HollywoodChicago.com: The Everything Entertainment Destination

Audio Film Review: John Early Writes, Directs & Acts in ‘Maddie’s Secret’

PatrickMcD — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:38:27 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film release MADDIE’S SECRET, featuring comedian John Early, who also wrote the film and directed it, which also features Kristen Johnson and Vanessa Bayer. In select theaters since July 3rd, see local listings.

Early also is featured as Maddie, an optimistic vegetarian foodie who works at a culinary content provider. Her best friend is Deena (Kate Berlant), who has a crush on Maddie, although her friend is married to Jake (Eric Rahill). A chance Tik Tok of Maddie preparing food goes viral, and her company puts her front and center to keep the momentum. It is in this role that the secret is revealed, which Maddie represents as pregnancy. She goes in-patient at a clinic, and begins the long journey to the rest of her life.

MADDIE’S SECRET is in theaters NOW, including Chicago’s Music Box Theatre, plus see your local listings. Featuring John Early, Kate Berlant, Eric Rahill, Kristen Johnson and Vanessa Bayer. Written and directed by John Early. Not Rated.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of MADDIE’S SECRET

MADDIE’S SECRET
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of MADDIE’S SECRET

Audio Film Review: Lock Me Away with ‘Peter Asher: Everywhere Man’

PatrickMcD — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 02:48:59 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new documentary release PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN, the story of Asher, half of Peter and Gordon, the Swingin’ 1960s, The Beatles and the California Sound. In select theaters since June 26th, see local listings.

Peter Asher first made a mark with the wave of World War Two Era-born English babies that reinvented rock/pop during their American infiltration in 1964 with the duet Peter & Gordon (that’s Gordon Waller), who hit the charts on the heels of The Beatles with WORLD WITHOUT LOVE and other hit singles. When the pair broke up in 1968, Asher was brought onto The Beatles newly formed Apple Records at their A&R man, where he signed American James Taylor, which led to a decades long association.

Splitting off from the chaos of Apple, he re-established himself in Los Angeles as Taylor’s manager, and besides JT’s albums Asher produced Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther and Bonnie Raitt, among others, all a major influence on the 1970s California sound. He remained in music as an executive until the 2000s, and is recognized as a major figure in the history of pop rock.

PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN is in theaters NOW, including Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center, plus see your local listings. Featuring interviews with Peter Asher, Paul McCartney, Steve Martin, Eric Idle and Pattie Boyd. Directed by Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine. Not Rated.

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN

PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN
Photo credit: Greenwich Entertainment

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s Audio Film Review of PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN

Theater Review: ‘Iceboy’ Provides Hot Laughs at Goodman Theatre

PatrickMcD — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 01:42:04 +0000

CHICAGO – The sound you hear emanating from Chicago’s Loop could be the raucous laughter of audiences for ICEBOY!, a musical stage play now at the Goodman Theatre. Featuring Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, this absurdist send-up of theater and Eugene O’Neill scores the guffaws. For tickets/info, click ICEBOY!.

At the Goodman Theatre thru August 9th, 2026
Photo credit: GoodmanTheatre.org

Play Rating: 3.5/5.0

The play begins with playwright Eugene O’Neill (Nick Offerman), who introduces what is about to happen as a preliminary for his authorship of THE ICEMAN COMETH. Vera Vimm (Megan Mullally), one of Broadway’s biggest stars in 1939, buys a caveman frozen for 40,000 years on a whim. She names him Iceboy (Grey Henson), and he refers to her as Momma. This throws Vimm’s household into a tizzy, including her loyal assistant Lambert (Sarah Stiles) and butler Frankenstein’s Monster (Alex Goodrich). When Vera’s erstwhile boyfriend Floyd (Cedric Yarbrough) puts her in his new play, it gets the worst reviews of her career. Enter Iceboy as an understudy, which puts a distraught Vera into a coma. Who will resolve this dilemma? Iceboy? Eugene O’Neill? Frankenstein’s monster?

Audio Theater Review of ICEBOY! by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com …

Goodman Theatre presents ICEBOY! at their downtown Albert Theater, 170 North Dearborn Street, Chicago. Featuring Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Grey Henson, Cedric Yarbrough, Alex Goodrich and Sarah Stiles. Book by Jay Reiss and Erin Quinn Purcell. Music by Mark Hollman. Lyrics by Jay Reiss and Mark Hollman. Directed by Marc Bruni. For more information on the Goodman Theatre, click GoodmanTheatre.org.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

On-Air Film Review: Olivia Wilde is Featured & Directs ‘The Invite’

PatrickMcD — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:54:36 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 2nd, 2026, reviewing the new film release THE INVITE, featuring and directed by Olivia Wilde. In theaters on July 3rd.

The film features Wilde as Angela, a wife and Mom who is barely holding on while preparing a dinner party for their new upstairs neighbor couple (Edward Norton as Hawk and Penélope Cruz as Pina). In comes her husband Joe (Seth Rogen) who has forgotten about the gathering, and is prickly mad about it, enough to start an argument. But he eventually capitulates and the gathering begins.

As the two couples interact, something becomes apparent that the hosts didn’t expect … the neighbors are swingers and are interested in swinging with them. This interaction causes a number of uncomfortable truths to emerge, and one of those is the truth behind Joe and Angela’s deteriorating marriage.

THE INVITE is in theaters July 3rd. Featuring Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton. Written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. Directed by Olivia Wilde. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of THE INVITE

THE INVITE
Photo credit: A24

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of THE INVITE

On-Air Film Review: Yellow Gang is Back in ‘Minions & Monsters’

PatrickMcD — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:08:44 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on July 2nd, 2026, reviewing the new animated release MINIONS & MONSTERS, the 3rd film in their yellow adventures. In theaters since July 1st.

This time it’s a prequel with the yellow creatures (all voiced by director Pierre Coffin), as they search through world history trying to find an evil soul to serve and protect. As they move through time, a brotherhood friendship develops between minions James, Henry and hard-of-hearing Ed, as they bungle a number of attempts to connect to a giant ogre and a warlock, co-opting his book of magic along the way.

In the early 20th Century they encounter a cowboy train robbery, and chase after the evil thief, but he turns out he’s just acting in a silent film. Max the Director (Christoph Waltz) takes the yellow crew under his wing, and soon they become stars … until the talkies start. So like any other out of work actors, James, Henry and Ed want to create their own film called MINIONS & MONSTERS … will a little help from their magic book.

MINIONS & MONSTERS is in theaters since July 1st. Featuring Christoph Waltz, Trey Parker, Alison Janney, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeff Bridges, Zoey Deutch and Pierre Coffin. Written by Pierre Coffin and Brian Lynch. Directed by Pierre Coffin. Rated “PG”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of MINIONS & MONSTERS

MINIONS & MONSTERS
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of MINIONS & MONSTERS

Podtalk: World Cup Expert Mike Boyd of Chicago’s AJ Hudson’s Public House on Knockout Round

PatrickMcD — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:49:11 +0000

CHICAGO – With the local Team USA victory in their first “Knockout Round” match, World Cup fever is off and running here and beyond. That beyond is one of the headquarters of the World Cup in Chicago, AJ Hudson’s Public House on the Northside near Wrigleyville, and one of their partners is Mike Boyd, who is the World Cup expert on the match-ups and what to watch. He did a Podtalk with HollywoodChicago.com on what to expect going forward.

The FIFA World Cup is the world’s premier international soccer (football) tournament. Organized by FIFA (the Fédération Internationale de Football Association), it brings together the best national teams from around the globe every four years to compete for the sport’s most prestigious trophy. What began in Uruguay in 1930 with 13 teams, has expanded into one of the world’s most anticipated tournaments, expanding in 2026 into 48 teams, now in the KNOCKOUT Round of match-ups, which will whittle down 32 teams to 16 to 8 to 4 to the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey USA on Sunday, July 19th.

World Cup Headquarters AJ Hudson’s Public House, 3801 North Ashland Avenue in Chicago
Photo credit: AJ Hudson’s Public House Chicago

AJ Hudson’s Public House in Chicago is a soccer-watching haven in the Windy City, as a host for England’s Premier League year-round, and the joint especially heats up around the World Cup, hosting international fans every day at the venue.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, World Cup expert Mike Boyd of AJ Hudson’s Public House puts the Knockout Round into perspective …

AJ Hudson Public House is located at 3801 North Ashland Avenue in Chicago. For more information on the World Cup events there, click on AJHudsonPublicHouse.com.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

On-Air Film Review: Angelina Jolie is Fashionable in ‘Couture’

PatrickMcD — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:19:38 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson for WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on June 25th, 2026, reviewing the new film release COUTURE, a French ensemble film featuring Angelina Jolie. In theaters since June 26th, check local listings.

Jolie is Maxine, an independent filmmaker who gets a gig directing a film for the main Paris Fashion Week runway show. The characters that swirl around her include Ada (Anyier Anei), a hesitant model getting her first break; Angéle (Ella Rumpf), a make-up artist who dreams to be writer; and Christine (Garance Maillier), a young seamstress creating her first runway gown. When tragic health news smacks down Maxine in the middle of it all, she must balance a new reality with a hectic job she must complete.

COUTURE is in select theaters since June 26th, see local listings. Featuring Angelina Jolie, Anyier Anei, Ella Rumpf, Garance Maillier and Louis Garrel. Written and directed by Alice Winocour. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of COUTURE

COUTURE
Photo credit: Vertical Entertainment

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of COUTURE

On-Air Film Review: Up Up & Away She Evolves in ‘Supergirl’

PatrickMcD — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:19:48 +0000

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on Eddie Volkman & Friends for THE 9-6-7 WSSR-FM Joliet (IL) on June 26th, 2026, reviewing the new release SUPERGIRL, part of the new DC Cinema Universe, focusing on the female side of the Superfamily. In theaters since June 26th.

When we last left Kara Zor-El, AKA Supergirl (Milly Alcock) she was shown stopping by the Fortress of Solitude of her cousin Superman, clearly hung over after partying throughout the galaxy. The story continues in her own story, in which the Girl of Steel is celebrating her 23rd birthday by getting drunk under a red sun planet … where her powers cannot protect her, but her loyal dog Krypto can.

She encounters a young girl named Ruthye (Eve Ridley), whose family had been killed by an evil space pirate named Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts), and the determined youth is now on a mission to avenge their deaths. Reluctantly, Kara/Supergirl joins the girl in her pursuit, her powers turning on or off depending on which sun she is under … yellow is prime. And all the while, Kara is also birthday remembering how she landed on earth, under the protective cape of her cousin Superman.

SUPERGIRL is in theaters since June 26th. Featuring Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, David Krumholtz, Jason Momoa and David Corenswet. Written by Ana Nogueira. Directed by Craig Gillespie. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of SUPERGIRL

SUPERGIRL
Photo credit: Warner Bros

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of SUPERGIRL

Pride2026: Three Audio LGBTQ+ Film Reviews to Celebrate PRIDE

PatrickMcD — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:54:35 +0000

CHICAGO – Happy Pride Week 2026! To celebrate Pride and the community, HollywoodChicago.com presents three reviews of LGBTQ+ themed films, with audio overviews from Editor/Writer Patrick McDonald, in addition to guest contributors actor/filmmaker Mary Tilden and Hugo Do Nascimento.

The three films are WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN (2023), reviewed by Mary; PARIS IS BURNING (1990), reviewed by Hugo; and SKIN OF YOUTH (2025), reviewed by Patrick. Click the names below for more highlights and info regarding each of the reviewers.

Three by Three: WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN, PARIS IS BURNING and SKIN OF YOUTH
Photo credit: FilmMovementPlus.com and The Criterion Collection

Mary Tilden is a Chicago actor and filmmaker, performing on stage for the Writer’s Theatre and the Goodman, among others. She’s directed several short films, including the award-winning ROUGH RIVER LAKE, and recently appeared in the locally-filmed HEKLA. Patrick McDonald is Editor and Entertainment Reporter for HollywoodChicago.com. Hugo Do Nascimento is Brazilian born, Paris bred, and resides in Chicago with his husband “Red” Mark McLaughlin.

WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN by Mary Tilden

PARIS IS BURNING (2001) by Hugo Do Nascimento

SKIN OF YOUTH (2025) by Patrick McDonald

PARIS IS BURNING is available for digital download. WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN and SKIN OF YOUTH are available on Film Movement+, click FilmMovmentPlus.com HAPPY PRIDE WEEK!

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Pride2026: Silas Howard & Harry Dodge on ‘By Hook or By Crook’

PatrickMcD — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:13:37 +0000

CHICAGO – Happy Pride Week 2026! There were several breakthrough films in the LGBTQ+ genre, and one that stood out in the early millennium is BY HOOK OR BY CROOK (2001), co-directed/featuring Silas Howard and Harry Dodge. The Gene Siskel Film Center will screen the film, click HOOK/CROOK for details.

Silas Howard (left) and Harry Dodge in BY HOOK OR BY CROOK
Photo credit: Altered Innocence

Rating: 4.0/5.0

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK chronicles three weeks in the life of a gender-bending small town dreamer with a nagging messiah complex. Emotionally defeated after the death of his father, Shy (Silas Howard) heads to the big city to sink himself into a "life of crime." He is quickly distracted by Valentine (Harry Dodge), a deliriously expressive, wise-acre adoptee on a misguided search for her birth mother. The two freaky grifters join forces and learn the true meaning of "poise under pressure,” in an anti-authoritarian tale of friendship, trust and redemption.

Like MIDNIGHT COWBOY before it, the film at the core relies on the relationship of Shy and Valentine, and their personalities clashing within a survival mode and empathy for their situations. The secret of Valentine is a tenuous mental health, and Shy creates a buffer zone of delusional fantasy that keeps his partner on an “even keel.” Filled with funky beginning-of-millennia San Francisco fringes, the film has an authenticity about the moment, but still manages a truth that is right at home today. Two renegades are off to create their own world, and end up saving themselves. Howard and Dodge are on-point in creating a queer dynamic duo that understands the need for each other, in an early mumblecore classic.

Harry Dodge, Stanya Khan & Silas Howard in BY HOOK OR BY CROOK
Photo credit: Altered Innocence

Silas Howard (he/him) is an award-winning director, writer, and producer, and set an historic landmark as one of the first studio-made films directed by an out trans masculine LGBTQ+ filmmaker when he directed DARBY AND THE DEAD. Other credits include directing Netflix’s BOOTS, FX’s POSE (also exec producer), EP/director for Apple TV’s DICKINSON, and director for multiple seasons on the Emmy-award winning TRANSPARENT.

Harry Dodge (he/him) is a writer, director, actor and visual artist, and his book of literary nonfiction, MY METEORITE: OR, WITH THE RANDOM THERE CAN BE NO NEW THING (2020) was named an Editor’s Choice by the New York Times. Dodge’s sculpture, drawing, and video work has been exhibited in venues nationally and internationally.

In Part One of a Podtalk interview with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, co-directors/feature actors Silas Howard and Harry Dodge reflect on BY HOOK OR BY CROOK, which includes a Madonna dream …

In Part Two, Silas and Harry talk backgrounds, pride and what if Shy and Valentine met today …

Trailer, BY HOOK OR BY CROOK …

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK will screen at The Gene Siskel Film Center – 164 North State Street, Chicago – from June 26th-July 2nd, 2026. Featuring Silas Howard, Harry Dodge, Stanya Kahn and Joan Jett. Written by Silas Howard, Harry Dodge and Stanya Kahn. Directed by Silas Howard and Harry Dodge. Not Rated. For more information on the Siskel Center, click here. Happy Pride Week!

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com