CHICAGO – There is no better time to take in a stage play that is based in U.S. history, depicting the battle between fact and religion. The old theater chestnut – first mounted in 1955 – is “Inherit the Wind,” now at the Goodman Theatre, completing it’s short run through October 20th. For tickets and more information, click INHERIT.
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Film Review: Inconsistent ‘Do Not Disturb’ Features Revolving Door of Quality
Submitted by BrianTT on May 26, 2011 - 4:40pm Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The beautiful Mali Elfman, daughter of the great composer Danny Elfman, has written and produced (and co-stars in) a unique piece of work called “Do Not Disturb,” a collection of interconnected short films that chronicles the bizarre happenings in a Los Angeles hotel room and is now available On Demand. What goes on behind closed doors? If the walls of even one room could talk, the stories they would tell would be great fodder for filmmaking. “Do Not Disturb” is too inconsistent to recommend completely but features a few interesting elements and bodes well for a promising filmmaker.
Blu-Ray Review: 25th Anniversary of Oliver Stone’s Devastating ‘Platoon’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 26, 2011 - 3:59pmCHICAGO – Oliver Stone’s “Platoon” is easily one of the most important films in my life. It came out in theaters when I was eleven and I saw it not long after that on VHS. My parents decided that, despite the intensity of the film, its subject matter was important enough that I could handle it even at a young age. I remember being simply blown away by the movie for numerous reasons.
On XLC Radio: HollywoodChicago.com’s Brian Tallerico to Discuss Fall Schedule Announcements
Submitted by BrianTT on May 26, 2011 - 1:37pmCHICAGO – Brian Tallerico guests on Jimmy & Jen on 102.3 XLC in Chicago on May 19, 2011 for an interview about current television news including the announcements of the Fall shows, the departure of Lisa Edelstein from “House,’ the news of Ashton Kutcher’s casting on “Two and a Half Men,” and much more.
Film Review: More or Less Same Formula in ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2011 - 8:25amCHICAGO – Good and evil, chase and fight. Those are the two basic formulas that dominate “Kung Fu Panda 2,” the sequel to the very popular first film. That redundancy is helped by the spirituality of an animated panda and some spectacular 3D rendering.
Film News: ‘Tree of Life’ Wins Top Prize at Cannes Film Festival
Submitted by mattmovieman on May 26, 2011 - 7:43amCHICAGO – Thirty-three years after winning the Best Director Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his 1978 drama, “Days of Heaven,” maverick filmmaker Terrence Malick has received an even greater honor. His fifth feature, “The Tree of Life,” won the Palme d’Or at the 64th annual Cannes Film Festival, despite mixed reviews and a smattering of boos following its premiere screening.
Blu-Ray Review: Commemorative Editions of ‘Gettysburg,’ ‘Gods and Generals’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 25, 2011 - 5:32pmCHICAGO – “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals” have legions of hardcore fans who adored them when they first played in theaters and will love the new Blu-ray editions that feel like hardcover books more than your standard disc release. One has to admire the marketing machine at Warner Bros. who can tie these titles in to the 150th Commemoration of the Civil War and make them perfect Father’s Day gifts at the same time.
DVD Review: Loving Tribute in ‘The Royal Wedding: William & Catherine’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 25, 2011 - 4:32pmCHICAGO – According to reports, billions of people watched the wedding of the new century last month when HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton were united on April 29, 2011. If you didn’t get enough coverage and don’t have the actual event saved in your DVR for the rest of time, BBC and Warner Bros. have put together a solid tribute to the event called “The Royal Wedding: William & Catherine.”
DVD Review: ‘The Kids in the Hall’ Makes Case For Greatness
Submitted by BrianTT on May 25, 2011 - 4:02pmCHICAGO – I’ve long, long said that any conversation about the best sketch comedy series of all time that doesn’t include “The Kids in the Hall” is totally worthless. Sure, “Saturday Night Live” has longevity and “Mr. Show” was an amazing program, but the recently-released box set of the entire output of “The Kids in the Hall” certainly makes a strong case that they should be not just on the list but arguably at the top. There’s SO much greatness in this box set that it’s nearly overwhelming (and the 2010 comeback series “The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town” has also been included).
Film News: Official Teaser Poster Released For ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 25, 2011 - 3:57pmCHICAGO – Summit Entertainment on Wednesday released the first official teaser poster for the highly anticipated “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1,” which opens wide on Nov. 18, 2011 with stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 35 Pairs of Chicago Passes to TNT’s ‘Falling Skies’ From Steven Spielberg
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 24, 2011 - 4:04pmCHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, we have 35 admit-two passes up for grabs to the Chicago VIP early screening party for TNT’s new sci-fi series “Falling Skies” from executive producer Steven Spielberg!
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Roommate’ Misses Chance For B-Movie Camp
Submitted by BrianTT on May 24, 2011 - 10:56amCHICAGO – Anyone who’s been through the dorm situation at a college has probably had a creepy roommate or two. (I sure had my share Freshman year but that’s a long story.) The fact that we have to share so much of our existence with a complete stranger whose only psychological evaluation was during a college acceptance interview is ripe for thriller storytelling. What if your new roommate was crazy? Sounds like the set-up for a fun, over-the-top thrill ride, doesn’t it? Then why is “The Roommate” so damn boring?
Film News: ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Casts Chris Ellis as Priest, Brett Cullen as Judge
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 24, 2011 - 10:41amCHICAGO – “The Dark Knight Rises” is seeing a casting frenzy over the past week. Just three days after we learn that Matt Modine, Tom Conti and Joey King have joined Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster team, Variety on Monday broke the news that veteran character actors Brett Cullen and Chris Ellis will round out the film’s already A-list ensemble cast.
Blu-Ray Review: Subtle Beauty of Somber ‘Pale Flower’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 24, 2011 - 10:33amCHICAGO – I’ve been lucky enough to cover a number of fantastic Criterion Collection releases for films that I already counted among my favorites including Roman Polanski’s “Repulsion,” Stanley Kubrick’s “Paths of Glory,” Wim Wenders’ “Wings of Desire,” and David Cronenberg’s “Videodrome.” While that’s an undeniable joy, it’s almost more fun when a Criterion title arrives for a film that I’ve never seen — a lost classic. Such was the case with this month’s “Pale Flower,” a somber gem about sad people in a changing world.
