CHICAGO – In the last several years, how many times have you wanted to shout the “Mad as Hell” movie quote? Well, Invictus Theatre Co. has produced a stage adaptation of “Network” – with that quote shout worthy – at the Windy City Playhouse in Chicago through September 29th. For tickets/details, click HOWARD BEALE.
Ann Dowd
Devil You Say! On-Air Review of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 5, 2023 - 2:24pm![]() Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 5th, 2023, reviewing “The Exorcist: Believer” a story continuation from the universe of the original film. In theaters on October 6th.
Parental Grievance! On-Air Review of ‘Mass’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 16, 2021 - 8:33am![]() Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on October 7th, 2021, reviewing the new Bleecker Street Media film “Mass,” in select theaters beginning October 15th.
Toni Collette Discovers that Horror is ‘Hereditary’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 8, 2018 - 6:20pm![]() Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The classic horror/psychological films continue to chill our souls long after the experience of them. “Hereditary” uses a masterful performance by Toni Collette, and layers it with symbolic commentary and freaky scares to accomplish that lingering discomfort. After viewing it, the cluck of the tongue will never be the same.
There is Little Beauty to Be Found in ‘Collateral Beauty’
Submitted by JonHC on December 17, 2016 - 6:33am![]() Rating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Charles Dickens once said, “Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Seeing the trailer for “Collateral Beauty,” it’s obvious this is the theme of the film, but it is also the theme of this review. My “blessing” to you is the foresight not to waste your time with this film.
Sandra Bullock Bombs in Bad ‘Our Brand is Crisis’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 30, 2015 - 9:15am- Ann Dowd
- Anthony Mackie
- Billy Bob Thornton
- David Gordon Green
- Dominic Flores
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Joaquim de Almeida
- Louis Arcella
- Movie Review
- Octavio Gomez Berrios
- Our Brand is Crisis
- Peter Straughn
- Rachel Boynton
- Sandra Bullock
- Scott McNairy
- Spike Walters
- Warner Bros.
- Warner Brothers
- Zoe Kazan
![]() Rating: 0.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – This misbegotten political satire shows almost as much contempt for its audience as its characters do for the politicians they’re supposed to be helping. This movie thinks it is smartly cynical, but it’s about as smart as a Larry the Cable Guy routine at a Donald Trump rally. Hate is not a big enough word for how I felt about this movie. I loathed, detested, scorned, despised, and abhorred this Hollywood abomination, that is so full of its own smug satisfaction it can’t see how dumb it really is.
Earnest ‘Gimme Shelter’ Needs More Truth
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 24, 2014 - 7:53am![]() Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The balancing act between reality and drama in based-on-truth narratives is as delicate as walking the high wire. Pour in too much drama, and a story can feel like a soap opera. “Gimme Shelter,” although earnestly and achingly performed, has that sudsy protocol.
Rooney Mara, Jude Law Star in Steven Soderbergh’s Thrilling, Stellar ‘Side Effects’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 7, 2013 - 1:25pm![]() Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Steven Soderbergh has given interviews in which he claims that his latest film, the fantastic “Side Effects,” will be his last. As much as I have my doubts that this is true, it makes more sense after viewing the thriller starring Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Channing Tatum. It plays like a proof of the auteur theory; like a “Greatest Hits” of Soderbergh’s career.
Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan in Mediocre ‘Bachelorette’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 6, 2012 - 3:35pm![]() Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Bachelorette,” now playing On Demand (and doing quite well on that format) and opening in theaters tomorrow, is a modestly successful comedy with some very talented stars stuck with an incredibly inconsistent script. The performers do their best and there are some scenes that work but the overall piece is remarkably forgettable, reminding viewers of “Bridesmaids” and “The Hangover” while failing to match either in terms of laughs.
Stunning ‘Compliance’ Will Rattle You For Days
Submitted by BrianTT on August 30, 2012 - 11:18am![]() Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Craig Zobel’s “Compliance” has provoked outbursts, walk-outs, and altercations at screenings since it first premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Why? What does this unsettling film tap in viewers to get them as fired up as any movie in years?
![RSS - Ann Dowd Syndicate content](/misc/feed.png)