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
Blu-Ray Review: Misguided ‘Life As We Know It’ With Katherine Heigl
Submitted by BrianTT on February 21, 2011 - 7:25pmCHICAGO – I recently made a reference to Katherine Heigl being the symbol of the modern decline of the romantic comedy and was reminded that she’s done good work on “Grey’s Anatomy” and was actually quite good in “Knocked Up.” Then why has she made such horrible films since then? Why have we had to suffer through “27 Dresses,” “The Ugly Truth,” “Killers,” and, now, “Life As We Know It,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD and a film that doesn’t break her downward slide even if it does slow it a bit.
Film News: Lindsay Lohan Plans Move From Courtroom Back to Movies
Submitted by BrianTT on February 21, 2011 - 7:12pmCHICAGO – Does anyone remember when Lindsay Lohan made headlines for film roles instead of legal troubles? It seems like LiLo would like to go back to those days as she’s reportedly eyeing a new role in a big screen drama according to Radar Online.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Waiting For Superman’ Presents Bleak Picture of Public Education
Submitted by BrianTT on February 21, 2011 - 2:05pmCHICAGO – Davis Guggenheim was crowned one of the Kings of the new documentary movement when his “An Inconvenient Truth” won the Oscar for its category but the follow-up, a scathing look at the public education system, failed to make the cut after a wave of controversy hit the film like a melting glacier. How much of the drama surrounding “Superman” — some of which went as far as to suggest that facts in the film were wrong and that case studies of children were faked — was deserved and how much was blown out of proportion? Rent or buy the film, now on DVD and Blu-ray, and decide for yourself.
Box Office News: ‘Unknown’ With Liam Neeson Tops Low-Performing Weekend
Submitted by BrianTT on February 21, 2011 - 12:52pmCHICAGO – A President’s Day weekend without too many highlights produced a relatively-lackluster number one in Liam Neeson’s “Unknown,” racking up $25.6 million over the four days, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film barely beat out the competition as “Gnomeo and Juliet,” “I Am Number Four,” “Just Go With It,” and “Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son” made up a truly uninspiring top five that was down 30% from last year.
Video Game Review: Fighting Excellence of ‘Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 21, 2011 - 12:30pmCHICAGO – “Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds” plays like a comic and video game geek’s fan fiction come true. What would happen if your favorite comic characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Wolverine not only fought each other but went at it against your most-beloved video game icons like Chris Redfield (“Resident Evil”), Nathan Spencer (“Bionic Commando”), and Chun-Li (“Street Fighter”)?
Blu-Ray Review: Slick, Entertaining ‘Unstoppable’ With Denzel Washington, Chris Pine
Submitted by BrianTT on February 21, 2011 - 10:31amCHICAGO – Tony Scott will clearly never have the critical reputation of his brother Ridley (as he’ll never make a film as accomplished as “Alien” or “Blade Runner”) but he has carved out his own niche of high-caliber action films, most of them starring Denzel Washington. The team of Denzel and Tony found another hit in the runaway train movie “Unstoppable,” now available on Blu-ray and DVD, which was actually Scott’s highest domestic box office success in 12 years (and made over $160 million worldwide).
Blu-Ray Round-Up: ‘48 Hrs.,’ ‘Daughters of Darkness,’ ‘Ice Road Truckers,’ More
Submitted by BrianTT on February 21, 2011 - 10:27amCHICAGO – It’s been dormant for awhile but the Blu-Ray Round-Up is back (and its brother, the DVD Round-Up, returns later this week) to inform you of a few titles that could otherwise slip through unnoticed if not for the public service of HollywoodChicago.com. Straight-to-video horror movies, a legendary musical, reality TV, softcore porn, and a genre-defining buddy comedy — everyone is welcome at the Round-Up.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, Prize Pack For ‘Ugly Betty’ With America Ferrera, Vanessa Williams
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 20, 2011 - 8:55pmCHICAGO – In our latest Golden Globe-winning TV edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, we have one DVD and one prize pack up for grabs to two winners for the Golden Globe-winning TV show “Ugly Betty” with America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams!
On WGN Radio: HollywoodChicago.com’s Brian Tallerico on ‘The Amazing Race,’ ‘SNL: Backstage,’ ‘Shedding For the Wedding’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 20, 2011 - 12:50pmCHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico speaks with WGN Radio host Bill Moller on Feb. 19, 2011 about the ratings for “The Chicago Code” and the premieres of “The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business,” “SNL: Backstage,” “America’s Next Top Model,” and “Shedding For the Wedding.” Other programs discussed include “Survivor: Redemption Island,” “Blue Bloods,” and “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.”
TV Review: ‘The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business’ Offers Second Chance
Submitted by BrianTT on February 20, 2011 - 12:37pmCHICAGO – The Emmy Award-winning CBS hit “The Amazing Race” returns tonight, Feb. 20th, 2011, with a group of familiar faces, most of them red from embarrassment at the mistakes they made last time and looking to correct them on the new season, appropriately titled “Unfinished Business.”
Music News: Lady Gaga Single ‘Born This Way’ Fastest Seller in iTunes History
Submitted by BrianTT on February 18, 2011 - 1:53pmCHICAGO – Apple announced today, according to MTV.com, that the new single by Lady Gaga, “Born This Way,” is the fastest-selling in the history of iTunes. It’s Lady Gaga’s world. We just live in it.
Blu-Ray Review: Tragic Tale of Talent Wasted on ‘My Soul to Take’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 18, 2011 - 1:26pmCHICAGO – You won’t find many critics who adore Wes Craven with as much horror-fan glee as this one. From the ’70s to the mid-’90s (from “The Last House on the Left” to at least the first “Scream” movie with the exception of the awful “Vampire in Brooklyn”), the man was one of the best genre directors alive. And he proved his range with an old-fashioned, effective thriller like “Red Eye” that hinted at another chapter.
Blu-Ray Review: Disappointing Return of ‘Paranormal Activity 2’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 18, 2011 - 12:28pmCHICAGO – There’s something that horror movie producers never seem capable of understanding. A great horror movie is like watching a magic trick. It doesn’t work nearly as well the second time. The sequels to “Saw,” “The Blair Witch Project,” and now “Paranormal Activity,” are not that dissimilar from watching the same rabbit come out of the same hat with nothing much different than a new colored bandana around its neck. “Paranormal Activity 2” has moments but doesn’t amount to nearly the same overall experience as the first.
