CHICAGO – One of the open secrets of Chicago is its horrible racist past, which remains like an echo. Playwright Joshua Allen has been exploring this theme in his Grand Boulevard Trilogy – the last chapter talking place during the infamous 1919 race riots – in Raven Theatre’s “The Prodigal Daughter.” For tickets and info, click TPD.
HollywoodChicago.com Movie Reviews
Between the Daze! Audio Film Review of A24's ‘Tuesday’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 16, 2024 - 11:04am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Tuesday,” the debut directorial effort of filmmaker Daina Oniunas-Pusić and featuring the continued performance growth and evolution of actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Currently in theaters since June 14th.
Sophisticated & Thoughtful ‘Inside Out 2’ is Movie Magic
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 14, 2024 - 7:39am Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO –Pixar Studios rediscovers some of its movie magic with the thoughtful and sophisticated “Inside Out 2.” It’s the sequel that doesn’t feel like a retread of what came before but instead is a natural progression of the story we’re already invested in … as early adolescence and puberty arrive to crash the kid party.
And the Hits Keep Coming! On-Air Film Review of ‘Hit Man’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 7, 2024 - 10:56am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 6th, reviewing “Hit Man,” featuring Glen Powell (also co-writer) and directed by Richard Linklater (“School of Rock”). Streaming on Netflix beginning June 7th.
‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ are Destined on the Road to Nowhere
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2024 - 9:12am Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO –“Bad Boys: Ride Or Die,” the fourth in this series, is a big budget clunker that’s clearing coasting on fumes. A wheezy Martin Lawrence, and a post-slap Will Smith, are trying to recapture some of their former box office glory by trying to milk their still considerable chemistry for all its worth. The best that can be said is that it’s less of an interminable slog than I thought it would be.
Muppet Master! On-Air Film Review of ‘Jim Henson Idea Man’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2024 - 11:05amRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Jim Henson: Idea Man,” directed by Ron Howard and featuring Frank Oz and The Muppets. Streaming on Disney+ beginning May 31st.
He’s Talking to Him! On-Air Film Review of Robert De Niro in ‘Ezra’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2024 - 9:23amRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Ezra,” featuring Bobby Cannavale and Robert De Niro as a son and father, struggling to help raise an autistic boy. In theaters on May 31st.
God Only Knows! Audio Film Review of ‘The Beach Boys’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 25, 2024 - 7:05pmRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for The Beach Boys,” the latest rock documentary on the most famous California band of the 1960s, featuring insights from Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Al Jardine. Currently streaming on Disney+ since May 24th.
That Darn Cat! Audio Film Review of ‘The Garfield Movie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 24, 2024 - 9:16am- Bowen Yang
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Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Garfield Movie,” an animated film based on the popular comic strip by Jim Davis, and featuring the Monday-hating, lasagna-loving Orange Tabby cat (voice of Chris Pratt) and his friends. In theaters on May 24th.
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ Creates an Energy of Its Own
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 24, 2024 - 6:24am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It’s no “Fury Road,” but “Furiosa” is a suitably high octane summer blockbuster that delivers the eye popping action that Mad Max fans come for. The film is a prequel to that Oscar winning film, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking over for Charlize Theron as the one armed, shaved headed all around world-class bad ass.
Everything That Rises! Audio Film Review of Ethan Hawke’s ‘Wildcat’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 22, 2024 - 3:24pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “Wildcat,” co-written and directed by Ethan Hawke and featuring his daughter Maya as 20th Century writer Flannery O’Connor. Currently in select theaters since May 17th. See local listings.
The Future is Now! Audio Film Review of Yance Ford’s ‘Power’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 22, 2024 - 3:08pmRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new documentary “Power,” directed by Yance Ford, as a supplement informational survey of the history and militarization of the U.S. police force. Currently streaming on Netflix since May 17th.
Doula Doula Do! On-Air Film Review of Pamela Adlon’s ‘Babes’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 17, 2024 - 4:31pmRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 16th, reviewing “Babes,” the director debut of Pamela Adlon (FX’s “Better Things). In select theaters on May 17th. See local listings.
Imagine all the Imaginaries! On-Air Film Review of ‘IF’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 17, 2024 - 3:39pm- Awkafina
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Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 16th, reviewing “IF” (which means Imaginary Friend) a new live action/animated epic written and directed by John Krasinski. In theaters on May 17th.
