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
DVD Review: ‘Tracy & Hepburn: The Definitive Collection’ Makes Great Gift
Submitted by BrianTT on April 19, 2011 - 1:02pmCHICAGO – We cover hundreds of Blu-rays and DVDs at HollywoodChicago.com every year and most are of the current variety, so it’s always nice to see a well-presented catalog title, a collection that makes a better gift for the classic movie lover in your family than, say, “Little Fockers” or “Yogi Bear.” Fans of Turner Classic Movies will love “Tracy & Hepburn: The Definitive Collection,” a solid 10-disc set eight movies, some of them great, and a fantastic tribute to a celluloid legend.
TV News: HBO Renews ‘Game of Thrones’ For Second Season
Submitted by BrianTT on April 19, 2011 - 10:26amCHICAGO – After only one episode, HBO has already decided to renew their highly-acclaimed “Game of Thrones” for a second season. We were just sent the press release from the network, touting the fantastic reviews, although the premiere’s numbers were a bit disappointing comparatively.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Casino Jack’ Falls Short of the Jackpot
Submitted by mattmovieman on April 19, 2011 - 9:15amCHICAGO – While Alex Gibney’s enraging 2010 documentary “Casino Jack and the United States of Money” brought cinematic immortality to the life of recently imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff, George Hickenlooper’s narrative re-telling transforms the cinema-obsessed criminal into the larger-than-life movie hero of his dreams. I have a sneaking suspicion that Abramoff may love this picture.
Film Feature: Summer 2011’s 10 Most Anticipated Movie Moments
Submitted by BrianTT on April 18, 2011 - 4:04pmCHICAGO – Every summer movie season aims to be one thing above anything else – BIG. Summer movies are supposed to be spectacles, larger-than-life, they are specifically designed to overwhelm.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘TRON: Legacy’ Offers Spectacular Package For Hit Film
Submitted by BrianTT on April 18, 2011 - 3:59pmCHICAGO – “TRON: Legacy” may be a bit too long and pretty goofy but it delivers what one should expect from it — bright colors, inventive action, and a compelling enough story to keep viewers interested. I’ll admit to having pretty low expectations for the film, but I was surprised at how well it works on Blu-ray with a stellar HD transfer and accompanying audio mix along with fascinating special features, including an HD version of the film that inspired it.
Video Game Review: Kid-Friendly ‘Rio’ Brings Animated Party Home
Submitted by BrianTT on April 18, 2011 - 12:00pmCHICAGO – The video game tie-in for the movie “Rio” should be a total disaster. It has three strikes against it being a movie tie-in, having gameplay aimed primarily at elementary school kids, and the fact that it’s yet another collection of mini-games. So, I’m happy to report that “Rio” isn’t that bad. It’s not going to be any child’s favorite game but it adequately translates the good will they have towards the hit movie into their living room.
On WGN Radio: HollywoodChicago.com’s Brian Tallerico on ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 17, 2011 - 4:47pmCHICAGO – Brian Tallerico guests on Bill Moller’s show on WGN-Radio in Chicago on Apr. 16, 2011 to preview and review new shows for the next week including HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and USA’s “Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe.”
TV Review: HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Merges Fantasy With Humanity
Submitted by BrianTT on April 17, 2011 - 10:16amCHICAGO – HBO has had waves of creative success including the one started by “The Sopranos” & “Sex and the City,” a later one peaked by “Deadwood” & “The Wire,” and now, a current one that began with “Boardwalk Empire,” continued through the final season of “Big Love,” crested with the masterful “Mildred Pierce,” and appears to have no sign of ebbing with the brilliant, mesmerizing “Game of Thrones.”
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 10 Pairs of Chicago Anytime Passes to ‘Potiche’ With Gérard Depardieu
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 17, 2011 - 4:11amCHICAGO – In our latest French comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 10 admit-two run-of-engagement movie passes up for grabs to the new film “Potiche” with Gérard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve!
TV Review: Average Action in USA’s ‘Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 16, 2011 - 8:03pmCHICAGO – My love affair with USA’s “Burn Notice” has been rocky at best. During the second season, it felt like a show that could really blossom into one of the best on cable, but it kind of plateaued a bit in the third season and has been a solid-if-unspectacular program since, never quite living up to its potential while still being entertaining.
Film Review: ‘The Conspirator’ Has Lessons That Resonate Today
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 15, 2011 - 5:23pmCHICAGO – The Latin term “Inter arma silent leges.” (There is no law on the battlefield) is coldly stated in “The Conspirator,” directed by Robert Redford. In plain truth, the new film recreates one of the most controversial military trials in American history.
Film Review: Susanne Bier’s Oscar-Winning ‘In a Better World’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 15, 2011 - 2:27pm Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Susanne Bier’s “In a Better World” was a surprising winner at the Academy Awards when Best Foreign Language Film was announced, leading many to wonder what could have beaten the critically-acclaimed “Dogtooth” or “Biutiful,” which clearly had a lot of love considering its Best Actor nomination. “In a Better World” must have been pretty great, right? Yes and no. It’s a better film than a few of the Academy’s recent decisions (“Departures” comes to mind), but also nowhere near as complete a film as a number of alternate choices. This category is still a mess, as proven by the win for this interesting but ultimately a bit too shallow examination of revenge and parenthood.
DVD, TV Review: Final Season of NBC’s Beloved ‘Friday Night Lights’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 15, 2011 - 1:38pmCHICAGO – Even diehard fans of the show have to be stunned that “Friday Night Lights” made it five seasons. And perhaps the program’s most enduring legacy will be that it changes the delivery model. The fifth and final season has already aired on DirecTV’s 101 and starts playing tonight, April 15th, 2011 on NBC, but is also already available on DVD. Yes, the shows haven’t even aired on network TV but they’re already at the DVD store. Times are changing.
