CHICAGO – As a wee lad, I would often go into my parent’s record collection. One day, out of the blue, that brown double album with the gold embossed angels appeared, like a gift from the divine. “Jesus Christ Superstar” began as a record album “rock opera” in 1970, evolved to a Broadway show and film, and then was interpreted through a myriad of stage revivals over the years. The latest is an exciting piece of stagecraft at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The show has a various evening/matinee run through May 20th, 2018. Click here for more details, including ticket information.
Charlie Day
More Action, Less Enjoyment in ‘Pacific Rim Uprising’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 23, 2018 - 12:20pm Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The giant robot film genre is in trouble. It wasn’t enough that “Transformers” has ground it to dust, but now the “Pacific Rim” sequel is going the same direction. There is action-a-plenty in the followup to Guillermo Del Toro’s fun and light first film, that lightness is missing in “Pacific Rim Uprising.”
Report Card on ‘Fist Fight’ is a Failing Grade
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 17, 2017 - 12:10pm Rating: 0.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Fist Fight” is such a thin premise it can’t even sustain its own two minute trailer, much less a feature length film. That premise, what there is of it, is simple – English teacher (Charlie Day) and History Teacher (Ice Cube) get involved in an altercation with a student on the last day of class, at a failing high school known for senior pranks. Teacher Ice Cube gets fired, and blames Charlie Day. So they act like children and settle their differences with a fist fight outside.
Tartan Prancer – Yes, a Fictional Albanian Car – Steals the Otherwise Borrowed Show in ‘Vacation’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 28, 2015 - 4:35pm- Adam Fendelman
- Beverly D'Angelo
- Charlie Day
- Chevy Chase
- Chris Hemsworth
- Christina Applegate
- Ed Helms
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- John Francis Daley
- Jonathan M. Goldstein
- Kaitlin Olson
- Keegan-Michael Key
- Leslie Mann
- Michael Pena
- Movie Review
- National Lampoon's Vacation
- Nick Kroll
- Norman Reedus
- Regina Hall
- Ron Livingston
- Skyler Gisondo
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- Vacation
 Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Retreads from classics are often as weary as having to write that they are almost never as good as the original. And here we go again with the Ed Helms-led “Vacation,” which fails to capitalize on the beloved Chevy Chase film “National Lampoon’s Vacation” from 1983.
Big Laughs Await in Sly, Fun ‘The LEGO Movie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 7, 2014 - 10:31am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The funniest movie in a long while features no human beings, just animated bland faces among interlocking plastic bricks, the toys which inspired the film. “The LEGO Movie” never takes itself seriously, which means huge laughs for the audience.
‘Pacific Rim’ is Classic Sci-fi Cult Movie Joy
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 11, 2013 - 4:47pmRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Leave it to the wondrous auteur, director Guillermo del Toro, to push the boundaries of giant science fiction epics simply by paying homage to their predecessors. The grand, glorious embrace of “Pacific Rim” leaves no stone of cult film fun unturned.
Pixar Scores Again With Delightful ‘Monsters University’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 21, 2013 - 8:50amRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Let’s everybody say it together, “the key to great animation is a great story.” This has to be the motto for Pixar Animation – now part of Disney. Their latest, “Monsters University,” is a prequel with a heart, soul and attention to what makes this type of entertainment work.
Talented Cast Carries Dark Comedy of ‘Horrible Bosses’
Submitted by BrianTT on July 7, 2011 - 5:57pm Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There’s a theory that a film that should be judged based on how well it succeeds at what it attempts to do. If it’s a comedy, does it make you laugh? “Horrible Bosses” has some issues but it is an undeniably funny movie. With stellar comic timing from the entire ensemble and a dark streak of edgy humor with just enough wit to make it not seem cruel, this is one of the straight-up funniest movies of the year.
Drew Barrymore, Justin Long Fall Short of ‘Going the Distance’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 3, 2010 - 5:01pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Drew Barrymore no doubt is working hard to become Queen of the Romantic Comedy. She has done over ten of them, more if you count “Bad Girls.” (kidding) When recycling themes even the best of them can get redundant when seeing the same actress involved. “Going the Distance” is not even among the best of them.
