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+.
Maya Rudolph
Film Review: Light, Speedy ‘Turbo’ is a Great Race for Kids
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 17, 2013 - 10:06amCHICAGO – Summer vacation means summer animated movies, and nothing will give the kids more of a break than rooting for a snail that becomes as fast as an Indy race car. Why not put him in the Indianapolis 500? Ryan Reynolds is the voice of that miracle mollusk named “Turbo.”
Film Review: ‘Grown Ups 2’ is the Worst Comedy Since 2010’s Loathed ‘Grown Ups’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 11, 2013 - 8:31pmCHICAGO – There’s a time and a place where overacting is acceptable – musicals, children’s plays, Broadway – but there’s nothing worse than using it all the time in every wrong place.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Pairs of Passes to ‘Grown Ups 2’ With Adam Sandler, Kevin James
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 8, 2013 - 9:46pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated sequel “Grown Ups 2” with Adam Sandler!
Film Review: For a Real Summer Movie, Go ‘The Way, Way Back’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 5, 2013 - 8:09amCHICAGO – Nothing evokes the time, sights and smells of summer like the getaway resort. The long days, the mystery of night, the first crush and the summer job are all brought back in the soapy yet fun “The Way, Way Back,” featuring Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney.
Blu-ray Review: Great Ensemble Can’t Save ‘Friends with Kids’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 31, 2012 - 4:54pmCHICAGO – The cover of “Friends with Kids” sells it as a fun ensemble comedy with three cast members from “Bridesmaids,” one of the stars of “Parks and Recreation,” and the super-talented Jon Hamm looking particularly cheery. It’s false advertising. In truth, the movie belongs to Adam Scott and co-star/writer/director Jennifer Westfeldt and even the small roles by the rest of the cast are often more dramatic than comedic. Even without the false bill of goods, “Friends with Kids” is a disappointing. It’s a strong vehicle for Scott and Hamm has a few good scenes but it’s ultimately less than the sum of its talented parts.
TV News: NBC Renews ‘Parks & Recreation,’ ‘The Office,’ ‘Up All Night’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 11, 2012 - 2:11pmCHICAGO – Now this is getting interesting. NBC has officially renewed three comedies — “Parks & Recreation,” “The Office,” and the very on-the-bubble “Up All Night.” Rumors of “Parks” only getting a 13-episode commitment have proven to be true but there has been no official confirmation that this means that the fifth season will be the program’s last.
Film Review: Jennifer Westfeldt, Jon Hamm Consider ‘Friends with Kids’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 9, 2012 - 4:31pmCHICAGO – Jennifer Westfeldt created a distinct movie persona in her debut in 2001 in “Kissing Jessica Stein,” but she has been generally off the radar since then. Her choice for a major film re-emergence is as a nebbish career woman with less memorable character traits. She also directs Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox and Maya Rudolph in “Friends with Kids.”
Interview: Writer/Director Jennifer Westfeldt Has ‘Friends with Kids’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 5, 2012 - 9:14amCHICAGO – Jennifer Westfeldt created a distinct movie character with her first film in 2001, writing and starring in “Kissing Jessica Stein.” She now makes her directorial debut, guiding an ensemble cast that includes Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm, Adam Scott and herself in “Friends with Kids.”
TV News: NBC Orders Full Seasons of ‘Whitney,’ ‘Up All Night’; Cancels ‘The Playboy Club’
Submitted by TimBMartens on October 4, 2011 - 12:31pmCHICAGO- NBC has ordered full seasons for two of their new sitcoms: “Whitney” and “Up All Night.” “Whitney” has only aired two episodes and “Up All Night” has only aired three, but apparently the numbers and critical appeal was enough for NBC to give each show a shot at a full year.
Blu-Ray Review: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy Shine in ‘Bridesmaids’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 20, 2011 - 9:06pmCHICAGO – Warm, hilarious, silly and especially honest, “Bridesmaids” is the best, knock-out comedy of the year. Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Maya Rudolph lead a cast that proves you don’t need testosterone to do a funny, sometimes gross-out comedy. What’s necessary is character, timing, set-up and execution, and this wedding party has it all.