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+.
Marisa Tomei
Film Review: Amy Schumer Way Too Conventional in ‘Trainwreck’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 21, 2015 - 7:59amCHICAGO – In one of the most anticipated comedies of the summer, Amy Schumer breaks out of her edgy role as a stand-up and sketch artist to put her spin on the film universe in “Trainwreck.” She plays the lead role, is directed by the comic-reputable Judd Apatow, and she wrote the script. Why is it so “meh”?
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Pairs of Passes to ‘Spare Parts’ With George Lopez, Marisa Tomei
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 13, 2015 - 4:39pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new true-story drama “Spare Parts” starring George Lopez and Marisa Tomei!
Film Review: Celebrating the Ordinary Couple in ‘Love is Strange’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 29, 2014 - 6:53amCHICAGO – It is a time, and the time is now. Leave it to filmmaker Ira Sachs to break a barrier simply by having the right timing. Exploring a long time gay couple, right at the cusp of their now-legal marriage, opens the door to an odd series of ordinary circumstances in “Love is Strange.”
Interview: Director Ira Sachs Reminds Us ‘Love is Strange’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 27, 2014 - 7:40amCHICAGO – One of the notable films to kick off the autumn film season is writer/director Ira Sach’s “Love is Strange.” The story of two men in a longtime gay relationship, who finally can marry – but whose lives go off track unexpectedly – features brilliant performances from veterans John LIthgow and Alfred Molina.
Blu-ray Review: Learn a Lesson by Not Seeing ‘Parental Guidance’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 5, 2013 - 3:34pmCHICAGO – “Parental Guidance” is embarassingly bad. Why on Earth Billy Crystal chose this anemic, cliched comedy to essentially come back from retirement is something I’ll never understand. Maybe the star of “City Slickers” and Oscar legend thought this would be his “Meet the Parents”. It’s not.
Film Review: No Scrooge in Billy Crystal with ‘Parental Guidance’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 25, 2012 - 9:20amCHICAGO – As the bells toll this Christmas morn, the critical knots are untied and the new comedy, “Parental Guidance,” is deemed to be not bad – even though the marketing might have indicated otherwise. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler make merry and bright as two grandparents taking care of modern kids.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘Parental Guidance’ with Billy Crystal, Bette Midler
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 17, 2012 - 10:31pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 40 pairs of movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of “Parental Guidance” starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler!
Blu-ray Review: Oscar-Nominated ‘The Ides of March’ With Ryan Gosling
Submitted by BrianTT on January 25, 2012 - 5:10pmCHICAGO – One of the more surprising choices this week by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was to cite the Adapted Screenplay for George Clooney’s “The Ides of March,” recently released on DVD and Blu-ray. The Ryan Gosling-led drama has some strengths, but it’s script is the weakest element of the film. The sheer force of talent of the people who bring it to life may have led some to believe it’s better than it actually is. See for yourself.
Blu-ray Review: Fantastic Ensemble Delivers ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 7, 2011 - 3:46pmCHICAGO – Glenn Ficarra & John Requa do strong directorial work yet and the script by Dan Fogelman is strong but “Crazy, Stupid, Love” works primarily due to the sheer, incredible talent of its amazing cast. With a stellar mix of Oscar-nominated veterans, two of the most engaging actors of their generation, and even a few talented newcomers, this is easily one of the best ensembles of the year. They were attracted by a film that treats love like the silly, goofy, wacky, crazy, stupid thing it needs to be. Sure, it’s broad and a bit cliched, but so is its subject matter.
Film Review: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney in ‘The Ides of March’
Submitted by BrianTT on October 7, 2011 - 9:37amCHICAGO – George Clooney’s “The Ides of March” is a star-studded political thriller of the variety that was made much more commonly in the ‘70s and would therefore seem like a perfect vehicle to restart for today’s controversial times.