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+.
Judi Dench
Film Review: Mia Wasikowska, Judi Dench Float on ‘Jane Eyre’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 18, 2011 - 11:01amCHICAGO – Film adaptations of classic literature are often lose-lose scenarios. The ardent admirers of the source often sour on what is left out, and the average filmgoer might wonder what the fuss is about when experiencing a truncated interpretation. There is obvious passion behind the latest adaptation of “Jane Eyre,” with performances that follow that lead.
Interviews: Mia Wasikowska, Director Cary Fukunaga on ‘Jane Eyre’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 17, 2011 - 6:17amCHICAGO – According to IMDB, there are over 20 film and TV versions of the Charlotte Bronte novel, “Jane Eyre.” Director Cary Fukunaga (”Sin Nombre”) and lead actress Mia Wasikowska (”Alice in Wonderland”) take on the latest remake of the literary legend.
Video Game Review: ‘James Bond: Blood Stone’ Tarnishes Legend of 007
Submitted by BrianTT on November 15, 2010 - 9:02pmCHICAGO – While MGM continues to do everything in their power to delay the development of the James Bond franchise (“Quantum of Solace” came out in 2008 and not a single frame of a new film has been shot, meaning it’s still going to be awhile), Activision has pressed forward and developed an entirely new story in video game form.
Blu-Ray Review: Glorious ‘Nine’ With Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard
Submitted by BrianTT on May 3, 2010 - 1:36pmCHICAGO – History will be kind to “Nine”. Due to wildly extreme expectations caused by the pedigree of the film’s cast, many critics and audiences dismissed Rob Marshall’s musical on its release in late 2009. “Nine” falls short of perfection but the Blu-ray release proves that it gets a lot closer than most people thought the first time they saw it.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Atonement,’ ‘Pride & Prejudice’ Perfect Fits For HD
Submitted by BrianTT on January 29, 2010 - 7:00amCHICAGO – Sometimes catalog titles are pulled from the vaults and given the HD upgrade for tie-in reasons that are obvious, but why now for Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement”? Is it because “Atonement” breakthrough star Saoirse Ronan is appearing in “The Lovely Bones”?
Star-Studded ‘Nine’ With Daniel Day-Lewis Delivers Grand Musical Spectacle
Submitted by BrianTT on December 24, 2009 - 2:45pmCHICAGO – Rob Marshall’s highly anticipated “Nine” isn’t quite the complete piece that it could have been, but its flaws are easy to overlook in favor of old-fashioned, pure entertainment.
Video: Trailer For ‘Nine’ With Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz
Submitted by BrianTT on May 14, 2009 - 8:45amCHICAGO – The trailer for the highly anticipated musical “Nine” was released today and you really must take a look. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and Sophia Loren, and directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), “Nine” feels like the first trailer for a likely major Oscar candidate for 2009.
Blu-Ray Review: Vin Diesel’s Riddick Flicks Hit HD in Time For New Game
Submitted by BrianTT on April 6, 2009 - 8:08amBlu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Has one star ever had such an assault on their demographic as Vin Diesel is having in April 2009? He’s the star of two original video games (“Wheelman,” “The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena”), a blockbuster movie (“Fast & Furious”), and has two catalog titles in “Pitch Black” and “The Chronicles of Riddick” hitting Blu-Ray. And all of it happens in the span of two weeks.
Blu-Ray Review: James Bond Continues Blu-Ray Dominance With Four New Releases
Submitted by BrianTT on April 1, 2009 - 6:38pmBlu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – James Bond continues working his way into your Blu-Ray collection with the release of Volume Three of MGM’s “James Bond Blu-Ray,” which includes HD versions of “The World is Not Enough,” “Goldfinger,” and “Moonraker”. Meanwhile, the unofficial Bond adventure, Fox’s “Never Say Never Again” hits Blu-Ray at the same time. All will make worthwhile additions to 007 fans with Blu-Ray players.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Quantum of Solace’ Offers Action Ride, Average Blu-Ray
Submitted by BrianTT on March 19, 2009 - 8:38pmBlu-Ray Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Quantum of Solace,” the second Daniel Craig 007 movie after the earthquake to the franchise that was the brilliant “Casino Royale,” didn’t make quite the same waves in the action genre and left a few viewers dissatisfied but it still makes for a better-than-average action movie rental. Sadly, MGM continues to struggle a bit in the HD revolution, releasing a so-so Blu-Ray that won’t help the viewers who felt let down by the film in theaters.