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Audio Film Review: ‘Superman’ is the Last Son of James Gunn

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:04:06 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film version of “Superman,” written and directed by James Gunn and featuring David Corenswet as Supes. This is the first film in the new DC Universe, which also be guided by James Gunn. In theaters on July 11th.

Superman (Corenswet) is from Planet Krypton, his parents Jor-El and Lara send baby Kal-El to earth as the planet explodes, where he is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howard) and introduced to the world. The main story begins with Supes is an adult Clark Kent, with his Daily Planet cohorts, including Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Jimmy Olsen (Skylar Gisondo) and editor Perry White (Wendell Pierce). He fights Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) in the film, and a U.S. government that takes cues that he’s an immigrant alien. But he has help from the “Justice Gang,” Mister Terrific, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl (Eddie Gathegi, Nathan Fillion and Isabela Merced) and together they have to save the world.

”Superman” is in theaters on July 11th. Featuring avid Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edit Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Isabelle Merched, Beck Bennett, Skyler Gisondo and Wendell Pierce. Written and directed by James Gunn. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Review of “Superman”

Superman
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Review of “Superman”

Film News: Chicago Production Partnership Has ‘Seed & Spark’ Campaign for ‘Line Cooks’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 19:13:34 +0000

CHICAGO – Launching a film project, set to go in front of the lens next month, is a labor of love and hard work. “Line Cooks” is a film written by M.J. Deer based on her own experiences, and as was said in her writer’s statement, “So often, our abilities and status in life is limited to what we do for work. I wanted this film to challenge those conceptions, to poke fun at horrible customers and management, [create] the nostalgia and excitement of John Hughes, and [offer] a summer coming-of-age story for comedy fans of all ages.” For more information, and to contribute to funding for the film on SEED & SPARK, click LINE COOKS.

“Line Cooks” is a mockumentary following Callie, a straight-A and sheltered college student who takes a job as line cook at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant to secure a letter of recommendation … only to find out this Korean-taco joint is run by ex-cons and cartel members. Working alongside a take-no-shit mom of three manager, a trio of rebellious fifteen year olds, an ex-cartel vet, and a dumpster rat named Carl, it’ll take all of Callie’s willpower to make it through her first shift, let alone an entire summer.

’Line Cooks’ Funding Opportunities on SEED & SPARK
Photo credit: Who’s to Say Productions/Scofflaw Productions/Journeywork Entertainment

“Line Cooks” will be an all-Chicagoland production, committed to bringing the voices of diverse creatives and artists in the Midwest and across the country together. This film is a partnership of Who’s To Say Productions, Scofflaw Productions, and Journeywork Entertainment, all advocates for independent cinema and creative storytelling. After post production, the film will be submitted to film festivals and available for distribution bids in the near future.

Sizzle Reel Pitch for “Line Cooks,” featuring writer Mary Jane Deer …

The Seed & Spark campaign for “Line Cooks” is through July 19th. For more information, click on their Instagram page @Line_Cooks_Movie.

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

Theater Review: Steppenwolf Theatre's Latest ‘You Will Get Sick’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 02:31:00 +0000

CHICAGO – The inevitability of illness …whether your own or a loved one … creates difficulties without much preparation. In a Chicago play premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre “You Will Get Sick” follows two characters down the illness road, as they try to negotiate another day. The play is currently at the stage on Halsted thru July 20th, 2025. For tickets and info, click YOU WILL GET SICK.

At the Steppenwolf Theatre Thru July 20, 2025
Photo credit: Steppenwolf.org

Play Rating: 4.5/5.0

“You Will Get Sick” is written by Noah Diaz and directed by Audrey Francis, and involves a two character confrontation. #1 (Namir Smallwood) puts an ad out for someone to help him tell his loved ones that he is ill. The ad is answered by #2 (Amy Morton), a tart wannabe actor. As they negotiate their arrangement and she carries out her duties … including the confession to #3 (Sadieh Rifai), the sister of #1. As #1 begins to lose the use of his limbs, he begins to turn to straw, while #2 auditions for her role of a lifetime … as Dorothy in the “Wizard of Oz.” Are their destinies somewhere over the rainbow?

Audio Theater Review of “You Will Get Sick” by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com …

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents ”You Will Get Sick” at the theatre, 1650 North Halsted Street, Chicago. Featuring Namir Smallwood, Amy Morton, Sadieh Rifai, Cliff Chamberlain and Jordan Arredondo. Written by Noah Diaz. Directed by Audrey Francis. For more information about Steppenwolf Theatre Company, click Steppenwolf.org.

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

Audio Film Review: Feature Debut for Eva Victor in ‘Sorry, Baby’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:56:03 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Sorry, Baby,” the debut film from writer/director and lead actor Eva Victor, as she riffs on the sociatal atmosphere surrounding a woman reporting a sexual assault. In theaters on July 4th, see local listings.

Victor portrays the lead role of Agnes, a professor at a small liberal arts college. When her mentor and department head Decker (Louis Cancelmi) decides to move away, his parting act to Agnes is one of sexual assault. What follows is the path of such a crime in the atmosphere that occurs when Agnes reports it, involving her friends Lydie (Naomi Ackle), Gavin (Lucas Hedges) and Pete (John Carroll Lynch). Can there be redemption within such a horrendous consequence?

”Sorry Baby” is in theaters on July 4th. See local listings. Featuring Eva Victor, Louis Cancelmi, Naomi Ackle, Lucas Hedges and John Carroll Lynch. Written and directed by Eva Victor. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Review of “Sorry, Baby”

Sorry, Baby
Photo credit: A24

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Review of “Sorry, Baby”

Film News, Review: ‘Five By Fellini’ at Music Box Beginning July 4, 2025, Featuring ‘8 1/2’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:10:41 +0000

CHICAGO – The genius filmography of Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini is like a wave of cinematic truth that keeps washing ashore like a tide of humanity. Because for all of his disconnected characters and surreal sojourns, essentially he reflects our flawed human-ness back to us. Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre is doing a week long retrospect of Fellini’s work, anchored by a new 35mm print of arguably the director’s pinnacle, the autobiographical “8 1/2” (1963). An audio review of “8 1/2” is below, and for tickets and more information, click FIVE BY FELLINI.

The other four films, all must sees, are “La Strada” (1954), “La Dolce Vita” (1960), “Amarcord” (1973) and City of Women (1980). The festival runs through July 10th, and film schedules and times are available by clicking the link above.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

In “8 1/2,” Long time Fellini collaborator Marcello Mastroianni is Guido, a film director who is creatively blocked, due to the pressures of an out-of-control science fiction epic he is supposed to be filming, not to mention his disconnected personal life. As he attempts to hide his mistress Carla (Sandra Milo) from his wife Luisa (Anouk Aimée), and avoid his producer Pace (Guido Alberti), the stressed director begins to see visions of his life interacting with his art, including his casting of Claudia (Claudia Cardinale) as the “Ideal Woman.” It’s enough to make anybody dance around the situation.

’8 1/2,’ Directed by Federico Fellini
Photo credit: Janus Films

Audio Film Review of “8 1/2” by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com …

Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre presents “Five by Fellini” from July 4th-10th, 2025. “8 1/2” features Marcello Mastroianni, Anouk Aimée, Claudia Cardinale, Sandra Milo and Guido Alberti. Written by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano and Brunello Rondi. Directed by Federico Fellini. For more information on the Music Box theatre, click here. For the Wikipedia bio of the maestro, click I AM FELLINI!.

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

Audio Film Review: Mariska Hargitay on Her Icon in ‘My Mom Jayne’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:29:26 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “My Mom Jayne,” a new documentary about 1950s bombshell icon Jayne Mansfield, directed by her daughter Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order”), which made its debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Currently on HBO and streaming on MAX.

In this truth journey that is both stranger and more enlightening than fiction, Mariska is on a mission to develop a relationship with her mother Jayne, who was killed in a 1967 auto accident – a crash in which Mariska and her two brothers survived – because the TV star previously had a standoffish reaction to her mother and no memory of her. What follows is an emotional rollercoaster of discovery about Jayne’s life/career, her brief connection to Mariska and the memories of her older siblings, who also have had difficulties facing the short time with their mother and the tragedy of her sudden demise.

”My Mom Jayne” is currently available on HBO and streaming on MAX. Featuring archival footage of Jayne Mansfield. Directed by Mariska Hargitay. Rated “TV-MA”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Review of “My Mom Jayne”

My Mom Jayne
Photo credit: HBO/MAX

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Review of “My Mom Jayne”

Audio Film Review: Cruising on Dino-Matic in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 02:59:26 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Jurassic World Rebirth,” the seventh film in the Jurassic series, which stretches all the way back to 1993. This outing featurs Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey (“Bridgerton”). In theaters on July 2nd.

it’s been five years since the events in the last film, and the dinosaurs that still remain on earth can only live comfortably near the equator, away from human influence. Enter Big Pharmaceutical, who through research discovers that dino blood contains bio-structures that can cure human heart disease. So naturally the drug rep Martin (Rupert Friend) hires a mercenary named Zora (Scarlett Johansson) to infiltrate Dino Island to draw blood samples from three specific types of behemoths. The team they gather is Zora’s right hand man Duncan (Mahershala Ali), somewhat nerdy paleontologist Dr. Henry (Jonathan Bailey) and a shipwrecked crew they rescue consisting of Rueben (Manuel Garcia-Rulto), along with two teens and a child. Can the dinosaurs cure humanity?

”Jurassic World Rebirth” opens in theaters on July 2nd. Featuring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Jonathan Bailey and Manuel Garcia-Rulto. Written by David Knoepp. Directed by Gareth Edwards. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Review of “Jurassic World Rebirth”

Jurassic World Rebirth
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Review of “Jurassic World Rebirth”

Slideshow: Country Singer Shaylen on the Milwaukee Summerfest Stage on June 21, 2025

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:16:46 +0000

Shaylen Makes Her Point

CHICAGO – When Shaylen switched from pop music back to her country roots, she went all in. And nowhere was that more evident than her performance at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, where she appeared on a bill with fellow country singers Cooper Ramsey and headliner Billy Currington on June 21st, 2025.

Shaylen was born Shaylen Carroll in Tennessee, and was raised in Dalles, Texas. She began her career in pop music at age 18 and worked in Los Angeles. In a move to Nashville on the heels of being released from her label, Shaylen’s sound has pivoted back to her country roots, and she has “never felt more authentically herself.” Her latest album, “Daddy Issues,” were preceded by “Let Me Let You” and “To Tell the Truth.”

Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the Shaylen Summerfest slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © 2024 Jeff Doles for HollywoodChicago.com.

SHAYLEN1: Shaylen Makes Her Point
SHAYLEN2: Another Angle on That Point
SHAYLEN3: The Devil (Horns) in the Detail
SHAYLEN4: Shaylen Performed at Summerfest
SHAYLEN5: Shaylen has a Stage Moment
SHAYLEN6: Shaylen Does Country with a Flair

For more information on Shaylen click ShaylenMusic.com. Milwaukee SummerFest runs through July 6th, 2025. For information and tickets, click SummerFest.com. For more photos and coverage by HollywoodChicago.com music editor Jeff “Doc” Doles, click Jeff Doles, Music Editor.

Photography by: Jeff Doles, Music Editor
Published by: Patrick McDonald, Site Editor, HollywoodChicago.com

On-Air Film Review: My Doll-Friend’s Back in Sequel ‘M3gan 2.0’

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 15:14:29 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 26th, 2025, reviewing the sequel “M3gan 2.0,” featuring everyone’s favorite robot doll companion. In theaters on June 27th.

M3gan 2.0 (voice of Jenna Davis) is a system back up developed by her creator Gemma (Alison Williams), and the prime objective of the robot companion doll is still to protect Cady (Violet McGraw), now age 12 and who remains under the guardianship of her Aunt Gem. This time M3gan has a robot rival called Amelia (Ivanna Sakh-no), who the U.S. government is developing as a super weapon. The co-opting of the M3gan technology to create Amelia is the issue, with Gemma and her team (Brian Jordan Alvarez and Jen Van Epps) on one side and on the other an officious FBI agent (Timm Sharp) and a couple of rich tech nerds (Jermaine Clement and the Elon Musk-like Aristotle Athari). In the battle of the robots, the girl doll versus the war machine, who will prevail?

”M3gan 2.0” is in theaters on June 27th. Featuring Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ivanna Sakhno, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Timm Sharp and Aristotle Athari. Screenplay by and directed by Gerald Johnstone. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “M3gan 2.0” the Movie

M3gan 2.0
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “M3gan 2.0” the Movie

On-Air Film Review: Brad Pitt Puts the Vroom in ‘F1’ the Movie

adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman) — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 14:48:29 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 26th, 2025, reviewing the new sports thriller “F1” the Movie, featuring Brad Pitt on the Formula One racing circuit. In theaters on June 27th.

Brad Pitt is Sonny Hayes, a Formula One driver who raced in the 1990s, but had a severe crash and walked away from F1, pursuing other categories of race car driving, while developing a gambling addiction. Enter Ruben (Javier Bardem), a Formula One team owner and friend, who asks Sonny to come out of exile to mentor rookie driver & prodigy Joshua “Noah” Pearce (Damon Idris). Can this lovable old school rogue come back in the now-computerized world of F1, especially when clashing with car designer and tech director Kate (Kerry Condon)?

”28 Years Later” is in theaters on June 20th. Featuring Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Kelly Condon, Tobias Menzies and Damon Idris. Screenplay by Ehren Kruger. Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “F1” the Movie

’F1’ The Movie
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “F1” the Movie