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+.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Blu-Ray Review: ‘9’ Counts on Audacious Visuals to Pull in Viewers
Submitted by mattmovieman on December 23, 2009 - 12:37pmCHICAGO – Seventy years ago, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released a haunting animated short named “Peace On Earth.” Director Hugh Harman set his story in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited only by animals, who have rebuilt a society dedicated to peace and nonviolence. Mankind ultimately brought about their own extinction by forging never-ending wars.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Extract’ Aims Satire at Land of Idiocracy
Submitted by mattmovieman on December 22, 2009 - 11:53amCHICAGO – Mike Judge is fascinated by the culture of stupid. His characters are so desperate to shake up the listless patterns of their lives that they’ll resort to antics far below their normal IQ level. Judge’s third live-action feature is aimed at a generation addicted to smoking pot and watching “Family Guy,” two compulsions often used as an easy escape route from reality.
Interviews: ‘M*A*S*H’ Up! ‘Trapper John, M.D.’ at the Hollywood Celebrities Show
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 22, 2009 - 7:37amCHICAGO – The film and TV journey of “M*A*S*H” was recently present at the Hollywood Celebrities Show in Rosemont, Illinois. From the film, Elliott Gould and Sally Kellerman were there, as well as Gregory Harrison of “Trapper John, M.D.”
Blu-Ray Review: Masterful ‘Inglourious Basterds’ One of 2009’s Best Blu-Rays
Submitted by BrianTT on December 21, 2009 - 11:40pmCHICAGO – If only there were more filmmakers with visions as unique as “Inglourious Basterds” and the guts to put their reputation on the line. Thriller, drama, comedy, action film, and a slice of revisionist history that plays as a modern revenge fantasy, “Inglourious Basterds” plays even better the second time through and shines with a fantastic Blu-Ray release. It’s a total blast.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Lost: Season Five’ Continues Series of Spectacular Releases
Submitted by BrianTT on December 21, 2009 - 10:53pmCHICAGO – With its fifth season Blu-Ray release, “Lost” continues to make a case as the TV series with the most remarkable season DVD sets alongside award-winning season sets for shows like “24” and “The Simpsons”. With a technically flawless presentation and unique, in-depth special features, these sets perfectly balance an appeal to casual fans while also satisfying the hardcore one.
‘The Hurt Locker’ Sweeps Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Submitted by BrianTT on December 21, 2009 - 12:24pmCHICAGO – Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” swept the Chicago Film Critics Association awards for 2009, winning in every single category in which it was nominated, taking home prizes for Best Picture, Best Director (Kathryn Bigelow), Best Original Screenplay (Mark Boal), Best Actor (Jeremy Renner), and Best Cinematography (Barry Ackroyd).
Blu-Ray Review: ‘G-Force’ Offers Jerry Bruckheimer Lobotomy For Kids
Submitted by mattmovieman on December 21, 2009 - 12:10pmCHICAGO – Here’s one of the year’s lamest excuses for children’s entertainment. Like “Shorts” and “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” it assumes that young minds crave little more than frantic and shrill zaniness. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer views kids in the same way he views adults: as human guinea pigs in need of being dumbed down.
Interviews: ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Wayne’s World,’ ‘Growing Pains,’ ‘Three’s Company’ at Hollywood Celebrities Show
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 21, 2009 - 8:23amCHICAGO – At the recent Hollywood Celebrities Show in Rosemont, Illinois, Jonathan Frakes of “Star Trek,” Tia Carrere of “Wayne’s World,” Julie McCullough of “Growing Pains” and Jenilee Harrison of “Three’s Company” were attendees.
Exclusive HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Mega Holiday BBC DVD Prize Pack With ‘Doctor Who,’ More
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 18, 2009 - 5:20pmCHICAGO – In our VIP edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, we have our biggest and best giveaway of the year just in time for the holidays: a mega BBC DVD favorites prize pack!
Emily Blunt is the Girl Who Would Be Queen in ‘The Young Victoria’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 18, 2009 - 9:03amCHICAGO – One of the functions of royalty seems to be an expected adoration from the peasants. Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend and Paul Bettany offer their interpretation on a monarch’s origins with “The Young Victoria.”
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ Looks Amazing in HD
Submitted by BrianTT on December 17, 2009 - 4:04pmCHICAGO – “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is one of the most visually striking films of a year filled with achievements in great cinematography. I love Deakins’ work on “A Serious Man,” Richardson’s on “Inglourious Basterds,” and Christian Berger’s on “The White Ribbon,” but Bruno Delbonnel (who also lensed “Amelie”) has helped produce one of the most aesthetically remarkable films of the year, easily the most interesting interplay of shadow and light yet seen in a “Potter” film. Naturally, it makes for a great fit with the 1080p of Blu-Ray.
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.
Video Game Review: Truly Awful ‘Rogue Warrior’ Fails on Every Level
Submitted by BrianTT on December 16, 2009 - 12:44pmCHICAGO – We’ve become spoiled by the next generation of gaming. Most high-profile games have gone through enough research and development during their production and are made by such experienced developers that they rarely come out of the industry machine with little to no redeeming value at all. Sure, there are disappointments, but you don’t see as many complete bombs in the gaming world as you do in film, music, or TV. The exception to the rule is the truly awful “Rogue Warrior”.
