Movie Review

Movie review: 'What Just Happened?'

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:50:27 -0700

Start: Oct 16 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald wrote in his 4.0 out of 5.0 review of the new film “What Just Happened?” with Robert De Niro and Bruce Willis:

Patrick McDonald wrote:Proving that truth is stranger than fiction, this farcical narrative delves into how egos essentially run Hollywood and how those egos are largely attached to dysfunctional human beings.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “What Just Happened?” review in our reviews section.
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Interview: Simon Pegg on 'How to Lose Friends & Alienate People'

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:09:34 -0700

Start: Oct 2 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

HollywoodChicago.com film critic has interviewed British cult film star Simon Pegg on his new film “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People,” which also stars Megan Fox, Jeff Bridges, Kirsten Dunst, Gillian Anderson, Thandie Newton and Max Minghella:

“Megan is mind-bogglingly beautiful. When she walks into a room, you almost have to look away.”

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” interview.
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Interview: 'The Lucky Ones' director Neil Burger

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:00:42 -0700

Start: Sep 30 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

In this interview from HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald, “The Lucky Ones” director Neil Burger speaks about his research to understand the modern soldier, his surprising casting choice of anti-war activist Tim Robbins as a veteran and why he relates the story while the Iraq conflict continues. The film also stars Rachel McAdams.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “The Lucky Ones” interview in our news section.
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Interview: 'Choke' star Sam Rockwell

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:58:51 -0700

Start: Sep 25 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald wrote in his interview with “Choke” star Sam Rockwell:

Patrick McDonald wrote:Standing and pacing during our interview, Sam Rockwell made a hilarious theatrical moment out of his frustration while lighting a cigarette. He talked about his latest characterization, which is a challenging performance channeling an Oedipal personality.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “Choke” interview in our news section.
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Interview: Neil LaBute on 'Lakeview Terrace'

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:25:23 -0700

Start: Sep 21 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald wrote in his interview with acclaimed playwright Neil LaBute on directing his new film “Lakeview Terrace” with Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington and Jay Hernandez:

Patrick McDonald wrote:Already an important and controversial American playwright, Neil LaBute is looking to make the same individual mark as a director in films. His most recent effort is “Lakeview Terrace” with Samuel L. Jackson. It’s an incisive and poignant meditation on race, class and gender relations in America.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “Lakeview Terrace” interview in our news section.
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Film review: 'Righteous Kill'

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:02:11 -0700

Start: Sep 11 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

HollywoodChicago.com film critic Dustin Levell wrote in his 2.0 out of 5.0 review of the new film “Righteous Kill” with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg, Brian Dennehy, Trilby Glover, Carla Gugino and 50 Cent:

Dustin Levell wrote:Al Pacino and Robert De Niro seem to make this schlock palatable, but for everyone thinking “Righteous Kill” is going to be the next “Heat,” you’re going to be left burnt. It’s more like a bad episode of “Law & Order”.

Read Dustin Levell’s full “Righteous Kill” review in our reviews section.
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Film interview: 'Hamlet 2' star Steve Coogan

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:11:28 -0700

Start: Aug 26 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

“Hamlet 2” star Steve Coogan said in a HollywoodChicago.com interview:

Steve Coogan wrote:It did make me nervous to play Jesus. I wondered whether the director was just trying to be provocative to annoy Christians or if it was just funny.

“Hamlet 2,” which is written and directed by Andrew Fleming, features Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue, Amy Poehler, Melonie Diaz, Phoebe Strole and Skylar Astin. HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald scored the film with a 2.5 out of 5.0.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “Hamlet 2” interview in our news section.
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Film review: 'Death Race'

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:21:20 -0700

Start: Aug 21 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

HollywoodChicago.com film critic Adam Fendelman wrote in his 2.0 out of 5.0 review of the new Paul W.S. Anderson film “Death Race” with Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Natalie Martinez and Ian McShane:

Adam Fendelman wrote:The unfortunately simple message of “Death Race” merely says we’re living in a time and place where financial corruption can allow us to prostitute ourselves to charge $250 to watch one guy violently off another for our viewing pleasure.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full “Death Race” review in our reviews section.
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Film interview: Rainn Wilson of 'The Rocker'

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:45:31 -0700

Start: Aug 18 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald has interviewed Rainn Wilson of “The Office” on his new film “The Rocker” with Wilson, Josh Gad, Christina Applegate, Emma Stone, Jason Sudeikis, Teddy Geiger, Jeff Garlin, Jane Lynch, Fred Armisen, Will Arnett and Jane Krakowski. Wilson said in the interview:

Rainn Wilson wrote:There is something about a drummer. They’re not cerebral. I have a tendency in my life to be more cerebral and a bit reserved. But he’s a big puppy dog, a physical person and a ‘talk first, think later’ type with his heart on his sleeve. It was lot of fun to plunge into that character.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “The Rocker” interview in our reviews section.
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Film review: 'Man on Wire'

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:10:11 -0700

Start: Aug 18 2008 - 11:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald writes in his 4.5 out of 5.0 review of the new documentary “Man on Wire” with Philippe Petit from director James Marsh about walking a wire between the Twin Towers:

Patrick McDonald wrote:The story that looks back at the incident plays like a great caper film. The operation to get into the tower and string the wire was a combination of ingenuity, planning and exquisite timing since the top of the building was still a construction site.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “Man on Wire” review in our reviews section.
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