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+.
Sony
Video Game Feature: Hands-On With the Sony PlayStation Vita
Submitted by BrianTT on February 8, 2012 - 3:31pmCHICAGO – It feels like there’s a new must-have electronic toy every quarter. Do you have an iPad 2? iPhone 4S? Nintendo 3DS? Whatever that obnoxious SuperBowl commercial with The Darkness was shilling? It can get exhausting, especially if you don’t have the expendable income to get them all. So why should you buy a Sony PlayStation Vita?
Blu-ray Review: Hit-and-Miss Antics of ‘30 Minutes or Less’
Submitted by BrianTT on December 1, 2011 - 3:00pmCHICAGO – “30 Minutes or Less” isn’t a complete disaster but it definitely falls into the sophomore slump category given the general awesomeness of Ruben Fleischer’s incredible comedy/horror/action hybrid “Zombieland.” This follow-up would barely be noticed if it didn’t involve so many talented people taking a step down from previous work. Jesse Eisenberg rules in “The Social Network”; Aziz Ansari rules in “Parks and Recreation”; Danny McBride rules in “Eastbound & Down”. There’s really nothing about “30 Minutes or Less” that comes close to ruling.
Video Game Review: ‘Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One’ Expands Hit Franchise
Submitted by BrianTT on October 20, 2011 - 4:41pmCHICAGO – The world of “Ratchet & Clank” has always seemed like a perfect fit for co-operative play. It’s right there in the title. The award-winning games have long been about teamwork between their central characters and so turning them into a co-op family adventure probably seemed like a no-brainer.
Video Game News: Sony Vita Release Date Confirmed For Feb. 22, 2012
Submitted by TimBMartens on October 20, 2011 - 12:39pmCHICAGO – A release date has been set for the next generation of portable game playing from Sony. The Sony Vita will be released to the US, Canada, Latin America, and Europe on February 22, 2012.
Video Game Review: ‘God of War: Origins Collection’ Transfers Timeless PSP Hits
Submitted by BrianTT on October 10, 2011 - 3:48pmCHICAGO – If you ask ten people to name the best game ever produced for the Sony PSP, nine of them will name one of the two highly-acclaimed and beloved “God of War” games, the award-winning “God of War: Ghost of Sparta” and “God of War: Chains of Olympus.”
Video Game Review: Bring Fight Home With Stellar ‘Resistance 3’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 21, 2011 - 7:11pmCHICAGO – Sony’s “Resistance 3” is as adrenalin-pumping an experience Playstation 3 players could possibly have this year and the perfect way to kick off what could be the most-crowded and beloved gaming seasons in the history of the console. Some generic level design is disappointing but your heart will be pumping too hard to care or complain.
DVD Review: Brilliant Second Season of NBC’s ‘Community’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 12, 2011 - 12:20pmCHICAGO – The program most unforgivably missing from Sunday’s Emmy telecast is NBC’s brilliant comedy “Community.” It’s almost as if the Academy decided there were too many NBC shows at the party (“The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” “30 Rock”) and so left out arguably the best of the Thursday night bunch. See the second season, now available on DVD, and see the level of Emmy injustice for yourself.
Video Game Review: Superhero Sequel ‘Infamous 2’ Pulses With Addictive Action
Submitted by BrianTT on July 21, 2011 - 10:56amCHICAGO – After the resounding success of Sony and Sucker Punch’s 2009 “Infamous,” my expectations were sky high for the June 2011 follow-up. In fact, they were so high that the first couple hours of the game disappointed me. This is it? It feels too much like the first game. Give it time.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Battle: Los Angeles’ Falls Well Below Expectations
Submitted by BrianTT on June 27, 2011 - 2:21pmCHICAGO – With “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” about to hit theaters and get the adrenalin flowing for major city destruction from another planet, you may be tempted to catch up with Jonathan Liebesman’s “Battle: Los Angeles” for a similar dose of macho male escapism. Don’t fall for it. This is an annoying movie that fails on nearly every level.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Roommate’ Misses Chance For B-Movie Camp
Submitted by BrianTT on May 24, 2011 - 10:56amCHICAGO – Anyone who’s been through the dorm situation at a college has probably had a creepy roommate or two. (I sure had my share Freshman year but that’s a long story.) The fact that we have to share so much of our existence with a complete stranger whose only psychological evaluation was during a college acceptance interview is ripe for thriller storytelling. What if your new roommate was crazy? Sounds like the set-up for a fun, over-the-top thrill ride, doesn’t it? Then why is “The Roommate” so damn boring?