March 2019

HollywoodChicago.com ESP, En Español: ‘The Beach Bum,’ ‘Dumbo’ y ‘Sunset’

CHICAGO – Cada semana, HollywoodChicago.com le traerá las criticas de las películas que hemos visto y que están saliendo esa semana, pero en español. HollywoodChicago.com ESP no sólo representa HollywoodChicago.com Espanol, sino también Esta Semana en Peliculas. Esta semana, tomamos un viaje lleno de drogas con “The Beach Bum”, luego veremos si el nuevo “Dumbo” alcanza nuevas alturas y cerramos el día con “Sunset”..

Film Review: ‘The Beach Bum’ is a Sharp Stick Satire by Harmony Korine

Beach Bum, The

CHICAGO – The beach life is the paradise that most Americans aspire to, and either get it when they’re not ready or when they’re too old. The off-kilter director Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers) presupposes all of the life through Matthew McConaughey, in an incredible tour de farce called, appropriately, “The Beach Bum.”

‘The Beach Bum’ is a Sharp Stick Satire by Harmony Korine

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

CHICAGO – The beach life is the paradise that most Americans aspire to, and either get it when they’re not ready or when they’re too old. The off-kilter director Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers) presupposes all of the life through Matthew McConaughey, in an incredible tour de farce called, appropriately, “The Beach Bum.”

Photo Gallery: City of the Weak at Beat Kitchen on Mar. 29, 2019

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City of the Weak at Beat Kitchen, 1 of 5

CHICAGO – City of the Weak captures a modern rock ‘n roll sound by combining catchy pop melodies with aggressive guitar riffs – and moving bass lines – to create a genre of their own. The band is best known for their intensity and passion on stage, as well as their fearless personalities off the stage. City of the Weak is a female fronted band and was formed in 2012. Their first full length album “Pulling Teeth” was released in June of 2017.

Film Review: Tim Burton’s Version of ‘Dumbo’ is Disappointingly Glum

CHICAGO – For reasons which remain unexplained, Walt Disney Studios and director Tim Burton have decided to weigh down the sweet story of a flying elephant with a whole pachyderm’s worth of pathos. The animated original clocked in as one of Disney’s shortest full length animated features. But the live action version drags us through nearly an extra hour’s worth of post-World War One misery.

Tim Burton’s Version of ‘Dumbo’ is Disappointingly Glum

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.0/5.0
Rating: 2.0/5.0

CHICAGO – For reasons which remain unexplained, Walt Disney Studios and director Tim Burton have decided to weigh down the sweet story of a flying elephant with a whole pachyderm’s worth of pathos. The animated original clocked in as one of Disney’s shortest full length animated features. But the live action version drags us through nearly an extra hour’s worth of post-World War One misery.

Film News: 35th Chicago Latino Film Festival Opening Night with ‘Yuli’ on Mar, 28, 2019

2019 35th CLFF

CHICAGO – One of the oldest Latino Film Festivals is right here in the Windy City, as the 35th edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival (CLFF) kicks off with a Cuban/Spain/UK/German film entitled “Yuli” on March 28th, 2019, at the AMC River East 21 in the Streeterville neighborhood. This Opening Night and its gala after celebrates a Night of Cuba. Although the event is sold out, click here for additional information.

Interview: Chicago’s Asian Pop-up Cinema Features ‘High Flash’ on Mar. 28, 2019

High Flash

CHICAGO – It’s week three in Season Eight of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), featuring films from Taiwan. On Thursday, March 28th, 2019, APUC will screen “High Flash,” a whodunnit thriller mixing romance, corporate intrigue, the environment and politics.

Interview: Chicago’s Asian Pop-up Cinema Features ‘Sen Sen’ on Mar. 27, 2019

Sen Sen

CHICAGO – It’s week three of Season Eight of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), featuring films from Taiwan. On Wednesday, March 27th, 2019, APUC will screen “Sen Sen,” an emotional film about death, dying and celebrating life, featuring the legendary Hong Kong actress Nina Paw Hee-ching.

Film Review: ‘The Aftermath’ is Strained & Illicit Romance During War

CHICAGO – One of the roots of the sexual revolution in America was World War II (as it was the roots of many social movements). The stakes of life and death in an instant motivates the softest of puppy love to passion. “The Aftermath” takes that time honored emotional intensity into a right-after-the-war romance.

‘The Aftermath’ is Strained & Illicit Romance During War

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

CHICAGO – One of the roots of the sexual revolution in America was World War II (as it was the roots of many social movements). The stakes of life and death in an instant motivates the softest of puppy love to passion. “The Aftermath” takes that time honored emotional intensity into a right-after-the-war romance.

Photo Gallery: Mike Mains & the Branches at GMan Tavern in Chicago

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Mike Mains & the Branches at GMan Tavern, 1 of 5

CHICAGO – Known for their catchy, free-associating indie pop-rock melodies, Mike Mains & The Branches invites diverse comparisons to acts such as Foster The People, Young the Giant, The Killers, and Arcade Fire, with each comparison act a genuine facet of the band’s energetic and often soul-searching music. “Calm Down, Everything Is Fine” was released in 2014, and the album hit the top 20 ranking on Billboard’s New Artist Albums Chart. The band will release their new album, “When We Were In Love” in Spring 2019.

Podtalk: Rob Paulsen, Voice of Yakko in 'Animaniacs,' at C2E2 in Chicago thru Mar. 24, 2019

Rob Paulsen, "Animaniacs"

CHICAGO – If the words, “We’re Animaniacs…” immediately makes you think, “There’s baloney in our slacks…” then you’ll want to experience voiceover artist Rob Paulsen, the iconic character of Yakko on that series. Rob, along with Animaniacs voices Jess Harnell (Wakko), Tress MacNeille (Dot) and Maurice LaMarche (the Brain) are at C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo) through Sunday, March 24, 2019. For ticket information and details, click here.

Slideshow: 15 Portraits from ‘The Hollywood Show,’ in Chicagoland on March 23 & 24, 2019

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Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers of TV’s ‘Leave it to Beaver.’

CHICAGO – The TV, movie and entertainment world is coming back to Chicagoland with The Hollywood Show on March 23rd and 24th, 2019, at the Hyatt Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Ill. The event gives fans and admirers an opportunity to meet and get pictures with celebrities and take advantage of vendors offering show business memorabilia.

Film Review: Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ Gets Bogged Down in Conventionality

CHICAGO – Like his first film, “Get Out,” writer/director Jordan Peele creates a horror/thriller filled with symbolism and laughs. Unlike “Get Out,” “Us” is awash in overly concentrated plot points, a reliance on lesser references and an ending that can be seen from outer space. It’s not sophomore “jinx,” but more like the sophomore “over think.”

Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ Gets Bogged Down in Conventionality

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Like his first film, “Get Out,” writer/director Jordan Peele creates a horror/thriller filled with symbolism and laughs. Unlike “Get Out,” “Us” is awash in overly concentrated plot points, a reliance on lesser references and an ending that can be seen from outer space. It’s not sophomore “jinx,” but more like the sophomore “over think.”

Podtalk: Chicago’s Asian Pop-up Cinema Features ‘A Land Imagined’ on Mar. 20, 2019

A Land Imagined

CHICAGO – “Collaboration Week” of Season Eight at Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) continues with the Singapore/Netherland/France production, “A Land Imagined.” screening on Wednesday, March 20th, 2019. Writer/director Siew-hua Yeo will appear on behalf of the film at AMC River East 21 in the city.

Interview: Chicago’s Asian Pop-up Cinema Features ‘Out of Paradise’ on Mar. 19, 2019

Out of Paradise

CHICAGO – It’s week two of Season Eight of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) and the theme is “collaboration.” The three films screened this week all have co-production credits from outside countries. On Tuesday, March 19th, 2019, the Mongolia/Switzerland co-op is “Out of Paradise,” a basic country mouse in the city tale with extreme twists.

Exclusive Photo: Amber Tamblyn for Her New Book ‘Era of Ignition’

CHICAGO – How does a person reflect on their moment in the world? Actress Amber Tamblyn (“Joan of Arcadia”) found herself in such a point in life. Her new book, “Era of Ignition,” reflects upon her journey and in a macro sense, America’s journey in transition. Joe Arce took an Exclusive Photo of her at an event sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop.

Film Review: Tribal Side of Drug Trafficking in ‘Birds of Passage’

Birds of Passage

CHICAGO – One of the overriding characteristics in the movies, when it comes to drug traffickers, is the stereotypical image of a fat and corrupt cartel leader who usually have machine gun wielding henchmen and bikini clad groupies. “Birds of Passage” goes back to the business of the drug trade, but it is about the families that controlled the territorial borders during that key era, and the basis of that control in ancient tribalism.

Tribal Side of Drug Trafficking in ‘Birds of Passage'

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

CHICAGO – One of the overriding characteristics in the movies, when it comes to drug traffickers, is the stereotypical image of a fat and corrupt cartel leader who usually have machine gun wielding henchmen and bikini clad groupies. “Birds of Passage” goes back to the business of the drug trade, but it is about the families that controlled the territorial borders during that key era, and the basis of that control in ancient tribalism.

Film Review: ‘Transit’ is an Absorbing Thriller with a Perplexing Conclusion

Transit

CHICAGO – What if a new fascism were to sweep the land, and affects Paris, as it did in World War 2? “Transit” postulates on that very theory and creates a paranoid atmosphere that is stunningly real, but brings that emotion to a conclusion that I believe is redundant, and pretends to be deeper than it is.

‘Transit’ is an Absorbing Thriller with a Perplexing Conclusion

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

CHICAGO – What if a new fascism were to sweep the land, and affects Paris, as it did in World War 2? “Transit” postulates on that very theory and creates a paranoid atmosphere that is stunningly real, but brings that emotion to a conclusion that I believe is redundant, and pretends to be deeper than it is.

Film Review: Imagination is the Key to Charming ‘Wonder Park’

CHICAGO – Most animated films depicting the “family” often includes a parallel lesson about togetherness or some such domestic symbolism. In “Wonder Park,” the lesson is how the spark of imagination can keep a childhood alive. When that spark is temporarily dosed, the destination of the title also suffers.

Imagination is the Key to Charming ‘Wonder Park’

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

CHICAGO – Most animated films depicting the “family” often includes a parallel lesson about togetherness or some such domestic symbolism. In “Wonder Park,” the lesson is how the spark of imagination can keep a childhood alive. When that spark is temporarily dosed, the destination of the title also suffers.

Film Review: 1970s Caper Film in Enjoyable ‘Finding Steve McQueen’

Finding Steve McQueen

CHICAGO – The “caper” film, AKA the heist film, is one of the old reliable genres in the movies, and usually involves a gang of mismatched thieves. “Finding Steve McQueen” goes all the way back to the 1970s to spotlight a based-on-truth burglary that involves Tricky Dick himself, President Richard M. Nixon.

1970s Caper Film in Enjoyable ‘Finding Steve McQueen’

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

CHICAGO – The “caper” film, AKA the heist film, is one of the old reliable genres in the movies, and usually involves a gang of mismatched thieves. “Finding Steve McQueen” goes all the way back to the 1970s to spotlight a based-on-truth burglary that involves Tricky Dick himself, President Richard M. Nixon.

Film Review: Julianne Moore is a Ringing Sensation in ‘Gloria Bell’

CHICAGO – The sheer ordinariness of life is not fodder for most dramatic films … the popcorn munchers generally turn out for something more high concept. But in Exhibit A, there is “Gloria Bell,” in which Julianne Moore portrays the title character in a series of ordinary extraordinary events.

Julianne Moore is a Ringing Sensation in ‘Gloria Bell’

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

CHICAGO – The sheer ordinariness of life is not fodder for most dramatic films … the popcorn munchers generally turn out for something more high concept. But in Exhibit A, there is “Gloria Bell,” in which Julianne Moore portrays the title character in a series of ordinary extraordinary events.

Interview: Chicago’s Asian Pop-up Cinema Features ‘Ten Years Japan’ on Mar. 13, 2019

Ten Years Japan

CHICAGO – In 2015, fearing the upcoming possibilities of losing their autonomy, Hong Kong released a short film anthology called “Ten Years,” which looked into the future of their province. Three years later, “Ten Years Japan” does the same, except of course with different filmmakers and attitudes.

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