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.
Lionsgate
Film Review: ‘Spiral: From the Book of Saw’ is a Horror Ouroboros Devouring Itself
Submitted by JonHC on May 19, 2021 - 6:11pmCHICAGO – If you find yourself reading this review, you likely understand how much a film can influence society. Despite our best efforts, we don’t get to decide how or why something gets added to our zeitgeist. Its staying power can extend to anything from a character, an ideology, or even a quote.
Film Review: Teen a-Go-Go in Space! On-Air Review of ‘Voyagers’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 11, 2021 - 3:04pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on April 8th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Voyagers,” in theaters now.
Film Review: Spreading Wings! On-Air Reviews of ‘The Nest’ & ‘Antebellum’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 18, 2020 - 12:28pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 18th, 2020, reviewing the new films “The Nest” (in theaters) and “Antebellum” (VOD).
Podtalk: Director Jay Roach Delivers a FOX News ‘Bombshell’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 19, 2019 - 12:38pmCHICAGO – In the midst of these divisive times, there is always FOX News to further contribute to that divisiveness. The legacy of that news channel may ultimately be for the settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuits. Director Jay Roach (“Game Change”) explores the particulars of the situation in his new film “Bombshell.”
Podtalk: Director Rian Johnson Sharpens the Tools in ‘Knives Out’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 27, 2019 - 1:33amCHICAGO – Let’s get this over with … Rian Johnson directed “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” in 2017. Let’s let that fanboy quiver die down and note the talented filmmaker has produced a Thanksgiving treat, his new film “Knives Out.” The old fashioned “whodunit” flicker with an all-star cast was put together in the spirit of fun at the movies.
Podtalk: Ed Skrein & Luke Kleintank Relive WW2 in ‘Midway’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 6, 2019 - 8:37amCHICAGO – “Midway” is an epic film that combines the best of what you love about a World War II film … the relationships of human beings during a global crisis with sensational and acrobatic battle sequences. It also looks at WW2 in modern hindsight, respecting both opponents in the Pacific theater. Actors Ed Skrein & Luke Kleintank are featured, as real-life participants.
Film Review: ‘Long Shot’ Awkwardly Combines Politics & Romance
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 4, 2019 - 7:42amCHICAGO – “Long Shot” is a bit of a hybrid that can’t quite decide what it wants to be. Is it a political satire, or is it another in a long line of Seth Rogen stoner comedies with a little rom com thrown in for good measure? It’s a little of both, with the shaggy dog stoner comedy the dominant form … making it a somewhat jarring and incongruous fit with the more political elements of this comedy.
Film Review: Vivacity and Simplicity Come Together in ‘Teen Spirit’
Submitted by JonHC on April 22, 2019 - 5:49pmCHICAGO – For most of us, music literally becomes the soundtrack to our lives. They become a reflection of our mood, innermost thoughts, and even our fears. Sometimes they are just a pick me up, the same way Cardi B is currently soundtracking the writing of this review. Certain, well-placed songs can even tell our life story without us having to utter a single word, much like Teen Spirit.
Film Review: ‘Hellboy’ Maintains Energy Just by Being Hellboy
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 11, 2019 - 8:47amCHICAGO – The latest film reboot is “Hellboy,” and it cruises based on the viability and popularity of its title character. David Harbour takes the reins from Ron Perlman in portraying the demon, and although it’s bogged down by the story, the latest iteration works because the character is so weirdly appealing.
Podtalk: Producer Stephanie Buxbaum on Her Adventures in Reality & Doc Series Television
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 10, 2018 - 4:03pm- A&E
- Amazing Race
- BET
- Big Brother
- College Hill
- Documentary Series
- Gene Simmons: Family Jewels
- HBO
- Hell on the Highway
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Interview
- Lionsgate
- MTV
- National Geographic Channel
- Outpost
- Patrick McDonald
- Podcast
- Podtalk
- Producer
- Reality TV
- Stephanie Buxbaum
- Taking the Stage
- Unscripted
CHICAGO – In the history of “Reality TV” there has been periods of up-and-down popularity, shows that have been around seemingly forever (“Big Brother,” “Amazing Race”) and spinoffs to new styles like “documentary series” as networks like the National Geographic Channel emerged. In all those permutations, producer Stephanie Buxbaum has experienced it all, and has the career and stories to prove it.