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.
Mike Birbiglia
Film Review: ‘A Man Called Otto’ is O-T-T-Oh No for Tom Hanks
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 5, 2023 - 9:29amCHICAGO – Tom Hanks finds himself – as the title character – stranded in a slough of artificiality in this clumsy manipulative attempt at a crowd pleaser. He plays a grump in “A Man Named Otto,” a remake of a 2015 Swedish film. The setting has been transferred to the grey rust belt of Pittsburgh, and Hanks is a widower with a lot of chips on his shoulder about the world today. !—break—>
Film News: Gillian Jacobs at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on Aug. 9, 2016 for ‘Don’t Think Twice’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 9, 2016 - 8:20amCHICAGO – The Most Valuable Player, in a film that is brimming with great performances, is Gillian Jacobs (“Community”) of “Don’t Think Twice.” The Mike Birblglia-directed film is in the midst of a run at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre, and Jacobs will make an appearance on behalf of the film starting at 7:30pm on Tuesday, August 9th, 2016. For more information, click here.
Film Review: Comedy is Humanity in Magnanimous ‘Don’t Think Twice’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 30, 2016 - 8:07amCHICAGO – Comedian/writer/director Mike Birbiglia is breaking out as a filmmaker, and he adds a deft and emotional touch to a story of an improvisation comedy troupe split apart by change they didn’t expect. That sounds a lot like life, and it’s best to “Don’t Think Twice.”
Interview: Philosopher King Mike Birbiglia of ‘Don’t Think Twice’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 27, 2016 - 10:42amCHICAGO – When comedian/writer/director Mike Birbiglia is in his element, as during the interviews he conducted at The iO Theater in Chicago, he is relaxed and ardently philosophical. He has written and directed a new film, “Don’t Think Twice,” which is about a improvisation comedy troupe, but it’s also about life.
Film Review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is an Unoriginal, Redundant Hot Mess
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 8, 2015 - 9:06amCHICAGO – I get it. The old fashioned buddy movie, except with the twist of the femme-flavor-of-the-moment Sofia Vergara and runty Reese Witherspoon. It practically writes itself. In fact, that might be the only legitimate excuse for the mess that is “Hot Pursuit” – it wrote itself.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 Pairs of Passes to ‘Hot Pursuit’ With Sofía Vergara, Reese Witherspoon
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 3, 2015 - 7:57pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new action/comedy “Hot Pursuit” starring Sofía Vergara and Reese Witherspoon!
Interview: Nick Kroll Starts it Up in ‘Adult Beginners’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 23, 2015 - 11:15pmCHICAGO – Finding the adult button and hitting “on” is becoming more of a challenge as the tech generation morphs into their thirtysomething era. Comedian Nick Kroll (“Kroll Show,” “The League”) ponders this situation in the new film “Adult Beginners,” a primer on growing up and moving on.
Blu-ray Review: Great Extras Enhance Mike Birbiglia’s ‘Sleepwalk with Me’
Submitted by mattmovieman on January 3, 2013 - 9:48amCHICAGO – Sometimes the best way for comics to find an ideal vehicle for their abilities is to direct it themselves. 2012 offered ample proof of that, with Louis C.K. and Lena Dunham setting a stupendously high bar for TV comedy with their respective self-made programs. Of course, “Louis” and “Girls” benefit greatly from the contributions of their first-rate ensembles, yet both are also driven by a singular vision.
Interview: An Invitation from Mike Birbiglia to ‘Sleepwalk with Me’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 3, 2012 - 4:16pmCHICAGO – The comedian with the tough-to-pronounce name, Mike Birbiglia, hits the next stage with a new film based on his one man show, “Sleepwalk with Me.” Produced and co-written by Ira Glass of “This American Life,” the story of the serious subject of a sleepwalking disorder creates both mordant laughs and poignant moments.
Film Review: Mike Birbiglia Steps Up in ‘Sleepwalk with Me’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 1, 2012 - 7:48amCHICAGO – It’s exciting to witness a breakthrough with a new film artist. The comedian Mike Birbiglia has adapted his one-man show, “Sleepwalk with Me,” into a movie, and the result is a naturalistic performance piece that plays both like a documentary and Woody Allen’s during the “Annie Hall” period. Birbiglia gets a little help from some friends like Lauren Ambrose, Kirsten Schaal, Wyatt Cenac and Amy Schumer.