CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.
November 2020
Film Review: Oh Canada! Audio Review of ‘The Twentieth Century’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 30, 2020 - 11:26pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com features an audio review of the newly released “The Twentieth Century,” the debut of Canadian filmmaker Matthew Rankin. The film is a surreal retelling of Canadian history, specifically regarding former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.!—break—>
Oh Canada! Audio Review of ‘The Twentieth Century’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 30, 2020 - 11:22pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com features an audio review of the newly released “The Twentieth Century,” the debut of Canadian filmmaker Matthew Rankin. The film is a surreal retelling of Canadian history, specifically regarding former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Podtalk: Director Dana Nachman Puts Her Stamp on ‘Dear Santa’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 30, 2020 - 10:14amCHICAGO – Now that the socially distanced Thanksgiving is past us, it’s time to turn to Christmas and the films that are associated with that holiday. Documentary director Dana Nachman has a series of emotional and true stories in her latest film “Dear Santa,” an overview of a gift-giving charity that starts with a child’s letter.!—break—>
Film Review: Bluesy! On-Air Review of ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 27, 2020 - 12:53pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 26th, 2020, reviewing the new animated sequel “The Croods: A New Age,” featuring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone and Peter Dinklage..!—break—>
Blues Tune! On-Air Review of ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 27, 2020 - 12:49pmRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 26th, 2020, reviewing the new Netflix film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” now in theaters and coming to Netflix on December 18th.
Film Review: Stone Aged! On-Air Review of ‘The Croods: A New Age'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 26, 2020 - 10:33pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 26th, 2020, reviewing the new animated sequel “The Croods: A New Age,” featuring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone and Peter Dinklage.
Get Stone Aged! On-Air Review of ‘The Croods: A New Age'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 26, 2020 - 10:28pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 26th, 2020, reviewing the new animated sequel “The Croods: A New Age,” featuring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone and Peter Dinklage.
Film Review: Lone Gun Man? Audio of ‘Truth is the Only Client’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 23, 2020 - 12:52amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com reviews the new documentary “Truth is the Only Client: The Official Investigation of the Murder of John F. Kennedy” on the 57th Anniversary of the JFK assassination on November 22nd, 2020. The doc reassembles investigators of the 1964 Warren Commission.!—break—>
Lone Gun Man? Audio Review of ‘Truth is the Only Client’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 23, 2020 - 12:46amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com reviews the new documentary “Truth is the Only Client: The Official Investigation of the Murder of John F. Kennedy” on the 57th Anniversary of the JFK assassination on November 22nd, 2020. The doc reassembles investigators of the 1964 Warren Commission.
Flashback: Daphne Maxwell Reid, Aunt Vivian of ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 21, 2020 - 11:29pmCHICAGO – On November 18th, 2020, the streaming service HBO Max premiered “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion.” 30 years after the popular sitcom debuted, the primary cast got together to talk about the joys and foibles of developing family ties while creating and performing their characters in the show.
Film Review: Rosebud! On-Air Reviews of ‘Mank’ & ‘The Last Vermeer’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 19, 2020 - 7:13pm- Amanda Seyfried
- Citizen Kane
- Claes Bang
- Gary Oldman
- Guy Pierce
- Herman Mankiewicz
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Mank
- Monroe
- Movie Review
- Nazis
- Netflix
- Orson Welles
- Patrick McDonald
- Rosebud
- Scott Thompson
- The Last Vermeer
- The Morning Mess
- TriStar Pictures
- WBGR-FM
- William Randolph Hearst
- Wisconsin
- World War II
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 19th, 2020, reviewing the new films “Mank” (in theaters, on Netflix December 4th) and “The Last Verneer” (in theaters).!—break—>
Rosebud! On-Air Reviews of ‘Mank’ & ‘The Last Vermeer’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 19, 2020 - 7:05pm- Amanda Seyfried
- Citizen Kane
- Claes Bang
- Gary Oldman
- Guy Pierce
- Herman Mankiewicz
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Mank
- Monroe
- Movie Review
- Nazis
- Netflix
- Orson Welles
- Patrick McDonald
- Rosebud
- Scott Thompson
- The Last Vermeer
- The Morning Mess
- TriStar Pictures
- WBGR-FM
- William Randolph Hearst
- Wisconsin
- World War II
Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 19th, 2020, reviewing the new films “Mank” (in theaters, on Netflix December 4th) and “The Last Verneer” (only in theaters).
Film Review: On-Air Review of ‘The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 19, 2020 - 6:12pm- Anakin
- Anthony Daniels
- Billy Dee Williams
- C-3PO
- Darth Maul
- Darth Vader
- Disney+
- Finn
- Han Solo
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Kylo Ren
- Lando Cairissian
- Luke
- Monroe
- Movie Review
- Patrick McDonald
- Princess Leia
- Rey
- Scott Thompson
- Skywalker
- The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special
- The Morning Mess
- WBGR-FM
- Wisconsin
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 19th, 2020, reviewing the new force-be-with-you “The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special,” combining all the legendary characters. The special is currently on Disney+.
Merry Force! On-Air Review of ‘The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 19, 2020 - 6:09pm- Anakin
- Anthony Daniels
- Billy Dee Williams
- C-3PO
- Darth Maul
- Darth Vader
- Disney+
- Finn
- Han Solo
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Kylo Ren
- Lando Cairissian
- Luke
- Monroe
- Movie Review
- Patrick McDonald
- Princess Leia
- Rey
- Scott Thompson
- Skywalker
- The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special
- The Morning Mess
- WBGR-FM
- Wisconsin
Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 19th, 2020, reviewing the new force-be-with-you “The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special,” combining all the legendary characters. The special is currently on Disney+.
Podtalk: Comedian Melinda Hill for Stand-Up Special ‘Inappropriate’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 17, 2020 - 2:10pmCHICAGO – Combine the hilarity of prime observational comedy with the zen of inner peace, and you have Melinda Hill’s downloadable stand up special “Inappropriate.” This sharp master of laughs delivers an hour of riffs on her life and loves, including her viral tweet on fellow comedian Louis CK (#MeTooSoon).!—break—>
Podtalk: Okema 'Seven' Gunn of ‘Black Mama Sable’ at 26th Black Harvest Film Fest
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 15, 2020 - 11:13amCHICAGO – The 26th edition of Chicago’s Black Harvest Film Festival (BHFF) continues with online and virtual access. One of the short films, in the program “Voices of Our Time,” is writer/director Okema “Seven” Gunn’s “Black Mama Sable.”!—break—>
Film Review: He’s a Super Freak! On-Air Review of ‘Freaky'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2020 - 7:56pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 12th, 2020, reviewing the new horror comedy “Freaky,” featuring Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton and Alan Ruck.
He’s a Super Freak! On-Air Review of ‘Freaky'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2020 - 7:52pmRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 12th, 2020, reviewing the new horror comedy “Freaky,” featuring Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton and Alan Ruck.
Film Feature: Preview for 37th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, Thru Nov. 22, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2020 - 1:23pmCHICAGO – The great advantage of film festivals this year, if we’re to see a silver lining, is that most of the offerings are available to a wider audience via online virtual screenings. The 37th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival will be virtual/online and available to children of all ages from November 13th-22nd, 2020.!—break—>
Podtalk: Lonnie Edwards’ ‘Periphery' at CUFF 27 Drive-In, Nov. 13, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2020 - 10:28amCHICAGO – Artist Lonnie Edwards is traveling the film festival circuit again, exhibiting his latest short “Periphery,” and this time it will appear at the 27th Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF 27) Chicago Shorts Program 2, at the Chi-Town Movies Drive-In on Friday, November 13th, 2020.!—break—>
Podtalk: Elizabeth Coffman & Mark Bosco of ‘Flannery,’ at the CUFF 27 Drive-In, Nov 12, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 12, 2020 - 2:35pmCHICAGO – The 1950s/60s Southern author Flannery O’Connor gets an overdue documentary by co-directors Elizabeth Coffman and Mark Bosco. “Flannery” screens at the 27th Chicago Underground Film Festival Drive-In on November 12th, 2020.!—break—>
Podtalk: David Weathersby of ‘The District’ at 26th Black Harvest Film Fest, thru Nov. 30, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2020 - 3:02pmCHICAGO – On Friday, November 6th, 2020, the 26th edition of Chicago’s Black Harvest Film Festival (BHFF) opened for online and virtual access. The BHFF is one of the country’s most prestigious black-oriented film celebrations in the country, and will run throughout the month of November until Monday the 30th.!—break—>
Film Feature: Preview for 27th Chicago Underground Film Festival, Running Nov. 9-22, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2020 - 10:51amCHICAGO – The one great off-the-beaten-track cinema festival remains the Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF). Like all festivals around 2020, CUFF 27 will be virtual and online from November 9th-22nd, 2020, with special Drive-In events.!—break—>
Podtalk: Director Seth Savoy of ‘Echo Boomers,’ at Chicago's Music Box Theatre, Nov, 13, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2020 - 9:32pmCHICAGO – “Echo Boomers,” the feature directorial debut of Seth Savoy, will have its Chicago run at the Music Box Theatre starting November 13th, 2020. The locally made film features Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michael Shannon, and Alex Pettyfer. !—break—>
Film Review: On-Air Reviews of ‘Let Him Go’ & ‘Jungleland’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2020 - 6:34amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 5th, 2020, reviewing the new films “Let Him Go” (in theaters) and “Jungleland” (limited theaters and VOD).!—break—>
In Character! On-Air Reviews of ‘Let Him Go’ & ‘Jungleland’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2020 - 6:28amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on November 5th, 2020, reviewing the new films “Let Him Go” (in theaters) and “Jungleland” (Limited Theaters and VOD).
An Appreciation: Sean Connery Defined in Two Quotes
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 1, 2020 - 11:49amCHICAGO – Sean Connery, who began a sensation when he first introduced himself as “Bond, James Bond” in his role as the spy in “Dr No” (1962) – and was able to redefine himself as a character actor after 10 years as Bond – passed away on October 31st, 2020, at his home in the Bahamas.!—break—>