CHICAGO – There is no better time to take in a stage play that is based in U.S. history, depicting the battle between fact and religion. The old theater chestnut – first mounted in 1955 – is “Inherit the Wind,” now at the Goodman Theatre, completing it’s short run through October 20th. For tickets and more information, click INHERIT.
Christian
Lord in the Dance! Audio Film Review of ‘The Starling Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 18, 2023 - 6:23pmRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the first feature debut from writer/director Laurel Parmet … set in a fundamentalist Christian community in Kentucky … entitled “The Starling Girl.” In select theaters beginning May 19th, see local listings.
‘Beirut’ is a Superbly Tense Geopolitical Thriller
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 11, 2018 - 9:11amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The psychological desperation of life-or-death decisions are in play within “Beirut,” the new geopolitical thriller featuring Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”). The various mazes within the story, set during the Lebanon civil war of the 1980s, is comparative to “Casablanca,” especially through the world-weary expression of Hamm’s character.
Humankind Gets a Necessary Lesson in ‘The Insult’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 2, 2018 - 12:14pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The clash of ideologies or religion that result in war is one of the most emotional of reasons to fight (and convenient for those who manipulate such emotions). “The Insult,” a contender for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, shows how feelings can escalate to bitter conflict.
‘The Shack’ is About Spirituality, Not Filmmaking
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 3, 2017 - 10:03amRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – To create spirituality from tragedy is like shooting the proverbial fish – a prominent symbol for Christianity – in a barrel. “The Shack” is based on a popular novel, and doesn’t try to do anything different or cinematic with a man encountering the Holy Trinity after a horrific incident.
Reverent, Joyful & Inspirational Jesus in ‘Risen’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 20, 2016 - 9:02amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I am a recovering Catholic, which I’ll tell you a million times – or maybe shortly after I meet you – and I have to say I had a well of nostalgia while experiencing “Risen,” the story of Jesus’s Resurrection and aftermath. It is enjoyable, in a strange way, for Christians and film fans alike.