CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Ever-Present Passion in ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 12, 2015 - 10:18am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There are feelings encoded in a film, imparted by the creators, which sometimes takes a while to become apparent. “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” is an example, with a deceptive surface story that contains an ocean of feelings and emotions within its passionate core.
‘True Story’ Just Leaves a False Impression
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 19, 2015 - 2:02pm Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Sometimes, just casting a film with “names” is not enough to make it work. Jonah Hill and James Franco play cat-and-mouse for 100 minutes in “True Story,” but the narrative, the structure and their own inability to communicate their characters conspired against the overall experience.
Michael Keaton Soars in Mesmerizing ‘Birdman’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 23, 2014 - 4:58pm Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There are parts of “Birdman” that are absolutely breathtaking, in dialogue, performance and visual acumen. Even its subtitle, “The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance” has a wonderful payoff. Michael Keaton provides an Oscar worthy performance as the title character.
The Catholic Priest on the Road to ‘Calvary’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 11, 2014 - 3:37pm Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The title of the film, “Calvary,” should have resonance to any guilty Catholic out there, and yet the loaded word can’t deliver the truth that the film seeks. Brendan Gleeson gives an astonishing performance as a conflicted priest, but the material he has to work with is not up to his portrayal.
Emotional Destiny Versus Science Debate in ‘I Origins’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 25, 2014 - 2:31pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In the current debate between metaphysical spirituality or intelligent design versus scientific and provable fact, there are demands regarding the religious or metaphysics that do not relate to those facts. What the new film “I Origins” hopes to provide for, is that there is room for both forms of mysticism in our lives, if only the eyes remain open.
Jude Law Tolls the Bell for ‘Dom Hemingway’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 12, 2014 - 8:57pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Dom Hemingway” begins with a tight close-up on a barely recognizable Jude Law, portraying the title character. He’s giving a monologue, literally spraying the words. When the circumstance is revealed as to what is happening to him, there is an awareness that this is not going to be your Daddy’s petty safecracker ex-con film.
‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ is Built by Wes Anderson
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 15, 2014 - 8:34amRating: 4.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The distinct and strangely-alluring style of director Wes Anderson is on opulent display in “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” In what is an eccentric, European style fairy tale, Anderson creates a legend that is forged in his signature, along with the performances of a brilliant cast.
‘Baggage Claim’ is Equivalent of a Crash Landing
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 28, 2013 - 3:31am Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Experiencing an unfunny comedy is one of the most painful time wasters in the movie going adventure – not only will that time never come back, but wanting to laugh when no motivation for hilarity is produced is like having eternal hiccups. “Baggage Claim” (hic) is (hic) that (hic) sort of movie.
For a Real Summer Movie, Go ‘The Way, Way Back’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 5, 2013 - 7:05amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Nothing evokes the time, sights and smells of summer like the getaway resort. The long days, the mystery of night, the first crush and the summer job are all brought back in the soapy yet fun “The Way, Way Back,” featuring Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney.
Mia Wasikowska Finds Trippy Mystery in ‘Stoker’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 1, 2013 - 10:01pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There is cause and effect in life, and there are times when random acts of circumstance rinses it all away. Those emotions are realized in the strange yet compelling composition of the new film “Stoker,” featuring Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, and Matthew Goode.
