December 2015

Film Feature: 10 of 2015’s Worst Films, By Spike Walters & Patrick McDonald

CHICAGO – Gather ye children of bad movies. The film critic contributors to HollywoodChicago.com – Spike Walters and Patrick McDonald – are tag teaming to bring you the worst of their reviewin’ woes. From witch hunts to Kevin Hart, and old rock stars to Kevin Hart, these are the worst films of 2015.

Exclusive Portrait: YouTube Sensation Tyler Oakley in Chicagoland for His New Book ‘Binge’

Tyler Oakley, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – The new media is not without its share of stars, and one of the biggest on YouTube is Tyler Oakley – podcaster, activist and author. He was in the Chicago area in October to promote his new book “Binge,” a series of humorous personal essays. Numerous fans lined up at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill., to meet Oakley at the book signing event.

Film News: Cinematographer, Oscar Winner Haskell Wexler of ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ Dies at 93

LOS ANGELES – At the 2013 Chicago International Film Festival awards ceremony at the Ambassador East, an older man started shooting me with a video camera in the bar area. Later that same man, Haskell Wexler, picked up a lifetime award at that ceremony. Haskell Wexler died on Dec. 27, 2015, at the age of 93.

Film Review: A Celebration of Pure Cinema in ‘Hitchcock/Truffaut’

CHICAGO – In 1966, a breakthrough book about the movies was released, entitled “Hitchcock/Truffaut.” A new documentary explores the actual interviews that were conducted between French new wave director Francois Truffaut and the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, that would become that book.

A Celebration of Pure Cinema in ‘Hitchcock/Truffaut’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – In 1966, a breakthrough book about the movies was released, entitled “Hitchcock/Truffaut.” A new documentary explores the actual interviews that were conducted between French new wave director Francois Truffaut and the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, that would become that book.

Interview: Director Todd Haynes Plays the Right Notes in ‘Carol’

Todd Haynes, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – One of the best films of 2015 is the atmospheric and kinetically performed “Carol.” The film, set in the early 1950s, depicts a love that dares not speak its name, and also showcases the breathtaking presence of actress Cate Blanchett as the title character. The director of the film is the veteran Todd Haynes, known for another set-in-the-1950s classic, “Far from Heaven,” as well as “Velvet Goldmine,” “I’m Not There” and the recent HBO miniseries “Mildred Pierce.”

Slideshow: Snooki Polizzi of ‘Jersey Shore’ Makes Appearance for Her New Book

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Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi at Barnes and Noble Old Orchard.

CHICAGO – In 2010, the cast of the reality show “Jersey Shore” was named one of Barbara Walter’s Ten Most Fascinating People. Among those fascinating folks is Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, arguably one of the most familiar of that show’s regulars. Her new book is “Strong is the New Sexy: My Kickass Story on Getting my ‘Formula for Fierce’” and she made an appearance to promote that title at the Old Orchard Barnes & Noble in Skokie, Ill.

Film Review: ‘Concussion’ Can’t Quite Tackle its Difficult Subject

Concussion

CHICAGO – “Concussion” suffers from what I call the “Moneyball” problem – it’s got an interesting subject matter, but it doesn’t seem to know what to do with it. It doesn’t have enough faith in its own material or its audience, so it stocks up on a lot of off-the-shelf melodrama in effort to avoid digging into what makes the story interesting in the first place. It’s also a movie that chickens out at the end and seems afraid to pick a fight.

‘Concussion’ Can’t Quite Tackle its Difficult Subject

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “Concussion” suffers from what I call the “Moneyball” problem – it’s got an interesting subject matter, but it doesn’t seem to know what to do with it. It doesn’t have enough faith in its own material or its audience, so it stocks up on a lot of off-the-shelf melodrama in effort to avoid digging into what makes the story interesting in the first place. It’s also a movie that chickens out at the end and seems afraid to pick a fight.

Film Review: Quentin Tarantino Stays Familiar in ‘The Hateful Eight’

CHICAGO – Story-wise, there is not much difference in “The Hateful Eight” – regarding themes and violence – that writer/director Quentin Tarantino hasn’t explored before. But it is also an outrageous and big western tale, and it’s presented in some theaters in a huge 70mm screen format.

Quentin Tarantino Stays Familiar in ‘The Hateful Eight’

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

CHICAGO – Story-wise, there is not much difference in “The Hateful Eight” – regarding themes and violence – that writer/director Quentin Tarantino hasn’t explored before. But it is also an outrageous and big western tale, and it’s presented in some theaters in a huge 70mm screen format.

Interview: Adam McKay Comes Up Large in ‘The Big Short’

Adam McKay The Big Short

CHICAGO – When HollywoodChicago.com last spoke to writer/director Adam McKay in 2013, he was about to release “Anchorman 2,” and wasn’t really known for anything but his wacky comedy films. That all changed this month, with the release of “The Big Short,” a brilliant indictment of the financial meltdown of 2007 and ’08, and an impressively creative and serious effort from the comic director.

Film Feature: The 10 Best Films of 2015, By Patrick McDonald

CHICAGO – Another year is about to slide towards the next one, so it’s time to look back at the cinema universe of 2015, the 10 Best Films of the year. In this arena, the intrepid “Über Critic” of HollywoodChicago.com, Patrick McDonald, will attempt to give his spin on the “best of” point of view.

Slideshow: Culinary Icon Paula Deen Promotes Book in Chicagoland

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Culinary icon Paula Deen, Nov. 16, 2015.

CHICAGO – Chicagoland was cooking last month as former Food Network star and culinary icon Paula Deen was at the Old Orchard Barnes & Noble in Skokie, Ill., to promote her new book, “Paula Deen Cuts the Fat: 250 Recipes Lightened Up.“ The queen of southern-style cooking has reworked her popular recipes with ingredients with less calories.

Film Review: Ordinary Lives Are Interwoven in Intricate ‘Flowers’

CHICAGO – The meaning of our lives is elusive, and the time we spend here too short. The Spanish foreign language film “Flowers” seeks to define the meaning, through three women trying to memorialize one man. “Flowers” opens at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on Dec. 18th, 2015.

Ordinary Lives Are Interwoven in Intricate ‘Flowers’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – The meaning of our lives is elusive, and the time we spend here too short. The Spanish foreign language film “Flowers” seeks to define the meaning, through three women trying to memorialize one man. “Flowers” opens at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on Dec. 18th, 2015.

Film News: Chicago Film Critics Association Names ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ as 2015 Best Picture

CHICAGO – “Mad Max: Fury Road,” the hyper-driven artistic achievement by director George Miller, was designated Best Picture of 2015 by the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), at a ceremony on December 16th. George Miller was also honored as Best Director, and “Mad Max” received five total honors.

Interview: Director Yuichi Satoh on ‘Poison Berry in My Brain’

Poison Berry in My Brain

CHICAGO – An extraordinary filmed recently screened in Chicago, but not for the reasons that are expected. The Japanese film “Poison Berry in My Brain” was directed by Yuichi Satoh, and starred popular native actress Yoko Maki. What was extraordinary about the film is that the plot parallels the well-received animated movie, “Inside Out,” except “Poison Berry” is live action, and the character representations of the brain controllers are manipulating a frustrated woman, not a little girl. Funny they were both conceived around the same time, and were released in the same year.

‘Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens’ is the One We’ve Been Waiting For

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO (No Spoilers!) – I felt privileged on Tuesday morning. Not just to be a Chicago film critic, but to be a movie lover. Film critics and movie lovers alike wade through scores of yawners hoping for one or two masterpieces that remind us why we fell in love with the experience of watching a film in the company of people we like. Just in time to close out 2015, we’re met with the rare opportunity to take part in moviemaking magic once more.

Film Review: ‘Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens’ is the One We’ve Been Waiting For

CHICAGO (No Spoilers!) – I felt privileged on Tuesday morning. Not just to be a Chicago film critic, but to be a movie lover. Film critics and movie lovers alike wade through scores of yawners hoping for one or two masterpieces that remind us why we fell in love with the experience of watching a film in the company of people we like.

Film News: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Tops Chicago Film Critics Association 2015 Best Film Nominees

CFCA 2015 Mad Max

CHICAGO – The adrenalin-fueled “Mad Max: Fury Road” topped the Chicago Film Critics Association nominations list for 2015, announced on Monday, December 14th. Other notable multi-category nominees included “Carol,” “The Revenant” and “Inside Out.” Jennifer Jason Leigh scored a double nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for “The Hateful Eight” and “Anomalisa,” and Amy Schumer got a nod for Most Promising Performer with “Trainwreck.”

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Bring a Sister! 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘Sisters’ With Amy Poehler, Tina Fey

CHICAGOBring your sister! In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new comedySisters” starring Amy Poehler and Tina Fey! Bring your biological or sorority sister!

Film Review: Elegant, Delicate Emotions Are Forged in ‘Youth’

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.

Elegant, Delicate Emotions Are Forged in ‘Youth’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 5.0/5.0
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.

Film Review: Exposé of ‘The Big Short’ is an American Masterwork

CHICAGO – This is a rare film that will fill you with anger, while making you laugh at the absurdity of 21st Century life. “The Big Short” is an inside look at the mortgage meltdown that began in 2007, that cost eight million jobs and an untold amount of foreclosures, and the men who knew it was coming.

Exposé of ‘The Big Short’ is an American Masterwork

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

CHICAGO – This is a rare film that will fill you with anger, while making you laugh at the absurdity of 21st Century life. “The Big Short” is an inside look at the mortgage meltdown that began in 2007, that cost eight million jobs and an untold amount of foreclosures, and the men who knew it was coming.

Entertainment News: The 2016 Golden Globe Nominees Announced

LOS ANGELES – In a crazy land where films like “The Martian” and “The Big Short” can be nominated as a “comedy or musical” means it’s soon time for the 73rd Annual Golden Globes, on January 10th, 2016. The event kicks off awards season with “Spotlight,” “Room” and “Carol” in the drama film category, and “Game of Thrones,” “Transparent” and “Orange is the New Black” among the TV nominees.

Slideshow: Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-raq’ Premiere in Chicago on Nov. 22, 2015

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Director Spike Lee of ‘Chi-raq.’

CHICAGO – The Red Carpet in Chicago was rolled out in maximum fashion for the November 22nd, 2015, premiere of director Spike Lee’s new film, “Chi-raq.” Despite its controversial title, the city has embraced the film’s metaphoric plea for sanity, and the premiere took place at the historic Chicago Theatre on State Street. Stars of the film, including Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, John Cusack, Jennifer Hudson, Wesley Snipes and director Spike Lee were all in attendance, and HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce got Exclusive Portraits of them all.

Theater Review: ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ is a Lifetime of Song-Filled Brilliance

CHICAGO – Carole King, from modest roots and beginnings, went on to become the most successful female songwriter of the last forty years of the 20th Century. So this “natural woman” was perfect for a musical overview of her life and great songs, in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

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