HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News

Video Game Review: ‘Legends and Killers Pack’ For ‘Red Dead Redemption’

CHICAGO – The incredible world of “Red Dead Redemption” gets a bit bigger today with the release of “Legends and Killers Pack,” a downloadable expansion for the multiplayer portion of the game of the year.

Blu-Ray Review: HD Release For Beloved ‘The Breakfast Club’

The Breakfast Club

CHICAGO – People LOVE “The Breakfast Club.” It seems to have even jumped generations. While it likely still appeals most strongly to those of us who were at or near the age of the characters on the film’s initial release, John Hughes’ comedy seems to speak to something timeless about the high school experience. The 25th anniversary edition of “The Breakfast Club” on Blu-ray should be a hit.

Blu-Ray Review: French Drama ‘A Prophet’ Demands Your Attention

CHICAGO – One of the best films of the last several years was recently released on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics in the riveting, remarkable, and simply amazing “A Prophet.”

Blu-Ray Review: John Carpenter’s Incredible ‘Escape From New York’

Escape From New York

CHICAGO – Our younger readers may find it hard to believe that John Carpenter was once one of the most inspiring filmmakers in the world. He’s still one of the truly influential voices of the ’70s and ’80s despite the tragedy that has been his career for the last couple decades. Save for the occasional flare-up (“Masters of Horror: Cigarette Burns,” “In the Mouth of Madness”), Carpenter’s work has barely resembled his prime. For proof, check out the still-amazing and timeless “Escape From New York,” now available on Blu-ray for the first time.

Blu-Ray Review: Disappointing Release For ‘James and the Giant Peach’

James and the Giant Peach

CHICAGO – While we may quibble over a bit of grain or some undefined line detail, the dirty secret of most Blu-ray reviewers is that a wide majority of audiences cannot discern the difference between most HD releases. The fact is that almost all of them look pretty damn good. Sadly, there are exceptions to the rule and Disney’s release for “James and the Giant Peach” is one such exception.

Video Game Review: ‘Madden NFL 11’ Wins Championship Again

CHICAGO – It must have taken a lot of guts to suggest radically altering one of the most successful video gaming franchises of all time. The “Madden NFL” series of video games are as influential and wildly popular as any on the market. With loyal fans lining up at midnight tonight to buy their new copy, the developers at EA Tiburon merely had to update the rosters and spit out last year’s edition before they counted their money.

Blu-Ray Review: Roman Polanski’s Brilliant Thriller ‘The Ghost Writer’

CHICAGO – Roman Polanski’s name has drawn a lot of media attention in 2010 due to his continued international legal problems but the controversy regarding his real life has overshadowed the fact that he recently made one of the best films of his career, the tragically underrated and straight-up brilliant “The Ghost Writer,” a must-see now that it’s on Blu-ray and DVD.

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 20 Chicago Passes to ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ With Michael Cera

CHICAGO – In our latest action/comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 20 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” starring Michael Cera!

Film Review: Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek Elevate Drama ‘Get Low’

CHICAGO – What could possibly drive a man into such a deep pit of despair that he would choose to break from society and take on the life of a hermit?

Film Review: ‘Life During Wartime’ Provides Haunting Coda to ‘Happiness’

Life During Wartime Film Review
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Todd Solondz’s 1998 masterpiece, “Happiness,” is the darkest American comedy ever made. It’s so brutal and uncompromising that it calls into question the very definition of comedy. When one character explains to her sister that she isn’t laughing at her, but with her, the sister responds, “But I’m not laughing.” Solondz isn’t laughing either.

Film Review: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg Partner in Cop Farce ‘The Other Guys’

CHICAGO – While a cop film take-off is filed under the fish-in-a-barrel category, writer/director Adam McKay manages to spin some absurd gold threads into the thin blue cloth. In other words, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are damn funny in this all-in cop farce, with enough familiar co-star support to prop up the whole enchilada.

Blu-Ray Review: Stylish Release For USA’s ‘White Collar’

White Collar

CHICAGO – It makes sense that a show as stylish and well-dressed as USA’s “White Collar” would have a beautiful HD transfer for its first-season release but sense and Blu-ray production don’t always go hand in hand. Luckily, fans of this excellent show will be happy to know that this is one of the most expertly-remastered sets of the year to date.

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TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • 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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