CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
Filmmaking
Podtalk: Jon Silver on His World Premiere Film ‘The Premiere’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 26, 2024 - 11:17amCHICAGO – What better film to have a World Premiere in Chicago than local filmmaker Jon Silver’s “The Premiere,” happening at the Davis Theater in Chicago on August 27th (8pm). Art meets life in a wacky and poignant way for a director during the premiere day of his latest film. For tickets and deets, click THE PREMIERE.
Podtalk: Gregg Jaffe for ‘Big Teeth Small Shorts’ Summer ’24 Live Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 16, 2024 - 4:50pmCHICAGO – In filmmaking, the short film is usually the medium where most potential directors do their first works or present a shorter version of what they hope will become a longer film or simply that they prefer that length of story-telling. One of the short films fests that has been around Chicago for several years is the “Big Teeth Small Shorts” presentation, and the founder of Big Teeth Productions … Gregg Jaffe …will be facilitating their Summer ’24 Live Screening on Thursday, July 18th, at FACETS Cinema in Chicago’s DePaul Neighborhood. For details and tickets, click BIG TEETH.
Audio Film Review: Ingmar Persona-fied! Review of ‘Bergman Island’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 19, 2021 - 4:51pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on the new filmmaker-on-filmmaker narrative film “Bergman Island” – the first English language film by Mia Hansen Løve – currently in select theaters, see local listings for theaters and show times.!—break—>
Film News: Chicago’s FACETS In-Person & Virtual Film Camps, June 23 to Aug 27, 2021
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 16, 2021 - 5:37pmCHICAGO – It’s summer camp time, and what better destination for budding cinephiles then Film Camp! FACETS cinema a variety of film classes both in-person. virtual/online and hybrids for children/teens from ages eight to 17. For more information and tuition fees, click here.
Podtalk: Programs Manager Ana Wright on Opening of New ‘Chicago Filmmakers’ Home
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 11, 2018 - 2:17pmCHICAGO – One of the gems of the local cinema scene is the organization known as Chicago Filmmakers. Their 43 year old mission? To make the world of filmmaking available to anyone who wants to learn, thereby allowing new and diverse voices to emerge. Chicago Filmmakers recently moved into their ultimate home, a converted fire station in the Edgewater neighborhood, which is ideally located and suited for any local resident to learn the nuts and bolts of moviemaking, or to take in their screen offerings. Ana Wright is the Programs Manager for the nonprofit center.
Slideshow, Audio: Closing Night ‘The Shape of Water’ at 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 31, 2017 - 12:24pmCHICAGO – Put the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival in the books, as the spectacular Closing Night film was “The Shape of Water,” directed by Guillermo Del Toro, and featured Michael Shannon and Michael Stuhlbarg, who both walked the Red Carpet on October 26th, 2017, and was joined by producer Daniel Kraus.
Film News: Closing-Night Film ‘The Shape of Water’ at 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 26, 2017 - 8:47amCHICAGO – Two weeks of tributes, perspectives and events have flown by, including the amazing line-up of over 150 films from 50 countries. The 53rd Chicago International Film Festival concludes Thursday, October 26th, 2017, with “The Shape of Water” (United States), directed by Guillermo Del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”).
Preview: Week Two Films at 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 21, 2017 - 10:09amCHICAGO – The 53rd Chicago International Film Festival is winding down, with the closing night film set for Thursday, October 26th, 2017 (“The Shape of Water”). But there are still many films to go until the end, and Jon Lennon Espino and Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com preview some choices for week two.
Preview: Week-One Films at 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 16, 2017 - 10:53amCHICAGO – The 53rd Chicago International Film Festival has kicked off, and the first weekend has already unspooled. But what is coming up for the WEEK ONE as the Festival kicks into gear? HollywoodChicago.com’s Patrick McDonald and Jon Lennon Espino preview the films and events to put on your list.
Film Review: ‘Their Finest’ is British Filmmaking at Its Finest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 14, 2017 - 4:13pmCHICAGO – In a combined BBC Films, Welsh Government and Pinewood (London) Pictures production, the British-based “Their Finest” pairs England’s history with authentic and passionate romance, to create a sly and funny riff on propaganda films and the British movie industry during the early days of World War II.