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+.
Sylvester Stallone
Come Save Us! On-Air Review of ‘The Suicide Squad’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 5, 2021 - 12:35pm Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on August 5th, 2021, reviewing the new film “The Suicide Squad.” In theaters and streaming on HBO Max on August 6th.
Fight for Redemption in the Rocky Universe of ‘Creed II’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 21, 2018 - 9:23am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In the EIGHTH exploration (wow) for the story of boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) – that began way back in 1976 – the son of his first opponent, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), must settle an old score and seek redemption for himself and those around him in “Creed II.”
Cut of Nostalgia in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2017 - 12:31pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – When I first saw “Guardians of the Galaxy” I was unfamiliar with the comic book source. I enjoyed the film, but worried it might be just a little too nerdy and obscure to develop a following. Now with “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” the series has solidified itself as the class clowns of the Marvel Studios cinematic universe, and it’s been embraced for it.
‘Creed’ is a Champion in the Rocky Balboa Legacy
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 25, 2015 - 8:36am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – This is what happens when passionate filmmakers come into a known movie project – with an obvious love for the previous stories and characters – and create a new chapter that both evolves and honors its source. “Creed” does all of that, and gives the beloved Rocky Balboa one more time in the spotlight.
As Title Implies, ‘The Expendables 3’ Totally Expendable
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 16, 2014 - 7:53am- Antonio Banderis
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Dolph Lundgren
- Glen Powell
- Harrison Ford
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jason Statham
- Kellan Lutz
- Kelsey Grammer
- Lionsgate
- Mel Gibson
- Movie Review
- Patrick Hughes
- Randy Couture
- Ronda Rousey
- Spike Walters
- Sylvester Stallone
- Terry Crews
- The Expendables 3
- Victor Ortiz
- Wesley Snipes
 Rating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The old man as macho action hero trend has finally calcified. If you haven’t seen either of the two previous “Expendables” pictures – this is definitely not the place to start. Sylvester Stallone’s creaky franchise hits rock bottom with this shoddy looking, poorly paced, indifferently acted and overlong exercise in excess on the cheap. It supposedly cost $90 million dollars to make, but what’s onscreen looks like it should have gone direct to video. Some explosions look like they were created with an iPhone.
More Questions Than Answers in ‘Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 16, 2014 - 2:44pm Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Not much is really revealed about the subject of the documentary “Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon,” co-directed by comedian Mike Myers. Shep is a rock star agent, Shep gets rich, Shep shares his Hawaiian beach condo with big stars, Shep represents gourmet chefs, Shep likes to cook and Shep strangely wants kids, despite being in his sixties and not being able to maintain any domestic relationship. There is no there in this film, only the spoils of good representation.
Two Old Stars Roast Their Images in ‘Grudge Match’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 25, 2013 - 8:57amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro – between them they have over 150 film credits in careers stretching back to the 1960s. Two of their most famous roles, boxers Rocky and the Raging Bull, get the full make-fun-of treatment in the Christmas Day Film “Grudge Match.”
Dull ‘Homefront’ Can’t Get Action into an Action Movie
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 27, 2013 - 6:22amRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Sylvester Stallone is a difficult man to comprehend, unless if doing a thesis on male menopause. The one time screenwriter of gritty soul pictures like “Rocky,” “Paradise Alley” and “First Blood” is spending his later years pumping out undistinguished boom-boom pictures like “Homefront.”
Two Old Dogs Prove Very Entertaining in ‘Escape Plan’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 18, 2013 - 5:51pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Great action movies have one truth in common – they mix their face-offs with a psychological battle, which complements the pyrotechnics of invincible super humans. “Escape Plan,” with grizzled veterans Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, is true to that form.
‘Bullet to the Head’ Could Motivate You to Do Same
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 1, 2013 - 9:50amRating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – These are the times that try a film critic’s soul. Right after the awards season, and the lofty artistic films, comes the dump zone of January and the rejected reel orphans of the “industry.” Sylvester Stallone, once an Oscar winner, now “entertains” us with harsh violence in the ‘Bullet to the Head.’
