CHICAGO – The late playwright August Wilson left a gift to the world in the form of his “American Century Cycle,” a series of plays each individually set in a decade of the 20th Century, focusing on the black experience. Chicago’s Goodman Theatre presents Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” now through May 19th, 2024 (click here).
HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News
Film Review: Isabelle Huppert Gives Daring Performance in Excellent ‘White Material’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2010 - 3:07pm Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Can dedication overcome all odds? Film has taught us for years that it is the truly justified, righteous, and committed that will prevail. Of course, life is not that simple. And the films of the masterful French director Claire Denis often brilliantly portray the true complexity of life. Her newest film, “White Material,” completes an amazing 2010 one-two punch with the excellent “35 Shots of Rum” released earlier this year. She’s one of our best international filmmakers.
Film Review: Excellent ‘Monsters’ Finds Humanity in Creature Feature
Submitted by BrianTT on November 19, 2010 - 12:29pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Monsters” is a unique take on the giant creature genre that focuses more on the people below than the aliens above. Gareth Edwards’ highly-buzzed film could easily be read as a parable for life in an increasingly-dangerous, post-9/11 world and that ambitious subtext alone makes it one of the more intellectually captivating genre films of the year but it’s also shockingly-touching. With two strong central performances, a wonderfully genuine style, and some daring filmmaking decisions, “Monsters” will have a Godzilla-sized following develop over the next few years. See it in theaters or On Demand before all of your friends tell you to rent it.
Film Review: Russell Crowe Goes Hitchcockian in ‘The Next Three Days’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 19, 2010 - 10:18amCHICAGO – The suspense thriller is a delicate art that depends on situational realism and unlikely circumstances cohabiting in a heart-pounding plot. The Master of the genre was Alfred Hitchcock, who often put ordinary people in these nail biting scenarios. Director Paul Haggis (”Crash”) uses this theme and does the Master proud in “The Next Three Days.”
Blu-Ray Review: Annette Bening, Julianne Moore Shine in ‘The Kids Are All Right’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 18, 2010 - 4:21pmCHICAGO – Lisa Cholodenko’s “The Kids Are All Right” still stands as one of the best films of the year for two reasons. One, Cholodenko’s script brilliantly tackles the challenge of playing emotional subtext instead of mere action, resulting in five completely-realized, believable characters. Two, the film features arguably the best ensemble of the year with two strong contenders for the Best Actress Oscar.
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Complete Metropolis’ Restores Timeless Masterpiece
Submitted by BrianTT on November 18, 2010 - 12:35pmCHICAGO – One of the cinematic highlights of my life happened earlier this year when I was lucky enough to see “The Complete Metropolis” on the big screen. Fritz Lang’s legendary film is not only riveting by virtue of being one of the most influential of all time but the story that developed after it was made is a historically fascinating one. Almost a century after it was released, we can now see “Metropolis,” recently released on Blu-ray, in a more complete manner than ever before.
Video Game Review: ‘Megamind: Ultimate Showdown’ Displays Everything Wrong With Movie Tie-Ins
Submitted by BrianTT on November 18, 2010 - 11:41amCHICAGO – Both games based on video games and a large majority of children’s games often have issues with creativity and when the two merge it can result in products that are truly bankrupt artistically. Such is the case with “Megamind: Ultimate Showdown,” a massive disappointment that is so clearly designed to pull dollars from parents of kids who love Dreamworks’ #1 movie “Megamind” but offers nothing to entertain them in return.
Blu-Ray Review: Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ With Jim Carrey Annoys Instead of Captivates
Submitted by BrianTT on November 18, 2010 - 11:04amCHICAGO – Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” is a loud, annoying mess, a film that reimagines the Charles Dickens’ classic in ways that the author never intended, turning a morality lesson into an effects-heavy action extravaganza. Having said that, the Blu-ray release is typically-strong for one of the best companies in the world when it comes to family product. Disney can turn even a bad film into a solid Blu-ray.
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Anytime Chicago Passes to ‘127 Hours’ From Oscar-Winning Director Danny Boyle
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on November 18, 2010 - 12:35amCHICAGO – The film recently hit theaters, but we’re excited to present 25 admit-two run-of-engagement tickets so you can see one of HollywoodChicago.com’s most-raved films of 2010: “127 Hours” from Danny Boyle (the Oscar-winning director of “Slumdog Millionaire”)! And in this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, you can even see the incredible true story of Aron Ralston (as portrayed by James Franco) for free at the convenient time of your choosing!
Video Game Review: ‘Fable III’ Transports Players to Another World
Submitted by BrianTT on November 17, 2010 - 10:09pmCHICAGO – The fully-realized world of Albion returns in the very-good “Fable III,” a game that seems to have been dismissed too readily by fans expecting a more radical departure from “Fable II” but that will almost certainly be embraced throughout the upcoming holiday season and beyond. Despite a relatively-disappointing ending, this is one of the most-mesmerizing games of 2010.
TV Review: ‘Human Target’ Adds Two Characters to Entertaining Action Series
Submitted by BrianTT on November 17, 2010 - 2:59pmCHICAGO – FOX’s action series “Human Target” returns tonight, November 17th, 2010, hoping to find the larger audience that didn’t really show up to the party in season one.
Interviews: Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar at 2010 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 16, 2010 - 6:56pmCHICAGO – The Wizard World Chicago Comic Con was another huge success this past summer, gathering together comic and pop culture fans. One of the highlights of the event was the reunion of Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman) from the 1960s Batman TV show.
TV Review: ‘Glory Daze’ Plays Like Boring Rip-Off of ‘Animal House’
Submitted by BrianTT on November 16, 2010 - 6:43pmCHICAGO – “National Lampoon’s Animal House” does not seem to want to leave us. It rears its bathroom-humor head on a regular basis in TV and movies. But rarely is a tribute to the iconic frat house comedy so blatant as TBS’ new comedy “Glory Daze,” debuting tonight, November 16th, 2010.
Exclusive Portrait: 1980s Rocker Rick Springfield at Book Signing
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 16, 2010 - 11:56amCHICAGO – Rick Springfield, the essential 1980s personality rocker, is serving up his life in a new memoir, “Late Late at Night.” He was in the Chicago area recently greeting admirers and signing his new book at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill.
