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.
July 2009
DVD Review: ‘Reno 911: The Complete Sixth Season’ an Above-Average Set
Submitted by BrianTT on July 21, 2009 - 8:18amCHICAGO – The sixth season of Comedy Central’s cult hit “Reno 911!” actually bucks the trend and presents a funnier series of episodes than many of the seasons that preceded it. To see a show hit its creative stride this late into its legacy is incredibly rare, but with some hysterical guest stars and a few excellent cast changes, this is arguably the best “Reno” season yet.
Video Game Review: ‘Ghostbusters: The Video Game’ Makes Geek Dreams a Reality
Submitted by BrianTT on July 21, 2009 - 7:05amCHICAGO – If I could go back in time and tell the nine-year-old me that there would one day be a video game in which I would stand alongside Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, battling Slimer, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and other supernatural baddies, that kid would have had a permanent smile whenever he thought about what the future would bring.
DVD Review: ‘Peanuts 1960’s Collection’ Features Six Classic Specials
Submitted by BrianTT on July 20, 2009 - 5:15pmCHICAGO – I grew up adoring Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts”. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and even Peppermint Patty were a major part of my youth in both the printed form in the daily comics and, even more prominently, with a series of wonderful TV specials from the ’60s that aired in repeats when I was kid. Four previously available specials and two new-to-DVD titles are now on DVD store shelves in the “Peanuts 1960’s Collection”.
Blu-Ray Review: Odd ‘Night Train’ With Steve Zahn, Leelee Sobieski
Submitted by BrianTT on July 20, 2009 - 4:37pmCHICAGO – M. Brian King’s “Night Train,” starring Danny Glover, Steve Zahn, and Leelee Sobieski and now available on Blu-Ray and DVD, is one of the most anthology-esque films I’ve ever seen. It feels like an extended, unaired episode of a syndicated anthology show like “The Outer Limits” (remake, not original) or “Friday the 13th”. You’ll notice I didn’t compare it to “The Twilight Zone” or even “Amazing Stories”. It’s not that good.
Blu-Ray, TV Review: ‘Torchwood: Children of Earth’ is Riveting, Must-See Television
Submitted by BrianTT on July 20, 2009 - 1:11pmCHICAGO – Everyone with a TV should tune in tonight to one of the best hours of science fiction that the genre has ever seen, the opening night of the five-part “Torchwood: Children of Earth” mini-series.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel Connect in ‘(500) Days of Summer’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 17, 2009 - 7:50amCHICAGO – Romantic comedies have been so sanitized, obviously for the protection of the movie consumer, that it is refreshing to meet a reality-based couple as they interact, co-mingle, love and clash in “(500) Days of Summer.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel Connect in ‘(500) Days of Summer’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 17, 2009 - 7:37am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Romantic comedies have been so sanitized, obviously for the protection of the movie consumer, that it is refreshing to meet a reality-based couple as they interact, co-mingle, love and clash in “(500) Days of Summer.”
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Run-of-Engagement ‘Humpday’ Passes With Mark Duplass
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 16, 2009 - 5:57pmCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two run-of-engagement tickets to the new comedy “Humpday” with Mark Duplass (the writer of “Baghead”), Joshua Leonard, Alycia Delmore, Lynn Shelton and Trina Willard from director Lynn Shelton.
‘Flight of the Conchords,’ ‘Family Guy’ Lead Surprising 2009 Emmy Nominees
Submitted by BrianTT on July 16, 2009 - 8:58amCHICAGO – The 61st Annual Emmy Nominations were announced today and there were a few surprises, a few disappointments, and a variety of unusual choices. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences displayed a desire to move forward with some first-time nominees, mostly ignoring some tired staples like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Desperate Housewives,” but also missed some arguably deserving choices.
Video Game Review: ‘Guitar Hero: Smash Hits’ a Memorable Diversion Between Major Releases
Submitted by BrianTT on July 15, 2009 - 3:22pmCHICAGO – How do you judge a game like “Guitar Hero: Smash Hits”? Like a greatest hits collection for a respected artist, the actual content of the title is sure to give fans what they’re looking for with hours of entertainment. Only when you look deeper at the decisions made in the production of the game and the delivery of its content does “Smash Hits” begin to frustrate.
DVD, TV Review: TNT’s ‘Leverage’ Delivers Entertainment Despite Flaws
Submitted by BrianTT on July 15, 2009 - 2:31pmCHICAGO – In a world where corporate bailouts and scumbags like Bernie Madoff dominate the news, it would seem like TNT’s “Leverage” would be a natural choice for a summer diversion.
TV Review: New TNT Cop Drama ‘Dark Blue’ Has Potential For Explosion
Submitted by Ebeth on July 15, 2009 - 1:56amCHICAGO – TNT on Tuesday launched executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s no-holes-barred cop drama, “Dark Blue”. Like Bruckheimer’s successful predecessors in its genre (“C.S.I: Miami”, “C.S.I. New York”, “Cold Case”, and “Without a Trace”), “Dark Blue” provides captivating crime scenarios, an easy-on-the-eyes cast (including Dylan McDermott of “The Practice”), and just enough suspense to keep engaged.
‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ Discovers the Wizard of Awe
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 14, 2009 - 9:28amCHICAGO – The Harry Potter phenomenon, born from the pen of J.K. Rowling and nurtured through the utter magic of modern filmmaking, has reached a monumental creative peak with the film “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”
‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ Discovers the Wizard of Awe
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 14, 2009 - 9:20am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The Harry Potter phenomenon, born from the pen of J.K. Rowling and nurtured through the utter magic of modern filmmaking, has reached a monumental creative peak with the film “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”
DVD Review: Fifth Season of HBO’s ‘Entourage’ Entertains, But Shows Age
Submitted by BrianTT on July 13, 2009 - 4:34pmCHICAGO – How does a show about the “next big thing” in Hollywood age? Do we really want to see the boys of “Entourage” grow up?
‘I Love You, Beth Cooper’ Inspires Hatred For the High School Genre
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 10, 2009 - 7:20pm Rating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In what could be the worst mainstream release of the summer, “I Love You, Beth Cooper” wastes talent, production values and ultimately time in a cliché-ridden mess that produces little or no real love.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘12 Rounds’ Fails to Entertain For Even 12 Minutes
Submitted by BrianTT on July 10, 2009 - 5:11pmCHICAGO – Renny Harlin’s “12 Rounds,” starring the WWE’s John Cena and now available on Blu-Ray and DVD, is a shockingly dull affair, an action film that tries to maintain a breakneck pace but forgets that movie rollercoasters are only fun with ups AND downs instead of just a numbing series of stunt sequences.
‘I Love You, Beth Cooper’ Inspires Hatred For the High School Genre
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 10, 2009 - 2:11pmRating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In what could be the worst mainstream release of the summer, “I Love You, Beth Cooper” wastes talent, production values and ultimately time in a cliché-ridden mess that produces little or no real love.
‘Brüno’: Must a Movie Like This Be Broadcast Üniversal?
Submitted by Ebeth on July 10, 2009 - 2:02amCHICAGO – As a tribute to “Borat,” let’s start with a lesson in “not” jokes.
‘Brüno’: Must a Movie Like This Be Broadcast Üniversal?
Submitted by Ebeth on July 10, 2009 - 1:39am Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – As a tribute to “Borat,” let’s start with a lesson in “not” jokes.
“Brüno” is everything one would hope for in a Sacha Baron Cohen return. The film is hilarious, unpredictable and worth every dollar it will make… NOT! There is a great fallacy that has spread in Hollywood and “Brüno” is one of its many victims.
Interview: Producer Bill Kong on Latest Film ‘Blood: The Last Vampire’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 10, 2009 - 1:14amCHICAGO – Bill Kong can rightly be considered the producer King of the Modern Samarai Film. After cutting his teeth on the seminal “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” his latest release is a new spin on the genre with “Blood, The Last Vampire.”
Riveting, Must-See ‘The Hurt Locker’ is Flawless Filmmaking
Submitted by BrianTT on July 9, 2009 - 10:48amCHICAGO – Filmmaking simply doesn’t get much more riveting than Kathryn Bigelow’s incredible “The Hurt Locker,” a cinematic experience unlike any other that you will have this year.
Riveting, Must-See ‘The Hurt Locker’ is Flawless Filmmaking
Submitted by BrianTT on July 9, 2009 - 10:26am Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Filmmaking simply doesn’t get much more riveting than Kathryn Bigelow’s incredible “The Hurt Locker,” a cinematic experience unlike any other that you will have this year. Building and releasing tension better than her peers have in a long time, Bigelow has made not only the best Iraq War movie to date but the best film of 2009 at just over the halfway point.
Video Game Review: ‘Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10’ Delivers Par Performance
Submitted by BrianTT on July 8, 2009 - 7:00amCHICAGO – Just as John Madden has become synonymous with video game football, when a gamer thinks of playing a round of golf without a 5 iron, he thinks of EA Sports’ beloved “Tiger Woods PGA Tour” franchise.
Interview: Oscar Winner Olympia Dukakis at the Chicago Gabby Awards
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 7, 2009 - 10:44pmCHICAGO – The highlight of the Gabby Awards, the June 19th ceremony in Chicago honoring Greek Americans, was Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 2 Signed ‘The Hurt Locker’ Posters With Star Jeremy Renner
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 7, 2009 - 2:53pmCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 2 signed “The Hurt Locker” posters by star Jeremy Renner and a few other cast members and filmmakers! “The Hurt Locker” stars Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, David Morse, Evangeline Lilly and Christian Camargo.
Blu-Ray Review: Spike Lee’s Amazing ‘Do the Right Thing’ a Must Own
Submitted by BrianTT on July 7, 2009 - 7:00amCHICAGO – I can still vividly remember seeing Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing”. For a teenager just becoming interested in the world of film, it was life-changing. And it still resonates as one of the best films of the ’80s and a searing commentary on the state of race relations in the big city. The 20th Anniversary Blu-Ray Edition of Lee’s amazing film is a must-own.
Blu-Ray Review: Don’t Miss Joaquin Phoenix in Excellent ‘Two Lovers’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 6, 2009 - 7:00amCHICAGO – James Gray’s highly underrated and tragically underseen “Two Lovers” will undoubtedly find a loyal and loving audience on Blu-Ray. Joaquin Phoenix’s totally obnoxious behavior overshadowed what is arguably the best performance of his career in this ’70s-esque drama about a man caught between what he has and what he wants.
Blu-Ray, DVD Round Up, July 3, 2009: ‘Madea Goes to Jail,’ ‘Spaceballs’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 3, 2009 - 7:00amCHICAGO – The Round-Up is back to provide our loyal readers with synopsis and feature details on a few titles that may have slipped on to DVD or Blu-Ray under your radar but might make the right purchase choice this holiday weekend.
DVD Review: HBO’s Hilarious ‘Eastbound and Down’ Gets Great Release
Submitted by BrianTT on July 2, 2009 - 7:00amCHICAGO – Danny McBride (“Pineapple Express,” “Land of the Lost”) gave one of the best TV performances of the last several years as the over-the-top anti-hero of HBO’s hysterical “Eastbound & Down,” a sitcom about a raging a-hole sports star brought back to Earth and forced to work as a gym teacher in the small town he grew up in, now available on DVD.
