CHICAGO – Theatrical satires of the Star Wars Universe are like the number of TV series the universe has wrought … too many to figure out if anything is worthwhile. But “Trade Federation” (subtitled “Or Let’s Explore Globalization Through the Star Wars Prequels”), presented by Otherworld Theatre in Wrigleyville Chicago, gets it right on.
Ron Perlman
Artistry! On-Air Film Review of Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinocchio’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 9, 2022 - 4:28pm![]() 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 December 8th, 2022, reviewing “Pinocchio,” an adaptation of the legendary story through the eyes of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. In select theaters and streaming on Netflix beginning December 9th.
Carney Brad! On-Air Review of ‘Nightmare Alley’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 17, 2021 - 3:41pm- 1930s
- Bradley Cooper
- Carnival
- Cate Blanchett
- Chicago
- David Strathairn
- Film Noir
- Guillermo del Toro
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Mary Steenburgen
- Monroe
- Movie Review
- Nightmare Alley
- Pat Über TV
- Patrick McDonald
- Remake
- Richard Jenkins
- Ron Perlman
- Rooney Mara
- Scott Thompson
- Searchlight Pictures
- The Great Stanton
- The Morning Mess
- Toni Collette
- WBGR-FM
- Willem Dafoe
- Wisconsin
![]() Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 16th, 2021, reviewing the film noir remake of “Nightmare Alley,’ directed by Guillermo del Toro, in theaters on December 17th, 2021.
‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ Relies on Second-Hand Wonder
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 17, 2016 - 7:32pm- Alison Sudol
- Carmen Ejogo
- Colin Farrell
- Dan Fogler
- David Yates
- Eddie Redmayne
- Ezra Miller
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- Gemma Chan
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- J.K. Rowling
- Johhny Depp
- Jon Voight
- Katherine Waterston
- Movie Review
- Ron Perlman
- Samantha Morton
- Spike Walters
- Warner Brothers
- Zoe Kravitz
![]() Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It’s been five years since the last Harry Potter film, and for fans eager to scratch that itch for a dreamworld of magic again “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them” will probably suffice. It’s this story’s tangential connection to the Harry Potter universe that is its biggest asset – but the film unfortunately can’t muster up much wonder on its own.
‘The Book of Life’ Has Uninspired Tale to Tell
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 16, 2014 - 11:52pm![]() Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Unfortunately you can’t judge “The Book Of Life” by its cover. The movie draws on the fertile imagery of the Mexican “Day Of The Dead” to create its own animated world. The animation is excellent and the wooden characters seem to spring to life – but those performances are as wooden as a board. Which also describes my feelings for most of this uninspired journey…bored.
‘Pacific Rim’ is Classic Sci-fi Cult Movie Joy
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 11, 2013 - 4:47pm![]() Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Leave it to the wondrous auteur, director Guillermo del Toro, to push the boundaries of giant science fiction epics simply by paying homage to their predecessors. The grand, glorious embrace of “Pacific Rim” leaves no stone of cult film fun unturned.
Inconsistent But Sweet ‘3, 2, 1... Frankie Go Boom’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 14, 2012 - 2:27pm![]() Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Jordan Roberts “3, 2, 1… Frankie Go Boom” is available On Demand in advance of its October theatrical release and it’s likely to be enticing to fans of the mega-hit “Sons of Anarchy” (which premiered this week to record-setting numbers) and those looking for a new comedy as the multiplex is crowded with horror and action movies. The raunchy comedy feels like a cousin of the Judd Apatow brand without the same degree of timing but the likable cast goes a long way to getting one over the screenwriting speed bumps.
Ryan Gosling Stars in Instant Classic ‘Drive’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 15, 2011 - 7:49pm![]() Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Nicholas Winding Refn’s “Drive” is an amazing thriller, a modern examination of heroism filtered through the fairy tale culture of the underbelly of the movie machine that is easily one of the most memorable and effective films of not just this year but the last several.
Bar is Set Low in Retread of ‘Conan the Barbarian’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 19, 2011 - 7:33am![]() Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Sword and sandal epics are almost expected to have wooden acting and absurd dialogue. The new film “Conan the Barbarian” meets those expectations, and doesn’t offer any action or originality to counteract the anticipated flaws.
Disney Has Another Brush With Greatness in Delightful ‘Tangled’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 24, 2010 - 7:00am![]() Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Movieland is awash in feature length “cartoons,” with virtually every season cranking out more new entries in this new golden age of animation. The Disney Studios, the grandaddy of the genre, aims to keep the bar high with its latest, the amazing looking and hilarious 3D version of the Rapunzel story, with a post modern title of “Tangled.”
Following ‘Pan’s Labyrinth,’ ‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’ Regresses From Best to Worst For Guillermo del Toro
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 11, 2008 - 12:01am![]() Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Hellboy is plugged as the world’s brawniest, kitten-loving superhero. While that paradox is supposed to be both funny and action packed, “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” from famed writer and director Guillermo del Toro falls flat on the funny front and instead winds up on the funny farm.
