Interview

CHICAGO – One of the realizations that came out of the pandemic was that Drive-In movie theaters are still viable. When regular theaters closed, the Drive-In filled the void where they were available. Filmmaker April Wright has had a lifelong love for the Drive-In, and has explored their revival and challenges afterward in “Back to the Drive-In.” The documentary will have a limited two-day (April 13/14, 2022) run at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, click DRIVE-IN DREAMS for showtimes.

CHICAGO – The groundbreaking Netflix TV series “Never Have I Ever” heads to Season Three, with the continuing adventures of Davi and her teen pals. Part of the supporting cast is Cousin Kamala (Richa Moorjani) and Mom Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan).

CHICAGO – Filmmaker James Ponsoldt has earned the moniker “veteran” in front of his name, after notable hits like “The Spectacular Now,” “The End of the Tour” and “The Circle” (with Tom Hanks). He’s back with a seasonal film called “Summering,” featuring four girls going through their own “Stand by Me” moment.

CHICAGO – First Tuesday for the Midwest Film Festival (MFF) is on August 2nd, 2022, and will present “Women & Gender Non-Conforming Filmmakers Night” at the Gene Siskel Film Center. For ticket info, click MFF AUG FIRST TUESDAY.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.