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+.
July 2013
Film Review: Convoluted British Heist Flick ‘Wasteland’ Tests Your Patience
Submitted by BrianTT on July 31, 2013 - 4:22pmRating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I’m not sure there’s ever been a heist film in which the heist is discussed, debated, and argued about more than “Wasteland,” opening in Chicago this Friday, August 2, 2013. We know from the beginning, with its “Usual Suspects” narrative trick of an arrested man telling a cop how he got there, that things went wrong. And then we get to hear about the plan for things to go wrong over and over and over again. Writer/director Rowan Athale thinks he has made a crime caper a la “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” but the constant spinning of wheels drains the piece of its energy until a final act gets so convoluted that the whole thing falls apart.
Film Review: Effective ‘Europa Report’ Mixes Science with Fiction
Submitted by BrianTT on July 31, 2013 - 4:20pmCHICAGO – Unlike a lot of so-called science fiction (“Sharknado” comes to mind), “Europa Report” actually relies heavily on true science. There really is a school of thought, as explained by the great Neil Degrasse Tyson in archival footage used in the film, that the icy surface of Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter, may hold the most remarkable discovery in the history of mankind – that we are not alone.
Convoluted British Heist Flick ‘Wasteland’ Tests Your Patience
Submitted by BrianTT on July 31, 2013 - 4:14pmRating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I’m not sure there’s ever been a heist film in which the heist is discussed, debated, and argued about more than “Wasteland,” opening in Chicago this Friday, August 2, 2013. We know from the beginning, with its “Usual Suspects” narrative trick of an arrested man telling a cop how he got there, that things went wrong. And then we get to hear about the plan for things to go wrong over and over and over again.
Effective ‘Europa Report’ Mixes Science with Fiction
Submitted by BrianTT on July 31, 2013 - 4:12pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Unlike a lot of so-called science fiction (“Sharknado” comes to mind), “Europa Report” actually relies heavily on true science. There really is a school of thought, as explained by the great Neil Degrasse Tyson in archival footage used in the film, that the icy surface of Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter, may hold the most remarkable discovery in the history of mankind – that we are not alone.
HollywoodChicago.com VIP Hookup: Meet Stan Lee, Zachary Quinto at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 30, 2013 - 11:05pmCHICAGO – We can hardly contain our excitement in offering you the rare VIP experience to meet Stan Lee (the Marvel Comics mastermind) and Zachary Quinto (Spock in “Star Trek”) at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013!
Film Review: Lindsay Lohan Stars in Numbingly Vapid ‘The Canyons’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 30, 2013 - 1:13pmCHICAGO – In January 2013, The New York Times wrote a scathing, fascinating piece about the tumultuous production of Paul Schrader’s “The Canyons.” The narrative was essentially that star Lindsay Lohan was so difficult on set that it derailed the directorial work of the writer of “Taxi Driver” in ways that would make a reality TV producer pull out his check book to buy the footage.
Lindsay Lohan Stars in Numbingly Vapid ‘The Canyons’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 30, 2013 - 1:10pmRating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In January 2013, The New York Times wrote a scathing, fascinating piece about the tumultuous production of Paul Schrader’s “The Canyons.” The narrative was essentially that star Lindsay Lohan was so difficult on set that it derailed the directorial work of the writer of “Taxi Driver” in ways that would make a reality TV producer pull out his check book to buy the footage.
Blu-ray Review: Excellent Release for Baran bo Odar’s ‘The Silence’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 30, 2013 - 1:08pmCHICAGO – Reminiscent of “The Vanishing” and “Memories of Murder,” Baran bo Odar’s “The Silence” is one of the most acclaimed international thrillers of the year. This excellent work focuses more on the people wrapped up in grief and sin than the mystery itself, and heralds the arrival of a great new talent. What I love so much about the Music Box Films Blu-ray release of the film is the way it highlights the talent of the man who made it, including two short films he produced before this full-length debut in their entirety.
TV Review: The CW Hits Reality TV Bottom with ‘Capture’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 30, 2013 - 11:37amCHICAGO – “Get me a TV version of The Hunger Games! This is The CW! If it’s popular with young adults, we need a TV show like it!”
“Sir, have you SEEN The Hunger Games? It’s about killing people.”
Slideshow: Courtney Love Needs Her Nicotine at House of Blues Chicago
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 29, 2013 - 11:38pmCHICAGO – From Courtney Love’s first words hitting the stage at her sold-out July 18, 2013 show at the House of Blues Chicago – with a cigarette dangling defiantly from her lips – it was apparent the 1990s grunge queen was back and still all about breaking the rules.
Blu-ray Review: Criterion Upgrades Ang Lee’s Masterful ‘The Ice Storm’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 29, 2013 - 2:08pmCHICAGO – Ang Lee won his second Oscar this year for his work on “Life of Pi” but he wasn’t even nominated for one of the best films of his career, the masterful “The Ice Storm,” recently upgraded to Blu-ray by Criterion and re-released on DVD. Few films from 1997 have held up more completely as Lee’s adaptation of the Rick Moody novel feels even more symbolically dense and accomplished. It’s a stellar drama, one of the best of the ’90s, and Criterion has loaded it down with special features.
Blu-ray Review: Danny Boyle’s ‘Trance’ Isn’t Hypnotizing Enough
Submitted by BrianTT on July 29, 2013 - 2:06pmCHICAGO – It may sound harsh but “Trance” will be a mere footnote in the career of Danny Boyle. It’s neither one of his best but also far from his worst film. The mega-talented director of “Shallow Grave,” “Trainspotting,” and “127 Hours” brings his confident style to the film but the convoluted script turns in on itself so many times that I think even Boyle got a little bored with it. Rosario Dawson overplays but Vincent Cassel once again intrigues and James McAvoy delivers. It will be a footnote for them all.
Blu-ray Review: Val Kilmer Stars in Coppola’s Bizarre ‘Twixt’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 29, 2013 - 2:03pmCHICAGO – Francis Ford Coppola’s “Twixt” should have been a momentous occassion. One of the most important directors of the ’70s returning to the world of horror for the first time since the vastly underrated “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” And yet the film barely got released after a festival run and now comes essentially straight to DVD and Blu-ray for most viewers. It’s a mess. No doubt.
TV Review: AMC Begins Final Arc of Beloved ‘Breaking Bad’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 29, 2013 - 11:37amCHICAGO – Walter White is back. Those four words mean more to loyal fans of “Breaking Bad” than any other this Summer.
Blu-ray Review: Smart, Fascinating World of BBC’s ‘Orphan Black’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 26, 2013 - 5:26pmCHICAGO – Sorry “Sharknado” fans, BBC America has been the go-to place for science fiction fans for years and they have delivered time and time again. The world of “Doctor Who” gets the most attention but genre fans have also devoured shows like “Torchwood,” “Primeval,” and “Being Human.” The latest bullet in this genre arsenal is the truly impressive and increasingly popular “Orphan Black,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD.
DVD Review: Classic Version of ‘Lord of the Flies’ Gets Criterion Upgrade
Submitted by BrianTT on July 26, 2013 - 5:24pmCHICAGO – Nearly every student has to read William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” at some point and film goers of the right age might remember Harry Hook’s 1990 version of the classic tale with Balthazar Getty, but the best adaptation of the timeless allegory is Peter Brook’s 1963 version, recently upgraded to Criterion Blu-ray and re-released on Criterion DVD with a new, restored 4K digital transfer.
Blu-ray Review: ‘Evil Dead’ Remake Even More Disturbing in HD
Submitted by BrianTT on July 26, 2013 - 5:21pmCHICAGO – I wish I loved Fede Alvarez’s “Evil Dead” remake. Don’t get me wrong. There’s a lot to like here — mostly thanks to the committed performance from the talented Jane Levy and the director and producer’s refusal to cave to CGI, doing all their notable effects practically. There’s also a crap script, filled with bad dialogue performed by a weak supporting cast. When the movie focuses on the pure chaos that clearly inspires Alvarez and his team, it works. And it works even more in HD.
Film Review: ‘Blackfish’ Emphasizes Folly of Animal Captivity
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 26, 2013 - 8:12amCHICAGO – We see the public service ads often – dogs and cats in captivity after neglect and abuse. The images parade by, and the sadness in their expressions are heartbreaking. The same can be said for killer whales in captivity, used for SeaWorld shows and exploited in “Blackfish.”
‘Blackfish’ Emphasizes Folly of Animal Captivity
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 26, 2013 - 8:08amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – We see the public service ads often – dogs and cats in captivity after neglect and abuse. The images parade by, and the sadness in their expressions are heartbreaking. The same can be said for killer whales in captivity, used for SeaWorld shows and exploited in “Blackfish.”
Film Review: Audacious ‘The Wolverine’ Also a Bit Excessive
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2013 - 7:10pmCHICAGO – Following the release of “Iron Man 3” and “Man of Steel,” “The Wolverine” is the best of the bunch, simply by following “The Dark Knight” and the Marvel Comics formula, creating a conflicted superhero who cannot conform to any conventional definition of heroism.
Audacious ‘The Wolverine’ Also a Bit Excessive
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2013 - 7:08pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Following the release of “Iron Man 3” and “Man of Steel,” “The Wolverine” is the best of the bunch, simply by following “The Dark Knight” and the Marvel Comics formula, creating a conflicted superhero who cannot conform to any conventional definition of heroism.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 30 Pairs of Passes to ‘Blue Jasmine’ with Cate Blanchett From Woody Allen
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 25, 2013 - 6:54pm- Adam Fendelman
- Alec Baldwin
- Andrew Dice Clay
- Annie McNamara
- Blue Jasmine
- Bobby Cannavale
- Cate Blanchett
- Charlie Tahan
- Daniel Jenks
- Glen Caspillo
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- Joy Carlin
- Kathy Tong
- Louis C.K.
- Max Rutherford
- Michael Stuhlbarg
- Peter Sarsgaard
- Richard Conti
- Sally Hawkins
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Woody Allen
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 30 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new Woody Allen film “Blue Jasmine” starring Cate Blanchett!
Film Review: James Cromwell, Genevieve Bujold Ground Moving ‘Still Mine’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 25, 2013 - 1:40pmCHICAGO – Into the “getting old sucks” genre with award-winners like Sarah Polley’s “Away From Her” and Michael Haneke’s “Amour,” we can add “Still Mine,” opening tomorrow, July 26, 2013, in Chicago.
James Cromwell, Genevieve Bujold Ground Moving ‘Still Mine’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 25, 2013 - 1:35pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Into the “getting old sucks” genre with award-winners like Sarah Polley’s “Away From Her” and Michael Haneke’s “Amour,” we can add “Still Mine,” opening tomorrow, July 26, 2013, in Chicago. Grounded by two stellar performances from the great James Cromwell and Genevieve Bujold, this Canadian production of a true story rests on a few melodramatic crutches too often but the honesty found by this pair of powerful actors builds to a truly moving final act.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 100 Pairs of Advance TV Passes to AMC’s ‘Low Winter Sun’ with Mark Strong
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 24, 2013 - 10:32pm- Adam Fendelman
- AMC
- Billy Lush
- CAA
- Chris Mundy
- Cold Case
- Criminal Minds
- Endemol Studios
- Ernest R. Dickerson
- Greg Brenman
- Heather Fairbanks
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV
- James Ransone
- Jeremy Gold
- Joseph Kathrein
- Lennie James
- Low Winter Sun
- Mark Strong
- Pennie-Marie Hawkins
- Simon Donald
- Stefan Schwartz
- Tiger Aspect Productions
- Theater, TV, DVD & Blu-Ray
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 100 pairs of advance TV screening passes up for grabs to AMC’s new drama “Low Winter Sun” starring Mark Strong from the writer of “Criminal Minds” and “Cold Case”!
Film Review: Great Performance Anchors Devastating ‘The Attack’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 24, 2013 - 5:30pmCHICAGO – “The Attack,” opening this week at the Landmark Century in Chicago, is a melancholy, mournful piece about an unimaginable tragedy and a man faced with the realization that he may not know the truth about the woman he loved. It’s an accomplished drama anchored by an understated, captivating performance from an actor who fills nearly every frame of every scene.
Great Performance Anchors Devastating ‘The Attack’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 24, 2013 - 5:25pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “The Attack,” opening this week at the Landmark Century in Chicago, is a melancholy, mournful piece about an unimaginable tragedy and a man faced with the realization that he may not know the truth about the woman he loved. It’s an accomplished drama anchored by an understated, captivating performance from an actor who fills nearly every frame of every scene.
Interview: Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Reveals the ‘Blackfish’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 24, 2013 - 8:38amCHICAGO – It was all so innocent. Filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite was curious about killer whale performances – think Shamu at SeaWorld – and began to do research. What she uncovered, to her total surprise, that there was a pattern to accidental deaths traced back to one whale. The result is her new documentary, “Blackfish.”
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Passes to ‘2 Guns’ with Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 23, 2013 - 10:54pm- 2 Guns
- Adam Fendelman
- Baltasar Kormakur
- Bill Paxton
- Blake Masters
- Boom! Studios
- Denzel Washington
- Edward James Olmos
- Evie Thompson
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- James Marsden
- Mark Wahlberg
- Patrick Fischler
- Paula Patton
- Robert John Burke
- Steven Grant
- Universal Pictures
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new action film “2 Guns” starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg!
Blu-ray Review: Talented Cast Elevates Leaden Direction of ‘Dead Man Down’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 23, 2013 - 4:58pmCHICAGO – “Dead Man Down,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, isn’t the awful movie that you may have heard but it is a misfire from a pretty talented cast and the director of the original “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” The great ensemble and modestly entertaining noir concept are defeated by leaden direction that mistakes tedium for tone. It’s just boring, which is almost difficult to believe given the notable screen charisma of its stars.