HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News

Exclusive Portrait: Pat Benatar Gets Clicked With Her Best Shot

Pat Benatar, photograph by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – Pat Benatar, the rocker best known for her mega-hits “Heartbreaker,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “Love is a Battlefield,” is now an author. She was recently in Chicago promoting her memoir “Between a Heart and a Rock Place” at the Borders Books on Michigan Avenue.

Blu-Ray Review: Jaw-Dropping HD Transfer of Timeless ‘The Red Shoes’

The Red Shoes

CHICAGO – Can an old movie look too good on Blu-ray? This has been the subject of much debate, most notably in the over-removal of natural film grain by some production studios and the purists who think sometimes HD damages the original look of the film by coating it with too much polish. Watching the six-decades-old “The Red Shoes” from the incredibly influential Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, I was reminded once again of this controversy by a video transfer that’s simply jaw-dropping in its crystal clear quality.

Blu-Ray Review: Riveting Moral Drama of Bong Joon-Ho’s ‘Mother’

Mother

CHICAGO – Korean Bong Joon-Ho is one of our best working filmmakers with three films that deserve consideration among the best of the last decade — the procedural thriller “Memories of Murder,” the brilliant monster movie “The Host,” and the dark drama of this year’s “Mother,” now released on Blu-ray and DVD. With extensive special features, the Blu-ray of this mesmerizing film should bring one of 2010’s best films to a wider audience.

Video Game Review: ‘Transformers: War For Cybertron’ Proves Sometimes Bigger is Better

CHICAGO – With Michael Bay filming “Transformers 3” in downtown Chicago, it’s reawakened our childhood love for the famous toys and we wanted to share arguably the best product to bear the “Transformers” name in the last several years — “Transformers: War For Cybertron.”

Theater Review: Bailiwick Chicago Rediscovers a Buried ‘AIDA’

Bailiwick Chicago's "AIDA"

CHICAGO – When the initial production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” made its foray to the Broadway stage, following what was surely a tempestuous artistic adolescence, the public hurrah with which it was met signaled the birth of two eminent stage relations. First, that of John’s with both Broadway and West End investors, a collaboration that has far outstretched the boundaries set forth by “The Lion King”.

Blu-Ray Review: BBC’s ‘Being Human’ Gets Better With Every Episode

Being Human

CHICAGO – When I first reviewed the BBC American premiere of “Being Human” it was framed in terms of potential and how the program wasn’t as instantly addictive as some of network’s other spectacular imports. Now that I’ve seen the spectacular first season, recently released on Blu-ray and DVD in time for the season two premiere on July 24th, 2010, I’m happy to report that I’m painfully addicted to the fascinating saga of Mitchell, George, and Annie and their attempts at “Being Human.”

DVD Review: Lost Robert Altman Comedy ‘Brewster McCloud’

Brewster McCloud

CHICAGO – Robert Altman made very few films that didn’t have at least a few redeeming qualities and often much more than that faint praise. Even Altman’s relative failures were often fascinating in their own way. Such a film is 1970’s “Brewster McCloud,” a work nowhere near as beloved as some of his ’70s comedies but that definitely warrants a look on its newly remastered DVD, available exclusively through the WB Shop online.

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 10 ‘Megamind’ Comic Books in Conjunction With Comic-Con

Megamind in conjunction with Comic-Con

CHICAGO – In this edition of the HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 10 exclusive comic books up for grabs to the new film “Megamind” (in conjunction with Comic-Con) starring Brad Pitt, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill!

Video Game Review: Despite Obvious Inspirations, ‘Singularity’ Delivers Original Thrills

CHICAGO – With echoes of “Bioshock,” “Resistance,” and a number of shooter hits as diverse as “F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” “Singularity” embraces its derivative nature but transcends it to become one of the more surprisingly enjoyable single-player campaigns of the year.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Insomnia’ From ‘Inception’ Director Christopher Nolan

Insomnia

CHICAGO – In many ways, Christopher Nolan’s “Insomnia,” recently released on beautiful Blu-ray, is the perfect companion piece to his new masterpiece, “Inception,” now playing in theaters. The film may not get the international attention of “The Dark Knight” but it stands as further proof that this man is one of our best living directors.

Video Game Review: ‘Naughty Bear’ Deserves Punishment

Naughty Bear

CHICAGO – On paper, “Naughty Bear” sounded like a great summer video game alternative. Where most games fit into a pretty definable niche like shooter, sports game, RPG, etc., how do you categorize a game about a maniacal teddy bear killing off his teddy bear friends in unique and blood-curdling ways? Sadly, “Naughty Bear” merely proves that originality only gets you so far. You still need to make a good game.

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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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