April 2011

Film Review: ‘Fast Five’ Furiously Finds Fun Factor in Franchise Finest

CHICAGO – Maybe director Justin Lin learned how to have fun directing the now-classic paintball episode of “Community.” Wherever he figured out that his movies need not be so damn self-serious or wordy, he took that knowledge to the set of “Fast Five,” a movie that this critic who hated “Fast & Furious” absolutely dreaded when it was first announced. Now I can’t wait for the inevitable sixth movie in the most unexpected mega-franchise of the new millennium.

‘Fast Five’ Furiously Finds Fun Factor in Franchise Finest

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Maybe director Justin Lin learned how to have fun directing the now-classic paintball episode of “Community.” Wherever he figured out that his movies need not be so damn self-serious or wordy, he took that knowledge to the set of “Fast Five,” a movie that this critic who hated “Fast & Furious” absolutely dreaded when it was first announced. Now I can’t wait for the inevitable sixth movie in the most unexpected mega-franchise of the new millennium.

Film Review: Beguiling, Hypnotic ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

CHICAGO – Where are the vital connections between our ancient ancestors and our creative, technological selves? Prehistoric cave drawings, the oldest ever discovered, are showcased in Werner Herzog’s new documentary, “Cave of Forgotten Dreams.” The link between who they are and who are we becomes the theme of this remarkable exposition.

Beguiling, Hypnotic ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Where are the vital connections between our ancient ancestors and our creative, technological selves? Prehistoric cave drawings, the oldest ever discovered, are showcased in Werner Herzog’s new documentary, “Cave of Forgotten Dreams.” The link between who they are and who are we becomes the theme of this remarkable exposition.

Film Review: Keanu Reeves Sleepwalks Through ‘Henry’s Crime’

Henry's Crime 2.jpg

CHICAGO – Keanu Reeves is the sort of actor who succeeds in spite of himself. His best work remains in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when he specialized in playing hazy-brained man-children, the best of which may have been Tod Higgins, the goofy race car driver in Ron Howard’s timeless 1989 comedy, “Parenthood.” Reeves transcended the silliness of his character with a performance of disarming warmth.

Keanu Reeves Sleepwalks Through ‘Henry’s Crime’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.5/5.0
Rating: 2.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Keanu Reeves is the sort of actor who succeeds in spite of himself. His best work remains in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when he specialized in playing hazy-brained man-children, the best of which may have been Tod Higgins, the goofy race car driver in Ron Howard’s timeless 1989 comedy, “Parenthood.” Reeves transcended the silliness of his character with a performance of disarming warmth.

Film Review: Horrors of War Create Mystery in ‘Incendies’

Incendies

CHICAGO – One of the most honest aphorisms is “the first casualty of war is truth.” Those obscured facts are often the ones that come back to haunt future generations, and that is exceptionally illustrated in the new film “Incendies.” Piecing together a mother’s wartime activities become the basis for solving a mystery after her death.

Horrors of War Create Mystery in ‘Incendies’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – One of the most honest aphorisms is “the first casualty of war is truth.” Those obscured facts are often the ones that come back to haunt future generations, and that is exceptionally illustrated in the new film “Incendies.” Piecing together a mother’s wartime activities become the basis for solving a mystery after her death.

Film Review: Aimee Teegarden Discovers ‘Prom’ Isn’t So Bad

CHICAGO – There are many essential questions in life. What is my purpose? How do I find my place in the universe? Where did I put my mobile phone? But the most important of all, as Aimee Teegarden is about to experience, is who will I get to take me to “Prom.”

Aimee Teegarden Discovers ‘Prom’ Isn’t So Bad

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – There are many essential questions in life. What is my purpose? How do I find my place in the universe? Where did I put my mobile phone? But the most important of all, as Aimee Teegarden is about to experience, is who will I get to take me to “Prom.”

Film Review: Dark Vision of the Future in Atmospheric ‘Stake Land’

Stake Land
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Playing not unlike a much darker version of “Zombieland” (in that the post-apocalyptic creatures are similar and the veteran/rookie duo at the core not far off Woody & Jesse), “Stake Land” is a confident piece of genre filmmaking that not only deserves a wider audience but hints at truly great things to come for its talented director. It’s far from perfect but it’s incredibly promising, unlike the future of the characters it presents.

Dark Vision of the Future in Atmospheric ‘Stake Land’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Playing not unlike a much darker version of “Zombieland” (in that the post-apocalyptic creatures are similar and the veteran/rookie duo at the core not far off Woody & Jesse), “Stake Land” is a confident piece of genre filmmaking that not only deserves a wider audience but hints at truly great things to come for its talented director. It’s far from perfect but it’s incredibly promising, unlike the future of the characters it presents.

Blu-Ray Review: Hilarious ‘South Park: The Complete Fourteenth Season’

South Park 14

CHICAGO – If you haven’t kept up with Eric, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny, fear not TV fans — “South Park” can still be DAMN funny. I’ll admit that I don’t keep up consistently during the regular season and so sometimes wonder if the quality has dipped. With the 15th season having premiered this week on Comedy Central, the 14th was just released on Blu-ray and DVD and it’s pretty great, especially in HD.

Blu-Ray Review: Fantastic Release For ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1’

CHICAGO – It has all come to this. Well, almost this. It’s remarkable to think about how far the Harry Potter series has come since the film debut of the boy who lived. There have been incredible creative highs and only a few lows, mostly plateauing in the David Yates films (#5-7).

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Somewhere’ Paints Haunting Portrait of Celebrity Ennui

Somewhere Blu-Ray

CHICAGO – Sofia Coppola’s films are intriguing in a way that’s often difficult to put into words. I often find my attention drifting during my initial viewing of them, and yet they somehow manage to linger in my mind long after others have faded. Her problematic costume drama, “Marie Antoinette,” has become one of my favorite films to leave on in the background of a room, simply for the pleasure of dwelling in its subtly nuanced atmosphere.

Exclusive Portrait: Susan Lucci of Recently Canceled ‘All My Children’

Susan Lucci, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – Earlier this month ABC-TV announced that the daytime soap opera “All My Children” would end its 41 year run in September. This also is the end of the villainess character Erica Kane, who is portrayed by Susan Lucci. Her journey with that show is chronicled in her new memoir “All My Life.”

Blu-Ray Review: Awesome Criterion Edition of ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

CHICAGO – I have a love-hate relationship with Terry Gilliam’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” but it’s a lot easier to fall on the former side of that dynamic with the simply amazing Criterion Collection release of the Johnny Depp & Benicio Del Toro drug epic, recently released on Blu-ray. With a stunning transfer enhanced by some of the best special features of the year to date, this is the kind of Blu-ray release that makes the actual movie better.

DVD Review: ‘Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula’ Misses Chance at B-Movie Fun

Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula

CHICAGO – B-movie and horror fans (like yours truly) have to perk up when they hear a title like “Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula,” recently released on DVD (and even more when they see that awesome cover below). It’s too clever a concept not to be fun, right? Sadly, no. Despite a strong performance from one of the title characters, the movie doesn’t live up to its promise at all. It’s the last thing that a B-movie with such an intentionally ludicrous title should be — boring.

Slideshow: 18-Portrait Gallery at Hollywood Celebrities & Memorabilia Show

| Image 1 of 18 |
Ageless, timeless Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine

CHICAGO – The Hollywood Celebrities & Memorabilia Show, a biannual institution in Chicago, recently had their spring gathering of stars. Many top celebrities participated, including Ernest Borgnine, Bruce Dern, Elliott Gould, Tippi Hedren, Stella Stevens, Margot Kidder and The Walton Girls (Judy Norton and Erin McDonough).

DVD Review: Spike Lee’s ‘If God is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise’

If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise DVD

CHICAGO – Perhaps no American artist has chronicled a modern disaster with as much passion and meticulous attention to detail as Spike Lee. His 2006 documentary about the struggles of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts,” was television at its most vital, provocative, wrenchingly powerful and resoundingly humanistic.

Film Feature: The 10 Most Anticipated Films of Summer 2011

CHICAGO – It’s the most wonderful time of the year as moviegoers shake off the doldrums of winter weather, awards season snoozers, and a truly horrendous first trimester of 2011 and finally get to see something blow up for their hard-earned dollars. There’s something about the warm months of the year that allows for critical faculties to fall away as we relax and simply embrace cinematic chaos. What will we get out of Summer 2011? What are the movies that look the most promising? Let us guide the way.

TV News: CW Announces Five Early Pick-Ups Including ‘90210,’ ‘Gossip Girl’

Gossip Girl

CHICAGO – In advance of the upcoming announcements of the Fall 2011 season, The CW has announced the renewal of five of their most beloved programs — “90210,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “Gossip Girl,” “Supernatural,” and “The Vampire Diaries.” They also announced that the Fall edition of “America’s Next Top Model” would be a first for the reality program, an all-star version with contestants to be announced later.

TV News: Chicago Auditions For Simon Cowell’s ‘The X Factor’ on April 27, 2011 With $5 Million Prize

CHICAGO – While Simon Cowell has outgrown “American Idol,” he’s got the itch again. Now the nation’s meanest music critic is scouring cities large and small to unearth the singer with “The X Factor”.

Video Game Review: Brutal ‘Mortal Kombat’ Wins Fight For Your Time

CHICAGO – Everybody loves a comeback. One of the most notable comebacks of 2011 will be by a group of characters who you may have boxed away in the attic in your mind years ago — Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Raiden, Kung Lao, Sonya Blade, and many more. “Mortal Kombat” is back and even better than you remember.

Blu-Ray Review: Claire Denis’ ‘White Material’ Creates Nightmarish Imagery

White Material Blu-Ray

CHICAGO – Africa has routinely played a major role in the work of Claire Denis, a French writer/director deservedly hailed as one of the greatest living filmmakers. Her upbringing in colonial Africa certainly proved to be an influence on her 1988 directorial debut, “Chocolat,” as well as 1999’s equally evocative “Beau travail.” Both films centered on protagonists re-connecting with their deep-seated memories of life on the continent.

Blu-Ray Review: Another Great Pixar Release in ‘The Incredibles’

The Incredibles

CHICAGO – Pixar continued their line of excellent Blu-ray releases a couple of weeks ago by adding “The Incredibles” to their line. As new Pixar flicks have come out or hit Blu-ray, the company has usually reached into the vault to offer one of their past hits as a companion. With only one Pixar film left to be released in HD (“Finding Nemo”), your collection is nearly complete.

Blu-Ray Review: Raw Emotion of ‘Rabbit Hole’ Separates it From Standard Melodrama

Rabbit Hole

CHICAGO – We weren’t kind enough to “Rabbit Hole.” Sometimes it takes years to realize when a film has fallen under the critical radar. Sometimes it’s only a few months. With the press assault for films like “Black Swan,” “True Grit,” and “The King’s Speech,” one of the absolute best films of 2010 fell under the radar.

On WGN Radio: HollywoodChicago.com’s Brian Tallerico on ‘Doctor Who,’ ‘Cinema Verite,’ ‘Treme’

WGN Radio

CHICAGO – Brian Tallerico guests on Bill Moller’s show on WGN-Radio in Chicago on Apr. 23, 2011 to preview and review new shows for the next week including BBC America’s “Doctor Who,” HBO’s “Cinema Verite” & “Treme,” NBC’s “The Voice,” Comedy Central’s “South Park,” and more.

Exclusive Portraits: Activist Couple Marlo Thomas, Phil Donahue

Marlo Thomas, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – Being the daughter of comedian Danny Thomas, Marlo Thomas certainly was appropriate in naming her latest book, “Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny.” She and her husband Phil Donahue recently were in Chicago to promote the memoir.

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  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

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