August 2011

Film Review: ‘The Interrupters’ Seek Peace One Soul at a Time

The Interrupters

CHICAGO – Chicago is a divided city. On one end is prosperity, modernity and all the trappings therein. On the other, abject poverty, anger and killing. One dedicated group is trying to diminish the killing end, and is documented by director Steve James (”Hoop Dreams”) in “The Interrupters.”

‘The Interrupters’ Seek Peace One Soul at a Time

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Chicago is a divided city. On one end is prosperity, modernity and all the trappings therein. On the other, abject poverty, anger and killing. One dedicated group is trying to diminish the killing end, and is documented by director Steve James (”Hoop Dreams”) in “The Interrupters.”

Film Review: Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘30 Minutes or Less’ is Half Funny, Wholly Disappointing

CHICAGO – The new half-unfunny comedy “30 Minutes or Less” stands as a destructive come down for newly minted star Jesse Eisenberg following his high-profile role as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s “The Social Network”.

Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘30 Minutes or Less’ is Half Funny, Wholly Disappointing

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.0/5.0
Rating: 2.0/5.0

CHICAGO – The new half-unfunny comedy “30 Minutes or Less” stands as a destructive come down for newly minted star Jesse Eisenberg following his high-profile role as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s “The Social Network”.

Video Game Review: ‘From Dust’ Approaches Arcade Gaming From New Angle

From Dust

CHICAGO – “From Dust” is such a unique, unusual experience that it’s tempting to recommend it based purely on its originality. It stands out from the crowd and, for that fact alone, deserves a look for those of you with credit to burn and in need of something refreshing. Ambition needs to be matched by execution though and there are frustrating elements of “From Dust” that can’t be ignored.

Blu-Ray Review: HD Amplifies Strengths of Hit Family Film ‘Rio’

Rio

CHICAGO – Blue Sky Studios’ “Rio” feels nearly designed for Blu-ray as the film’s strengths are amplified by the world of HD video and sound. With bright colors and Brazilian music, it’s easier to get sucked into the world of this so-so family flick, and a large number of special features makes it easier to overlook the unsatisfactory nature of the actual movie. The important thing is that the little ones in your family will be captivated by the talking, dancing birds with the colorful plumage, especially in 1080p.

Film Review: ‘Final Destination 5’ Plays Like 3D Cartoon For Horror Fans

CHICAGO – The “Final Destination” movies have become an increasingly-excessive orgy of gore with a twisted sense of humor – the Grim Reaper isn’t just coming for you, he’s going to have some fun before you go.

‘Final Destination 5’ Plays Like 3D Cartoon For Horror Fans

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.5/5.0
Rating: 2.5/5.0

CHICAGO – The “Final Destination” movies have become an increasingly-excessive orgy of gore with a twisted sense of humor – the Grim Reaper isn’t just coming for you, he’s going to have some fun before you go. The first four films in the franchise represented the typical downward spiral common in horror series with each subsequent entry falling a little deeper down the rabbit hole of typical horror genre traps.

TV News: HBO’s ‘True Blood’ Renewed For Fifth Season

True Blood S4

CHICAGO – The trend of vampire culture in movies and television seems to be continuing strong in the entertainment and pop culture world. The HBO hit series “True Blood,” which is currently on the air in its fourth season, has been renewed for a fifth season set to begin production later this year. The fifth season is scheduled to debut in the summer of 2012.

Film News: ‘Twilight’ Star Kiowa Jordan Released From Jail

New Moon Wolfpack

CHICAGO – While the next “Twilight” film is set to be released this coming November, one cast member is happy his release was much sooner. Wolfpack member and, presumably, loyal ‘Team Jacob’ supporter Kiowa Gordon, who plays the character of Embry Call, was released from jail Wednesday after being arrested earlier this week.

Film Review: French ‘Point Blank’ is Streamlined, Effective Thriller

Point Blank
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Fred Cavaye follows his international hit “Anything For Her” (remade here as the Russell Crowe vehicle “The Next Three Days”) with another sure-to-be-remade action thriller yet again about an unlucky man going to whatever ends required to save the love of his life. With crackerjack pacing and a driven, no-frills script that brings the whole thing to a lean close in under 80 minutes (sans credits), “Point Blank” is an adrenalin-driven shot to the arthouse scene. It may be ultimately too inconsequential and a bit too manipulative to be considered great, but it’s still pretty damn enjoyable.

French ‘Point Blank’ is Streamlined, Effective Thriller

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Fred Cavaye follows his international hit “Anything For Her” (remade here as the Russell Crowe vehicle “The Next Three Days”) with another sure-to-be-remade action thriller yet again about an unlucky man going to whatever ends required to save the love of his life. With crackerjack pacing and a driven, no-frills script that brings the whole thing to a lean close in under 80 minutes (sans credits), “Point Blank” is an adrenalin-driven shot to the arthouse scene.

Film News: Third ‘Noir City: Chicago’ Festival Opens at Music Box Theatre

CHICAGO – Diabolical twins, obsessed journalists and jail-breaking thugs are heading their way to the Music Box Theatre. The Film Noir Foundation’s third installment of “Noir City: Chicago” features no less than sixteen restored 35mm prints of must-see cinematic rarities.

TV, Film News: Remakes Planned For ‘Bewitched,’ ‘Dirty Dancing’

Dirty Dancing

CHICAGO – Fans of the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing” may need to dust off their dancing shoes and get ready to have the time of their life again. Kenny Ortega, the choreographer of the original “Dirty Dancing” as well as the director of the “High School Musical” films and the Michael Jackson documentary “This Is It,” has been in contact with Lionsgate about directing a remake of the Patrick Swayze/Jennifer Grey original.

TV News: TBS Cancels Talk Show ‘Lopez Tonight’ With George Lopez

Lopez Tonight

CHICAGO – Big news in from TBS. After almost two years on the air, “Lopez Tonight” has been given the boot. The late night talk show that premiered November 9, 2009 isn’t just coming to a close; it’s more like a crashing halt.

Video Game Review: Fun ‘Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension’

Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension

CHICAGO – Disney’s “Phineas and Ferb” is one of the most clever cartoons on the air right now, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t completely dreading the newest video game tie-in, “Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension,” now available for PS3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii, and timed to tie-in with the hit movie that premiered this week on the Disney Channel.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Your Highness’ is One of 2011’s Most Disappointing Comedies

Your Highness

CHICAGO – David Gordon Green’s “Your Highness” still makes me sad. Not only am I giant fan of nearly everyone involved but the concept of a pot-fueled riff on the fantasy-adventure films more popular in the ’80s is a great one. And yet, even watching it again on Blu-ray and DVD, “Your Highness” just sinks, deflating my like a leaky balloon. I’m gonna go cry now.

Film Review: Emma Stone, Viola Davis Lend a Hand to ‘The Help’

CHICAGO – Using fiction to express the importance of real historical events is seductive and sometimes disingenuous. The new film “The Help” manages to counteract that notion through high level, emotional performances.

Emma Stone, Viola Davis Lend a Hand to ‘The Help’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Using fiction to express the importance of real historical events is seductive and sometimes disingenuous. The new film “The Help” manages to counteract that notion through high level, emotional performances.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ Continues to Endure

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Blu-Ray

CHICAGO – John Hughes’s creative peak in the 1980s was brought about by a great deal of writing in a very small period of time. According to legend, Hughes wrote the script for his 1986 cult classic, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” in only seven days while under the threat of a writer’s strike. He was gifted at churning out films, but his prolific nature caused him to noticeably repeat himself.

TV News: ABC Announces Plan For Series Based on ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’

The Lincoln Lawyer

CHICAGO – While news of ABC ending “Desperate Housewives” has spread, the entertainment group has announced that plans have been made to develop “The Lincoln Lawyer” into a drama series. Calling for a pilot script to be created, ABC appears to see some potential in a possible series after the success of the feature film and book series about a lawyer who conducts his business out of his Lincoln town car.

Blu-Ray Review: Ellen Page, Rainn Wilson in Clever ‘Super’

Super

CHICAGO – “I thought it would be interesting to write the story of the superhero who wasn’t super at all,” says writer/director James Gunn on his behind-the-scenes featurette on the underrated “Super,” an imperfect film with more than enough interesting ideas and strong performances to justify a look now that it’s on Blu-ray and DVD.

Blu-Ray, DVD Review: ‘Eastbound & Down,’ ‘Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue’

Eastbound & Down

CHICAGOHBO brought two of their most outgoing personalities to Blu-ray and DVD last week with the releases of “Eastbound & Down: The Complete Second Season” and “Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue.” Both are a step down from the best that these men have offered the comedy world but they also feature enough quality laughs for fans of Danny McBride and the controversial star of “30 Rock.”

TV News: SyFy Cancels ‘Eureka,’ ABC Axes ‘Desperate Housewives’

Eureka

CHICAGO – SyFy fans can officially start a countdown of episodes remaining for of the network’s biggest shows. While plans were seemingly moving forward for the network to renew the sixth season of their hit show “Eureka” after SyFy ordered six new episodes to be made last week, reconsideration has brought about the cancellation of the show.

Interviews: ‘The Help’ Director Tate Taylor, Star Octavia Spencer

CHICAGO – The search for the right actress to portray the pivotal role of Minny in the new film “The Help” ended with Octavia Spencer. The veteran performer was key in expressing the particulars of the character, which was enhanced by director Tate Taylor.

Interview: Alan K. Rode Brings ‘Noir City’ to Chicago’s Music Box Theatre

Noir City 3 Interview

CHICAGO – Along with sixteen restored 35mm prints of overlooked cinematic gems, the Music Box Theatre’s third installment of “Noir City: Chicago” brings two renowned film historians to the Windy City: Alan K. Rode and Foster Hirsch. Both men serve on the board of directors of the Film Noir Foundation, a non-profit corporation aiming to restore rare noir classics for future generations.

Film News: ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ Tops Box Office

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

CHICAGO – In one of the biggest surprises this summer has seen, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” led this past weekend’s box office with an impressive $54.8 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. The action packed primate adventure was good enough for the fifth highest August opening weekend of all time.

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  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

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