July 2022

In Memoriam: Unpublished Exclusive Photo of Child Star Tony Dow

Tony Dow, photo by Joe Arce

TOPANGA, CALIF – Tony Dow is still dead. The featured cast member of the iconic 1950s sitcom “Leave it to Beaver” joined the ranks of Mark Twain and Generalissimo Francisco Franco on the list of deaths that were announced before the individual had died. On July 26th, 2022, a rep inadvertently leaked that Dow had passed, after a battle with cancer. His family had to intervene, expressing that he was still alive. Dow officially died on July 27th at his home in Topanga, California.

Podtalk: Last Day of CUFF29 with Caroline Dean’s ‘Hermit Day’

CHICAGO – The 29th Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF29) Closing Day/Night is July 31st, 2022, and will present both short and feature films. One such work of art is the short film “Hermit Day,” written, directed and featuring Caroline Dean. It will be screened at SHORTS 7 on July 31st, for more info and tickets, click HERMIT.

On-Air Film Review: B.J. Novak's ‘Vengeance’ T’is Ours, Sayeth We

Vengeance

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 29th, reviewing “Vengeance,” which is written, directed and features B.J. Novak of “The Office,” opening in theaters beginning July 29th.

T’is Ours, Sayeth We! On-Air Film Review of ‘Vengeance’

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 Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 29th, reviewing “Vengeance,” which is written, directed and features B.J. Novak of “The Office,” opening in theaters beginning July 29th.

On-Air Film Review: ‘DC League of Super-Pets’ is Super, Man

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 29th, reviewing “DC League of Super-Pets,” an animated comedy/adventure featuring Krypto the Super Dog, opening in theaters beginning July 29th.

Super, Man! On-Air Film Review of ‘DC League of Super-Pets’

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 Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 29th, reviewing “DC League of Super-Pets,” an animated comedy/adventure featuring Krypto the Super Dog, opening in theaters beginning July 29th.

In Memoriam: Actor Paul Sorvino of ‘Goodfellas’ Dies at 83

Paul Sorvino, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – In one of my trips to New York City, I saw him in the distance on the street (this actually happens often in NYC. Pay attention!). Actor Paul Sorvino, Paulie Cicero of ‘Goodfellas’ legend, as well as many other films/stage/TV/opera work, was unmistakably walking right towards me. “Hey Paulie,” I instinctively said. “Hey,” he said back. Fast forward several years later, Mr. Sorvino was honored by the Chicago Film Critics Awards in 2013, I was a newly minted Chicago Film Critic, and I met him again (see below). Paul Sorvino died on July 25th, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 83.

Via Zoom: Jim Vendiola on His Short Film ‘Pretty Pickle’ at CUFF 29

CHICAGO – The 29th Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) highlights many short films in several programs, and local filmmaker Jim Vendiola will screen his latest “Pretty Pickle” on July 28th, 2022 in SHORTS 2. For ticket information, click PICKLE JIM.

Via Zoom: Young Cast of ‘Paper Girls’ on New Series Adaptation

CHICAGO – Comic book adaptations aren’t just for superheroes anymore. “Paper Girls,” by Brian K. Vaughan, has been adapted into a TV series that will stream on Prime Video beginning July 29th, and features Riley Lai Nelet, Camryn Jones, Fina Strazza and Sofia Rosinsky as the paper route foursome.

Podtalk: Emma Thatcher’s 'Provo' is July 27 Opening Night Film at CUFF 2022

CHICAGO – The 29th Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) is back from July 27th-31st, 2022, and the Opening Night film is “Provo” – about a road trip to the title city – written, directed and lead acted by Emma Thatcher.

On-Air TV Review: Finding the Deets of Chicago Eats in ‘The Bear’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show with Hannah B on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on July 22nd, 2022, reviewing the new TV series that is set in Chicago, “The Bear.” Currently on the FX channel and whole series streaming on HULU.

On-Air Film Review: ‘The Gray Man’ is Between Black Nor White

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 21st, reviewing “The Gray Man,” the latest from directors Anthony and Joe Russo (“Avengers: Endgame”), streaming on Netflix beginning July 22nd.

Between Black Nor White! On-Air Film Review of ‘The Gray Man’

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 July 21st, reviewing “The Gray Man,” the latest from directors Anthony and Joe Russo (“Avengers: Endgame”), streaming on Netflix beginning July 22nd.

On-Air Film Review: They are Not Alone in Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 21st, reviewing “Nope,” the latest from filmmaker Jordan Peele (“Get Out,” “Us”), in theaters beginning July 22nd.

They Are Not Alone! On-Air Film Review of Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 21st, reviewing “Nope,” the latest from filmmaker Jordan Peele (“Get Out,” “Us”), in theaters beginning July 22nd.

Interview: whitewolfsonicprincess at Evanston’s Space

CHICAGO – The venue called Space is one of the finer rooms in Chicagoland, specifically in Evanston, Illinois, and one of the finest local bands – whitewolfsonicprincess (wwsp) – will be making an appearance on Wednesday, July 20th. For details and ticket information, click wwsp.

Via Zoom: Writer/Director/Producer Rujanee Mahakanjana of ‘Lab 99’

CHICAGO – Rujanee Mahakanjana continues to evolve. The filmmaker is an atmosphere, which played out in her early works and is proceeding through a film 12 years in the making (“Lab 99”), her founding of a content website (pixquid.com), several projects and a return to the in-person SHORTCUT 100 International Film Fest.

On-Air Film Review: Father/Daighter Dance in ‘Don’t Let Me Go’

Don't Make Me Go

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 14th, reviewing “Don’t Make Me Go,” a road trip picture shared by a father and daughter, streaming on Prime Video beginning July 15th.

Father/Daughter Dance! On-Air Film Review of ‘Don’t Make Me Go’

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 July 14th, reviewing “Don’t Make Me Go,” a road trip picture shared by a father and daughter, streaming on Prime Video beginning July 15th.

On-Air Film Review: French Bliss for ‘Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 14th, reviewing “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” the adventures of a British cleaning lady when she decides to wish upon a dream, in theaters on July 15th.

French Bliss! On-Air Film Review of ‘Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris’

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 July 14th, reviewing “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” the adventures of a British cleaning lady when she decides to wish upon a dream, in theaters on July 15th.

Audio Film Review: Truth Sets Us Free in ‘A Sexplanation’

A Sexplanation

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “A Sexplanation,” a truth telling documentary about searching for one’s self, within the nature of our inherent sexual being, currently available for download through Video On Demand.-

Truth Sets Us Free! Audio Film Review of ‘A Sexplanation’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “A Sexplanation,” a truth telling documentary about searching for one’s self, within the nature of our inherent sexual being, currently available for download through Video On Demand.

Audio Film Review: ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ is Out of Tune

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the highly anticipated adaptation of the huge best selling novel by Della Owens, and featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones, in theater everywhere beginning July 15th.

Out of Tune! Audio Film Review of ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 1.0/5.0
Rating: 1.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the highly anticipated adaptation of the huge best selling novel by Della Owens, and featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones, in theater everywhere beginning July 15th.

Slideshow: Renaissance Awardee Matt Damon & Robert Downey Jr. at Gene Siskel Film Center

| Image 1 of 6 |
Robert Downey Jr. and Matt Damon talk about Damon’s career

CHICAGO – In an expected fun and wild back-&-forth between two movie icons, Matt Damon accepted the Gene Siskel Film Center Renaissance Award at the 50th Anniversary fundraiser for the Center … which raised $200,000. Damon did a live virtual interview moderated by Robert Downey Jr., screened at the fundraiser event on June 25th, 2022.

Podtalk: Hannah Marks & Mia Isaac of ‘Don’t Make Me Go’

CHICAGO – Exceptional films that reflect honest relationships are rare, but the latest film “Don’t Make Me Go” – streaming on Prime Video on July 15th – accomplishes the father/daughter dynamic with authentic situations and emotions. John Cho and Mia Isaac portray that relationship, in a film directed by Hannah Marks.

Slideshow: Exclusive Portraits of ‘Clerks III’ Cast & Trailer in Preview of Fall 2022 Release

| Image 1 of 5 |
Writer/Director Kevin Smith is Silent Bob in ‘Clerks III.’

CHICAGO – “They’re Bringing it Back!” Is the inevitable tagline for “Clerks III,” the highly anticipated final (?) chapter of Kevin Smith’s Clerks universe of films. The main classic cast appeared at Fan Expo Chicago last weekend, and photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com captured the Exclusive Portraits. “Clerks III” is set to release on September 13th, 2022.

On-Air Film Feature: TOP FIVE FILMS in the First Half of 2022

CHICAGO – The first six months of 2022 have flown by, and although the studios withhold their “prestige films” for the Fall, there were still many notable works of cinema for the first half of the year. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com breaks it down On-the-Air for WBGR-FM in Monroe, Wisconsin.

Slideshow, Entertainment News: NEW Fan Expo Convention in Chicago from July 8-10, 2022

| Image 1 of 6 |
Lana Parrilla of TV’s ‘Once Upon a Time’ and ‘Why Woman Kill.’

CHICAGO – The fan gathering conventions are coming back, and a new one has emerged. The 2022 Fan Expo is the new name for the former Wizard World, which had met in pre-pandemic Chicago for years. The Fan Expo offers the same celebrity meet-and-greets, including Joel McHale (“Star Girl”), Carl Weathers (“Rocky”), Ron Perlman (“Hellboy”), Anthony Daniels (“Star Wars”), Jonathan Frakes (“Star Trek; TNG”) and director Kevin Smith (“Clerks”).

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