CHICAGO – Theatrical satires of the Star Wars Universe are like the number of TV series the universe has wrought … too many to figure out if anything is worthwhile. But “Trade Federation” (subtitled “Or Let’s Explore Globalization Through the Star Wars Prequels”), presented by Otherworld Theatre in Wrigleyville Chicago, gets it right on.
Amy Ryan
Fear Factors! Audio Film Review of ‘Beau is Afraid’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 22, 2023 - 9:43am Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film from writer/director Ari Aster (“Hereditary,” “Midsummer”) … featuring Joaquin Phoenix … entitled “Beau is Afraid.” Currently in theaters, since April 21st.
‘Monster Trucks’ May Be One of the Weirdest Films Ever
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 18, 2017 - 7:02pm Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – A four year old walks into a room with a great idea for a movie, and unfortunately his father is president of a “motion picture group.” Millions of dollars and four years later, this child’s idea became “Monster Trucks,” one of the strangest movies ever conceived.
Two Old Dogs Prove Very Entertaining in ‘Escape Plan’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 18, 2013 - 5:51pm Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Great action movies have one truth in common – they mix their face-offs with a psychological battle, which complements the pyrotechnics of invincible super humans. “Escape Plan,” with grizzled veterans Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, is true to that form.
Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan Rock in Fantastic ‘Win Win’
Submitted by BrianTT on March 25, 2011 - 1:44pm Rating: 5.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Writer/Director Thomas McCarthy makes films with that very unique attribute in which the characters completely feel like they exist before the opening scene and after the credits roll. As he did in “The Station Agent” and “The Visitor,” he has told another unique story that is both moving and also believable at the same time, an increasingly-rare combination. “Win Win” is the first great film of 2011.
Philip Seymour Hoffman Stars in Directorial Debut ‘Jack Goes Boating’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 24, 2010 - 11:00am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – One of the best working actors takes his skills behind camera in Philip Seymour Hoffman’s “Jack Goes Boating,” a character drama about one couple forming as another relationship falls apart at the same time. This gentle story of modern relationships is a subtle, slow-moving drama of moments and repercussions that works due to the talents of its cast and quality of its source material despite a few notable flaws.
In ‘Gone Baby Gone’ Directorial Debut, Ben Affleck Matures Into Polished Auteur
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on October 19, 2007 - 2:01pmCHICAGO – It wasn’t that long ago when Ben Affleck was an unknown. Fortune eventually smiled upon him and along came quality performances in independents and an Academy Award for screenwriting.
