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+.
Interview
Interview: Serge Roetheli, Director John Davies of ‘The 25,000 Mile Love Story’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 28, 2013 - 2:54pmCHICAGO – One of the oddest feats of the early millennium was a five year odyssey by endurance athlete Serge Roetheli, who set out to run across five continents – in the equivalent of one marathon a day – with his wife Nicole following along via motorcycle. The film of this journey is “The 25,000 Mile Love Story,” directed by John Davies.
Interviews: ‘The Book Thief’ Red Carpet at 2013 Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 28, 2013 - 12:02pmCHICAGO – On November 27th, “The Book Thief” opened everywhere across the country. The film was adapted from a popular novel by Markus Zusak, and involves a book loving girl navigating the horrors of the Holocaust during World War II, living in a foster home in Berlin. Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush portrays her foster parent, Sophie Nélisse is the girl and Brian Percival (“Downton Abbey”) directed the film.
Interview: Steve Coogan on the Art of Faith in ‘Philomena’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 26, 2013 - 12:14amCHICAGO – “Philomena” is not a state of being or location. It is the name of a woman whose child was taken away, through Catholic adoption services in Ireland during the mid 20th Century. Judi Dench portrays that woman in a modern context, and her costar is notable British comedian – and co-screenwriter of the story – Steve Coogan.
Interview: Harry Lennix on Digital Release of ‘Mr. Sophistication’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 25, 2013 - 1:37pmCHICAGO – One of the more unique independent films that worked the festival circuit in 2012 and ’13 was the drama “Mr. Sophistication.” The main character was Ron Waters, a comedian described as “Richard Pryor’s protegé.” Actor Harry Lennix took on the character, breathing in both the drama of the show business story and the particular style of stand-up.
Interview: Tapping Bruce Dern for His New FIlm ‘Nebraska’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 18, 2013 - 11:02pmCHICAGO – Veteran actor Bruce Dern is now up to bat. That is how he describes what is at stake in his role as Woody in director Alexander Payne’s new film, “Nebraska.” But this film icon – with an over 50 year career – also has plenty other stories to offer, regarding Jack Nicholson, his family, his life and performing a “Derns-ser.”
Interview: Judy Belushi to Honor John by Hosting ‘Animal House’ in Chicagoland
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 14, 2013 - 8:02pmCHICAGO – She wrote a book called “Samurai Widow,” and was married to John Belushi from 1976 to his death in 1982. She is Judy Belushi, and she will be part of a cast reunion of the classic film “Animal House,” to be presented at the theaters Hollywood Palms in Naperville (Illinois) and Hollywood Blvd in Woodridge, on November 15th-17th, 2013.
Interview: Director Alex Gibney Reveals ‘The Armstrong Lie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2013 - 9:40amCHICAGO – The long goodbye of tainted cycling athlete Lance Armstrong continues – after all the victories, “Live Strong,” the multiple denials of cheating and finally the confession that he lied. Oscar winning documentary maker Alex Gibney is the latest to take on this legacy of dishonesty, in “The Armstrong Lie.”
Interview: Geoffrey Rush, Brian Percival, Sophie Nélisse of ‘The Book Thief’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 11, 2013 - 11:55amCHICAGO – Markus Zusak’s hit young adult novel “The Book Thief” is making the transition from book to screen this week when the film, which had its Windy City premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival, makes it theatrical debut.
Interview: The Polsky Brothers Activate ‘The Motel Life’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2013 - 10:12pmCHICAGO – Alan and Gabe Polsky are brothers, film producers and now directors. The sibling tandem make their debut with “The Motel Life,” featuring Emile Hirsch and Stephen Dorff as disparate brothers trying to make a go in life with no money and no prospects, just a series of random motels and their unbreakable kinship.
Interview: Legendary Dario Argento Tackles Classic in ‘Dracula 3D’
Submitted by BrianTT on October 30, 2013 - 12:46pmCHICAGO – Revered horror director Dario Argento has numerous classics to his name, including “Suspiria” and “Deep Red,” which have cemented him to a designation in which filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, Brian De Palma, and James Wan cite him as an influence. As a writer, he has numerous co-writing credits, including story work on “Once Upon a Time in the West” with Bernardo Bertolucci and the film’s director, Sergio Leone.