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In Relative Values, when his wealthy father Henry is taken ill in mysterious circumstances, businessman Philip Bernard asks Jim to investigate. Philip is convinced that Lisa Reynolds, his father’s housekeeper is deliberately trying to get rid off him to get her hands on his money. When Henry later dies and Lisa is sole beneficiary it […]

Bergerac: Relative Values...

Chicago – The whole town is abuzz when another Michael Glover Smith joint is about to go in front of the cameras, The ultra successful indie writer/director is the now proprietor of the GloverVerse in “Hekla,” featuring Liz Stam from his previous film “Relative.’ Stam is the title character and shares a co-writing credit with Smith.

The events of “Hekla” takes place five years after “Relative” as Stam’s character is navigating the challenging world of being a working actor. The production begins shooting in early August, with a 2026 release date as the goal.

’Hekla,” Co-Written by Michael Glover Smith and Elizabeth Stam

Photo credit: Michael Glover Smith

Since “Relative,” Elizabeth “Liz” Stam has appeared in “Departing Seniors” (2023) and the absurdist comedy “Now If I See You First”. When Michael Glover Smith gave Liz the screenplay for “Hekla,” he wanted her to help create the character persona, and her contributions became her co-writer credit.

Acorn TV has unveiled the first trailer for their unscripted series Relative Secrets, hosted by Jane Seymour. Seymour is the star of Acorn's twisty murder-mystery show, Harry Wild, and now she's diving into the world of an unscripted series for the network. It's being billed as part true-crime, part genealogy. Relative Secrets is more than a genealogy show, with people uncovering the past of their family line. Along the way, dark mysteries lingering in family trees are solved. The new series premieres June 2 on Acorn TV. The description for Relative Secrets is a follows:

"Each episode in this suspenseful new series will investigate an everyday American family’s darkest mystery, aiming both to solve the mystery and explore how it shapes that family today. Colorful characters, rich cultural context and dramatic twists and turns abound in every tale, each of which connects the American family to their UK heritage.

Chicago – In these contemporary times, everyone can use a bit of illuminating and laugh riot absurdity. Filmmaker Aaron Wertheimer is here to provide, as his hilarious comedy “Not If I See You First” has its World Premiere at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre at 7pm on Wednesday, March 26th, 2025. For tickets/details, click Kenny.

In town for work, Kenny (Kenny Zimlinghaus) meets Aaron (Aaron Wertheimer), who convinces him to extend his trip a few days to check out the famous sights of Chicago. But when Kenny’s car explodes and Aaron gets selective amnesia … remembering everything but his wife Joey (Joey Wertheimer) … will their fledgling friendship lose its way? “Not if I See You First” will be preceded by the short “Handle with Care” by local filmmaker treasure Michael Glover Smith. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com will moderate the Q&a after the film.

World Premiere of ‘Not If...

Natasha Rothwell swaps her White Lotus spa garb for a neon, air traffic vest in the new How to Die Alone trailer. In the two-minute clip, released Tuesday, Rothwell’s Mel is out of gas: She “sad-twerks” as a coworker sings “Happy Birthday” and can’t find the energy to chant “Woman King,” when the same coworker attempts to cheer her up.

“Here’s how I see me: I’m broke, my family thinks I’m a lost cause, my love life is a joke, and the punchline is I...

Who is Adam’s celebrity relative on Season 3 of Claim to Fame? He has come in with a rough voice, and a fun but calm demeanor, but is ready to play. There have already been a few guesses as to who is he related to but now, it has been confirmed. So, who is his relative and how are they connected? Keep reading for more details.

Claim To Fame: Who Is Adam’s Celebrity Relative?

Season 3 of Claim to Fame just began on Wednesday, July 10 and already, the houseguests are being unmasked. Some are using false names or nicknames to throw America and their fellow players off. Unfortunately for them, a lot of digging has been done and many of the cast has already been unveiled. Mackenzie was found out as was Hud while Bianca was sent home night one. Finally, Dedrick’s celebrity relative was discovered before the show even began.

Chicago – Writer/director Michael Glover Smith’s award-winning feature film “Relative” (2022) was snapped up by Chicago-based Music Box Films, and will have its Digital release on May 21st, 2024. But first, how about one more special screening at the historic Music Box Theatre on Wednesday, May 15th. Click Relative at for tickets and info.

“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.

Relative

Photo credit: Music Box Films

Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor, and is based in Chicago. His first feature film,...

Chicago – Here we go again. Welcome to the annual Oscar Predictions on HollywoodChicago.com, for 2024 (the 96th Academy Awards). The film/entertainment contributors of Hc – Patrick McDonald and Spike Walters – are joined by filmmaker treasure Michael Glover Smith (“Relative”) and film critic Jeffrey L. York of “The Establishing Shot.”

Michael Glover Smith is a locally-based Chicago filmmaker. “Relative” is his 2022 fourth feature film. His new short film is “Handle With Care,” which recently won the Best In Show at the George Lindsey Una Film Festival. Jeffrey L. York is a film writer/critic and artist whose specialty is the film and celebrity caricature. Click Jeffrey York to see his art. This article is privileged to use a few of his illustrations below.

The Predictors! The Oscars are on ABC-tv, March 10th, 2024

Photo credit: File Photo

Ten films of 2024 – “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,...

"I don't want an empty nest!" Music Box Films has posted their official trailer for an indie drama about a family titled Relative, from filmmaker Michael Glover Smith. This originally premiered back in 2022, but we have only caught up with it now and haven't ever posted about this film before. It played at a few small film festivals in 2022/2023, with a very limited release in art house theaters around the country. As various members of the Frank family come together for a college graduation party in Chicago, they find their bonds being tested, and strengthened, in surprising ways. The story focuses on the parents of four kids, who decide to announce that they're about to sell the house they grew up in. "Relative is a warm blend of comedy and drama about a modern American family." This stars Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Cameron Scott Roberts, Clare Cooney, Keith D. Gallagher,...

Chicago – Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith has established himself as a preeminent filmmaker of unique emotional passages. His latest short film, “Handle With Care,” featuring Mickey O’Sullivan and Alyssa Thordarson, will have its World Premiere on Opening Night at the George Lindsey Film Festival in Alabama. For more info, click Handle.

“Handle with Care” tells the story of a very common scenario … the first date. A man (Mickey O’Sullivan) and a woman (Alyssa Thordarson) meet in a restaurant and start the small talk that the situation usually warrants. When a surprise revelation slips into the conversation, it opens up other possibilities.

Alyssa Thordason & Mickey O’Sullivan in ‘Handle With Care’

Photo credit: Michael Glover Smith

Michael Glover Smith is a filmmaker, academic and influencer. His first feature film, “Cool Apocalypse,” premiered in 2015, the same release year as his first book, “Flickering Empire: How Chicago Invented the U.S. Film Industry.

A new Doctor Who featurette which gives viewers a look at the new Tardis design has been released. The new Time and Relative Dimension in Space lobby is a sleek mix of both past iterations and a modern appearance. The Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant) might only be here for a short time, but his transport has to have the same style and elegance he does.