CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio review for the doc series “Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose,” about the rise and bitter fall of the major league legend, the MLB’s all-time hits leader, only to be banned from the sport because of gambling. Streaming on MAX and on HBO since July 24th.
Emile Hirsch
‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ is a Cinematic Poem
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 26, 2019 - 9:45am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – What does Quentin Tarantino think about? That question immediately comes to mind when experiencing his latest film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” QT meditates on TV westerns, the summer of 1969 in Los Angeles and the Manson family, and it’s a tone and mood rather than a story. But it works.
Peter Berg’s Brutal ‘Lone Survivor’ Lacks Context
Submitted by BrianTT on January 9, 2014 - 1:07pm Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
Imagine a version of “Saving Private Ryan” that takes place entirely on the beaches of Normandy. It would have a visceral power purely through the horror of the recreation of war. However, it would lack the context of the rest of the narrative and lead one to question why the cinematic trip was worth taking.
Deep Two Character Drama Flavors ‘Prince Avalanche’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 16, 2013 - 4:10pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Take actors Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch, make them highway line painters, put them in a fire-ravaged woodland and the makings for a savory two character portrait is realized in “Prince Avalanche.” David Gordon Green adapted and directed this appealingly offbeat art film.
Matthew McConaughey Delivers in Searing ‘Killer Joe’
Submitted by BrianTT on August 2, 2012 - 9:52amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – William Friedkin’s film of Tracy Letts’ “Killer Joe” takes no prisoners. One of the central characters is introduced from the waist down and to say that the film climaxes in violent, sexual oddity would be like saying “The Avengers” features a few superheroes. However, it would be a mistake to allow the controversy or the shock value to become the story of this excellent noir comedy that takes black humor to a new level of darkness.
Ang Lee’s ‘Taking Woodstock’ Lays Down Too Mellow a Vibe to Be Memorable
Submitted by BrianTT on August 28, 2009 - 2:23pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – More about the vibe surrounding the three days of peace and love that would become the most influential festival in history than the actual music itself, Ang Lee’s “Taking Woodstock” is a frustrating drama with individual elements that work but a cinematic set list that is ultimately disjointed and unsatisfying.
Sean Penn’s Oscar-Possible Harvey Milk Puts Face to Gay Rights in ‘Milk’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 27, 2008 - 11:03am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Just as Tom Hanks put a face to AIDS in 1993’s “Philadelphia,” Sean Penn has now put a face to gay rights as Harvey Milk in the new Gus Van Sant true-story film “Milk”.
‘Speed Racer’ Condemns Franchise Dignity, But Delivers Sensorial Explosion
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 9, 2008 - 1:12am
CHICAGO – While Hollywood slapped “PG” on the hotly anticipated “Speed Racer” to line its pocketbooks with the widest hodgepodge of people (ahem: kids) everywhere, those same kids will leave the theater with that lollipop nearly sucked to the stick but then yanked away with confusion.
