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+.
Spike Walters
Film Review: Johnny Depp Stays Afloat in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2017 - 4:13pmCHICAGO – The “Pirates Of The Caribbean” series has undergone a strange transformation over five films. The first film was better than any movie “based on a theme park ride” then it had any business being. But now in its fifth film voyage, “Dead Men Tell No Tales” bears a closer resemblance to the ride now more that ever.
Film Review: ‘Alien: Covenant’ is a Pale Copy of Previous Best Films
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 18, 2017 - 6:32pmCHICAGO – It’s worth noting that the Alien series extends back nearly 40 years, and yet the chest-bursting Xenomorphs have produced a grand total of exactly two good movies. The orginal “Alien” and “Aliens” are great films that stand the test of the time, while every other entry in this series would require a significant stretch of the imagination to be called barely watchable.
Film Review: Cut of Nostalgia in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 5, 2017 - 12:34pmCHICAGO – When I first saw “Guardians of the Galaxy” I was unfamiliar with the comic book source. I enjoyed the film, but worried it might be just a little too nerdy and obscure to develop a following. Now with “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” the series has solidified itself as the class clowns of the Marvel Studios cinematic universe, and it’s been embraced for it.
Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com Remembers Jonathan Demme
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 2, 2017 - 8:50amCHICAGO – The impact that director Jonathan Demme had on the last couple generations of cinema will live beyond his passing last week, at the age of 73. The Oscar-winning filmmaker also made an impact with the film writers of HollywoodChicago.com – Jon Espino, Patrick McDonald and Spike Walters.
Film Review: ‘The Fate of the Furious’ is a Vehicle Running on Fumes
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 13, 2017 - 4:20pm- Charlize Theron
- Chris Morgan
- Dwayne Johnson
- Elsa Pataky
- F. Gary Gray
- Helen Mirren
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jason Statham
- Kurt Russell
- Ludacris
- Luke Evans
- Michelle Rodriguez
- Movie Review
- Nathalie Emmanuel
- Scott Eastwood
- Spike Walters
- The Fate of the Furious
- Tyrese Gibson
- Universal Pictures
- Vin Diesel
CHICAGO – Bigger, Dumber, and Duller…that’s the name of the game this time in this ongoing franchise which is now so ludicrous it makes Bond films seem like the epitome of realism. While it’s true this is the first time Oscar winners and a “Fast and the Furious” film have ever been associated together, there’s a dearth of inspiration in this eighth go around.
Film Review: ‘Power Rangers’ Reboot is a Stunning Bore
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 24, 2017 - 7:21amCHICAGO – The big budget “Power Rangers” reboot tests the limits of just how pedestrian a supposed $100 million dollar blockbuster can be. Part of that is due to the fact that superhero movies are a dime a dozen these days, and a movie has to have something more than just silver screen quality special effects to set it apart.
Film Review: As Comedy, ‘Table 19’ Only Serves Hor d’Oeuvres
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 4, 2017 - 7:41amCHICAGO – “Table 19” is an example of a movie that doesn’t try to do too much. It simply takes its little idea and lets it play out, without the forced subplots and desperate stabs of fake urgency so many studio comedies resort to – it’s one part aimless hang out comedy, one part rom-com.
Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com Remembers Bill Paxton
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 2, 2017 - 3:01pmLOS ANGELES – A shock occurred on Oscar Sunday when it was announced that popular actor Bill Paxton had died after complications during surgery. He had appeared in classic films like “The Terminator,” “Weird Science” “Aliens” “One False Move,” “True Lies,” “Apollo 13” and “Titanic,” and the HBO series “Big Love.” He was 61.
Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com’s 2017 Oscar Predictions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 25, 2017 - 3:36pm- 2017
- Academy Awards
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Director
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Picture
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Fences
- Film Feature
- Film News
- Hacksaw Ridge
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jon Lennon Espino
- LA LA Land
- Oscars
- Patrick McDonald
- Predictions
- Spike Walters
CHICAGO – When is comes to Academy Award predictions, HollywoodChicago.com is second to none. That’s right, nobody does it better, even the approximately 100 million other outlets predicting the Big Night awards. HC film critics Patrick McDonald, Michael “Spike” Walters and Jon Lennon Espino “correctly” predict the major categories.
Film Review: Report Card on ‘Fist Fight’ is a Failing Grade
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 17, 2017 - 12:13pmCHICAGO – “Fist Fight” is such a thin premise it can’t even sustain its own two minute trailer, much less a feature length film. That premise, what there is of it, is simple – English teacher (Charlie Day) and History Teacher (Ice Cube) get involved in an altercation with a student on the last day of class, at a failing high school known for senior pranks.