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+.
Movie Review
It All Ends With Satisfying ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 14, 2011 - 7:52pm Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – So this is how it ends – not with a whimper but with a big, magical bang. After a decade of captivating movie audiences worldwide, will “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” appease the fans who have been eagerly anticipating the end of the saga of the boy who lived? It almost certainly will.
Mexicans in America Keep Striving in ‘A Better Life’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 8, 2011 - 6:35pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – One of the most contentious issues in America now is the handling of “illegal” immigrants from Mexico. They, like anyone else, want a better circumstance for themselves and their families, as director Chris Weitz explores in the new film “A Better Life.”
Fascinating ‘Project Nim’ Chronicles Tragic Failure
Submitted by BrianTT on July 8, 2011 - 2:10pm Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Human beings are an egotistical, power-hungry species. There’s simply no way around it. And if you think any differently, watch James Marsh’s “Project Nim,” a documentary about the rampant egotism of man’s manipulation of another species. Even the urge to learn and teach that’s expressed at the beginning of “Project Nim” is just a disguise for control.
Kevin James in ‘Zookeeper’ is Zany Family Fun
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 8, 2011 - 7:11amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Not being familiar with the Kevin James filmography really helped in assessing his latest, “Zookeeper.” His appeal is very evident, and the filmmakers do some funny bits with the old “talking animal” routine.
Talented Cast Carries Dark Comedy of ‘Horrible Bosses’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 7, 2011 - 5:57pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There’s a theory that a film that should be judged based on how well it succeeds at what it attempts to do. If it’s a comedy, does it make you laugh? “Horrible Bosses” has some issues but it is an undeniably funny movie. With stellar comic timing from the entire ensemble and a dark streak of edgy humor with just enough wit to make it not seem cruel, this is one of the straight-up funniest movies of the year.
John Carpenter Returns With Mediocre ‘The Ward’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 6, 2011 - 10:17pm Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – John Carpenter’s “The Ward” would make for a satisfying episode of the now-canceled “Masters of Horror” and might therefore be an interesting rental someday but it doesn’t live up to the pedigree of its once-brilliant director and ultimately disappoints regardless of the name above the title.
‘Monte Carlo’ is Cut Above Young-Women-Abroad Films
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 1, 2011 - 6:39pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Nothing like a summer surprise at the movies to make the season a little more tolerable. Selena Gomez and the ubiquitous Leighton Meester take a sumptuous trip and brings us along in “Monte Carlo.”
Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts Seek to Repurpose ‘Larry Crowne’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 1, 2011 - 6:13am Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Movie stars need certain types of films to keep their star power safe and audiences expect certain things from them, with limitations, to create summer movie comfort. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts fill the bill in “Larry Crowne.”
Change Comes in ‘Page One: Inside The New York Times’
Submitted by BrianTT on June 30, 2011 - 11:09amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Will my kids read newspapers? It’s a question that I’ve asked myself multiple times over the years, more so as so many of them have been closed down by the explosion of technology that demanded change. With more and more people getting their news through new delivery systems, what will happen to institutions like The New York Times?
‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ Gets Adrenalin Pumping
Submitted by BrianTT on June 28, 2011 - 9:27amRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The final 45 minutes of “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” are such an orgy of CGI insanity, falling skyscrapers, and battling robots that the film approaches some sort of summer movie nirvana, or at least it will for the right audience. There’s little debate that the Chicago-set climax of Michael Bay’s third film based on Hasbro’s line of toys delivers what it promises.
