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+.
Allison Janney
Interview: Hilarious Writer & Director Paul Feig, of New Film 'Spy'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 4, 2015 - 9:25pmCHICAGO – He’s not a household name, but he has certainly rocked a few houses…with laughter. Writer/director Paul Feig has a new film called “Spy,” in which he re-teams with two of the supporting cast of his “Bridesmaids” romp, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne. “Spy” opens on Friday, June 5th.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘The DUFF’ With Mae Whitman, Bella Thorne
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 15, 2015 - 3:06pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new “Mean Girls”- and “Easy A”-like comedy “The DUFF” (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) starring Mae Whitman, Bella Thorne and Ken Jeong!
Blu-ray Review: Jason Bateman’s ‘Bad Words’ Not Better on Blu-ray
Submitted by NickHC on July 14, 2014 - 8:28pmLooming over “Bad Words” is the potential it could have had, as is, were it released ten years ago. With its focus of R-rated behavior poking at the projected innocence of children, along with the couple of chromosomes that keep Bateman’s Trilby from being a Vince Vaughn character, this movie is certainly a product of the comedies that have sculpted out the manchild story in the past decade.
Film Review: Unfunny ‘Tammy’ is a Melissa McCarthy Misfire
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 2, 2014 - 11:57amCHICAGO – Melissa McCarthy has jumped the shark. Or if she hasn’t, she’s strapped on the skis and is contemplating the ramp. Going once more to the same character well – this time with a script co-written with her husband Ben Falcone and directed by him – McCarthy shows little originality or gumption as the title character in “Tammy..”
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Pairs of Passes to ‘Tammy’ With Melissa McCarthy
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on June 27, 2014 - 11:46pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new “R”-rated comedy “Tammy” starring Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon!
Film Review: Cussing Doesn’t Spell Out Comedy in ‘Bad Words’
Submitted by NickHC on March 22, 2014 - 5:15pmCHICAGO – In his directorial debut “Bad Words”, Jason Bateman plays Guy Trilby, a foulmouthed 40 year old man who aggressively competes in local youth spelling bees. The children are confused, and their parents are furious. However, the isolated Guy has no fear, with all of the rule loopholes in his back pocket.
Film Review: ‘Mr. Peabody & Sherman’ Hindered by Extra Sidekick
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 7, 2014 - 7:52pmCHICAGO – Talking dogs have been around for decades in animated movies and television shows, especially the anthropomorphized kind. From the superhero antics of Underdog to the biting sarcasm from the likes of Brian from “Family Guy” - take your pick and you can find a dog to your liking. I always took a shine to Mr. Peabody, the intelligent and resourceful beagle with a penchant for puns.
Blu-ray Review: Sweet, Sentimental ‘The Way, Way Back’
Submitted by BrianTT on October 26, 2013 - 8:36pmCHICAGO – “The Way, Way Back” made a solid $21 million domestically but I kind of expected it to be an even bigger hit when I saw it back in January at the Sundance Film Festival. I saw several dozen films at this year’s fest and nothing produced a response like Nat Faxon & Jim Rash’s sweet, sentimental comedy. The audience I saw it with LOVED it. And now that it’s on Blu-ray and DVD, I expect it to reach an even bigger audience through word-of-mouth recommendations. It’s a fun, clever movie with some great performances, including a supporting turn by Sam Rockwell that stands with the best of the year.
TV Review: CBS Has Another Likely Hit in ‘Mom’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 23, 2013 - 10:58amCHICAGO – CBS must have a whole wing of their headquarters dedicated to Chuck Lorre. Why not? He paid for it. He has been such a key part of their success over the last decade that it’s hard to think of any network-creator relationship that’s been more financially notable. “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mike & Molly” — all winners of acting Emmys and at least the first two stand among the most popular comedies of their era. Can he do it again with “Mom,” premiering tonight, September 23, 2013? Don’t bet against him.
Film Review: For a Real Summer Movie, Go ‘The Way, Way Back’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 5, 2013 - 8:09amCHICAGO – Nothing evokes the time, sights and smells of summer like the getaway resort. The long days, the mystery of night, the first crush and the summer job are all brought back in the soapy yet fun “The Way, Way Back,” featuring Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney.