Michelle Yeoh

CHICAGO – While Kenneth Branagh still isn’t a favorite Hercule Poirot, I was as surprised as anyone to find that this third go around as the Belgian detective was my favorite. As the title implies, there are jump scares a-plenty as Poirot tries to get his little gray cells around the strange goings-on in a spooky house, and solve the mystery.

CHICAGO – Happy Pride! One of the best ways to celebrate Pride Week in Chicago is to take in some LGBTQ+ themed films, and HollywoodChicago.com presents three choices, reviewed by Patrick McDonald, contributor Jon Lennon Espino and guest reviewer, Chicago Preservationist Carla Bruni.

CHICAGO – When it comes to bad movies there are three types … fun bad, memorably bad, and ordinary bad. “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” belongs in the latter category. It’s a clinking, clanking calamity that fails on almost every level, which is about par for the course when it comes to this series.

HOLLYWOOD – In an emotional and sweeping night at the 95th Oscars, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was everything and everywhere. The film won Best Picture, Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor/Actress (Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis) and Best Directors and Original Screenplay for Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (The Daniels).

CHICAGO – It’s Oscar Week, as the 95th Academy Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12th, 2023, on ABC-TV. Nominated for Best Directors are affectionally called the “Daniels” … Dan Kwan & Daniel Scheiner … for the awards sweeping film “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” They talked to HollywoodChicago.com in March of 2022.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the re-release of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” the 2000 classic directed by Ang Lee and featuring Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once). The 4K restoration is currently in theaters (see local listings).

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 30th, reviewing “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the fifth film in the “Despicable Me” animated film series, in theaters beginning July 1st.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 31st, reviewing “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” written and directed by “The Daniels” (Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), in theaters beginning April 1st.

CHICAGO – One of the more “strap in and enjoy” movie experiences of 2022 is in theaters on April 1st. “Everything Everywhere at Once” is about the multi-universes, but not in the superhero realm and not what you’d expect. This surreal treat comes from the “The Daniels” … co-writers and directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.

CHICAGO – There is an undeniable pleasure in watching films that don’t take themselves too seriously. Nothing against the Nolans and Snyders of the comic book universe because they provide an essential service to the film community with their more grounded, dramatic approach.