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+.
Movie Review
Film Review: French Film Has a Bigger Chill in ‘Little White Lies’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 31, 2012 - 6:34pmCHICAGO – The landmark ensemble film “The Big Chill” (1983) featured seven former college friends reuniting for the funeral of one of their own. The French film “Little White Lies” takes that concept a step further, as friends go on a yearly retreat without one of their own, because he is in the hospital. Francois Cluzet, Marion Cotillard and Jean Dujardin co-star.
Film Review: ‘The Awakening’ with Rebecca Hall Will Put You to Sleep
Submitted by BrianTT on August 31, 2012 - 8:42amCHICAGO – There a lot of sighs and longing looks in the new horror film “The Awakening” (and good luck trying to distinguish between the generically-titled “The Apparition,” “The Possession,” and this one — all in theaters). This disappointing attempt at an atmospheric ghost story tries to tell a tale that first feels like a haunting from within.
Film Review: ‘For a Good Time, Call...’ Has a Stellar Ringtone
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 31, 2012 - 8:12amCHICAGO – Rising above the usual romantic comedy dreck is an admirable achievement in today’s film landscape. “For a Good Time, Call…” is not only funny and unconventional, but focuses on the relationship between the two lead woman characters, portrayed by Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor.
Film Review: Stunning ‘Compliance’ Will Rattle You For Days
Submitted by BrianTT on August 30, 2012 - 11:21amCHICAGO – Craig Zobel’s “Compliance” has provoked outbursts, walk-outs, and altercations at screenings since it first premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Why? What does this unsettling film tap in viewers to get them as fired up as any movie in years?
Film Review: ‘2016: Obama’s America’ is a Cesspool of Partisan Hackery
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 30, 2012 - 8:26amCHICAGO – What are you afraid of, right now? Is it the shaky economy, the red/blue political divide or maybe Dunkin Donuts ran out of Oreo smoothies? You know what’s easy about justifying those fears? Blaming President Obama. “2016: Obama’s America,” written and directed by conservative propagandist Dinesh D’Souza, wants to blame Obama for the sun going down.
Film Review: Tom Hardy Leads Great Cast in Disappointing ‘Lawless’
Submitted by BrianTT on August 29, 2012 - 10:37amCHICAGO – John Hillcoat’s “Lawless,” based on Matt Bondurant’s “The Wettest County in the World,” is one of the most high profile disappointments of 2012, a film with an amazing cast that suffocates under the weight of an inconsistent script, a boring lead, and a complete lack of narrative drive.
Film Review: Spike Lee Returns to Brooklyn in ‘Red Hook Summer’
Submitted by BrianTT on August 24, 2012 - 1:06pmCHICAGO – “I ain’t pawning my responsibility off as a parent and saying she’s in God’s hands.” What a powerful line. The idea that religion has been used as a crutch, an excuse for communities who preach that God will save their young ones when they need to do their part is a passionate and powerful one.
Film Review: ‘The Imposter’ Plays Like Hollywood Thriller
Submitted by BrianTT on August 24, 2012 - 10:52amCHICAGO – Bart Layton’s “The Imposter” allows an absolute scumbag to take center stage, a documentarian’s device that usually turns me off from a film altogether. Too many films give microphones to people who don’t deserve the attention and often have committed their heinous crimes just to get it.
Film Review: Frank Langella Shines in Delightful Sci-Fi Comedy ‘Robot and Frank’
Submitted by mattmovieman on August 24, 2012 - 8:42amCHICAGO – Frank’s world is fading before his eyes. With his wife gone and his children all grown up, Frank lives a reclusive existence, though he doesn’t seem to be in particular need of company. His memory may be fading, but his instincts as a retired cat burglar are still ever-present. He can’t helping stuffing a few soap figurines into his pockets while casually browsing through a store.
Film Review: ‘The Apparition’ Terrifies with Shocking Level of Incompetence
Submitted by BrianTT on August 23, 2012 - 10:57pmCHICAGO – “The Apparition” is so incompetently made on every single level that it’s almost difficult to put its sheer awfulness into words. I’ll do my best. Which is more than what the producers of this pile of clichéd, derivative junk can say.