CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.
Iron Man
Audio Film Reviews: ‘Stan Lee’ and ‘Yogi Berra It Ain’t Over’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 20, 2023 - 7:10pm- All Star
- Black Panther
- Black Widow
- Catcher
- Disney+
- Eddie Volkman
- Fantastic Four
- Hannah B
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Hulk
- Iron Man
- Marvel Universe
- Movie Review
- New York Yankees
- Pat Über TV
- Patrick McDonald
- Scott Thompson
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Spider-Man
- Stan Lee
- Thor
- WGBR-FM
- WSSR-FM
- Yogi Berra It Ain’t Over
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film reviews for the new biography documentaries “Stan Lee,” an overview of the Marvel Universe creator (on Disney+ since June 16th) and baseballer “Yogi Berra It Ain’t Over” (currently in select theaters and available for digital download).!—break—>
Slideshow: Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr. Featured at 2019 Gene Siskel Film Center Gala
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 25, 2019 - 9:46am- 2019
- Avengers: Endgame
- Chaplin
- Chef
- Elf
- Four Seasons Hotel
- Gene Siskel Film Center
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Iron Man
- Joe Arce
- Marvel Studios
- Patrick McDonald
- Renaissance Award
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Sherlock Holmes
- Slideshow
- Spider-Man: Far From Home
- Swingers
- The Jungle Book
- The Lion King
CHICAGO – The annual Gene Siskel Film Center Gala – benefitting the cinema jewel of Chicago’s State Street – took place on June 15th, 2019, and packed some serious super heroism. Each year, the Center honors a special guest with their Renaissance Award, and the 2019 honor went to Jon Favreau. To interview the actor/director at the event was Robert Downey Jr., who just anchored Marvel Studios “Avengers: Endgame,” portraying Tony Stark/Iron Man.
Film Review: Journey to Conclusion is the Thrill of ‘Avengers: Endgame’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 24, 2019 - 11:18amCHICAGO – When it comes down to this, and the creators do it right, there is no more satisfying conclusion than “Avengers: Endgame.” Admirers of this magnificent Marvel (Studios) Universe story will get everything they want. It is the “Gone with the Wind” of superhero epic films.
Entertainment News: Stan Lee, of Marvel Comic Fame, Dies at 95
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2018 - 9:10amLOS ANGELES – The last of the great comic book creators has flown to the beyond. Stan Lee, who led the resurgence of comic book culture – especially in the movies – created legendary superheroes for Marvel Comics, including Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Panther and X-Men. Lee passed away at age 95 in Los Angeles on November 12th, 2018.
Film Review: Epic Comic Book Story in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 27, 2018 - 8:51am- Avengers: Infinity War
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Black Panther
- Captain America
- Chadwick Boseman
- Chris Evans
- Chris Hemsworth
- Don Cheadle
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Iron Man
- Mark Ruffalo
- Marvel Studios
- Movie Review
- Patrick McDonald
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Scarlett Johansson
- Spider-Man
- Stan Lee
- Tom Holland
- Walt Disney Studios
CHICAGO – Coming off the multi-textured “Black Panther,” Marvel Studios now turns its assignment towards an Avengers movie, and man, everything is on the table. This overstuffed, somewhat overindulged journey of a tale never loses its flavor, and has surprises around every corner. Anticipate “Avengers: Infinity War.”
Slideshow: Laura Harrier of ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ at Film Preview in Chicago
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 2, 2017 - 8:18am- AMC River East Theatre
- Aunt May
- Chicago
- Donald Glover
- Evanston Township High School
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- High School
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Slideshow
- Iron Man
- Jacob Batalon
- Joe Arce
- Jon Favreau
- Laura Harrier
- Marisa Tomei
- Michael Keaton
- Patrick McDonald
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Tom Holland
- Vulture
CHICAGO – Chicago welcomed one of its own back home when Laura Harrier, who portrays the key role of Liz in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” appeared at a Chicago preview for the film on June 21st, 2017. Harrier lived in nearby Evanston, Illinois, and graduated from Evanston Township High School in 2008. The actress/model first gained notoriety in 2013, when she portrayed Destiny Evans in the reboot of the soap opera “One Life to Live.” Her appearance in “Spider-Man: Homecoming marks her major film debut.
Film Review: ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Spins a Web of Fun
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 2, 2017 - 7:36am- Aunt May
- Donald Glover
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- High School
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Iron Man
- Jacob Batalon
- Jon Favreau
- Laura Harrier
- Marisa Tomei
- Martin Starr
- Marvel Studios
- Michael Keaton
- Movie Review
- Patrick McDonald
- Robert Downey Jr.
- sony pictures entertainment
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Tom Holland
- Vulture
CHICAGO – Summer movies should be fun, and the superhero craze has Marvel Studios combining their adventures with a little joy. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” mostly contains that big high spirit, with Tom Holland portraying the title character with youthful zeal and energy.
Film Review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ More Exhausting Than Exhilarating
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 1, 2015 - 1:18amCHICAGO – “The Avengers: Age Of Ultron” is another overstuffed, action packed CGI addled slugfest from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. but the effects are exhausting instead of exhilarating. What has set the Avengers apart is the great interplay between the characters – and when the movie stops to take a breath, those relationships shine through.
Film Review: Mixed Bag of Marvel Tricks in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 30, 2015 - 8:14amCHICAGO – Whew. There is so much going on in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” that you practically need a program to keep up with the players. This mixed bag has overwrought comic book action, head shaking plot points, and the usual Marvel angst that includes some riveting scenes.
Exclusive Portrait: ‘The Judge’ Star Robert Downey Jr. at 50th Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 6, 2014 - 8:05amCHICAGO – The 2014 and 50th Chicago International Film Festival kicks off this week on October 9th, and had a Chicago Red Carpet preview on October 5th with the new film “The Judge,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and directed by David Dobkin.