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.
May 2014
Slideshow: Adam Carolla’s New Book ‘President Me: The America That’s in My Head’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2014 - 7:27pmCHICAGO – Adam Carolla has been making the rounds lately, to promote his new book, “President Me: The America That’s in My Head.” He came to Chicago on May 23rd, 2014, to North Central College in Naperville, Illinois and did a Q&A with Chicago Sun-Times Film Critic Richard Roeper, in addition to signing copies of the book for admirers. The event was presented by Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 75 Pairs of Passes to ‘Words and Pictures’ With Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 31, 2014 - 1:02pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 75 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new romantic comedy “Words and Pictures” starring Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche!
Film Review: ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ Suffers Because Seth MacFarlane Casts Himself
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 31, 2014 - 12:33pmCHICAGO – A feature-length comedy is a daunting undertaking. But being consistently funny for 2 straight hours is like climbing Mount Everest blindfolded with no arms while taking selfies using your feet.
‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ Suffers Because Seth MacFarlane Casts Himself
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 31, 2014 - 11:58amRating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – A feature-length comedy is a daunting undertaking. But being consistently funny for 2 straight hours is like climbing Mount Everest blindfolded with no arms while taking selfies using your feet.
Film Review: Pieces Fit Together in Sublime ‘Chinese Puzzle’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2014 - 8:08amCHICAGO – Life is chaos. We in the human race can all agree on that. The new film “Chinese Puzzle” allows that chaos to happen, and the results are funny, affecting and warm. Writer/director Cédric Klapisch completes his “Spanish apartment trilogy,” bringing back the characters from “L’Auberge Espagnole” and “Russian Dolls,” to place them squarely in middle age.
Pieces Fit Together in Sublime ‘Chinese Puzzle’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 31, 2014 - 8:03amRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Life is chaos. We in the human race can all agree on that. The new film “Chinese Puzzle” allows that chaos to happen, and the results are funny, affecting and warm. Writer/director Cédric Klapisch completes his “Spanish apartment trilogy,” bringing back the characters from “L’Auberge Espagnole” and “Russian Dolls,” to place them squarely in middle age.
Film Review: ‘Maleficent’ is All Dressed Up With No Story to Tell
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 30, 2014 - 6:27pmCHICAGO – If “Maleficent” were an actual fairy tale storybook, I’d say it has beautiful illustrations but not much story to tell. As the title character Angelina Jolie is a towering presence with an unforgettable look, but the film itself is all dressed up with nowhere to go.
‘Maleficent’ is All Dressed Up With No Story to Tell
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 30, 2014 - 6:24pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – If “Maleficent” were an actual fairy tale storybook, I’d say it has beautiful illustrations but not much story to tell. As the title character, Angelina Jolie is a towering presence with an unforgettable look, but the film itself is all dressed up with nowhere to go. “Maleficent” the movie’s story moves so slowly it makes a sloth look like a cheetah.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Pairs of Passes to ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ With Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 29, 2014 - 11:00pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new sci-fi “Edge of Tomorrow” starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt!
Film Review: ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ Goes in All Directions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 29, 2014 - 4:55pmCHICAGO – Two observations regarding Seth MacFarlane. One, he is a hilarious writer and voiceover talent. Two, he isn’t as good as a comic leading man, on screen and in live action. Those two elements clash brightly in the overlong but funny “A Million Ways to Die in the West.”
‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ Goes in All Directions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 29, 2014 - 4:51pmRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Two observations regarding Seth MacFarlane: one, he is a hilarious writer and voiceover talent. Two, he isn’t as good as a comic leading man, on screen and in live action. Those two elements clash brightly in the overlong but funny “A Million Ways to Die in the West.”
Theater Review: A Star Blazes in ‘Marilyn Monroe, Whoever You Are’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 29, 2014 - 1:50pmCHICAGO – The many sides of the mega film legend Marilyn Monroe was like a prism in an ever-changing kaleidoscope. Yet somehow actor and playwright Amber Hargroder was able to capture Monroe’s essence in a one woman show.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 5 ‘Endless Love’ Blu-ray Combo Packs With Alex Pettyfer, Gabriella Wilde
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 27, 2014 - 4:25pmCHICAGO – In our latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Combo Pack giveaway, we have 5 free Blu-ray and DVD combo packs up for grabs for the home entertainment release of the romantic drama “Endless Love” starring Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde!
Interview: From Hollywood to Holy Vows, Mother Dolores Hart on Her Book ‘The Ear of the Heart’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 27, 2014 - 4:23pmCHICAGO – In one of the most amazing stories in film history, rising movie star Dolores Hart (“King Creole,” “Where the Boys Are”) decided at the apex of her career at age 24, to give up Hollywood and become a nun. She just released her book “The Ear of the Heart: An Actresses’ Journey From Hollywood to Holy Vows.”
Interview: Cindy Caponera on Her New Book ‘I Triggered Her Bully’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2014 - 3:33pmCHICAGO – It was a cold Chicago day in May, typical of the endless winter. The coffee shop was warm and inviting, as I waited to interview the comedy icon, Cindy Caponera. She had written a book – “I Triggered Her Bully” – but as she walked in I was more interested in what she was wearing.
Film Review: ‘Blended’ is Lazy, Laugh-Free Catastrophe
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 25, 2014 - 8:18amCHICAGO – Two things save “Blended” from getting a zero star review. Number one is the still palpable chemistry between Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. Number two is the occasional chuckle courtesy of Wendi McClendon-Covey as Barrymore’s business partner. Otherwise this is a barren laugh-free safari through Africa that doesn’t even have the benefit of Al Pacino trampling on his prestigious career for our amusement.
‘Blended’ is Lazy, Laugh-Free Catastrophe
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 25, 2014 - 8:15amRating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Two things save “Blended” from getting a zero star review. Number one is the still-palpable chemistry between Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. Number two is the occasional chuckle courtesy of Wendi McClendon-Covey as Barrymore’s business partner. Otherwise this is a barren laugh-free safari through Africa that doesn’t even have the benefit of Al Pacino trampling on his prestigious career for our amusement.
DVD Review: Criterion Release of 1960s Italian Road Trip Film ‘Il Sorpasso’
Submitted by NickHC on May 24, 2014 - 3:55pmCHICAGO – With the recent popularity of road trip movies in both mainstream films and the art house, it is a fitting pleasure that the Criterion Collection has released Dino Risi’s “Il Sorpasso,” a jazzy road trip movie that takes the story structure to its basics. Two opposing types meet unexpectedly, travel to random exotic locations, and interact with people who are rest stops in themselves.
Film Review: ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Dares to Richly Invest in Story First, CGI Second
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 24, 2014 - 2:54pmCHICAGO – After a string of superhero movie disappointments in recent memory, last month “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” renewed our faith in Hollywood blockbusters once again. Just 7 weeks later, can “X-Men: Days of Future Fast” impress us again?
‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Dares to Richly Invest in Story First, CGI Second
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 24, 2014 - 2:07pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – After a string of superhero movie disappointments in recent memory, last month “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” renewed our faith in Hollywood blockbusters once again. Just 7 weeks later, can “X-Men: Days of Future Fast” impress us again?
Film Review: Dark, Stunning Tale of American Dream in ‘The Immigrant’
Submitted by NickHC on May 24, 2014 - 1:36pmCHICAGO – Just in time for a national holiday is the release of two films about surviving as “the outsider” in a tumultuous American society. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” isn’t the only movie that opines about how the outsider will survive in America.
Dark, Stunning Tale of American Dream in ‘The Immigrant’
Submitted by NickHC on May 24, 2014 - 1:27pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Just in time for a national holiday is the release of two films about surviving as “the outsider” in a tumultuous American society. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” isn’t the only movie that opines about how the outsider will survive in America, but James Gray’s “The Immigrant” does too, a film that takes the story of a Polish woman traveling through the course of Ellis Island and deconstructs her tale as an American nightmare.
Film Review: ‘Fed Up’ is a Cautionary Story for All of Us
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2014 - 10:51amCHICAGO – Here’s the deal, America. We’ve got some powerful mega-corporations who manufacture food to make a profit. What makes us buy food? Taste. The reason the obesity rates are skyrocketing has to do with the additives – mostly sugar – that these mega-corps are adding to give their food taste. It’s all exposed nicely in the new documentary, “Fed Up.”
‘Fed Up’ is a Cautionary Story for All of Us
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2014 - 10:46amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Here’s the deal, America. We’ve got some powerful mega-corporations who manufacture food to make a profit. What makes us buy food? Taste. The reason the obesity rates are skyrocketing has to do with the additives – mostly sugar – that these mega-corps are adding to give their food taste. It’s all exposed nicely in the new documentary, “Fed Up.”
Film Review: Adam Sandler Exploits the Family, More in ‘Blended’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2014 - 9:05amCHICAGO – Trying to understand the psychology and philosophy of manchild Adam Sandler, when it comes to his “middle-age” movies, will perplex film scholars and therapists for generations to come. His latest excuse for a “family comedy” is the insipid and exploitative “Blended.”
Adam Sandler Exploits the Family, More in ‘Blended’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 23, 2014 - 9:02amRating: 1.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Trying to understand the psychology and philosophy of manchild Adam Sandler, when it comes to his “middle-age” movies, will perplex film scholars and therapists for generations to come. His latest excuse for a “family comedy” is the insipid and exploitative “Blended.”
Film Review: Complex, Wow-Inducing ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 22, 2014 - 7:50pmCHICAGO – Although a post graduate degree in space/time continuum studies may be necessary for maximum enjoyment, “X-Men: Days of Future Past” still delivers a comic book wham-bam, and the series continues its exploration of recent history through the prism of a mutant universe.
Complex, Wow-Inducing ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 22, 2014 - 7:47pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Although a post graduate degree in space/time continuum studies may be necessary for maximum enjoyment, “X-Men: Days of Future Past” still delivers a comic book wham-bam, and the series continues its exploration of recent history through the prism of a mutant universe.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Passes to Seth MacFarlane’s ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 22, 2014 - 4:20pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new comedy “A Million Ways to Die in the West” starring Seth MacFarlane (“Ted”), Charlize Theron and Liam Neeson!
Blu-ray Review: Found Footage Fails to Save 'Devil’s Due,' 'Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones'
Submitted by DaveHC on May 22, 2014 - 2:58pmCHICAGO – Flooding the market with the shaky cam, the growing use of found footage has had more impact on horror than any other genre. Sometimes it’s used to great effect. But more often than not, such films lack the craft needed to propel viewers into the nightmares. “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” and “Devil’s Due” are cases in point.