CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio review for the streaming series “Emily in Paris” the adventures of Emily Cooper and her fanciful/fashionable Paris friends and lovers, now in its fourth season. Episodes 1-5 currently on Netflix.
February 2008
IBelieveInHarveyDent.com Announces New Viral Campaign For ‘The Dark Knight’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 29, 2008 - 11:29amCHICAGO – I just received new information from Vlkers54, who captured the Chicago cake in an earlier viral marketing campaign for “The Dark Knight,” about a brand-new viral marketing campaign for the film.
Oscar-Winning ‘The Counterfeiters’ a Bravely Told Gem From Depths of Nazi Germany
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 29, 2008 - 4:18amCHICAGO – “The Counterfeiters” is a historical gem bravely told from the depths of Nazi Germany. An opening scene of a dismal sea sets the tone of Stefan Ruzowitzky’s historical jewel with a sense of despair that raises curiosity to the physical level.
Oscar-Winning ‘The Counterfeiters’ a Bravely Told Gem From Depths of Nazi Germany
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 29, 2008 - 4:05amCHICAGO – “The Counterfeiters” is a historical gem bravely told from the depths of Nazi Germany. An opening scene of a dismal sea sets the tone of Stefan Ruzowitzky’s historical jewel with a sense of despair that raises curiosity to the physical level.
Academy Award-Nominated ‘City of God’ Spawns Evocative Brazilian Slum Film ‘City of Men’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 29, 2008 - 3:14amCHICAGO – The plight of the people in the hard-hitting Brazilian film “City of Men” is akin with its plight to make you aware it even exists. This can be said about many great films that’ll touch you and leave you better than you were before despite not having the luxury of omnipresent advertising.
For those of us fortunate enough to read this review or learn about “City of Men” in another way, you’d appreciate first soaking up its extraordinary evolution.
Academy Award-Nominated ‘City of God’ Spawns Evocative Brazilian Slum Film ‘City of Men’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 29, 2008 - 2:40amCHICAGO – The plight of the people in the hard-hitting Brazilian film “City of Men” is akin with its plight to make you aware it even exists. This can be said about many great films that’ll touch you and leave you better than you were before despite not having the luxury of omnipresent advertising.
Official Movie Poster Art Released For ‘Superhero Movie’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 27, 2008 - 2:29pmCHICAGO – We have been sent the official poster art for the new simply titled film “Superhero Movie,” which is a send-up of superhero films including “Batman Begins” and “Fantastic Four”.
Official Poster Art Released For Morgan Spurlock’s ‘Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 25, 2008 - 11:29pmCHICAGO – The publicist for The Weinstein Company’s new film “Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?” has sent us the project’s official poster art. The documentary, which is slated for release on April 18, 2008, comes from the mind of Morgan Spurlock from “Super Size Me” fame.
80th Academy Awards Headlined By ‘No Country For Old Men,’ ‘There Will Be Blood,’ ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 25, 2008 - 2:50pmCHICAGO – “No Country For Old Men,” “Juno,” “Once,” “Atonement,” “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “There Will Be Blood,” “Ratatouille,” “The Golden Compass,” “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” “La Vie en Rose,” “Michael Clayton” and more headlined the 80th Academy Awards on Feb. 24, 2008.
In total, “No Country For Old Men” led the pack with four Oscars followed by a surprising three for “The Bourne Ultimatum” and two for “There Will Be Blood”.
Gondry’s Cinematic Breakthrough ‘Be Kind Rewind’ Proves Again He’s an Artistic Goliath
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 22, 2008 - 4:26amCHICAGO – Michel Gondry’s latest cinematic breakthrough “Be Kind Rewind” grants passage into his magical imagination and proves yet again he’s one of today’s artistic giants.
Gondry’s Cinematic Breakthrough ‘Be Kind Rewind’ Proves Again He’s an Artistic Goliath
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 22, 2008 - 4:05amCHICAGO – Michel Gondry’s latest cinematic breakthrough “Be Kind Rewind” grants passage into his magical imagination and proves yet again he’s one of today’s artistic giants.
‘The Signal’ Sports Plenty of Style, Little Substance in Sci-Fi Twist on Torture Porn
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 22, 2008 - 2:53amCHICAGO – In the last several years, the horror genre has become hot because of its return on investment. The strategy is to market the hell out of the scare factor, get a good opening weekend (which usually takes care of the filming costs several times over) and make sure the blood spatters well. There is no need for pricey star power because the “star” is always the quality kills.
‘The Signal’ Sports Plenty of Style, Little Substance in Sci-Fi Twist on Torture Porn
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 22, 2008 - 2:38amCHICAGO – In the last several years, the horror genre has become hot because of its return on investment. The strategy is to market the hell out of the scare factor, get a good opening weekend (which usually takes care of the filming costs several times over) and make sure the blood spatters well. There is no need for pricey star power because the “star” is always the quality kills.
Top Chicago Theater Picks For Feb. 21, 2008: ‘A Big Blue Nail,’ ‘Skin in Flames,’ ‘Botanic Garden’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 21, 2008 - 12:21pmCHICAGO – Free or half-price Chicago theater and comedy tickets. No catch. Just click the link, take just a moment to make a free Goldstar account (or log into your existing Goldstar account) and you’re on your way.
Chicago Transit Authority Serves as Melodic Muse For Original Chicago Musical ‘Stuck’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 20, 2008 - 10:31pmCHICAGO – If you don’t live in Chicago, you’ll have either never heard of the Chicago Transit Authority or you’ll think it stands for something aside from the mass-transit system that it is. If you are a Chicagoan, though, it’s inconceivable not to know about the CTA and certainly improbable to have never used it.
Free Advance-Screening Passes For ‘10,000 B.C.,’ ‘Vantage Point,’ ‘Semi-Pro,’ ‘Stop-Loss’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 19, 2008 - 2:02pmCHICAGO – Free advance-screening movie passes. No catch. Just click the link and RSVP.
This week, we have passes for “Honeydripper,” “Be Kind Rewind,” “Penelope,” “Stop-Loss,” “Semi-Pro,” “Vantage Point,” “The Bank Job” and “10,000 B.C.”. These passes go quickly, so if you’re interested in a particular film, snag your free ticket now!
Horror Master George A. Romero Reveals Veteran Zombie Lock in ‘Diary of the Dead’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 18, 2008 - 3:09pmCHICAGO – Master horror filmmaker George A. Romero is back for the fifth installment of his “Dead” series as what began with 1968’s “Night of the Living Dead” has fast-forwarded to “Diary of the Dead”. This time, Romero takes on the modern soul deadening of staring at screens and includes the constant navel gazing of videotaping, computers and the instant playback that has become our lives.
Horror Master George A. Romero Reveals Veteran Zombie Lock in ‘Diary of the Dead’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 18, 2008 - 2:40pmCHICAGO – Master horror filmmaker George A. Romero is back for the fifth installment of his “Dead” series as what began with 1968’s “Night of the Living Dead” has fast-forwarded to “Diary of the Dead”. This time, Romero takes on the modern soul deadening of staring at screens and includes the constant navel gazing of videotaping, computers and the instant playback that has become our lives.
Despite Offering Tantalizing Possibilities, ‘Jumper’ Weakened By Formulaic Clichés
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 17, 2008 - 1:00amCHICAGO – As a distinct premise, “Jumper” offers tantalizing possibilities. The ability to transport yourself from one location to another with simple mind control is a cool rule of the world. While the film speaks to some of the far-reaching potential of the power, it also follows story formulas that weaken it.
Despite Offering Tantalizing Possibilities, ‘Jumper’ Weakened By Formulaic Clichés
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 17, 2008 - 12:51amCHICAGO – As a distinct premise, “Jumper” offers tantalizing possibilities. The ability to transport yourself from one location to another with simple mind control is a cool rule of the world. While the film speaks to some of the far-reaching potential of the power, it also follows story formulas that weaken it.
HollywoodChicago.com Interview: ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ Writer Holly Black on First Feature Film
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 16, 2008 - 4:19amCHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com publisher Adam Fendelman has interviewed “The Spiderwick Chronicles” writer and co-executive producer Holly Black about her first feature-film fantasy adaptation, why she loves fairies so much and how she developed the film’s unique characters.
Patrons Transformed Into Zombies at Chicago ‘Diary of the Dead’ Screening
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 15, 2008 - 5:38pmCHICAGO – At the Chicago screening on Thursday for “Diary of the Dead” from horror master George A. Romero, willing patrons were transformed into zombies by a makeup and body paint artist. The Chicago publicist for the film has provided us with photos of the transformations.
‘Definitely, Maybe’ Borrows From Successful Romantic Comedies, Adds Fresh Hook
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 14, 2008 - 5:12pmCHICAGO – The makers of “Love Actually” and “Notting Hill” know how to do romantic comedy that doesn’t somehow fall into the trap of a formulaic chick flick like “27 Dresses”. “Definitely, Maybe,” which is their latest effort, on the other hand isn’t particularly original and really isn’t very funny.
‘Definitely, Maybe’ Borrows From Successful Romantic Comedies, Adds Fresh Hook
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 14, 2008 - 5:05pmCHICAGO – The makers of “Love Actually” and “Notting Hill” know how to do romantic comedy that doesn’t somehow fall into the trap of a formulaic chick flick like “27 Dresses”. “Definitely, Maybe,” which is their latest effort, on the other hand isn’t particularly original and really isn’t very funny.
Top Chicago Theater Picks For Feb. 14, 2008: ‘Heat Wave,’ ‘Augusta,’ ‘Columbinus’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 14, 2008 - 2:01pmCHICAGO – Following the popularity of our HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film offering (free advance-screening movie passes!), we’ve had numerous requests from readers to offer the same kind of deals for local theater and comedy, too. We are now pleased to bring you the HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Theater & Comedy as a result of a new partnership with Goldstar.
Theater: ‘Dreadful Penny’s Exquisite Horrors’ Wickedly Flirts With Fear, Fantasies, Faults
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 14, 2008 - 11:22amCHICAGO – The minds who bring alive this risqué Chicago remount took their time to unearth their manipulatively seductive emcee.
They spent five years, in fact, to dig the now-coined “Dreadful Penny’s Exquisite Horrors” up from its resting place and rework the production into the quintessence of sex, violence, fear, fantasy and all the faults that make humans humane while also quite the contrary.
Free Advance-Screening Passes For ‘Harold & Kumar,’ ‘Stop-Loss,’ ‘The Bank Job,’ ‘Vantage Point,’ ‘Semi-Pro’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 13, 2008 - 2:19amCHICAGO – Free advance-screening movie passes. No catch. Just click the link and RSVP. This is our largest list yet! Through our relationship with FilmMetro.com, we’re offering 41 free screenings for 11 films from Feb. 13 through Feb. 28.
This week, we have the most updated passes for “Step Up 2 the Streets,” “Penelope,” “Jumper,” “In Bruges,” “Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay,” “Be Kind Rewind,” “Honeydripper,” “Stop-Loss,” “Semi-Pro,” “Vantage Point” and “The Bank Job”. These passes go quickly, so if you’re interested in a particular film, snag your free ticket now!
Paramount Pictures Releases Flood of New Production Stills For ‘Stop-Loss’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 11, 2008 - 1:45pmCHICAGO – Paramount Pictures on Monday released a flood of new production stills for the war film “Stop-Loss,” which stars Ryan Phillippe. Directed by relatively new director Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry”), “Stop-Loss” opens on March 28, 2008. While we feature a few new production stills below, continue on to our huge “Stop-Loss” image gallery!
Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson Feel Valentine’s Day Love in ‘Fool’s Gold’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 8, 2008 - 4:56amCHICAGO – Check off this list of stock movie characters: the broke rogue adventurer, his sensible love interest, the daffy heiress, her gruff but benign wealthy father, the evil rival, the doltish but loyal sidekick, the evil rival’s goons and the “seems to be evil but in the end turns out heroic” buddy.
Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson Feel Valentine’s Day Love in ‘Fool’s Gold’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 8, 2008 - 4:29amCHICAGO – Check off this list of stock movie characters: the broke rogue adventurer, his sensible love interest, the daffy heiress, her gruff but benign wealthy father, the evil rival, the doltish but loyal sidekick, the evil rival’s goons and the “seems to be evil but in the end turns out heroic” buddy.
HollywoodChicago.com Analyzes 10 Oscar Contenders For Best Supporting Actor, Actress
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 8, 2008 - 2:37amCHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com film critic Adam Fendelman has analyzed the 10 nominated contenders for best supporting actor and best supporting actress (five in each category) and reveals his selections for the top prize. Hosted by Jon Stewart, the 80th Academy Awards ceremony will be presented on Feb. 24, 2008.