CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
May 2023
Podtalk: Grand Opening of Emagine Batavia Theater Includes ‘Halloween’ film Q&A, June 1, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2023 - 3:18pmCHICAGO – Chicagoland will be getting a new and exciting movie theater experience, beginning June 1st, 2023, with the Grand Opening of Emagine Batavia (Illinois) theaters. As part of the celebration, actor James Jude Courtney … who took the role of Michael Myers in the 2018 “Halloween” reboot … will be making an appearance to meet fans before the 7pm screening and participate in a “VIP Q&A.” For tickets, click EMAGINE.
Interview: FLASHBACK talk with the Fab Five of ‘Shooting Stars’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2023 - 8:56amCHICAGO – On Friday, June 2nd, the new film “Shooting Stars” will begin streaming on the Peacock Network. It is the story of the launch of “King” LeBron James through the “Fab Five” high school crew of the Akron, Ohio, St. Vincent-St. Mary’s team, one of the greatest in Ohio basketball history.
Exclusive Portraits: Andrew McCarthy on Book ‘Walking with Sam’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 30, 2023 - 7:48amCHICAGO – Sharing his travels was the aim of actor Andrew McCarthy, and he was able to do with this son, as chronicled in his new book “Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain.” Photographer Joe Arce crossed his path and took Exclusive Portraits for HollywoodChicago.com.
Podtalk: The Double Life of Bernadette Peters in ‘HIgh Desert’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 29, 2023 - 1:12pmCHICAGO – One of the peculiar secrets … since revealed … in the new Apple TV+ series “High Desert” is that the icon Bernadette Peters portrays two characters. One is the mother (Rosalyn) of main character Peggy, and the other is mysterious actor Ginger who somehow ended up in California desert country. New episodes drop every Wednesday.
Audio Film Review: What is Afghanistan Good For in ‘Kandahar’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 28, 2023 - 9:56amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new feature “Kandahar,” with Gerard Butler teaming up for a third time with action/thriller director Ric Roman Waugh. In theaters on May 26th.
What is it Good For! Audio Film Review of ‘Kandahar’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 28, 2023 - 9:52am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new feature “Kandahar,” with Gerard Butler teaming up for a third time with action/thriller director Ric Roman Waugh. In theaters on May 26th.
Audio Film Review: Managing Marriage in ‘You Hurt My Feelings’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 28, 2023 - 9:12amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new feature “You Hurt My Feelings,” with Julia Louis-Dreyfus pairing a second time with writer/director Nicole Holofcener. In theaters on May 26th.
Marry Management! Audio Film Review of ‘You Hurt My Feelings’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 28, 2023 - 9:09am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new feature “You Hurt My Feelings,” with Julia Louis-Dreyfus pairing a second time with writer/director Nicole Holofcener. In theaters on May 26th.
Audio Film Review: Turning the World On in ‘Being Mary Tyler Moore’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 27, 2023 - 11:17amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for a new documentary spotlighting the long-time star of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and her own self-titled TV series. It’s “Being Mary Tyler Moore,” premiering on HBO and streaming on HBO Max on May 26th.
Turn the World On! Audio Film Review of ‘Being Mary Tyler Moore’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 27, 2023 - 11:14am Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for a new documentary spotlighting the long-time star of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and her own self-titled TV series. It’s “Being Mary Tyler Moore,” premiering on HBO and streaming on HBO Max on May 26th.
On-Air Film Review: Sebastian and Dad in ‘About My Father’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 27, 2023 - 7:50amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 25th, reviewing “About My Father,” the first film with comedian Sebastian Maniscalco taking a lead role. In theaters on May 26th.
Sebastian and Dad! On-Air Review of ‘About My Father’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 27, 2023 - 7:45amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 25th, reviewing “About My Father,” the first film with comedian Sebastian Maniscalco taking a lead role. In theaters on May 26th.
On-Air Film Review: ‘The Little Mermaid’ is Under Sea Live Action
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2023 - 11:48amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 25th, reviewing “The Little Mermaid,” Walt Disney Studios live action reboot. In theaters on May 26th.
See the SeaGirl! On-Air Review of ‘The Little Mermaid’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2023 - 11:44am 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 May 25th, reviewing “The Little Mermaid,” Walt Disney Studios live action reboot. In theaters on May 26th.
VideoTalk: Sebastian Mansicalco & Dad Salvo on ‘About My Father’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 24, 2023 - 2:36pmCHICAGO – The adage of write what you know certainly applies to the first film in which hot stand-up comic Sebastian Maniscalco takes the lead role. “About My Father” is a fictionalized version of the relationship between Sebastian and his real life father Salvo, which Maniscalco also co-wrote. They both sat down with HollywoodChicago.com for a video interview.
Red Carpet Slideshow, Interviews: Sebastian Maniscalco, Robert De Niro & Cast of ‘About My Father’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 24, 2023 - 9:13amCHICAGO – The Windy City was abuzz with Red Carpet bliss as the multi-star cast and director of the new film “About My Father” walked before the Chicago premiere of the film on May 6th, 2023. Hot stand-up comic Sebastian Maniscalco is the leading man, with his father Salvo portrayed by the legendary Robert De Niro.
Podtalk: ‘The Snaxpert’ Adam Cohen at Sweets & Snacks Expo, in Chicago Thru May 25, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2023 - 8:11pmCHICAGO – In the closest thing a person can get to touring Willy Wonka’s factory, the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo opened this week, and continues through May 25th. Among the many candy and snack booths at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center is SNAX-Sational Brands, and through their Chief Marketing Officer Adam Cohen … also known as “The Snaxpert” … announced the launch their Cookie Pop Oreo© and Candy Pop M&M Minis© in Target stores nationwide.
Podtalk: Actor Anders Holm Feels Lucky in ‘About My Father’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2023 - 6:46amCHICAGO – If you’re a “Workaholics” fan, Anders Holm needs no introduction. The actor was a co-creator of the farcical series on Comedy Central, and from there has carved a niche as a character actor. He portrays Lucky in the new comedy “About My Father,” which features Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro.
Podtalk: Director Ric Roman Waugh Takes Us to ‘Kandahar’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 22, 2023 - 7:31amCHICAGO – Ric Roman Waugh is a man of action, as this stuntman-turned-director is approaching his tenth film, several of which involving his actor partner Gerard Butler. The duo takes on the Afghanistan War from the CIA undercover operative angle with the new film “Kandahar,” opening in theaters on May 26th.
Audio Film Review: Family Transitions Begin in ‘L’Immensitá’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 20, 2023 - 3:13pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for a 2022 foreign language film distributed in the U.S. by Chicago’s Music Box Films … and featuring Penélope Cruz … entitled “L’Immensitá.” In select theaters beginning May 19th, see local listings.
Family Transitions! Audio Film Review of ‘L’Immensitá’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 20, 2023 - 3:10pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for a 2022 foreign language film distributed in the U.S. by Chicago’s Music Box Films … and featuring Penélope Cruz … entitled “L’Immensitá.” In select theaters beginning May 19th, see local listings.
Film Review: ‘Fast X’ is a Full Scale Assault on the Laws of Logic
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 18, 2023 - 10:43pmCHICAGO – A lot of blockbusters require you to check your brain at the door. “Fast X” requires a full scale lobotomy. To the uninitiated, Vin Diesel’s blatant disregard for the laws of gravity and physics represents a full scale assault on the senses, reason, and logic in its effort to bring audiences down to its star’s lunkheaded level.
‘Fast X’ is a Full Scale Assault on the Laws of Logic
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 18, 2023 - 10:39pm Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – A lot of blockbusters require you to check your brain at the door. “Fast X” requires a full scale lobotomy. To the uninitiated, Vin Diesel’s blatant disregard for the laws of gravity and physics represents a full scale assault on the senses, reason, and logic in its effort to bring audiences down to its star’s lunkheaded level.
Audio Film Review: Lord in the Dance for ‘The Starling Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 18, 2023 - 5:26pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the first feature film debut from writer/director Laurel Parmet … set in a fundamentalist Christian community in Kentucky … entitled “The Starling Girl.” In select theaters beginning May 19th, see local listings.
Lord in the Dance! Audio Film Review of ‘The Starling Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 18, 2023 - 5:23pmRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the first feature debut from writer/director Laurel Parmet … set in a fundamentalist Christian community in Kentucky … entitled “The Starling Girl.” In select theaters beginning May 19th, see local listings.
Podtalk: Icon Bernadette Peters Takes Refuge in ‘HIgh Desert’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 17, 2023 - 8:08amCHICAGO – How has actor/singer/Broadway icon Bernadette Peters ended up in the arid lands of California? She is featured in the new Apple TV+ series “High Desert.” It has an ensemble cast led by Patricia Arquette as Peggy Newman, a recovering human being in an odd and spiritual place. The series begins streaming on May 17th.
On-Air Feature: Expressing the Heroics in Superhero Movies
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 15, 2023 - 8:43amCHICAGO – Often on my weekly appearances on WGBR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin), there is a topic associated with that week’s reviews. I don’t usually publish them, but the result of May the 4th was special. Host Dan Baker and I did a ranking of our favorite superhero movies on “Guardians 3” release day, and the talk was lively and surprising.
Slideshow, Interview: Singer/Songwriter Lara Bell in Chicagoland
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 13, 2023 - 10:44amHUNTLEY, Ill. – Lara Bell has been performing in various locations in Chicagoland since she was 16 years old, maintaining her status as an up-and-coming singer/songwriter, and she recently captivated audiences at shows in West Dundee and Huntley, Illinois, with her expressive stage presence and impressive musical talents.
Exclusive Portrait: Congrats to Sheryl Crow on 2023 Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 13, 2023 - 8:45amCHICAGO – Everyday is a Winding Road, as pop-rocker Sheryl Crow once reminded us. But one of her recent days included the announcement that Ms. Crow was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The new class will be inducted on November 3rd, 2023.
On-Air Film Review: Called CrackBerry, Addicted to ‘BlackBerry’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 13, 2023 - 7:23amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 11th, reviewing “BlackBerry,” the story of the rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone. In theaters on May 12th.
