February 2012

Film News: New ‘The Avengers’ Trailer ‘Bringing the Party to You’

The Avengers

CHICAGO – As promised in our article yesterday about the new “The Avengers” poster, a new trailer has been released today for the upcoming Marvel film that is to be released on May 4. The new trailer gives a further look into the recruiting of the Avengers Initiative, as well as an all new look at the action and crazy alien warships attacking earth.

Book Review: ‘Tales From Development Hell: The Greatest Movies Never Made?’

CHICAGO – There’s some incredible alternate universe in which Darren Aronofsky directed “Batman: Year One,” John Boorman made “The Lord of the Rings” (with The Beatles!!!), James Cameron filmed “Fantastic Voyage,” and Frank Darabont wrote the fourth “Indiana Jones” movie.

Celebrity News: The Monkees Leader Davy Jones Dies at 66

Davy Jones

CHICAGO – Davy Jones, the heartthrob leader of the 1960s band The Monkees, has passed away of a massive heart attack in his sleep. His publicist confirmed the news that Jones suffered the heart attack and died in Indiantown, FL, where he had been living. Jones was 66.

TV News: The CW Announces ‘The L.A. Complex’ Premiere, Several Finale Dates

One Tree Hill season 7

CHICAGO- The CW officially announced its schedule of finale episodes today, as well as the premiere date of a new series. The new series “The L.A. Complex” is set to premiere on Tuesday, April 24, while several shows, including the series finale of “One Tree Hill,” have their finale date set.

Blu-ray News: The Complete ‘Indiana Jones’ Blu-ray Collection Coming This Fall

Indiana Jones Logo

CHICAGO – Fans of one of the greatest franchises in film history can start saving their money now for a Blu-Ray pack they will not want to miss. In the coming Fall of 2012, The Complete “Indiana Jones” Blu-Ray Collection will hit stores everywhere, offering the chance to see your favorite action hero/archaeologist in stunning Blu-Ray quality.

Film News: ‘The Godfather’ Will Hit the Big Screen Again in Cinemark Theatres

The Godfather

CHICAGO – Are you a movie buff that considers Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” to be one of greatest movie ever made? Are you too young to have seen it in theaters when it was released in 1972, or missed your chance to see it in theaters? Well, you are in luck my friend, because Cinemark and Paramount Pictures are teaming up to bring “The Godfather” back to the big screen.

Blu-ray Review: Stellar Ensemble Elevates Relatively Routine ‘Tower Heist’

Tower Heist

CHICAGO – Brett Ratner’s “Tower Heist” features a LOT of actors who have proven talents but haven’t made the best career decisions of late. The number of disappointing films that star Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, and Tea Leoni could fill a film festival in Hell. And Ratner has committed his own crimes against celluloid. So, I was dreading “Tower Heist.” There’s nothing to dread here.

TV Review: USA’s Hit ‘Psych’ Returns in Predictable Fashion

CHICAGO – A consistent performer like “Psych” nearly defies the very concept of TV reviews. Want a full review here? “Have you seen “Psych” before? Did you like it? Then you’ll like the mid-season premiere.” That’s about it.

Blu-ray Review: Leonardo DiCaprio Shines in Clint Eastwood’s ‘J. Edgar’

J Edgar Blu-ray Review

CHICAGO – With all due respect to Damián Bichir, George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman and Brad Pitt, I believe that the three best lead performances by an actor in 2011 were entirely overlooked by the Academy. None of the five Oscar nominees quite managed to top Michael Shannon in “Take Shelter,” Michael Fassbender in “Shame” or Leonardo DiCaprio in “J. Edgar.”

Video Game Review: Exciting Gameplay, Addictive Co-Op Make ‘Syndicate’ a Solid Shooter

CHICAGO – Back in 1993, Bullfrog Productions developed a game called “Syndicate”; an isometric real-time tactical game where the player is in charge of a corporation that sends cyborg agents on deadly missions. The player’s goal was to lead his agents on missions to benefit their own syndicate corporation and harm competing syndicates.

DVD Round-up: ‘Answers to Nothing,’ ‘Bounty Hunters,’ More

Answers to Nothing

CHICAGO – There is such a unique array of DVD titles this week that we couldn’t just let them get buried on our desk like so many minor titles do over the year. At least one of these has to be of interest to you. Maybe even the Dane Cook movie.

Blu-ray Review: Disappointing DC Universe Entry in ‘Justice League: Doom’

Justice League: Doom (better)

CHICAGO – The DC Universe brand of straight-to-DVD PG-13 films have had a remarkable array of quality. Some are absolutely brilliant, must-see films (“Justice League: The New Frontier,” “Batman: Under the Red Hood”) while others are kind of a mess (“Wonder Woman.” “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights”). In other words, you never know what you’re going to get when you pop in a new entry in the hit franchise. The 13th film, “Justice League: Doom.” is not a lucky one.

Blu-ray Review: Striking, Haunting ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’

Martha Marcy May Marlene

CHICAGO – You’d never know it from the Academy Awards this past weekend but Sean Durkin’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, was one of the best movies of 2011, a better overall film than at least half of this year’s Oscar winners. It features my choice for the best actress performance of 2011 and won the CFCA Award for Most Promising Filmmaker and Most Promising Performer. It’s absolutely a must-see.

Film News: Pixar Releases New ‘Brave’ Trailer

Brave

CHICAGO – A new trailer has been released for the upcoming Pixar film “Brave.” Telling the story of a young princess who wishes to be like any of her people and use her archery skills in battle, the new trailer is really just a scene from the film in which three men shoot arrows to try and win the princess’ hand in marriage.

Film News: New Poster Released For Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’

The Avengers -- Black Widow

CHICAGO – A new poster for “The Avengers” has been released by Marvel, and you can take a look at it right here. The poster comes a day before a new trailer for the film is promised and just over two months before the film is released.

Interview: Three Party Masters of ‘Project X’ Reveal Their Plans

CHICAGO – The epic party in the upcoming film “Project X” would not have come off the way did if it wasn’t for the planning committee, portrayed by Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper and Jonathan Daniel Brown. The three relative unknowns took different routes to secure their roles, and kept the festivities going.

TV News: ABC Announces ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Cast For Season 14

Dancing Stars 14

CHICAGO – Season 14 of “Dancing with the Stars” is officially underway after the announcement this morning of the competitors. While some may be excited to see the celebrities hit the stage, others may be waiting for celebrities to actually be announced as competitors on the show.

Blu-ray Review: Hideo Gosha’s Viscerally Entertaining ‘Three Outlaw Samurai’

Three Outlaw Samurai Blu-ray

CHICAGO – Hideo Gosha’s spectacularly entertaining 1964 feature directorial debut, “Three Outlaw Samurai,” is a samurai film for moviegoers who aren’t necessarily fans of the samurai genre. At a running time of 93 minutes, the picture is briskly paced and packed with suspenseful set-pieces, while centering its narrative on a partnership between three men who could easily be dubbed, “Good,” “Bad” and “Ugly.”

TV News: HBO to Host Chicago Premiere of ‘Game Change’

Game Change Chicago Premiere

CHICAGO – On Tuesday, Feb. 28, Chicagoans will have their first opportunity to watch four-time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore’s controversial portrayal of former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin in Jay Roach’s new HBO drama, “Game Change.” The film is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann.

Film Feature: Seven Things We Want From ‘The Hunger Games’

CHICAGO – There are two big questions floating around Hollywood at the moment – “How hard is “John Carter” going to flop?” and “How big is “The Hunger Games” going to be?” Because director Gary Ross’ adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ uber-popular dystopian young adult novel has some incredible buzz surrounding its March 23 release.

Blu-ray Review: Fun Supernatural Drama of Engaging ‘The Fades’

The Fades

CHICAGO – Sorry SyFy fans and those of you addicted to CW goodies like “The Vampire Diaries” and “Supernatural,” but if I could have only one network for genre TV it would be BBC America. “Doctor Who,” “Torchwood,” “Being Human” — all rule. And the latest addition to the arsenal of this great network is “The Fades,” the first season of which was recently released on Blu-ray and DVD.

Interview: Comedy Partners Talk ‘Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie’

CHICAGO – Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim already have conquered the realm of the TV cult show. They broke through with the Cartoon Network Adult Swim Classic, “Tom Goes to the Mayor,” and their unique brand of surreal humor is now on the big screen with “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie.”

Film News: ‘Titanic’ in 3D Offers Sneak Preview Event

Titanic in 3D

CHICAGO – The morning after the 84th Annual Academy Awards comes with news of one of the winningest films in Oscar history. “Titanic” (which is tied with “Ben Hur” and “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” for most Oscars won by a single film with 11) will be having sneak previews of its new, re-mastered, and 3D look in early April.

Slideshow: 26-Image Gallery of Celebrities at 84th Annual Academy Awards

| Image 1 of 26 |

CHICAGO – This 26-image slideshow contains a selection of ABC-provided red carpet arrival images from the 84th Annual Academy Awards, which were handed out on February 26th, 2012 on ABC. Celebrities featured include Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Nick Nolte, Shailene Woodley, Rooney Mara, Michelle Williams, Meryl Streep, Berenice Bejo, Natalie Portman, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Lopez, and many more.

Film News: Live Results For the 2012 Academy Awards

CHICAGO – Welcome to the HollywoodChicago.com coverage of the 84th annual Academy Awards. This awards telecast honors the best in film for 2011 and will be hosted by Billy Crystal at 7:30 p.m. CST tonight on ABC.

Film News: Live Results For the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards

CHICAGO – Welcome to the HollywoodChicago.com coverage of the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. These awards honor the best in independent film for 2011. Seth Rogen is hosting the Awards which will be shown at 9 p.m. CST on IFC.

TV Review: Fourth Season of BBC America’s Great ‘Being Human’ Hits the Reset Button

CHICAGO – Rarely has a show blown itself up more than the great BBC America supernatural program “Being Human” does in its first two episodes of its fourth season. Imagine if Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder just up and left “The Vampire Diaries.”

Film Review: Avenging Pursuit Motivates Amanda Seyfried in ‘Gone’

CHICAGO – The premise of “Gone” is a beguiling notion. What if the victim of a traumatic crime can’t get authorities to believe her? The evidence doesn’t add up, there are no physical signs of struggle and no crime scene is found. Amanda Seyfried plays such a victim, and her very sanity is questioned.

Avenging Pursuit Motivates Amanda Seyfried in ‘Gone’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – The premise of “Gone” is a beguiling notion. What if the victim of a traumatic crime can’t get authorities to believe her? The evidence doesn’t add up, there are no physical signs of struggle and no crime scene is found. Amanda Seyfried plays such a victim, and her very sanity is questioned.

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  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

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