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+.
Emma Stone
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Family 4 Packs to ‘The Croods’ With Nicolas Cage
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 14, 2013 - 11:35pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 25 pairs of family 4 packs of movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of “The Croods” starring Nicolas Cage!
Film Review: Josh Brolin, Sean Penn Sleep Through Dull ‘Gangster Squad’
Submitted by BrianTT on January 11, 2013 - 12:43pmCHICAGO – I know it’s only January but Ruben Fleischer’s “Gangster Squad” is sure to be one of the most disappointing films of 2013. Look at that cast! Look at them playing caricatures and doing absolutely nothing of interest! “Gangster Squad” is a total mess and absolutely none of it has to do with notorious reshoots after the shooting in Aurora that pushed the flick back four months.
Blu-ray Review: ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ Lacks Charm of Predecessors
Submitted by mattmovieman on November 13, 2012 - 10:12amCHICAGO – Gritty realism proves to be a perfect fit for some superhero franchises, but “Spider-Man” isn’t one of them. The more grounded and practical the world of Peter Parker becomes, the sillier the whole thing gets. Sam Raimi’s trilogy flourished precisely because it resembled a cheerfully vibrant comic book come to life. In contrast, “The Amazing Spider-Man” is a bore.
Film Review: ‘The Amazing Spider-man’ Lacks Personality Despite Best Efforts by Talented Stars
Submitted by BrianTT on July 3, 2012 - 10:07amCHICAGO – They could have called it “The Meh Spider-man.” While Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Denis Leary, Sally Field, and Martin Sheen do their absolute best to elevate one of the most generic and uninspired superhero screenplays since men first put on spandex in front of the camera, they can’t save this wasted opportunity to reboot a franchise in a way that doesn’t feel generated by a committee of Marvel producers.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Must-See 3D IMAX Passes to ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on June 28, 2012 - 10:36pmCHICAGO – Spidey is back! In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 25 admit-two 3D IMAX movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the massively anticipated new Spidey film “The Amazing Spider-Man” starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone!
Film News: New Trailer For ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ Released
Submitted by TimBMartens on February 7, 2012 - 11:39amCHICAGO – A new trailer for one of this summer’s most anticipated blockbusters has released this morning, giving fans a new look at the reboot of one of the most successful film series ever. “The Amazing Spider-Man,” the new origin film of the famous comic book superhero, has an all new, two-and-a-half minute trailer giving looks at spidey in action, Peter and Gwen Stacy romance, and one angry lizard.
Feature: The Top 15 Interviews on HollywoodChicago.com in 2011
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 25, 2012 - 4:28pmCHICAGO – One of the great privileges of reporting film and television on HollywoodChicago.com is the opportunity to interview the performers, directors and legends that create movie and TV content.
Blu-ray Review: Beloved ‘The Help’ With Viola Davis, Emma Stone
Submitted by BrianTT on December 13, 2011 - 12:56pmCHICAGO – “The Help” has been one of the most divisive movies of 2011. I know some critics who absolutely loathe it, finding the easy-to-digest version of something as important as civil rights to be offensive. I get that. I know some critics who love it, finding the performances strong enough to carry the movie over any sentimental rough patches. I get that too. The movie is too much of a phenomenon for any self-respecting cinema buff to miss it entirely. So, as much as I’d love to offer a solid thumbs up or down, I’m falling pretty squarely in the middle, edging just barely to a recommendation, but you need to see it for yourself just to see on which side of the controversial fence you fall.
Blu-ray Review: Fantastic Ensemble Delivers ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 7, 2011 - 3:46pmCHICAGO – Glenn Ficarra & John Requa do strong directorial work yet and the script by Dan Fogelman is strong but “Crazy, Stupid, Love” works primarily due to the sheer, incredible talent of its amazing cast. With a stellar mix of Oscar-nominated veterans, two of the most engaging actors of their generation, and even a few talented newcomers, this is easily one of the best ensembles of the year. They were attracted by a film that treats love like the silly, goofy, wacky, crazy, stupid thing it needs to be. Sure, it’s broad and a bit cliched, but so is its subject matter.
Film Review: Emma Stone, Viola Davis Lend a Hand to ‘The Help’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 10, 2011 - 7:56amCHICAGO – Using fiction to express the importance of real historical events is seductive and sometimes disingenuous. The new film “The Help” manages to counteract that notion through high level, emotional performances.