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.
March 2011
‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules’ is Wacky Family Fare
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 25, 2011 - 7:51am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The overwrought movie term “family fare” can automatically inspire a swift movement toward the exits. The true something-for-everyone film is rare, and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” actually fulfills that standard. It’s strange, funny and heart-warming, plus features a cast that can deliver the somewhat oddball material.
Film Review: ‘Sucker Punch’ Has Dazzling Imagery, Wham-Bam
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 25, 2011 - 5:41amCHICAGO – It’s a pleasure to see the comic book film done right, especially with the visionary guidance of director Zach Snyder (”300”). “Sucker Punch” is an amazing treat, a feast of eye candy and incredible adventure.
‘Sucker Punch’ Has Dazzling Imagery, Comic Book Wham-Bam
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 25, 2011 - 5:36am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It’s a pleasure to see the comic book film done right, especially with the visionary guidance of director Zach Snyder (”300”). “Sucker Punch” is an amazing treat, a feast of eye candy and incredible adventure.
Slideshow: 12-Image Gallery of Celebrity Participants at C2E2
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 24, 2011 - 4:38pm
Chris Hemsworth will star as the title character in “Thor,” coming this summer.CHICAGO – The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, nicknamed “C2E2,” took place from March 18th through the 20th. Cast panels from the upcoming movie “Thor,” as well as TV’s “The Walking Dead,” “True Blood,” “Dollhouse” and “The Vampire Diaries” met admirers and participated in Q&As.
Blu-Ray Review: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie Forgettable in ‘The Tourist’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 24, 2011 - 2:23pmCHICAGO – When “The Tourist,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, was released theatrically, it was dealt a pretty brutal blow by critics and most assumed it would be relatively forgotten before long, but the Hollywood Foreign Press Association gave the film its true place in history when they nominated it for three awards, including Best Picture, Actor, and Actress after a particularly suspicious amount of lobbying by Sony.
Blu-Ray Review: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford Carry ‘Morning Glory’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 24, 2011 - 2:19pmCHICAGO – Rachel McAdams comes closer to achieving the star status that we’ve all thought she would one day achieve with “Morning Glory,” a likable variation on “Working Girl” that could have and should have been better but offers enough simple entertainment to make for an enjoyable rental. With its cast and crew pedigree, one would have hoped for more than “likable,” but it’s not bad for a Saturday night.
Video Game Review: Stunning ‘Crysis 2’ is a Revolutionary Shooter
Submitted by BrianTT on March 24, 2011 - 12:44pmCHICAGO – Like most hardcore gamers, I’m not as easily impressed as I used to be. From the beginning of “Crysis 2,” and several times during my experience with the game, I was simply blown away. Whether it’s from the stunningly beautiful graphics (the best yet in the history of the Xbox), the deep customization that makes the game unique, or an incredibly deep multiplayer experience that is the most addictive since “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” this is a title that I know I will be playing on and off for the majority of 2011. It’s incredible.
Blu-Ray Review: Clint Eastwood’s ‘Hereafter’ Deserves Wider Audience
Submitted by BrianTT on March 23, 2011 - 8:30pmCHICAGO – Every once in awhile the question arises as to which films that were reviewed poorly today will be reappraised in future years as much-better than their first reviews suggested. We always read about movies now considered classics that were underappreciated when they were released and wonder what the equivalent movies will be from today. Let me submit Clint Eastwood’s “Hereafter,” recently on DVD and Blu-ray, as a likely candidate.
Interview: Thomas McCarthy Goes to the Mat With ‘Win Win’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 23, 2011 - 6:12pmCHICAGO – Writer/director Thomas McCarthy has helmed three motion pictures and already shot to the top of most lists of the best directors working today. He finds the truth in unusual situations like the trio of friends in “The Station Agent” or the unexpected romance of “The Visitor.”
Blu-Ray Review: Louis Malle’s Heartbreaking ‘Au Revoir Les Enfants’
Submitted by mattmovieman on March 23, 2011 - 3:08pmCHICAGO – It’s difficult to find a thematic trilogy with a conclusion as triumphant and potent as “Au Revoir Les Enfants.” The 1987 fact-based drama emerged as one of the great masterpieces in the career of Louis Malle, a giant of the French New Wave perhaps best known for his intimate two-character piece, 1981’s “My Dinner With Andre.” His films possess a purity and authenticity unmatched by many of his peers.
Obituary: Hollywood Legend Elizabeth Taylor is Dead at 79
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 23, 2011 - 10:16amLOS ANGELES – Elizabeth Taylor, one of the great icons of Hollywood, and known as much for her marriages, personal life and activism as her screen performances, died this morning at the age of 79, as announced by her publicist in Los Angeles.
Film News: Danny Boyle’s ‘Frankenstein’ to Screen at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre
Submitted by mattmovieman on March 23, 2011 - 7:35amCHICAGO – Mary Shelley’s infamous monster is alive and well in Nick Dear’s acclaimed new stage adaptation set to be screened worldwide. It’s the latest installment of National Theatre Live, a series of high definition filmed performances released theatrically, courtesy of Britain’s National Theatre.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Chicago Passes to ‘Source Code’ With Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 22, 2011 - 1:46pmCHICAGO – In our latest action/thriller edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Source Code” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright!
Video Game Review: Clever, Addictive ‘LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 22, 2011 - 12:29pmCHICAGO – Just as we were about to write off the LEGO games after some lackluster installments (“LEGO Indiana Jones,” “LEGO Batman”), last year’s excellent “LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4” was the best family video game of the season and news of the March release of another sequel in the franchise that started it all — “LEGO Star Wars” — allowed hope that this series was still very much alive.
Blu-Ray Review: Ineffective ‘Skyline’ Goes For Thrills, Just Bores
Submitted by BrianTT on March 22, 2011 - 9:41amCHICAGO – When did they start releasing SyFy Channel Original Movies in theaters? Seriously, we can accept bad writing and cheap production values on a Saturday night on basic cable but “Skyline” was a national theatrical release and the thing just looks goofy. After the massive success of “District 9,” cheap sci-fi seems to be the trend of the day, but we’re likely to see more junk than Best Picture nominees if “Skyline” is any example.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Rain Man,’ ‘Last Tango in Paris,’ ‘Moonstruck’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 22, 2011 - 9:35amCHICAGO – What could “Last Tango in Paris,” “Moonstruck,” and “Rain Man” possibly have in common? Two won major oscars and the third should have? All three feature some of the career-best work by iconic actors? Honestly, all that they have in common is that they weren’t out on Blu-ray before and every catalog title needs a release date eventually and so MGM chose February 15th for the trio. Pick up all three.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 5 Blu-Ray, DVD Combo Packs to ‘Tangled’ Plus Mario Tricoci Gift Card
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 21, 2011 - 4:40pmCHICAGO – In our latest Blu-ray/DVD combo pack edition of the HollywoodChicago.com Hookup, we have 5 Blu-ray and DVD combo packs up for grabs to “Tangled” with Mandy Moore!
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Love and Other Drugs’ With Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway
Submitted by BrianTT on March 21, 2011 - 3:20pmCHICAGO – An unusual new theme in the American romantic comedy is the couple who starts with sex and ends with love a la “No Strings Attached” and the recent “Love and Other Drugs” with Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, now on DVD and Blu-ray. Critic Patrick McDonald HATED the film, putting it on his worst of the year, which I think may be a little harsh, but it’s a definite disappointment given the talent involved. Those of you looking for a romantic comedy can do better and so can the stars of this failed one.
Blu-Ray Review: Crowd-Pleasing ‘The Fighter’ Delivers Knockout
Submitted by BrianTT on March 21, 2011 - 2:08pmCHICAGO – One of the strongest ensembles of 2010 worked together to create the crowd-pleasing “The Fighter,” a film with multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, that walked home with two major trophies for Best Supporting Actor (Christian Bale) and Best Supporting Actress (Melissa Leo). Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a film will stand the test of time (the jury is still out on how history will judge “The Social Network” and “The King’s Speech”) but there is little doubt that “The Fighter” will be satisfying audiences for decades. A great Blu-ray release from Paramount doesn’t hurt.
DVD Review: Two Great Docs in ‘A Film Unfinished,’ ‘Inside Job’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 21, 2011 - 12:01pmCHICAGO – Two of the best documentaries of 2010 were recently released on DVD and both are well-worth your time in the very near future as they serve as prime examples of the vitality of the form of non-fiction filmmaking. Both “A Film Unfinished” and the Oscar-winning “Inside Job” are riveting filmmaking, proof that subjects that one might consider dry can be turned into a devastating experience.
Video Game Review: ‘Major League Baseball 2K11’ Commits Too Many Errors to Compete
Submitted by BrianTT on March 21, 2011 - 9:59amCHICAGO – I have defended the 2K Sports baseball games in the past, even personally preferring the “Major League Baseball 2K10” edition for gameplay during last year’s baseball season over Sony’s “MLB 10 The Show,” but this year my denial defenses have fallen to an incredibly faulty release, one full of glitches and generally annoying design decisions.
Box Office News: Bradley Cooper’s ‘Limitless’ Lands Weak Top Spot
Submitted by BrianTT on March 21, 2011 - 8:29amCHICAGO – With the NCAA tournament distracting the nation’s attention and a lackluster group of new options at the multiplex, Bradley Cooper’s “Limitless” climbed to the top of a very weak top ten for the weekend of Mar. 17-19, 2011 with only $19 million. New films from Matthew McConaughey (“The Lincoln Lawyer”) and Simon Pegg (“Paul”) disappointed even more.
On WGN Radio: HollywoodChicago.com’s Brian Tallerico on Favorite Shows You Aren’t Watching
Submitted by BrianTT on March 21, 2011 - 8:09amCHICAGO – Brian Tallerico guests on Bill Moller’s show on WGN-Radio in Chicago on Mar. 19, 2011 to take calls on the best shows listeners feel they’re alone in watching. Instead of us telling you what great shows you aren’t watching, you tell us. Shows discussed include “Parenthood,” “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Detroit 1-8-7,” “Terriers,” “Life Unexpected,” and “Doc Martin.”
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 30 Pairs of Chicago Passes to ‘Win Win’ With Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 20, 2011 - 4:59pmCHICAGO – In our latest comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 30 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Win Win” starring Oscar nominees Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan!
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 10 ‘Skyline’ DVDs From Visual Effects Masters Colin, Greg Strause
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 20, 2011 - 3:19pmCHICAGO – In our latest sci-fi/thriller edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, we have 10 DVDs up for grabs in advance of the home entertainment release of “Skyline,” which is co-directed by the Chicago visual effects masters Colin Strause and Greg Strause!
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 10 Pairs of Chicago Anytime Passes to ‘Kill the Irishman’ With Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 19, 2011 - 11:36pmCHICAGO – In our latest crime edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 10 admit-two run-of-engagement movie passes up for grabs to “Kill the Irishman” with Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer!
Theater Feature: Casts of ‘Hair,’ ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ Benefit Marriage Equality
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 19, 2011 - 8:26amCHICAGO – The casts of two current theater spectaculars in Chicago lent their talents to benefit Marriage Equality in the United States. The “Be-In for Marriage Equality” took place on March 14, 2011, and featured performers from the road show Broadway version of “Hair” and the current cast of “Million Dollar Quartet.”
Film Review: Bradley Cooper’s ‘Limitless’ Unlocks 100% of Hollywood’s Ridiculousness
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 18, 2011 - 5:31pmCHICAGO – If you’re not easily susceptible to vertigo and can survive the intro cut scene, “Limitless” proceeds to treat you to one part thrill ride and one part exercise in ridiculousness.
Film Review: ‘Kill the Irishman’ Offers History as Explosions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 18, 2011 - 4:54pmCHICAGO – The amalgamation of big time unions and organized crime in post-WW2 industrial America is as enlightening as any struggle for power. Cleveland, Ohio, in the 1950s thru the ‘70s was both on the waterfront and had the East Coast influence of New York City’s most notorious crime families. That history is wasted in “Kill the Irishman.”
‘Kill the Irishman’ Offers History as Explosions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 18, 2011 - 4:47pm Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The amalgamation of big time unions and organized crime in post-WW2 industrial America is as enlightening as any struggle for power. Cleveland, Ohio, in the 1950s thru the ‘70s was both on the waterfront and had the East Coast influence of New York City’s most notorious crime families. That history is wasted in “Kill the Irishman.”
