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+.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Celebrate ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ With a DVD Release Party
Submitted by BrianTT on March 18, 2010 - 10:07amCHICAGO – If you just can’t wait to get your hands on a copy of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” on Blu-ray or DVD, you can be the first to own a copy of the blockbuster hit by attending a release party at Borders Bookstore in Oak Park on Friday, March 19th, 2010 and get a copy at midnight.
13th Annual EU Film Festival Highlights, Week Three: ‘Rembrandt’s J’Accuse,’ ‘Disengagement’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 18, 2010 - 9:45amCHICAGO – The third week of the 13th Annual EU Film Festival at the Siskel Film Center has arrived, and we’re back to give you an idea of what to expect in the second half of arguably the best fest in the Windy City. We profile several of this week’s hottest tickets, including an anticipated screening hosted by Chicago’s own Jonathan Rosenbaum.
Blu-Ray Review: Absolutely Awful ‘Did You Hear About the Morgans?’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 17, 2010 - 8:47pmCHICAGO – The title of “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” was almost too easy for critics considering how horrendous this alleged comedy ended up. Yeah, we heard it sucked and the new DVD and Blu-ray release of this stinker only confirms those rumors.
Interview: ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Author Jeff Kinney, Lead Kid Actors
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 17, 2010 - 10:03amCHICAGO – In the best selling arena that is kid’s books, author Jeff Kinney has won praise and sales for his “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. The film version of that series is about to be released, with Zachary Gordon as Greg and Robert Capron as Rowley.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ Chicago Passes
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 16, 2010 - 4:52pmCHICAGO – In our latest crime/mystery edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 admit-one passes up for grabs for the new film “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”!
DVD Review: ‘The Stoning of Soraya M.’ Has Undeniable Power, Zero Subtlety
Submitted by mattmovieman on March 16, 2010 - 2:53pmCHICAGO – Who in the world would want to see this film? It’s as excruciating and appalling as the title promises, complete with simplistic depictions of good and evil. Like the bestselling novel from which it’s based, the film aims to raise global awareness about the Islamic practice of stoning women to death, a fundamentalist tradition that still occurs today. Yet are the filmmakers harboring deeper intentions?
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 ‘The Runaways’ Chicago Passes With Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 16, 2010 - 2:13pmCHICAGO – In our latest dramatic edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of “The Runaways” with Kristen Stewart (“Twilight,” “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) and Dakota Fanning!
Blu-Ray Review: Great ‘Broken Embraces’ With Penelope Cruz
Submitted by BrianTT on March 16, 2010 - 1:01pmCHICAGO – Very few directors have known how to utilize a star more effectively than the way Pedro Almodovar has turned Penelope Cruz from a gorgeous face into one of our best working actresses. Just the two films she’s made recently with Pedro - “Volver” and the new-to-DVD “Broken Embraces” - would earn her that title. “Broken Embraces” may not be perfect Pedro but sub-par Almodovar is still required viewing for all cineasts.
Exclusive Portrait: Jeff Garlin of HBO’s ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 16, 2010 - 12:51pmCHICAGO – Jeff Garlin wears his love for his native Chicago on his sleeve. When not cheering for the Cubs and the Bears, he does a little HBO TV show called “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and has just written a new book.
‘Red Riding Trilogy’ Simultaneously Captivates, Infuriates
Submitted by BrianTT on March 16, 2010 - 11:40am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Much ink has been spilled about how HBO is at the forefront of made-for-TV filmmaking in the world, a fact already demonstrated this year by the brilliant biopic “Temple Grandin” and the stellar WWII mini-series, “The Pacific.” Yet Britain’s Channel 4 deserves just as much attention and praise for producing the “Red Riding” trilogy, which has been routinely compared to HBO’s classic series, “The Wire.”
TV Review: Riveting, Spectacular ‘Justified’ With Timothy Olyphant
Submitted by BrianTT on March 16, 2010 - 11:21amCHICAGO – In the hundreds of shows that I’ve reviewed in my decade covering television, I’ve rarely been as instantly blown away as I was by the premiere of “Justified,” a riveting, perfectly paced, expertly acted piece of drama that simply must be seen. The next two episodes are a slight step down but that doesn’t change the fact that this is the best new drama of 2009-2010.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 10 Passes to First Episode of ‘Life’ From ‘Planet Earth’ Creators
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 15, 2010 - 4:15pmCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, we have 10 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of “Challenges of Life,” which is the first episode of the new series “Life” on Discovery Channel!
Blu-Ray Review: Cult Phenomenon Continues in ‘Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 15, 2010 - 2:38pmCHICAGO – The first “Boondock Saints” was so over-the-top that its abundance of style actually became substance. While I certainly don’t bow to the film like so many of its devoted fans, I totally get the obsession with it that led to a surprising sequel and even a comic book. The movie is fun. And that’s where the sequel fails. “Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day” is bloated and boring, missing the spark that made the first a surprising cult hit.
