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+.
Movie Review
Javier Bardem Takes a Journey to an End in ‘Biutiful’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 28, 2011 - 7:51am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In the midst of life’s journey, what may seem like a long time suddenly can become short, what seems like the routine suddenly becomes desperate. The theme of these changes and the effect on a dying soul is explored in “Biutiful.”
Muddled ‘Kalamity’ Plays One-Night Only Chicago Engagement
Submitted by BrianTT on January 25, 2011 - 10:51am Rating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There was a day not that long ago when it felt like Nick Stahl was the next rising star. He delivered nuanced performances in films and on HBO’s “Carnivale” that led one to believe there was potential for stardom. “The Thin Red Line,” “In the Bedroom,” “Bully” — he was going somewhere in the early ’00s, but he was derailed into basically nothing but straight-to-video junk like “Mirrors 2” since 2005’s “Sin City.”
Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman With ‘No Strings Attached’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 21, 2011 - 2:06pm Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – When a handsome studmuffin meets a fetching, fabulously hot doctor, what’s the outcome? That’s right, sex without a relationship, AKA Friends with Benefits. And a movie featuring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman called “No Strings Attached.”
Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones Are ‘The Company Men’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 21, 2011 - 11:32amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Dealing with an overall economic downturn, as the world is still experiencing, becomes the story of the individual. The frustration and insecurity that develops in a long dry spell is poignantly rendered in writer/director John Well’s “The Company Men.” Ben Affleck joins Oscar winners Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper and Kevin Costner in telling the story.
‘The Green Hornet’ Overly Limelights a Cavalier But Thrilling Seth Rogen
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 15, 2011 - 6:09pm Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “The Green Hornet,” which could have been titled “The Seth Rogen Show,” is an uneven mix between a stroke of comic book genius and a self-righteous attempt at being both comedy and drama. The untidy story is wrapped inside a messy box that’s a portion of what it successfully is and what it should have been.
Mesmerizing Beauty of Sylvain Chomet’s Gorgeous ‘The Illusionist’
Submitted by BrianTT on January 14, 2011 - 12:04pm Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Presuming the Academy makes the logical choices, the competition for the Oscar for 2010’s Best Animated Film should feature three of the best films of the medium in many years – “Toy Story 3,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and the least-heralded of the three, the beautiful “The Illusionist.”
Vince Vaughn, Kevin James Seek Trust in Uneven ‘The Dilemma’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 14, 2011 - 10:18am Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In many ways, “The Dilemma” is director Ron Howard’s most daring film. Leaving behind the usual brightly lit, good/evil morality tales, Howard weaves a narrative basket filled with infidelity, gambling addiction, blackmail and mistrust. This is Opie on the dark side, with Vince Vaughn and Kevin James along for the journey.
Mike Leigh Finds Heartbreak in Humanity of ‘Another Year’
Submitted by BrianTT on January 14, 2011 - 10:12amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Mike Leigh (“Happy-Go-Lucky,” “Vera Drake”) has long ago been correctly-labeled as one of our most remarkably-attuned writer/directors when it comes to capturing the tragedy of the everyday human condition on film. His latest work, “Another Year,” may seem like just another slice of life and it’s certainly not the drama to see if you need fancy hooks with your popcorn, but realistically presenting the highs and sadness of an unfulfilled life is much harder than it looks.
Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams Are Heartbreakingly Real in ‘Blue Valentine’
Submitted by BrianTT on January 7, 2011 - 12:07pmRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Derek Cianfrance’s “Blue Valentine,” my pick last month for the 9th best film of 2010, is a devastatingly genuine representation of the first and final chapters of a marriage. It is a powerful drama, partially made so by a fantastic script, but mostly due to two of the best performances of the year from Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. Don’t miss it.
Melodrama Weakens Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘Country Strong’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 7, 2011 - 9:01amRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Modern country music is actually quite fascinating. Whereas in the classic days of the 1950s to ‘70s, when it was a cult stepchild of popular music, now it occupies the rarified heights of the Justins and Taylors. That is why “Country Strong,” starring Gwyneth Paltrow, is so annoying. It doesn’t even try to be modern.
