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.
December 2010
Video Game Review: Disney Releases Excellent ‘Epic Mickey,’ Lackluster ‘Tangled’
Submitted by BrianTT on December 16, 2010 - 2:34pmCHICAGO – Disney has released two Nintendo Wii games in the hope of stealing a bit of Christmas cash this holiday season and one proves that family-oriented titles can still be creatively vibrant while the other proves the dictum that movie tie-ins usually are not.
DVD Review: ‘Restrepo’ Harrowingly Depicts Human Cost of War
Submitted by BrianTT on December 15, 2010 - 11:09pmCHICAGO – “Restrepo” is not your average war documentary. It is a terrifying you-are-there experience that will give you goosebumps as the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. This is real. This is not Hollywood. And it is riveting, spectacular filmmaking.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Hard Boiled’ Stands as Riveting Action Classic
Submitted by BrianTT on December 15, 2010 - 11:03pmCHICAGO – John Woo changed my life. I was just the right age when I saw “The Killer” and “Hard Boiled” that they blew my mind. Wait, you mean not all foreign films look like Jean-Luc Godard? I was young enough that I thought foreign meant boring. There’s NOTHING boring about the prime of John Woo and one of his best, “Hard Boiled” has now been released on Blu-ray. And it still blows my mind.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 5 Blu-Ray, DVD Combo Packs to ‘Step Up 3’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 15, 2010 - 5:26pmCHICAGO – In our latest Blu-ray and DVD combo pack edition of the HollywoodChicago.com Hookup, we have 5 Blu-ray and DVD combo packs up for grabs to Disney’s “Step Up 3”!
Film Feature: ‘The 27th Annual Music Box Christmas Show’ Brims With Nostalgic Warmth
Submitted by mattmovieman on December 15, 2010 - 2:55pmCHICAGO – The most memorable moviegoing experiences of your life are often circumstantial. They may depend entirely on the audience that you see them with.
Interview: Oscar Winner Patty Duke On a Life in Duality
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 15, 2010 - 1:14pmCHICAGO – In one of the most famous TV openings in the medium’s history, “identical cousins,” Patty and Cathy Lane, were introduced. Those two ends of one person were played by Patty Duke, a previous Oscar winner for “The Miracle Worker” and subsequent stellar acting career. Ironically, she also fought bipolar disorder.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 2 Signed ‘Meskada’ Posters By ‘Twilight’ Star Kellan Lutz
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 14, 2010 - 6:30pmCHICAGO – In our latest crime/drama edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 2 signed posters up for grabs to the new film “Meskada” by “Twilight,” “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” star Kellan Lutz!
Film Feature: The Best Supporting Performances of 2010
Submitted by BrianTT on December 14, 2010 - 3:16pmCHICAGO – It started with the best lead performances of 2010 yesterday and now we naturally move on to many of the stars who made those lead turns possible. For what is a great lead performance without the supporting ones that got it there? These were the MVPs of 2010 who may have allowed others to take the spotlight but also made it shine so much brighter.
Entertainment News: 2010 Golden Globe Nominees Announced
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 14, 2010 - 12:42pmCHICAGO – “Black Swan,” “Inception” and “The Social Network” were among the big film nominees in 2010 for the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The nominees were announced this morning, December 14th, in Los Angeles. “Mad Men,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “30 Rock” and “Glee” were among the TV nominees.
Blu-Ray Review: Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s ‘Micmacs’ Smothers Substance in Style
Submitted by BrianTT on December 14, 2010 - 12:10amCHICAGO – Can a movie be too creative? Jean-Pierre Jeunet tests this theory with his ridiculously over-the-top “Micmacs,” a clever film that is almost too polished and refined to be effective. Of course, it looks great on Blu-ray but this giant Jeunet fan can’t help but think his style has finally trumped his substance.
DVD Review: Disney Releases Trio of Informative Documentaries
Submitted by BrianTT on December 13, 2010 - 5:43pmCHICAGO – Walt Disney Home Video isn’t all about “Hannah Montana” or “Toy Story 3.” At the end of last month, they released a trio of informative documentaries about the fascinating history of their own company. None of the three are must-see viewing, but they do combine to offer a glimpse at the incredibly legacy of one of the most important American companies in history.
Film Feature: The Best Lead Performances of 2010
Submitted by BrianTT on December 13, 2010 - 2:29pmCHICAGO – It’s the time of year when critics and Oscar pundits like to take a look back at the performances of the last twelve months and pick out the ones most deserving of special citation. As every critics group in the country prepares to unveil their choices for the cream of the acting crop, we thought we’d offer a guide to who they should reflect upon, first in the lead actor and actress categories and then, later this week, in the supporting ones.
Interview: Director Rujanee Mahakanjana Reflects Her ‘Parallel Universe’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 13, 2010 - 1:02pmCHICAGO – Last year, a documentary premiered here at the Gene Siskel Film Center, provocatively entitled “Man and His Erections.” The writer/director of the film is Rujanee Mahakanjana, an artist and designer who has been exploring filmmaking in the last five years. Her latest feature, premiering this week, is “Parallel Universe.”
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Chicago Passes to ‘Little Fockers’ With Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 12, 2010 - 3:39pmCHICAGO – In our latest comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Little Fockers” with Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Jessica Alba, Dustin Hoffman and Owen Wilson!
Interview: Director Ralf Schmerberg Wants to Solve the ‘Problema’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 12, 2010 - 10:47amCHICAGO – Back in 2006, an unprecedented film project took place in Berlin, Germany, in the infamous Bebelplatz, a plaza that once hosted Nazi book burnings. The idea was to get 112 diverse individuals together to answer 100 questions. Their answers were processed by Ralf Schmerberg, the director of the resultant film, “Problema.”
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 15 Pairs of Chicago Passes to ‘Rabbit Hole’ With Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 11, 2010 - 1:44pmCHICAGO – In our latest drama edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 15 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Rabbit Hole” with Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart and Dianne Wiest.
Interview: Grace McPhillips, Founder of Chicago Acting in Film Meetup Group
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 11, 2010 - 12:02pmCHICAGO – Chicago is naturally a community town, based on their neighborhoods and Midwestern roots. So it was natural that Grace McPhillips, an actor in the Windy City, would found a community group for actors. The Chicago Acting in Film Meetup Group is having their annual Holiday Fundraiser and Networking Night on December 13th.
Film Review: Nothing Plastic About Lena Dunham’s Post-Graduate ‘Tiny Furniture’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 10, 2010 - 8:17pmCHICAGO – The 24 year-old Lena Dunham is a new and notable voice for her generation of filmmakers, breaking in with her first feature, the memorable “Tiny Furniture.” Dunham wrote, directed and portrays the main character Aura, a newly minted film theory graduate who is going through the time honored process of what to do with her post collegiate life.
Nothing Plastic About Lena Dunham’s Post-Graduate ‘Tiny Furniture’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 10, 2010 - 8:12pm![]() Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The 24 year-old Lena Dunham is a new and notable voice for her generation of filmmakers, breaking in with her first feature, the memorable “Tiny Furniture.” Dunham wrote, directed and portrays the main character Aura, a newly minted film theory graduate who is going through the time honored process of what to do with her post collegiate life.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 15 Pairs of Chicago Anytime Passes to ‘Black Swan’ With Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 10, 2010 - 6:59pmCHICAGO – In our latest ballet edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 15 admit-two run-of-engagement movie passes up for grabs to the highly buzzed new film “Black Swan” with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis from acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky!
Film Review: ‘The Tourist’ Twists Predictably, Lacks Chemistry Between Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 10, 2010 - 5:52pmCHICAGO – Though you probably don’t know his name, Christopher McQuarrie’s involvement might sell you on paying to see “The Tourist” even more than “A”-list stars Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.
‘The Tourist’ Twists Predictably, Lacks Chemistry Between Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 10, 2010 - 4:24pm![]() Rating: 1.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Though you probably don’t know his name, Christopher McQuarrie’s involvement might sell you on paying to see “The Tourist” even more than “A”-list stars Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. After all, McQuarrie is the writer behind 1995’s Oscar-winning magnum opus by the name of “The Usual Suspects”.
Film Review: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor Make Unique Couple in ‘I Love You Phillip Morris’
Submitted by BrianTT on December 10, 2010 - 2:05pm![]() Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – John Requa and Glenn Ficarra’s “I Love You Phillip Morris” debuted at the Sundance Film Festival nearly two years ago and was released internationally so long ago that it’s out on DVD in most markets around the world. After financial difficulties plagued the first company intent on stateside distribution, the movie sat on a shelf and most of us assumed it would be making its U.S. debut on a round shiny disc.
Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor Make Unique Couple in ‘I Love You Phillip Morris’
Submitted by BrianTT on December 10, 2010 - 2:01pm![]() Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – John Requa and Glenn Ficarra’s “I Love You Phillip Morris” debuted at the Sundance Film Festival nearly two years ago and was released internationally so long ago that it’s out on DVD in most markets around the world. After financial difficulties plagued the first company intent on stateside distribution, the movie sat on a shelf and most of us assumed it would be making its U.S. debut on a round shiny disc.
Film Review: Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington Nearly Save ‘Night Catches Us’
Submitted by BrianTT on December 10, 2010 - 11:18am![]() Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “They’re all around us. Ghosts. They’re everywhere.” People don’t talk like that. Especially kids. Especially not after a major revelation about their dad. It just doesn’t feel real. And that’s the problem with “Night Catches Us,” a well-intentioned drama with strong performances that somehow can’t find the realism at the heart of its story. Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington nearly rescue the piece but it just doesn’t come together into anything memorable enough to recommend.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Nanny McPhee Returns’ Sure to Delight Children of All Ages
Submitted by mattmovieman on December 10, 2010 - 11:18amCHICAGO – Magical nannies, dancing animals, great gusts of wind, lyrical life lessons and cute kids in need of a father. You don’t need to be practically perfect in every way in order to find these ingredients a trifle familiar. Robert Stevenson’s 1964 masterpiece “Mary Poppins” used these elements better than anyone has before or since, resulting in what is unquestionably the best live-action Disney film ever made.
Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington Nearly Save ‘Night Catches Us’
Submitted by BrianTT on December 10, 2010 - 11:15am![]() Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “They’re all around us. Ghosts. They’re everywhere.” People don’t talk like that. Especially kids. Especially not after a major revelation about their dad. It just doesn’t feel real. And that’s the problem with “Night Catches Us,” a well-intentioned drama with strong performances that somehow can’t find the realism at the heart of its story. Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington nearly rescue the piece but it just doesn’t come together into anything memorable enough to recommend.
Film Review: ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ Not Worth the Trip
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 10, 2010 - 9:46amCHICAGO – The children’s fantasy drama is a hot commodity in the current age of computer generated images.
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ Not Worth the Trip
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 10, 2010 - 9:40am![]() Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The children’s fantasy drama is a hot commodity in the current age of computer generated images. Many favorite books once thought too complex to be filmed are now seeing new life in film series, including “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” by C.S. Lewis, first published in 1952.
Interview: Director Lena Dunham Arranges Her ‘Tiny Furniture’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 10, 2010 - 2:23amCHICAGO – The coming-of-age film has evolved over the years, from Andy Hardy to “Splendor in the Grass” to “The Graduate,” up through “American Pie.” Filmmaker Lena Dunham offers her own post-collegiate transition narrative, in the archly realistic and perversely funny “Tiny Furniture.”