Patrick McDonald

Film Review: Worse Than a Real One, ‘The Hangover Part III’

CHICAGO – With a lazy, over-plotted story, and a cast that are desperately going through the motions, “The Hangover Part III” is the latest example of a contract obligation disguising itself as a movie. Writer/director Todd Phillips sluggishly pounds out another one, with simply no originality.

Film Review: Visual Excess Dims ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’

CHICAGO – The anticipation of experiencing the rebooted crew of the starship Enterprise now may overwhelm any creative team’s ability to deliver to that anticipation. “Star Trek Into Darkness” piles on the space war excess, while lessening the savory humanity and memorable characters.

Film Review: Fashionistas Will Swoon for ‘Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s’

Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's

CHICAGO – Watch out folks, the one percenters are fighting back. After the rabble of the 99 forced their way into Occupy Wall Street territory, the true rulers of America are pushing back in the only way they know how…by shopping. “Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s” is a gloriously vain documentary about a legendary shopping experience in Manhattan. What, The Gap wasn’t available?

Slideshow: 16 Exclusive Celebrity Photos at C2E2 in Chicago

| Image 1 of 16 |

CHICAGO – Legendary is one way to describe C2E2 – the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo. Comic book and pop culture fans gathered at McCormick Place in Chicago from April 26-28, 2013, for three days of celebration with their favorite comic, movie, game and television celebrities, and HollywoodChicago.com was there.

Film Review: More is Preferred in ‘Love is All You Need’

Love Is All You Need

CHICAGO – Creating the lofty name for this film, “Love is All You Need” – from a translation of its original title, “Den skaldede friser” – is intently ambitious considering its source is a lyric from one of The Beatles most famous songs. The film has its moments, but cannot sustain itself in a stew of high drama and mixed emotions.

Film Review: Same Weary Tyler Perry Format in ‘Peeples’

CHICAGO – The Tyler Perry “filmmaking machine” cranks out lowbrow comedies or high drama potboilers without any regard for originality. While this may jibe with Perry’s creative vision, the films themselves are a waste of time. Tina Gordon Chism directs the latest Perry production, “Peeples.”

Interview: John Francis Daley of ‘Bones’ Opens the CineYouth Festival in Chicago

John Francis Daley

CHICAGO – The annual CineYouth Festival in Chicago opened on May 9th with a very special guest – John Francis Daley – who is an actor (“Bones,” “Freaks and Geeks”) screenwriter (“Horrible Bosses”) and director. The CineYouth Festival is May 9th-11th and is presented by the Chicago International Film Festival.

Interview: Comedian Jim Gaffigan in Chicago for ‘Dad is Fat’

CHICAGO – The hilarious comedy of Jim Gaffigan is about to go beyond Hot Pockets. Gaffigan will be in the Chicago area on May 8th and 9th, 2013, to promote his very first book, “Dad is Fat,” in which he applies his keen observational powers through his experience in being a father of five children.

Interview: Craig Robinson Riffs on ‘Peeples,’ ‘The Office’

CHICAGO – Craig Robinson is in the swirl of two media events in the next two weeks. His latest film “Peeples” – in which he plays the romantic comedy lead – opens on Friday. The famous TV series he has been featured in, “The Office,” has its final episode after nine seasons on Thursday, May 16th.

Film Review: Oceanic Adventure of ‘Kon-Tiki’ Still Enthralls

Kon-Tiki

CHICAGO – Mention the name Thor Heyerdahl or his sea-faring vessel “Kon-Tiki,” and half-remembered images of a voyage across the sea in a ship that looks like it was built on “Gilligan’s Isle” might cross memory neurons. Why, when and how he did it is brought to screen in the excellent and appropriately titled “Kon-Tiki.”

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TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    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+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

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