CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
November 2014
Interviews: Women in Film Chicago 2014 Focus Award Honorees
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 29, 2014 - 6:17pmCHICAGO – Women in Film (WIF) Chicago is a advocate group for women filmmakers, on-set professionals and executives in the creative arts, and every year they present their Focus Awards to significant contributors in those arenas. The honorees in 2014 were Shira Piven, Susan Credle, Erin Sarofsky and Christina Varotsis.
Film News: Final Weekend of the Season for Chicago Film Tour
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 27, 2014 - 9:52amCHICAGO – Now is your chance to experience the Chicago Film Tour during its final weekend of the season, guided by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. Through a special promotion, If you mention the “HollywoodChicago.com Offer” when reserving your seats, you will get half off the regular price of the tour for the weekend of November 29th and 30th, 2014 (details in the graphic below). The tour departs from the “Rock ‘N Roll” McDonalds Restaurant at 600 N. Clark, in the River North neighborhood in Chicago.
Exclusive Portrait: Anjelica Huston at the Chicago Humanities Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 27, 2014 - 8:58amCHICAGO – The famed Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston comes from a lineage of Hollywood royalty – her father John was a legendary director and her grandfather Walter was a noted actor. She brought all of that history to the Chicago Humanities Festival, where she was featured at the Closing Event on November 14th, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple.
Film Review: ‘Penguins of Madagascar’ is Definitely No Turkey
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 27, 2014 - 8:11amCHICAGO – The only thing rarer than a spinoff that soars over its inspiration is a DreamWorks Animation production without “Dragon” in the title, and one that’s actually worth watching. Improbably, “Penguins Of Madagascar” is both.
‘Penguins of Madagascar’ is Definitely No Turkey
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 27, 2014 - 8:04amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The only thing rarer than a spinoff that soars over its inspiration is a DreamWorks Animation production without “Dragon” in the title, and one that’s actually worth watching. Improbably, “Penguins Of Madagascar” is both.
DVD Review: Historical Figures Cheersed in Brilliant ‘Drunk History: Seasons 1 & 2’
Submitted by NickHC on November 25, 2014 - 7:11pm- Adam Scott
- Alfred Molina
- Alia Shawkat
- Aubrey Plaza
- Bob Odenkirk
- Busy Phillips
- Casey Wilson
- Comedy Central
- Courtney Cox
- Drunk HIstory
- DVD Review
- Emily Deschanel
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Ike Barinholtz
- Jack Black
- Jack McBrayer
- Jayma Mays
- Jen Kirkman
- Joe Lo Truglio
- Juno Temple
- Ken Marino
- Kristen Wiig
- Laura Dern
- Lisa Bonet
- Luke Wilson
- Martin Starr
- Michael Cera
- Nathan Fielder
- Nick Allen
- Owen Wilson
- Rich Fulcher
- Ryan Gosling
- Terry Crews
- Tony Hale
- Will Forte
- Winona Ryder
- Theater, TV, DVD & Blu-Ray
CHICAGO – The awesomeness of history loses any of its stuffiness with the incredibly fun, indeed educational show “Drunk History” from Comedy Central, its two seasons now released on DVD. Hosted by its creator Derek Waters, the show is a celebration of various historic figures and their under-appreciated true tales, as expressed by funny people narrating in the universal language of inebriation; their recounts are then reenacted by famous actors working with their given dialogue, dressed with the comic cheapness of a bloated biopic.
Film Review: ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’ Shouldn’t Have Been Split in Two
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 23, 2014 - 8:46pm- Adam Fendelman
- Danny Strong
- Donald Sutherland
- Elizabeth Banks
- Francis Lawrence
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jeffrey Wright
- Jena Malone
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Josh Hutcherson
- Julianne Moore
- Liam Hemsworth
- Peter Craig
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Sam Claflin
- Stanley Tucci
- Suzanne Collins
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
- Woody Harrelson
CHICAGO – My issue with the “one movie split into two parts” debate isn’t even about money, which is clearly the main reason why we’ve seen blockbuster films do it like the two-part “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and now the two-part “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay”.
‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’ Shouldn’t Have Been Split in Two
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 23, 2014 - 7:03pm- Adam Fendelman
- Danny Strong
- Donald Sutherland
- Elizabeth Banks
- Francis Lawrence
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jeffrey Wright
- Jena Malone
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Josh Hutcherson
- Julianne Moore
- Liam Hemsworth
- Peter Craig
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Sam Claflin
- Stanley Tucci
- Suzanne Collins
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
- Woody Harrelson
Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – My issue with the “one movie split into two parts” debate isn’t even about money, which is clearly the main reason why we’ve seen blockbuster films do it like the two-part “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and now the two-part “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay”.
Film Review: Feminism Humbles Tommy Lee Jones in Heartfelt Western ‘The Homesman’
Submitted by NickHC on November 22, 2014 - 7:54pmCHICAGO – In Tommy Lee Jones’ passion project “The Homesman,” the wild west provides a vivid setting for a battle in man’s endless war against women, as the film firmly occupying a genre strictly known for cowboys and pioneer machismo. It’s a sorrowful western from actor/writer/director Jones that often shines in its twilight, hoping to slightly reconcile the maltreatment unleashed on half of the world’s most powerful species.
Feminism Humbles Tommy Lee Jones in Heartfelt Western ‘The Homesman’
Submitted by NickHC on November 22, 2014 - 7:50pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In Tommy Lee Jones’ passion project “The Homesman,” the wild west provides a vivid setting for a battle in man’s endless war against women, as the film firmly occupying a genre strictly known for cowboys and pioneer machismo. It’s a sorrowful western from actor/writer/director Jones that often shines in its twilight, hoping to slightly reconcile the maltreatment unleashed on half of the world’s most powerful species.
Film Review: Human Emotions Transcend Wealth in ‘Foxcatcher’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 21, 2014 - 12:40pmCHICAGO – In the memorable film “Barton Fink,” the title character is asked to write a wrestling movie for Wallace Beery. If Fink had isolated himself long enough, he might have come up with “Foxcatcher,” demonstrating once again that a true story is much stranger than fiction.
Human Emotions Transcend Wealth in ‘Foxcatcher’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 21, 2014 - 12:37pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In the memorable film “Barton Fink,” the title character is asked to write a wrestling movie for Wallace Beery. If Fink had isolated himself long enough, he might have come up with “Foxcatcher,” demonstrating once again that a true story is much stranger than fiction.
Film Review: Moving On in ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 20, 2014 - 11:53pm- Donald Sutherland
- Elizabeth Banks
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jeffrey Wright
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Josh Hutcherson
- Julianne Moore
- Katniss
- Liam Hemsworth
- Lionsgate
- Movie Review
- Patrick McDonald
- Peeta
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Stanley Tucci
- Suzanne Collins
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
- Woody Harrelson
CHICAGO – The über popular “The Hunger Games” series is back, splitting the final novel into two movie parts, Harry Potter style. Subtitled “Mockingjay - Part 1,” this is the beginning of the end of the story, setting up rather than knocking down.
Moving On in ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 20, 2014 - 11:50pm- Donald Sutherland
- Elizabeth Banks
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Jeffrey Wright
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Josh Hutcherson
- Julianne Moore
- Katniss
- Liam Hemsworth
- Lionsgate
- Movie Review
- Patrick McDonald
- Peeta
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Stanley Tucci
- Suzanne Collins
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
- Woody Harrelson
Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The über popular “The Hunger Games” series is back, splitting the final novel into two movie parts, Harry Potter style. Subtitled “Mockingjay - Part 1,” this is the beginning of the end of the story, setting up rather than knocking down.
Movie News: Oscar-Winning Director Mike Nichols Dies at 83
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 20, 2014 - 10:13am- 83 years old
- Academy Award
- Angels in America
- Barefoot in the Park
- Dead
- Death
- Elaine May
- Entertainment News
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Mike Nichols
- Neil Simon
- Nichols and May
- Obituary
- Oscar
- Passed Away
- Patrick McDonald
- Primary Colors
- The Birdcage
- The Graduate
- The Odd Couple
- The Second City
- Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
NEW YORK CITY – He was an immigrant kid from Germany who directed the most American of stage plays and films. Mike Nichols uplifted the culture with his art, and along the way won the famed EGOT – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. Nichols passed away suddenly at his home. He was 83.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘Penguins of Madagascar’ With John Malkovich
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 19, 2014 - 11:51pm- Adam Fendelman
- Annet Mahendru
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Chris Miller
- Christopher Knights
- Conrad Vernon
- DreamWorks Animation
- Eric Darnell
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- John Aboud
- John Malkovich
- Ken Jeong
- Michael Colton
- Penguins of Madagascar
- Peter Stormare
- Simon J. Smith
- Tom McGrath
- Werner Herzog
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new animated comedy “Penguins of Madagascar” starring John Malkovich and Benedict Cumberbatch!
Interview: Filmmaker Darryl Roberts on ‘America the Beautiful 3’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 19, 2014 - 11:03pmCHICAGO – Filmmaker Darryl Roberts has been on an eight-year journey to chronicle the influence of corporations, advertising and images on today’s teenagers. After releasing the first two “America the Beautiful” documentaries, his latest – and potentially most controversial – is “America the Beautiful 3: The Sexualization of Our Youth.”
Exclusive Portrait: Bob Odenkirk Reminds Us ‘Better Call Saul’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 18, 2014 - 12:59pmCHICAGO – Sometimes it take awhile to be an overnight sensation, but Bob Odenkirk will be on the precipice of that kingdom when the “Breaking Bad” spin-off show, “Better Call Saul” premieres in February of next year on the AMC Network. Odenkirk was recently in Chicago to promote his new book, “A Load of Hooey.” in an appearance that took place at the Up Comedy Club on Wells Street in the city.
Interview: Director Bennett Miller is the Hound in ‘Foxcatcher’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 18, 2014 - 11:10amCHICAGO – There are many categories of film director types – facilitators, tacticians, framers, to name a few – but there are few real artists. Bennett Miller has guided three films in his career, “Capote,” “Moneyball” and his latest “Foxcatcher.” All three have a purposeful artistry, and explore the soul within the humanity it portrays.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Pairs of Passes to ‘Horrible Bosses 2’ With Jason Bateman
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 16, 2014 - 4:46pm- Adam Fendelman
- Brendan Hunt
- Brianne Howey
- Charlie Day
- Chris Pine
- Christoph Waltz
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- Horrible Bosses
- Horrible Bosses 2
- Jason Bateman
- Jason Sudeikis
- Jennifer Aniston
- Keeley Hazell
- Kelly Stables
- Kevin Spacey
- Sean Anders
- Suzy Nakamura
- Warner Bros.
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated comedy sequel “Horrible Bosses 2” starring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis!
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 5 T-Shirts, Pairs of Passes to ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 15, 2014 - 10:54pm- Adam Fendelman
- Danny Strong
- Donald Sutherland
- Elizabeth Banks
- Francis Lawrence
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film
- Jeffrey Wright
- Jena Malone
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Josh Hutcherson
- Julianne Moore
- Liam Hemsworth
- Peter Craig
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Sam Claflin
- Stanley Tucci
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
- Woody Harrelson
CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 5 T-shirts, pins and pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new film “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1”!
Film Review: A Pivotal Debate in World War II Drama ‘Diplomacy’
Submitted by NickHC on November 14, 2014 - 8:43pmCHICAGO – It’s late August in the year of 1944, and Paris is about to be destroyed by a vacating Nazi party. “Diplomacy” is a chamber film that imagines the crucial conversation between a Nazi general and a Swedish diplomat that is said to have saved Paris, a riveting story of personal actions influencing the course of world history.
A Pivotal Debate in World War II Drama ‘Diplomacy’
Submitted by NickHC on November 14, 2014 - 8:39pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It’s late August in the year of 1944, and Paris is about to be destroyed by a vacating Nazi party. “Diplomacy” is a chamber film that imagines the crucial conversation between a Nazi general and a Swedish diplomat that is said to have saved Paris, a riveting story of personal actions influencing the course of world history.
Film Review: ‘Beyond the Lights’ Has a Respect for Storytelling
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 14, 2014 - 7:13pmCHICAGO – Writer/Director Gina Prince-Bythewood, the creator of the cult favorite “Love & Basketball,” is back with another original story that she created, an intimate and romantic perspective on a singer on the path to nowhere, despite superstar-level fame. Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars as that singer in “Beyond the Lights.”
‘Beyond the Lights’ Has a Respect for Storytelling
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 14, 2014 - 7:10pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Writer/Director Gina Prince-Bythewood, the creator of the cult favorite “Love & Basketball,” is back with another original story that she created, an intimate and romantic perspective on a singer on the path to nowhere, despite superstar-level fame. Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars as that singer in “Beyond the Lights.”
Film Review: Heartfelt Tale of Human Needs in ‘The Theory of Everything’
Submitted by NickHC on November 14, 2014 - 6:36pmCHICAGO – The life story of iconic physicist Stephen Hawking is given a well-deserved cinematic treatment this weekend with “The Theory of Everything,” an earnest presentation of an existence that defies the usual.
Heartfelt Tale of Human Needs in ‘The Theory of Everything’
Submitted by NickHC on November 14, 2014 - 6:32pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The life story of iconic physicist Stephen Hawking is given a well-deserved cinematic treatment this weekend with “The Theory of Everything,” an earnest presentation of an existence that defies the usual. As his personal journey required the care-taking of others, the film is not adapted from something Hawking wrote, but from his wife Jane’s personal account, “Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen.”
Film Review: ‘Dumb and Dumber To’ Too Dumb to Be Funny
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 14, 2014 - 6:36amCHICAGO – “Dumb And Dumber To” is an exercise in diminishing returns. Jim Carrey and the Farrelly Brothers expend twice the effort for less than a third of the laughs. It benefits greatly from the enormous well of goodwill created by the original’s inspired idiocy.
‘Dumb and Dumber To’ Too Dumb to Be Funny
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 14, 2014 - 6:32amRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Dumb And Dumber To” is an exercise in diminishing returns. Jim Carrey and The Farrelly Brothers expend twice the effort for less than a third of the laughs. It benefits greatly from the enormous well of goodwill created by the original’s inspired idiocy. But one can only suspend disbelief for so long and this sequel has problems that the warm glow of nostalgia can’t solve.
Interview: The Story of Maziar Bahari in Jon Stewart’s ‘Rosewater’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 13, 2014 - 10:57pmCHICAGO – Journalists are under fire, both in the hot zones of the world’s conflicts, and within the economics of the shrinking news business. One journalist – Maziar Bahari – became part of the drama in the 2009 Iranian presidential elections, and that story is told in writer/director Jon Stewart’s new film, “Rosewater.”