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.
Morena Baccarin
Film Review: Unbelievable Story is Key to ‘Framing John DeLorean’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 9, 2019 - 8:12pmCHICAGO – The story of auto impresario John DeLorean is definitely one of truth is stranger than fiction, but also has a basis in “what ifs?” The fascinating new documentary of his life tells that story, breaking down the vagueness of how a former General Motors superstar got involved in a drug deal to save his own car company. As always, a situation like that has more loopholes.
Film Review: Anti-Heroism of ‘Deadpool’ Revels in Sass & Violence
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 14, 2016 - 11:01amCHICAGO – It was inevitable that we would get an “R-rated” superhero movie, and “Deadpool” fits the bill with its swears, violence and a little sex/nudity. It also has Ryan Reynolds as that hero, doing his “Van Wilder” smarmy act to the nth degree. How that all works will determine how you like the film.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘Deadpool’ With Ryan Reynolds
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on February 2, 2016 - 4:43pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new Marvel Comics film “Deadpool” starring Ryan Reynolds!
TV Review: ‘Homeland’ Starts Second Season with Perfect Episode
Submitted by BrianTT on September 30, 2012 - 9:29amCHICAGO – We’ve all had creative buyer’s remorse. You recommend a band to your friend and their new album sucks. You post about your love for a TV show and the next episode jumps the shark.
Blu-ray Review: ‘Homeland: The Complete First Season’ Totally Rocks
Submitted by BrianTT on September 10, 2012 - 1:26pmCHICAGO – The popular choice as to the show most likely to derail AMC’s “Mad Men” from winning a record-setting five Emmys in a row for Best Dramatic Series is a newcomer to the pantheon of most-acclaimed programs, Showtime’s brilliant “Homeland,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD. This is must-see TV in every possible way.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘V: The Complete Second Season’ Fails to Save Sci-Fi Reboot
Submitted by mattmovieman on October 27, 2011 - 7:14amCHICAGO – After two increasingly rocky seasons, ABC’s soulless reboot of Kenneth Johnson’s ’80s miniseries and subsequent TV show “V” was finally cancelled. It ended the sci-fi serial on a tragic cliffhanger that was very much in keeping with the show’s status as a muddled downer. Though some fans have signed petitions to get the show renewed on a different network, it’s doubtful that “V” will garner a large audience outside of Comic Con conventions.
TV Review: Showtime’s Riveting ‘Homeland’ is Best New Show of 2011
Submitted by BrianTT on October 2, 2011 - 2:08pmCHICAGO – Very few programs of the last few years have been as instantly engaging as Showtime’s “Homeland.” Complex characters, daring storytelling, some of the best acting you’ll see on TV all year — this is a GREAT show from episode one and it’s remarkable to think that it could even get better.
TV Review: ‘V’ Gains Momentum, Lacks Urgency in Second Season
Submitted by BrianTT on January 4, 2011 - 2:33pmCHICAGO – Here’s the sort of self-important primetime drama that tries so hard to be a bona fide event that it quickly grows irrelevant.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘V: The Complete First Season’ Exploits Modern Paranoia
Submitted by mattmovieman on November 5, 2010 - 7:47amCHICAGO – Why do so many modern TV dramas fail? I suspect that part of the reason lies in the fact that a lot of these shows bend over backwards to be a major television event before they’ve earned that right. They cloak themselves in faux commentary merely so they can become mechanical fodder for water cooler discussion the morning after. That’s why the vast majority of new TV dramas might as well be called, “The Event.”
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Stolen’ Wastes Talented Cast on Melodrama
Submitted by BrianTT on July 5, 2010 - 9:25amCHICAGO – On paper, “Stolen” probably looked like the kind of competent thriller that could get once-rising star Josh Lucas back into the spotlight and prove to producers that “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm could carry a motion picture. Sadly, lackluster direction of what is essentially no more interesting than an extended episode of “Cold Case” squanders the talent of both men, a pair of actors who deserve better showcases.