July 2023

CHICAGO – The debut film is a most exciting Chicago Premiere at the Midwest Film Festival, for writer/director Jason Miller of “Ghosts of the Void.” Click GHOSTS for tickets and more information.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Earth Mama,” written and directed in her feature film debut by Savannah Leaf, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and is distributed by A24, known for their provocative film fare. In theaters since July 21st.

CHICAGO – With “Oppenheimer,” director Christopher Nolan reminds us of what a blockbuster can be. They need not all be brain dead exercises in grunting and effects. Instead he delivers a thoughtful film that manages to synthesize complex elements like quantum physics into a piece of cinematic entertainment that just might be his most profound film yet.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Barbie,” the highly anticipated film adaptation of America’s favorite toy doll, co-written and directed by Greta Gerwig, and featuring Margot Robbie as the title character. In theaters beginning July 21st.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Joke Man,” a documentary about Jackie Martling, the rapid-fire funny man who spent 18 years as a commentator and sidekick on the Howard Stern Show. Available on digital Video-On-Demand beginning July 18th.

CHICAGO – Sam Pollard has established himself as a top director of documentaries, to add to his stellar career as a film editor … including for Spike Lee. His latest doc is a deep dive into the 20th Century curiosity of the Negro League. With interviews, archival photos/footage and comprehensive storytelling, the doc is entitled “The League.”

Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 13th, reviewing “Theater Camp,” a farce having to do with the counselors and kids at a prestigious stage training summer camp. In theaters on July 14th.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 13th, reviewing “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One,” the seventh film of the Tom Cruise-led action series based on the 1960s TV show. In theaters since July 12th.

CHICAGO – In a manifestation of his most famous catchphrase, filmmaker Alex Winter, also known as Bill of “Bill & Ted” fame, wants us to “be excellent to each other” when it comes to our interaction on a certain online video sharing website. He ponders all the implications in his new documentary “The YouTube Effect.”

CHICAGO – Since 2008, the Life Force Arts Center in the Lakeview Neighborhood has been providing an outlet for the connection of art, healing and human consciousness through ongoing art exhibits, theater, performance and classes in spiritual healing. On July 11th, 2023, they will present “The Fire of Light” Shamanic Sound Healing Theater from 7-9pm at the Arts Center, 1609 West Belmont in Chicago. Click FIRE OF LIGHT to purchase tickets and more information, including a Zoom option.

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 July 5th, reviewing “The Lesson,” a modern film noir featuring Richard E. Grant and Julie Delpy. In theaters since July 7th.

Rating: 2.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new “hard-R-rated” comedy “Joy Ride,” featuring Stephanie Park (“Emily in Paris”) and the recently Oscar nominated Stephanie Hsu of Best Picture “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” In theaters on Friday July 7th.

SAN MARCOS, Calif – There was an Alan Arkin for every generation. Post World War Two adults may have seen him at Chicago’s “The Second City.” Baby Boomers remember his films “Wait Until Dark” and “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians are Coming” and Gen X saw him in “The In-Laws” (“Serpentine, Shel”), “Glengarry Glen Ross” and his Oscar winning turn in “Little Miss Sunshine.” He even did a Netflix series, “The Kominsky Method.” For every generation, for every form of acting, there was Alan Arkin. He passed away on June 29th, 2023, at the age of 89.