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+.
Harry Potter
Film Feature: 10 Most Controversial Moments in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’
Submitted by mattmovieman on July 28, 2011 - 7:41amCHICAGO – Taken as one complete film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is easily the best installment of the series. By splitting J.K. Rowling’s spellbinding final book into two parts, director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves had much more time to pace each sequence and develop each character to the best of their ability. The added minutes have enabled them to deliver a rousing finale to one of the greatest franchises in history.
Film Feature: Why Studios Need to Start Working on New Harry Potter Movies Right Away
Submitted by BrianTT on July 15, 2011 - 2:54pmCHICAGO – It might sound like sacrilege (or even sound redundant) to say this, particularly on a day that sees the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two,” but I just have to say it - Daniel Radcliffe can’t be Harry Potter forever.
Film Review: It All Ends With Satisfying ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 14, 2011 - 7:56pmCHICAGO – So this is how it ends – not with a whimper but with a big, magical bang. After a decade of captivating movie audiences worldwide, will “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” appease the fans who have been eagerly anticipating the end of the saga of the boy who lived? It almost certainly will. It’s hard to imagine fans leaving the final “Potter” film with deep disappointment in this satisfying conclusion. But “satisfying” is not the same as captivating, magical, or spectacular. “Deathly Hallows” is none of those things. It’s a well-executed slice of fantasy entertainment that nonetheless fails to rise to the level of true classic.
Film Feature: Harry Potter and the Legacy of a Franchise
Submitted by BrianTT on July 12, 2011 - 10:19amCHICAGO – For readers and moviegoers who have come of age with boy wizard Harry Potter, it’s impossible to look back on J.K. Rowling’s immortal series and not be engulfed in a bottomless Pensieve of memories. I wasn’t much of a fantasy buff when I began reading the books. My sister was a fervent fan, and she guaranteed that I would be hooked after the first few chapters.
Popular ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Book Comes to Life on the Big Screen
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 19, 2010 - 8:37amCHICAGO – “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” and main character Greg Heffley, is familiar to a generation of kid book lovers through the line drawings of creator Jeff Kinney. The film version has child actor Zachary Gordon bringing Greg to life.
Interview: ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Author Jeff Kinney, Lead Kid Actors
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 17, 2010 - 10:03amCHICAGO – In the best selling arena that is kid’s books, author Jeff Kinney has won praise and sales for his “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. The film version of that series is about to be released, with Zachary Gordon as Greg and Robert Capron as Rowley.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant’ Totally Sucks
Submitted by mattmovieman on February 24, 2010 - 2:56pmCHICAGO – It’s now official: the Weitz brothers have proven that they are the wrong people to make vampire movies. While Chris got tangled in the turgid melodrama of “Twilight: New Moon,” Paul tried to inject irreverent humor into the first installment of another gloomy franchise, based on Darren O’Shaughnessy’s book series detailing the adventures of adolescent vampire Darren Shan.
Harry Potter Theme Park Set to Open in 2010 in Orlando
Submitted by BrianTT on September 16, 2009 - 1:35pmCHICAGO – “Twilight” may have their own makeup line, but do they have their own theme park? Nope, but Harry Potter will. Universal Orlando Resorts and Warner Brothers announced that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in spring of 2010 in Orlando, FL, according to the Christian Science Monitor.