City/Philadelphia restaurant institution, a directorial debut by Lisa Hurwitz featuring interviews with Mel Brooks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and others. In select theaters now.

Nickel and Timing! Audio Film Review of ‘The Automat’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “The Automat,” a nostalgic look at a long-gone New York City/Philadelphia restaurant institution, a directorial debut by Lisa Hurwitz featuring interviews with Mel Brooks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and others. In select theaters now.

Film News: Season 14 Final Weekend of Asian Pop-Up Cinema Features Taiwan, April 9-10, 2022

APUC 2022 logo

CHICAGO – Season 14 of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) … the 2022 Spring Season … wraps up this weekend with two films from Taiwan. “Increasing Echo” is a tense relationship drama about husband and wife trust (April 9th, click here).

On-Air Film Review: Her Art Will Go On in Story of ‘Aline’

Aline

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 7th, reviewing “Aline,” a fictional account of the Celine Dion story, in theaters beginning April 8th

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