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
HollywoodChicago.com’s Top 7 Interviews of 2009
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 26, 2010 - 9:55pmCHICAGO – The celebrities do come to Chicago, sometimes to sit through the grinding interrogation of HollywoodChicago.com’s Patrick McDonald. The Lucky Seven of 2009 comprise the best of last year, interview-wise.
DVD Review: ‘Outrage’ Exposes the Injustice of Self-Denial
Submitted by mattmovieman on January 26, 2010 - 3:21pmCHICAGO – “Thank you for coming out today,” said Idaho senator Larry Craig at an August ’07 press conference. He had been arrested two months prior on the charges of “lewd conduct” in a men’s restroom. This was the latest of many similar allegations aimed at the politician, who had spent his career hiding in the closet, while refusing to help pass legislation that would protect gay rights.
Blu-Ray Review: Fifth Season of Showtime’s ‘Weeds’ Produces Nice Buzz
Submitted by BrianTT on January 26, 2010 - 8:00amCHICAGO – The fifth season of one of the most acclaimed comedies of the ’00s recently sparked up on Blu-ray with the latest release of Showtime’s “Weeds”. This ADD-riddled season had some serious lows but enough highs to provide a consisent buzz. Once-great, now-good, still-worth-watching, especially in HD.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Halloween 2’ Continues Torture of Original Remake
Submitted by BrianTT on January 26, 2010 - 7:00amCHICAGO – Not quite as poorly paced or simply awful as Rob Zombie’s first foray into the world of Michael Myers with his abyssmal remake of John Carpenter’s timeless “Halloween,” the sequel, now available on Blu-ray and DVD, still finds a way to continue the torture.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Gamer’ Gleefully Tortures Characters, Viewers
Submitted by mattmovieman on January 25, 2010 - 2:37pmCHICAGO – Welcome to cinematic hell. Some films are torturous purely because of their predictability or poor quality. “Gamer,” the latest ambitious effort from “Crank” creators Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, is blatantly visceral torture aimed directly at a moviegoer’s eyes and ears. It’s nearly impossible to watch the film’s opening minutes without feeling the instinctual need to switch it off.
TV Review: Rose Byrne, Glenn Close Return in ‘Damages’
Submitted by BrianTT on January 25, 2010 - 2:27pmCHICAGO – The second season of ‘Damages,’ recently released on DVD, was still quality television but felt like a bit of a letdown after the spectacular first season of this amazing show. Naturally, expectations are high for the premiere of season three.
Blu-Ray Review: Two Amazing P.T. Anderson Films in ‘Boogie Nights,’ ‘Magnolia’
Submitted by BrianTT on January 25, 2010 - 7:00amCHICAGO – Has any director watched their reputation rise as rapidly as the amazing Paul Thomas Anderson? With only five films under his belt - “Hard Eight,” “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia,” “Punch-Drunk Love,” and “There Will Be Blood” - the man has become one of the most respected and adored filmmakers in the world. Why? He not only hasn’t made a bad film, he hasn’t even come close. His second and third are now available on Blu-ray.
Interview: Harrison Ford Goes to ‘Extraordinary Measures’ With Loner Scientist Role
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 25, 2010 - 2:33amCHICAGO – A very subdued and scientific Harrison Ford recently spoke with HollywoodChicago.com and two other Chicago film critics on the subject of his new true-story film “Extraordinary Measures”. Ford stars in the film and served as its executive producer since inception.
DVD Review: First Season of Spectacular Cop Show ‘Southland’
Submitted by BrianTT on January 22, 2010 - 4:48pmCHICAGO – One episode of the excellent “Southland” should tell you all you need to know about what NBC thinks about quality dramatic writing. They don’t care. They looked at this show, one of the most expertly-written on television, and canceled it, even after starting production on the second season. They’d rather give you “The Jay Leno Show”. Show them the error of their ways and make “Southland” a hit on DVD and with upcoming new episodes on TNT.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Invention of Lying’ Has Killer Concept
Submitted by BrianTT on January 22, 2010 - 3:51pmCHICAGO – There are so many concepts and clever ideas in “The Invention of Lying,” now available on Blu-ray and DVD, thanks to Ricky Gervais’ skills as a writer that his abilities as an actor and director don’t really know what to do with them. The script for this witty comedy is interesting enough to make it worth a rental but it sometimes moves at an awkward pace and never builds like it might have with a more experienced director.
DVD Review: More Mature, Darker ‘Robin Hood’ Returns to Sherwood Forest
Submitted by BrianTT on January 22, 2010 - 2:50pmCHICAGO – It’s an old-fashioned phrase for an old-fashioned show but the one I keep thinking of regarding BBC’s incredibly enjoyable “Robin Hood,” the third season of which is now on DVD, is “rollicking entertainment”. Whatever that means to you, “Robin Hood” is it. This show is an entertaining blast, made even more so by a dark streak in the excellent third season.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 3 VIP Prize Packs For USA Network’s ‘Burn Notice’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 22, 2010 - 4:20amCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, we have a VIP prize pack for 3 lucky winners for the third season of USA Network’s “Burn Notice”!
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Fame’ Remake Fails to Capture the Original Magic
Submitted by mattmovieman on January 21, 2010 - 5:02pmCHICAGO – My general thoughts on “Fame” are best articulated by Joel Hodgson and his robot friends from “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” During their infamous commentary on “Mitchell,” Joel points to one of the young actors on the screen and says, “Hey it’s one of the kids from ‘Fame!’” “Which one?” asks his robotic companion. Joel’s response: “Any of ‘em.”