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.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic’ New Way to Read a Great Book
Submitted by BrianTT on March 3, 2009 - 10:55am Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Reviewing “Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic” is extremely difficult. The source material is absolutely fantastic, one of the best graphic novels in the history of the form and one of the most influential books of any kind from the last few decades. And the “Motion Comic” is incredibly loyal. But it’s hard not to say “just read the book”.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Admit-Two Passes to Chicago Screening of ‘Miss March’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 2, 2009 - 4:02pmCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 admit-two passes up for grabs to the Chicago screening of “Miss March,” which stars Zach Cregger and Trevor Moore along with Raquel Alessi, Molly Stanton, Holly Hindman, Craig Robinson, Alexis Raben, Geoff Meed, Landon Ashworth, Tanjareen Martin and Eve Mauro.
Blu-Ray Review: Barry Levinson Wastes Great Ensemble in ‘What Just Happened’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 2, 2009 - 2:02pm Blu-Ray Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – They made a movie about Bruce Willis’ beard. “What Just Happened” is yet another head-scratcher from one of the more acclaimed directors of the ’80s and ’90s, Barry Levinson. Like “Envy” and “Man of the Year” before it, Levinson has spit out yet another inert comedy with a great ensemble but no passion, creativity or life to it. A mediocre Blu-Ray presentation does nothing to enhance the film.
Interview: Kenny Johnson of TNT’s ‘Saving Grace’ on Second Season, Co-Starring With Holly Hunter
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 2, 2009 - 11:40am Television Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Saving Grace,” which is the unusual and popular police drama on TNT, returns on Monday nights with all-new second-season episodes. Starring the Academy Award-winning actress Holly Hunter, the series focuses on her Oklahoma City detective character Grace Hanadarko.
TV Review: ‘Reaper’ Finally Returns From the Dead With Disappointing Season Premiere
Submitted by BrianTT on March 2, 2009 - 10:01amTelevision Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I adored the first, underrated season of “Reaper” and was as puzzled as any TV viewer that the CW saw in their wisdom to delay season two until nearly ten months after the last episode aired. More than ever, television viewers operate in an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality and I don’t see how the delay and the brief season (just 13 episodes) could possibly do anything to build a following for this nearly-cancelled gem.
New DC Universe DVD Title, Cover Revealed: ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 1, 2009 - 3:50pmCHICAGO – Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation have revealed the fifth title in their popular DVD series of DC Universe animated original “PG-13” movies. In addition, they have sent HollywoodChicago.com the cover for “Green Lantern: First Flight”.
Drew Barrymore Rumored to Direct ‘Twilight’ Sequel ‘The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 27, 2009 - 12:55pmCHICAGO – Had enough news about “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”? Entertainment Weekly is reporting this morning that the next movie may already have a director and it’s a surprising choice, Drew Barrymore.
Fans of ‘Twilight’ Franchise Can Win Walk-On Part in ‘The Twilight Saga’s New Moon’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 27, 2009 - 11:57amCHICAGO – Have you always wanted to be in a “Twilight” movie? Think you have what it takes to act opposite Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner or Ashley Greene? Now you can win a walk-on role in “New Moon,” which is otherwise known as “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow Shine in Excellent ‘Two Lovers’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 27, 2009 - 11:18amCHICAGO – How many men have missed out on a great relationship because they were chasing a romantic vision largely of their own making? James Gray’s excellent “Two Lovers,” the film that Joaquin Phoenix has notoriously been promoting in a style similar to that of Andy Kaufman, is a wonderful character-driven drama about a man caught between what he has and what he wants.
DVD Review: ‘Breaking Bad: The Complete First Season’ Features Gripping Performance
Submitted by BrianTT on February 27, 2009 - 11:11am DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – AMC’s “Breaking Bad” is not one of my favorite shows on television but the lead performance by Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston is one of the most riveting I’ve seen in the last few years. He is pitch-perfect and everything that works about this unusual series comes from his great star turn.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Sex Drive: Unrated and Cream-filled’ Edition Delivers What Title Promises
Submitted by BrianTT on February 27, 2009 - 11:03am Blu-Ray Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The Blu-Ray for the raunchy teen comedy “Sex Drive” is simply ridiculous. And I think I mean that in a good way. As a DVD critic, I’m constantly faced with “Unrated” editions that don’t really live up to their name. You can say a lot about “Sex Drive,” but the Blu-Ray is undeniably “Unrated and Cream-filled”.
Video Game Review: ‘F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin’ Both Terrifying, Addictive
Submitted by BrianTT on February 26, 2009 - 6:24pm Video Game Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s “F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin” is not a perfect game but it is the most addictively playable action titles released so far this year. Like a great horror movie, it will suck you in, keep you on the edge of your seat through the majority of its playing time, and spit you out on the other side, exhausted but with a huge smile on your face.
Blu-Ray Round Up, Feb. 26, 2009: ‘Futurama,’ ‘Ronin,’ ‘Vanishing Point’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 26, 2009 - 4:55pmCHICAGO – Still trying to get over an Oscar hangover? There’s no better way to deflate the pomposity of awards season than with a wicked car chase. Of course, one of the best of all time hit Blu-Ray this week in the controversial Blu-Ray release of “The French Connection,” but the same studio also released another pair of movies dedicated to automobile aficionados and an animated sci-fi comedy when all the metal destruction gets too much to take.
