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.
Jack McBrayer
Feature: The Episode of '30 Rock’ That Predicted the Future
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 28, 2020 - 5:19pmCHICAGO – Like many of you, I have been perusing the digital platforms, looking for the appropriate binge shows that will provide a temporary bit of sanity. Amazon Prime, for example, offers the entire series of “30 Rock” (2006-13), the seminal NBC-TV series created by and featuring Tina Fey.
Film Review: 'Ralph Breaks the Internet' is a Bittersweet Heart-breaker
Submitted by JonHC on November 22, 2018 - 11:06amCHICAGO – The internet we know today is a fairly young invention full of some of the greatest conveniences known to man, but also some of the greatest distractions and nuisances currently in our lives. “Ralph Breaks the Internet” embodies just that, and while it doesn’t quite reach the high score of its predecessor, the maturity and wisdom displayed in it more than makes up for it.
Podtalk: Co-Directors Explain How ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 21, 2018 - 12:50amCHICAGO – The visual density of today’s animation reaches a new height in a rare Walt Disney Studio sequel, “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” This is a follow-up to “Wreck-It Ralph,” a huge animated hit film. Returning to guide the sequel, which has Wreck-It Ralph “inside” the internet, are co-directors Phil Johnston and Rich Moore.
Film Review: ‘Smurfs: The Lost Village’ Should Have Remained Undiscovered
Submitted by JonHC on April 11, 2017 - 11:40amCHICAGO – There are only a few times that I have left a film mentally shouting, “Won’t someone think of the children?” Not through some self-righteous religious fit, of course, but through a general concern for the animated films created for our young. “Smurfs: The Lost Village” is either made for a specific crowd in mind or made for a crowd without a mind.
DVD Review: Historical Figures Cheersed in Brilliant ‘Drunk History: Seasons 1 & 2’
Submitted by NickHC on November 25, 2014 - 7:11pm- Adam Scott
- Alfred Molina
- Alia Shawkat
- Aubrey Plaza
- Bob Odenkirk
- Busy Phillips
- Casey Wilson
- Comedy Central
- Courtney Cox
- Drunk HIstory
- DVD Review
- Emily Deschanel
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Ike Barinholtz
- Jack Black
- Jack McBrayer
- Jayma Mays
- Jen Kirkman
- Joe Lo Truglio
- Juno Temple
- Ken Marino
- Kristen Wiig
- Laura Dern
- Lisa Bonet
- Luke Wilson
- Martin Starr
- Michael Cera
- Nathan Fielder
- Nick Allen
- Owen Wilson
- Rich Fulcher
- Ryan Gosling
- Terry Crews
- Tony Hale
- Will Forte
- Winona Ryder
- Theater, TV, DVD & Blu-Ray
CHICAGO – The awesomeness of history loses any of its stuffiness with the incredibly fun, indeed educational show “Drunk History” from Comedy Central, its two seasons now released on DVD. Hosted by its creator Derek Waters, the show is a celebration of various historic figures and their under-appreciated true tales, as expressed by funny people narrating in the universal language of inebriation; their recounts are then reenacted by famous actors working with their given dialogue, dressed with the comic cheapness of a bloated biopic.
Film Review: ‘They Came Together’ Sharply Skewers the Rom-Com
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 27, 2014 - 6:18pmCHICAGO – If there is any genre of film that needs a good blasting, it is the romantic comedy. These silly fantasies practically seem like satires anyway, so when the comic genius of writer/director David Wain ponders them, and casts Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler as the “couple,” the funny will fly.
2014 Sundance Diary, Day 3: Comedies with an Edge
Submitted by BrianTT on January 19, 2014 - 4:00pmI’ve only seen three movies since my last dispatch — Sundance is about finding the time to write whenever you have it and it just comes earlier today than it did yesterday — but one was a true gem. So I’ll be brief.
Blu-ray Review: Solid Release For Entertaining ‘Wreck-It Ralph’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 15, 2013 - 10:54amCHICAGO – Disney’s hit “Wreck-It Ralph,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, fits one of the most important criteria for a parent considering picking up a kid’s movie to own — replay value. As anyone with kids can tell you, if you buy something, you best be ready to watch it over and over and over again. And “Ralph” holds up surprisingly well. I’m still a little surprised it received the level of acclaim it did with some even suggesting it should win the Oscar (we all know that should have been “ParaNorman”) but it’s a good movie to throw on if your kids need a distraction with a good message. And the Blu-ray includes the Oscar winner for Best Animated Short, the great “Paperman.”
Film Review: Voice Cast Delights in Wonderful ‘Wreck-It Ralph’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 2, 2012 - 10:07amCHICAGO – The nostalgia of the old video game arcade comes to life in a charming and fun way in the new Disney film, “Wreck-It Ralph.” One of the strengths is the precise selection of celebrity voices used to animate the rollicking characters. John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman and Jane Lynch are part of the familiar voice cast.
Film Review: Nothing Nice to Say About Eddie Murphy’s Awful Comedy ‘A Thousand Words’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 9, 2012 - 11:15amCHICAGO – The movie business is a funny thing in that EVERYONE involved with “A Thousand Words” has moved on and yet there are studio executives who still want you to care enough to open your wallet.