CHICAGO – Theatrical satires of the Star Wars Universe are like the number of TV series the universe has wrought … too many to figure out if anything is worthwhile. But “Trade Federation” (subtitled “Or Let’s Explore Globalization Through the Star Wars Prequels”), presented by Otherworld Theatre in Wrigleyville Chicago, gets it right on.
Benjamin Bratt
Visual Excellence Aside, ‘Coco’ is Just So-So
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 22, 2017 - 2:56pm Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Coco” bears all the visual hallmarks of the Pixar Studio at its best, however its story bears the more recent symptoms of creative exhaustion. In this story, a young boy named Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) aims to follow his heart and pursue music, but toe tapping tunes have been strictly forbidden in his home.
‘Ride Along 2’ Takes a Bumpy Trip to a Dead End
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 15, 2016 - 9:49am Rating: 1.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Kevin Hart’s license to riff should be revoked. “Ride Along 2” is an aimless, pointless and seemingly endless sequel to the bafflingly successful action comedy from a couple years back. Hart hijacks nearly every scene with his incessant hyperactive schtick.
‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2’ Wins with Foodimals, Overemphasizes Humans
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on September 27, 2013 - 12:01amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I was paying attention to the movie. Correction: I was mostly paying attention to the movie. It was challenging to ignore my angry, empty stomach and fully enjoy the food coma that is “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”. Just don’t make the same mistake I did and eat before you do.
Same Formula in Weak Sequel ‘Despicable Me 2’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 3, 2013 - 9:15am Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Oh those wacky Minions. We just never know what those little yellow guys in “Despicable Me 2” will do, because they simply DO EVERYTHING! They sing, fart, burp, perform parodies and handle hazardous materials. More than comic relief, they are all-purpose story coverage.
Despite Low Expectations, Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Snitch’ Leaves You Pleasantly Surprised
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 22, 2013 - 1:01am Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Dwayne Johnson doesn’t just want to be The Rock. And perhaps he is more after all. Despite his professional wrestling fame, “Snitch” is Johnson’s plea to be respected as a true, dramatic actor. He’s doing it now just like Jackie Chan wanted to evolve beyond being just a funny karate man in the latest “The Karate Kid”.
‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ Searches Soul, Comes Up Half Full
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 17, 2007 - 5:10pm
CHICAGO – In 2000’s “High Fidelity,” John Cusack mused: “I’ve read books like … ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ and I think I’ve understood them. They’re about girls, right?”
