CHICAGO – If you’ve never seen the farcical ensemble theater chestnut “Noises Off,” you will see no better version than on the Steppenwolf Theatre stage, now at their northside Chicago venue through November 3rd. For tickets and details for this riotous theater experience, click NOISES OFF.
China
Journey and Destination! Audio Review of ‘Joy Ride’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 4, 2023 - 8:14amRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new “hard-R-rated” comedy “Joy Ride,” featuring Stephanie Park (“Emily in Paris”) and the recently Oscar nominated Stephanie Hsu of Best Picture “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” In theaters on Friday July 7th.
Re-Realized! Audio Film Review of ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 21, 2023 - 10:37pmRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the re-release of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” the 2000 classic directed by Ang Lee and featuring Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once”). The 4K restoration is currently in theaters (see local listings).
They Must Be Crazy! On-Air Film Review of ‘New Gods: Yang Jian’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 20, 2023 - 8:03pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on January 19th, 2023, reviewing “New Gods: Yang Jian” another in a series of animated features by director Ji Zhao. In select theaters beginning January 20th.
Ass Kicker of the Wrong Kind is Downfall of ‘The 355’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 7, 2022 - 8:53amRating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There’s something to be said for a well done ass kicker in January that provides an entertaining distraction from the ice and snow outside. “The 355” is not it, offering a typical quick cutting action thriller that plods along in the most formulaic and least exciting manner possible. There’s nothing in this movie that hasn’t been done to death already.
Homage & Reimagining! On-Air Review of ‘Mulan’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 4, 2020 - 11:21amRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 3rd, 2020, reviewing the new live action film “Mulan.” This is the Walt Disney Studios adaptation of their own 1998 animated film, originally a March release, now leading off the Fall Season.
An Obsessive Couple’s Journey in ‘Ash is Purest White’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 9, 2019 - 10:03amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Obsessive love is a movie story staple, and “Ash is Purest White” puts a Chinese point-of-view on this strange phenomenon. This is a coupling in the background of organized crime and a changing China, and their success and failure is based on the events surrounding them as much as their devotion to each other.
‘The Meg’ is a Proud $150 Million Dollar ‘B’ Movie
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 12, 2018 - 9:27amRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – From their golden age from the 1950s to the 1970s, the infamous “B” movies – usually the third feature at the drive-in, or playing in the crumbling old theaters – were targeted to teens. In the modern era, these films are now given $150 million dollar budgets and wide releases. Case in point, the shark movie called “The Meg.”
Odd Times at the Cinema with ‘The Great Wall’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 17, 2017 - 8:17pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Taking a concept higher than the Wall that inspired it, and mostly succeeding, “The Great Wall” gets a nod as one of the oddest stories in a long time. Pre-supposedly based on a “legend,” it brings Matt Damon into ancient China to help battle lizard monsters at the Great Wall. Book it.
‘Samsara’ is a Film That Will Be Whatever You Want
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 7, 2012 - 7:32amRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It is revitalizing to take a break from traditional cinema, and the new artistic film “Samsara” is a non-linear quasi-documentary and travelogue that is a parade of images contemplating existence and the beauty around us. Who doesn’t need that tonic of meditation every so often?
Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith Are Kickin’ it in Remake of ‘The Karate Kid’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 11, 2010 - 7:12amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Despite any resistance that must have been felt in remaking the quasi-classic 1984 film “The Karate Kid,” veteran Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith put their best kicking feet forward and spin some new cloth out of the old material. In resetting the location and putting in some surreal modern touches, this remake mostly succeeds.