CHICAGO – It began with a boy and his dream (nightmare?). John LaFlamboy, to be exact, as he took an idea he had in college and made it his life’s work. He owns and operates the HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport (Illinois), which was designed, built and put together by Haunted House experts expressly for the spookiest month of the year. For info on how to purchase tickets, click HellsGate.
Film News: DAY FOUR of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Visits ‘Widows’



CHICAGO – DAY FOUR of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Saturday, October 13th, 2018… to kick off a huge festival weekend… continues with Industry Days from 10am-5pm (click here for details), a CINEYOUTH “Best of the Fest” screening (click) and the a mega-Red Carpet for the film “Widows,” including Liam Neeson.

’Widows’ on Day Four of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival/HBO
EVENTS The Red Carpet will be the place to be on Saturday, as Liam Neeson, Oscar winner Viola Davis (“Fences”) and Michelle Rodriguez (“Fast & Furious” series) highlight their new film “Widows,” along with director Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) and the screenplay adapter/Chicago author Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl”). Red Carpet at 6pm, screenings at 7pm (click here).
FILM OF THE DAY “WIDOWS” (USA) Another highly anticipated film for fall, and the story involves the widows of four armed robbers who are killed at a failed heist attempt, only to have those left-behind wives to step in and finish the job. The All-Star cast includes Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Cynthia Erivo, Jacki Weaver, Robert Duvall and Liam Neeson, and director Steve McQueen continues his reputation for delivering unusual, in-depth and quality content. The movie was filmed in Chicago, and was adapted for the screen (with McQueen) by author Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl”).
WATCH OUT FOR… “The Guest” (Italy) and “Flammable Children” (Australia) in the “Spotlight” category of festival films, for Italy and comedy. The CineYouth “Best of the Fest” are showcase short films from the CineYouth Festival that takes place during the year, by the Cinema/Chicago, the same organization that showcases the international festival. Saturday night is also a big “after party” night so keep your ears open to locations.
![]() | By PATRICK McDONALD |