April 2023

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 April 27th, reviewing “Peter Pan & Wendy,” the live action reboot of the 1953 animated “Peter Pan.” Streaming on Disney+ beginning April 28th.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 27th, reviewing “Polite Society,” the debut action film tribute from British/Pakistani director Nida Manzoor (“Lady Parts”. In theaters on April 28th.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 27th, reviewing “Polite Society,” the debut action film tribute from British/Pakistani director Nida Manzoor (“Lady Parts”). In theaters on April 28th.

CHICAGO – One of the closest persons to John Lennon in the decade between the break up of The Beatles and his untimely death was May Pang … his lover from 1973 to 1975 … a time in Lennon’s life often called the “Lost Weekend.” Pang narrates a new documentary that sets their record straight, aptly titled “The Lost Weekend A Love Story.”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film from writer/director Ari Aster (“Hereditary,” “Midsummer”) … featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Patti Lupone … entitled “Beau is Afraid.” Currently in theaters, since April 21st.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film release “Somewhere in Queens,” featuring Ray Romano as lead actor, co-writer and director, also featuring Laurie Metcalfe. In theaters on April 21st.

CHICAGO –Rainn Wilson is best known of course in his magnificent interpretation as Dwight Schrute on TV’s ‘The Office,’ but his foray into spirituality is why he is appearing at the Chicago Humanities Festival on Friday, April 21st, 2023, promoting his new book, “Soul Boom: Why We Need Spiritual Revolution.” For tickets and more info, click

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 April 20th, reviewing “Chevalier,” which features Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the title character, set in revolutionary France. In theaters on April 21st.

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 April 20th, reviewing “The Covenant,” which features Jake Gyllenhaal in a tense war drama, set in Afghanistan. In theaters on April 21st.

CHICAGO – The future is now at the 2023 CineYouth Film Festival, taking place this upcoming weekend April 21st-23rd, at FACETS cinema in Chicago, CineYouth features 65 local, national and international short films from creators that are children, teens and young adults up to 22 years old.

Rating: 0.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Watching “Evil Dead Rise,” i was reminded of Roger Ebert’s one and only review of “Friday the 13th Part 2.” In that review Ebert found little to stir him on the screen and instead lamented the audience that would willingly go to see the latest in a string of dead teenager movies.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the newly released documentary “The Lost Weekend A Love Story,” which is a chronicle of May Pang and John Lennon’s brief but historically important love affair. Currently in theaters, since April 14th.

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Johnny Chiang, and Lee Kang Sheng of ‘Lost in Forest.’

CHICAGO – Season 16 for the Asian Pop Up Cinema (APUC) had a spectacular finale with “Lost in Forest,” a North American Premiere wrapping up the Taiwan Cinema Showcase. Appearing live at the Red Carpet and participating in a post film Q&A were lead actor Lee Kang Sheng and Director Johnny Chiang.

CHICAGO – While at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, there are shuttles between the film theaters, and often en route some prime networking takes place. On one such shuttle connection was Tara Bopp, a featured actor in the world premiere of the short film “Never Fuggedaboutit,” a sly take on two legendary media events.