The Muppets

CHICAGO – Jason Segel is a real mensch. The tall and angular actor is open, active and caring about his career, and he fulfills another part of his performance evolution in director James Ponsoldt’s “The End of the Tour.” Segel portrays author David Foster Wallace, when he appeared on behalf of his 1996 novel “Infinite Jest.”

CHICAGO – Jason Segel is one of the most genuine people in show business, and he also makes very funny movies and TV shows. He was in Chicagoland recently, making an appearance on behalf of his first novel, “Nightmares.” He greeted admirers and signed the book at the historic Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove, Ill.

HOLLYWOOD – He was the biggest star the world, the box office champion from 1939 to 1941. “Wow, spanning two decades,” Bart Simpson said. Mickey Rooney lived long enough to work on silent films, be the biggest star in the world and do a voiceover on “The Simpsons.” Not bad for one lifetime. Mickey Rooney died of natural causes in his North Hollywood home on April 6th. He was 93.

CHICAGO – It’s that wonderful time of year when we look back on the 11 months that just sped by and try to capture what was best, worst, overlooked, and more. While most of these pieces will just make people disagree, our annual cavalcade of year-end features starts with a piece that you can use to do your holiday shopping!

CHICAGO – Has The Muppets comeback taken with the general populous? The wonderful movie from last year didn’t quite turn into the box office phenomenon that it deserved to be and I worry that we may have to wait for another comeback for Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and the rest of the gang. Until then, satisfy yourself and teach your kids about these characters with the 20th anniversary edition of “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” new to Blu-ray.

CHICAGO – God, I love “The Muppets.” It’s such a wonderful, joyful, fun movie. As someone who is forced to see dozens of family films a year, I can tell you that most of them are not full of joy. They are full of pop culture references and gross-out jokes but they are nowhere near as smart, fun, or fantastic as “The Muppets,” a great movie with a great Blu-ray set that will stand the test of time.

CHICAGO – Here’s some news that will bring joy to those that think life’s a happy song. Director James Bobin and writer Nicholas Stoller have officially signed on to create a sequel to “The Muppets.” However, the good news does come with some bad news as well. Apparently, Jason Segel’s schedule is too full to fit in the next Muppet project.

CHICAGO – In a move that I can only describe as head-scratching, the 84th Academy Awards producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have invited Cirque du Soleil to perform at this year’s Oscar ceremony. The decision is not head-scratching because Cirque du Soleil is a bad act, but because they have cancelled other performances that actually pertain completely to this year’s awards to make room for other parts of the telecast.

CHICAGO – Another year, another bunch of people who call themselves Oscar pundits bitching and moaning. It wouldn’t be late January without it.

CHICAGO – We could tell, very early on, that 2011 would be a stellar year for film. As the year opened, great genre product like “Source Code,” “Hanna,” and “The Adjustment Bureau” entertained viewers and critics alike, while art houses unspooled gems like “Certified Copy” and “Meek’s Cutoff.”