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
Interview: Director I. Michael Toth Conjures Up ‘The Dream Play’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 1, 2011 - 7:45amCHICAGO – “The Dream Play” is a new, significant film work from first-time feature director I. Michael Toth. It is part of the film project called “Gray in White and Black,” with a separate but connected film called “The Choice.” The Dream Play will have its Chicago premiere at the Midwest Independent Film Festival on May 3rd.
Exclusive Portrait: Amy Sedaris of ‘Strangers With Candy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 1, 2011 - 12:05amCHICAGO – Amy Sedaris is well remembered in Chicago for her work at the Second City Troupe, as well as the Annoyance Theater. The comedian, actor, author and entrepreneur recently wrote a new book, “Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People!,” which is her wacky perspective on crafting and entertaining.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 35 Pairs of Chicago Passes to ‘Jumping the Broom’ With Angela Bassett
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 30, 2011 - 3:34pmCHICAGO – In our latest comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 35 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Jumping the Broom”!
Film Review: ‘Fast Five’ Furiously Finds Fun Factor in Franchise Finest
Submitted by BrianTT on April 29, 2011 - 6:19pmCHICAGO – Maybe director Justin Lin learned how to have fun directing the now-classic paintball episode of “Community.” Wherever he figured out that his movies need not be so damn self-serious or wordy, he took that knowledge to the set of “Fast Five,” a movie that this critic who hated “Fast & Furious” absolutely dreaded when it was first announced. Now I can’t wait for the inevitable sixth movie in the most unexpected mega-franchise of the new millennium.
Film Review: Beguiling, Hypnotic ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 29, 2011 - 3:30pmCHICAGO – Where are the vital connections between our ancient ancestors and our creative, technological selves? Prehistoric cave drawings, the oldest ever discovered, are showcased in Werner Herzog’s new documentary, “Cave of Forgotten Dreams.” The link between who they are and who are we becomes the theme of this remarkable exposition.
Film Review: Keanu Reeves Sleepwalks Through ‘Henry’s Crime’
Submitted by mattmovieman on April 29, 2011 - 12:36pmCHICAGO – Keanu Reeves is the sort of actor who succeeds in spite of himself. His best work remains in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when he specialized in playing hazy-brained man-children, the best of which may have been Tod Higgins, the goofy race car driver in Ron Howard’s timeless 1989 comedy, “Parenthood.” Reeves transcended the silliness of his character with a performance of disarming warmth.
Film Review: Horrors of War Create Mystery in ‘Incendies’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 29, 2011 - 11:54amCHICAGO – One of the most honest aphorisms is “the first casualty of war is truth.” Those obscured facts are often the ones that come back to haunt future generations, and that is exceptionally illustrated in the new film “Incendies.” Piecing together a mother’s wartime activities become the basis for solving a mystery after her death.
Film Review: Aimee Teegarden Discovers ‘Prom’ Isn’t So Bad
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 29, 2011 - 9:39amCHICAGO – There are many essential questions in life. What is my purpose? How do I find my place in the universe? Where did I put my mobile phone? But the most important of all, as Aimee Teegarden is about to experience, is who will I get to take me to “Prom.”
Film Review: Dark Vision of the Future in Atmospheric ‘Stake Land’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 29, 2011 - 8:47am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Playing not unlike a much darker version of “Zombieland” (in that the post-apocalyptic creatures are similar and the veteran/rookie duo at the core not far off Woody & Jesse), “Stake Land” is a confident piece of genre filmmaking that not only deserves a wider audience but hints at truly great things to come for its talented director. It’s far from perfect but it’s incredibly promising, unlike the future of the characters it presents.
Blu-Ray Review: Hilarious ‘South Park: The Complete Fourteenth Season’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 28, 2011 - 8:27pmCHICAGO – If you haven’t kept up with Eric, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny, fear not TV fans — “South Park” can still be DAMN funny. I’ll admit that I don’t keep up consistently during the regular season and so sometimes wonder if the quality has dipped. With the 15th season having premiered this week on Comedy Central, the 14th was just released on Blu-ray and DVD and it’s pretty great, especially in HD.
Blu-Ray Review: Fantastic Release For ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 28, 2011 - 10:50amCHICAGO – It has all come to this. Well, almost this. It’s remarkable to think about how far the Harry Potter series has come since the film debut of the boy who lived. There have been incredible creative highs and only a few lows, mostly plateauing in the David Yates films (#5-7).
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Somewhere’ Paints Haunting Portrait of Celebrity Ennui
Submitted by mattmovieman on April 28, 2011 - 9:20amCHICAGO – Sofia Coppola’s films are intriguing in a way that’s often difficult to put into words. I often find my attention drifting during my initial viewing of them, and yet they somehow manage to linger in my mind long after others have faded. Her problematic costume drama, “Marie Antoinette,” has become one of my favorite films to leave on in the background of a room, simply for the pleasure of dwelling in its subtly nuanced atmosphere.
Exclusive Portrait: Susan Lucci of Recently Canceled ‘All My Children’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 27, 2011 - 9:11pmCHICAGO – Earlier this month ABC-TV announced that the daytime soap opera “All My Children” would end its 41 year run in September. This also is the end of the villainess character Erica Kane, who is portrayed by Susan Lucci. Her journey with that show is chronicled in her new memoir “All My Life.”
