CHICAGO – The late playwright August Wilson left a gift to the world in the form of his “American Century Cycle,” a series of plays each individually set in a decade of the 20th Century, focusing on the black experience. Chicago’s Goodman Theatre presents Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” now through May 19th, 2024 (click here).
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Audio Film Review: Legacy of ‘Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 19, 2023 - 2:43pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story” an intimate documentary – co-directed by insiders Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz – about the rags to riches story of the Entertainment Mogul known as “TP.” Currently on Prime Video.
Podtalk: Co-Directors of ‘Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 19, 2023 - 8:24amCHICAGO – Tyler Perry is taking a spiritual journey, we just happen to be along for the ride. That is the impression when watching the just-released documentary on Prime Video, “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story,” co-directed by Gelila Bekele (also writer) and Armani Ortiz. They spoke to HollywoodChicago.com.
On-Air Film Review: ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 17, 2023 - 10:38pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 16th, 2023, reviewing “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” the latest in the popular series. In theaters on November 17th, 2023.
Film Review: The Subconscious Cage in Sharp ‘Dream Scenario’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 17, 2023 - 9:34pmCHICAGO – Nicolas Cage makes a welcome return to Charlie Kaufman-like mind bending drama in “Dream Scenario.” He stars as Paul Matthews, a bald and schlubby college professor always clad in an ever present winter coat. His unremarkable life takes a turn when he mysteriously begins appearing in millions of people’s dreams.
Podtalk: Director Andrew Davis to Introduce His 1978 ‘Stony Island’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 16, 2023 - 10:20amCHICAGO – It was another city in another time when Andrew Davis directed his first film “Stony Island” in 1970s Chicago. The film was released in 1978 to acclaim, but faded into the mist of cinema. Andrew Davis is back in his hometown to introduce “Stony Island” at the Gene Siskel Film Center on Friday, November 17th, 2023. For tickets and info, click STONY ISLAND.
Audio Theater Review: Steppenwolf Theatre Hails to the ‘POTUS,’ Through Dec. 17, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2023 - 12:01pm- Audrey Francis
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- Or Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
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- POTUS
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CHICAGO – The great and lofty Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago has brought the current political season right on target with “POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” now extended through December 17th. Click POTUS.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ is a Stable Trip
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 10, 2023 - 10:43amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 9th, 2023, reviewing “Journey to Bethlehem,” a re-telling of the Baby Jesus story as a musical! In theaters on November 10th, 2023.
Film Review: MCU’s ‘The Marvels’ is Decidedly Non-Marvelous
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2023 - 9:23pmCHICAGO – Some Marvel movies are essential viewing for those following the ongoing advancements in the Marvel Cinema Universe (MCU). “The Marvels” is eminently skippable, and draws from so many different MCU properties it almost feels like you’d have to cram for a comic book final exam to understand half of what is going on.
Podtalk: Filmmaker Raven Jackson for ‘All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2023 - 2:03pmCHICAGO – Reflective and observational films … as if the audience is inside looking out along with the the characters … are very rare and takes a quality creator to pull off. One such film is “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” and it is written and directed by a quality creator, the poet-turned-filmmaker Raven Jackson.
Podtalk: Director Jack C. Newell is ‘Reporting for Christmas’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2023 - 10:28amCHICAGO – When a locally filmed romantic Christmas movie was released last week on HULU, the audience comfort and joy for this genre was proven once again by its TOP TEN trending status on the streaming service. The merry elf director behind “Reporting for Christmas” is Chicago-based Jack C. Newell.
Exclusive Portrait: Geri ‘Ginger Spice’ Halliwell for New Book
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2023 - 4:35pmCHICAGO – In the case of this Ginger and Geri, no choice needs to be made because they are one and the same. Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell was a member of the best selling female pop group in history, the Spice Girls. She appeared in Downers Grove (Illinois) for her new novel, “Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen.”
On-Air Film Review: Three Kings of Lonely in 'The Holdovers'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 4, 2023 - 12:34pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 3rd, 2023, reviewing “The Holdovers,” a reunion of the “Sideways” duo … director Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti. In theaters on November 4th, 2023, wide release on November 10th.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Priscilla’ is a Hunka Hunka Burning Love
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 3, 2023 - 10:39pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 3rd, 2023, reviewing “Priscilla,” the story of the relationship between Elvis and Priscilla Presley. In theaters on November 4th, 2023.
