HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News

TV Review: Despite Dana Delany, ‘Body of Proof’ Proves Dead on Arrival

CHICAGO – Meet Megan Hunt. On second thought, don’t. In fact, avoid her like the plague. If you see her walking toward you, make sure to cross the street or dive into the next room. The woman needs space, you see. She’s been through a lot.

Blu-Ray Review: Don’t Miss Twisted Comedy of Greek ‘Dogtooth’

Dogtooth

CHICAGO – When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced their 2011 nominees, one of the more surprising choices was the Greek entry for Best Foreign Language Film, the subversive black comedy “Dogtooth.” It’s not the choice was undeserving, but it’s certainly one of the weirdest, darkest, and most disturbing films ever nominated by a group that usually goes heartwarming in this category. There’s nothing heartwarming about “Dogtooth” outside of those who take comfort in hearing from a fascinating new international voice in cinema.

Exclusive: Stars Answer Your Questions Including Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, More

CHICAGO – Have you ever wanted to interview a movie star? Now you can have the chance. One of the stars of Mark Ruffalo’s upcoming directorial debut, “Sympathy For Delicious,” is going to take time out of their schedule to answer a question from a reader of HollywoodChicago.com!

Video Game Review: ‘Top Spin 4’ Features Great Simulation of Difficult Sport

Top Spin 4

CHICAGO – Is there any sport less attuned to a video game simulation than tennis? I don’t think so. The actual sport involves so much physical coordination and timing that it’s just impossible to fully recreate with a controller in your hands. Having a motion controller helps (and the PS3 copy of “Top Spin 4” is Move-enabled), but there’s still something about tennis that seems to fight the world of gaming even when it’s as remarkably well-done as “Top Spin 4.”

TV Review: ‘United States of Tara’ Offers Showcase For Toni Collette

United States of Tara 3

CHICAGO – I’ve said for two seasons now that Showtime’s “United States of Tara” isn’t as good as it should be, partially because the writing and parts of the ensemble don’t live up to the Emmy-winning work by its stunningly talented star, Toni Collette, but I might have been wrong. The start of season three, debuting tonight, Mar. 28th, 2011 on Showtime, hints at a broader program with a deeper ensemble, but I’m not sure any more that this is a good thing.

DVD Reviews: ‘Husk,’ ‘Prowl’ From After Dark Films Underwhelm

Husk DVD

CHICAGO – Stalled cars, prophetic visions, fresh meat in need of tenderizing, and off-handed expulsions of the dreaded line, “I’ll be right back.” These are merely a handful of the timeworn elements utilized by two new direct-to-video releases from After Dark Films. Both pictures are competently made and well acted, which makes their lack of originality all the more depressing.

On WGN Radio: HollywoodChicago.com’s Brian Tallerico on ‘Mildred Pierce,’ ‘Nurse Jackie,’ ‘Camelot,’ ‘Chaos,’ More

WGN Radio

CHICAGO – Brian Tallerico guests on Bill Moller’s show on WGN-Radio in Chicago on Mar. 26, 2011 to preview and review new and upcoming shows including HBO’s “Mildred Pierce,” Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie” & “United States of Tara,” Starz’s “Camelot,” CBS’s “Chaos,” and ABC’s “Body of Proof.”

TV Review: Edie Falco Returns to Emmy-Winning Role of ‘Nurse Jackie’

CHICAGO – Showtime has a patented formula of hiring great stars (William H. Macy, Michael C. Hall, Toni Collette, Mary-Louise Parker) and building series around them. It has worked well enough that the last two Emmy winners for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series have been won by the network — Collette for the first season of “United States of Tara” and Edie Falco for the second season of “Nurse Jackie,” both of which return tonight, March 28th, 2011.

TV Review: Kate Winslet, Todd Haynes Elevate ‘Mildred Pierce’ to Masterpiece

CHICAGO – When HBO announced that they were producing a six-hour mini-series version of the James M. Cain (“Double Indemnity”) novel “Mildred Pierce” to star Kate Winslet and be directed by Todd Haynes, cinephiles everywhere let out an audible gasp.

Interviews: Classic TV, Movie Stars at the Hollywood Celebrities & Memorabilia Show

Frank Vincent, photo by Joe Arce

CHICAGO – It’s Hollywood Celebrities & Memorabilia Show Weekend, and the stars of TV and movies will be available to meet all their fans at the Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel (click the link at the end of the article). Also available, lots of vendors with TV and movie items for any collection.

Film Review: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan Rock in Fantastic ‘Win Win’

CHICAGO – Writer/Director Thomas McCarthy makes films with that very unique attribute in which the characters completely feel like they exist before the opening scene and after the credits roll. As he did in “The Station Agent” and “The Visitor,” he has told another unique story that is both moving and also believable at the same time, an increasingly-rare combination. “Win Win” is the first great film of 2011.

Film Review: Oscar-Nominated ‘Outside the Law’ Makes Revolution Personal

Outside the Law
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Rachid Bouchareb’s “Outside the Law” paints a vivid family portrait of a trio of brothers at the forefront of a violent, impassioned time in France as the country was trying to stop a revolution in Algeria and dealing with the violence that brought to their home country. With a story that spans decades, “Outside the Law” is sometimes a bit too episodic and stuffed with history to register emotionally but the three central performances carry the piece overall.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Times of Harvey Milk’ Enhanced By Excellent Extras

The Times of Harvey Milk Blu-Ray

CHICAGO – Harvey Milk was the sort of grassroots political hero that would’ve never fit into our modern world of corporately controlled politics. He was a man of his word, and he had many of them. His fundamental belief in equal rights for all citizens provided the fuel for his tireless work ethic, intoxicating exuberance and extraordinary bravery.

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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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