Michael Fassbender

Blu-ray Review: Steven Soderbergh’s Fun, Energetic ‘Haywire’ Gets Average Release

Haywire

CHICAGO – Audiences really didn’t take to “Haywire” like critics as the film bombed at the box office, grossing only $19 million domestically and just over $30 million worldwide. It’s the kind of flick that I think polarized its two potential audiences. Action movie fans didn’t think it had enough action. Steven Soderbergh fans thought it had too much. Personally, I think everything Soderbergh does is interesting and this is no exception. Which makes the lackluster HD release disappointing.

Blu-ray Review: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan in Stunning ‘Shame’

Shame

CHICAGO – We’re never going to get the films we deserve from adult filmmakers if the NC-17 continues to operate under the stigma that it does. “Shame” was a perfect film to warrant an NC-17 and yet the rating became the story instead of the film itself, to the point that critics and awards voters didn’t give this excellent work the credit it deserves. When viewers catch up with it over the next few years, they’ll be stunned that the film earned zero Oscar nominations. What Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan do here is nothing short of stunning.

Blu-ray Review: Great Actors Drive Intellectually Engaging ‘A Dangerous Method’

A Dangerous Method

CHICAGO – David Cronenberg’s “A Dangerous Method,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, features four of the most interesting performances of 2011 and is certainly a conversation piece in the themes that writer Christopher Hampton has chosen to explore. I still wish it had more of the actual “danger” of Cronenberg’s early work but there’s more to like here than I first thought, especially in what was brought to the material by those cast to deliver it.

Film News: New Full-Length ‘Prometheus’ Trailer Released

Prometheus 2012

CHICAGO – A few months ago, the first teaser trailer for Ridley Scott’s new film “Prometheus” was released. The short trailer was met with excitement and buzz for the new film, which many consider to be the blockbuster they are most interested in seeing this summer; a summer which also includes “The Avengers,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “The Dark Knight Rises” among many others.

Film News: Matthew Vaughn to Direct ‘X-Men: First Class’ Sequel

X-Men: First Class (cropped)

CHICAGO – Writer/Director Matthew Vaughn has signed on to direct the sequel to “X-Men: First Class,” according to a report about Fox. Vaughn, who directed “First Class” (which did not gross a major profit, but received high critical and fan praise), is said to be onboard to direct a sequel that does not yet have a setting, synopsis, or definite writers.

Film Review: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor in Steven Soderbergh’s Action-Packed ‘Haywire’

CHICAGO – Steven Soderbergh is one of the few directors who can do whatever the hell he wants. Whatever genre, whomever he casts, whichever story he chooses to tell – he pulls it off.

Film News: First Trailer Released For Ridley Scott’s ‘Prometheus’

Prometheus 2012

CHICAGO – In a week that packed trailers for some of next year’s biggest films, 20th Century Fox made sure to get in on the game. The first trailer for Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” has released giving the first looks at the new sci-fi/thriller film. And let’s just say if 2012 is really the last year of existence, we will be going out with some awesome looking movies.

Film Review: David Cronenberg’s ‘A Dangerous Method’ Needed More Risk

A Dangerous Method
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – There are glimpses of actual danger in David Cronenberg’s divisive “A Dangerous Method” with Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen, and Keira Knightley, and the film has a lingering power as it’s easy to roll around your brain and contemplate its themes, but I wanted a bit more actual risk to the filmmaking. Easily the masterful director’s most straightforward work in some time (possibly ever), this is a worthwhile piece that nonetheless disappoints in the context of the rest of his filmography.

Film Feature: The Best Lead Performances of 2011

CHICAGO – Yesterday, we brought you some of the most engaging and memorable supporting performances of 2011. As much as I love some of the acting work in that feature, it’s nothing compared to the talent on display below.

Film News: Screen Actors’ Guild Nominations Contain a Few Surprises

The Help

CHICAGO – The announcements keep coming for award season winners and nominees. Today, we have the list of nominees for this year’s Screen Actors’ Guild awards. The awards celebrate the best male and female performances in film and television, leaving out awards like Best Picture or Best Director. “The Help” leads this year’s films with four different nominations.

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  • 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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