CHICAGO – There is no better time to take in a stage play that is based in U.S. history, depicting the battle between fact and religion. The old theater chestnut – first mounted in 1955 – is “Inherit the Wind,” now at the Goodman Theatre, completing it’s short run through October 20th. For tickets and more information, click INHERIT.
July 2014
Interview: The Confessions of Ted Neeley in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 31, 2014 - 1:29pmCHICAGO – What can be said for a man who has portrayed Jesus close to 5,000 times, and starred in the definitive Broadway and film versions of the most famous rock opera about Christ? Ted Neeley is as virtuous as his famous title role in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Interview: Larry ‘The Soup Nazi’ Thomas for ‘Mind Over Mindy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 29, 2014 - 12:44pmCHICAGO – “No soup for you!” is one of the most memorable TV catchphrases of the 1990s, uttered into immortality by actor Larry Thomas on “Seinfeld,” who portrayed “The Soup Nazi.” Thomas was in the Chicago area recently to act in “Mind Over Mindy,” a new comedy from writer/director Robert Alaniz.
Film Review: ‘Happy Christmas’ is Au Naturale for Good or for Bland
Submitted by NickHC on July 28, 2014 - 5:44pmCHICAGO – One thing that struck me about writer/director Joe Swanberg’s previous “Drinking Buddies,” and made it one of my more celebrated from 2013 despite not really loving it as a film, was its importance to those good ol’ independent movies. Here were big flashy stars like Olivia Wilde and Anna Kendrick, not just acting in a movie of a lower budget, but creating a wider appeal out of a previously very niche aspect, without the film form itself changing much.
‘Happy Christmas’ is Au Naturale for Good or for Bland
Submitted by NickHC on July 28, 2014 - 5:38pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – One thing that struck me about writer/director Joe Swanberg’s previous “Drinking Buddies,” and made it one of my more celebrated from 2013 despite not really loving it as a film, was its importance to those good ol’ independent movies. Here were big flashy stars like Olivia Wilde and Anna Kendrick, not just acting in a movie of a lower budget, but creating a wider appeal out of a previously very niche aspect, without the film form itself changing much.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 100 Pairs of Suburban Passes to ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 27, 2014 - 6:38pm- Abby Elliott
- Adam Fendelman
- Alan Ritchson
- Andre Nemec
- Danny Woodburn
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- Jeremy Howard
- Johnny Knoxville
- Jonathan Liebesman
- Josh Appelbaum
- Megan Fox
- Minae Noji
- Noel Fisher
- Paramount Pictures
- Pete Ploszek
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Tony Shalhoub
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Will Arnett
- William Fichtner
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 100 pairs of advance-screening suburban movie passes up for grabs to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” with Megan Fox and Will Arnett! There will be a photo booth, music and giveaways at this event!
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 20 Pairs of Passes to James Brown Story ‘Get on Up’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 27, 2014 - 1:18am- 42
- Adam Fendelman
- Brandon Smith
- Brian Grazer
- Chadwick Boseman
- Craig Robinson
- Dan Aykroyd
- Fred Melamed
- Get on Up
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- Jagged Films
- James Brown
- Jez Butterworth
- Jill Scott
- John-Henry Butterworth
- Josh Hopkins
- Lennie James
- Mick Jagger
- Nelsan Ellis
- Octavia Spencer
- Tate Taylor
- The Help
- Universal Pictures
- Viola Davis
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 20 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new music biography “Get on Up” starring Chadwick Boseman (“42,” “Draft Day”) as James Brown!
Film Review: ‘A’ for Effort, ‘C’ for Execution in Dwayne Johnson’s Unmemorable ‘Hercules’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 26, 2014 - 7:47pmCHICAGO – I empathize with Dwayne Johnson and simultaneously don’t. Most people never get rich and famous once, let alone twice. Sure, it’s hard to re-brand people from the wrestling superstar you once were into the dramatic action star you’re trying to become, but your past is forever immortal.
‘A’ for Effort, ‘C’ for Execution in Dwayne Johnson’s Unmemorable ‘Hercules’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 26, 2014 - 7:01pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I empathize with Dwayne Johnson and simultaneously don’t. Most people never get rich and famous once let alone twice. Sure, it’s hard to rebrand people from the wrestling superstar you once were into the dramatic action star you’re trying to become, but your past is forever immortal.
Film Review: ‘Magic in the Moonlight’ is Woody Allen By the Book
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 3:53pmCHICAGO – After last year’s powerful “Blue Jasmine,” writer/director Woody Allen’s trajectory seemed destined toward another film masterpiece, but “Magic in the Moonlight” isn’t it. Colin Firth and Emma Stone are an unlikely pairing in this seen-it-before-Woody film trifle.
‘Magic in the Moonlight’ is Woody Allen By the Book
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 3:49pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – After last year’s powerful “Blue Jasmine,” writer/director Woody Allen’s trajectory seemed destined toward another film masterpiece, but “Magic in the Moonlight” isn’t it. Colin Firth and Emma Stone are an unlikely pairing in this seen-it-before-Woody film trifle.
Film Review: Emotional Destiny Versus Science Debate in ‘I Origins’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 3:33pmCHICAGO – In the current debate between metaphysical spirituality or intelligent design versus scientific and provable fact, there are demands regarding the religious or metaphysics that do not relate to those facts. What the new film “I Origins” hopes to provide for, is that there is room for both forms of mysticism in our lives, if only the eyes remain open.
Emotional Destiny Versus Science Debate in ‘I Origins’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 3:31pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In the current debate between metaphysical spirituality or intelligent design versus scientific and provable fact, there are demands regarding the religious or metaphysics that do not relate to those facts. What the new film “I Origins” hopes to provide for, is that there is room for both forms of mysticism in our lives, if only the eyes remain open.
Film Review: Script Weakens Cast, Director in ‘And So it Goes’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 11:28amCHICAGO – “And So it Goes” can be summed up in its incredibly weak title, as just lazy hackery. In attempting to tell a story of redemption for a old white rich man, the film falls back on clichés, predictability, improbability, overdone physical comedy and stereotypes. The first-time pairing of Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, and the direction of old pro Rob Reiner, couldn’t overcome the stench of the hackneyed screenplay.
Script Weakens Cast, Director in ‘And So it Goes’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 11:24amRating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “And So it Goes” can be summed up in its incredibly weak title, as just lazy hackery. In attempting to tell a story of redemption for a old white rich man, the film falls back on clichés, predictability, improbability, overdone physical comedy and stereotypes. The first-time pairing of Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, and the direction of old pro Rob Reiner, can’t overcome the stench of the hackneyed screenplay.
Film Review: Scarlett Johansson Packs a Blockbuster Punch in ‘Lucy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 6:43amCHICAGO – “Lucy” is a piece of high-minded cinematic junk food that manages to be outlandishly weird while still satisfying the lizard brain desires of its audience. It’s a film that knows what’ll get the behinds in the seats, and that appeal can effectively be summed up in one shot.
Scarlett Johansson Packs a Blockbuster Punch in ‘Lucy’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 6:40amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Lucy” is a piece of high-minded cinematic junk food that manages to be outlandishly weird while still satisfying the lizard brain desires of its audience. It’s a film that knows what’ll get the behinds in the seats, and that appeal can effectively be summed up in one shot. It shows Scarlett Johansson in a tight-fitting white t-shirt walking in slow motion with her bosoms bouncing in unison, carrying two guns and ready to kick some serious ass.
Interview: Comedian Gabriel Iglesias For ‘The Fluffy Movie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 24, 2014 - 10:38amCHICAGO – One the hottest, most creative and “fluffiest” stand-up comics working today is Gabriel Iglesias. The comedian riffs on the circumstances of his own life, as he deals with his adventures in the comedy world. He has put that all together in a new stand-up concert film, appropriately entitled “The Fluffy Movie.”
Interview: Director Mike Cahill, Actor Michael Pitt on ‘I Origins’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 23, 2014 - 7:46pmCHICAGO – The debate between science and intelligent design (God) will go on as long as man evolves and searches for answers. A new and provocative film, “I Origins,” takes on the challenge of the debate through storytelling, and features hot actor Michael Pitt (“Boardwalk Empire”), directed by Mike Cahill (“Another Earth”).
Interview: Director Rob Reiner on Latest Film ‘And So it Goes’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 23, 2014 - 12:18pm- 1960s
- A Few Good Men
- Activism
- All in the Family
- And So it Goes
- Carroll O’Connor
- Clarius Entertainment
- Diane Keaton
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Interview
- Jean Stapleton
- Michael Douglas
- Misery
- Patrick McDonald
- Progressives
- Rob Reiner
- Stand by Me
- The American President
- The Princess Bride
- The Smothers Brothers
- This is Spinal Tap
CHICAGO – Rob Reiner has lived two distinct show business lives. He played a major role in one of the most famous television shows in history, “All in the Family,” and broke out afterward as a classic American film director, with hits such as “This is Spinal Tap” and “The Princess Bride.” His latest film is “And So it Goes.”
Red-Carpet Video & Photo: Woody Allen in Chicago for ‘Magic in the Moonlight’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 21, 2014 - 10:11pmCHICAGO – A neurotic New Yorker, Woody Allen has been a fixture in Hollywood for more than 50 years. After racking up 73 writing credits and 50 in the director’s chair, Allen returned to Chicago on July 19, 2014 to walk the red carpet for his new romantic dramedy “Magic in the Moonlight”.
Movie News: Film, TV Icon James Garner Dies at 86
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 20, 2014 - 9:26amLOS ANGELES – He was the guy that could take care of things for you, with a wink of the eye and a slightly cynical air. Handsome star James Garner distinguished himself in both film and television, and passed away on July 19th, 2014, in Los Angeles after a long stretch of health problems. He was 86.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 75 Pairs of IMAX Passes to ‘Hercules’ With Dwayne Johnson
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 19, 2014 - 11:07am- Adam Fendelman
- Aksel Hennie
- Brett Ratner
- Dwayne Johnson
- Evan Spiliotopoulos
- Hercules
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- Ian McShane
- Ingrid Berdal
- Issac Andrews
- John Hurt
- Joseph Fiennes
- Paramount Pictures
- Peter Mullan
- Radical Comics
- Rebecca Ferguson
- Reece Ritchie
- Rufus Sewell
- Ryan Condal
- Tobias Santelmann
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 75 pairs of advance-screening IMAX movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated “Hercules” starring Dwayne Johnson!
Slideshow: ‘Glee’ Star Chris Colfer Tours Chicagoland for New Book
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 19, 2014 - 10:31amCHICAGO – The irrepressible character of Kurt Hummel from the popular TV series “Glee” came to Naperville, Ill. in the guise of Chris Colfer: the actor who portrays him. Colfer is also an author and was at Anderson’s Bookshop to greet fans and promote his book “The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning”.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 30 Pairs of Passes to ‘Lucy’ With Scarlett Johansson
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on July 18, 2014 - 5:38pmCHICAGO – In the highly anticipated sci-fi “Lucy,” Scarlett Johansson turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.
Film Review: Circumstances of Life, Truth Exist in ‘Boyhood’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 5:08pmCHICAGO – Life is made up of moments, as the philosophy of the new Richard Linklater film wants to convey. What formulates a person’s ideals and soul, born in a certain place and time? Over 12 years, the writer and director created a fictional family using the same actors in “Boyhood.”
Circumstances of Life, Truth Exist in ‘Boyhood’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 5:01pmRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Life is made up of moments, as the philosophy of the new Richard Linklater film wants to convey. What formulates a person’s ideals and soul, born in a certain place and time? Over 12 years, the writer and director created a fictional family using the same actors in “Boyhood.”
Film Review: ‘Wish I Was Here’ Will Make You Wish You Weren’t There
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 11:47amCHICAGO – Writer, director and lead actor Zach Braff has put it on the line for his latest feature, “Wish I Was Here.” He infamously used a crowd funding Kickstarter campaign to maintain creative control of the film, but he needn’t have bothered. The movie result is a sappy, high concept emotional manipulator with no basis in authenticity, and that might be the best thing that can be said about it.
‘Wish I Was Here’ Will Make You Wish You Weren’t There
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 11:43amRating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Writer, director and lead actor Zach Braff has put it on the line for his latest feature, “Wish I Was Here.” He infamously used a crowdfunding Kickstarter campaign to maintain creative control of the film, but he needn’t have bothered. The movie result is a sappy, high concept emotional manipulator with no basis in authenticity, and that might be the best thing that can be said about it.
Film Review: ‘Sex Tape’ a Comedy Sorely Lacking in Laughs
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 10:00amCHICAGO – Jason Segel is usually fun to watch in just about anything, but he sure isn’t fun in “Sex Tape,” a big studio summer comedy with a fatal flaw - it doesn’t seem to know what’s funny. So like a stand-up comedian on a bad night, it feverishly and desperately throws anything it can think of at the screen in the vague hope that it might be funny even incidentally.
‘Sex Tape’ a Comedy Sorely Lacking in Laughs
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 18, 2014 - 9:56amRating: 1.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Jason Segel is usually fun to watch in just about anything, but he sure isn’t fun in “Sex Tape,” a big studio summer comedy with a fatal flaw - it doesn’t seem to know what’s funny. So like a stand-up comedian on a bad night, it feverishly and desperately throws anything it can think of at the screen in the vague hope that it might be funny even incidentally.