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On-Air Film Review: He-Man is Back in ‘Masters of the Universe’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:26:58 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on Eddie Volkman & Friends on THE 9-6-7 WSSR-FM Joliet (IL) on June 5th, 2026, reviewing the new release MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, based on the animated origins that began on TV in 1983. In theaters June 5th.

Nicholas Galitzine is Adam Glenn/He-Man, a disposed prince from the planet Eternia, who is exiled to Oklahoma during a planetary takeover by Skeletor (Jared Leto), where as an adult he works in human resources. Earth-bound Adam is obsessed with finding the “Sword of Power” which he grabbed as the left Eternia. When a comic book store has the sword, it begins Adam’s adventure back to Eternia, where he is reunited with warrior goddess Teela (Camila Mendes), his mentor Duncan (Idris Elba) and a series of weird allies and enemies, including Skeletor’s sorceress Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie). Can this master save the universe?

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE is in theaters on June 5th. Featuring Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Alison Brie and Kristen Wiig. Screenplay adapted by Chris Butler, David Callaham and Aaron&Adam Nee. Directed by Travis Knight. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
Photo credit: Amazon MGM Studios

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

On-Air Film Review: Samara Weaving in ‘Carolina Caroline’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:15:39 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Jason Makos for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 4th, 2026, reviewing the new film release CAROLINA CAROLINE, directed by Adam Rehmeier (DINNER IN AMERICA). In theaters June 5th, check listings.

Samara Weaving is Caroline, who in the beginning of the film is working in a gas station in rural Texas. Stranger Oliver (Kyle Gallner) ambles into her life, where she catches him conning her boss. Mixing and matching later, she decides to run away with him and learn his larcenous ways. Their relationship escalates into further crime, culminating with Caroline robbing banks. But this Bonnie and Clyde couple have one other mission – finding Caroline’s biological mother (Kyra Sedgwick) in South … Carolina. Caroline after Carolina is reborn.

CAROLINA CAROLINE is in theaters on June 5th. Featuring Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, Jon Gries and Kyra Sedgwick. Written by William Thomas Dean. Directed by Adam Rehmeier. Rated “R”

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

CAROLINA CAROLINE
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

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

Podtalk: Director Adam Rehmeier Goes to ‘Carolina Caroline’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:07:38 +0000

CHICAGO – Director Adam Rehmeier is used to attention. Off the heels of feature films DINNER IN AMERICA and SNACK SHACK, which struck a nerve with the passionate and viral audiences, Rehmeier is back with a new film that has a crime-committing couple on the run in the 1990s American South. CAROLINA CAROLINE is in theaters June 5th.

CAROLINE CAROLINA, Directed by Adam Rehmeier
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

Adam Carter Rehmeier hails from Nebraska, and did his filmmaker training at Columbia College in Chicago. He began as a documentary camera operator, but co-directed (with Rodleen Getsic) THE BUNNY GAME (2008). The controversial film about a tortured sex worker garnered attention on the film festival circuit, despite being banned in Britain. His third film, DINNER IN AMERICA, has a circuitous journey to cult status (story below) and he followed that up with the well-received SNACK SHACK (2024).

One of the notable stories of the pandemic era is Adam Rehmeier’s DINNER IN AMERICA. Released in the challenging year of 2020, the film became a viral sensation due to its misfit characters and the punk rock ethos in the story … even Rehmeier’s co-written song with lead actor Emily Skaggs – WATERMELON SONG – achieved viral popularity. As a result, the film did a road show screening run after the pandemic, which sold out all over the country, including Chicago. The actor Kyle Gallner in DINNER is also in CAROLINA CAROLINE.

In a Podtalk, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com reflects with director Adam Rehmeier on CAROLINA CAROLINE, and his unusual cinema journey …

Trailer, CAROLINA CAROLINE …

CAROLINA CAROLINE is in theaters on June 5th. Featuring Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, Jon Gries and Kyra Sedgwick. Written by William Thomas Dean. Directed by Adam Rehmeier. Rated “R”

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

Audio Film Review: John Magaro is a Father Figure in ‘Omaha’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:06:23 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new release OMAHA, a director debut by Cole Webley, a story with themes regarding a notable characteristic in Nebraska state law, featuring John Magaro as a determined father. In theaters since May 29th.

As the film begins, Magaro is a father who is seen rousing his children Ella (Molly Belle Wright) and Charlie (Wyatt Solis) out of bed right before dawn. They are going an unexpected trip, a journey that is preceded by a sheriff about to serve eviction on the family home. The threesome is on the road, with a car that barely functions, heading to an unknown destination.

Along the way, Ella begins to suspect something about the trip, as her father is extremely distracted, and taking actions that are contrary to a comfortable trust. When Ella overhears their destination is Omaha, Nebraska, she hopes that her and Charlie will be able to visit their zoo. Their father has other plans.

OMAHA is in select theaters since May 29th. See local listings. Featuring John Margaro, Molly Belle Wright, Wyatt Solis, Talia Balsam and Christina Cooper. Written by Robert Machoian. Directed by Cole Webley. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of OMAHA

OMAHA
Photo credit: Greenwich Entertainment

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of OMAHA

Podtalk: ‘Hekla’ to Screen at FACETS Film Forum on June 4, 2026

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:27:43 +0000

CHICAGO – The locally-produced HEKLA will have its second Chicago screening at FACETS in the DePaul neighborhood on June 4th, 2026. This story of the day in the life of an actor features Elizabeth “Liz” Stam and Mary Tilden, and they talked to HollywoodChicago.com in a preview. 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 Screens at FACETS in Chicago
Photo credit: Sweet Void Cinema

Elizabeth “Liz” Stam also shares a co-writer credit on HEKLA with director Michael Glover Smith and first portrayed the Hekla character in Smith’s previous film RELATIVE. She has also appeared in “Departing Seniors” (2023) and the absurdist comedy “Not If I See You First” (2025, directed by the producer of “Hekla,” Aaron Wertheimer). Mary Tilden is an actor, director and writer known for her short films ROUGH RIVER LAKE, FERN and THE UNFINISHED FILM, as well as the miniseries COLLABORATE AND LISTEN.

HEKLA will be preceded by the short film PSYCHOGENIC by Sandro Miller (cast member in HEKLA) and will be followed by a Q&A with director Michael Glover Smith and Liz Stam, in addition to crew members Jose Perez (cinematographer), Heather Kuhlmann (production designer) and Heather Vogt (hair/make-up artist). The panel will be moderated by Matt Fagerholm of Indie Outlook.

In a Podtalk, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com talks to actors Liz Stam and Mary Tilden of HEKLA …

In a Video Promo, Liz and Mary describe HEKLA …

Trailer, HEKLA…

HEKLA will screen on Thursday, June 4th, at FACETS Film Forum, 1517 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago. Featuring Liz Stam, Mary Tilden, Wendy Robie, Aaron Wertheimer and Brookelyn Hebert. Written by Michael Glover Smith and Liz Stam. Directed by Michael Glover Smith. Not Rated.

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

Theater Review: Timeline’s Searing ‘An Enemy of the People’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Sun, 31 May 2026 12:38:38 +0000

CHICAGO – Chicago’s Timeline Theatre Company has just opened their new stage facility in the Uptown Neighborhood, and has chosen an adaptation … by Amy Herzog … of Henrik Ibsen’s AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, EXTENDED through June 27th. For tickets and information, click ENEMY.

At the Timeline Theatre, Now Extended to June 27th
Photo credit: TimelineTheatre.com

Set in the late 1800s in a small town in Norway, the story involves Dr. Stockmann (Will Allan), the health director at the town’s famous warm spring spas … which provides the engine of the local economy. Stockmann discovers a bacteria in the water that causes disease, because of the plumbing system installed by local leaders, including his brother Mayor Peter (understudy Adam Schulmerich in the production I attended). As replacing the water system would shut down the spas for years, the town leadership pushes back on the doctor, which includes his daughter Petra (Campbell Krause), with accusations of unnecessary panic and as destroyers of the town’s economy, plus labeling the doctor ‘an enemy of the people.”

Audio Theater Review of AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com …

Timeline Theatre presents AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE at their new theatre at 5035 North Broadway in Chicago … NOW EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 27th. Featuring Will Allan, Behzad Dabu, Adam Schulmerich, Charles Andrew Gardner, Anish Jethmalani, David Parkes, Kenneth Hamilton, Grayson Kennedy and Campbell Krause. Adapted by Amy Herzog from a play by Henrik Ibsen. Directed by Ron OJ Parson. For more information about Timeline Theatre click TimelineTheatre.com.

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

Podtalk: Anna Rose & Hannah Ii-Epstein on ‘Not Without Company Film Festival'

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 29 May 2026 21:03:30 +0000

CHICAGO – The theater group Nothing Without a Company (NWaC) announces the launch of its inaugural NOT WITHOUT COMPANY FILM FESTIVAL – taking place Sunday, May 31st, 2026, at Chicago’s FACETS Film Forum – and also marks the official creation of the company’s new Film Department. The Sunday Fest will have screenings at 10:00am and Noon. For tickets and more info, click NWCFF.

NOT WITHOUT COMPANY FILM FESTIVAL
Photo credit: Black Bear Pictures

The program features nine short films created by Nothing Without a Company in collaboration with BearCat Productions and Rishi Productions, originally produced through the 48 Hour Film Project Chicago competition over the past decade. Panel discussions will take place after each program. Proceeds from the festival will directly support the development of future NWaC film projects and festivals.

Nothing Without a Company founder/facilitators Anna Rose & Hannah Ii-Epstein will sit on separate panels. Among other roles, Anna is the producer of all the films in the program, and Hannah was the writer on the projects.

In Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Anna Rose & Hannah Ii-Epstein give the details of the inaugural NOT WITHOUT COMPANY FILM FESTIVAL …

Nothing Without a Company (NWaC) presents NOT WITHOUT COMPANY FILM FESTIVAL at FACETS Film Forum, 1517 West Fullerton at 10am and Noon, May 29th, 2026. For more information on the NWaC, click here.

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

On-Air Film Review: Apprentice Learns His Craft in ‘Tuner’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 29 May 2026 18:49:01 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Jason Makos for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 28th, 2026, reviewing the new film release TUNER, the fictional feature film debut of Daniel Roher (Oscar Best Doc NAVALNY). In theaters May 29th, see local listings.

Leo Woodall portrays Niki, a hearing impaired piano tuner … his enhanced hearing apparatus and perfect pitch makes him one of the best in the business. He has an apprenticeship under Harry (Dustin Hoffman), who is transitioning out of the business. But when Harry has an illness that requires funding, Mickey discovers his hearing also is precise enough to crack safes, and to raise cash he offers his services to organized crime. This larceny is about to clash with his tuner profession, which includes a relationship with a concert pianist (Havana Rose Liu). Do you hear what he hears?

TUNER is in theaters on May 29th, see local listings. Featuring Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, Lior Raz and Tovah Feldshuh. Written by Daniel Roher and Robert Ramsey. Directed by Daniel Roher. Rated “R”

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

TUNER
Photo credit: Black Bear Pictures

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

On-Air Film Review: Renate Reinsve Gets Lost in ‘Backrooms’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:48:25 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Jason Makos for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 28th, 2026, reviewing the new horror release of BACKROOMS, featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. In theaters May 29th.

Clark (Ejiofor) is a depressed owner of a cheap furniture store in 1990, who is trying to reconcile his feelings with his therapist Mary (Reinsve). His life takes a turn when he discovers a portal in the basement of his store, and his exploration of the space beyond reveals a seemingly infinite series of rooms with odd objects and discarded clothing. He enlists his employees (Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell) to explore the space with him, and they all disappear. Mary becomes concerned when she doesn’t hear from Clark, and accidentally discovers the portal herself. What she discovers is tied into the furniture guy and a strange evil.

BACKROOMS is in theaters May 29th. Featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell and Mark Duplass. Written by Will Soodik. Directed by Kane Parsons. Rated “R”

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

BACKROOMS
Photo credit: A24

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

On-Air Film Review: Paul Rudd is a Rocker in 'Power Ballad'

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 29 May 2026 14:39:19 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on Eddie Volkman & Friends on THE 9-6-7 WSSR-FM Joliet (IL) on May 29th, 2026, reviewing the new release POWER BALLAD, featuring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas as different levels of musicians. In theaters May 29th.

Rudd is Rick Power, a wedding singer living in Ireland, eking out a living for his wife Rachel (Marcella Plunkett) and daughter Aja (Beth Fallon). At a fancy wedding in a castle, he runs into famous singer Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), in transition from a boy band to a solo act. They have an all night jam session, where they help each other with some riffs and lyrics. After going back to Los Angeles, Danny is under pressure to come up with a single for his new album, and he remembers a snippet from one of Rick’s old originals. He records the song as his own and it becomes a hit, and that begins Rick’s odyssey to have the Danny to acknowledge his contribution. With seemingly everything at stake, the wedding singer will need to confront the ex-boy-band star.

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

POWER BALLAD
Photo credit: Focus Features

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