Singalongs in movies hit a flat note for critic Dann Gire

<h3 class="briefHead">No more singalongs! </h3>

In the thriller "I.T." opening this weekend, actor James Frecheville plays a villainous computer expert who breaks into a singalong with a tune playing in his car, one of the most overused clichés concocted by unimaginative screenwriters.

Who else has subjected us to this annoying movie singalong syndrome? Here's a sampling:

• Kate Hudson in "Raising Helen"

• Alden Ehrenreich in "Beautiful Creatures"

• Sarah Jessica Parker in "I Don't Know How She Does It"

• Jenna Fischer and Daniel Yelsky in "A Little Help"

• Matthew Settle and Mekhi Phifer in "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer"

• Val Kilmer in "At First Sight"

• Will Ferrell in "The Campaign"

• Channing Tatum in "The Vow"

• Vince Vaughn in "The Internship"

• Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening in "American Beauty"

• Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino in "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion"

There are many others, but you get the idea.

Please, Hollywood screenwriters. No more singalongs.

"Carpool Karaoke" does it better.

<h3 class="briefHead">Woodstock rocks 14th film fest</h3>

The 14th annual Woodstock International Film Festival runs Wednesday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 25, with shows at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main St., Woodstock.

The fest will feature films from Denmark, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, France and Sweden. Admission is $6 for matinees and seniors; $8 for evening shows. Get tickets at the box office or online at classiccinemas.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">Reeling with feeling</h3>

The 34th Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival opens Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, then moves to the Century Centre, 2828 N. Clark St., Chicago, through Sept. 29. Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St., Chicago, will also host screenings.

"RuPaul's Drag Race" star Bianca Del Rio and filmmaker Matt Kugelman (a Columbia College grad) are scheduled to appear opening night.

Reeling is the second-oldest LGBTQ film festival in the world. Tickets can be purchased at Chicago Filmmakers or at reelingfilmfestival.org.

<h3 class="briefHead">A chic pique peak</h3>

I'll take a look at 10 upcoming fall films that pique my curiosity in Sunday's Time out! Sept. 18. The story will also be posted at dailyherald.com.

• Dann Gire's column runs Friday in Time out!