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+.
June 2015
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Passes to Sundance Film Festival Hit ‘Dope’ From Forest Whitaker
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on June 14, 2015 - 4:03pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the Sundance Film Festival hit “Dope” from producer Forest Whitaker and executive producer Pharrell Williams!
Film Review: Ever-Present Passion in ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 12, 2015 - 11:21amCHICAGO – There are feelings encoded in a film, imparted by the creators, which sometimes takes a while to become apparent. “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” is an example, with a deceptive surface story that contains an ocean of feelings and emotions within its passionate core.
Ever-Present Passion in ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 12, 2015 - 11:18am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There are feelings encoded in a film, imparted by the creators, which sometimes takes a while to become apparent. “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” is an example, with a deceptive surface story that contains an ocean of feelings and emotions within its passionate core.
Interview: Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon of ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 11, 2015 - 6:07pmCHICAGO – In my second meeting with director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, I was struck by his almost child-like wonder regarding his breakout film, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.” Gomez-Rejon bleeds celluloid, and loves films in every fiber of his being. To be able to contribute to the cinema universe is his greatest reward.
Video Game Review: ‘Life is Strange Episode 3: Chaos Theory’ Propels the Series Forward
Submitted by Crush on June 11, 2015 - 4:59pmCHICAGO – After playing Life is Strange shortly after its launch, I thought it was the type of game that would make a minor splash then fade relatively quickly into obscurity. The concept was genius, but the execution, particularly in terms of visuals and dialogue, was severely lacking.
Interview: Three Young Actors Are ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 9, 2015 - 5:20pmCHICAGO – Every so often, a movie makes a huge splash in the ocean of releases, and “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” is a prime example. Both the jury winner and the audience favorite at the Sundance Film Festival, the film features Thomas Mann (Me), RJ Cyler (Earl) and Olivia Cooke (Dying Girl) as the title characters.
Red-Carpet Interview: Mark Ruffalo Honored by Gene Siskel Film Center
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 8, 2015 - 5:56pmCHICAGO – He is one of the hottest movie actors on the market right now, but Mark Ruffalo will tell you he’s not an overnight success. Building his resume with a series of character roles, Ruffalo struck gold as Dr. Bruce Banner/the Hulk in “The Avengers” film series. On June 6th, 2015, the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago honored his career.
Exclusive Portraits: Gloria Estefan Musical ‘On Your Feet!’ in Chicago
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 8, 2015 - 11:49am- 1-2-3
- Ana Villafañe
- Chicago
- Conga
- Emilio Estefan
- Exclusive Portrait
- Ford Center for Performing Arts Oriental Theatre
- Gloria Estefan
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jerry Mitchell
- Joe Arce
- Josh Segarra
- On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan
- Patrick McDonald
- Rhythm is Gonna Get You
- Sergio Trujillo
CHICAGO – The Windy City is now the go-to town for major theatrical previews. The latest stage musical – that will eventually head to Broadway – is “On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan,” which chronicles one of the greatest Latin singers ever. It’s now playing at the Oriental Theatre through July 5th, 2015.
Film Review: Brian Wilson Redeems His Soul in ‘Love & Mercy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2015 - 9:51amCHICAGO – Brian Wilson has been called one of the greatest songwriters in popular music history. His tonality and approach towards his best compositions have been studied like Mozart. In “Love & Mercy,” we see that the thing that made Wilson great also had the power to destroy him.
Brian Wilson Redeems His Soul in ‘Love & Mercy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2015 - 9:48am Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Brian Wilson has been called one of the greatest songwriters in popular music history. His tonality and approach towards his best compositions have been studied like Mozart. In “Love & Mercy,” we see that the thing that made Wilson great also had the power to destroy him.
Film Review: Fresh Blast of Funny From Melissa McCarthy in ‘Spy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 5, 2015 - 9:57amCHICAGO – It can be argued that Melissa McCarthy, with a film a year and a TV sitcom still running, is topping out on exposure. But as long as she teams with writer/director Paul Feig, as she did on “Bridesmaids” and “The Heat,” she will continue to be an original comic force. Their latest is “Spy.”
Fresh Blast of Funny From Melissa McCarthy in ‘Spy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 5, 2015 - 9:53amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It can be argued that Melissa McCarthy, with a film a year and a TV sitcom still running, is topping out on exposure. But as long as she teams with writer/director Paul Feig, as she did on “Bridesmaids” and “The Heat,” she will continue to be an original comic force. Their latest is “Spy.”
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of IMAX Passes to ‘Jurassic World’ With Chris Pratt
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on June 4, 2015 - 10:55pm- Adam Fendelman
- Amanda Silver
- Bryce Dallas Howard
- Chris Pratt
- Colin Trevorrow
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- IMAX
- Irrfan Khan
- Jake Johnson
- Judy Greer
- Jurassic Park
- Jurassic World
- Michael Crichton
- Nick Robinson
- Omar Sy
- Rick Jaffa
- Steven Spielberg
- Ty Simpkins
- Universal Pictures
- Vincent D'Onofrio
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening IMAX passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new film “Jurassic World” starring Chris Pratt!
Interview: Hilarious Writer & Director Paul Feig, of New Film 'Spy'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 4, 2015 - 9:25pmCHICAGO – He’s not a household name, but he has certainly rocked a few houses…with laughter. Writer/director Paul Feig has a new film called “Spy,” in which he re-teams with two of the supporting cast of his “Bridesmaids” romp, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne. “Spy” opens on Friday, June 5th.
Film Review: It is Best to Steer Clear of This ‘Entourage’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 3, 2015 - 3:59pmCHICAGO – I actually did watch the HBO show this big-screen iteration is based on, and I looked back in surprise to find the show actually lasted for 8 years. That’s a long time for a show that peaked in season two, and petered out into irrelevance somewhere around season four or so.
It is Best to Steer Clear of This ‘Entourage’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 3, 2015 - 3:56pm Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I actually did watch the HBO show this big-screen iteration is based on, and I looked back in surprise to find the show actually lasted for 8 years. That’s a long time for a show that peaked in season two, and petered out into irrelevance somewhere around season four or so.
Interview: John Cusack Channels Brian Wilson in ‘Love & Mercy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 3, 2015 - 12:17pmCHICAGO – John Cusack has never rested on his laurels, which are many in his film career, nor stood still as an artist or an actor. His latest film is the magnificent “Love & Mercy,” in which he portrays music legend Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys as a middle aged man, trying to break free of the circumstances in his life.
Interview: Music Icon Brian Wilson Taps Into ‘Love & Mercy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 2, 2015 - 1:22pmCHICAGO – Singer/composer Brian Wilson, best known as the mastermind behind The Beach Boys, enters a room. His biographic circumstance and music history immediately fills that room. His life story is now brilliantly set to film, as he is portrayed by Paul Dano and John Cusack through different life stages in “Love & Mercy.”
