December 2021

On-Air Film Review: Now I’m Found! ’The Lost Daughter’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 30th, 2021, reviewing the directorial debut of actor Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Lost Daughter,” currently streaming on Netflix.

Now I’m Found! On-Air Review of ‘The Lost Daughter’

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 December 30th, 2021, reviewing the directorial debut of actor Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Lost Daughter,” currently streaming on Netflix.

Film Feature: The 10 Best Films of 2021, By Patrick McDonald

CHICAGO – Are we there yet? Another pandemic year, 2021, somewhat affected the cinema world, but many films that had been delayed finally saw the light of screen, and one true blockbuster was had for the industry (kudos to Spidey). Around mid-year, the critics and public went back to the theaters, and this 10 BEST list is a hybrid of in-person and online viewings.

Interview: Author Lorraine Evanoff on Her New Novel ‘Devil’s Ledger’

CHICAGO – The Devil is in the Details. The old adage, which primarily describes accounting, is the basis for author Lorraine Evanoff’s third novel in her Louise Moscow Spy Thriller series, “Devil’s Ledger.” This time, her intrepid financial sleuth Louise Moscow investigates the failure of the world’s oldest bank … a mystery that may also contain the key to a hidden treasure.

On-Air Film Review: Simon Rex in Pocket! ‘Red Rocket’

Red Rocket

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 16th, 2021, reviewing the latest film of writer/director Sean Baker, “Red Rocket” currently in select theaters, see local listings.

Simon Rex in Pocket! On-Air Review of ‘Red Rocket’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 16th, 2021, reviewing the latest film of writer/director Sean Baker, “Red Rocket” currently in select theaters, see local listings.

On-Air Film Review: Swashbuckling Rafe! ‘The King’s Man’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 23rd, 2021, reviewing the third film in the KINGSMEN series, an origin prequel entitled “The King’s Men,” currently in theaters.

Swashbuckling Rafe! On-Air Review of ‘The King’s Man’

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 December 23rd, 2021, reviewing the third film in the KINGSMEN series, an origin prequel entitled “The King’s Men,” currently in theaters.

On-Air Film Review: See-o Neo! ‘The Matrix Resurrections’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on December 22nd, 2021, reviewing the latest remake of “The Matrix Resurrections,” opening in theaters on Wednesday, December 22nd.

See-o Neo! On-Air Review of ‘The Matrix Resurrections’

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 December 22nd, 2021, reviewing the latest remake of “The Matrix Resurrections,” opening in theaters on Wednesday, December 22nd.

Via Zoom: Isabelle Fuhrman & Lauren Hadaway of ‘The Novice’

CHICAGO – One of the great indie films of 2021 is “The Novice,” written and directed by Lauren Hadaway, and featuring Isabelle Fuhrman. This intimate and fascinating look at female student athletes in crew (rowing) has many underlying themes and relationships. It opens at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago on December 26th. See below for details.

Podtalk: Dennis Scott, Organist at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre

CHICAGO – The lines go around the block next to Chicago’s northside Music Box Theatre this time of year, as their annual holiday double feature is presented – “White Christmas” (1954) and “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946). And leading the pre-show sing-along … along with Santa … is the resident organist Dennis Scott.

On-Air Film Review: Carney Brad! Review of ‘Nightmare Alley’

Nightmare Alley

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 16th, 2021, reviewing the film noir remake of “Nightmare Alley,’ directed by Guillermo del Toro, in theaters on December 17th, 2021.

Carney Brad! On-Air Review of ‘Nightmare Alley’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 16th, 2021, reviewing the film noir remake of “Nightmare Alley,’ directed by Guillermo del Toro, in theaters on December 17th, 2021.

Via Zoom: Happy Holidays! Actor Sarah Brooks, Title Character in ‘Christmas with Felicity’

Christmas with Felicity

CHICAGO – To stand out in the crowded “Christmas Romance” TV movie genre, it starts with a strong script (by Rebecca Weaver) and the right lead actor. “Christmas with Felicity,” now available on the AMC+ app, features Sarah Brooks (“Chicago Med”) as the title character, a burnt-out city dweller looking to find solace back in her small Wisconsin home town.

On-Air Film Review: Listen Bub! Review of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 16th, 2021, reviewing the much anticipated Marvel Studios film, of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” in theaters on December 17th, 2021.

Listen Bub! On-Air Review of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

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 December 16th, 2021, reviewing the much anticipated Marvel Studios film, of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” in theaters on December 17th, 2021.

Film News: Chicago Film Critics Association Best Film of 2021 is ‘The Power of the Dog’

Power of the Dog, The

CHICAGO – The sweeping and majestically searing “The Power of the Dog,” directed by Jane Campion, was named Best Picture in 2021 by the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) on Wednesday, December 15th. The film also received recognition as Best Director, Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), Supporting Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography and Original Score.

Film Review: ‘Being the Ricardos’ Questions Who Loves Lucy

CHICAGO – “Being the Ricardos” tries to tell the story of a comedy icon with a star who wouldn’t know physical comedy if it slapped her in the face. Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball isn’t the only problem weighing down this biopic, but anytime this lead-footed and ponderous production threatens to build up a little momentum, Kidman stops it in its tracks.

‘Being the Ricardos’ Questions Who Loves Lucy

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.0/5.0
Rating: 2.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “Being the Ricardos” tries to tell the story of a comedy icon with a star who wouldn’t know physical comedy if it slapped her in the face. Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball isn’t the only problem weighing down this biopic, but anytime this lead-footed and ponderous production threatens to build up a little momentum, Kidman stops it in its tracks.

On-Air Film Review: A Place for Us! Review of ‘West Side Story’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 9th, 2021, reviewing the much anticipated remake of “West Side Story,” directed by Steven Spielberg, in theaters on December 10th, 2021.

A Place for Us! On-Air Review of ‘West Side Story’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 9th, 2021, reviewing the much anticipated remake of “West Side Story,” directed by Steven Spielberg, in theaters on December 10th, 2021.

Entertainment News: C2E2 2021 Convention in Chicago from Dec. 10-12

2021 C2E2

CHICAGO – The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) opens today (December 10th-12th, 2021). For three days, the best in the comic book, entertainment, TV and movie world will gather at the McCormick Place convention center on the near south side of Chicago, with epic cosplay on display.

Via Zoom: Director Jack C. Newell Spends ‘Christmas with Felicity’

CHICAGO – The challenge of creating a “Christmas Romance” TV movie, in a field that is saturated with contenders, would perplex even Orson Welles. But Chicago-based director Jack C. Newell was up to the task, as he took a script from Rebecca Weaver and put his spin on the holiday rom-com “Christmas with Felicity,” now available on the AMC+ app.

Via Zoom: Cindy Caponera in Chicago ‘Messing with a Friend’

CHICAGO – When we last talked to author/actor/producer and Chicago native Cindy Caponera in 2017, she was working on the excellent Showtime Network series “I’m Dying Up Here,’ about stand up comics in the 1970s. She’s currently in Chicago and will appear in the ongoing “Messing with a Friend” at the Annoyance Theatre. Click MESSING for ticket info.

On-Air Film Review: Merry NES! Review of ‘8 Bit Christmas’

8 Bit Christmas

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 2nd, 2021, reviewing a Christmas film currently streaming on HBO Max, a nostalgic look back on a 1980s childhood aptly entitled “8 Bit Christmas.”

Merry NES! On-Air Review of ‘8 Bit Christmas’

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

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 2nd, 2021, reviewing a Christmas film currently streaming on HBO Max, a nostalgic look back on a 1980s childhood aptly entitled “8 Bit Christmas.”

On-Air Film Review: Spin on the ‘70s! Review of ‘Licorice Pizza’

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 2nd, 2021, reviewing the latest film by director Paul Thomas Anderson (“Boogie Nights”), the back to the 1970s relationship epic “Licorice Pizza,” currently in select theaters.

Spin on the ‘70s! On-Air Review of ‘Licorice Pizza’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 2nd, 2021, reviewing the latest film by director Paul Thomas Anderson (“Boogie Nights”), the back to the 1970s relationship epic “Licorice Pizza,” currently in select theaters.

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