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+.
HollywoodChicago.com Content
Mel Gibson Delivers in Jodie Foster’s Daring ‘The Beaver’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 5, 2011 - 8:08pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – What does it take to crawl out of a hole so deep that you can no longer see the sky? For some people, depression isn’t just a bad mood or an off day, it is as debilitating as a disease, and it can kill. One such man is Walter Black (Mel Gibson), and the unusual way that he survives his affliction is chronicled in the fascinating, memorable, accomplished “The Beaver.”
‘Fast Five’ Furiously Finds Fun Factor in Franchise Finest
Submitted by BrianTT on April 29, 2011 - 6:16pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Maybe director Justin Lin learned how to have fun directing the now-classic paintball episode of “Community.” Wherever he figured out that his movies need not be so damn self-serious or wordy, he took that knowledge to the set of “Fast Five,” a movie that this critic who hated “Fast & Furious” absolutely dreaded when it was first announced. Now I can’t wait for the inevitable sixth movie in the most unexpected mega-franchise of the new millennium.
Beguiling, Hypnotic ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 29, 2011 - 3:23pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Where are the vital connections between our ancient ancestors and our creative, technological selves? Prehistoric cave drawings, the oldest ever discovered, are showcased in Werner Herzog’s new documentary, “Cave of Forgotten Dreams.” The link between who they are and who are we becomes the theme of this remarkable exposition.
Keanu Reeves Sleepwalks Through ‘Henry’s Crime’
Submitted by mattmovieman on April 29, 2011 - 12:23pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Keanu Reeves is the sort of actor who succeeds in spite of himself. His best work remains in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when he specialized in playing hazy-brained man-children, the best of which may have been Tod Higgins, the goofy race car driver in Ron Howard’s timeless 1989 comedy, “Parenthood.” Reeves transcended the silliness of his character with a performance of disarming warmth.
Horrors of War Create Mystery in ‘Incendies’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 29, 2011 - 11:49amRating: 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 - 9:36amRating: 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.
Director Tom Shadyac Tells of Personal Revelations in ‘I Am’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 22, 2011 - 11:26amRating: 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 - 12:50amRating: 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.