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
Sandra Bullock, Strong Script Bring Clarity to ‘The Blind Side’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 20, 2009 - 8:20amCHICAGO – “Based on a True Story” films are difficult to pull off, especially those that are the improbable story of a white Memphis family adopting an African American football prodigy. Sandra Bullock is the mother, through it all, in “The Blind Side.”
Video Game Review: ‘Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier’ Missed Opportunity
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 9:09pmCHICAGO – It would be polite to say that “Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier” is merely an unessential entry in one of the most beloved franchises of the ’00s. It would be more accurate to say that it’s a disappointment, a missed opportunity to create a true sequel to one of the most essential PSP games in the history of the handheld platform, “Daxter”.
TV News: Premiere Date Announced For ABC’s ‘Lost’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 8:54pmCHICAGO – The sixth and final season of the J.J. Abrams hit television series “Lost” will premiere with a special all-night event on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2009. The recap special will start at 7pm CST followed by the highly anticipated sixth season two-hour premiere at 8pm CST on ABC.
Interview: Kellan Lutz in ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ on Chicago, Satiating Fans
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 19, 2009 - 6:56pmCHICAGO – “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” knows what it is, what it isn’t and how to quench fans.
DVD Round Up, Nov. 19, 2009: ‘Spread,’ ‘Open Road,’ ‘Train’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 6:17pmCHICAGO – The DVD Round-Up is back! Did you miss us? HollywoodChicago.com’s intermittent column designed to serve as a safety net for releases that may otherwise fall without notice is back with a motley crew of titles that have nearly nothing in common. Classic TV, drama, horror, copious sex, and Justin Timberlake. You make the connections.
Blu-Ray Review: Pixar’s HD Collection Continues With ‘Monsters, Inc.’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 5:49pmCHICAGO – As Disney/Pixar continues to release new films on Blu-Ray, they often “piggy-back” one title with another from their catalog, choosing to release Pete Docter’s first directorial effort for the company, “Monsters, Inc.” in HD on the same day that they release his new film, “Up”. In a beautiful 4-disc combo pack that includes Blu-Ray, DVD, and digital copies of the film, “Monsters, Inc.” continues the Pixar Blu-Ray tradition.
Interview: Ben Foster Brings Humanity to ‘The Messenger’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 3:40pmCHICAGO – Ben Foster has stolen scenes in works as diverse as “Six Feet Under,” “Freaks and Geeks,” “3:10 to Yuma,” and “Alpha Dog,” but he truly shines in the spotlight of the lead role in “The Messenger,” giving the best performance of his career to date.
TV Review: ‘Fringe’ Deserves Attention on Crowded Thursday Nights
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 1:52pmCHICAGO – “Fringe” is one of the best shows that people aren’t watching. The writing is strong, dare I say better than “Lost,” and the cast is even stronger. Like every show, “Fringe” has had some really great and not so great episodes, but overall the series is great, as proven by tonight’s strong installment entitled “August”.
Blu-Ray Review: Glorious ‘Wings of Desire’ Given Criterion Treatment
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 1:22pmCHICAGO – When true film fans receive the monthly Criterion newsletter, they usually skim it looking for their favorite films. It’s not that Criterion really ever makes bad decisions, but when a personal favorite gets the call, it’s like watching the baseball player you grew up idolizing get inducted into the Hall of Fane. Such is the feeling I get when I look at the Criterion Blu-Ray release of “Wings of Desire,” one of the most lyrically beautiful films ever made.
Interview: Rodney Walker of ‘Ten9Eight’ on the American Dream
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 18, 2009 - 6:26pmCHICAGO – With U.S. high school dropout rates at epic proportions, the new documentary “Ten9Eight” highlights a teaching program and competition for poorer, immigrant and at-risk students. One of those students is Chicagoan Rodney Walker.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Bruno’ Lacks Freshness, But Delivers Plentiful Laughs
Submitted by BrianTT on November 18, 2009 - 12:30amCHICAGO – “Fearless” is the best way to describe the comedy of Sacha Baron Cohen. People who find his humor too vulgar and over-the-top have missed the point. Cohen’s goal is to be as vulgar and over-the-top as humanly possible.
Blu-Ray Review: Pixar’s Beloved ‘Up’ Continues HD Dominance
Submitted by BrianTT on November 18, 2009 - 12:21amCHICAGO – One of the most beloved films of the year and a likely contender for the Oscar for Best Picture now that the category has expanded to ten nominees, Pixar’s “Up” was recently released on Blu-Ray in yet another lovingly produced set from a company that has been a pioneer in the next-gen format. “Up” doesn’t exceed expectations but also doesn’t falter from the critically-acclaimed pattern.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘I Love You, Beth Cooper’ Inspires Nothing But Hate
Submitted by BrianTT on November 16, 2009 - 11:08amCHICAGO – Chris Columbus is not a filmmaker renowned for his use of subtlety. He seems incapable of telling a relatable human story without relying on his trademark brand of sophomoric slapstick. I was surprised that Macaulay Culkin didn’t pop up in Columbus’s “Rent,” and start hurling paint cans at the characters during their “Seasons of Love.” Even at age 51, Columbus is still an unruly child at heart.
