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: Cult Icon Tommy Wiseau Revisits ‘The Room’
Submitted by mattmovieman on February 12, 2011 - 10:34amCHICAGO – Some cinematic experiences offer diminishing returns after a first viewing. Others prove to have an infinite amount of playability. Tommy Wiseau’s 2003 cult classic “The Room” is unquestionably among the latter. Since its debut, the film has garnered a legion of devoted fans worldwide who flock to midnight screenings and indulge in the most enthusiastic audience participation ritual since “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Film Review: Channing Tatum, Roman Empire Land in ‘The Eagle’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 11, 2011 - 5:31pmCHICAGO – In ancient times, history was at the end of a sword point and edge of the world. “The Eagle” tells of a Roman Empire battle in those times, and Channing Tatum plays a general bent on restoring his family name.
Film Review: ‘Gnomeo & Juliet’ Charms With Music of Elton John
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 11, 2011 - 4:10pmCHICAGO – As movie animation domination continues, “Gnomeo and Juliet” throws its stone cap into the ring, and has a lively story that tweaks it source, while respecting its power. James McAvoy and Emily Blunt are the voices of the star-crossed lovers, with the addition of familiar vocals from Michael Caine and Ozzy Osbourne, among others.
Blu-Ray Review: Strong Acting Anchors Devastating ‘Never Let Me Go’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 11, 2011 - 2:46pmCHICAGO – Three of the best young living actors turn Mark Romanek’s adaptation of the highly-acclaimed novel “Never Let Me Go” into one of the more lingering films of 2010, and now released on Blu-ray and DVD from Fox. You know how some films dissipate on the ride home, so much so that you barely remember the plot? The opposite are those movies that burrow their way into your memory and grow with time. “Never Let Me Go” is definitely one of those.
Blu-Ray Review: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell Propel Engaging ‘Conviction’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 11, 2011 - 1:44pmCHICAGO – The incredible true story of Betty Anne Waters and her beloved brother Kenny has enough dramatic potential for any pair of talented actors and a competent director to turn it into quality cinema. The fact that director Tony Goldwyn is just barely competent enough to pull it off is off-set by the fact that he was smart enough to perfectly cast the piece, no more so than in the mega-talented leads, Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell.
Film Review: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly Find the Heart in ‘Cedar Rapids’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 11, 2011 - 9:16amCHICAGO – It is great to witness a star being born. Ed Helms, who so memorably stole the show in “The Hangover,” breaks out even further with a career defining performance as Tim Lippe in the warm and funny new comedy, “Cedar Rapids.” John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Sigourney Weaver and Isiah Whitlock Jr. lend essential support.
Film Review: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston Hit Career Lows in ‘Just Go With It’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 11, 2011 - 9:13amCHICAGO – If you have a masochistic desire to see unlikable morons on a vacation you probably can’t afford, check out one of the worst movies in a long time, Adam Sandler’s horrendous “Just Go With It.”
TV Review: Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson Ride ‘The Sunset Limited’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 11, 2011 - 8:53amCHICAGO – Three amazing talents converge on HBO this weekend for a ride on “The Sunset Limited,” an adaptation of a play about belief, faith, religion, science, and all the other deep issues that come to the surface when one considers the end of their life.
Blu-Ray Review: Only Daring Should Apply to ‘Enter the Void’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 10, 2011 - 6:02pmCHICAGO – Gaspar Noe’s “Enter the Void” is one hell of a trip. Unapologetically inspired by experiences with hallucinogens, the film is such a unique, bizarre, and memorable experience that one has to recommend it simply for its audacity. You’ve never seen anything quite like “Enter the Void” outside of anime. The uncut version released on Blu-ray is too bloated, running nearly three hours, but there’s so much to like here that the film’s flaws can be forgiven.
Interview: Director Miguel Arteta Maps a Route to ‘Cedar Rapids’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 10, 2011 - 4:04pmCHICAGO – It takes a man born in Puerto Rico to really understand the Midwest, and director Miquel Arteta proves it in his stellar “Cedar Rapids.” Given an all-star cast including Ed Helms, Anne Heche, Sigourney Weaver and John C. Reilly, Arteta formulates a comedy that feels like the heartland.
Interview: Ed Helms of ‘Cedar Rapids,’ ‘The Office’ Talks Character
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 10, 2011 - 3:43pmCHICAGO – Ed Helms is one hot rising star. After a breakthrough in “The Hangover” in 2009, he continues his climb with the excellent “Cedar Rapids,” co-starring John C. Reilly. All this while playing the affable Andy on TV’s “The Office.”
On WGN Radio: HollywoodChicago.com’s Brian Tallerico on ‘The Chicago Code,’ ‘Traffic Light,’ ‘Mr. Sunshine,’ ‘Justified’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 10, 2011 - 1:26pmCHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico speaks with WGN Radio host Bill Moller on Feb. 5, 2011 about the new and returning programs for the second week of Feb. 2011.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Night Catches Us’ Illuminates Overlooked History
Submitted by mattmovieman on February 10, 2011 - 11:37amCHICAGO – Nominated right alongside buzzed-about features such as “Get Low” and “Tiny Furniture” in the Best First Feature category at this year’s Indie Spirit Awards is “Night Catches Us,” the impressive yet entirely overlooked filmmaking debut of writer/producer/director Tanya Hamilton. The film breaks no new ground artistically, but its historical backdrop has rarely been explored in cinema.
