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
Blu-Ray Review: Tim Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Paints the Roses Red
Submitted by BrianTT on June 9, 2010 - 7:00amCHICAGO – In so many ways, Tim Burton’s entire career has been building to “Alice in Wonderland”. The mega-hit (it’s still the #1 film of the year at the domestic box office although will likely be passed, just barely, by “Iron Man 2”) contains so many of Burton’s themes of individuality through a fantasy film lens while it also came under criticism for displaying the shallow lack of dramatic weight of his recent output. With a lovely Disney Blu-ray release, it’s easy to see both sides of one of the most critically divisive films of the year to date.
Video Game Review: Addictive ‘Blur’ Tests More Than Driving Ability
Submitted by BrianTT on June 8, 2010 - 9:08pmVideo Game Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – May 2010 has seen a trio of racing games that might blur together for casual players but that all come with their own unique identities. Sony’s “ModNation Racers” (which we will review later this week) is about the customizable experience and plays closer to something like “Super Mario Kart” meets “Little Big Planet”. Disney’s “Split/Second” is a car chase scene from a Michael Bay movie brought to life. The most traditional and arguably most addictive is Activision’s “Blur,” a thrill ride that moves at such a high rate of speed that decisions need to made in the blink of an eye.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Season-Four Prize Packs For USA Network’s ‘Burn Notice’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on June 8, 2010 - 8:03pmCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, we have two prize packs up for grabs for season four of USA Network’s “Burn Notice”!
DVD Review: Brilliant Seventh Season of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
Submitted by BrianTT on June 8, 2010 - 7:44pmCHICAGO – The last year in television will be remembered as a very funny one as hit new comedies like “Glee,” “Modern Family,” and “Community” joined seasoned veterans like “30 Rock,” “The Office,” and “How I Met Your Mother” on lists of the best laugh-fests on the tube. Arguably the best of them all was also the oldest — the amazing seventh season of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” now available on DVD and simply spectacular.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘From Paris With Love’ a Cinematic Royale With Cheese
Submitted by mattmovieman on June 8, 2010 - 8:09amCHICAGO – John Travolta always seems to be in a perpetual state of “coming back.” His various attempts at reinventing his screen persona seem to be driven less by artistic integrity than commercial desperation. The more macho and foul-mouthed he tries to be, the less convincing he is.
Video Game Review: ‘Red Dead Redemption’ is Early Frontrunner For Game of the Year
Submitted by BrianTT on June 7, 2010 - 3:19pmVideo Game Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Rarely has a game lived up to the advance hype as completely as “Red Dead Redemption,” the very unique title that will be influential in so many ways that they’re almost hard to count. There have been titles that pushed the gaming world forward in terms of single-player campaigns or multi-player experiences or gameplay or graphics, but “Red Dead Redemption” is a masterpiece on every discernable level. It’s doubtful you’ll play anything better all year.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: $800 Value! Two Free Ultra-VIP Tickets For Ron Howard’s Awards Gala
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on June 7, 2010 - 1:39pmCHICAGO – This is an exclusive, $800 value! HollywoodChicago.com is one of the only places where you can get it. In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, one lucky winner (plus one guest) will win a ticket to the ultra-VIP party for Ron Howard’s upcoming awards gala!
TV Review: FOX Drama ‘Lie to Me’ Gets More Entertaining Every Week
Submitted by BrianTT on June 7, 2010 - 10:39amCHICAGO – The great television creator Shawn Ryan (“The Shield”) has taken over “Lie to Me” and turned what was a pretty generic mystery-of-the-week show into something that’s deserving of your attention. Taking the great Tim Roth and making him much more than just a cog in the serial machine, the two new episodes of “Lie to Me” that air tonight and next week make for intense, excellent television.
TV Review: NBC Mystery Series ‘Persons Unknown’ is Worth Meeting
Submitted by BrianTT on June 7, 2010 - 9:55amCHICAGO – Written by the man who gave the world Keyser Soze in his Oscar-winning script for “The Usual Suspects,” NBC’s “Persons Unknown” is a summer mystery mini-series not unlike last year’s “Harper’s Island” or a mini-“Lost” in that the team behind it want people talking about the questions of the show over summer barbecues.
TV Review: Animated ‘Neighbors From Hell’ Keeps Laugh Meter in Red
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 7, 2010 - 7:53amCHICAGO – Coming from the punishing fires has never been wackier in the new animated TV series from TBS, “Neighbors From Hell.” Featuring the voice talent of Patton Oswalt, Molly Shannon and Kurtwood Smith, Neighbors reminds us that our current paradise is closer to actual hell than ever before.
Video Game Review: Disappointing ‘Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands’
Submitted by BrianTT on June 6, 2010 - 9:15pmCHICAGO – One might assume that the disappointing Jake Gyllenhaal summer action flick “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” would have a movie tie-in game that’s equally frustrating but Ubisoft’s “Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands” is actually unrelated to the film other than being a part of the franchise that inspired it. No, you won’t be able to play Alfred Molina’s ostrich races, although you may wish you could.
Blu-Ray Review: Spectacular Release For Superior Version of ‘The Wolfman’
Submitted by BrianTT on June 6, 2010 - 8:34pmCHICAGO – A great Blu-ray can come from the most unexpected places. Who would have guessed that the relatively disappointing “The Wolfman” with Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, and Anthony Hopkins would result in one of the best Blu-ray releases of the year to date? With a superior version of the film, perfect HD, and amazing special features, this is a spectacular release.
Interview: Melissa Sue Anderson, ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Days
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2010 - 12:24pmCHICAGO – The NBC TV show legend, “Little House on the Prairie,” evokes an era of the family drama that Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Mary Ingalls, says could never be on the air today. Anderson was in Chicago recently, promoting her new book, “The Way I See It: A Look Back on My Life on Little House.”