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.
May 2010
Annette Bening, Naomi Watts Lack the Connection in ‘Mother and Child’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2010 - 3:34pmCHICAGO – “Mother and Child,” with an all star cast of Annette Bening, Naomi Watts, Samuel L. Jackson, Jimmy Smits and Kerry Washington, is mindful of its subject matter, that rare and elusive connection between a mother and their offspring. However, the film has difficulties when the characters become inconsistent with their past backgrounds after that connection is introduced.
Annette Bening, Naomi Watts Lack the Connection in ‘Mother and Child’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2010 - 3:28pm Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Mother and Child,” with an all star cast of Annette Bening, Naomi Watts, Samuel L. Jackson, Jimmy Smits and Kerry Washington, is mindful of its subject matter, that rare and elusive connection between a mother and their offspring. However, the film has difficulties when the characters become inconsistent with their past backgrounds after that connection is introduced.
Theater Review: ‘The 39 Steps’ is Frolicsome, Hollow Hitchcock
Submitted by Alissa Norby on May 23, 2010 - 3:23pmCHICAGO – The stage may is noticeably stripped, and the absence of technical advancement well-viewed. But the brass creativity emanating from “The 39 Steps”, the rollicking adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s quieted film, is consummately endowed. In a certain albeit undeniable sense, the Master of Suspense’s screen canon has always been ripe for the satirical plucking.
Lazy, Uninspired ‘Shrek Forever After’ With Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz
Submitted by BrianTT on May 21, 2010 - 1:56pmCHICAGO – The laziest big budget film of the year, “Shrek Forever After” is the worst kind of family entertainment in that it relies solely on the goodwill engendered by the hit movies that came before to not only get audience members in seats this weekend but to sell them toys, video games, and tickets to amusement parks.
Lazy, Uninspired ‘Shrek Forever After’ With Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz
Submitted by BrianTT on May 21, 2010 - 1:52pm Rating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The laziest big budget film of the year, “Shrek Forever After” is the worst kind of family entertainment in that it relies solely on the goodwill engendered by the hit movies that came before to not only get audience members in seats this weekend but to sell them toys, video games, and tickets to amusement parks.
Love Story of ‘Kites’ Soars as a Marvel of Modern Moviemaking
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 21, 2010 - 4:22amCHICAGO – One of the most provocative and unusual films this year, or any year, is an amazing production from India entitled “Kites.” American director Brett Ratner (”Rush Hour”) was so taken by this film, that he agreed to edit the original (or remix) for the U.S. presentation.
Love Story of ‘Kites’ Soars as a Marvel of Modern Moviemaking
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 21, 2010 - 4:18am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – One of the most provocative and unusual films this year, or any year, is an amazing production from India entitled “Kites.” American director Brett Ratner (”Rush Hour”) was so taken by this film, that he agreed to edit the original (or remix) for the U.S. presentation. Both versions will be will be in the marketplace for a limited release.
Will Forte, Kristen Wiig Explode a Megaton Bomb in ‘MacGruber’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 21, 2010 - 4:02amCHICAGO – In a parallel universe, perhaps a version of “MacGruber” exists that actually understands that comedy should be funny…oh what a beautiful world that would be.
Will Forte, Kristen Wiig Explode a Megaton Bomb in ‘MacGruber’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 21, 2010 - 3:57am Rating: 0.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In a parallel universe, perhaps a version of “MacGruber” exists that actually understands that comedy should be funny…oh what a beautiful world that would be. Here in this astral plane Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Phillippe and Val Kilmer, plus the writers, director and craft services obviously conspired to create a movie bomb that no one could diffuse.
The CW Announces Two New TV Shows to Join Returning Favorites
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 20, 2010 - 4:02pmCHICAGO – The CW announced its new fall line-up on Thursday and filled out five nights of original programming. Returning shows are “90210,” “Gossip Girl,” “One Tree Hill,” “Life Unexpected,” “America’s Top Model,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Supernatural” and the final season of “Smallville”.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 VIP Chicago Party Passes For Ice Cube’s ‘Are We There Yet?’ on TBS
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 20, 2010 - 12:53pmCHICAGO – In our latest TV edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, we have 25 admit-two passes up for grabs to the VIP Chicago party for the new TBS comedy “Are We There Yet?” from executive producer Ice Cube!
Slideshow: 31-Image Gallery of Scenes From ‘Shrek Forever After’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 20, 2010 - 10:35amCHICAGO – On Friday May 21st, the big green machine know as the Shrek franchise releases its latest animated epic, “Shrek Forever After,” in 3-D. All the old favorites are back, including the voices of Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, Eddie Murphy as Donkey and Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Spy Next Door’ Functions as an Ultra-Lame Babysitter
Submitted by mattmovieman on May 20, 2010 - 10:33amCHICAGO – “The Spy Next Door” pairs a man who can’t speak English with three kids who can’t act. They’re forced to recite dialogue credited to three writers who are incapable of writing a single line of wit or originality. Worst of all, the film is directed by a man whose last halfway decent family flick was 1992’s “Beethoven.” Rarely has a mainstream release looked so much like Amateur Hour.
Blu-Ray Review: Experimental ‘9 Songs’ Favors Sexuality Over Story
Submitted by mattmovieman on May 20, 2010 - 10:05amCHICAGO – Is Michael Winterbottom’s 2004 curiosity little more than art house porn? It certainly would seem that way to any consumer who happens to glimpse at the film’s Blu-Ray case, which boasts that the disc contains the “full uncut explicit version” of “9 Songs.” There’s also a disclaimer warning that the film “contains sexually explicit content.” In the words of “Family Guy”’s Quagmire, “Oh…right.”
Spirited ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ Dusts Off Broadway Scrapbook
Submitted by Alissa Norby on May 19, 2010 - 6:10pmCHICAGO – There are few plot archetypes that receive as much in the way of production funding as that which examines- and often heralds- the business of Broadway. From the trying personal life of Fanny Brice to the eruption of a chorus player on 42nd Street, musicals have often reveled to the avidity of their own founts.
Interview: Director Rodrigo Garcia on His New Film ‘Mother and Child’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 19, 2010 - 5:32pmCHICAGO – “Mother and Child” is an intense exploration of the various stages of motherhood, through the performances of Annette Bening, Naomi Watts and Samuel L. Jackson. Leading the eclectic cast through their paces is director Rodrigo Garcia.
TV Review: New FOX Series ‘The Good Guys’ is Just Mediocre
Submitted by BrianTT on May 19, 2010 - 11:59amCHICAGO – Colin Hanks and Bradley Whitford seem like a pair of good guys in real life and the creator of their new show (Matt Nix of “Burn Notice”) has definitely been more-than-good in the past but their new action series, “The Good Guys” might be more correctly titled “The Mediocre Guys,” although that’s not quite as catchy.
Meet the Press: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy in ‘Shrek Forever After’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 19, 2010 - 10:24amLOS ANGELES – On Friday, May 21st, the rest of the film industry will turn green with envy as “Shrek Forever After” is released. The fourth installment of the mega-popular animated series features Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas, as well as new voice talent from Jon Hamm, Craig Robinson and Walt Dohrn.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Invictus’ Respectfully Pays Tribute, Fails to Emotionally Connect
Submitted by mattmovieman on May 19, 2010 - 10:05amCHICAGO – It’s difficult to imagine an awards season without Clint Eastwood. Ever since 2003’s “Mystic River,” he’s released all of his directorial efforts during the last months of the year. Sometimes his films deserve to be contenders (“Million Dollar Baby,” “Letters From Iwo Jima”), and sometimes they don’t. “Invictus” is Eastwood’s most unimaginative Oscar bait yet.
CBS Radically Shuffles Schedule, Moves ‘Survivor,’ ‘Big Bang Theory’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 19, 2010 - 9:29amCHICAGO – CBS announced their fall schedule today. While fans of canceled “Accidentally on Purpose,” “Cold Case,” “Gary Unmarried,” “Numb3rs,” “The Ghost Whisperer,” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” may disagree, the big TV news of the week is that several of the top network’s biggest shows are moving.
Theater Interview: The Many Faces of Lily Tomlin
Submitted by Alissa Norby on May 18, 2010 - 10:52pmCHICAGO – Legendary comedienne Lily Tomlin has made a career on her ability to hear voices. Whether in the form of the pestilential operator Ernestine, the aristocratic Madame Lupe, or precocious 6-year-old Edith Ann, Tomlin has engrossed audiences with her unique approach to character humor for nearly four decades.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Karate Kid I & II: Collector’s Edition’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 18, 2010 - 11:08amCHICAGO – Before you make plans to check out the remake of “The Karate Kid” with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan on June 11th, flashback to where the phenomenon began with the 1984 original film starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, and Elisabeth Shue and the film’s first sequel, now available on Blu-ray.
Blu-Ray Review: Awful ‘Legion’ With Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid
Submitted by BrianTT on May 18, 2010 - 10:43amCHICAGO – It’s hard to say what about “Legion” is the film’s worst offense: some of the most laughable dialogue of the year, mediocre special effects, uninteresting characters, or truly bad performances. Yes, “Legion” is a head-scratchingly horrible movie. Take your pick. It’s all wrong.
Slideshow: 22-Image Gallery From ‘MacGruber’ With Will Forte
Submitted by BrianTT on May 18, 2010 - 9:44amCHICAGO – This 22-image slideshow features all the official press images for Rogue Pictures’ “MacGruber” starring Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Phillippe, Powers Boothe, Maya Rudolph, and Val Kilmer. It was written by Forte & John Solomon & Jorma Taccone and directed by Taccone. It will open on May 21st, 2010.
ABC Renews ‘Castle,’ Cancels ‘FlashForward,’ Launches Seven New Fall Shows
Submitted by BrianTT on May 18, 2010 - 8:54amCHICAGO – ABC continues to look for another “Lost” or “Modern Family” this fall with seven new shows announced today at their 2010 upfronts presentation.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Chicago Passes to Cannes Selection ‘Looking for Eric’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 17, 2010 - 7:23pmCHICAGO – In our latest comedy/sports edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of “Looking for Eric”!
Blu-Ray Review: Timeless Romance of ‘Doctor Zhivago’ in HD
Submitted by BrianTT on May 17, 2010 - 1:58pmCHICAGO – David Lean’s “Doctor Zhivago” is one of the most beloved films of all time and it has been masterfully transferred to Blu-ray courtesy of the best studio in existence when it comes to ushering timeless classics on to the next generation format. Warner Brothers has done it again with a must-own for classic movie fans.
NBC Renews ‘Chuck,’ Cancels ‘Heroes,’ Launches Eight New Shows
Submitted by BrianTT on May 17, 2010 - 12:00pmCHICAGO – NBC announced their fall schedule and fans of “Heroes,” “Law & Order,” “Trauma,” and “Mercy” will shed a tear while on-the-bubble shows like “Chuck,” “Parenthood,” and “Community” will return with “Parks and Recreation” coming back later in the season.
Slideshow: 41-Image Gallery From L.A. Premiere of ‘Shrek Forever After’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 17, 2010 - 10:49amCHICAGO – This 41-image slideshow contains red carpet images of celebrities arriving at the Los Angeles premiere of “Shrek Forever After” on May 16th, 2010. Celebrities in attendance include Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, Lake Bell, Steven Spielberg, and more.
Video Game Review: ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’ Gets ‘Stimulus Package’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 17, 2010 - 10:06amCHICAGO – After watching a large number of their soldiers pick up their gear and trudge off to the amazing multiplayer of “Battlefield: Bad Company 2,” Activision and Infinity Ward have made some recent moves designed to bring video game warriors back to the beloved “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2”. Xbox 360 players got the “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package” first but it’s now available on the PS3 with word of a “Resurgence Pack” hot on its heels.
