HollywoodChicago.com: The Everything Entertainment Destination

Film News: Patrick McDonald to Moderate ‘Hekla’ at Wilmette Theatre, July 14, 2026

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 17:20:28 +0000

CHICAGO – As Chicago-based filmmaker Michael Glover Smith’s latest film HEKLA continues on its festival and local screening run, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com will moderate a Q&A with Smith and title character actor Elizabeth “Liz” Stam (also co-writer). For tickets and info, click HEKLA.

The story is a single day, in which Hekla (Liz Stam) has four plum auditions, but also has to tell her lover Tyler (Mary Tilden) that their two-year relationship is over. The contemplation of their time together is infused within the dog-and-pony process, as Hekla auditions for film, stage, commercial work and even the highest end of Chicago theater with a song and a show-stopping monologue. On that same significant day, she concludes by performing in a pop-up version of Shakespeare’s MACBETH in a Chicago tavern. Will she have the necessary drive to survive?

HEKLA at the Wilmette Theatre
Photo credit: LindseyFilmFest.com

The film was shot locally in Chicago, as co-Writer/director Michael Glover Smith plucked the character of Hekla from his previous film RELATIVE and fashioned her own story, with co-writer and lead actor Liz Stam. Previous to RELATIVE, Smith’s feature filmography includes his debut feature COOL APOCALYPSE (2015), MERCURY IN RETROGRADE (2017), and the Windy City-centric RENDEZVOUS IN CHICAGO (2018).

Elizabeth “Liz” Stam has also appeared in DEPARTING SENIORS (2023) and the absurdist comedy NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST (2025, directed by a producer on HEKLA, Aaron Wertheimer).

In a lead up to the film’s festival run and premiere, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com conducted the following Podtalks with Smith and Stam, as well as supporting actors Brookelyn Hébert and Mary Tilden …

Michael and Liz, pre-production …

Michael before the Chicago premiere…

Brookelyn Hébert on supporting role in HEKLA …

Liz and co-featured actor Mary Tilden …

HEKLA will screen July 14th, 2026, (6:30pm) at the Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette. Appearing on behalf of the film will be co-writer/director Michael Glover Smith and co-writer/lead actor Liz Stam. For more information on the Wilmette Theatre, click here.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Podtalk: Kat Foster Confidential, An Actor, Director & Her Craft

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 15:30:57 +0000

CHICAGO – When meeting Kat Foster in Hollywood, the setting has to be iconic, so one June evening the actor, writer and director met by the pool at the historic Roosevelt Hotel for a comprehensive Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, on her actor’s journey, writing/directing and how motherhood has deepened her experiences.

Kat Foster was born in Oakland, and her father was a manager of bands. She is a classically trained actor, through the New York University Tisch School of the Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She began her career on stage, regional and Off-Broadway productions.

EARTHQUAKE NOTE, a Short Film by Kat Foster
Photo credit: Kat Foster

She broke through with a major supporting role in the TV movie pilot N.Y.-70 (2005), featuring Donnie Wahlberg and Bobby Canavalle, and one year later landed a featured role in the FOX sitcom TIL DEATH, which starred Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher. After that series, she has been a consistent working actor, including roles on THE GOOD WIFE, LAW & ORDER SVU, WEEDS, voice over work in FAMILY GUY, and as a series regular on Prime’s JEAN CLAUDE VAN JOHNSON (2016). EARTHQUAKE NOTE is her second short film as writer/director, after DAUGHTERING (2023).

In PART ONE of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, writer/director/lead actor KAT FOSTER reflects on early actor influences, experiences and performing in TIL DEATH …

In PART TWO, on the talent for your talent, writing/directing and word associations …

For more information on Kat Foster, click KAT FOSTER. To follow Ms. Foster on Instagram, click @IAmKatFoster.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Audio Film Review: Light is Dark in Georgia Bernstein’s ‘Night Nurse’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:14:12 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film release NIGHT NURSE, featuring Cemre Paksoy, Bruce McKenzie and Mimi Rogers perform writer/director Georgia Bernstein’s unique and dark narrative. In select theaters July 10th see local listings.

Cemre Paksoy is the title Nurse Eleni, caring for a somewhat elder Douglas (Bruce McKenzie). Douglas is constantly taking dementia tests, as conducted by facility Doctor Mann (Mimi Rogers). Strangely, there is a sense that Douglas is conning the medical care, for he begins to force Nurse Eleni to make oddball calls to other seniors, with a con to extract money. Even more strangely, Eleni finds this behavior to be erotically fulfilling, and soon the allure of Douglas’ actions has brought all the facility nurses into his lair. Will a jealous Eleni or perhaps Dr. Mann stop him?

NIGHT NURSE is in select theaters on July 10, see your local listings. Featuring Cemre Paksoy, Bruce McKenzie, Eleonore Hendricks, Colleen Rose Trundy and Mimi Rogers. Written and directed by Georgia Bernstein. Not Rated.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of NIGHT NURSE

NIGHT NURSE
Photo credit: IFC Films

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of NIGHT NURSE

On-Air Film Review: ‘Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:51:59 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 9th, 2026, reviewing the new film release GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS, featuring Zoey Deutch. In theaters on July 10th.

Deutch portrays Gail, a Kansas hair dresser who is engaged to Tom (Michael Cassidy), and they exchange their desired star crush wishes. In an astounding coincidence, Tom takes care of his conquest during his celeb’s local book appearance, leaving Gail in a lurch. She decides to go to Los Angeles on a hair dresser’s convention with best friend Otto (Miles Guiterrez-Riley), and there she will find her celebrity pass and take care of it.

On the way her hair dresser case gets mixed up with an exact duplicate, and she ends up with material that will collapse the world financial markets. But along this glittery Hollywood path to her hall pass, while being pursued by the super villains who want the case, they do meet Weird Al Yankovic, John Slattery, Elizabeth Banks and other strange celebs, as well as an agency rep named Caleb (Ben Wang) and photographer Vincent (Ken Marino). Will Gail reach her goal, or is there no place like home?

GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS is in theaters July 3rd. Featuring Zoey Deutch, John Slattery, Ken Marino, Fred Melamed, Ben Wang, Miles Guitierrez-Riley, Weird Al Yankovic and Elizabeth Banks. Written by David Wain and Ken Marino. Directed by David Wain. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS

GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS

On-Air Film Review: Dwayne Johnson as Maui in Live Action ‘Moana’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:16:08 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on Eddie Volkman & Friends on THE 9-6-7 WSSR-FM Joliet (IL) on July 10th, 2026, reviewing the new Walt Disney release of MOANA, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprising his VoiceOver role in a live action film. In theaters July 10th.

As in the previous animated film, Moana (Catherine Laga’aia, in her debut film) is the daughter of Chief Tui (John Tui) on the South Pacific island of Motunui, and gets advice from her Gramma Tala (Rena Owen) and mother Sina (Frankie Adams). When plant life starts dying and fish disappear, the source is a ancient incident in which the heart of a goddess was taken and the implications have come to pass. The theft originated from demigod Maui (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and only he can make it right, with help from Moana, who the ocean has chosen to complete the mission.

MOANA is in theaters on July 10th. Featuring Catherine Laga’aia, Dwayne Johnson, John Tui, Rena Owen, Frankie Adams and Jermaine Clement. Screenplay adapted by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. Directed by Thomas Kail. Rated “PG”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of MOANA

MOANA
Photo credit: Walt Disney Pictures

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of MOANA

Film News: MUBI Fest 2026 Takes Place in Chicago July 10-12

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:49:21 +0000

CHICAGO – For the third consecutive year, Chicago is the destination for MUBI Fest, providing a weekend of special film screenings, live music, an open-air market and more, from July 10th-12th at the Music Box Theatre, Salt Shed and Gene Siskel Film Center. For ticket information and details, click MUBI FEST.

Highlights include the buzz film at Cannes on Friday (7/10), TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA (sold out); on Saturday (7/11) … all at Chicago’s Salt Shed … a “scratch & sniff” edition of the now-cult sensation THE SUBSTANCE (2024), MUBI MART – a vendor, games and giveaway event – which includes a POP STAR film singalong and live music in the evening from CURRENT JOYS and DELROY EDWARDS; Sunday (7/12) includes a live score performance/screening of THE MASTERMIND and a screening of LURKER, with writer/director Alex Russell making an appearance. For details and more, click the link above.

MUBI Fest 2026 in Chicago
Photo credit: MUBIFest.com

MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world. MUBI is also a place to discover ambitious films, from both iconic directors and emerging auteurs … all carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And their NOTEBOOK explores all sides of cinema culture, both in print and online.

MUBI Fest 2026 is in Chicago from July 10th-12th, at three locations … the historic Music Box Theatre, the Salt Shed and the Gene Siskel Film Center. Click link above for all the details.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Audio Film Review: John Early Writes, Directs & Acts in ‘Maddie’s Secret’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:38:27 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film release MADDIE’S SECRET, featuring comedian John Early, who also wrote the film and directed it, which also features Kristen Johnson and Vanessa Bayer. In select theaters since July 3rd, see local listings.

Early also is featured as Maddie, an optimistic vegetarian foodie who works at a culinary content provider. Her best friend is Deena (Kate Berlant), who has a crush on Maddie, although her friend is married to Jake (Eric Rahill). A chance Tik Tok of Maddie preparing food goes viral, and her company puts her front and center to keep the momentum. It is in this role that the secret is revealed, which Maddie represents as pregnancy. She goes in-patient at a clinic, and begins the long journey to the rest of her life.

MADDIE’S SECRET is in theaters NOW, including Chicago’s Music Box Theatre, plus see your local listings. Featuring John Early, Kate Berlant, Eric Rahill, Kristen Johnson and Vanessa Bayer. Written and directed by John Early. Not Rated.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of MADDIE’S SECRET

MADDIE’S SECRET
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of MADDIE’S SECRET

Audio Film Review: Lock Me Away with ‘Peter Asher: Everywhere Man’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 02:48:59 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new documentary release PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN, the story of Asher, half of Peter and Gordon, the Swingin’ 1960s, The Beatles and the California Sound. In select theaters since June 26th, see local listings.

Peter Asher first made a mark with the wave of World War Two Era-born English babies that reinvented rock/pop during their American infiltration in 1964 with the duet Peter & Gordon (that’s Gordon Waller), who hit the charts on the heels of The Beatles with WORLD WITHOUT LOVE and other hit singles. When the pair broke up in 1968, Asher was brought onto The Beatles newly formed Apple Records at their A&R man, where he signed American James Taylor, which led to a decades long association.

Splitting off from the chaos of Apple, he re-established himself in Los Angeles as Taylor’s manager, and besides JT’s albums Asher produced Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther and Bonnie Raitt, among others, all a major influence on the 1970s California sound. He remained in music as an executive until the 2000s, and is recognized as a major figure in the history of pop rock.

PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN is in theaters NOW, including Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center, plus see your local listings. Featuring interviews with Peter Asher, Paul McCartney, Steve Martin, Eric Idle and Pattie Boyd. Directed by Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine. Not Rated.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN

PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN
Photo credit: Greenwich Entertainment

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN

Theater Review: ‘Iceboy’ Provides Hot Laughs at Goodman Theatre

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 01:42:04 +0000

CHICAGO – The sound you hear emanating from Chicago’s Loop could be the raucous laughter of audiences for ICEBOY!, a musical stage play now at the Goodman Theatre. Featuring Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, this absurdist send-up of theater and Eugene O’Neill scores the guffaws. For tickets/info, click ICEBOY!.

At the Goodman Theatre thru August 9th, 2026
Photo credit: GoodmanTheatre.org

Play Rating: 3.5/5.0

The play begins with playwright Eugene O’Neill (Nick Offerman), who introduces what is about to happen as a preliminary for his authorship of THE ICEMAN COMETH. Vera Vimm (Megan Mullally), one of Broadway’s biggest stars in 1939, buys a caveman frozen for 40,000 years on a whim. She names him Iceboy (Grey Henson), and he refers to her as Momma. This throws Vimm’s household into a tizzy, including her loyal assistant Lambert (Sarah Stiles) and butler Frankenstein’s Monster (Alex Goodrich). When Vera’s erstwhile boyfriend Floyd (Cedric Yarbrough) puts her in his new play, it gets the worst reviews of her career. Enter Iceboy as an understudy, which puts a distraught Vera into a coma. Who will resolve this dilemma? Iceboy? Eugene O’Neill? Frankenstein’s monster?

Audio Theater Review of ICEBOY! by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com …

Goodman Theatre presents ICEBOY! at their downtown Albert Theater, 170 North Dearborn Street, Chicago. Featuring Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Grey Henson, Cedric Yarbrough, Alex Goodrich and Sarah Stiles. Book by Jay Reiss and Erin Quinn Purcell. Music by Mark Hollman. Lyrics by Jay Reiss and Mark Hollman. Directed by Marc Bruni. For more information on the Goodman Theatre, click GoodmanTheatre.org.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

On-Air Film Review: Olivia Wilde is Featured & Directs ‘The Invite’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:54:36 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 2nd, 2026, reviewing the new film release THE INVITE, featuring and directed by Olivia Wilde. In theaters on July 3rd.

The film features Wilde as Angela, a wife and Mom who is barely holding on while preparing a dinner party for their new upstairs neighbor couple (Edward Norton as Hawk and Penélope Cruz as Pina). In comes her husband Joe (Seth Rogen) who has forgotten about the gathering, and is prickly mad about it, enough to start an argument. But he eventually capitulates and the gathering begins.

As the two couples interact, something becomes apparent that the hosts didn’t expect … the neighbors are swingers and are interested in swinging with them. This interaction causes a number of uncomfortable truths to emerge, and one of those is the truth behind Joe and Angela’s deteriorating marriage.

THE INVITE is in theaters July 3rd. Featuring Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton. Written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. Directed by Olivia Wilde. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of THE INVITE

THE INVITE
Photo credit: A24

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of THE INVITE