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.
From Up on Poppy Hill
Blu-ray Review: Slight But Visually Striking ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 9, 2013 - 10:24amCHICAGO – As “The Wind Rises” plays film festivals this month and plans for a stateside release (we truly hope) by the end of the year, it has been announced that the Studio Ghibli film will be the last directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. One of the most important creative voices in the history of cinema is closing the book on his career, although his influence will be felt for decades to come, especially as his son, who directed the recently-released on Blu-ray and DVD, “From Up on Poppy Hill” carries on his legacy.
Film Review: Studio Ghibli Gives Fans Sweet ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 28, 2013 - 12:36pmCHICAGO – The torch is being passed at Studio Ghibli from the great Hayao Miyazaki (“Princess Mononoke,” “Spirited Away”) to his son Goro, who directs this week’s tender “From Up on Poppy Hill,” certainly not one of the best in the Ghibli canon but a well-made, enjoyable melodrama nonetheless. A full awareness that it’s kind of a cheap melodrama (one of the characters even says so) doesn’t change the fact that it is but the young Miyazaki’s visual palette is notably beautiful and the voice work is strong throughout.
