CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson, WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin), on June 23rd, 2022, reviewing the new streaming series “Ms Marvel,” a new kind of Marvel Universe superhero now streaming on Disney+.
Roadside Attractions
Audio Film Review: ‘Benediction’ Finds No Air in the Closet
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 3, 2022 - 7:33pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Benediction,” the biography film of Siegfried Sassoon, a prominent early 20th Century poet who lived his life as a closeted gay man … a somber kick-off to Pride Month. In select theaters, see local listings for theaters and show times.
Via Zoom: Actor Tom Prior of ‘Firebird.’ Opening in Theaters on April 29, 2022
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 28, 2022 - 10:34pmCHICAGO – With the subject of Russia at the top of the news, the roots of their oppressive attitudes are revealed in the new film “Firebird,” opening this Friday April 29th. The fascinating based-on-truth story is set in the Cold War era Soviet Union, and was co-written – with director Peeter Rebane – by Tom Prior, who also portrays Sergey, one of the lead roles in the film.
On-Air Film Review: Hit the Road Joe! Review of ‘Joe Bell’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 23, 2021 - 8:29amCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 22th, 2021, reviewing the new film “Joe Bell” – featuring Mark Wahlberg – in theaters beginning July 23rd.
Podtalk: Ike Barinholtz, First Time Director for ‘The Oath’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 18, 2018 - 8:59amCHICAGO – The life we have in these “interesting times” is rife with the peril of outside influences… which makes for difficult confrontations with both the known and the unknown. Comic actor Ike Barinholtz (“Blockers”) writes and directs his first film, “The Oath,” dealing with a family Thanksgiving within a Trump-like world.
Film Review: Energy of Visual Cinema is the Power of ‘Wonderstruck’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 31, 2017 - 11:06amCHICAGO – In one of the coolest visual films of the Fall Season thus far, “Wonderstruck” is another winner from director Todd Haynes (“Carol”), who adapts a Young Adult graphic novel by Brian Selznick (who also wrote the screenplay). The wonder of it all, baby.
Interview, Audio: Director Todd Haynes Becomes ‘Wonderstruck’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 26, 2017 - 10:39amCHICAGO – Todd Haynes is an American auteur, as every one of his films bear the distinct mark of his creativity. From his beginnings with the indie masterpiece “Safe” (1995) through unforgettable films like “Far From Heaven” (2002), “I’m Not There” (2007) and “Carol,” Haynes has made cinematic art. His latest film is “Wonderstruck.”
Film Review: Jake Gyllenhaal Turns Up His Power in ‘Stronger’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 23, 2017 - 9:55amCHICAGO – The second major film about the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing (after last year’s “Patriots Day”) is “Stronger,” and it wisely focuses on one individual rather than the bigger event. Jake Gyllenhaal portrays Jeff Bauman, a spectator near the explosion that lost both his legs.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 75 Pairs of Passes to ‘Stronger’ With Jake Gyllenhaal
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on September 15, 2017 - 10:43amCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 75 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new film “Stronger” starring Jake Gyllenhaal based on the inspiring true story of the Boston Marathon bombing!
Film Review: Strong Performance Makes ‘Lady Macbeth’ a Cogent Character Study
Submitted by JonHC on July 24, 2017 - 2:37amCHICAGO - Separating a performance from the rest of the film is usually an easy task. One may be stronger than the other, or vice versa, but either way, they can be judged individually and as a whole. “Lady Macbeth” proves to be that rare character study where a single performance (from breakout actress Florence Pugh) not only makes the film but essentially is the film.
Interview: Jack Lowden & Ophelia Lovibond of ‘Tommy’s Honour’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 14, 2017 - 6:38pmCHICAGO – Combining the history of golf with a heartbreaking romance seems like a contradiction, but the new film “Tommy’s Honour” does it fluidly, in part because of the two young actors portraying the romance. Jack Lowden and Ophelia Lovibond are the actors who anchor the film, and also are breaking out as performers.
