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
Interview: Ben Foster Brings Humanity to ‘The Messenger’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 3:40pmCHICAGO – Ben Foster has stolen scenes in works as diverse as “Six Feet Under,” “Freaks and Geeks,” “3:10 to Yuma,” and “Alpha Dog,” but he truly shines in the spotlight of the lead role in “The Messenger,” giving the best performance of his career to date.
TV Review: ‘Fringe’ Deserves Attention on Crowded Thursday Nights
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 1:52pmCHICAGO – “Fringe” is one of the best shows that people aren’t watching. The writing is strong, dare I say better than “Lost,” and the cast is even stronger. Like every show, “Fringe” has had some really great and not so great episodes, but overall the series is great, as proven by tonight’s strong installment entitled “August”.
Blu-Ray Review: Glorious ‘Wings of Desire’ Given Criterion Treatment
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2009 - 1:22pmCHICAGO – When true film fans receive the monthly Criterion newsletter, they usually skim it looking for their favorite films. It’s not that Criterion really ever makes bad decisions, but when a personal favorite gets the call, it’s like watching the baseball player you grew up idolizing get inducted into the Hall of Fane. Such is the feeling I get when I look at the Criterion Blu-Ray release of “Wings of Desire,” one of the most lyrically beautiful films ever made.
Interview: Rodney Walker of ‘Ten9Eight’ on the American Dream
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 18, 2009 - 6:26pmCHICAGO – With U.S. high school dropout rates at epic proportions, the new documentary “Ten9Eight” highlights a teaching program and competition for poorer, immigrant and at-risk students. One of those students is Chicagoan Rodney Walker.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Bruno’ Lacks Freshness, But Delivers Plentiful Laughs
Submitted by BrianTT on November 18, 2009 - 12:30amCHICAGO – “Fearless” is the best way to describe the comedy of Sacha Baron Cohen. People who find his humor too vulgar and over-the-top have missed the point. Cohen’s goal is to be as vulgar and over-the-top as humanly possible.
Blu-Ray Review: Pixar’s Beloved ‘Up’ Continues HD Dominance
Submitted by BrianTT on November 18, 2009 - 12:21amCHICAGO – One of the most beloved films of the year and a likely contender for the Oscar for Best Picture now that the category has expanded to ten nominees, Pixar’s “Up” was recently released on Blu-Ray in yet another lovingly produced set from a company that has been a pioneer in the next-gen format. “Up” doesn’t exceed expectations but also doesn’t falter from the critically-acclaimed pattern.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘I Love You, Beth Cooper’ Inspires Nothing But Hate
Submitted by BrianTT on November 16, 2009 - 11:08amCHICAGO – Chris Columbus is not a filmmaker renowned for his use of subtlety. He seems incapable of telling a relatable human story without relying on his trademark brand of sophomoric slapstick. I was surprised that Macaulay Culkin didn’t pop up in Columbus’s “Rent,” and start hurling paint cans at the characters during their “Seasons of Love.” Even at age 51, Columbus is still an unruly child at heart.
Video Game Review: ‘Tekken 6’ Punches Way to Fighting Game of 2009
Submitted by BrianTT on November 16, 2009 - 10:54amCHICAGO – What do you look for in a fighting game? A fluid control scheme is key - players don’t want to struggle to figure out the basic moves like kicking and punching and want to feel like they will eventually master the more complex combos from first play. Graphics are important.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 30 ‘The Blind Side’ Chicago Screening Passes With Sandra Bullock
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 13, 2009 - 6:51pmCHICAGO – In our latest sports edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 30 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of “The Blind Side,” which stars Sandra Bullock and is based on an extraordinary true story!
DVD Review: Spectacular ‘The Shield: The Complete Series Collection’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 13, 2009 - 2:32pmCHICAGO – All seven season of the Emmy-winning, groundbreaking “The Shield,” easily one of the best programs of the ’00s, have been collected into one absolutely gorgeous set for “The Shield: The Complete Series Collection”. This time of year usually produces several complete series sets to essentially re-sell already available programs to holiday shoppers. This is one of the best.
TV News: Cancellation Axe Falls on ‘Dollhouse,’ ‘Eastwick,’ ‘Hank’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 13, 2009 - 2:09pmCHICAGO – Blogs everywhere are reporting that FOX has canceled “Dollhouse” and that ABC has canceled “Eastwick” and “Hank”. “Dollhouse” starred Eliza Dushku with “Eastwick” and “Hank” being headlined by Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Kelsey Grammer, respectively. The series join “Trauma” and “The Beautiful Life” as early fatalities of the new season.
Video Game Review: Activision Gets Poppy With Catchy ‘Band Hero’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 13, 2009 - 1:36pmCHICAGO – No one can accuse Activision and Neversoft of allowing their music game franchise to get stale. In fact, some might argue that they have flooded the market with too many similar products including “Guitar Hero: Metallica,” “Guitar Hero: Smash Hits,” “Guitar Hero 5,” “DJ Hero,” and, now, “Band Hero” in just this year alone (with “Guitar Hero: Van Halen” dropping before Christmas as well).
Blu-Ray Review: Stunning ‘The Prisoner’ Still Holds Viewer Interest Captive
Submitted by BrianTT on November 13, 2009 - 1:09pmCHICAGO – Patrick McGoohan was ready to quit. After playing secret agent John Drake in over eighty episodes of the British TV show “Danger Man” (known in the US as “Secret Agent”), McGoohan was clearly in need of a change. Luckily, his script editor George Markstein had a great idea up his sleeve.