Gabrielle Union

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show with Hannah B on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on November 23rd, reviewing the new Disney animated film “Strange World,” in theaters beginning November 23rd.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Inspection,” a based-on-his-own-life memoir film by writer/director Elegance Bratton on his experiences in Marine Corps boot camp, in theaters on November 23rd.

CHICAGO – The journey of Elegance Bratton took him from homelessness to the U.S. Marine Corps to to his first film … all based on his life. “The Inspection” is about Ellis (Jeremy Pope). a gay black youth who decides he has one last shot at a chance to get off the streets … if he can survive Marine boot camp.

CHICAGO – My year in capturing 2017 celebrity portraits is best summed up with a bit of poetry: My subjects skewed older and politically bolder/In a year that demanded change/My list is longer with work hopefully stronger/In capturing these faces not strange.

CHICAGO – Actor Gabrielle Union is pulling no punches in her first book, “We’re Going to Need More Wine.” The memoir includes Union’s account of rape when she was a teenager. And at her book event sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville (Ill.), she spoke of her experiences with sexual harassment in her career.

CHICAGO – Every year, the “season” gets earlier and earlier, and the first out of the gate for the holidays is the new film, “Almost Christmas.” This warm-hearted comedy involves a large African American family gathering at the Yuletide, and features Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps, and introducing D.C. Young Fly.

CHICAGO – “The Birth of a Nation” has been making news since it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival early this year. Taking place before the American Civil War, this incendiary look at a real slave rebellion in the deep South does pack a punch, but its approach isn’t completely successful.

CHICAGO – Chris Rock isn’t a huge writer/director, but when he does make a film, it’s an event to consider. For example, he made black president tale “Head of State” long before then-senator Barack Obama was even considered for the real-life role, and whether behind the stand-up mic or in an interview, he’s a voice to be reckoned with.

CHICAGO – Chris Rock wants you to take him seriously, so he has made a comedy with inconsistent laughs, and a nod towards the weird fishbowl lives that today’s celebrities endure. It’s a rare film where the last part is stronger than the first few acts, a mishmash that is “Top Five.”

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the “Think Like a Man” sequel “Think Like a Man Too” starring Kevin Hart and Taraji P. Henson!