CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.
November 2018
He’s a Not-So-Mean-One in Remake of ‘The Grinch’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2018 - 9:38am Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – They should have left well enough alone, didn’t anybody learn anything from the trainwreck of the Jim Carrey live-action-as-The-Grinch? Apparently not. A more kid friendly and modern animated version of “The Grinch” opens six weeks before Christmas, and already I want to return it.
Podtalk: Filmmaker Amy Scott Revitalizes Director Hal Ashby in Her New Documentary ‘Hal’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2018 - 1:47pmCHICAGO – The name Hal Ashby might not be as familiar to today’s film watchers, but the movies he made in the 1970s are considered classics… like “Harold and Maude,” “The Last Detail,” “Shampoo,” “Coming Home” and “Being There.” The short spark of his creative energy is profiled in a documentary by Amy Scott simply called “Hal.” The film opens at the Gene Siskel Film Center on November 9th, 2018. For details and ticket info, click here.
Podtalk: Joel Edgerton & Garrard Conley for ‘Boy Erased’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2018 - 12:57pmCHICAGO – In “Boy Erased,” the story is based on a memoir by Garrard Conley, about his experiences going through “gay conversion” therapy… that exists to change a gay person to a straight person. Director/actor Joel Edgerton adapted Conley’s book, and created a heart-breaking film of real American institutions that try to deny nature.
Podtalk: Exec Director Brent Kado of the 8th Chicago Comedy Film Festival, Nov. 9-11, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 7, 2018 - 9:35amCHICAGO – It is time once again for Chicago to get its funny on, in the category of contemporary comedy films. The 8th Chicago Comedy Film Festival (CCFF) is from November 9th to 11th, 2018, and this year the Fest will be doing their primary screenings at Columbia College on South Wabash Avenue. For direct ticket information, click here.
Film News: Next Screening for Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema is ‘Dear Ex’ on Nov. 8th, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 7, 2018 - 2:41amCHICAGO – Season Seven of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) continues on Thursday, November 8th, 2018, with “Dear Ex,” a story of duplicity and acceptance. The Taiwanese film will make its North American premiere at APUC, and includes an appearance by co-director Hsu Chih-yen.
Exclusive Photo: Tiffani Thiessen Invites Us to ‘Pull Up a Chair’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2018 - 7:20amCHICAGO – Tiffani Thiessen’s career has been “cooking” lately, as she’s been hosting “Dinner at Tiffani’s” for the Cooking Channel and has a new recipe book out called “Pull Up a Chair.” The former “Saved by the Bell” and “Beverly Hills 90210” star recently appeared at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville (Illinois).
Film News: Advertising Community Shorts at Midwest Independent Film Festival, Nov. 6th, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 5, 2018 - 9:33amCHICAGO – The opportunity to showcase talent beyond day-to-day client work is one of the reasons the Advertising Community Shorts is one of the most popular “First Tuesdays” of the Midwest Independent Film Festival. On November 6th, 2018, ten short films will screen, selected by a jury of advertising professionals throughout Chicago. For more information about the jury, the event schedule and ticket info, click here.
Film Review: A Star is Re-Examined in ‘Making Montgomery Clift’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 3, 2018 - 10:50pmCHICAGO – Montgomery “Monty” Clift was an enigma as a “movie star” from the minute his image reflected from the silver screen. Dark and intense, he exhibited a inner ferocity that was unmatched from any other actor of his era, including Marlon Brando. Because of the enigma, his persona has often been mischaracterized, and he died young in his mid-forties. His nephew Robert Anderson Clift seeks to revitalize the authentic Monty in the new documentary “Making Montgomery Clift.”
A Star is Re-Examined in ‘Making Montgomery Clift’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 3, 2018 - 10:45pm Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Montgomery “Monty” Clift was an enigma as a “movie star” from the minute his image reflected from the silver screen. Dark and intense, he exhibited a inner ferocity that was unmatched from any other actor of his era, including Marlon Brando. Because of the enigma, his persona has often been mischaracterized, and he died young in his mid-forties. His nephew Robert Anderson Clift seeks to revitalize the authentic Monty in the new documentary “Making Montgomery Clift.”
Podtalk: Filmmaker Gabe Polsky is ‘In Search of Greatness’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 2, 2018 - 10:08amCHICAGO – What is “greatness”? Is it an undefinable element in human beings that no one can explain, or can we get insight if we listen to those who have achieved it? Documentary filmmaker Gabe Polsky (“Red Army”) went on a journey to understand the concept in his new film, “In Search of Greatness.”
Film Review: ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ is Beautiful, But Broken
Submitted by JonHC on November 1, 2018 - 3:57pmCHICAGO – Film has always felt like a much more accessible way to get cultured than, say, going to watch a play or opera. Watching a foreign film can educate you about the world and history as well as any play. “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” promised that kind of experience, but your time is better served catching the actual ballet at a local theater instead.
‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ is Beautiful, But Broken
Submitted by JonHC on November 1, 2018 - 3:53pm Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Film has always felt like a much more accessible way to get cultured than, say, going to watch a play or opera. Watching a foreign film can educate you about the world and history as well as any play. “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” promised that kind of experience, but your time is better served catching the actual ballet at a local theater instead.
Film Review: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was Destined to Celebrate Queen
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 1, 2018 - 11:03amCHICAGO – The lyric “And now it’s ‘Easy Come/Easy Go/Little High/Little Low” from the song/movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” might just be the best description of this rock band biopic. The high is the celebration of the band Queen and its unforgettable lead singer Freddie Mercury, and it is enough to get through the story “lows.”
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was Destined to Celebrate Queen
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 1, 2018 - 10:59amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The lyric “And now it’s ‘Easy Come/Easy Go/Little High/Little low” from the song/movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” might just be the best description of this rock band biopic. The high is the celebration of the band Queen and its unforgettable lead singer Freddie Mercury, and it is enough to get through the story “lows.”
