Ciaran Hinds

Film Review: ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ Begs Audience to Accept Mediocrity, Stupidity

CHICAGO – At the very least, I can take some comfort in knowing that the YouTube montage of Nicolas Cage freaking out has some new (and golden) material.

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Chicago Passes to ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ With Nicolas Cage

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance with Nicolas Cage

CHICAGO – In our latest action/fantasy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the new film “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” starring Nicolas Cage!

Film Review: Mixed Bag of Quality in ‘Oscar Nominated Short Films 2012’

CHICAGO – It’s that time of the year when you can get a leg up on your friends at your Oscar party when the short film categories pop up by seeing “Oscar Nominated Short Films 2012: The Animated” and “Oscar Nominated Short Films 2012: The Live Action,” opening around the country tomorrow, February 10th, 2012, and in Chicago at the Landmark Century Cinema.

Film Review: Daniel Radcliffe Stars in Chilling ‘The Woman in Black’

CHICAGO – The most important element to the opening of “The Woman in Black” is the Hammer Films logo that caused the legendary Roger Ebert to applaud when it appeared in the screening room here in Chicago. This is a Hammer Film through and through complete with unbelievable character action, loud sound effects, extreme shock scares, and other B-movie manipulations.

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Chicagoland Passes to ‘The Woman in Black’ With Daniel Radcliffe

The Woman in Black with Daniel Radcliffe

CHICAGO – In our latest horror/thriller Chicagoland edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of “The Woman in Black” starring Daniel Radcliffe!

Film Review: Stoic Gary Oldman Uncovers ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’

CHICAGO – Espionage sure isn’t like it used to be. The new film “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” is set during the Cold War period of the early 1970s, when lines were drawn by their proximity in front of and behind the Iron Curtain. Gary Oldman plays an old British spook in this thriller adapted from the famous John le Carré novel.

Blu-Ray Review: Criterion Tackles Todd Solondz’s ‘Life During Wartime’

Life During Wartime

CHICAGO – The Criterion deal with IFC Films has led to some very interesting additions to their collection including some controversial choices. The universally-acclaimed and upcoming “Carlos” may be understandable but do “Everlasting Moments” and “Revanche” deserve the standing that comes with the Criterion label? I’m torn and no more so than with the release of “Life During Wartime,” a decent and interesting flick that nonetheless would be FAR down the list of movies I would choose for induction into the most important club in DVD history.

Blu-Ray Review: Anthony Hopkins Conducts Half-Asleep ‘The Rite’

The Rite

CHICAGO – The worst thing you can call a movie is not “bad.” The worst thing you can call a movie is “boring.” We’ve all seen bad movies that are a total blast, but there’s no rescuing a boring movie. “The Rite,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, is incredibly boring.

DVD Review: Helen Mirren Delivers One of TV’s Best Performances in ‘Prime Suspect’

CHICAGO – She is amply assisted by a who’s who of some of the best supporting actors Britain has produced in the last two decades but “Prime Suspect,” which recently saw its complete 7-series run released in one box set for the first time from Acorn Media, belongs to the amazing Helen Mirren.

Film Review: ‘Life During Wartime’ Provides Haunting Coda to ‘Happiness’

Life During Wartime Film Review
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Todd Solondz’s 1998 masterpiece, “Happiness,” is the darkest American comedy ever made. It’s so brutal and uncompromising that it calls into question the very definition of comedy. When one character explains to her sister that she isn’t laughing at her, but with her, the sister responds, “But I’m not laughing.” Solondz isn’t laughing either.

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  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

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