CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Mamma Mia!: The Movie’ Makes Musical Magic
Submitted by BrianTT on December 16, 2008 - 10:28amCHICAGO – To some people, a “Sing-Along” version of “Mamma Mia!: The Movie” might sound like a threat. “No, Timmy, you can’t watch The Dark Knight for the hundredth time and if you don’t do your chores, I’m going to make you sing along with Pierce Brosnan again.” But “Mamma Mia!” has a very specific, very satisfied audience and they will be giddy with ABBA glee at the Blu-Ray release of their favorite movie of 2008.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Horton Hears a Who’ a Playful Movie, Average Blu-Ray
Submitted by BrianTT on December 15, 2008 - 12:20pmCHICAGO – Fox animation tries to keep pace with DreamWorks and Disney with their high budget, extras-packed release of “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who”, an entertaining animated adventure but a Blu-Ray release that does nothing to rise above average.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ an Awful Movie, Great Blu-Ray
Submitted by BrianTT on December 15, 2008 - 9:56amCHICAGO – The divide between the quality of a film itself and the Blu-Ray presentation it has been given has arguably never been wider than with Universal’s “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”. The special features are as comprehensive as any released this over-crowded holiday season and the transfer is one of Universal’s best of the year but the film itself is a complete disaster, one of the most excruciating theatrical releases of 2008.
‘The Dark Knight,’ ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Lead Nominees From Chicago Film Critics Association
Submitted by BrianTT on December 15, 2008 - 9:09amCHICAGO – The Chicago Film Critics Association announced its choices for the best of 2008 on Monday morning. The biggest blockbuster of the year, “The Dark Knight,” and the sleeper hit of the season, “Slumdog Millionaire,” tied for the most nominations and will compete for best picture of the year from Chicago film critics.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup Quiz: Five ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Prize Packs
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 12, 2008 - 6:47pmCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have an extra-unique five VIP grand-prize packs up for grabs for the Oscar-buzzing film “Slumdog Millionaire” from director Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting,” “The Beach,” “28 Days Later”).
‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ With Keanu Reeves Falls Flat in Every Way
Submitted by BrianTT on December 12, 2008 - 9:40amCHICAGO – “The Day the Earth Stood Still” is about an alien visitor’s decision to wipe out the human race. And, if an interstellar race actually gets to see this film, it would be hard to blame them for wanting to clean house on planet Earth.
Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Ensemble Save ‘Frost/Nixon’ From Soulless Direction
Submitted by BrianTT on December 12, 2008 - 9:13amCHICAGO – Peter Morgan’s play “Frost/Nixon” was a searing portrait of two men trying their best to change their image and their future. It was a head-to-head battle between a celebrity interviewer whose reputation was on a steady decline and the man credited with bringing shame to the White House.
‘Nothing Like the Holidays’ Does Nothing to Stand Out From Christmas Movie Crowd
Submitted by BrianTT on December 12, 2008 - 8:56amCHICAGO – When it was still called “Humboldt Park” and was probably more closely related to Chicago’s thriving Hispanic neighborhood, Alfredo De Villa’s “Nothing Like the Holidays” was probably a lot more interesting than the cookie-cutter dramedy that ended up on the big screen.
Despite Smothered Direction, ‘Doubt’ Brings Out Best in Performers
Submitted by Dustin on December 12, 2008 - 12:01amCHICAGO – The inherit drama of a Catholic priest accused of molesting an African American boy during the 1960s would be enough to make for an interesting film on its own. In “Doubt,” this is one of the less-explored themes writer and director John Patrick Shanley examines.
Family of Heath Ledger Responds to ‘The Dark Knight’ Golden Globe Nomination
Submitted by BrianTT on December 11, 2008 - 12:11pmCHICAGO – Heath Ledger’s searing performance as The Joker in “The Dark Knight” has been earning acclaim all year and the late actor landed a posthumous Golden Globe nomination this morning when the Hollywood Foreign Press Association revealed their choices for the best of 2008.
Blu-Ray Review: Special Edition of ‘JFK’ Still Captivates
Submitted by BrianTT on December 11, 2008 - 11:51amCHICAGO – As the 2008 awards season kicks into high gear, it’s a good time to catch up with one of the most acclaimed and nominated films of seventeen years ago, Oliver Stone’s “JFK” in a classy and well-packaged Blu-Ray edition from Warner Brothers.
66th Golden Globes Emphasize Star Power With Film Nominations
Submitted by BrianTT on December 11, 2008 - 11:25amCHICAGO – The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the nominees for The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards this morning and jaws dropped at some of their choices and some of their exclusions. Somewhat surprisingly, “The Dark Knight” was left out of the Best Picture category, but far more shockingly, “Milk” was also off the short list.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Austin Powers Collection’ Asks You to Behave
Submitted by BrianTT on December 11, 2008 - 11:13amCHICAGO – There wouldn’t be a second and third “Austin Powers” movie if it wasn’t for the massive success of the first film on Home Video, so it seems appropriate that all three have been released in a Blu-Ray box set called the “Shagadelic Edition: Loaded with Extra Mojo” but Warner Brothers missed an opportunity to do anything more than a technical upgrade.
