Christian Bale

Suffering Cardiac Arrest, King of Pop Michael Jackson Dies at 50

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:52:28 -0600

CHICAGO – Michael Jackson, who is widely regarded as the king of pop music, is dead at the age of 50, the Los Angeles Times confirmed on Thursday.

Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009.
Photo credit: Google Images

The news comes on the same day as Farrah Fawcett’s death. She starred in TV’s “Charlie’s Angels” and died on Thursday of cancer at the age of 62.

While the news of Michael Jackson’s death – which was first discussed by celebrity gossip source TMZ – was percolating across the world, the reaction from many people everywhere was initial confusion.

While some thought he was just hospitalized, others believed he was pronounced dead following a cardiac arrest. After TMZ’s discussion, it was the Los Angeles Times that confirmed the death and set the record straight.

At the time of the confusion, most of the Chicago film critics were in downtown Chicago screening the new Michael Mann film “Public Enemies,” which was filmed in Chicago and stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Stephen Dorff, Billy Crudup and Giovanni Ribisi. “Public Enemies” opens on July 1, 2009.

The cell phone of yours truly lit up incessantly while in the “Public Enemies” screening with a play-by-play documentation from colleagues of news as it was being released. The Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday that paramedics found Michael Jackson in a coma at his Bel-Air mansion, according to city and law enforcement sources.

Michael Jackson was featured in the film “Men in Black II” in 2002 and was best known for his songs “Thriller,” “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Smooth Criminal” and many more.

At this time, the Los Angeles Times reports that “the circumstances of Jackson’s death remain unclear. Law enforcement sources said that Los Angeles Police Department robbery-homicide detectives have opened an investigation into the death [and] stressed there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The detectives plan to interview relatives, friends and Jackson’s doctors to try to figure out what happened. The L.A. County coroner’s office will determine a cause of death.”

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 36-Image Gallery For ‘Public Enemies’ With Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:38:45 -0600

CHICAGO – Just a day after the red-carpet Chicago premiere of the Chicago-filmed “Public Enemies,” Universal Pictures has released to us 36 high-resolution production stills from the highly anticipated film. “Public Enemies” stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Leelee Sobieski, Billy Crudup, Emilie de Ravin, Giovanni Ribisi and Stephen Dorff from director Michael Mann (“Miami Vice,” “Collateral,” “Ali,” “Heat” and “The Last of the Mohicans”).

You can either click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photo credits for this slideshow go to Peter Mountain and Universal Studios.

The “Public Enemies” synopsis can be found below (source):

In the action-thriller “Public Enemies,” acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard in the incredible and true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp).

Dillinger is the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the No. 1 target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger. No jail could hold him.

His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone from his girlfriend, Billie Frechette (Cotillard), to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang (later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson [Stephen Graham]) thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate the FBI his bureau of investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first public enemy No. 1 and sent in Purvis (the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI”).

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) who were real gunfighters and orchestrating epic betrayals from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti were Purvis and the FBI able to close in on Dillinger.

See our 12-image “Public Enemies” slideshow at the Biograph in Chicago.
Video: Watch the “Public Enemies” trailer now!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Video Game Review: Tie-In For McG’s ‘Terminator: Salvation’ as Disappointing as Film

BrianTT — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:02:23 -0600

Video Game Rating: 1.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Come with me if you want to be frustrated. Video game tie-ins for movies are notoriously problematic and poorly received. Every major movie gets a video game (we’ve reviewed “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” in recent weeks and will give you our opinion of “Up” soon) and most of them suck. Even by that standard, “Terminator: Salvation,” based on the McG film with Christian Bale, is a disappointment.

Like the previews for the film itself (also a disappointment - read our review here), the advanced clips and screenshots for the game version of “Terminator: Salvation” looked promising. What a great example of how great marketing can hide a shoddy game.

Terminator: Salvation
Photo credit: WB Games

With no voice work from the cast of the actual film (which includes Bale, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common, Anton Yelchin, and Moon Bloodgood) and a story that only relates to it in the loosest of ways, one of the worst things about “Salvation” is the lack of competent storytelling. This is a movie tie-in that barely ties in.

Terminator: Salvation
Photo credit: WB Games

The games attempts to serve as a prequel to the film, as the player guides John Connor through some machine warfare before the events involving Marcus Wright, Kyle Reese, and the rest of the far-more-interesting action in the actual movie. The screenplay for “Salvation” has problems but the film plays like a video game, which makes the decision not to actually transport its action set pieces to the tie-in all the more baffling.

The game is set in the year 2016 as the Resistance wages a losing battle against the increasingly deadly machines of Skynet. John Connor receives a distress message from abandoned soldier David Weston and takes a loyal group of fighters to rescue him. Along the way, he faces the same series of easily-vanquished machines at a disarmingly repetitive rate and travels through environments that look interesting from a distance but are also uninspired.

This is as by-the-numbers a shooter as you’ll play all year. A decent cover system, only a handful of weapons, a few enemies - repeat. None of it is remotely memorable or difficult. It almost feels like a demo of a longer, more interesting game, something made even more prominent by the fact that you’ll finish it in under four hours. One thing for trophy-hunters, this may be the easiest 100% title you’ve ever played.

Terminator: Salvation
Photo credit: WB Games

“Terminator: Salvation” is a rental at best, but even then you may want to rent two games so you have one as back-up for after you zip through this title or get frustrated enough to return it early.

What’s so frustrating about the gameplay? The load times are ridiculous and often, the cut scenes are dull and far too prominent, and the graphics are simply weak. But all of that could have been forgiven if the game included a well-designed shooting mechanism. Shooter fans like myself can forgive a LOT in the name of unleashing metal hell on waves of enemies.

But even that element of “Terminator: Salvation” feels like it was underdeveloped. I hated the weapon choices and how to switch between them and aiming and shooting in “Terminator: Salvation” feels like trying to fire a shotgun while you’re wearing mittens. The camera jerks for no good reason and shooting feels anything but smooth. It’s awkward and annoying.

Is there anything to like? Being a gamer raised on James Cameron’s original “Terminator” films, there is a quick, kinetic thrill from finally getting behind the trigger as John Connor, but that’s an inherent power in the franchise that has very little to do with the game itself. Action junkies and hardcore fans of the franchise should rent the title just to be completist, but everyone else should wait for the next shooter. Heck, even the next movie tie-in will probably be better.

‘Terminator: Salvation’ was released by Warner Bros. Interactive/Evolved Games and developed by Grin. It is rated T (Teen). The version reviewed was for the PS3, but the title is also available for the Xbox 360 and PC. It was released on May 19th, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Christian Bale, Sam Worthington in McG’s Disappointing ‘Terminator: Salvation’

BrianTT — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:06:26 -0600

CHICAGO – McG’s loud-and-annoying “Terminator: Salvation” with Christian Bale and Sam Worthington continues the summer of non-Trek disappointments, delivering nothing but a bloated exercise in CGI overload. With awful dialogue, a ridiculous plot, and mostly uninspired performances, the interesting human element has been drained from the franchise. The machines have won.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

Like “Aliens” without Sigourney Weaver or the first two “Terminator” movies without Linda Hamilton, “Terminator: Salvation” forgets a cardinal rule of action cinema - writing human characters that the audience is going to care about. The entire movie plays like a video game tie-in to the original franchise. Sure, it may be fun at times and it looks good, but it doesn’t have nearly the impact as its source.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Terminator: Salvation” in our reviews section.

The script from the writers of “Catwoman” and “Primeval” (the lame crocodile movie, not the cool BBC show), which really should have been a sign that the entire project was on thin ice to start, opens with the execution of a murderer named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington). Before he gets his final injection, Wright signs over his body to the research of a dying scientist (Helena Bonham Carter).

Many years later, the future has played out as expected and the war against the machines continues. If you’re not familiar with the mythology of the franchise, “Salvation” will not stand on its own in any way. You need to know the names Sarah Connor, John Connor, and Kyle Reese and the roles they play in this universe before you go in. Even “T3: Rise of the Machines” stays in the canonical fold with Bryce Dallas Howard taking the role once played by Claire Danes, Kate Connor.

‘Terminator: Salvation’ stars Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Moon Bloodgood, Anton Yelchin, Common, Jadagrace, and Helena Bonham Carter. It was written by John D. Brancato & Michael Ferris and directed by McG. It opens on May 21st, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Terminator: Salvation” review.

(L-R) Christian Bale stars as John Connor and Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Photo credit: WB/Richard Foreman

Action Blu-Ray Round Up, May 19, 2009: ‘Changing Lanes,’ ‘The Machinist’

BrianTT — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:57:07 -0600

CHICAGO – Paramount Home Video is unleashing waves of catalog titles this month. It started with the comedy wave last Tuesday and continues with a diverse slate of action films this week.

Like the comedy set, the films have very little in common other than their genre (and even that is a bit sketchy with “The Machinist” bearing little resemblance to “Paycheck”). The highlights of the wave are clearly “3 Days of the Condor,” “The Machinist,” and “Changing Lanes” with “Enemy at the Gates” certainly having enough visual power to warrant a look in HD. “Paycheck”? Good luck with that one.

All five titles were released on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009.

“3 Days of the Condor”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “In Sydney Pollack’s critically acclaimed suspense-thriller, Robert Redford stars as CIA Agent Joe Turner. Code name: Condor. When his entire office is massacred, Turner goes on the run from his enemies…and his so-called allies. After reporting the murders to his superiors, the organization wants to bring Condor in - but somebody is trying to take him out. In his frantic hunt for answers and in a desperate run for his life, Turner abducts photographer Kathy Hale (Faye Dunaway) eventually seducing her into helping him.

Every twist leads Condor to the end of his nerves…and will take you to the edge of your seat. With nowhere to turn and no one to trust, Turner realizes his most dangerous enemy may be closer than he ever feared. And as he zeroes in on the truth, he discovers there are some secrets people would kill to keep”

“3 Days of the Condor” stars Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, Max Von Sydow, and John Houseman. The film was written by Lorenzo Semple, Jr. and David Rayfiel and directed by Sydney Pollack. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. The only special feature is the theatrical trailer in HD.

“Changing Lanes”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “Modern society draws lines between right and wrong, good and evil, rage and redemption. A moment of self-absorption and a spark of anger will cause two men to cross them. As the battle of wills escalates, both lives are changed forever. Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Affleck star in a provocative and gripping drama that exposes the best and worst in all of us.”

“Changing Lanes” stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Affleck, Toni Collette, Sydney Pollack, William Hurt, and Amanda Peet. The film was written by Chap Taylor and Michael Tolkin and directed by Roger Michell. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by director Roger Michell, “The Making of Changing Lanes,” “A Writer’s Perspective,” 2 Deleted scenes, 1 Extended Scene, and the theatrical trailer in HD.

“Enemy at the Gates”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “An all-star cast lights up the screen in this riveting epic hailed as “a vivid dramatization of one of history’s titanic turning points”. (Gene Shalit, TODAY) The year is 1942 and the Nazis are cutting a deadly swath through Russia. Under the leadership of Kruschev (Bob Hoskins), the citizens of Stalingrad are mounting a brave resistance, spurred by the exploits of their local hero, Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law). An expert sniper, Vassili’s deeds have become legendary - thanks to propaganda produced by Vassili’s best friend, a political officer named Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). To stop Vassili, the Germans dispatch their best sniper, Major Konig (Ed Harris), to Stalingrad. When Vassili and Danilov both fall in love with a beautiful soldier (Rachel Weisz), Danilov deserts his friend, leaving Vassili to face his German counterpart alone. As the city burns, Vassili and Konig begin a cunning game of cat and mouse, waging a private war for courage, honor and country.”

“Enemy at the Gates” stars Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins, and Ed Harris. It was written by Alain Godard & Jean-Jacques Annaud and directed by Annaud and is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include “Through the Crosshairs,” “Inside Enemy at the Gates,” deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer in HD.

“The Machinist”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) hasn’t slept in a year. The shocking deterioration of his physical and mental health has made his every waking moment an unrelenting state of confusion, paranoia, guilt, anxiety and terror. His only solace from this living nightmare comes from an affectionate prostitute (Jennifer Jason Leigh.

When cryptic notes turn up mysteriously in his apartment and when hallucinations of a co-worker that no one else sees causes a gruesome machine shop injury, he embarks on a journey to find out whether there is an elaborate plot to drive him made or is his fatigue has simply robbed him of reason. The more he learns, the less he wants to know.”

“The Machinist” stars Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, John Sharian, and Michael Ironside. It was written by Scott Kosar and directed by Brad Anderson. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by director Brad Anderson, “Manifesting the Machinist,” “The Machinist: Hiding in Plain Sight,” “The Machinist: Breaking the Rules,” deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer.

“Paycheck”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “From director John Woo comes this futuristic thriller that combines spectacular action sequences with a spellbinding mystery that will keep you guessing from beginning to breathtaking end.

Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) is a brilliant computer engineer hired for top-secret projects. After each job, Jennings’ short-term memory is erased so he cannot recount any project information. Emerging from his latest assignment, a three-year contract with an eight-figure paycheck given to him by his longtime friend (Aaron Eckhart), Jennings is jolted when he is told that during the end of his assignment, he agreed to forfeit all payment.

Jennings has no recourse - until he receives a mysterious envelope containing clues to his forgotten past. With the help of a beautiful scientist (Uma Thurman) he once loved but now cannot remember, Jennings races to solve the puzzles of his past…while a terrifying discovery waits in his future.”

“Paycheck” stars Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Joe Morton, Colm Feore, and Michael C. Hall. It was written by Dean Georgaris and directed by John Woo. It is rated PG-13.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby Digital track. Special features include a commentary by director John Woo, a commentary by screenwriter Dean Georgaris, “Paycheck: Designing the Future,” “Tempting Fate: The Stunts of Paycheck,” and extended/deleted scenes.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 29-Image Gallery From ‘Terminator: Salvation’ With Christian Bale

BrianTT — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:52:24 -0600

CHICAGO – This 29-image slideshow contains the second half of the official press images for “Terminator: Salvation” (check out the first half here) starring Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Common, Jane Alexander, and Helena Bonham Carter. The film, written by John Brancato & Michael Farris and directed by McG, opens on May 21st, 2009.

Synopsis:

“The year is 2018.

Judgment Day has come and gone, leveling modern civilization. An army of Terminators roams the post-apocalyptic landscape, killing or collecting humans where they hide in the desolate cities and deserts. But small groups of survivors have organized into a Resistance, hiding in underground bunkers and striking when they can against an enemy force that vastly outnumbers them.

Controlling the Terminators is the artificial intelligence network Skynet, which became self-aware 14 years earlier and, in the blink of an eye, turned on its creators, unleashing nuclear annihilation on an unsuspecting world.

Only one man saw Judgment Day coming. One man, whose destiny has always been intertwined with the fate of human existence: John Connor (Christian Bale).

Now the world is on the brink of the future that Connor has been warned about all his life. But something totally new has shaken his belief that humanity stands a chance of winning this war: the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger from the past whose last memory is of being on death row before awakening in this strange, new world.

Connor must decide whether Marcus can be trusted. But as Skynet adapts new strategies to end the Resistance forever, Connor and Marcus must find common ground to take a stand against the onslaught—to infiltrate Skynet and meet the enemy head-on. ”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Richard Foreman and Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Salvation_31: Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_32: Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_33: Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_34: (L-r) Jane Alexander as Virginia, Jadagrace as Star and Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_35: Common as Barnes.
Salvation_36: Director McG explaining a scene on the set.
Salvation_37: Common (left) as Barnes and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_38: A T-800 Terminator.
Salvation_39: (L-r) Christian Bale, Director McG and Terry Crews go over a scene on the set.
Salvation_40: Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_41: Common as Barnes.
Salvation_42: Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor.
Salvation_43: Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor.
Salvation_44: A T-600 Terminator.
Salvation_45: Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.
Salvation_46: Ivan Gvera as General Losenko.
Salvation_47: Michael Ironside as General Ashdown.
Salvation_48: A T-600 Terminator.
Salvation_49: Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor.
Salvation_50: Sam Worthington (left) as Marcus Wright and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_51: Moon Bloodgood (left) as Blair Williams and Sam Worthington as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_52: Sam Worthington (left) as Marcus Wright and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams .
Salvation_53: Jadagrace as Star.
Salvation_54: A pair of Moto-Terminators in attack mode.
Salvation_55: A T-800 Terminator.
Salvation_56: A T-800 Terminator.
Salvation_57: A T-800 Terminator.
Salvation_58: A Harvester Terminator on the attack with a Transporter Terminator hovering nearby.
Salvation_59: A T-800 Terminator.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 30-Image Gallery From ‘Terminator: Salvation’ With Christian Bale

BrianTT — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:32:11 -0600

CHICAGO – This 30-image slideshow contains the first half of the official press images for “Terminator: Salvation” (check out the second half here) starring Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Common, Jane Alexander, and Helena Bonham Carter. The film, written by John Brancato & Michael Farris and directed by McG, opens on May 21st, 2009.

Synopsis:

“The year is 2018.

Only one man saw Judgment Day coming. One man, whose destiny has always been intertwined with the fate of human existence: John Connor (Christian Bale).

Salvation_01: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_02: Sam Worthington (left) as Marcus Wright and Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_03: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_04: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_05: John Connor (Christian Bale) gets a closer look at the Hydrobot Terminator.
Salvation_06: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_07: (L-R) Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor, Christian Bale as John Connor and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_08: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_09: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_10: Christian Bale (left) as John Connor, Jadagrace as Star and Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_11: Michael Ironside (left) as General Ashdown and Christian Bale as John Connor.
Salvation_12: Ivan Gvera (left) as General Losenko and Christian Bale as John Connor.
Salvation_13: John Connor (Christian Bale) sneaks up behind a T-600 Terminator.
Salvation_14: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_15: A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature Terminator Salvation, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. The film stars Christian Bale and Sam Worthington.
Salvation_16: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_17: Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) stands in front of what remains of the Hollywood sign post-Judgment Day.
Salvation_18: Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) overlooks the post-Judgment Day destruction of the Los Angeles basin.
Salvation_19: (Center) Esodie Geigor-Movestrand as the Transmitter Technician and Christian Bale as John Connor.
Salvation_20: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_21: Bryce Dallas Howard (left) as Kate Connor and Christian Bale as John Connor.
Salvation_22: (L-R) Christian Bale stars as John Connor and Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_23: Christian Bale (left) stars as John Connor and Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_24: (L-R) Common as Barnes, Christian Bale as John Connor and Sam Worthington as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_25: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright .
Salvation_26: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_27: A Hunter Killer Terminator attacks.
Salvation_28: Christian Bale (left) as John Connor and Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_29: A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature Terminator Salvation, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. The film stars Christian Bale and Sam Worthington.
Salvation_30: Christian Bale stars as John Connor .

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: ‘Terminator: Salvation’ Trailer With Christian Bale, Bryce Dallas Howard

BrianTT — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:50:02 -0600

CHICAGO – We’re spending this week funneling some of the most exciting Summer 2009 previews into our awesome new video player and Tuesday’s entry is one of the most anticipated sequels of the year, “Terminator: Salvation”. The film, directed by McG, stars Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common, Jane Alexander, and Helena Bonham Carter. It opens on May 21st, 2009.

Synopsis:

“The highly anticipated new installment of “The Terminator” film franchise is set in post-apocalyptic 2018. John Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future that Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.”

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: ‘Public Enemies’ Trailer With Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

BrianTT — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:07:11 -0600

CHICAGO – One of our most highly anticipated films of 2009 has to be Michael Mann’s “Public Enemies” and we just had to share one of the best movie trailers in a long time. The film, a lot of which was shot in Chicago, stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, Leelee Sobieski, Giovanni Ribisi, Emilie de Ravin, and Lili Taylor. The film opens on July 1st, 2009. Not soon enough.

Synopsis:

“In the action-thriller Public Enemies, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp) — the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone — from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang — later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi) — thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.”

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals — from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti — were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.”

See our 36-image “Public Enemies” slideshow with high-quality stills.
See our 12-image “Public Enemies” slideshow at the Biograph in Chicago.
Watch more HollywoodChicago.com-hosted A&E videos.
Watch more movie videos on HollywoodChicago.com hosted elsewhere.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘The Dark Knight’ Returns to IMAX Theaters on Jan. 23, 2009

BrianTT — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:13:48 -0700

CHICAGO – You can celebrate the very likely Oscar nominations for “The Dark Knight” or lament the film’s snubbing by the academy by revisiting Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece in all of its IMAX glory starting this Friday on Jan. 23, 2009.

“The Dark Knight” will reopen at four theaters in the Chicagoland area: the Navy Pier IMAX in downtown Chicago, the Seven Bridges IMAX in Woodridge, Ill.; the Lincolnshire 20 in Lincolnshire, Ill.; and the Randall IMAX 15 in Batavia, Ill.

True Heath Ledger fans and “The Dark Knight” junkies may feel the need to see the film on opening night at Navy Pier because they will also be admitted to a special screening of “Batman Begins” at midnight for no additional cost. Yes, the 9 p.m. show of “The Dark Knight” at Navy Pier IMAX scores you tickets for this one-time event. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children and can be bought at the Navy Pier IMAX Web site.

Christian Bale stars as Bruce Wayne in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action drama “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: Stephen Vaughan

All across the country, Warner Bros. is bringing back the IMAX presentation of “The Dark Knight” to give audiences one more chance to see the film on the big screen.

Dan Fellman (president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures) said in a statement: “‘The Dark Knight’ is a crowning achievement in every sense of the word. We wanted to provide one more opportunity for moviegoers to experience it on the big screen as it was meant to be seen.”

Christopher Nolan has already received a Directors Guild of America (DGA) nomination and producers Nolan, Charles Roven and Emma Thomas have garnered a Producers Guild Award nomination. A Writers Guild of America (WGA) award nomination for best adapted screenplay has gone to Chris Nolan, Jonathan Nolan and David S. Goyer.

Cast member Heath Ledger received a Screen Actors Guild award nomination and has also won a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award and numerous other critics groups’ awards for best supporting actor.

“The Dark Knight” also won the Critics’ Choice Award for best action film and swept the People’s Choice Awards in five categories including favorite movie and favorite cast. It will very likely score a number of Oscar nominations when they are announced on Jan. 22, 2009. Heath Ledger’s searing performance is a front runner for best supporting actor.

“The Dark Knight” is being rereleased by Warner Brothers Pictures and stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. It was written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan and directed by Christopher Nolan. It will be rereleased in IMAX theaters on Jan. 23, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com