CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio review for the streaming series “Emily in Paris” the adventures of Emily Cooper and her fanciful/fashionable Paris friends and lovers, now in its fourth season. Episodes 1-5 currently on Netflix.
Allison Janney
Take Me to Your Breeder! Audio Review of ‘The Creator’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 29, 2023 - 10:13am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Creator,” a new science fiction film co-written (with Chris Weitz) and directed by Gareth Edwards, the filmmaker behind the well-received Star Wars film “Rogue One.” In theaters on September 29th.
Value of Redemption! On-Air Film Review of ‘To Leslie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 10, 2022 - 1:21pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 6th, 2022, reviewing “To Leslie,” a story of redemption featuring Andrea Riseborough, currently in select theaters and through Video On Demand.
Margot Robbie in ‘I, Tonya’ Can’t Stick the Landing
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 23, 2017 - 11:52pm Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – We have arrived at point where yesterday’s trash TV has become today’s critical darling of the film festival circuit. As the trailers proclaim, “I, Tonya” desperately wants to be the “‘Goodfellas’ of Figure Skating,” but one of the biggest problems I had is that it’s just trying too hard.
‘The Girl on the Train’ is a Book Club ‘B’ Movie
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 6, 2016 - 7:28pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “The Girl On The Train” is a decent enough “Book Club” movie potboiler – it passes the time away, but never quite rises above the pulpiness of its source material. It desperately wants to recreate the suburban upper-class ennui and tone from last year’s “Gone Girl.” But while that film had David Fincher behind the camera, this one has Tate Taylor, the director of “The Help.”
Nothing of Substance in Cute, Fluffy ‘Minions’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 9, 2015 - 9:24pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – They’re cute, they talk like babies, and they already have “brand recognition.” In what feels like a product exercise rather than a movie, “Minions” extends its story from the dawn of time to 1968. Did we need that much back story? The voices of Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm star.
Fresh Blast of Funny From Melissa McCarthy in ‘Spy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 5, 2015 - 9:53amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It can be argued that Melissa McCarthy, with a film a year and a TV sitcom still running, is topping out on exposure. But as long as she teams with writer/director Paul Feig, as she did on “Bridesmaids” and “The Heat,” she will continue to be an original comic force. Their latest is “Spy.”
Unfunny ‘Tammy’ is a Melissa McCarthy Misfire
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 2, 2014 - 11:53am Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – 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..”
Cussing Doesn’t Spell Out Comedy in ‘Bad Words’
Submitted by NickHC on March 22, 2014 - 5:13pmRating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – 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 (specifically that he never graduated eighth grade).
‘Mr. Peabody & Sherman’ Hindered by Extra Sidekick
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 7, 2014 - 7:49pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – 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.
For a Real Summer Movie, Go ‘The Way, Way Back’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 5, 2013 - 8:05amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – 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.
