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+.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Video Game Review: Prepare to Be Addicted to ‘DJ Hero’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 5, 2009 - 4:27pmCHICAGO – Activision has been accused of milking the music game genre to the point of absolute exhaustion and with “Guitar Hero: Van Halen,” “Band Hero,” and “Guitar Hero 5” crowding store shelves this holiday season, it’s difficult to disagree. And yet “DJ Hero” somehow finds a way to rejuvenate a genre on the ropes, bringing a new approach to the music game that is remarkably addictive. Put away the drums and the mic (but leave the guitar out) and jump into the world of “DJ Hero”.
Blu-Ray Round Up, Nov. 5, 2009: ‘Battlestar Galactica: The Plan,’ ‘Love Actually’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 5, 2009 - 2:07pmCHICAGO – The Blu-Ray Round Up is back with two HD music releases, a beloved holiday movie from a director with a new comedy on the horizon (Richard Curtis, “Pirate Radio”), and a release that’s a must-own for fans of one of the most popular shows of the ’00s. This informative column is designed to let you know synopsis, technical specs, and features for titles that may have slipped under your radar. Pick your favorite.
Blu-Ray Review: Denzel Washington, Tony Scott Take ‘Pelham 123’ Seriously
Submitted by BrianTT on November 5, 2009 - 12:07pmCHICAGO – When a New York subway dispatcher finds himself locked in a tense battle of the wits with a deranged criminal onboard Pelham 123, he’s offered this bit of advice from a seasoned hostage negotiator: don’t enter his world. The same warning could be issued to viewers intent on entering the world of Tony Scott.
Blu-Ray Review: Underrated ‘Orphan’ Deserved Better Blu-Ray
Submitted by BrianTT on November 5, 2009 - 11:25amCHICAGO – “Orphan” is a surprisingly effective thriller that delivers exactly what audiences should expect from it. This is B-movie filmmaking elevated by A-list actors Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard in a clever mix of honest emotion and ridiculous, over-the-top, “Mommie Dearest”-esque insanity. The film deserved a better Blu-Ray release.
Interview: Director Lee Daniels, Star Gabourey Sidibe on ‘Precious’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 5, 2009 - 9:15amCHICAGO – One of the most talked about films this year is the Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey backed “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.” Essential to the film is Gabourey Sidibe, who plays the title character of Precious.
Interview: Adam Goldberg on the Art of Performance in ‘(Untitled)’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 4, 2009 - 6:30pmCHICAGO – The Adam Goldberg character is well known to fans of TV’s “Friends” and the movie’s “Saving Private Ryan.” With his heart-on-his-sleeve persona, he takes that character to rarified heights in the new film “(Untitled).”
DVD Review: Complete Set For ‘Eleventh Hour’ Available Online
Submitted by BrianTT on November 4, 2009 - 3:40pmCHICAGO – There simply wasn’t space on television for both “Fringe” and “Eleventh Hour”. As soon as I saw them, I knew one or both of the fall 2008 shows would have to go. With the strong lead performances by the great Rufus Sewell and beautiful Marley Shelton, I thought “Eleventh Hour” had the edge, especially after it did pretty well in its first season.
Blu-Ray Review: Third ‘Ice Age’ Sticks to Frigid Formula
Submitted by BrianTT on November 3, 2009 - 4:08pmCHICAGO – When did “gentleness” first become “unhip” in children’s films? Practically every studio in America, with the exception of Pixar, feels the need to make their “all ages” entertainment as abrasive, dumb and crude as their escapism targeted at teens and simple-minded adults.
TV Review: ABC’s Reboot of ‘V’ Feels Rushed But Promising
Submitted by BrianTT on November 3, 2009 - 12:46pmCHICAGO – Reboots of classic TV programs have been a tough sell lately as shows like “Bionic Woman” and “Knight Rider” have failed to connect with critics or audiences.
DVD Review: ‘Blackadder Remastered: The Ultimate Edition’ Rules
Submitted by BrianTT on November 2, 2009 - 6:01pmCHICAGO – Legendary TV shows deserve legendary DVD sets and the “Ultimate Edition” release for the beloved “Blackadder” truly lives up to the often over-used “ultimate” title. Giving fans everything “Adder”-related that they could possibly ask for, this is the perfect gift this holiday season for fans of British television.
Interview: 50 Years of Filmmaking With Martin Landau
Submitted by BrianTT on November 2, 2009 - 5:30pmCHICAGO – The legendary Martin Landau was recently in Chicago with two films in special presentation at The 45th Annual Chicago International Film Festival - the classic “North by Northwest,” also releasing on Blu-Ray tomorrow, November 3rd, 2009, and the new drama “Lovely, Still,” co-starring Ellen Burstyn.
DVD Review: ‘Fear(s) of the Dark’ Dazzles More Than Scares
Submitted by BrianTT on November 2, 2009 - 1:03pmCHICAGO – Though graphic novels may read like great movie storyboards, they often fail to translate into compelling cinema. From “Sin City” to “Watchmen,” filmmakers have tried replicating graphic art with a reverence more suffocating than exhilarating. Images that reverberated with power on the page become coldly calculated on the big screen. No matter how tightly structured a film may be, it must give viewers the illusion of spontaneity. And there’s nothing more tiresome than a horror film in which all the scares feel telegraphed.
Video Game Review: ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ a Missed Opportunity
Submitted by BrianTT on November 2, 2009 - 11:36amCHICAGO – Have you ever liked a movie so much that you’re willing to play through a sub-par video game tie-in just to spend more time in its universe? As I played through the adaptation of “Where the Wild Things Are” in only two marathon sittings, I realized that the reason I couldn’t turn it off had a lot more to do with Spike Jonze’s incredible film and really nothing to do with this inferior game.
