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+.
December 2016
Film News: ‘Moonlight’ Tops Chicago Film Critics Association 2016 Best Film Nominees
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 12, 2016 - 9:35am- 2016
- Adam Driver
- Amy Adams
- Best of
- Casey Affleck
- CFCA
- Chicago Film Critics Association
- Colin Farrell
- Denzel Washington
- Emma Stone
- Film News
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Isabelle Huppert
- Jackie
- LA LA Land
- Manchester by the Sea
- Moonlight
- Natalie Portman
- Nominations
- Patrick McDonald
- Rebecca Hall
- The Handmaiden
CHICAGO – The poignant journey of “Moonlight” topped the 2016 Chicago Film Critics Association nominations list with 11, as announced on Monday, December 12th. Other notable multi-category nominees included the biopic “Jackie,” the drama “Manchester by the Sea” and the musical “La La Land.” Janelle Monae (“Hidden Figures”), Lily Gladstone (“Certain Women”) and Lucas Hedges (“Manchester by the Sea”) scored double nominations in the Best Supporting Actress and Actor categories, as well as Most Promising Performer.
Film Review: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life in Concert’ at Chicago Symphony Center
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 10, 2016 - 11:19amCHICAGO – The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has come up with the perfect celebration for the pre-holiday weekend, presenting Frank Capra’s classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life in Concert.” On Dec. 10th and 11th, 2016. The CSO will accompany the soundtrack on a restored version of the film.
Film Review: ‘Miss Sloane’ Thrills Politically, But Drags Narratively
Submitted by JonHC on December 9, 2016 - 7:37pmCHICAGO – Nothing says the holiday season like a film about lobbying and politics. If you read that sarcastically, you’d be wrong. “Miss Sloane” offers a female spin for an otherwise male-dominated political landscape. Most of you are trying to tune out politics after the elections, but this film builds off of that momentum by reminding us how we arrived to that point.
‘Miss Sloane’ Thrills Politically, But Drags Narratively
Submitted by JonHC on December 9, 2016 - 7:27pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Nothing says the holiday season like a film about lobbying and politics. If you read that sarcastically, you’d be wrong. “Miss Sloane” offers a female spin for an otherwise male dominated political landscape. Most of you are trying to tune out politics after the elections, but this film builds off of that momentum by reminding us how we arrived to that point.
Film Review: ‘Office Christmas Party’ is Just Ho-Hum Humbug
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 8, 2016 - 9:45pm- Abbey Lee
- Adrian Martinez
- Ben Falcone
- Courtney B. Vance
- Dan Mazer
- Fortune Feistier
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jamie Chung
- Jason Bateman
- Jennifer Aniston
- Jillian Bell
- Josh Gordon
- Justin Malen
- Karan Soni
- Kate McKinnon
- Laura Solon
- Matt Walsh
- Movie Review
- Olivia Munn
- Paramount Pictures
- Randall Park
- Rob Corddry
- Sam Richardson
- Spike Walters
- T.J. Miller
- Vanessa Bayer
- Will Speck
CHICAGO – “Office Christmas Party” summons up a few jolly ho-ho-ho’s, but can’t quite deliver even one decent belly laugh you’d expect, considering the talented cast chock full of funny folks. It’s halfway decent premise is drowned in a sea of unfulfilled potential and weak material that the ensemble can only do so much to save.
‘Office Christmas Party’ is Just Ho-Hum Humbug
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 8, 2016 - 9:41pm- Abbey Lee
- Adrian Martinez
- Ben Falcone
- Courtney B. Vance
- Dan Mazer
- Fortune Feistier
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jamie Chung
- Jason Bateman
- Jennifer Aniston
- Jillian Bell
- Josh Gordon
- Justin Malen
- Karan Soni
- Kate McKinnon
- Laura Solon
- Matt Walsh
- Movie Review
- Olivia Munn
- Paramount Pictures
- Randall Park
- Rob Corddry
- Sam Richardson
- Spike Walters
- T.J. Miller
- Vanessa Bayer
- Will Speck
Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Office Christmas Party” summons up a few jolly ho-ho-ho’s, but can’t quite deliver even one decent belly laugh you’d expect, considering the talented cast chock full of funny folks. It’s halfway decent premise is drowned in a sea of unfulfilled potential and weak material that the ensemble can only do so much to save.
Film News: ‘For Grace’ is Top Film at 2016 ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards Night
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 8, 2016 - 8:56pmCHICAGO – On Tuesday, December 6th, the Midwest Independent Film Festival gave out their 2016 “Best of the Midwest” Awards with a ceremony at Rockit Bar & Grill in Chicago. Best Feature honors went to “For Grace,” directed by Mark Helenowski and Kevin Pang. Best Female Actor was Amy Frazzini of “Guidance,” Best Male Actors were T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi of “T.J. & Dave,” and Best Screenplay was Robert Putka of “Mad,” among other categories.
Interview: Co-Directors Josh Gordon & Will Speck Invite All to ‘Office Christmas Party’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 7, 2016 - 2:00pmCHICAGO – The raucous party movie has become a reliable staple in movieland, and now a production tackles the holiday soiré, and all that can go wrong. “Office Christmas Party” is co-directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, who also gave us “Blades of Glory” and “The Switch.”
Film News: Midwest Independent Film Festival ‘Best of the Midwest’ on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 5, 2016 - 12:39pm- 2016
- Bradley Bischoff
- Christine Dudley
- Dave Pasquesi
- Film News
- For Grace
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Josh Hyde
- Killing Them Safely
- Mad
- Midwest Independent Film Festival
- Midwest Indie
- Mike McNamara
- My Friend’s Rubber Ducky
- Patrick McDonald
- Periscope Post & Audio
- Rockit Bar & Grill
- T.J. Jagodowski
- Who Gets the Dog?
CHICAGO – On Tuesday, December 6th, the Midwest Independent Film Festival will award their 2016 “Best of the Midwest” honors with a ceremony at Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard, in Chicago. The evening will be hosted by Festival Director Mike McNamara, and nominees include the short film “Lady of the House” (directed by Brad Bischoff), plus feature films “Mad” (directed by Robert Putka), and “My Friend’s Rubber Ducky” (directed by Josh Hyde).
Film Review: Natalie Portman Embodies a Magnificent ‘Jackie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 2, 2016 - 8:26amCHICAGO – Capturing one of the most familiar woman of the last fifty years would seem impossible, except when focusing on one of the defining moments of her life. “Jackie” reveals Jacqueline Kennedy during the time of her husband John’s assassination, and when the nation lost a president.
Natalie Portman Embodies a Magnificent ‘Jackie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 2, 2016 - 8:23amRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Capturing one of the most familiar woman of the last fifty years would seem impossible, except when focusing on one of the defining moments of her life. “Jackie” reveals Jacqueline Kennedy during the time of her husband John’s assassination, and when the nation lost a president.