HollywoodChicago.com DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Third Season of NBC Critical Darling ‘Community’

Community S3 Mid

CHICAGO – The third season of “Community” was more inconsistent than the brilliant second but it still featured some of the smartest writing and best performances on network TV. I think the writers lost sight of some of their characters in pursuit of concept over substance at times but has there been a modern show that was more unpredictable than this one? You never know where they’re going to go, what they’re going to reference, or how far they’re going to take their concepts.

DVD Review: Strong Third Season of NBC Hit ‘Parenthood’

Parenthood: Season 3 Premiere

CHICAGO – The NBC family drama “Parenthood” has struggled to find a wide audience but the people that do watch it are remarkably loyal to the saga of the Bravermans. Their third season, which looked for some time like it could be their last, was recently released on DVD in advance of the fourth-season premiere on NBC on September 11, 2012.

DVD Review: Craft, Dedication Proven in ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

CHICAGO – David Gelb’s lyrical “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” tells the remarkable tale of a living legend in his chosen art form, the creation of sushi. Master chef Jiro Ono may be 85 years old but he’s still more committed to his craft than most people one-quarter of his age. What makes a man like Ono, one who has built a life on repetition of his talent, go from day to day? And why is he the best at what he does?

DVD Review: Clever, Fun First Season of British Hit ‘Misfits’

Misfits

CHICAGO – I had been hearing for years about how smart and fun the British drama/sci-fi/comedy show “Misfits” was but I still had my doubts. Sometimes when a show comes with a bit too much hype, it can more easily disappoint. There’s nothing disappointing about “Misfits,” a show that’s constantly surprising, smart, and fun. The only disappointment is that we only have the first season on DVD and not the other three…yet.

DVD Review: Very Funny ‘The Inbetweeners: The Complete Series’

The Inbetweeners

CHICAGO – It’s easy to pitch “The Inbetweeners” as a British version of “Superbad” or “American Pie” in that it’s about a quartet of awkward teenagers trying to get drunk, get popular, and, most importantly, get laid.

DVD Review: ‘The Perfect Family’ Takes Tender Look at Modern-Day Catholics

The Perfect Family Blu-ray

CHICAGO – The opening moments of Anne Renton’s feature debut, “The Perfect Family,” paint a typically cheery portrait of suburbia, complete with a sign displaying the generic tagline, “An Enjoyable Town.” It’s the sort of neighborhood audiences have seen countless times before in indies aiming to depict the “dark side” of small town America, a la “Blue Velvet.”

DVD Review: Danny Boyle’s Memorable Debut in Hitchcockian ‘Shallow Grave’

Shallow Grave

CHICAGO – Danny Boyle’s “Shallow Grave,” recently released on Criterion Blu-ray and DVD, is such a striking debut and has held up significantly better than many films of its day. Not only does it fully display future Oscar winner Danny Boyle’s notable degree of style but it’s a daring film in its willingness to present unlikable characters caught in a situation that they arguably deserve.

DVD Review: Criterion Releases Beloved Comedy ‘Harold and Maude’

Harold and Maude

CHICAGO – People adore “Harold and Maude.” When the Criterion Collection announced the release of Hal Ashby’s 1971 dark comedy earlier this year, I’ve never seen so many “Likes” on Facebook for the announcement of a DVD/Blu-ray release. What is it about this film that has allowed it to sustain for over four decades? Pick up the Criterion DVD edition and decide for yourself.

DVD Review: ‘Franklin & Bash: The Complete First Season’

Franklin & Bash

CHICAGO – Fans of “Franklin & Bash” may have a reasonable bit of concern given the so-so ratings of the TNT program. We here at HC have defended the show a few times (in this interview and this review) and the recently-released DVD from Sony is another solid offering (although it’s obnoxious to not offer a 2011 program on Blu-ray) but poor Breckin Meyer & Mark-Paul Gosselaar aren’t quite delivering like several of the other cable hits of the season.

DVD Review: ‘The Sarah Silverman Program: The Complete Series’

The Sarah Silverman Program: The Complete Series

CHICAGO – Shout Factory has become a spectacular DVD studio for a mix of unexpected releases. They have their stable of classic TV but they also own the rights to some modern favorites which leads to unique box sets like “The Sarah Silverman Program: The Complete Series.”

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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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