Podcast

CHICAGO – A film that made its world premiere in Chicago – at the 2018 Cinepocalypse Film Festival – is making its way into the national consciousness. “Empathy, Inc.,” directed by Yedidya “Jed” Gorsetman, has a theatrical run in the first half of September, (including Chicago) before the release with Video-On-Demand on 9/24.

CHICAGO – When the world broke open during the historic #MeToo entertainment industry scandal, the incidents were simply the tip of the gigantic iceberg. “This Changes Everything” goes deeper behind the subject of women in film, to expose a system in show business that has consistently lacked in opportunities for female filmmakers and production workers. The historic Wilmette (Illinois) Theatre will screen the documentary as part of a Women Filmmaker Celebration on September 13th, 2019 (7pm), with a panel discussion moderated by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. For more details and tickets, click here.

CHICAGO – With the major league baseball playoffs on the horizon, there is no better way to celebrate than a screening of the ballgame-themed TV pilot “Vendors,” created by Christopher Biewer, directed by Joel Murray and featuring Biewer, Kim DeJesus, Tim Kazurinsky, Emo Philips and former Chicago Cub Ryan Dempster.

CHICAGO – John Travolta continues to surprise by challenging himself in offbeat roles. His latest is “The Fanatic,” which had its nationwide release on August 30th. To promote the film and greet admirers, Travolta stopped by the Wizard World Comic Con in Chicago, and Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com shot an Exclusive Photo.

CHICAGO – Filmmaking in Chicago just got another feather in its cap, as writer/director Yuri Rutman is about to premiere his short film “Trained” on the prestigious Shorts TV channel. Shorts TV is the official distributor of the Oscar nominated shorts every year, and picked up Rutman’s film as a high-level example of this truncated cinematic art form.

CHICAGO – With summer winding down, it’s time for a focus on Fall, and singer Kevin Pollack is out of the gate early. His August song debut of “Man About Town” is part of a once-a-month song release schedule for autumn, culminating in an EP release in December. “Man About Town” is a swinging tune about a swinging soul.

CHICAGO – The Black Harvest Film Festival (BHFF) is an August mainstay in Chicago, ever since 1994. As the Fest currently celebrates its 25th anniversary, one of the major reasons for its longevity and success will be honored on August 18th, 2019. Film critic, writer and broadcaster Sergio Mims will receive the Gene Siskel Legacy Award for his contributions as co-founder and co-programmer of Black Harvest. The bestowing of the honor, along with a reception, with occur at the screening of “Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts,” beginning at 5:30pm. For more information and tickets, click here.

CHICAGO – It’s the 3rd annual YippieFest in Chicago at the Prop Thtr (Theatre), and the three days of Theater, Performance, Music, Film, Comedy and more kicks off with its 2019 edition on Friday, August 16th (7pm), and runs through Sunday, August 18th. The Fest evolved from the spirit of Mary-Arrchie Theater’s Abbie Hoffman Fest, which began 30 years ago (1989), and ended in 2016. The Fest also celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock music festival, which coincides with the weekend. For more information on YippieFest, including tickets, click here.

CHICAGO – Finding joy for many people is rooted in music, and nothing expresses that joy like the love of a particular artist. Bruce Springsteen is the rocker that helps a British immigrant through some hard times in the new film “Blinded by the Light,” and the beneficiary of that joy is portrayed by Viveik Kaira.

CHICAGO – The “star is born” expression is not to be used lightly, yet it absolutely applies to the performance of Aisling Franciosi (Lyanna Stark in “Game of Thrones”) in the role of Clare for “The Nightingale.” As a late 19th Century woman with nothing to lose, she suffers an emotional death, a survival rebirth and humanist hope.