September 2016

Film Review: Tom Hanks is Solid, But ‘Sully’ Never Really Soars

CHICAGO – “Sully” is a solid effort from Director Clint Eastwood, but it never really soars the way its supposed to. It’s a good story, helped immeasurably by Tom Hanks low key performance, but it feels unnecessary. The problem may be that the story of the pilot who pulled off the so-called “Miracle on the Hudson” is so well known, the movie can’t really add anything to it.

Tom Hanks is Solid, But ‘Sully’ Never Really Soars

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

CHICAGO – “Sully” is a solid effort from Director Clint Eastwood, but it never really soars the way its supposed to. It’s a good story, helped immeasurably by Tom Hanks low key performance, but it feels unnecessary. The problem may be that the story of the pilot who pulled off the so-called “Miracle on the Hudson” is so well known, the movie can’t really add anything to it.

Interview: Imagen Award-Nominated Actress Alex Meneses of TV’s ‘Telenovela’

CHICAGO – The 2016 Imagen Awards will take place this Friday, Sept. 9. Founded by television legend Norman Lear, the Imagen Awards (“Eee-mah-hen”) encourage the entertainment industry to portray the Latino community in a positive light. One nominee, Best Supporting Actress for NBC’s “Telenovela,” is Alex Meneses.

Film Review: Excellent ‘Little Men’ Exposes Humanity Disrupted

CHICAGO – Deep down, because of our profound connection to what makes us human, we attempt to interpret the doing of the right thing. But in a society of property, somebody lives on it and somebody is run off it. This theme, combined with an adolescent friendship, emerge in “Little Men.”

Excellent ‘Little Men’ Exposes Humanity Disrupted

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

CHICAGO – Deep down, because of our profound connection to what makes us human, we attempt to interpret the doing of the right thing. But in a society of property, somebody lives on it and somebody is run off it. This theme, combined with an adolescent friendship, emerge in “Little Men.”

Film News: Midwest Independent Film Festival Co-Presents ‘Who Gets the Dog?’ on Sept. 6, 2016

Who Gets the Dog?

CHICAGO – The Chicago Premiere of the new film “Who Gets the Dog?” will be co-presented on Tuesday, September 6th, 2016, by the Midwest Independent Film Festival. The Midwest Indie is a year round film fest that convenes every first Tuesday, and for this special presentation will screen at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago. For more details and ticket purchasing information, click here.

Entertainment News: Hugh O’Brian of ‘Wyatt Earp’ TV Fame Dies at 91

Hugh O'Brian photo by Joe Arce

LOS ANGELES – Old time, 1950s television had its share of break out stars as the medium found its footing as new entertainment. Hugh O’Brian, who starred in the ABC-TV series “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp,” was one of those stars. The actor, who was also known for his Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation – nicknamed HOBY – died of natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on September 5th, 2016. He was 91.

Film Review: ‘Morgan’ Takes Out Intelligence in Artificial Intelligence

CHICAGO – There is nothing like the feeling of watching a completely immersive sci-fi film that delivers the complexity of technology in a modest package, and uses elements of nature to create a beautiful contrast. Unfortunately, “Morgan” doesn’t deliver on the enlightenment it promises.

‘Morgan’ Takes Out Intelligence in Artificial Intelligence

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.0/5.0
Rating: 2.0/5.0

CHICAGO – There is nothing like the feeling of watching a completely immersive sci-fi film that delivers the complexity of technology in a modest package, and uses elements of nature to create a beautiful contrast. Unfortunately, “Morgan” doesn’t deliver on the enlightenment it promises.

Interview: Director Ira Sachs on Modern Life Issues Explored in ‘Little Men’

Ira Sachs, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – When meeting an interview subject for the third time, and remembering him as the first professional interview I ever did, results in a comfortable familiarity. Director Ira Sachs is the subject, and his latest film is “Little Men.” Taking on adolescent friendship, adult passive-aggressiveness and gentrification all in one film, it also spotlights the expansiveness of this talented filmmaker.

Film Review: Strong Cast Turns on ‘The Light Between Oceans’

CHICAGO – In the early 1970s, “Love Story” was all the rage, with its catchphrase “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Just as sudsy, and with its own catchphrase, is “The Light Between the Oceans.” The film, set in the early 20th Century, salvages a by-the-numbers tale with fine performances.

Strong Cast Turns on ‘The Light Between Oceans’

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

CHICAGO – In the early 1970s, “Love Story” was all the rage, with its catchphrase “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Just as sudsy, and with its own catchphrase, is “The Light Between the Oceans.” The film, set in the early 20th Century, salvages a by-the-numbers tale with fine performances.

Film News: 2016 Black Harvest Festival Closes in Chicago on Sept. 1 with ‘Agents of Change’

2016 Black Harvest Film Festival

CHICAGO – A sold out Gene Siskel Film Center will be the scene for the Closing Night of the 2016 Black Harvest Film Festival on Thursday, September 1st, 2016. For the last three and a half weeks, the theater has been buzzing with African American-centric films, in a celebration of culture and history. The Closing Night Film is “Agents of Change: Black Students and the Transformation of the American University,” directed by Frank Dawson and Abby Ginzberg. The directors will be in attendance.

Interview: John Krasinski Turns Toward Family in ‘The Hollars’

CHICAGO – Any story involving family interactions is ripe for exploration, and John Krasinski (“The Office”) performs in and takes the director’s chair for the new film, “The Hollars.” This is his second directorial effort, looking at the somewhat dysfunctional title family during a medical crisis involving the mother (Margo Martindale).

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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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