HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News

Father’s Day Blu-Ray Round Up, May 26, 2009: ‘Fletch,’ ‘Field of Dreams,’ ‘Seabiscuit’

Fletch

CHICAGO – Universal Home Video is releasing a wave of titles timed for Father’s Day gifts. Some of their choices - “Field of Dreams,” “Fletch” - seem like logical picks for a better HD daddy day than another striped tie while others seem chosen purely because they have the word “Men” or “Man” in the title - “Children of Men,” “Cinderella Man,” “Inside Man”.

TV Review: Misguided ‘Mental’ Misses the Mark

CHICAGO – Hugh Laurie deserves the heaps of praise he gets for his spectacular work on “House”. If you’re wondering what that show would be like without the same believable medical issues, interesting characters or whip-smart dialogue provided by the show’s underrated writers, though, check out the new “Mental”.

Blu-Ray Review: Catch Up on ‘Terminator’ Mythology With HD ‘T2: Judgment Day’

T2

CHICAGO – I’m far from alone in my generation when I say that “T2: Judgment Day” rocked my world. I vividly remember seeing it as a teenager and absolutely loving every minute of it. That’s why I reacted so harshly to the disappointing “Terminator: Salvation,” a film that produces none of the jaw-dropping awe of the James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger classics. With a perfect Blu-Ray release for a beloved ’90s action masterpiece, go back to the best with “T2: Judgment Day - Skynet Edition”.

DVD Review: ‘Fanboys’ For Hardcore ‘Star Wars’ Junkies Only

Fanboys

CHICAGO – I really want to recommend “Fanboys”. The story behind the film is a David-and-Goliath tale of a young filmmaker bringing his comedic vision to life against all odds and the film is finally being released on DVD after years of delays. Sadly, the drama behind-the-scenes doesn’t change the mediocre quality of the final product.

‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ is Predictable, Clustered Drivel

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian with Ben Stiller

CHICAGO – The sequel “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” is, presumably, an effort by director Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum” in 2006 and “The Pink Panther”) and writers Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon (who both wrote the first film) to weave together an exciting and educational film.

Interview: Rachel Weisz Creates Magic With ‘The Brothers Bloom’

CHICAGO – Beautiful, brilliant and expressively talented, Rachel Weisz showcases a comedic side in her latest film, “The Brothers Bloom”, also featuring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo and written/directed by the eclectic Rian Johnson (“Brick”).

Interview: Taking in the Information With ‘The Brothers Bloom’ Director Rian Johnson

Rian Johnson

CHICAGORian Johnson, the writer/director of the excellent “Brick,” has another slice of dazzling dialogue opening this weekend in the very entertaining “The Brothers Bloom,” an elaborate con game starring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz, and Rinko Kikuchi. He sat down for an exclusive interview the night before the Opening Night celebration for his film at last year’s Chicago Film Festival.

Christian Bale, Sam Worthington in McG’s Disappointing ‘Terminator: Salvation’

CHICAGOMcG’s loud-and-annoying “Terminator: Salvation” with Christian Bale and Sam Worthington continues the summer of non-Trek disappointments, delivering nothing but a bloated exercise in CGI overload.

Interview: Riding the Animated Wave ‘Up’ With Pixar Director Pete Docter

CHICAGO – Pixar’s “Up” recently became the first animated 3D film to open the Cannes Film Festival and the reviews were just as rapturous as those who had been tracking the latest Pixar offering expected them to be. Before he want to France, director Pete Docter sat down for an exclusive interview with HollywoodChicago.com.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Donnie Darko’ Sequel ‘S. Darko’ a Total Disaster

S Darko

CHICAGO – How bluntly can I put this? “S. Darko” is one of the worst movies ever made. It is an absolute head-scratching experience that leaves you not pondering the secrets of the universe but how this cinematic nightmare got made in the first place. Donnie saved the world for this? I’d rather get hit by a plane engine than sit through it again.

CBS Renews ‘Cold Case,’ Picks Up ‘Medium,’ Cancels ‘Without a Trace’

Medium

CHICAGO – In a relatively shocking announcement as a part of fall schedule upfronts this week, CBS actually pulled the trigger on “Without a Trace,” a show that had reportedly gotten too expensive for the network. There were rumors that they may do the same with “Cold Case,” but that show will return with on-the-bubble shows “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Rules of Engagement” also being miraculously renewed and “Medium” being saved.

NBC Renews ‘Chuck,’ ‘Law & Order’; Cancels ‘Medium,’ ‘My Name is Earl’

Chuck

CHICAGO – We told you a few weeks ago that “Heroes,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Southland” had been renewed by NBC but the peacock network made it official today and made the call on the bubble shows, renewing “Chuck” and “Law & Order” and pulling the trigger on “Medium” and “My Name is Earl” although there are rumors of both shows being eyed by other networks.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Dexter: The Second Season’ is Killer in HD

Dexter S2

CHICAGO – When “Dexter: The Second Season” was originally released on standard DVD, I lamented the fact that it wasn’t released on HD Blu-Ray and barely had any special features. I hoped that CBS/Paramount would come around to the Blu-Ray craze by season three and they’ve done just that by catching up with the first two seasons of “Dexter,” now in HD.

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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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