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+.
Joe Swanberg
Interview: ‘Digging for Fire’ Director Joe Swanberg at 2015 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 2, 2015 - 10:45amCHICAGO – He is the master of loose and natural dialogue in his many micro-budget films. Director Joe Swanberg has worked his way up the movie ladder through perseverance and staying true to his vision, despite the obstacles. His film, “Digging for Fire,” opened the Chicago Critics Film Festival on May 1, 2015.
2015 Sundance Diary: ‘Digging for Fire,’ ‘Entertainment’ & ‘Results’
Submitted by NickHC on February 2, 2015 - 9:38pm- 2015 Sundance Diary
- 2015 Sundance Film Festival
- Anna Kendrick
- Brie Larson
- Chris Messina
- Cobie Smulders
- Digging for Fire
- Entertainment
- Gregg Turkington
- Guy Pearce
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jake Johnson
- Joe Swanberg
- Kevin Corrigan
- Nick Allen
- Results
- Rick Alverson
- Sam Rockwell
- Sundance 2015 Coverage
- Sundance Film Festival
PARK CITY, Utah – There are still some films to be discussed in my Sundance coverage. Here’s write-ups of “Digging for Fire,” “Entertainment,” and “Results,” which featured the return of festival-approved directors, albeit heading in different directions.
Film News: ‘Animals’ is Top Film at ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards Night
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 10, 2014 - 2:52pm- Animals
- Anna Kendrick
- Best of the Midwest
- Betsy Steinberg
- Charlie Barnett
- Chicago Fire
- Chicago PD
- Christian Stolte
- Daniel Klein
- David Dastmalchian
- Film News
- First Tuesdays
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Joe Swanberg
- Jon Seda
- Kelly O’Sullivan
- LaRoyce Hawkins Collin Schiffli
- Lena Dunham
- Maura Kidwell
- Midwest Independent Film Festival
- Mike McNamara
- Patrick McDonald
- Sirens
CHICAGO – On Tuesday, December 2nd, the Midwest Independent Film Festival gave out their 2014 “Best of the Midwest” awards with a ceremony at The Underground Nightclub in Chicago. Sweeping Best Actor, Director and Feature Film was the Collin Schiffli-directed “Animals,” starring and written by David Dastmalchian.
Film News: Midwest Independent Film Festival to Honor 2014 Films on Dec. 2
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 1, 2014 - 10:15amCHICAGO – On Tuesday, December 2nd, the Midwest Independent Film Festival will award their 2014 “Best of the Midwest” honors with a ceremony at The Underground Nightclub in Chicago. The evening will be hosted by Festival Director Mike McNamara, and nominees include “Animals” – directed by Collin Schiffli, “The Starfish Throwers” – directed by Jesse Roesler and “Happy Christmas” – directed by Joe Swanberg.
DVD Review: Lo-Fi Anna Kendrick Dramedy ‘Happy Christmas’ Comes to DVD
Submitted by NickHC on November 11, 2014 - 10:50amCHICAGO – “Drinking Buddies” director Joe Swanberg’s latest release of the same star wattage is “Happy Christmas,” an even lower-fi story than the Olivia Wilde beer comedy, steered even more by the casting that it was able to assemble. However, with this movie Swanberg doesn’t so much worry about having a story that could be confused with a more mainstream romantic comedy if it were to have a bigger budget.
Film Review: ‘Happy Christmas’ is Au Naturale for Good or for Bland
Submitted by NickHC on July 28, 2014 - 5:44pmCHICAGO – One thing that struck me about writer/director Joe Swanberg’s previous “Drinking Buddies,” and made it one of my more celebrated from 2013 despite not really loving it as a film, was its importance to those good ol’ independent movies. Here were big flashy stars like Olivia Wilde and Anna Kendrick, not just acting in a movie of a lower budget, but creating a wider appeal out of a previously very niche aspect, without the film form itself changing much.
Film Review: Joe Swanberg Hits Again with Gentle ‘All the Light in the Sky’
Submitted by BrianTT on December 18, 2013 - 3:08pmJoe Swanberg had quite a year. In the same summer, he appeared in the horror hit “You’re Next” and saw his most high-profile success in the excellent “Drinking Buddies” with Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, and Anna Kendrick. The year ended with the announcement that his next feature, “Happy Christmas,” starring Kendrick & Lena Dunham, will play in competition at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
Film Review: Family Reunion Gets Bloody in ‘You’re Next’
Submitted by BrianTT on August 22, 2013 - 3:12pmCHICAGO – “You’re Next” is a brutal, blunt, bloody instrument of a horror film. It works as well as it does because of an engaging performance from a future star at its center and a writer/director team willing to get in, get gory, and get out.
Film Review: Olivia Wilde Shines in Joe Swanberg’s Excellent ‘Drinking Buddies’
Submitted by BrianTT on August 22, 2013 - 11:03amCHICAGO – Joe Swanberg’s “Drinking Buddies” has been billed as the Chicago writer/director’s breakthrough largely due to the star power on display in the cast list but the film works not merely because of the notable talents of its cast but a new maturity and wisdom displayed by its creator.
Interview: Joe Swanberg Dares to Cross the Line in ‘Drinking Buddies’
Submitted by mattmovieman on August 21, 2013 - 6:32amCHICAGO – It takes a special sort of filmmaker to hit it big without compromising any artistic principles. This month marks a career high for Chicago’s own DIY trail-blazer, Joe Swanberg, whose microbudget gems have influenced everyone from Lynn Shelton (“Touchy Feely”) to Lena Dunham (“Girls”).