February 2022

Film News: First Tuesdays at Midwest Film Festival, March 1, 2022

CHICAGO – First Tuesdays ARE BACK at the Midwest Film Festival (MFF) on March 1st, 2022. To kick off the new season … in their new screening digs at the Gene Siskel Film Center … The MMF will present the films honored at last months “Best of the Midwest” Awards. To get tickets, click MFF FIRST TUESDAY.

On-Air TV Review: Stand Up For ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 25th, 2022, reviewing the TV series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” with Season Four currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

On-Air Film Review: Concise ‘2022 Oscar Nominated Short Films’

2022 Oscar Nominated Short Films

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 24th, reviewing “2022 Oscar Nominated Short Films” … three separate programs representing three short film categories at the upcoming Academy Awards in select theaters February 25th.

Concise! On-Air Review of ‘2022 Oscar Nominated Short Films’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 5.0/5.0
Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 24th, reviewing “2022 Oscar Nominated Short Films” … three separate programs representing three short film categories at the upcoming Academy Awards in select theaters February 25th.

Film Review: Peter Dinklage Leads Perfectly Serviceable ‘Cyrano’

CHICAGO – This is no small feat, but “Cyrano” works as well as it does because it puts a couple of new spins on the material while keeping the essence of this tale … which is seemingly as old as time. For those not paying attention during high school literature classes, Cyrano De Bergerac is a gallant hearted hero and actor who is in love with the maiden Roxanne, who happens to be his best friend.

Peter Dinklage Leads Perfectly Serviceable ‘Cyrano’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – This is no small feat, but “Cyrano” works as well as it does because it puts a couple of new spins on the material while keeping the essence of this tale … which is seemingly as old as time. For those not paying attention during high school literature classes, Cyrano De Bergerac is a gallant hearted hero and actor who is in love with the maiden Roxanne, who happens to be his best friend.

Blu-Ray Review: We’re Not Worthy of Steel Case ‘Wayne’s World’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) and the Eddie Volkman Show on Star 96.7 WSSR-FM (Joliet, IL) reviewing the new Steel Case 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray edition of “Wayne’s World” from Paramount Pictures.

On-Air Film Review: Fall Out in ‘Downfall: The Case Against Boeing’

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 17th, reviewing “Downfall: The Case Against Boeing,” a new documentary that made its debut at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and is streaming on Netflix beginning February 18th..

Fall Out! On-Air Review of ‘Downfall: The Case Against Boeing’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 17th, reviewing “Downfall: The Case Against Boeing,” a new documentary that made its debut at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and is streaming on Netflix beginning February 18th.

On-Air Film Review: Say Hello to Your Mother and Kid in ‘Uncharted’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 18th, 2022, reviewing the new release, “Uncharted,” based on the popular video game, in theaters on February 18th.

Say Hello to Your Mother and Kid! On-Air Review of ‘Uncharted’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 1.5/5.0
Rating: 1.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 18th, 2022, reviewing the new release, “Uncharted,” based on the popular video game, in theaters on February 18th.

Podtalk: Ashton Swinford About to Start Production on ‘Wizdom’

CHICAGO – In a sure sign that production is ramping up in Chicago once again, the pilot sci-fi film “Wizdom” – the first step in a larger project – will film in the city the week of February 21st, 2022. “Wizdom” is co-created and co-written by Ashton Swinford, who also will portray the lead role.

In Memoriam: Ivan Reitman, Director of ‘Ghostbusters,’ Dies at 75

Ivan Reitman, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – He helmed some of the most beloved comedies of the last three decades of the 20th Century, including “Meatballs,” “Stripes,” “Twins” “Kindergarten Cop” and of course “Ghostbusters” (and its sequel). Ivan Reitman passed away on February 12th, 2022. He was age 75.

Podtalk: Filmmaker Jude Klassen is Back with ‘Stupid For You’

CHICAGO – Ethereal Canadian writer/director Jude Klassen is back with her second film – after “Love in the Sixth” – a combination of relationship angst and music passion, “Stupid For You.” The film has been launched into the fest circuit, and premiered at Montreal’s Image+ Nation Film Festival in November 2021.

On-Air Film Review: Not So Bad for The Worst Person in the World’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 10th, reviewing the release of “The Worst Person in the World,” the 2022 Norwegian Oscar contender for Best International Film, now in theaters.

Not So Bad! On-Air Review of ‘The Worst Person in the World’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 10th, reviewing the release of “The Worst Person in the World,” the 2022 Norwegian Oscar contender for Best International Film, now in theaters.

On-Air Film Review: One More Chance for ‘I Want You Back’

I Want You Back

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 11th, 2022, reviewing the new Amazon Prime Video streaming release, “I Want You Back,” beginning on February 11th.

One More Chance! On-Air Review of ‘I Want You Back’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 11th, 2022, reviewing the new Amazon Prime Video streaming release, “I Want You Back,” beginning on February 11th.

On-Air Film Review: History of Mystery for ‘Death on the Nile’

Death on the Nile

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 10th, reviewing the new release of “Death on the Nile,” another adventure of detective Hercule Poirot, in theaters on February 11th.

History of Mystery! On-Air Review of ‘Death on the Nile’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 10th, reviewing the new release of “Death on the Nile,” another adventure of detective Hercule Poirot, in theaters on February 11th.

Film Review: 'Marry Me' Works With Owen Wilson & Jennifer Lopez

CHICAGO – I’ll admit that based on the ubiquitous trailers, The latest attempt for Jennifer Lopez to reclaim the throne as Queen of the Rom-Com seemed like the sort of enterprise meant to make you bury your face in your hands. So I was pleasantly surprised to find “Marry Me” is just innocuously bad, not egregiously bad.

'Marry Me' Works With Owen Wilson & Jennifer Lopez

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – I’ll admit that based on the ubiquitous trailers, The latest attempt for Jennifer Lopez to reclaim the throne as Queen of the Rom-Com seemed like the sort of enterprise meant to make you bury your face in your hands. So I was pleasantly surprised to find “Marry Me” is just innocuously bad, not egregiously bad… and with the state of rom-coms these days that’s something of an accomplishment.

Podtalk: My Convo with Wallace, Part Two of Wallace Shawn

CHICAGO – When an interview opportunity comes up with Wallace Shawn, and it lasts more than 15 minutes, a conversation can be born. In our own version of “My Dinner with Andre,” I got an expansion with the actor, writer and one of the most famous dinner guests in cinema history (he is the “My” in “My Dinner … “ ).

Film News: Ranking the 2022 Oscar Nominees in Six Categories

CHICAGO – The nominees for the 94th Academy Awards … taking place on March 27th, 2022 … were announced on February 8th. 23 categories will be up for Oscar, and the favorites will be will be debated as the Awards season plays out. The 94th Academy Awards will be broadcast on ABC-TV.

Podtalk: Actor Elena Anaya on Her Career & ‘Rifkin’s Festival’

CHICAGO – Elena Anaya has had an adventure in her career of over 50 films … from the role of Dracula’s Bride in “Van Helsing” to notable work with director Pedro Almodóvar in “The Skin I Live In,” and up to her current role as Dr. Jo Rojas in “Rifkin’s Festival,” she has embraced the journey with a grateful enthusiasm.

Via Zoom: Actor Jon Barinholtz on New TV Series ‘American Auto’

CHICAGO – Jon Barinholtz keeps on rolling. After having wrapped a six season run on NBC-TV’s “Superstore” portraying Marcus, he landed another role – with the same sitcom creator (Justin Spitzer) and network – as car industry executive Westey Payne in “American Auto,” which premiered last month. And all this as he co-created “Chicago Party Aunt” for Netflix.

On-Air Film Review: From Both Sides Now in ‘The Other Me’

Other Me, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 27th, 2022, reviewing the new release of “The Other Me,” presented by David Lynch, in select theaters and through Video-On-Demand on February 4th.

From Both Sides Now! On-Air Review of ‘The Other Me’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 27th, 2022, reviewing the new release of “The Other Me,” presented by David Lynch, in select theaters and through Video-On-Demand on February 4th.

On-Air TV Series Review: Another Jack Attack in 'Reacher’

Reacher TV Series

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 3rd, 2022, reviewing the new TV miniseries “Reacher” – a new iteration of the Jack Reacher adventures – currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Via Zoom: Alan Ritchson Portrays Jack Reacher in 'Reacher'

CHICAGO – Jack Reacher is back, in a binge-worthy TV miniseries premiering on February 4th, 2022, streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Portraying the iconic character, which debuted in a book series beginning in 1997 and adapted into a couple of high profile films, is actor Alan Ritchson. The series story is from the first novel (by Lee Child) in the Reacher series, “The Killing Floor.”

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