August 2012

Film Review: French Film Has a Bigger Chill in ‘Little White Lies’

Little White Lies

CHICAGO – The landmark ensemble film “The Big Chill” (1983) featured seven former college friends reuniting for the funeral of one of their own. The French film “Little White Lies” takes that concept a step further, as friends go on a yearly retreat without one of their own, because he is in the hospital. Francois Cluzet, Marion Cotillard and Jean Dujardin co-star.

French Film Has a Bigger Chill in ‘Little White Lies’

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

CHICAGO – The landmark ensemble film “The Big Chill” (1983) featured seven former college friends reuniting for the funeral of one of their own. The French film “Little White Lies” takes that concept a step further, as friends go on a yearly retreat without one of their own, because he is in the hospital. Francois Cluzet, Marion Cotillard and Jean Dujardin co-star.

DVD Review: ‘Nate and Margaret’ Marks Superb Debut of Director Nathan Adloff

Nate & Margaret DVD

CHICAGO – Nothing forms the basis of a friendship quite like a shared understanding. When the hearts and minds of two people are compatible. everything else falls into place. It doesn’t matter if one happens to be a 52-year-old woman and the other is a 19-year-old man. That’s one of the simple truths that “Nate & Margaret” illuminates without drawing too much attention to it.

Film Review: ‘The Awakening’ with Rebecca Hall Will Put You to Sleep

The Awakening

CHICAGO – There a lot of sighs and longing looks in the new horror film “The Awakening” (and good luck trying to distinguish between the generically-titled “The Apparition,” “The Possession,” and this one — all in theaters). This disappointing attempt at an atmospheric ghost story tries to tell a tale that first feels like a haunting from within.

‘The Awakening’ with Rebecca Hall Will Put You to Sleep

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

CHICAGO – There a lot of sighs and longing looks in the new horror film “The Awakening” (and good luck trying to distinguish between the generically-titled “The Apparition,” “The Possession,” and this one — all in theaters). This disappointing attempt at an atmospheric ghost story tries to tell a tale that first feels like a haunting from within.

Film Review: ‘For a Good Time, Call...’ Has a Stellar Ringtone

CHICAGO – Rising above the usual romantic comedy dreck is an admirable achievement in today’s film landscape. “For a Good Time, Call…” is not only funny and unconventional, but focuses on the relationship between the two lead woman characters, portrayed by Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor.

‘For a Good Time, Call...’ Has a Stellar Ringtone

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

CHICAGO – Rising above the usual romantic comedy dreck is an admirable achievement in today’s film landscape. “For a Good Time, Call…” is not only funny and unconventional, but focuses on the relationship between the two lead woman characters, portrayed by Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor.

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Advance-Screening TV Passes to J.J. Abrams’ ‘Revolution’

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening TV passes up for grabs for NBC’s new TV pilot “Revolution” from “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau and executive producer J.J. Abrams!

Blu-ray Review: Disney Returns to Nature with Hit ‘Chimpanzee’

Chimpanzee

CHICAGO – “Chimpanzee” is a good-natured, fun movie for the entire family, especially the young ones interested in primates. Every year on Earth Day for the last four years, the DisneyNature brand of the Mouse House has been releasing a G-rated documentary, starting with the most-successful “Earth” in 2009.

Film Review: Stunning ‘Compliance’ Will Rattle You For Days

CHICAGO – Craig Zobel’s “Compliance” has provoked outbursts, walk-outs, and altercations at screenings since it first premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Why? What does this unsettling film tap in viewers to get them as fired up as any movie in years?

Stunning ‘Compliance’ Will Rattle You For Days

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.5/5.0
Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Craig Zobel’s “Compliance” has provoked outbursts, walk-outs, and altercations at screenings since it first premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Why? What does this unsettling film tap in viewers to get them as fired up as any movie in years?

Blu-ray, DVD Review: First Seasons of ABC Hits ‘Revenge,’ ‘Once Upon a Time’

Once Upon a Time Cast

CHICAGO – Why on Earth is ABC/Disney releasing “Revenge” on DVD-only but “Once Upon a Time” on Blu-ray and DVD? It doesn’t make any sense. Both shows were surprisingly robust hits this year for ABC and are clearly building buzz as they head into their sophomore outings in a few weeks. Wouldn’t fans of “Revenge” deserve to be treated as well as “Once Upon a Time”?

Film Review: ‘2016: Obama’s America’ is a Cesspool of Partisan Hackery

2016 Obama's America

CHICAGO – What are you afraid of, right now? Is it the shaky economy, the red/blue political divide or maybe Dunkin Donuts ran out of Oreo smoothies? You know what’s easy about justifying those fears? Blaming President Obama. “2016: Obama’s America,” written and directed by conservative propagandist Dinesh D’Souza, wants to blame Obama for the sun going down.

‘2016: Obama’s America’ is a Cesspool of Partisan Hackery

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 0.0/5.0
Rating: 0.0/5.0

CHICAGO – What are you afraid of, right now? Is it the shaky economy, the red/blue political divide or maybe Dunkin Donuts ran out of Oreo smoothies? You know what’s easy about justifying those fears? Blaming President Obama. “2016: Obama’s America,” written and directed by conservative propagandist Dinesh D’Souza, wants to blame Obama for the sun going down.

Blu-ray Review: Deadly Dull ‘Darling Companion’ Wastes Incredible Ensemble

Darling Companion Blu-ray

CHICAGO – “Darling Companion” may be the first film consisting entirely of footage resembling the background action in an erectile dysfunction commercial. It has the score of a Campbell’s ad, the premise of a Hallmark card and the script of a self-parodying Lifetime dud. Side effects may include headaches, irritability and a guaranteed loss of interest.

Interview: Director Jamie Travis, Screenwriter Katie Anne Naylon of ‘For a Good Time, Call...’

CHICAGO – The snappy new comedy “For a Good Time, Call…” is the first film of screenwriter Katie Anne Naylon and the feature debut of director Jamie Travis. It’s combines phone sex operators with friendship, and stars Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor.

Blu-ray Review: Jack Black in Richard Linklater’s Clever ‘Bernie’

Bernie

CHICAGO – Richard Linklater’s “Bernie” is one of those unusual stories that is so bizarre that it has to be true. It is the saga of Bernie Tiede (Jack Black), a closeted, affable mortician who befriended an irascible, cranky woman named Majorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine). After years of psychological abuse, he shot her in the back and stored her in the freezer in their garage. As he does with all of his projects, Linklater approaches this true story from a unique, entertaining angle. He’s simply one of our best living filmmakers and “Bernie” is merely further proof.

Film Review: Tom Hardy Leads Great Cast in Disappointing ‘Lawless’

CHICAGO – John Hillcoat’s “Lawless,” based on Matt Bondurant’s “The Wettest County in the World,” is one of the most high profile disappointments of 2012, a film with an amazing cast that suffocates under the weight of an inconsistent script, a boring lead, and a complete lack of narrative drive.

Tom Hardy Leads Great Cast in Disappointing ‘Lawless’

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 1.5/5.0
Rating: 1.5/5.0

CHICAGO – John Hillcoat’s “Lawless,” based on Matt Bondurant’s “The Wettest County in the World,” is one of the most high profile disappointments of 2012, a film with an amazing cast that suffocates under the weight of an inconsistent script, a boring lead, and a complete lack of narrative drive. Who would have ever guessed that a movie with so many charismatic actors and actresses could ever be so shockingly dull? It’s nearly an accomplishment.

Blu-ray Review: Startlingly Amateurish ‘The Moth Diaries’ Fails to Frighten

The Moth Diaries Blu-ray

CHICAGO – Sarah Bolger is a truly lovely actress. She delivered one of the best child performances of all time in Jim Sheridan’s 2002 family drama, “In America,” and over the last decade, has blossomed into a real screen beauty. Hopefully it will only be a matter of time before the actress starts getting offered projects more worthy of her abilities. No one this lovely should be sentenced to a film as dreary as “The Moth Diaries.”

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘The Words’ With Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 40 pairs of movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of “The Words” with an all-star cast including Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde, Dennis Quaid and J.K. Simmons!

HollywoodChicago.com Games: Play Flash Games For Adam Sandler’s ‘Hotel Transylvania’

Hotel Transylvania: Dracula's Maze game

CHICAGOPlay our Flash games now! Navigate through Dracula’s maze! Help zombie bellhops navigate suitcases to the correct guest room! Help Wayne the werewolf drag his pups back to their pen! HollywoodChicago.com and Sony Pictures Animation are happy to share with you these fun, family friendly Flash games to play now for free!

Blu-ray Review: Universal Launches Four More 100th Anniversary Titles

Airport

CHICAGO – Universal’s landmark line of Blu-ray releases under the banner of the company’s 100th anniversary continues with four more of the studio’s most beloved films — “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein,” “Airport,” “Harvey,” and “Sixteen Candles.” It’s clearly an eclectic bunch and a wonderful sampler platter of what this line of releases have offered Blu-ray owners. Jimmy Stewart, Burt Lancaster, Bela Lugosi, and Molly Ringwald — it’s a star-studded quartet that is sure to have at least one release that appeals to the Blu-ray collector in your family.

Blu-ray Review: Don’t Waste Your Time on Dull ‘Freelancers’

Freelancers

CHICAGO – We get a lot of Blu-rays and DVDs in the HollywoodChicago.com office of films that come straight to the format that we don’t think are really worth our time or yours. The less said about them, the better. And yet every once in awhile, something passes through the USPS that seems like it might draw more attention that the typical straight-to-DVD junk. An action movie with two Oscar winners and gritty style? Sounds like a perfect late summer rental? “Freelancers” is very far from perfect.

Blu-ray Review: Sacha Baron Cohen is Fearless in Inconsistent ‘The Dictator’

The Dictator

CHICAGO – Sacha Baron Cohen is undeniably fearless. He is the kind of voice we need in mainstream comedy — someone who is willing to go to any extreme for a joke. At his best, he’s one of the most creative and intelligent comedians alive. However, he’s been unable recently to deliver consistent films as “Bruno” disappointed and “The Dictator,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, has some very funny moments but wears out its welcome at even a short running time.

Blu-ray Review: The Dardennes’ ‘La Promesse,’ ‘Rosetta’ Arrive on Criterion

La Promesse and Rosetta Blu-ray

CHICAGO – When a film has gotten viewers so invested in a character’s plight that it prompts them to shout at the screen, it’s clear that they are in the hands of a master filmmaker. Consider the legendary stories from the initial theatrical run of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” when audiences found themselves screaming at Vera Miles to not investigate the fruit cellar, where her imminent doom appeared to be waiting.

Interview: Director Craig Zobel of Controversial ‘Compliance’

CHICAGO – Audience walk-outs, yelling matches at Q&As and accusatory comments have all greeted screenings of “Compliance,” written and directed by Craig Zobel. The controversial film, which focuses on a mysterious caller claiming to be the police, has been stirring the pot regarding human beings and their relationship with authority.

TV Feature: The 10 Most Promising New Shows of Fall 2012

CHICAGO – The 2010-11 season was a very interesting one for network television. After a few years of undeniable failure, most of the networks found at least one new notable hit. FOX is building an entire night of comedy around Emmy-nominated breakout “New Girl.” ABC is ecstatic over the loyal followings for “Revenge” & “Once Upon a Time” (and “Suburgatory” has the potential to truly breakout in its sophomore season).

Blu-ray Review: ‘The Raid: Redemption’ Will Rock Action Fans For Years

The Raid: Redemption

CHICAGO – I love “The Raid: Redemption.” It is high octane, high speed, high power, high satisfaction action. And it’s the kind of film that I can guarantee you will be passed along with hushed reverence for years. With an ingenuity of action choreography and unmatched execution, this is one of those adrenalized flicks that works across generations, demographics, and countries of origin.

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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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