IFC Films

CHICAGO – Growth from a young and rising actor is defined by KiKi Layne. After getting her big break as Tish in “If Beale Street Could Talk” from 2018, she has build her resume in both independent (“Native Son”) and tentpole (“Coming 2 America”) films, and showcases her music talent as the title character in “Dandelion,” which opens Friday, July 12th.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Ghostlight,” a co-directorial collaboration between Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan of 2019’s “Saint Frances,” from a Kelly O’Sullivan script. Currently in theaters since June 14th.

CHICAGO – Two of the finest filmmakers who have roots in Chicago (college) are Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan. After Kelly wrote the acclaimed “Saint Frances” with Alex directing, their second film is a co-directing effort that is a brilliant meditation on finding one’s self after loss, and doing it through … acting.

CHICAGO – The great food movies of cinema history … think “Babette’s Feast” or “Big Night” … use food prep cinematically as a palette for the senses. A French/Belgium film from last year continues that tradition. “The Taste of Things,” featuring Oscar winner Juliette Binoche and written/directed by Ahn Hung Tran, is set in late 19th Century France within a romance between a chef and his muse.

CHICAGO – 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.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 26th, 2023, reviewing “When Evil Lurks,” an Argentinian horror film that’s just in time for the Halloween weekend. In theaters now and streaming on Shudder October 27th, 2023.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 11th, reviewing “BlackBerry,” the story of the rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone. In theaters on May 12th.

CHICAGO – All great things must come to an end, as the 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) Closing Night is on Thursday, May 11th, with the anticipated “Theater Camp” at the Music Box Theatre. The Fest spanned six days, click CCFF FINALE for closing night ticket info.

CHICAGO – As technology goes, it seems so long ago, but at its peak the first multi-use smartphone was nicknamed the “CrackBerry” because of user addiction. The product’s improbable rise and fall is told in the new film “BlackBerry,” co-written/directed and featuring Matt Johnson.