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.
HollywoodChicago.com Movie Reviews
Director Uwe Boll Pukes Out Another Opus of Insufferable Screen Time in ‘Postal’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 30, 2008 - 12:50am
CHICAGO – At the Chicago screening of “Postal” for critics, director Uwe Boll introduced his new film as a personal “The Kentucky Fried Movie” attacking the heart of America. Boll – a German national – has produced several “B”-grade movies in both Germany and the U.S.
Tepid Con Job Spoils Sexual Intrigue in ‘Deception’ With Ewan McGregor
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 25, 2008 - 12:01am
CHICAGO – Despite its timid title, “Deception” has all the right ingredients for a decent tale of mystery: a strong premise, sound acting and the famous femme fatale. It even starts with a promising conviction: How does a background player in life deal with initiation into a secret society?
‘Deal’ is No Big Deal as Career of Burt Reynolds Fades Away
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 24, 2008 - 12:07am
CHICAGO – Poor Burt Reynolds. As the No. 1 box-office star from 1978 to 1982, he revived his film career in 1997 with “Boogie Nights”. Since then, he has had the long, slow decline of “B” movies and bad remakes. Reynolds even tainted his own legacy by participating in the horrible 2005 redo of “The Longest Yard”.
Considering Sore Subject Matter of ‘Chapter 27,’ ‘Why?’ is Only Plausible Reaction
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 21, 2008 - 9:50pmCHICAGO – As a contemporary of the John Lennon assassination in 1980 and an ardent admirer of the late Beatle, I had a hard time figuring out the reasons for making the film “Chapter 27”.
‘The Visitor’ Works Out America’s Demons Following Sept. 11, 2001
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 20, 2008 - 10:53pm
CHICAGO – “The Visitor” is a subtle film. Created by the unique talent of writer and director Thomas McCarthy – who also generated the equally subtle world of “The Station Agent” – this new work explores the nature of who belongs where.
Judd Apatow Again Fashions Gimmick Into Gold in Uproarious ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 18, 2008 - 11:00am
CHICAGO – After being blitzed by an onslaught of attention-demanding advertising that begged the question “who is Sarah Marshall?” even before you realized it’s a film, anticipation was ravenous.
‘Zombie Strippers’ an Intentionally Killer ‘B’ Movie That Loves the Skin It’s In
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 18, 2008 - 11:00amCHICAGO – As the title implies, “Zombie Strippers” has everything and more. How many films about strippers who are zombies also quote the bible and Friedrich Nietzsche? This film is loads of fun because it has loads of everything.
Blueberries Meet Luscious Taste Buds in ‘My Blueberry Nights’ With Jude Law, Rachel Weisz
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 18, 2008 - 9:01am
CHICAGO – We see sensual close-up shots of blueberry pie overflow with aqueducts of vanilla ice cream in Wong Kar-Wai’s opening sequence of “My Blueberry Nights”. This dreamy scene sets the tone of the latest film from the famous Chinese director as he confronts the West with his unique cinematic style.
Ellen Page’s ‘Smart People’ Only as Scholarly as Zealous Senior in High School
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 11, 2008 - 2:05am
CHICAGO – I’m flummoxed. I know “Smart People” was supposed to be comedic drama with a splash of romance. Instead, I have been misled. It’s not a comedy. It’s not a tragedy. It’s not even a tragicomedy.
Ignoring Old Show-Business Rules, Rolling Stones Brightly ‘Shine a Light’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 4, 2008 - 3:52am
CHICAGO – In The Beatles versus The Rolling Stones debate (which no one under 40 would have), I’m decidedly in the corner of the Fab Four. I do acknowledge, however, the sheer stamina and staying power of The Rolling Stones.
Despite Stylistic Inconsistency, George Clooney’s ‘Leatherheads’ Feels Good
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on April 4, 2008 - 1:46amCHICAGO – George Clooney’s latest film, “Leatherheads,” brings light-hearted, screwball antics and slapstick blunders to the screen with a romantic tale that tells how professional football came to be.
Veteran Michael Caine Makes ‘Flawless’ Sparkle, Reveals Great Crime Behind Great Fortune
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 31, 2008 - 11:20pmCHICAGO – As this year of heist films set in London continues (“The Bank Job” was last month), “Flawless” does adhere to the rules of successful application of this genre.
Sundance Winner ‘Teeth’ Bites Right to Point of Men’s Greatest Sexual Fear
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 26, 2008 - 2:35amCHICAGO – In one of the great light bulb ideas that could only happen in association with making movies, along comes “Teeth” to bite us in the – well, to bite us hard. Writer and director Mitchell Lichtenstein has fashioned a one-of-a-kind horror epic (based, of course, on a Japanese film) that at the same time tangles with significant social and cultural issues.
