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+.
DreamWorks
Interview: Actor Brendan Wayne on His Legacy in ‘Cowboys & Aliens’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 27, 2011 - 10:49amCHICAGO – Brendan Wayne is certainly no stranger to cowboys. As the grandson of one of the greatest western stars ever, John Wayne, Brendan carries on the family tradition in the upcoming Jon Favreau film “Cowboys & Aliens,” featuring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford.
Blu-Ray Review: Derivative, Generic ‘I Am Number Four’
Submitted by BrianTT on June 1, 2011 - 8:59pmCHICAGO – Very few films have felt more made my a movie-making machine than the dull “I Am Number Four,” a film that hopes so desperately to feel like something that you’ve seen before and that you’ll like the familiarity that it never develops a personality of its own. With a dull lead, lackluster romance, goofy dialogue, and melodramatic storytelling, “I Am Number Four” disappoints in nearly every way that a movie can.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 6 ‘I Am Number Four’ Blu-Rays From Producer Michael Bay
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 15, 2011 - 11:37pmCHICAGO – In our latest superhero edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Blu-ray, we have 6 Blu-rays up for grabs to “I Am Number Four” from the director of “Disturbia” and producer Michael Bay!
Blu-Ray Review: Steven Spielberg’s Spectacular ‘A.I.: Artificial Intelligence’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 11, 2011 - 10:16amCHICAGO – When I was first introduced to the world of Blu-ray, I went through the mental rolodex of films that I knew I would one day want to see in HD. There are obvious choices like “Lord of the Rings” and “The Matrix,” but I actually remember thinking about the controversial final act of “A.I.: Artificial Intelligence” and how incredible it would look in 1080p. Years later, the film has finally been released on the format and while it may not live up to the high expectations, the movie alone makes this a worthwhile purchase.
Blu-Ray Review: Great Release For ‘Megamind’ With Will Ferrell, Tina Fey
Submitted by BrianTT on March 3, 2011 - 5:36pmCHICAGO – DreamWorks’ “Megamind” features a fantastic voice cast (one of the best of 2010) and will play very well to legions of rugrats over the next few years, but it’s a film that might leave their parents shrugging their shoulders in disappointment. With three of the best animated films ever made hitting theaters last year (“Toy Story 3,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Illusionist”) along with quality alternatives (“Despicable Me,” “Tangled”), it’s likely that “Megamind” will appropriately get lost in the mix of history when people talk about this era of the medium.
Blu-Ray Review: Mediocre ‘Dinner For Schmucks’ With Paul Rudd, Steve Carell
Submitted by BrianTT on January 4, 2011 - 10:05amCHICAGO – “Dinner For Schmucks” proves that casting does not make a comedy. Steve Carell and Paul Rudd are easily two of the funniest people alive. They have perfect comic timing. Although you’d never know it from watching them go through the unfunny motions in this lackluster effort.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Shrek: The Whole Story’ Offers Entire Franchise in One Set
Submitted by BrianTT on December 9, 2010 - 5:19pmCHICAGO – With “Shrek Forever After” also being billed as “Shrek: The Final Chapter” and being pitched as the final film in the “Shrek” franchise, it only makes sense that DreamWorks has put together a lavish box set of this billion-dollar franchise that captures the entire saga of Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and the rest of the lovable creatures of arguably the most influential series of films of the last decade.
Film Review: ‘Megamind’ With Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt Barely Wins Animated Fight
Submitted by BrianTT on November 5, 2010 - 5:31pmCHICAGO – Being a super-villain is apparently going out of style as “Megamind” follows relatively quickly on the heels of “Despicable Me” and both tell the story of a bad guy realizing that it’s more fun to be good. The title character of “Megamind” (Will Ferrell) is a nefarious super-powered fellow who has just barely lost every fight he’s had with the beloved Metroman (Brad Pitt). It seems appropriate that the film about them is also a marginal affair in which the good just barely outweighs the bad.
DVD Review: Beautiful ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Plays Well For All Ages
Submitted by BrianTT on October 18, 2010 - 5:00pmCHICAGO – “How to Train Your Dragon” is one of the best mainstream animated films of the last several years. After years of watching Pixar deservedly take home most of the critical acclaim in the medium, DreamWorks has produced a film that deserves mention in the same breath as the Pixar greats. With gorgeous visuals, strong voice work, and confident storytelling, “How to Train Your Dragon,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, works for all ages and will surely become one of the most highly-desired and purchased titles of the upcoming season.
Theater Review: ‘Shrek the Musical’ Still in the Swamp
Submitted by Alissa Norby on July 27, 2010 - 6:01pmCHICAGO – “Fairytales should really be updated,” muses the puckish Shrek during a final plea for the affections of a reluctant princess. It is one of those startlingly honest and quietly irreverent insights that “Shrek the Musical” is all too wary to boast, but is a welcome dagger into the cavalcade of childhood morality tales that, year after year, infiltrate the bulk of shooting star wishes and Barbie dream-houses.