CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
Jane Lynch
‘UglyDolls’ is Animated Fun For Kids and Everyone Else
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 3, 2019 - 10:03am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The animation formula, for entertaining both kids and adults, is to never make the story too serious, and “UglyDolls” gets it right. The obvious moral lesson of “accepting yourself” is covered with great animating, memorable characters, peppy songs, and a sly sense of humor. In essence, made for the whole family.
'Ralph Breaks the Internet' is a Mature, Bittersweet Heart-breaker
Submitted by JonHC on November 22, 2018 - 11:03am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The internet we know today is a fairly young invention full of some of the greatest conveniences known to man, but also some of the greatest distractions and nuisances currently in our lives. “Ralph Breaks the Internet” embodies just that, and while it doesn’t quite reach the high score of its predecessor, the maturity and wisdom displayed in it more than makes up for it.
Hilarious Cast Elevates Mediocre ‘A.C.O.D.’
Submitted by BrianTT on October 10, 2013 - 5:27pm Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The incredibly talented men and women who make up the cast of “A.C.O.D.” make the relative failure of its script easier to bear. Just hearing brilliant actors like Richard Jenkins and Catherine O’Hara at each other’s throats or watching remarkably likable stars like Adam Scott and Mary Elizabeth Winstead figure out their relationship has enough charm to get one from lights down to credits roll.
Kathryn Hahn Stars in Near-Miss ‘Afternoon Delight’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 5, 2013 - 10:02amRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Jill Soloway’s Sundance Award-winning “Afternoon Delight” is such a frustrating near-miss. There will be some slight spoilers in this review. Because I can’t figure out how to express my issues with the film without mentioning one major point although it doesn’t spoil the action of the final act, just how Soloway chooses to get there.
Voice Cast Delights in Wonderful ‘Wreck-It Ralph’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 2, 2012 - 10:04amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The nostalgia of the old video game arcade comes to life in a charming and fun way in the new Disney film, “Wreck-It Ralph.” One of the strengths is the precise selection of celebrity voices used to animate the rollicking characters. John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman and Jane Lynch are part of the familiar voice cast.
Harmless ‘The Three Stooges’ Can’t Deliver the Goods
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 13, 2012 - 7:44amRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Moe, Larry and Curly are three of the most popular names in the show business universe, and bringing them back to life in the new film “The Three Stooges” was a questionable risk. The re-imaging, with Chris Diamantopoulous, Sean Hayes and Will Sasso filling the trio’s roles, is a loving tribute that unfortunately veers in too many “Un-Stooge” like directions.
Pop Idolatry Lives in ‘Glee: The 3D Concert Movie’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 12, 2011 - 11:18amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Gleeks Unite! You have nothing to fear from “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie,” except the extra fee for those glasses. This film charms through it’s fabulous cast of singers and personalities singing jukebox hits.
Simon Pegg, Seth Rogen Have Close Encounter in Fun ‘Paul’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 18, 2011 - 8:58amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – When having fun at the movies seems in short supply, the British film duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost come along with one of their goofy, comic tributes to our cinematic heritage. After zombies in “Shaun of the Dead” and action heroes in “Hot Fuzz.” Pegg and Frost take on the extra terrestrials in “Paul.”
‘Julie & Julia’ Misses Some Ingredients But Still Goes Down Smoothly
Submitted by BrianTT on August 7, 2009 - 1:04pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Like a long meal at a good restaurant where no one can agree on the best course of the evening, Nora Ephron’s “Julie & Julia” with Amy Adams and Meryl Streep will have different highlights for different viewers.
