CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.
The Hangover
Blu-ray Review: Awful ‘The Change-Up’ Wastes Talented Cast
Submitted by BrianTT on November 7, 2011 - 5:56pmCHICAGO – Just today, we wrote of the stellar ensemble in this summer’s “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and how well-used they were in that enjoyable romantic dramedy. On the other end of the comedy scale, we have “The Change-Up,” out on Blu-ray and DVD tomorrow. Consider this an advance warning to not waste your time with this reprehensible excuse for a movie. Only the sheer talent of the two leads keep it from total disaster. Rarely have so many talented people been used so ineffectively.
Film Review: Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds Buried By ‘The Change-Up’
Submitted by BrianTT on August 5, 2011 - 8:28amCHICAGO – “The Change-Up” is an undeniable mess, as any movie that opens with a grown man getting baby crap projected into his mouth would be (and that’s just the beginning), but one of the worst scripts of the year is saved from the depths of comedy hell by a talented cast headlined by the typically-restrained Jason Bateman playing against type.
Film Review: ‘The Hangover Part II’ a Funny, Formulaic, Desperately Shocking Carbon Copy
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 26, 2011 - 11:40pmCHICAGO – Business and creative people go together as well as fine wine at a burger joint. Riding on the heels of the monumentally profitable “The Hangover,” the brass win out over the artists in “The Hangover Part II”.
Blu-Ray Review: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis Waste Efforts on ‘Due Date’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 28, 2011 - 12:56pmCHICAGO – Todd Phillips followed up his mega-hit and award-winning comedy “The Hangover” with a decidedly lesser affair, a traditional road movie that simply isn’t funny enough to warrant a look except for die hard fans of its stars. Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis don’t do anything particularly wrong in “Due Date,” but the lackluster script and pedestrian direction lets them down.
Interview: Ed Helms of ‘Cedar Rapids,’ ‘The Office’ Talks Character
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 10, 2011 - 3:43pmCHICAGO – Ed Helms is one hot rising star. After a breakthrough in “The Hangover” in 2009, he continues his climb with the excellent “Cedar Rapids,” co-starring John C. Reilly. All this while playing the affable Andy on TV’s “The Office.”
Blu-Ray Review: Extreme Edition of Comedy Smash ‘The Hangover’
Submitted by BrianTT on October 18, 2010 - 10:01amCHICAGO – Holiday shopping season always inspires studios to try and find new ways to market their most successul films. If people loved a movie enough to buy it once, maybe they’ll buy it again with a few new special features and collectibles. Such is how we end up with releases like “The Hangover: Extreme Edition,” a cash grab that seems awfully quick considering most people probably bought the original Blu-ray less than a year ago. This is for hardcore fans only.
John Cusack, Rob Corddry Ride ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 27, 2010 - 12:12pmCHICAGO – What man approaching or in middle age wouldn’t love to go back to when they were in their physical, sexual, and alcohol-imbibing prime and not just feel young again but perhaps even correct a few mistakes that led to a disappointing life?
‘Avatar,’ ‘Glee,’ ‘Mad Men,’ ‘The Hangover’ Big Winners at 2010 Golden Globes
Submitted by BrianTT on January 17, 2010 - 11:11pmCHICAGO – The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards were held tonight, January 17th, 2010 and big winners included Mo’Nique, Meryl Streep, Christoph Waltz, James Cameron, Sandra Bullock, Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Michael C. Hall, Juliana Margulies, Toni Collette, John Lithgow, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Bacon, Alec Baldwin, and Chloe Sevigny.
Blu-Ray Review: Mega-Hit ‘The Hangover’ Drunk on Comedy Success
Submitted by BrianTT on December 17, 2009 - 12:54pmCHICAGO – “The Hangover” is arguably the most successful comedy of all time (only a few dollars below “Meet the Fockers” that would probably disappear if you adjust for inflation). The comedy that proved that star power and sequelitis don’t have to drive every Summer movie was wildly beloved by audiences and fans of the film have been given a Blu-Ray release drunk on the film’s success and loaded with special features, including an unrated version of the movie itself.
Adam Sandler Takes Box Office Title With Disappointing ‘Funny People’
Submitted by BrianTT on August 3, 2009 - 8:19amCHICAGO – Adam Sandler can lay claim to another #1 film with this weekend’s opening of “Funny People,” co-starring Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, and Jason Schwartzman, but the box office win was bittersweet as the film failed to deliver either by the standards of its star or even its acclaimed writer/director Judd Apatow.