CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
Catholic
Fly Me to the Astral Plane! On-Air Film Review of ‘Here After’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 13, 2024 - 5:18pm Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on September 12th, reviewing the new release “Here After,” a parapsychological thriller featuring Connie Britton. In theaters on September 13th.
Devil You Say! On-Air Review of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 5, 2023 - 1:24pm 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.
Mark His Redemption! Audio Film Review of ‘Father Stu’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 12, 2022 - 9:12pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Father Stu,” featuring Mark Wahlberg traveling down an unusual life path, portraying a character journey from unsuccessful boxer and actor to the priesthood. In theaters on Wednesday, April 13th, just in time for redemption on Easter weekend.
‘Silence’ is an Overwrought View of Religious Faith
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 11, 2017 - 10:21am Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – For gosh sakes, someone call the Vatican and make Marty Scorsese an honorary priest. He is overtly fascinated – in this work and his other films – with the notion of religious faith, particular within his Catholic roots. He approaches the subject again in the intense “Silence.”
Reverent, Joyful & Inspirational Jesus in ‘Risen’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 20, 2016 - 8:02amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I am a recovering Catholic, which I’ll tell you a million times – or maybe shortly after I meet you – and I have to say I had a well of nostalgia while experiencing “Risen,” the story of Jesus’s Resurrection and aftermath. It is enjoyable, in a strange way, for Christians and film fans alike.
Olivia Wilde Resurrects Horror in ‘The Lazarus Effect’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 27, 2015 - 10:31am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Psychological horror films are the best tweaks, because they remind us of our fears, and where are fears are rooted. The strange combination of science, religion and a blockbuster performance by Olivia Wilde creates an atmosphere of dread and weirdness in “The Lazarus Effect.”
Psychological, Religious Edge to ‘The Possession of Michael King’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 22, 2014 - 4:52pmRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The problem with most horror films is that they don’t understand what really scares us, and substitute bloody messes or the jack-in-the-box “boo!” in place of what really gets under our skin. “The Possession of Michael King” is a rare and special exception, taking demonic possession to broad depths of psychological and religious symbolism.
The Catholic Priest on the Road to ‘Calvary’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 11, 2014 - 3:37pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The title of the film, “Calvary,” should have resonance to any guilty Catholic out there, and yet the loaded word can’t deliver the truth that the film seeks. Brendan Gleeson gives an astonishing performance as a conflicted priest, but the material he has to work with is not up to his portrayal.
Andy Garcia is Heroic, Story Isn’t in ‘For Greater Glory’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 3, 2012 - 3:23pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “For Greater Glory” attempts to bring back the David Lean style epic – even recruiting Peter O’Toole from “Lawrence of Arabia” to participate – in the story of a Mexican religious war in the 1920s. While a sincere effort, it can’t match the story to the epic history. The cast includes Andy Garcia, Eva Longoria and Bruce Greenwood.
Bless Us Father, For We Bear Witness to ‘Priest’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 13, 2011 - 3:44pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The cure for the Recovering Catholic may be obtained in the new film “Priest.” Both symbolic and kick-ass, Priest has a parallel universe that includes the ubiquitous vampire, but with the bonus of their opponents being highly trained Catholic priests.
