CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
On-Air Film Review: ‘The Little Mermaid’ is Under Sea Live Action
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2023 - 12:48pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 25th, reviewing “The Little Mermaid,” Walt Disney Studios live action reboot. In theaters on May 26th.
VideoTalk: Sebastian Mansicalco & Dad Salvo on ‘About My Father’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 24, 2023 - 3:36pmCHICAGO – The adage of write what you know certainly applies to the first film in which hot stand-up comic Sebastian Maniscalco takes the lead role. “About My Father” is a fictionalized version of the relationship between Sebastian and his real life father Salvo, which Maniscalco also co-wrote. They both sat down with HollywoodChicago.com for a video interview.
Podtalk: ‘The Snaxpert’ Adam Cohen at Sweets & Snacks Expo, in Chicago Thru May 25, 2023
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2023 - 9:11pmCHICAGO – In the closest thing a person can get to touring Willy Wonka’s factory, the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo opened this week, and continues through May 25th. Among the many candy and snack booths at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center is SNAX-Sational Brands, and through their Chief Marketing Officer Adam Cohen … also known as “The Snaxpert” … announced the launch their Cookie Pop Oreo© and Candy Pop M&M Minis© in Target stores nationwide.
Podtalk: Actor Anders Holm Feels Lucky in ‘About My Father’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2023 - 7:46amCHICAGO – If you’re a “Workaholics” fan, Anders Holm needs no introduction. The actor was a co-creator of the farcical series on Comedy Central, and from there has carved a niche as a character actor. He portrays Lucky in the new comedy “About My Father,” which features Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro.
Podtalk: Director Ric Roman Waugh Takes Us to ‘Kandahar’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 22, 2023 - 8:31amCHICAGO – Ric Roman Waugh is a man of action, as this stuntman-turned-director is approaching his tenth film, several of which involving his actor partner Gerard Butler. The duo takes on the Afghanistan War from the CIA undercover operative angle with the new film “Kandahar,” opening in theaters on May 26th.
Audio Film Review: Family Transitions Begin in ‘L’Immensitá’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 20, 2023 - 4:13pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for a 2022 foreign language film distributed in the U.S. by Chicago’s Music Box Films … and featuring Penélope Cruz … entitled “L’Immensitá.” In select theaters beginning May 19th, see local listings.
Film Review: ‘Fast X’ is a Full Scale Assault on the Laws of Logic
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 18, 2023 - 11:43pmCHICAGO – A lot of blockbusters require you to check your brain at the door. “Fast X” requires a full scale lobotomy. To the uninitiated, Vin Diesel’s blatant disregard for the laws of gravity and physics represents a full scale assault on the senses, reason, and logic in its effort to bring audiences down to its star’s lunkheaded level.
Audio Film Review: Lord in the Dance for ‘The Starling Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 18, 2023 - 6:26pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the first feature film debut from writer/director Laurel Parmet … set in a fundamentalist Christian community in Kentucky … entitled “The Starling Girl.” In select theaters beginning May 19th, see local listings.
Podtalk: Icon Bernadette Peters Takes Refuge in ‘HIgh Desert’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 17, 2023 - 9:08amCHICAGO – How has actor/singer/Broadway icon Bernadette Peters ended up in the arid lands of California? She is featured in the new Apple TV+ series “High Desert.” It has an ensemble cast led by Patricia Arquette as Peggy Newman, a recovering human being in an odd and spiritual place. The series begins streaming on May 17th.
On-Air Feature: Expressing the Heroics in Superhero Movies
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 15, 2023 - 9:43amCHICAGO – Often on my weekly appearances on WGBR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin), there is a topic associated with that week’s reviews. I don’t usually publish them, but the result of May the 4th was special. Host Dan Baker and I did a ranking of our favorite superhero movies on “Guardians 3” release day, and the talk was lively and surprising.
Exclusive Portrait: Congrats to Sheryl Crow on 2023 Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 13, 2023 - 9:45amCHICAGO – Everyday is a Winding Road, as pop-rocker Sheryl Crow once reminded us. But one of her recent days included the announcement that Ms. Crow was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The new class will be inducted on November 3rd, 2023.
On-Air Film Review: Called CrackBerry, Addicted to ‘BlackBerry’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 13, 2023 - 8:23amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 11th, reviewing “BlackBerry,” the story of the rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone. In theaters on May 12th.
On-Air Film Review: ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ Turns the Page
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 12, 2023 - 9:37amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 11th, reviewing “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” the sequel to the popular film from 2018. In theaters on May 12th.
