CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
Jamie Foxx
On-Air Film Review: ‘The Burial’ is a Sustained Objection
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 17, 2023 - 2:15pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 12th, 2023, reviewing “The Burial,” a courtroom drama featuring Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jone. Streaming on Prime Video since October 13th.
Film Review: ‘Strays’ Poops Out on Its Hard-R Talking Dog Premise
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 20, 2023 - 9:46amCHICAGO – “Strays” is a film that features a cast full of legitimately funny people, but this Hard-R-Rated talking dog movie poops out long before the final credits roll. The film tries to have heart, but is too busy making labored poo-poo jokes to give the schmaltz much gusto. !—break—>
Film Review: What is Being There? On-Air Review of ‘Soul’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 25, 2020 - 10:31pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on December 24th, 2020, reviewing the new animated film “Soul,” from Disney/Pixar and streaming on Disney+ on December 25th, 2020.!—break—>
Podtalk: Tim Blake Nelson, Karan Kendrick of ‘Just Mercy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 10, 2020 - 1:58pmCHICAGO – Getting the right chemistry in casting a film is crucial in a drama, and the new film “Just Mercy” anchors lead actors Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx with two vital characters actors. Karan Kendrick portrays Millie McMillian, the wife of Foxx’s character, who is on death row. Tim Blake Nelson is Ralph Myers, a key witness.
Film Review: ‘Robin Hood’ is a By-the-Book Waste of Cinema Energy
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 22, 2018 - 9:20amCHICAGO – No one in the movie-going universe was pining for another Robin Hood remake. No. One. Yet, with the story in public domain and some overseas cash to spend, here we are. Taron Egerton (“Kingsman” series) takes on the title role, with support from Jamie Foxx.
Film Review: ‘Baby Driver’ Runs on the Fast Track of Movieland
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 28, 2017 - 8:28amCHICAGO – While it may seem that we’ve seen this type of tough-guy robbery gang film before, “Baby Driver” lives in its own universe, that of the movieland of movies. It is rich in squealing tires, bang-bang guns synched to the soundtrack, and a mystery cool boy creating his own star-crossed romance.
Film Review: Uneven ‘Annie’ Makes Some Very Bad Decisions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 19, 2014 - 9:04amCHICAGO – The diabetes-inducing Broadway musical “Annie” does not deserve two film versions – including the newest release – especially since both are tortuous and somewhat dark. The “modern” version even eliminates most of the strength that “Annie” possessed on stage, its chipper songs.
Film Review: ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Can’t Find Its Swing
Submitted by SpikeHC on May 3, 2014 - 2:38pmCHICAGO – “The Amazing Spider-man 2” continues what has become the J.V. Team of super-hero film franchises. The building blocks are there for success, but the talent on the field isn’t capable of pulling it off. Like it’s predecessor, this sequel does not aim to entertain and create a lasting impression, instead it aims to stave off boredom for just long enough.
Film Review: Big Spectacle, Small Heart in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 2, 2014 - 5:22amCHICAGO – For a film with so much eye candy that it threatens ocular diabetes, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is decidedly low in story rhythm and energy – even with a villain named Electro. The story also has the “three villain syndrome,” which allows for a lack of focus and heart.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Passes to ‘Rio 2’ with Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 1, 2014 - 9:06pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening passes up for grabs to the animated sequel “Rio 2” from the creators of “Ice Age” starring Jesse Eisenberg!