Universal

Blu-ray News: Restored Version of ‘Jaws’ in HD Coming on Aug. 14, 2012

Jaws BD

CHICAGO – The news that millions of movie lovers have been waiting for finally came this morning with the press release announcing that a restored HD version of Steven Spielberg’s masterful “Jaws” will hit Blu-ray on August 14th, 2012. With an all-new, feature-length documentary feature about the making of the film along with a fully restored and digitally remastered picture (and a 7.1 surround sound system), this will be one of the Blu-ray highlights of not just 2012 but the format to date.

Blu-ray Review: Catch Up with First Three ‘American Pie’ Movies

American Pie

CHICAGO – For a brief shining moment, it looked like the cast of 1999’s “American Pie” would be the break-out stars of the new millenium. Sadly, 13 years have passed and most of them haven’t fulfilled on their potential with a few never topping that first film, which is still a sweet, raunchy, comedy classic. Therefore, I’m sure most of the “Pie” kids were ecstatic that a fourth film, “American Reunion,” finally got off the ground, to be released on April 2nd, 2012. Before you catch up with them in a theater, catch up at home with the release of the first three films — the great “American Pie,” the decent “American Pie 2,” and the pretty-bad “American Wedding.”

Blu-ray Review: Universal Releases New Wave of 100th Anniversary Classics

Out of Africa

CHICAGO – Did Universal know that Meryl Streep was going to win her third Oscar for “The Iron Lady”? Someone should investigate because two of her most acclaimed performances hit Blu-ray this week as a part of Universal’s 100th Anniversary Collector’s Series — “Out of Africa” and “The Deer Hunter.” With a combined twelve Oscars among the two, these are two of the most powerful films in the Universal library and great choices for the Collector’s Series upgrade. Meanwhile, Universal continues to supply this catalog, released “Charade,” “My Man Godfrey,” and “Sullivan’s Travels” under the same banner on DVD-only.

Blu-ray Review: Stellar Ensemble Elevates Relatively Routine ‘Tower Heist’

Tower Heist

CHICAGO – Brett Ratner’s “Tower Heist” features a LOT of actors who have proven talents but haven’t made the best career decisions of late. The number of disappointing films that star Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, and Tea Leoni could fill a film festival in Hell. And Ratner has committed his own crimes against celluloid. So, I was dreading “Tower Heist.” There’s nothing to dread here.

Blu-ray Review: ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Joins Remastered Universal Collection

All Quiet on the Western Front

CHICAGO – It has been an AMAZING year for catalog Blu-ray releases already and the Universal 100th Anniversary Collection promises to be one of the most important and essential series of 2012. Already this year, “Notorious,” “Rebecca,” “Annie Hall,” “Dead Poets Society,” “Wings,” “Shakespeare in Love,” and much more have joined the format. Universal kicked off their series, which will eventually include “Jaws” and “E.T.- The Extra-Terrestrial,” with “To Kill a Mockingbird” last month and continue it this month with the beloved “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

Blu-ray Review: 50th Anniversary Edition of Beloved ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

To Kill a Mockingbird

CHICAGO – Do kids still read Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” in school? Or do they just watch the movie now? When I was growing up it may have been the most canonical book of a growing child’s formative years. If I had to look back on the books that most influenced the way I look at fiction, it would certainly be on the list. And the timeless film would be right there with it, forever impacting the way I look at the art of movies.

Blu-Ray Review: Blockbuster ‘Fast Five’ is Addictive Escapist Ride

CHICAGO – “Fast Five,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, is one of the most interesting pop culture phenomena of 2011. All of us who complain that sequels are never good and that films usually get worse as a franchise gets older had to admit that this was the exception to the rule. Not only the most critically-acclaimed film in the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, it also became the highest-grossing in the series, making an AMAZING $620 million worldwide and currently ranking fifth on the year in domestic gross.

Blu-Ray Review: Steve Carell’s Final Season of ‘The Office’

The Office: S7

CHICAGO – Very few 2011 programs were as hit-and-miss as NBC’s “The Office.” I don’t think anyone involved with the program would argue that it was this sometimes-great comedy’s best year but there were still great moments throughout and Steve Carell’s departure from the program that turned him into a superstar was handled with incredible humor and grace. The season may not have been the show’s best, but it was still one of the better comedies on TV. See for yourself with the seventh season, recently released on Blu-ray and DVD.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Your Highness’ is One of 2011’s Most Disappointing Comedies

Your Highness

CHICAGO – David Gordon Green’s “Your Highness” still makes me sad. Not only am I giant fan of nearly everyone involved but the concept of a pot-fueled riff on the fantasy-adventure films more popular in the ’80s is a great one. And yet, even watching it again on Blu-ray and DVD, “Your Highness” just sinks, deflating my like a leaky balloon. I’m gonna go cry now.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Conan the Barbarian,’ ‘Conan the Destroyer’

Conan the Barbarian

CHICAGO – I’m going to withhold judgment until I see it but, on paper, it makes no sense to remake John Milius’ 1982 fantasy/action classic “Conan the Barbarian” for one simple reason — there’s only one Ah-nuld. The movie weighed heavily on the charisma of its unique star, someone who was essentially catapulted to the A-list by this film and lightning only strikes once. Does anyone think that Jason Momoa, star of the August 19th remake from Marcus Nispel (remake “King” after desecrating “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Friday the 13th”) will find the same magic? Check out the originals, now on Blu-ray, and see the standard he has to live up to.

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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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