Academy Awards

Film Feature: Predictions For the 84th Annual Academy Award Nominations

CHICAGO – Another year, another Oscar season. Blah. As much as I love the Oscars, there’s something about this one that feels just a little different — a little more jaded, a little more apathetic, a little nonplussed. I think it has to do with two major factors:

Film News: Billy Crystal Takes Over as Oscar Host

Billy Crystal Oscars

CHICAGO – A day after Eddie Murphy dropped out as the host of the next Academy Awards Ceremony, Billy Crystal announced on his twitter that he would take over the hosting duties. Crystal will host the Oscars for the ninth time on February 26, 2012.

Film News: Eddie Murphy Drops Out as 2012 Oscar Host

Eddie Murphy Oscar Host

CHICAGO – A day after producer/director Brett Ratner was ousted from being the 2012 Academy Award show producer, 2012 host Eddie Murphy has decided he will no longer host the upcoming Oscar ceremony. The announcement came Wednesday afternoon as Murphy – who worked with Ratner on the recent feature release “Tower Heist” – decided he didn’t want to stay on as host without his friend and creative partner working with him.

Blu-Ray Review: Dramatically Satisfying, Oscar-Winning ‘In a Better World’

In a Better World

CHICAGO – Susanne Bier’s “In a Better World” has stuck with me. After seeing it in theaters five months ago, I was a little hard on the film due to the fact that it beat out so many great ones for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, including “Dogtooth,” “Incendies,” and the film that most people thought would win, “Biutiful.” I still question that decision, but this is a stronger film than I first gave it credit for — a bit more shallow and cut-and-dry than it should have been but a dramatically satisfying rental, now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Film News: Eddie Murphy to Host Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2012

Eddie Murphy Oscar Host

CHICAGO – After what many considered to be a rather dull and boring host in James Franco and an overly perky and strangely excited job by Anne Hathaway, the 2012 edition of the Academy Awards will be hosted by a completely different talent: actor/comedian Eddie Murphy. Rumors spread this past weekend that Murphy was in the running for the position and the Academy confirmed the speculation was true this morning when they officially named Murphy the host.

Film Review: Susanne Bier’s Oscar-Winning ‘In a Better World’

In a Better World
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Susanne Bier’s “In a Better World” was a surprising winner at the Academy Awards when Best Foreign Language Film was announced, leading many to wonder what could have beaten the critically-acclaimed “Dogtooth” or “Biutiful,” which clearly had a lot of love considering its Best Actor nomination. “In a Better World” must have been pretty great, right? Yes and no. It’s a better film than a few of the Academy’s recent decisions (“Departures” comes to mind), but also nowhere near as complete a film as a number of alternate choices. This category is still a mess, as proven by the win for this interesting but ultimately a bit too shallow examination of revenge and parenthood.

Blu-Ray Review: Don’t Miss Twisted Comedy of Greek ‘Dogtooth’

Dogtooth

CHICAGO – When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced their 2011 nominees, one of the more surprising choices was the Greek entry for Best Foreign Language Film, the subversive black comedy “Dogtooth.” It’s not the choice was undeserving, but it’s certainly one of the weirdest, darkest, and most disturbing films ever nominated by a group that usually goes heartwarming in this category. There’s nothing heartwarming about “Dogtooth” outside of those who take comfort in hearing from a fascinating new international voice in cinema.

Slideshow: 21-Image Gallery of Red Carpet Photos From the 2011 Oscars

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Jennifer Lawrence

CHICAGO – This 21-image slideshow contains a selection of the available red carpet images from the 2011 Academy Awards including shots of Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman, Melissa Leo, Hailee Steinfeld, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Amy Adams, Jennifer Hudson, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Justin Timberlake, Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and more. The awards were broadcast on ABC on February 27th, 2011.

Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com Predicts the 2011 Oscar Winners

CHICAGO – Have you filled out your Oscar pool ballot yet? Let us guide the way. The film think-tank at HollywoodChicago.com (Matt Fagerholm, Patrick McDonald, and, myself, Brian Tallerico) has convened to break down the major eight categories with their picks for who will win, who should win, and who should have been nominated.

Film Review: ‘Oscar Shorts 2011’ Features a Few Memorable Highlights

CHICAGO – Has there ever been a consistent shorts program that delivered 5-star quality from start to finish? By their very nature, programs of short films seem destined to offer something more of a mixed bag and the unusual nominees selections of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences typically makes up a series of average shorts with a few highlights. This year is no different.

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TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • 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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