February 2021

Film Review: ‘Watermelon Man’ is a Pivotal Film in Black Cinema History

Waternelon Man

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 25th, 2021, reviewing the 1970 film “Watermelon Man,” currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

‘Watermelon Man’ is a Pivotal Film in Black Cinema History

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
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 February 25th, 2021, reviewing the 1970 film “Watermelon Man,” currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Film Review: Save the American Farm! On-Air Review of ‘Minari’

Minari

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 25th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Minari,” in theaters and available through Video-On-Demand on February 26th.

Save the American Farm! On-Air Review of ‘Minari’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
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 February 25th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Minari,” in theaters and available through Video-On-Demand on February 26th.

Film Review: Playing Cat & Mouse! On-Air Review of ‘Tom & Jerry’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 26th, 2021, reviewing the new release “Tom & Jerry,” premiering on HBO MAX and in theaters on February 26th, 2021.

Playing Cat & Mouse! On-Air Review of ‘Tom & Jerry’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 26th, 2021, reviewing the new release “Tom & Jerry,” premiering on HBO MAX and in theaters on February 26th, 2021.

Film News: Chicago’s Music Box Theatre to Reopen on Feb. 26, 2021

Music Box Theatre 2021

CHICAGO – In another strong sign that the pandemic is lessening its grip, the historic Music Box Theatre of Chicago will reopen to the general public on Friday, February 26th, 2021. The premiere film will be “Night of the Kings,” written and directed by Philippe Lacote. The Music Box will be following strict COVID-19 guidelines recommended by the CDC … get full details by clicking here.

TV Review: Dwayne is Cooking! On-Air Review of ‘Young Rock’

Young Rock
HollywoodChicago.com Television Rating: 5.0/5.0
Television 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 February 18th, 2021, reviewing the new TV series “Young Rock,” Tuesdays on NBC-TV.

Via Zoom: Curtis Matzke & Bradley Powell on Their Series ‘The Work’

CHICAGO – Filmmakers from Chicago get their moment in the spotlight via the new YouTube series “The Work.” Hosts Curtis Matzke and Bradley Power, also local filmmakers, have created episodes featuring in-depth perspectives from their industry guests. Access the series by clicking The Work.

Film Review: Prisoner of Politics! On-Air Review of ‘The Mauritanian’

Mauritanian, The

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 18th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Mauritanian,” in theaters now and available through Video-On-Demand on March 2nd.

Prisoner of Politics! On-Air Review of ‘The Mauritanian’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 18th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Mauritanian,” in theaters now and available through Video-On-Demand on March 2nd.

Film Review: The Beckoning Road! On-Air Review of ‘Nomadland’

Nomadland

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 16th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Nomadland,” in theaters and streaming on HULU beginning February 19th, 2021.

The Beckoning Road! On-Air Review of ‘Nomadland’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
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 February 16th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Nomadland,” in theaters and streaming on HULU beginning February 19th, 2021.

Interview: Singer & Songwriter Emily Weisband Releases ‘New Salt’

LOS ANGELES – Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Emily Weisband’s stellar track “New Salt” is being released on February 19th, 2021, via Apple Music, Spotify and deezer. Prior to stepping into the spotlight and writing her own story, Emily was renowned for writing songs for prominent artists BTS, Halsey Maddie, Sam Hunt, Keith Urban, Lady A and others.

Interview: Jim McMahon, CJ Wallis on Upcoming Documentary

CHICAGO – As a sports obsessed adolescent growing up in Chicago during the 1980s, nothing dominated the headlines more than the Chicago Bears. Leading the carnival of mayhem and madness was quarterback Jim McMahon. McMahon helped lead the Chicago Bears to a 15-1 record in 1985, and a dominant 46-10 win over New England in Super Bowl XX.

Via Zoom: Idella Johnson & Hannah Pepper of ‘Ma Belle, My Beauty’

CHICAGO – After garnering a major honor at the Sundance Film Festival – the Audience Award in the NEXT category – “Ma Belle, My Beauty” made an impression with its intimate look at polyamorous (group of three) lovers, particularly the lead actors portraying the two women, Idella Johnson and Hannah Pepper.

Film Review: Don’t Fence Her In! On-Air Review of ‘Land’

Land

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 11th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Land,” in theaters beginning February 12th, 2021.

Don’t Fence Her In! On-Air Review of ‘Land’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 11th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Land,” in theaters beginning February 12th, 2021.

Film Review: Betrayal! On-Air Review of ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’

Judas and the Black Messiah

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 11th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” in theaters and streaming on HBO Max beginning February 12th, 2021.

Betrayal! On-Air Review of ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
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 February 11th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” in theaters and streaming on HBO Max beginning February 12th, 2021.

Via Zoom: Colin Hara, President of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema, on Upcoming Spring Series

APUC 2021, Sophia WB and Colin Hara

CHICAGO – The Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) of Chicago wishes everyone a HAPPY CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR … the Year of the Ox. To celebrate the day, how about a FREE Chinese Film Series, and an interview via Zoom with the President of APUC, Colin Hara. Mr. Hara has been part of the Governing Board of the cinema series since 2018, and is in his third year as president.

Podtalk: Actor/Writer Bo Svenson is Still Walking Tall at Age 80

CHICAGO – A titan of a TV/film character actor, who is also a novelist and judo champion, is turning 80 years young on February 13th, 2021. Bo Svenson has been featured opposite Robert Redford (“The Great Waldo Pepper”), was notable as a Southern lawman (“Walklng Tall” series), impressed Quentin Tarantino (“Inglourious Basterds”) and is still ready for his next act.

Film Review: Dynamic Duo! On-Air Review of ‘Malcolm & Marie’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 4th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Malcolm & Marie,” streaming on Netflix beginning February 5th, 2021.

Dynamic Duo! On-Air Review of ‘Malcolm & Marie’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on February 4th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Malcolm & Marie,” streaming on Netflix beginning February 5th, 2021.

Film Review: The Tone-Deaf, Formulaic Approach Murders 'The Little Things'

the little things main

CHICAGO – There are over 500 episodes of “Law and Order” but I’m not about to embarrass myself publicly by revealing just how many of those I’ve seen; let’s leave it at “a lot.” In the age of binge television, I know I’m not the only one that has taken a deep dive into the show and other long-running shows like it, but I know we can all agree why we continue watching them: they keep things fresh. Like any television series that has aspirations of longevity, they can’t stay the same over time, especially when it comes to detective procedurals. The Little Things pays homage to everything we love from an old-fashioned detective procedural but aside from being socially tone-deaf, it also has the misfortune of doing it a couple decades too late.

The Tone-Deaf, Formulaic Approach Murders 'The Little Things'

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 1.0/5.0
Rating: 1.0/5.0

CHICAGO – There are over 500 episodes of “Law and Order” but I’m not about to embarrass myself publicly by revealing just how many of those I’ve seen; let’s leave it at “a lot.” In the age of binge television, I know I’m not the only one that has taken a deep dive into the show and other long-running shows like it, but I know we can all agree why we continue watching them: they keep things fresh.

Film News: That’s a Wrap! 2021 Sundance Film Festival Top Five

CHICAGO – It was one week of 73 feature films and 50 shorts, and it was shared with a virtual and online audience. The 2021 Sundance Film Festival will be remembered as within the pandemic sphere, but it also was notable for the depth and breadth of their film offerings, and how it reached a larger cinema universe.

Film News: ‘CODA’ is Top Film at 2021 Sundance Film Festival

CHICAGO – The 2021 Sundance Film Festival will be long remembered as the “virtual” version due to the pandemic, but there are always the real films, and the festival announced their competition honorees on February 2nd, in a virtual ceremony hosted by comedian Patton Oswalt.

Flashback: A Screech Interview, Dustin Diamond Dies at 44

CHICAGO – A man called Screech is gone. Dustin Diamond, who portrayed the Screech character for many years on the series “Saved by the Bell” and its various iterations, passed away on February 1st, 2021, in a Florida hospital after a bout with cancer. He was 44.

Film News: Virtual 2021 Sundance Film Festival Gets Beyond Itself

CHICAGO – The compact 2021 Sundance Film Festival is on the sixth day of seven, but the offerings are still coming. This year’s festival is virtual and online, meaning anyone with a ticket or a pass can indulge in the film offerings throughout the festival, which runs until Wednesday, February 3rd.

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