January 2021

CHICAGO – Stars are a concept that I don’t think I will ever understand. Giant celestial bodies of gas and fire that burn and shine with an unimaginable intensity. Their spherical appearance masks a double-edge that can both bring and sustain life, or out-right end it. Love is much the same way, simultaneously nurturing us up until the moment it isn’t.

CHICAGO – The 2021 Sundance Film Festival heads into Day Three after Opening Night and a full slate of films for Day Two. This year’s festival is virtual and online, meaning anyone with a ticket or a pass can indulge in the film offerings throughout the festival, which runs until February 3rd.

Rating: 2.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on January 29th, 2021, reviewing the new release “The Little Things,” premiering on HBO MAX and in theaters on January 29th, 2021.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 28th, 2021, reviewing the new film “The Dig,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 29th, 2021, PLUS a preview of the virtual and online Sundance Film Festival.

CHICAGO – If you ever wondered about the mystery and excitement of one of the premiere film festivals in any year – and traditionally the first one out of the gate – the Sundance Film Festival for 2021 will be virtual and online due to the ongoing pandemic, and accessible to all for the price of a ticket or pass.

CHICAGO – After a successful festival run, the film “Breaking Fast” – a heartwarming gay romantic comedy – was released through Video-On-Demand on January 22nd, 2021. One of the key screenings previously was at REELING, the international Chicago LGBTQ+ film fest, and during that time an actor from Chicago with a vital role, Rula Gardenier, talked about “Breaking Fast” and her move to Los Angeles.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 21st, 2021, reviewing the new film “The White Tiger,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 22nd, 2021.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com does an Audio Film Review on January 15th, 2021, with an overview of the new film “Rock Camp: The Movie,” opening on virtual cinema – including MusicBox.com in Chicago – on January 15th, 2021.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 15th, 2020, reviewing the new film “Outside the Wire,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 15th, 2021.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on January 15th, 2021, reviewing the new series from Disney+ and Marvel Studios, “WandaVision,” kicking off Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

CHICAGO – Getting through Year 2020 intact would prove to be a major accomplishment for any monthly film festival, but the Midwest Film Festival (MFF) did it with both style and their trademark sense of a film community during a year where that was missing for so many. The Fest is going virtual and online for their BEST OF THE MIDWEST AWARDS on January 14th, 2021. 7-9pm. You’ll need a ticket for this spectacular event, click here for all the particulars, including General Admission and VIP levels.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) in December of 2020, in a BONUS REVIEW of “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” now on HBO MAX.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 7th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Stars Fell on Alabama,” which is available now through Video-On-Demand.

CHICAGO – In a world gone a bit madder and sadder, the films of 2020 were a welcome escape from the travails of weekly reality. Without theater exhibition by and large, films had to be experienced on smaller home screens, shrinking bold cinematography and emphasizing the story.