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+.
FOX
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Knight and Day’ With Tom Cruise Should Have Been Better
Submitted by BrianTT on December 7, 2010 - 10:23amCHICAGO – “Knight and Day” is a leaky tire of a movie. It starts off spinning as it promises a delightful action/adventure flick with two stars at their most-charismatic. By the middle of the film, it’s clear that something has sprung a leak. By the end, it’s just flat.
DVD Review: Odd Release of ‘Strictly Ballroom: Special Edition’
Submitted by BrianTT on December 1, 2010 - 4:57pmCHICAGO – A few weeks ago, we acclaimed the beauty of the Blu-ray releases of Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge!” and “Romeo + Juliet.” Oh what a difference a studio can make. While Fox treated those Luhrmann films with HD respect, Disney has decided to release his first film, the great “Strictly Ballroom” in a lackluster standard DVD special edition that would have been great in 2006 but times have changed.
Blu-Ray Review: Incredible Release of ‘Avatar: Extended Collector’s Edition’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 30, 2010 - 12:48pmCHICAGO – In April, Fox released one of the best Blu-rays of the year for James Cameron’s “Avatar,” an edition that proved that the film would still work even without the theatrical benefits of 3D or IMAX. It was one of the most impressive-looking HD releases in history but the lack of special features made clear that a double dip was on its way. Seven months later, Fox unveils the “Avatar: Extended Collector’s Edition” and it is simply amazing.
Blu-Ray Review: Talented Pair of Young Actresses Carry ‘Ramona and Beezus’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 22, 2010 - 10:07amCHICAGO – With junk like “Marmaduke” and “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore” pitching themselves to children like bad fast food, it can be hard for an honestly-good and genuine family film to find an audience. “Ramona and Beezus” is the kind of family offering that will hopefully find a large audience on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s no classic and far from perfect but it’s definitely a success for its target audience that could surprisingly appeal to people outside of its demographic as well.
TV Review: ‘Human Target’ Adds Two Characters to Entertaining Action Series
Submitted by BrianTT on November 17, 2010 - 2:59pmCHICAGO – FOX’s action series “Human Target” returns tonight, November 17th, 2010, hoping to find the larger audience that didn’t really show up to the party in season one.
DVD Review: Second Season of FOX’s Inconsistent ‘Lie to Me’ With Tim Roth
Submitted by BrianTT on November 15, 2010 - 9:30pmCHICAGO – FOX’s “Lie to Me,” the second season of which was just released on DVD, has fluctuated wildly in quality since the day it hit the air, a fact that was underlined when the great Shawn Ryan (“The Shield”) came on-board and seemed to find the program’s personality, only to leave it and watch it drift again. Just when it seemed like “Lie to Me” would develop into must-see viewing, it would falter again and the incredibly-lackluster season two release doesn’t help.
Blu-Ray Review: Jaw-Dropping ‘Alien Anthology’ Stands Alone
Submitted by BrianTT on November 8, 2010 - 11:56amCHICAGO – I’ve reviewed hundreds of DVDs and Blu-ray box sets and I can’t think of any that top the HD release of “Alien Anthology,” an amazing release that should stand alone at the top of all holiday season wish lists and be one of the first purchases that happen after you buy a Blu-ray player.
Chicago Casting Call For FOX’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ on Nov. 12, 2010 at Le Cordon Bleu
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 8, 2010 - 11:12amCHICAGO – FOX’s “Hell’s Kitchen” is holding an open casting call in Chicago to find the best and most talented chefs. You must be 21 or over, passionate about cooking and skilled on the line.
TV Reviews: Animated FOX Programs Celebrate Halloween in November
Submitted by BrianTT on November 7, 2010 - 1:32pmCHICAGO – What happens when Halloween happens to land on a Sunday night and FOX is airing the World Series? The annual tradition of the “Treehouse of Horror” episode of “The Simpsons” has to air in November. Damn you, Bud Selig. At least FOX is trying to make amends by offering not just one holiday-themed episode tonight but extending the affair to all four of their “Animation Domination” programs — “The Simpsons,” “The Cleveland Show,” “Family Guy,” and “American Dad.”
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Predators’ Reboot Plays Better at Home, But Still Disappoints
Submitted by BrianTT on October 28, 2010 - 10:24amCHICAGO – Perhaps it’s because it is so clearly inspired by a retro style of action but Nimrod Antal’s “Predators,” now available on Blu-ray and DVD, plays better at home than it did at the disappointing theatrical screening in the middle of summer 2010. It’s still a bit of a disappointment, but it’s one of those films that’s nowhere near as bad as it could have been and features a few strong set pieces, especially in HD.