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
Oscar-Winning ‘The Counterfeiters’ a Bravely Told Gem From Depths of Nazi Germany
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 29, 2008 - 4:05am
CHICAGO – “The Counterfeiters” is a historical gem bravely told from the depths of Nazi Germany. An opening scene of a dismal sea sets the tone of Stefan Ruzowitzky’s historical jewel with a sense of despair that raises curiosity to the physical level.
Academy Award-Nominated ‘City of God’ Spawns Evocative Brazilian Slum Film ‘City of Men’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 29, 2008 - 2:40amCHICAGO – The plight of the people in the hard-hitting Brazilian film “City of Men” is akin with its plight to make you aware it even exists. This can be said about many great films that’ll touch you and leave you better than you were before despite not having the luxury of omnipresent advertising.
Gondry’s Cinematic Breakthrough ‘Be Kind Rewind’ Proves Again He’s an Artistic Goliath
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 22, 2008 - 4:05am
CHICAGO – Michel Gondry’s latest cinematic breakthrough “Be Kind Rewind” grants passage into his magical imagination and proves yet again he’s one of today’s artistic giants.
‘The Signal’ Sports Plenty of Style, Little Substance in Sci-Fi Twist on Torture Porn
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 22, 2008 - 2:38am
CHICAGO – In the last several years, the horror genre has become hot because of its return on investment. The strategy is to market the hell out of the scare factor, get a good opening weekend (which usually takes care of the filming costs several times over) and make sure the blood spatters well. There is no need for pricey star power because the “star” is always the quality kills.
Horror Master George A. Romero Reveals Veteran Zombie Lock in ‘Diary of the Dead’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 18, 2008 - 2:40pmCHICAGO – Master horror filmmaker George A. Romero is back for the fifth installment of his “Dead” series as what began with 1968’s “Night of the Living Dead” has fast-forwarded to “Diary of the Dead”. This time, Romero takes on the modern soul deadening of staring at screens and includes the constant navel gazing of videotaping, computers and the instant playback that has become our lives.
Despite Offering Tantalizing Possibilities, ‘Jumper’ Weakened By Formulaic Clichés
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 17, 2008 - 12:51am
CHICAGO – As a distinct premise, “Jumper” offers tantalizing possibilities. The ability to transport yourself from one location to another with simple mind control is a cool rule of the world. While the film speaks to some of the far-reaching potential of the power, it also follows story formulas that weaken it.
‘Definitely, Maybe’ Borrows From Successful Romantic Comedies, Adds Fresh Hook
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 14, 2008 - 5:05pm
CHICAGO – The makers of “Love Actually” and “Notting Hill” know how to do romantic comedy that doesn’t somehow fall into the trap of a formulaic chick flick like “27 Dresses”. “Definitely, Maybe,” which is their latest effort, on the other hand isn’t particularly original and really isn’t very funny.
Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson Feel Valentine’s Day Love in ‘Fool’s Gold’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 8, 2008 - 4:29amCHICAGO – Check off this list of stock movie characters: the broke rogue adventurer, his sensible love interest, the daffy heiress, her gruff but benign wealthy father, the evil rival, the doltish but loyal sidekick, the evil rival’s goons and the “seems to be evil but in the end turns out heroic” buddy.
Lebanese Film ‘Caramel’ Coats Women’s Relationships With Warmth, Truth
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 1, 2008 - 12:05pmCHICAGO – In the social palette that makes up relationships for adult women, the main brushstrokes involve trust, unity and a passion for friendships. Of course, it doesn’t hurt if they can meet in their favorite beauty parlor. The film “Caramel” follows the lives of five women in Beirut, Lebanon as they experience aging, commitment, lifestyle choices and bikini waxing.
Despite Flawed Plot Clichés, Dancing Takes Center Stage in ‘How She Move’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 25, 2008 - 4:54pmCHICAGO – Kids, it’s an old-fashioned dance off, and despite being about the contemporary and very urban stepdance craze, it has all the hope, dreams, choreography and clichés of a golden-age Hollywood musical revue.
Stallone Sports Aggrandized Violence, Weak Storyline in ‘Rambo’ Revival
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 25, 2008 - 12:12pm
CHICAGO – The best quality about the fourth “Rambo” is its “Rambo” authenticity. The worst quality about the fourth “Rambo” is its “Rambo” authenticity.
Diane Lane’s ‘Untraceable’ Plagued With Predictable, Connect-the-Dots Plotline
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 25, 2008 - 1:01am
CHICAGO – Gregory Hoblit’s “Untraceable” is a predictable thriller that takes us into the masterminds of cybercrime in Portland. Diane Lane plays FBI agent Jennifer Marsh and heads up a cybercrime department that’s chasing an Internet killer.
History-Making ‘U2 3D’ Feature-Length Film Redefines Concert Experience
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on January 22, 2008 - 4:33pmCHICAGO – Shot with more digital 3D cameras than any other film project, the feature-length “U2 3D” film production revolutionizes the concert experience on the big screen.
