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+.
Movie Review
Horrors of War Create Mystery in ‘Incendies’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 29, 2011 - 11:49am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – One of the most honest aphorisms is “the first casualty of war is truth.” Those obscured facts are often the ones that come back to haunt future generations, and that is exceptionally illustrated in the new film “Incendies.” Piecing together a mother’s wartime activities become the basis for solving a mystery after her death.
Aimee Teegarden Discovers ‘Prom’ Isn’t So Bad
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 29, 2011 - 9:36am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There are many essential questions in life. What is my purpose? How do I find my place in the universe? Where did I put my mobile phone? But the most important of all, as Aimee Teegarden is about to experience, is who will I get to take me to “Prom.”
Dark Vision of the Future in Atmospheric ‘Stake Land’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 29, 2011 - 8:43amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Playing not unlike a much darker version of “Zombieland” (in that the post-apocalyptic creatures are similar and the veteran/rookie duo at the core not far off Woody & Jesse), “Stake Land” is a confident piece of genre filmmaking that not only deserves a wider audience but hints at truly great things to come for its talented director. It’s far from perfect but it’s incredibly promising, unlike the future of the characters it presents.
Tensionless ‘Water For Elephants’ Fatally Mismatches Leads, Casts Spot-On Supporters
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 23, 2011 - 12:25am Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – While Robert “Twilight” Pattinson has persuasively branched out beyond his typecasting of reanimated and preternatural corpses, his miscast union in the tensionless “Water for Elephants” with pin-up circus spectacle Reese Witherspoon works as well as an elephant trying to spoon a sworn-enemy lion.
Director Tom Shadyac Tells of Personal Revelations in ‘I Am’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 22, 2011 - 11:26am Rating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Tom Shadyac was on top of the world. He had directed several blockbuster comedies including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Bruce Almighty,” “The Nutty Professor” and more. When he got into an accident and found himself the victim of a syndrome that made him welcome coming death, he reached that revelatory moment that often happens to people in horrible situations as he reassessed not only his value system but that of the entire world.
Morgan Spurlock Hawks ‘The Greatest Movie Ever Sold’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 22, 2011 - 12:50am Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In a remarkable idea for a film, director Morgan Spurlock (”Supersize Me”) funds his new documentary, “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,” by selling sponsorships for financing. However, the process is redundantly explored, and no new ground is broken.
‘The Conspirator’ Has Lessons That Resonate Today
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 15, 2011 - 5:16pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The Latin term “Inter arma silent leges.” (There is no law on the battlefield) is coldly stated in “The Conspirator,” directed by Robert Redford. In plain truth, the new film recreates one of the most controversial military trials in American history.
Susanne Bier’s Oscar-Winning ‘In a Better World’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 15, 2011 - 2:24pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Susanne Bier’s “In a Better World” was a surprising winner at the Academy Awards when Best Foreign Language Film was announced, leading many to wonder what could have beaten the critically-acclaimed “Dogtooth” or “Biutiful,” which clearly had a lot of love considering its Best Actor nomination.
Animated, Colorful ‘Rio’ Blends Into Mediocre Blur
Submitted by BrianTT on April 15, 2011 - 1:20pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Rio” is a film that nearly defies critical review. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it and I can virtually guarantee you that the little ones in your family will be captivated by the talking, dancing birds with the colorful plumage. But it’s also a film that’s strikingly unmemorable.
Meditative ‘Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 15, 2011 - 8:30amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” opens with one of its most striking, memorable, and essential images. A buffalo stands in a forest at what appears to be dusk, as we can see him only in shadow. He moves slowly around a tree, almost ghostly, before escaping and running through a field and into a forest.
