November, 2012

CHICAGO – If there ever was an industry that deserved a good metaphor bashing, it would be the financial sector. “Killing Them Softly” does a hit-over-the-head with the symbolism, but at the same time delivers a gritty and literate parable, featuring Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta.

CHICAGO – Andrea Arnold continues to make the case that she’s one of the world’s most interesting filmmakers with the unexpected creative success of her adaptation of “Wuthering Heights,” a story that may not at first seem to fit in her narrative framework but proves to be a perfect choice for this multi-talented filmmaker.

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 new romantic comedy “Playing For Keeps” with Gerard Butler!

Rating: 1.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “The Collection” is a very, very, very, very bad movie. It is really only watchable because it’s so bad. It’s one of those flicks that encourages talking or tweeting in the theater merely so you can make it enjoyable by laughing at it and not really with it. However, one cannot deny that Marcus Dunstan’s completely illogical mess of a horror film certainly never bores. It’s too bafflingly stupid to be truly boring.

CHICAGO – Has The Muppets comeback taken with the general populous? The wonderful movie from last year didn’t quite turn into the box office phenomenon that it deserved to be and I worry that we may have to wait for another comeback for Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and the rest of the gang. Until then, satisfy yourself and teach your kids about these characters with the 20th anniversary edition of “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” new to Blu-ray.

CHICAGO – I am not (by any means) what you’d call a gear-head. I’m the guy who skips through the car reviews on “Top Gear” to get to the challenges, I’ve changed oil twice in my life, and my current sick ride is a 2001 Chevy Lumina with a bum tail light.

CHICAGO – There are people who made it who probably think that the real-world controversy around Trayvon Martin, which forced the film to abandon its original title of “Neighborhood Watch,” is what undid “The Watch” with Ben Stiller & Vince Vaughn, one of the biggest bombs of Summer 2012.

CHICAGO – John Carpenter was one of the most important filmmakers of the ’70s and ’80s but he fell hard after the release of his last great film, 1988’s “They Live,” recently released in a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from Shout Factory’s horror branch, Scream Factory. Some might even quibble with that, arguing that “Live” was the start of the decline. The film was pretty widely ridiculed on release, although it’s gained a following in the quarter-century since, one that should be happy if not overjoyed by a long overdue Blu-ray release.

CHICAGO – In this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 pairs of run-of-engagement, guaranteed, anytime movie passes up for grabs for “Hitchcock” starring Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock and Helen Mirren as his wife!

CHICAGO – Aardman Animation has been such a vital, creative force in the history of family entertainment that I worry that the relatively lackluster reception stateside for films like “Arthur Christmas” could derail the company a bit. Most U.S. audiences ignored this solid holiday offering and the Spring’s “The Pirates! A Band of Misfits” (although both were much bigger hits overseas). Do yourself a favor and take a trip off the beaten holiday movie path to check out “Arthur Christmas,” a smart, fun comedy for the entire family.

CHICAGO – You have to love how Warner Bros. takes every opportunity to create holiday season collector’s sets for their hit franchises. It makes sense to have lavish sets for films like “Harry Potter” but I picture people sitting around trying to figure out what physical collectibles to include in some of their sets and I have to laugh. Whoever came up with air fresheners and White Castle coasters for “Harold & Kumar” deserves a raise.

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 22 pairs of one-night-only, world-premiere, guaranteed passes up for grabs to two gloriously remastered episodes of TV’s “Star Trek: The Next Generation” like you’ve never seen them before!

Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Okay, we get it. The current crop of animators can create amazing worlds, full of sensory-expanding images and visions of magical awe (and in 3D). But, if there is a dull story interacting with the eye candy, it can feel like a fancy cake that tastes like sawdust. Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher Jude Law and Hugh Jackman lend their voices to “Rise of the Guardians.”