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+.
Joey King
Film Review: ‘Wish I Was Here’ Will Make You Wish You Weren’t There
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 11:47amCHICAGO – Writer, director and lead actor Zach Braff has put it on the line for his latest feature, “Wish I Was Here.” He infamously used a crowd funding Kickstarter campaign to maintain creative control of the film, but he needn’t have bothered. The movie result is a sappy, high concept emotional manipulator with no basis in authenticity, and that might be the best thing that can be said about it.
Interview: Zach Braff Kickstarts His New Film ‘Wish I Was Here’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 14, 2014 - 9:19pmCHICAGO – Zach Braff is an amiable personality, making his mark as “J.D.” on the TV sitcom “Scrubs” and the cult film “Garden State” (2004), which he wrote and directed. For his most recent project, he made show business headlines by using the website Kickstarter to “crowd fund” his latest film, “Wish I Was Here.”
Film Review: Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx in ‘White House Down’
Submitted by BrianTT on June 26, 2013 - 10:32amCHICAGO – How could a movie in which the President shoots a rocket from the back of a limousine during a car chase on the White House lawn possibly be boring? Roland Emmerich somehow finds a way in the numbing “White House Down,” a movie that make absolutely no sense but fails to entertain as B-movie escapism (as his movies sometimes have in the past).
Film Review: Story Dims Visionary ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 8, 2013 - 9:40amCHICAGO – “Oz the Great and Powerful” is a great and powerful visual and 3D experience. It expands the landscape of what cinema can produce in a visceral and evolutionary way. But a great film also needs a great story, and this Land of Oz tale is not equivalent to the awe-inspiring imagery.
TV Review: NBC’s ‘Bent’ Has Promise But Likely Won’t Have Time to Fulfill It
Submitted by BrianTT on March 21, 2012 - 9:38amCHICAGO – The cast of NBC’s “Bent” is strong enough that it could easily pull that common sitcom trick of a shaky start that develops into something greater. I’m not trying to compare the programs directly in terms of quality but have you see the first 5-6 episodes of “30 Rock” now that it’s in syndication? They were awful.
Blu-ray Review: Fantastic Ensemble Delivers ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 7, 2011 - 3:46pmCHICAGO – Glenn Ficarra & John Requa do strong directorial work yet and the script by Dan Fogelman is strong but “Crazy, Stupid, Love” works primarily due to the sheer, incredible talent of its amazing cast. With a stellar mix of Oscar-nominated veterans, two of the most engaging actors of their generation, and even a few talented newcomers, this is easily one of the best ensembles of the year. They were attracted by a film that treats love like the silly, goofy, wacky, crazy, stupid thing it needs to be. Sure, it’s broad and a bit cliched, but so is its subject matter.
Film Review: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling in Great ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love.’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 28, 2011 - 3:20pmCHICAGO – “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” is undeniably clichéd, broad in its humor, and a bit manipulative in its sentimentality, but it should be. This is a movie about grand statements, soulmates, and true passion, a film that unabashedly believes in the craziness and the stupidity of what we call love. It’s also one of the most purely entertaining films of the year.
Film News: Official ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Teaser Trailer Hits Web in HD
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 18, 2011 - 12:47pmCHICAGO – Last Friday, we promised the official “The Dark Knight Rises” teaser trailer would be released online today. And moments ago, it just was in HD quality!
Film News: Official ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Trailer Goes Online July 18, 2011
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 15, 2011 - 1:49pmCHICAGO – The official “The Dark Knight Rises” trailer will be released online this Monday, according to The Film Stage, which is citing an official date confirmation from Warner Bros. after being contacted by the studio to remove Wednesday’s bootlegged trailer.
Film News: Bootlegged ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Teaser Trailer, Screenshots Leak
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 13, 2011 - 11:01amUpdate: 1:58 p.m. on July 15, 2011 (official trailer goes online July 18, 2011!)
Update: 12:08 p.m. on July 13, 2011 (removed all imagery per Warner Bros. request)
CHICAGO – “The Dark Knight Rises” teaser trailer has leaked! The videos have been popping up and taken down all morning on Wednesday. While there isn’t currently a reliable video embed because they’re removed as fast as they’re uploaded, we have watched it and snapped screenshots!