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+.
March 2012
Film Review: Midnight Show Vibe in ‘Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 2, 2012 - 5:54pmCHICAGO – The midnight movie show, popularized by “Rocky Horror,” always needs new candidates. The raunchy, hit-and-miss “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” is fresh midnight meat, stamped with “love” from Tim Heidecker and Eric Warheim of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim (”Tom Goes to the Mayor”).
Midnight Show Vibe in ‘Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 2, 2012 - 5:47pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The midnight movie show, popularized by “Rocky Horror,” always needs new candidates. The raunchy, hit-and-miss “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” is fresh midnight meat, stamped with “love” from Tim Heidecker and Eric Warheim of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim (”Tom Goes to the Mayor”).
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 10 Pairs of Anytime Passes to ‘Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 2, 2012 - 2:37pmCHICAGO – In our latest comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 10 admit-two run-of-engagement (almost) anytime movie passes up for grabs to the new film “Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” from the cult-status comedy duo of Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim!
Film Review: Oscar-Winning ‘Undefeated’ Stands Among Best Sports Docs
Submitted by BrianTT on March 2, 2012 - 2:07pmCHICAGO – “Undefeated” takes some time to connect. It’s like a football team that starts slow and can’t quite find the right play calls for the first quarter. I’ll admit to being nonplussed at the start of the film as it seemed unfocused and a bit disconnected. Then something amazing happens.
Film Review: ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ Boasts Strong Voice Cast But Weak Storytelling
Submitted by BrianTT on March 2, 2012 - 2:04pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” certainly isn’t an awful film by any stretch of the imagination. It features some solid voice work, a few lessons worth learning by the iGeneration, and some nifty visuals. It’s also pretty damn boring. Even the little ones at the family screening I attended seemed to lose interest in how this timeless story has been stretched to the demands of a modern family film. It just never quite connects in the way fans of this legendary character hope it would.
Film Review: Memorable Central Character Drives Depressing ‘Bullhead’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 2, 2012 - 2:01pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The central character in the Oscar-nominated “Bullhead” is a force of nature not unlike Jake La Motta in Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” or the title character in Refn’s “Bronson.” He is less human than hormone as he injects himself with steroids like a bull being fattened to make better steaks. And his story is clearly one that it is going to end tragically. This dark, vicious film gets a bit muddled at times but the strength of its lead performance and a strong visual palette make it a stark but worthwhile trip.
Oscar-Winning ‘Undefeated’ Stands Among Best Sports Docs
Submitted by BrianTT on March 2, 2012 - 1:53pmRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Undefeated” takes some time to connect. It’s like a football team that starts slow and can’t quite find the right play calls for the first quarter. I’ll admit to being nonplussed at the start of the film as it seemed unfocused and a bit disconnected. Then something amazing happens.
‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ Boasts Strong Voice Cast But Weak Storytelling
Submitted by BrianTT on March 2, 2012 - 1:50pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” certainly isn’t an awful film by any stretch of the imagination. It features some solid voice work, a few lessons worth learning by the iGeneration, and some nifty visuals. It’s also pretty damn boring. Even the little ones at the family screening I attended seemed to lose interest in how this timeless story has been stretched to the demands of a modern family film. It just never quite connects in the way fans of this legendary character hope it would.
Memorable Central Character Drives Depressing ‘Bullhead’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 2, 2012 - 1:45pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The central character in the Oscar-nominated “Bullhead” is a force of nature not unlike Jake La Motta in Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” or the title character in Refn’s “Bronson.” He is less human than hormone as he injects himself with steroids like a bull being fattened to make better steaks. And his story is clearly one that it is going to end tragically. This dark, vicious film gets a bit muddled at times but the strength of its lead performance and a strong visual palette make it a stark but worthwhile trip.
Film Review: ‘The Snowtown Murders’ Marks Auspicious Debut For Director, Lead Actors
Submitted by mattmovieman on March 2, 2012 - 9:39amCHICAGO – With a mixture of brooding unease and morbid fascination, the camera in Justin Kurzel’s fact-based thriller has a tendency to follow characters from behind as they enter a new realm of darkness. It’s the darkness residing outside the dingy walls of a hazardous home in South Australia that draws a damaged young man like a moth to a flame. He’s seeking a father figure, but what he finds is something unspeakable.
Film Review: Good Times Do a Snowball Roll in Fun ‘Project X’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 2, 2012 - 9:31amCHICAGO – The legendary high school party is often the myth of memory than actual events, but most people have been there, and that is what makes “Project X” so much fun. Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper and Jonathan Daniel Brown are the party masters, rocking in Pasadena, California.
‘The Snowtown Murders’ Marks Auspicious Debut For Director, Lead Actors
Submitted by mattmovieman on March 2, 2012 - 9:27amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – With a mixture of brooding unease and morbid fascination, the camera in Justin Kurzel’s fact-based thriller has a tendency to follow characters from behind as they enter a new realm of darkness. It’s the darkness residing outside the dingy walls of a hazardous home in South Australia that draws a damaged young man like a moth to a flame. He’s seeking a father figure, but what he finds is something unspeakable.
Good Times Do a Snowball Roll in Fun ‘Project X’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 2, 2012 - 9:22amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The legendary high school party is often the myth of memory than actual events, but most people have been there, and that is what makes “Project X” so much fun. Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper and Jonathan Daniel Brown are the party masters, rocking in Pasadena, California.
Blu-ray Review: Amazing Transfer Brings Oscar-Winning ‘Hugo’ Home
Submitted by BrianTT on March 1, 2012 - 6:22pmCHICAGO – Two films tied for the most Oscars this week and only one is available on Blu-ray as Martin Scorsese’s beloved “Hugo,” winner of five Oscars, hit the home market with one of the best HD transfers I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen hundreds). This movie looks beautiful in HD, arguably more so than it did in 3D in theaters. I have more issues with the film than most critics but the transfer perfectly amplifies the film’s strengths, downplaying its weaknesses. The special features are light but the video is strong enough not to complain.
Video Game Review: Jump Back in the Cage with Jam-Packed ‘Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 1, 2012 - 5:25pmCHICAGO – I forgot how much I love the new “Mortal Kombat.” It truly is one of the most consistently entertaining fighting games of the last several years. It’s a must-own for fans of the franchise and even those who left it behind years ago should jump back in the cage. And there’s better way to do it than with the newly-released “Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition.”
Blu-ray Review: Family Hit ‘Puss in Boots’ Gets Stellar HD Package
Submitted by BrianTT on March 1, 2012 - 4:51pmCHICAGO – The last two “Shrek” movies — “Shrek the Third” and “Shrek Forever After” — were such worthless affairs that I was somewhat dreading their spin-off adventure, “Puss in Boots.” It didn’t help that I never found Antonio Banderas’ wide-eyed kittie with a sword nearly as charming as the rest of the world apparently did. So it was much to my surprise that I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed “Puss in Boots,” a clever, fun romp for all ages.
Film News: James Bobin, Nichols Stoller Sign on For ‘The Muppets’ Sequel
Submitted by TimBMartens on March 1, 2012 - 2:22pmCHICAGO – Here’s some news that will bring joy to those that think life’s a happy song. Director James Bobin and writer Nicholas Stoller have officially signed on to create a sequel to “The Muppets.” However, the good news does come with some bad news as well. Apparently, Jason Segel’s schedule is too full to fit in the next Muppet project.
DVD Review: Channing Tatum’s ‘The Son of No One’ Bound to Please No One
Submitted by mattmovieman on March 1, 2012 - 11:21amCHICAGO – With the right role and the right director, Channing Tatum manages to convince me that he is in fact a decent actor. He’s delivered enough solid work to illustrate that he’s more than just empty eye candy (in other words, he’s no Taylor Lautner). So why does Tatum continue to forge collaborations with Dito Montiel, a director who has a knack for making him look like an amateur?
TV Review: NBC Hopes Third Time’s the Charm with Intriguing ‘Awake’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 1, 2012 - 10:36amCHICAGO – NBC continues to struggle on Thursday nights, producing two flops in the 9pm CST hour already this year — “Prime Suspect” and “The Firm.” Will the third time be the charm with tonight’s premiere of the highly-advertised “Awake”? While the show is intriguing, unique, and well-acted, it’s hard to see it taking off on the peacock network.