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+.
Theater, TV, DVD & Blu-Ray
Blu-Ray Review: Kevin Smith Makes a Good Blu-Ray With ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 5, 2009 - 3:28pmBlu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The inevitable merging of the Judd Apatow-verse and the View Askew-verse headed by Kevin Smith happened in the underrated and under-seen “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” new on Blu-Ray this week and joined by a Special Edition release of “Clerks II”.
DVD Review: Disney Quietly Releases Underrated ‘Oliver and Company’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 5, 2009 - 1:51pmDVD Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Maybe it’s because I was still young when it came out, but it seems like “Oliver and Company” has been unjustly forgotten by the Disney machine and family audiences in general. The 20th anniversary edition, newly released on DVD, might bring this lost comedy to a new audience.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Rocker’ Hits a Few False Notes
Submitted by BrianTT on February 4, 2009 - 6:21pmBlu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Rainn Wilson made the jump from supporting player on NBC’s “The Office” to leading comedy star in the so-so “The Rocker,” a film with a few inspired moments, some great cameos, and talented young actors, but the timing is a bit off with this routine.
Blu-Ray Review: Chance the Gardener Makes it to Blu-Ray in ‘Being There’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 4, 2009 - 5:46pmBlu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers), a character who notoriously said “I like to watch,” would probably be mesmerized by the 30th anniversary Blu-Ray release of “Being There” from Warner Brothers. Sadly, fans of the film that are more accustomed to the modern world may be a little underwhelmed.
DVD Review: All-Time Greats Packaged in Four-Movie Sets
Submitted by BrianTT on February 3, 2009 - 10:47amBlu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO –Some of the best movies ever made are being released this week in a wave of four-movie sets distributed by Warner Brothers Home Video and under the label of “Turner Classic Movies: Greatest Classic Films Collection”.
DVD Review: ‘Natalie Wood Collection’ Offers Glimpse at Movie Legend
Submitted by BrianTT on February 3, 2009 - 10:43amBlu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – When I hear phrases like “screen icon” or “Hollywood legend,” one of the first people that I think of is Natalie Wood. Six of the famous star’s films have been compiled for the “Natalie Wood Collection,” a great starter set for classic movie buffs intrigued by this timeless star or collector’s looking to enhance their catalog.
DVD Round Up, Feb. 3, 2009: ‘Cheers,’ ‘Lucky Ones,’ ‘RocknRolla,’ ‘The Gene Generation’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 3, 2009 - 10:37amCHICAGO – Another week, another edition of HollywoodChicago.com’s legendary Round-Up. Any TV fans out there? Lovers of sci-fi action movies? Afficionados of Rachel McAdams? If you still like Guy Ritchie, raise your hand. Now, all of you, step up to the Round-Up.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Zodiac: Director’s Cut’ Perfectly Enhances Great Movie
Submitted by BrianTT on February 2, 2009 - 8:59amBlu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Those who chose HD-DVD during the next-generation format war already know the quality of Paramount’s “Zodiac: Director’s Cut” and now one of the most remarkable releases of the last few years has finally been imported to Blu-Ray.
Clever ‘Chuck’ Returns With Fun 3D Episode
Submitted by BrianTT on February 2, 2009 - 8:57amTelevision Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – NBC’s “Chuck” returns this week with a clever 3D episode with guest appearances by Dominic Monaghan (“Lost”) and former NFL star Jerome Bettis and featuring most of what works about this reliably fun show.
Fifth Season of ‘Medium’ Opens With Average Pair of Episodes
Submitted by BrianTT on February 2, 2009 - 8:51amTelevision Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Medium” is like TV comfort food. NBC’s paranormal mystery will never break new ground but is almost always entertaining. Each episode and overall season has a way of blending into each other, but there’s something comforting about a Monday night staple that is, at the very least, consistently satisfactory and sometimes better.