CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show with Hannah B on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on January 27th, reviewing the new TV series “Shrinking,” featuring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. Currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Paul Dano
Reel Spielbergo! Audio Film Review of ‘The Fabelmans’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 24, 2022 - 7:36pm Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Fabelmans,” an autobiographical film from America’s most famous modern movie director, Steven Spielberg, in theaters on November 23rd.
‘The Batman’ with Robert Pattinson is On Its Way Up
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 3, 2022 - 1:42pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Since I was no fan of of director Zack Snyder’s take on the Caped Crusader – “Batman v Superman” and “The Justice League” being some of the worst superhero movies ever to sputter onto the big screen – as far as I was concerned the franchise had nowhere to go but up.
Spotty ‘Swiss Army Man’ Has Just Enough Gas
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 2, 2016 - 6:53pm Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It’s a simple concept. A man is stuck on an island, and has run out of hope. A dead corpse washes ashore and starts farting. The farts are so frequent that the man rides the corpse like a jet ski. The man is “saved”? Oh yes, and the corpse is portrayed by Daniel “Harry Potter” Radcliffe.
Elegant, Delicate Emotions Are Forged in ‘Youth’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 12, 2015 - 3:13pm Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – When a film tries to be philosophical, it easily can devolve into heavy handedness. But the exception is the latest from writer/director Paolo Sorrentino, the richly presented “Youth.” It treads upon many definitions of the title, and lands upon all of them, because that’s life.
Brian Wilson Redeems His Soul in ‘Love & Mercy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 6, 2015 - 9:48amRating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Brian Wilson has been called one of the greatest songwriters in popular music history. His tonality and approach towards his best compositions have been studied like Mozart. In “Love & Mercy,” we see that the thing that made Wilson great also had the power to destroy him.
Relentless Artistry of ‘12 Years a Slave’
Submitted by BrianTT on October 17, 2013 - 10:53amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – A man is chained to the floor in a dark, barren room. He has been ripped from his family and his freedom, and we watch as he’s whipped with amazing brutality. It goes on well past the point that most films with similar human suffering would have cut to a less stressful image. It will not be the last time that “12 Years a Slave” forces the viewer to turn away before the editor does it for you.
Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman Enter Darkness of ‘Prisoners’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 19, 2013 - 3:28pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – What would you do if your child was in jeopardy? We all love to answer quickly and instinctually that we would do absolutely anything but the fact is that we’re incredibly lucky to never be put in that situation. Would you torture someone else? What if you weren’t sure they were responsible?
Stunning, Creative Vision of ‘Looper’ with Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Submitted by BrianTT on September 6, 2012 - 9:41pm Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It’s so refreshing to see a talented filmmaker that has been allowed to bring his unique vision to the screen without compromise. You know the feeling when you’re watching a product of a marketing focus group or producer interference and when you’re seeing something fresh, new, and personal.
Zoe Kazan Illuminates Fascinating Fable of ‘Ruby Sparks’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 24, 2012 - 9:40amRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris return to the spotlight this week with their first film since the award-winning “Little Miss Sunshine” and they completely defy the sophomore slump, delivering a smart, fascinating, fun gem in the spectacular “Ruby Sparks.” Buoyed by one of the best screenplays of the year courtesy of one of our most interesting young actresses, “Ruby Sparks” is a clever romantic fantasy that works on nearly every level.
Robert De Niro Triumphs Again in ‘Being Flynn’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 9, 2012 - 6:09pm Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The intensity that Robert De Niro puts into his movie characters had slackened a bit, as he bent his reputation on more commercial roles. But Director Paul Weitz has revived the old legend with a meaty, purposeful character, and De Niro delivers it with his old fire. ‘Being Flynn’ is not a comeback, but a gratefully received reboot.
