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
Podtalk: Joan Shamanic on Life Force Arts ‘Hawaiian Goddesses: Fire of Life,’ March 24, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 21, 2024 - 8:06pmCHICAGO – Healing is the goal of the Life Force Arts Ensemble (LFAE). Combining Shamanic practice with the arts of music, dance, poetry and paintings, the current thematic exhibit is “Conscious Body: Living Soul From Sentience to Sovereignty.” In association with that theme will be a Sound Healing Ceremony entitled (click link) “Hawaiian Goddesses: Fire of Life” taking place on Sunday, March 24th, 2024.
Film News: Taiwan Showcase Weekend at Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema, March 23-24, 2024
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 21, 2024 - 1:54pmCHICAGO – Taiwan is the focus for the Asian Pop-Up Cinema this upcoming Saturday and Sunday, March 23rd and 24th, as Season 18 kicks off. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com will moderate the post film Q&A sessions on Saturday, with the films “A Boy and a Girl” and “The Young Hoodlum.” Click TAIWAN for tickets.
Podtalk & Photos: David Dastmalchian in ‘Late Night with the Devil’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 20, 2024 - 12:55pmCHICAGO – David Dastmalchian is taking the spotlight in his latest role. The in-demand character actor, with vital portrayals in “Suicide Squad,’ “Dune” and “Oppenheimer,” is the lead performer as a 1970s talk show host in the new horror epic “Late Night with the Devil,” co-written/directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes. In select theaters March 22nd.
On-Air Film Review: ‘They Shot the Piano Player’ in the Key of 88
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 20, 2024 - 10:00amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “They Shot the Piano Player,” an animated epic written and co-directed by Fernando Trueba that combines the Bossa Nova sound, a music reporter and a mystery about a long lost pianist. Currently in select theaters. See local listings.
On-Air Film Review: Raunchy John Cena in ‘Ricky Stanicky’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 19, 2024 - 3:46pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 7th, 2024, reviewing “Ricky Stanicky,” featuring John Cena in a comedic dual role, directed by Pater Farrelly. Streaming on Prime Video.
Podtalk & Portraits: Actor Christina Jackson on Netflix’s ‘Shirley’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 19, 2024 - 2:15pmCHICAGO – One of the great lesser known pioneers of social and civil rights history is Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. As a black woman in the 1960s/70s, she not only was elected to the House of Representatives but also ran for president in 1972 against all odds. Actor Christina Jackson was in Chicago on behalf of the new biopic, “Shirley.”
On-Air Film Review: The Weight of the World in ‘Club Zero’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 17, 2024 - 8:26pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Club Zero,” a presupposition story about eating techniques that can lead to complete elimination for food, written and directed by Jennifer Hausner. In select theaters since March 15th. See local listings
SXSW2024: ‘Bob Trevino Likes It’ is Top Film at SXSW Film & TV Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 17, 2024 - 7:40pmAUSTIN, TX – The 2024SXSW Conference and Festivals wrapped on March 16th, after nine days of magic and Austin wackiness, showcasing film, TV, interactive, conferences, interviews and music. The Film & TV Fest named “Bob Trevino Likes It” as the top Narrative Feature and “Marvin is Sorry” as top TV Pilot.
Podtalk: Sophia Wong Boccio of APUC Chicago on Season 18
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 17, 2024 - 4:12pmCHICAGO – Wednesday, March 20th, will begin Season 18 of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), a film festival that has grown and evolved to become a prime cultural influencer. The Founder and Curator of APUC, Sophia Wong Boccio, provides a preview to the new season below. For details, click SEASON 18.
Audio Film Review: ‘Arthur the King’ Defines Doggone Fun
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 16, 2024 - 12:22amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Arthur the King” the latest film from Mark Wahlberg, regarding an adventure race, a need for fulfillment in the pursuit of victory and an actual victory in a friendship with a dog. In theaters on March 15th.
SXSW2024: Reviews of ‘Arcadian,’ ‘The Gutter,’ Cheech & Chong
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 14, 2024 - 10:38amAUSTIN, TX – The depth and number of films at the SXSW Film & TV Festival portion of the week is nirvana for a film geek’s adventure. Here are three of the films I caught at SXSW … all led by familiar names and have high interest. “Arcadian,” “Gutter” and “Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie” … look for them in 2024.
SXSW2024: Susan Sarandon, Cheech & Chong and Nicolas Cage
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 13, 2024 - 7:03pmAUSTIN, TX – One thing that SXSW attracts are movie stars. With the big premieres headquartered at the famous art deco Paramount Theatre in Austin, audiences were treated to appearances by the legendary Susan Sarandon (“Gutter”), a reunited Cheech & Chong, and for the creme de la creme we were in the “Cage.” The great Nicolas Cage appeared on behalf of “Arcadian.”
SXSW2024: Independent TV Pilot Program & Picture of the Day
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 11, 2024 - 10:01amAUSTIN – My first full day at the 2024 SXSW fest was slow to get going, only because my flight came in late Saturday night and I decided to go downtown and partake of a late get together event (it’s about the networking). So after registering on Sunday morning I went through the creativity expo, checked the VR exhibit, and went to my first screening, the Independent TV Pilot Program.
