Beauty and the Beast

CHICAGO – The foundation of a show like The CW’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a timeless one. There’s a reason so many screenwriters in film and television keep returning to the concept of brute force partnering with stunning beauty. So why did this show’s creators do so little with it? There’s no edge here. Everything has been rounded out to the point that it lacks all personality. It’s the kind of show one can barely remember watching by the time the opening credits are done on what follows it.

CHICAGO – There have been a number of surprising announcements of new nights for hit shows this week (“Two and a Half Men,” “Glee,” “Revenge,” “Community”) and The CW closed out the trend this morning by announcing their Fall schedule and revealing that “America’s Next Top Model” and “Supernatural” will swap evenings.

CHICAGO – In our latest disappearing Disney classics edition of the HollywoodChicago.com Hookup, we have 3 prize packs each with 5 classic Disney films up for grabs right before they head back into the Disney vault on April 30, 2012!

CHICAGO – It’s been twenty years since “Beauty and the Beast” truly changed the animation landscape, bringing even more esteem to the Disney logo after the company’s comeback with “The Little Mermaid” by earning the first nomination for Best Picture for an animated film. The movie became a franchise, spawning toys, games, and even a hit musical. It also birthed a pair of straight-to-video quasi-sequels, both of which have been re-released just in time for families shopping on Black Friday. Add “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” and “Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Magical World” to your shopping list.

CHICAGO – Here is some news that shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone. With the success of the re-release of “The Lion King” to theaters, enhanced with 3D, Disney and Disney-Pixar have decided to bring back four more classics to the theaters. Of course, what would be a re-release in this day and age if it didn’t include a third dimension for your theater going experience?

CHICAGO – What higher power in Hollywood decided that Alex Pettyfer should be allowed to have a film career? His “Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker” didn’t exactly set the world on fire, nor did “I Am Number Four.” He has the name of a Bond girl and the emotional range of Miley Cyrus. And yet, the dude is still considered bankable, purely because of his good looks. Apparently it’s more important to look like a movie star than to act like one.

CHICAGO – The main problem with “Beastly,” a modern high schooler retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” is that the outcome is known (Beast will learn lessons, become handsome again). That leaves only the way it gets to that end for creating story. This film cannot find its way.

CHICAGO – Last week, Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” notched a couple of Academy Award nominations. Do me a favor. Don’t allow your children to only know Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the Mad Hatter when it comes to Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale.

CHICAGO – If you still know anyone who doubts the quality difference between Blu-ray and standard DVD, show them the stunning transfer of Disney’s Best Picture-nominated “Beauty and the Beast,” one of the rare animated films that actually plays even better two decades after its release than it did when it began its cultural domination. With one of the best animated HD transfers yet produced, this is a must-own.