CHICAGO – The Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago continues to provide different viewpoints on the American stage, and their latest “Little Bear Ridge Road” is no exception. Featuring ensemble member Laurie Metcalf, it’s the resonate story of a family at the crossroads. For tickets/details, click LITTLE BEAR.
September 2010
Blu-Ray Review: FX TV Hits Including ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ ‘The League’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 25, 2010 - 1:33pmCHICAGO – Twentieth Century Fox has released a number of the best shows of their FX channel in the last month and we thought we’d cover them all in one review for one simple reason — you should get all three. FX continues to break new ground in television with “Sons of Anarchy,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and “The League” and the most recent season of each is now available in beautiful HD.
TV on DVD Round-Up: ‘C.S.I.,’ ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ‘Scrubs’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 25, 2010 - 11:19amCHICAGO – With most TV on DVD releases now scheduled for August and September, how does one buyer work through all of the options? We’ve covered a number of the choices in recent weeks (and have a few more planned next week) along reviews of every new series, but it’s easy for some titles to fall through the cracks, especially for shows that might not have the cultural cachet they once did.
Interviews: TV Stars at the Hollywood Celebrities & Memorabilia Show
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 25, 2010 - 12:06amCHICAGO – The Hollywood Celebrities & Memorabilia Show is back in Chicago this weekend, September 25th and 26th, and the last time it came around some popular TV stars of the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s participated. Dawn Wells, Willie Aames, James MacArthur and Ken Kercheval were there.
Film Review: Whole Truth Becomes a Modern-Era Reality in ‘Catfish’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2010 - 7:13pmCHICAGO – “Catfish” is a real oddball of a film, set in the Twilight Zone of our own virtual cyberspace. Three twentysomething men navigate through the mysterious rigors of a journey they never expected to take. Nev Schulman is the main subject and directors Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost provide the video exposition in this true story.
Whole Truth Becomes a Modern-Era Reality in ‘Catfish’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2010 - 7:05pm![]() Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Catfish” is a real oddball of a film, set in the Twilight Zone of our own virtual cyberspace. Three twentysomething men navigate through the mysterious rigors of a journey they never expected to take. Nev Schulman is the main subject and directors Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost provide the video exposition in this true story.
TV Review: Tom Selleck’s Epic ‘Blue Bloods’ Has Some Potential
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2010 - 5:34pmCHICAGO – Tom Selleck is back on series television, portraying the patriarch of a New York City cop dynasty in “Blue Bloods” (not a bad pun), but this time he is the Chief of Police over the whole city. He still has time for Sunday dinner with the family, and he’s inviting TV fans to the table.
Film Review: Philip Seymour Hoffman Stars in Directorial Debut ‘Jack Goes Boating’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 24, 2010 - 11:03amCHICAGO – One of the best working actors takes his skills behind camera in Philip Seymour Hoffman’s “Jack Goes Boating,” a character drama about one couple forming as another relationship falls apart at the same time. This gentle story of modern relationships is a subtle, slow-moving drama of moments and repercussions that works due to the talents of its cast and quality of its source material despite a few notable flaws.
Philip Seymour Hoffman Stars in Directorial Debut ‘Jack Goes Boating’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 24, 2010 - 11:00am![]() Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – One of the best working actors takes his skills behind camera in Philip Seymour Hoffman’s “Jack Goes Boating,” a character drama about one couple forming as another relationship falls apart at the same time. This gentle story of modern relationships is a subtle, slow-moving drama of moments and repercussions that works due to the talents of its cast and quality of its source material despite a few notable flaws.
Film Review: Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas Drive Energetic ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 24, 2010 - 9:32amCHICAGO – After a string of disappointments that include “Alexander,” “World Trade Center” and “W,” one of the best directors of the 1980s and 1990s at least draws closer to form with the entertaining “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”.
Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas Drive Energetic ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 24, 2010 - 9:29am![]() Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – After a string of disappointments that include “Alexander,” “World Trade Center” and “W,” one of the best directors of the 1980s and 1990s at least draws closer to form with the entertaining “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”. The film is a great vehicle for Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin and Michael Douglas that occasionally disappoints but crackles more often than it fizzles.
Film Review: ‘Enter the Void’ Takes Viewers on the Next Ultimate Trip
Submitted by mattmovieman on September 24, 2010 - 8:34amCHICAGO – “Dying would be the ultimate trip.” This line is uttered early on in “Enter the Void,” the extraordinary new film from Gaspar Noé, a director who enjoys referencing his previous work almost as much as his hero, Stanley Kubrick. This line pays subtle homage to the “2001: A Space Odyssey” poster prominently framed toward the end of Noé’s previous film, “Irreversible.”
‘Enter the Void’ Takes Viewers on the Next Ultimate Trip
Submitted by mattmovieman on September 24, 2010 - 8:26am![]() Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Dying would be the ultimate trip.” This line is uttered early on in “Enter the Void,” the extraordinary new film from Gaspar Noé, a director who enjoys referencing his previous work almost as much as his hero, Stanley Kubrick. This line pays subtle homage to the “2001: A Space Odyssey” poster prominently framed toward the end of Noé’s previous film, “Irreversible.”
Film Review: Ryan Reynolds Gets Beneath it in Tense Thriller ‘Buried’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2010 - 7:29amCHICAGO – In one of the most unusual settings for a film, actor Ryan Reynolds performs as a one-man tour de force as the only on-screen character in the new film “Buried.” Set in a coffin buried beneath the sands of Iraq, Reynolds conveys the panic, hope and inevitable outcome of a man buried alive and fighting for his very existence.
Ryan Reynolds Gets Beneath it in Tense Thriller ‘Buried’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2010 - 7:21am![]() Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In one of the most unusual settings for a film, actor Ryan Reynolds performs as a one-man tour de force as the only on-screen character in the new film “Buried.” Set in a coffin buried beneath the sands of Iraq, Reynolds conveys the panic, hope and inevitable outcome of a man buried alive and fighting for his very existence.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 1 DVD, 1 Soundtrack For ‘Stomp the Yard: Homecoming’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on September 24, 2010 - 1:03amCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, we have 1 DVD and 1 soundtrack up for grabs to the new film “Stomp the Yard: Homecoming”!
Interviews: Nev Schulman, Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost of ‘Catfish’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2010 - 12:27amCHICAGO – One of the most provocative new films of 2010 is the strange and beautiful “Catfish.” As a testament to the current age of on-camera exploration, the true story focuses on New York photographer Nev Schulman, as he receives a package in the mail, which begins a journey that takes him to a relationship he thought he’d never have. Brother Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost are the “directors.”
TV Review: ‘Outsourced’ is Latest 5-Star Addition to NBC Thursday
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 23, 2010 - 5:41pmCHICAGO – It seems that NBC is getting some of their “Must See TV” mojo back, after adding the hilarious “Community” to the Thursday night comedy line-up last year and debuting the equally stellar “Outsourced’ this year, which premieres September 23rd at 8:30pm CST.
Interview: Ryan Reynolds, Director Rodrigo Cortés Uncover ‘Buried’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 23, 2010 - 3:54pmCHICAGO – “Buried” is an unconventional film, a so-called (by director Rodrigo Cortés) impossible film to make. Ryan Reynolds is the only actor on-screen in the whole film, and he plays a man buried alive somewhere in the war zone of Iraq. The story takes place within the coffin underneath the ground, and Reynolds had to convey both the desperation and hope.
TV Review: ABC’s ‘My Generation’ Wastes Talented Cast on Cliche
Submitted by BrianTT on September 23, 2010 - 11:28amCHICAGO – The new ABC dramedy “My Generation” is all concept and no execution. Creator Noah Hawley (the vastly-superior “The Unusuals”) came up with an idea and found a talented cast and the creativity died shortly thereafter. The foundation is a clever and inspired one but the writing staff adds nothing more than cliche to it, piling on characters who feel barely two-dimensional and rarely finding a genuine moment in the lackluster and bloated series premiere.
TV Review: NBC’s Hilarious ‘Community’ Returns For Second Season
Submitted by BrianTT on September 23, 2010 - 10:35amCHICAGO – NBC’s “Community” took some time to find its comic rhythm but it has developed into one of the smartest and most expertly-paced sitcoms on television. The Joel McHale vehicle returns tonight, September 23rd, 2010 for a very-important start to its second season. If it can find the audience it deserves, “Community” could be on for years. It certainly should be.
TV Review: ‘$#*! My Dad Says’ With William Shatner is Lost in Translation
Submitted by BrianTT on September 23, 2010 - 8:53amCHICAGO – Laugh tracks are a dying breed. Think of classic, full-throttle laugh tracks from “The Jeffersons,” “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Full House.”
TV Review: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Opens New Season With a Whimper
Submitted by mattmovieman on September 23, 2010 - 7:53amCHICAGO – If “The Big Bang Theory” is truly among the better sitcoms in prime-time, that’s saying a great deal about the current state of television comedy. I was genuinely interested in checking out this show after hearing the rapturous response from viewers and critics, and especially after seeing co-star Jim Parsons snag the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series away from Alec Baldwin.
TV Review: ‘Cougar Town’ Season Premiere With Jennifer Aniston
Submitted by BrianTT on September 22, 2010 - 2:59pmCHICAGO – Courteney Cox returns tonight to try and overcome the perception that her very-clever and consistently-improving “Cougar Town” is not a success. What better way to make instant waves than to bring former co-star on “Friends” Jennifer Aniston to the party? The result is yet-another funny half-hour of television for a program that seems to get better by the week.
Interview: Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Ortiz Propel ‘Jack Goes Boating’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 22, 2010 - 1:56pmCHICAGO – When Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Ortiz were working on Bob Glaudini’s dramatic play “Jack Goes Boating,” they mentioned the cinematic potential of the project to each other on multiple occasions. Through a series of events, “Boating” would become Hoffman’s directorial debut, opening in Chicago this Friday, September 24th, 2010.
TV Review: ABC’s ‘The Whole Truth’ Promises Complete Dramatic Experience
Submitted by BrianTT on September 22, 2010 - 1:51pmCHICAGO – Every year, there’s a program or two for which it is strikingly easy to recognize exactly what people will love about it and what many will equally hate about it. Said programs are usually the product of creators with strong and identifiable styles and Jerry Bruckheimer is certainly one of those. Even casual fans would recognize his slick approach to the medium and your tolerance for that is going to determine your judgment on ABC’s “The Whole Truth,” a program that works for me but might not work for you.
Movie News: Preview Night For 2010 Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 22, 2010 - 11:50amCHICAGO – The 2010 Chicago International Film Festival kicked off it’s 46th year with a preview party last night at the Lucky Strike Lounge, next to the location where all the films will be shown, AMC River East 21 on Illinois Street. Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza introduced staff members who highlighted the various cinema categories offered by the festival, and then presented a roster of notable films to be shown.
TV Review: Little Defense For Awful ‘The Defenders’ With Jim Belushi
Submitted by BrianTT on September 22, 2010 - 10:32amCHICAGO – Calling CBS’ “The Defenders” a drama might be a bit of a stretch. But it’s not funny enough to be a comedy either. Instead it falls into the limp valley in between choosing an occasional bit of manipulation to try and qualify as drama but also relying heavily on the comic timing of its stars, Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell, but failing as both.
TV Review: ‘Better With You’ Could Not Be Much Worse
Submitted by BrianTT on September 22, 2010 - 9:28amCHICAGO – The programming executive that thought “Better With You” would fit well between the reasonably-good “The Middle” and the spectacular “Modern Family” clearly has no idea how television comedy has changed in the last few years. To call “Better With You” — with its laugh track, cheesy music, and horrible punchlines — old-fashioned is an insult to nostalgic comedies. It’s just bad.
Interview: French Filmmaker Gaspar Noé Dares to ‘Enter the Void’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 22, 2010 - 8:42amCHICAGO – Few films have conveyed the sensation of an out-of-body experience quite like “Enter the Void,” the latest feature from French filmmaker Gaspar Noé, who continues to be one of the most controversial and innovative filmmakers in modern cinema.
TV Review: J.J. Abrams-Produced ‘Undercovers’ is Stylish, Familiar
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 22, 2010 - 7:35amCHICAGO – The timing of “Undercovers” might be inopportune — the notion of CIA super spies adding to the deficit by overextending their expense accounts — yet the show itself is bright and exciting with beautiful actors and settings. But despite the presence of J.J. Abrams of “Lost,” it doesn’t break any new ground.