Tom Cruise

CHICAGO – I was lucky enough to attend a press screening of Brad Bird’s “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol” at the IMAX theater at Navy Pier and I wondered if my adoration for this incredibly fun movie was in part due to just being overwhelmed by the size of it in IMAX. Nope. I liked it even more the second time on Blu-ray. This is a fantastic action movie, the best film in the series and as fun a time as you could have with a new release in the genre. Don’t rent it, buy it.

CHICAGO – If NBC’s “The Firm” was viewed as a court case, the jury would probably be deadlocked. The problem is that most modern TV viewers don’t try a case again. If they consider a premiere a creative mistrial — something with elements that work but not completely engaging enough to make it an instant addition to the Season Pass Manager — they usually don’t come back.

CHICAGO – Brad Bird proves that he can make the leap from Pixar to action with one of the best genre films of the year, the adrenalized “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.”

CHICAGO – In our latest blockbuster edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol”!

CHICAGO – Apparently, Hollywood does not know how to quit Ricky Gervais, even when he gives them every reason to kick him out the door. Rumors have hit the web this morning that Ricky Gervais, creator of “The Office” (UK) and “Extras,” has been asked to return a third consecutive year as the host of the Golden Globe Awards.

CHICAGO – “Top Gun” is one of those movies that defies critical analysis. It’s purposefully stupid, playing off and even redefining macho archetypes in such a way that I would argue that it’s one of the most influential blockbusters of the ’80s. But is it a “good” movie? Not really. But who cares? It’s fun and the 25th Anniversary Edition plays right into the wallets of fan’s need for speed.

CHICAGO – Sydney Pollack was a filmmaker who could do anything: sweeping romantic melodramas, side-splitting satires and epic yet intimate tragedies. It’s easy to forget that Pollack could also craft a superb commercial thriller every once in a while, and 1993’s “The Firm” falls under that category. Despite a few dated elements, the picture holds up surprisingly well.

CHICAGO – What could “Last Tango in Paris,” “Moonstruck,” and “Rain Man” possibly have in common? Two won major oscars and the third should have? All three feature some of the career-best work by iconic actors? Honestly, all that they have in common is that they weren’t out on Blu-ray before and every catalog title needs a release date eventually and so MGM chose February 15th for the trio. Pick up all three.

CHICAGO – “Knight and Day” is a leaky tire of a movie. It starts off spinning as it promises a delightful action/adventure flick with two stars at their most-charismatic. By the middle of the film, it’s clear that something has sprung a leak. By the end, it’s just flat.

CHICAGO – Tuesday, October 12th, was special at the Chicago International Film Festival, as Producer Paula Wagner was honored at the REELWomen tribute there. Wagner has produced such notable films as “War of the Worlds,’ “The Other,” “Vanilla Sky” and the Mission Impossible film series.