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+.
Jon Espino
Film Review: ‘Little’ Squanders Its Comedic and Social Potential in an Attempt to Play It Safe
Submitted by JonHC on April 14, 2019 - 3:12pmCHICAGO – After a typical late night, deep dive of the internet, I found something terrifying. Around the 60’s, creating dinners in Jello were popular for some reason. Although I liked every individual ingredient, seeing the way they fit together was a less than appetizing. Watching “Little” reminds me of this experience except after the film, I was left with a bland, spiceless taste in my mouth.
Film Review: Terrible Messaging in ‘The Best of Enemies’ Ruins an Otherwise Serviceable Film
Submitted by JonHC on April 6, 2019 - 7:48pmCHICAGO - According to my YouTube history, unlikely animal friendships would likely be in my top 10 most watched videos, alongside DIY home projects and finding out if that sharp pain means I’m dying. Something as simple as a cat and dog being bffs is adorable, but unlike what “The Best of Enemies” would have you believe, two naturally opposing forces don’t always need to play nice.
Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com Remembers Albert Finney
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 26, 2019 - 8:07am- 82
- Albert Finney
- Albert Finney is Dead
- Charlie Bubbles
- Dead
- Dies
- Erin Brockovich
- Film News
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- James Bond
- Jon Espino
- Michael Spike Walters
- Miller’s Crossing
- Murder on the Orient Express
- Obituary
- Passed Away
- Patrick McDonald
- Scrooge
- Skyfall
- The Bourne Ultimatum
- The Dresser
- The Entertainer
- Tom Jones
- Two for the Road
- Under the Volcano
CHICAGO – He moved deftly from British matinee idol to formidable movie star to reliable character actor, and was nominated four times for an Academy Award (no wins). Albert Finney had a nearly 50 year stage and screen career that encompassed virtually all types and genres of acting. He died in London on February 7th, 2019. He was 82.
Film Review: Sequel Surprisingly Surpasses the First Film in ‘Happy Death Day 2U’
Submitted by JonHC on February 14, 2019 - 4:44pmCHICAGO – At some point, we’ve all experienced deja vu. Sure, it could just be because we lead a monotonous, predictable life, but I’d personally welcome the idea of something supernatural at play over the more practical explanation. That’s exactly what “Happy Death Day” introduced, and it was a hilarious slasher take on “Groundhog Day”, and luckily the sequel, “Happy Death Day 2U”, adds to the experience.
Feature: HollywoodChicago.com’s Overrated & Worst Films of 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 8, 2019 - 10:54amCHICAGO – It’s easy to bohemian rhapsodize about the best films in any particular year… it’s why we go to the movies. But what about those times when 1) everybody loves something, and you think, “huh?” or 2) the film is just plain “the worst”? Jon Lennon Espino, Spike Walters and Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com can relate.
Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com Remembers Penny Marshall
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 26, 2018 - 6:14pm- 75
- A League of Their Own
- Big
- Dead
- Dies
- Film News
- Garry Marshall
- Happy Days
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jon Espino
- Jumpin’ Jack Flash
- Laverne & Shirley
- Michael Spike Walters
- Obituary
- Passed Away
- Patrick McDonald
- Penny Marshall
- Penny Marshall is Dead
- Riding in Cars with Boys
- Rob Reiner
- The Odd Couple
- The Preacher’s Wife
CHICAGO – Penny Marshall was somewhat of an enigma, and admittedly not comfortable in the spotlight. The 1970s sitcom legend who evolved into a top American film director never seemed quite sure of her legacy, but she left behind a superior body of work that defined her as a filmmaker. Ms. Marshall died from complications due to diabetes on December 17th, 2018, at the age of 75.
Film Review: A Hilarious Combination of Crass and Class in ‘The Favourite’
Submitted by JonHC on November 29, 2018 - 10:14pmCHICAGO – Looking through auteur Yorgos Lanthimos’ filmography, you’ll recognize a style that combines both visual beauty and narrative absurdism. The Lanthimos effect, or Lanthimo-nium as I like to call it, elevates any piece of work to such a high degree that often times the meanings go over our heads. In his most mainstream effort to date, “The Favourite” will likely become your favorite of his works.
Film Review: 'Ralph Breaks the Internet' is a Bittersweet Heart-breaker
Submitted by JonHC on November 22, 2018 - 11:06amCHICAGO – The internet we know today is a fairly young invention full of some of the greatest conveniences known to man, but also some of the greatest distractions and nuisances currently in our lives. “Ralph Breaks the Internet” embodies just that, and while it doesn’t quite reach the high score of its predecessor, the maturity and wisdom displayed in it more than makes up for it.
Podtalk: Writer/Director Sean Anders Fosters Genuine Emotions and Comedy in 'Instant Family'
Submitted by JonHC on November 17, 2018 - 3:13pmCHICAGO - We have all seen and heard second-hand stories about adoption and the foster care system, but its hard to know exactly what to believe. In writer/director Sean Anders latest film, “Instant Family”, he takes a look but through a more personal lens as his basis the film off of his experiences.
Film Review: ‘Boy Erased’ Thrives On Empathy, Lacks Overall Conviction
Submitted by JonHC on November 13, 2018 - 3:56pmCHICAGO – America is facing a confusing time of crisis, again. There are giant groups of people who are ready to hate other people for biological traits that can’t—and don’t need to—be changed, like skin color, sexual orientation, and race. “Boy Erased” adds to the national dialogue by showing the devastating effects this type of mentality can have inside our own families, and how to prevent it.