Bill Nighy

CHICAGO – There are two ways moviegoers can respond to an unapologetic crowd-pleaser such as this: either resist its shamelessly manipulative fist-pumping, or dive into its pleasurably untroubled waters. The latter will certainly make for a better experience, though British filmmaker Richard Curtis certainly makes the former tempting at times.

CHICAGO – The legendary Richard Curtis returns this week with “Pirate Radio,” the story of Radio Rock and the first disc jockeys to ever play rock and roll in the United Kingdom.

CHICAGO – In our latest comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of “Pirate Radio”! The film was formerly titled “The Boat That Rocked”.

CHICAGO – The cartoon universe is replete with superheroes, none more distinct than the title character in the new animated film “Astro Boy.” Based on a Japanese comic book from 1951, Astro Boy has new life in 3-D cartoon form.

CHICAGO – In our latest animated edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the new film “Astro Boy”!

CHICAGO – “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is easily one of the weirdest movies of 2009. It’s a werewolf movie that plays like a variation on “Gladiator” or “Spartacus” with the foundation of “Romeo & Juliet”. Solid work by the excellent Michael Sheen nearly redeems the film but an awful screenplay, dull design, and plodding direction sink this bizarre prequel.

CHICAGO – Following our interview with Chicago-born Marvel Comics writer and “Underworld” and “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” character creator Kevin Grevioux, we now have a special HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with 20 autographed Kevin Grevioux posters for the new film up for grabs.

CHICAGO – While Alfred Hitchcock and more recently M. Night Shyamalan have teetered between whether or not to write roles for themselves into their own scripts, there’s no tottering for Chicago-born Marvel Comics writer and “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” character creator Kevin Grevioux.

CHICAGO – “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” star Kevin Grevioux will be in Chicago on Jan. 19, 2009 to give away a limited amount of autographed posters for the film as well as admit-two passes to the movie. Want to know where and when to show up for this special event? Read on as HollywoodChicago.com dishes to you the scoop.

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Rhona Mitra in Screen Gems Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

CHICAGO – This 5-image slideshow contains official press images for Screen Gems’ “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” which stars Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Kevin Grevioux, Steven Mackintosh, Tania Nolan, and Craig Parker from writers Danny McBride and Dirk Blackman & Howard McCain and director Patrick Tatopoulos. The film opens on Jan. 23, 2009.