January 2016

Film Review: Take the Opportunity to See 2016 ‘Oscar Nominated Shorts’

Oscar Nominated Short Films 2016

CHICAGO – Chicago is one of the cinematic cities that has the privilege to see two categories of Academy Award nominations on the big screen that are often not exhibited – the Live Action and Animated Short Films. In two separate programs, the Landmark Century City Cinema – 2828 N. Clark Street in Chicago – are screening the ten nominees.

Take the Opportunity to See 2016 ‘Oscar Nominated Shorts’

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

CHICAGO – Chicago is one of the cinematic cities that has the privilege to see two categories of Academy Award nominations on the big screen that are often not exhibited – the Live Action and Animated Short Films. In two separate programs, the Landmark Century City Cinema – 2828 N. Clark Street in Chicago – are screening the ten nominees.

Film Review: Personal Holocaust Horror is Rooted in ‘Son of Saul’

CHICAGO – The Oscar nominated, Golden Globe winning Best Foreign Language Film is a another trip into the well of horror that was the Holocaust. After over 100 movie treatments, director László Nemes finds a more personal story to tell, and it all unfolds in “Son of Saul.”

Personal Holocaust Horror is Rooted in ‘Son of Saul’

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

CHICAGO – The Oscar nominated, Golden Globe winning Best Foreign Language Film is a another trip into the well of horror that was the Holocaust. After over 100 movie treatments, director László Nemes finds a more personal story to tell, and it all unfolds in “Son of Saul.”

Interview: Richard Cotovsky on ‘American Buffalo’ as Last Production

CHICAGO – The final curtain is coming for the theatre company known as “Mary-Arrchie.” The Northside Chicago Angel Island playhouse is opening its final production, “American Buffalo” by David Mamet, on January 28, 2016. It also features the company’s founder, Richard Cotovsky, the “Godfather of Storefront Theater.”

Interview: Megan Mercier, 2016 Focus Award Honoree, Presented by Women in Film Chicago

Megan Mercier

CHICAGO – The advocacy group of Women in Film Chicago (WIFC) have an annual event that honors prominent members of the media industry in the city, and the 2016 Focus Awards Gala will take place this year on January 28th. The honorees are Advertising Creative Director Jean Batthany, Documentary Filmmaker Kathryn Hempel, Film Director Kris Swanberg, and Writer/Actor Megan Mercier.

Interview: Director László Nemes, Actor Géza Röhrig of ‘Son of Saul’

CHICAGO – The Holocaust, and its horrors, will forever inspire cinematic interpretation, even as the World War II era fades in memory. One of the latest films about the subject is “Son of Saul,” which just won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language film. It was directed by László Nemes, and features Géza Röhrig as Saul.

Film Review: ‘The 5th Wave’ Crashes, Then Slowly Dissipates

CHICAGO – Is there ever an end to the Young Adult Dystopia genre (“Hunger Games,” “Maze Runner,” etc.)? Or are we cursed with the end of the world every year, if it weren’t for those meddling kids? “The 5th Wave” is the latest adaptation, and if you haven’t read the source novel, good luck following it.

‘The 5th Wave’ Crashes, Then Slowly Dissipates

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

CHICAGO – Is there ever an end to the Young Adult Dystopia genre (“Hunger Games,” “Maze Runner,” etc.)? Or are we cursed with the end of the world every year, if it weren’t for those meddling kids? “The 5th Wave” is the latest adaptation, and if you haven’t read the source novel, good luck following it.

Exclusive Photos: Acclaimed Rappers G-Eazy, A$AP Ferg at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on Jan. 16, 2016

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geazy1.jpg

CHICAGO – Acclaimed rappers G-Eazy and A$AP Ferg performed at a packed show at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on Jan. 16, 2016. The HollywoodChicago.com lens captured all the action.

Film Review: ‘45 Years’ is Emotional Art From a Long Relationship

CHICAGO – There is something incredibly special when two old pros – in this case actors Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay – interpret an amazing exploration of a long relationship with a preciseness that creates life affirmation, despite the sorrows. There is truth in this film.

‘45 Years’ is Emotional Art From a Long Relationship

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

CHICAGO – There is something incredibly special when two old pros – in this case actors Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay – interpret an amazing exploration of a long relationship with a preciseness that creates life affirmation, despite the sorrows. There is truth in this film.

Interview: TV Travel Host Colleen Kelly at the ‘Travel & Adventure Show’ This Weekend in Chicagoland

Colleen Kelly, Family Travel with Colleen Kelly

CHICAGO – Colleen Kelly is a travel expert, given her success with the PBS TV show “Family Travel with Colleen Kelly” and her company Travel Film Productions. She will be a keynote speaker at the “Travel & Adventure Show” at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., January 23rd and 24th, 2016.

Interview: Official ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Indiana Jones,’ ‘X-Men’ Poster Artist Ciara McAvoy

CHICAGO – “Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens,” which is currently the third highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, has restored faith in the beloved franchise and ushered in a whole new generation of fans.

Red-Carpet Video Interview: ‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Chicago Med,’ ‘Chicago P.D.’ Producer Danielle Gelber

Danielle Gelber

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com presents our exclusive red-carpet video interview with “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med” and “Chicago P.D.” producer Danielle Gelber.

Red-Carpet Video Interview: ‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Chicago Med,’ ‘Chicago P.D.’ Executive Producers Michael Brandt, Derek Haas

Michael Brandt and Derek Haas

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com presents our exclusive red-carpet video interview with “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med” and “Chicago P.D.” executive producers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas.

Film Review: ‘Ride Along 2’ Takes a Bumpy Trip to a Dead End

CHICAGO – Kevin Hart’s license to riff should be revoked. “Ride Along 2” is an aimless, pointless and seemingly endless sequel to the bafflingly successful action comedy from a couple years back. Hart hijacks nearly every scene with his incessant hyperactive schtick.

‘Ride Along 2’ Takes a Bumpy Trip to a Dead End

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

CHICAGO – Kevin Hart’s license to riff should be revoked. “Ride Along 2” is an aimless, pointless and seemingly endless sequel to the bafflingly successful action comedy from a couple years back. Hart hijacks nearly every scene with his incessant hyperactive schtick.

Film News: ‘The Revenant’ Gets 12 Oscar Nominations for 2016

The Revenant - 12 Oscar nominations

CHICAGO – “The Revenant,” director Alejandro Iñárritu’s epic drama, got 12 nominations – including Best Picture – as all the categories for the 88th Academy Awards were announced on January 14th, 2016. Rounding out the Best Picture class is “The Big Short,” “Bridge of Spies,” “Brooklyn,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “The Martian,” “Room” and “Spotlight.”

Film News: Alan Rickman, Snape in Harry Potter, Dies at 69

LONDON – He lived in a show age when a classically trained British actor could also portray a German villain, an indecisive husband and one of the most memorable characters in the Harry Potter series. Alan Rickman was all of these, and he did it with a signature style. Rickman died in London at age 69 on January 14, 2016.

Interview: The Men of ‘13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi’

CHICAGO – Director Michael Bay’s new film interpretation of the controversial Libyan battle, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” began with the true events. Consulting the production were three of the actual participants in that tense battle, Kris “Tanto” Paronto, Mark “Oz” Geist and John “Tig” Tiegan.

Interview: Carrie Hunter, New President of Women in Film Chicago

WIFC logo, 2016

CHICAGO – One of the most substantial local show business advocacy groups is Women in Film Chicago (WIFC). What began in Los Angeles in the 1970s, has become viable in Chicago over the last several years, and continues to be voice for women in the business in the city and in general. Carrie Hunter was just named the new president of WIFC, which will be conducting an open house on January 14th, 2016.

Exclusive Portrait: A Bat Anniversary for Adam West & Burt Ward

CHICAGO – In the 1960s, the entertainment world was summed up by the three “B’s” – Bond, Beatles and…Batman. On January 12th, 1966, the pop culture TV phenomenon called “Batman” – starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin – made its debut on ABC-TV. Happy 50th Anniversary to the Dynamic Duo.

Red-Carpet Video Interviews: ‘Chicago Med’ Stars Brian Tee, Marlyne Barrett

Chicago Media with Brian Tee

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com presents our exclusive red-carpet video interviews with “Chicago Med” stars Brian Tee (Dr. Ethan Choi) and Marlyne Barrett (Maggie Lockwood) from the hit NBC TV show. Brian Tee plays Shredder in 2016’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows”.

Entertainment News: Best Picture ‘The Revenant,’ TV’s ‘Mr. Robot’ Are 2016 Golden Globe Winners

CHICAGO – The best of 2015 in film and TV was celebrated at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards on January 10th, 2016. Hosted with the usual sass by Ricky Gervais, the Globes honored “The Revenant” (Drama) and “The Martian” (Comedy) as Best Pictures, and surprised in TV Best categories with “Mr Robot” (Drama) on the USA Network and “Mozart in the Jungle” (Comedy) on Amazon Video.

Interview: Alex Borstein, ‘Family Guy’ Voice of Lois Griffin, on Her New Role in ‘Bordertown’

CHICAGO – Voiceover artist Alex Borstein is familiar to TV audiences as the legendary Lois Griffin of “Family Guy,” but she also is a stellar character actress, recently in a role on the HBO series “Getting On.” She is back in the animation saddle with a couple of voiceover parts in the new FOX Network show ‘Bordertown.’

Film Review: Uneven ‘Anomalisa’ is an Animated Reflection Back to Us

CHICAGO – There is directness in the reflective philosophy of “Anomalisa,” but there is also a sense of disconnection. From writer/co-director Charlie Kaufman (“Being John Malkovich”) comes another meditation on the life of life, and the twists of fate that inhabit the journey.

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