May 2024

Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 30th, reviewing “Jim Henson: Idea Man,” directed by Ron Howard and featuring Frank Oz and The Muppets. Streaming on Disney+ beginning May 31st.

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 May 30th, reviewing “Ezra,” featuring Bobby Cannavale and Robert De Niro as a son and father, struggling to help raise an autistic boy. In theaters on May 31st.

CHICAGO – There is a new movie theater in Chicagoland’s Highland Park, with the Grand Opening of Wayfarer Theaters at 1850 2nd Street. On May 31st, the official start of a new era in theatergoing in Highland Park begins, with multiple screenings of “Ezra” from the theater’s sister company, Wayfarer Studios. For complete information on these FREE SCREENINGS and the theater, click WAYFARER.

CHICAGO – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). “Babes” expanded nationwide on May 24th for Memorial Day weekend.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for The Beach Boys,” the latest rock documentary on the most famous California band of the 1960s, featuring insights from Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Al Jardine. Currently streaming on Disney+ since May 24th.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Garfield Movie,” an animated film based on the popular comic strip by Jim Davis, and featuring the Monday-hating, lasagna-loving Orange Tabby cat (voice of Chris Pratt) and his friends. In theaters on May 24th.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – It’s no “Fury Road,” but “Furiosa” is a suitably high octane summer blockbuster that delivers the eye popping action that Mad Max fans come for. The film is a prequel to that Oscar winning film, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking over for Charlize Theron as the one armed, shaved headed all around world-class bad ass.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “Wildcat,” co-written and directed by Ethan Hawke and featuring his daughter Maya as 20th Century writer Flannery O’Connor. Currently in select theaters since May 17th. See local listings.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new documentary “Power,” directed by Yance Ford, as a supplement informational survey of the history and militarization of the U.S. police force. Currently streaming on Netflix since May 17th.

CHICAGO – One of the great partners of local filmmaking in the Chicago area is Noisefloor Sound Solutions. The company provides the ambience for storytellers not only in cinema, but for the wide range of creative endeavors in the 21st Century … including TV, Web Series, Video Games and of course, Podcasts.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 16th, reviewing “Babes,” the director debut of Pamela Adlon (FX’s “Better Things). In select theaters on May 17th. See local listings.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 16th, reviewing “IF” (which means Imaginary Friend) a new live action/animated epic written and directed by John Krasinski. In theaters on May 17th.

CHICAGO – Writer/director Michael Glover Smith’s award-winning feature film “Relative” (2022) was snapped up by Chicago-based Music Box Films, and will have its Digital release on May 21st, 2024. But first, how about one more special screening at the historic Music Box Theatre on Wednesday, May 15th. Click RELATIVE at for tickets and info.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “I Saw the TV Glow,” written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun (“We’re all Going to the World’s Fair”). Currently playing in Chicago, opening wider nationwide on May 17th, 2024. See local listings.