CHICAGO – John Michael epitomizes the art of the monologue. The Chicago transplant, by way of Dallas, is moving on (he says temporarily) from the city that inspired his last show, “Meatball Seance,” after notorious and successful runs of his other one-man shows, “John Michael and the Order of the Penix” and “Dementia Me.” His farewell performance is his latest, another laugh riot, “It’s NOT ALL About You John Michael,” and will take place at Mary’s Attic in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood on March 1st, 2019. Click here for details, including ticket information.
England
World War I Comes to Life in ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 1, 2019 - 5:58pm Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The First World War took place (1914-18) in conjunction with the early days of film, with enough cameras available to actually capture it. For years, that dusty and silent celluloid was used in documentaries, but never has it come to life the way that director Peter Jackson presents it in “They Shall Not Grow Old.”
Annette Bening Proves ‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 12, 2018 - 12:27pm- Academy Award
- Annette Bening
- Britain
- England
- Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool
- Frances Barber
- Gloria Grahame
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- Jamie Bell
- Julie Walters
- Kenneth Cranham
- Movie Review
- Oscar
- Patrick McDonald
- Sony Pictures Classics
- The Bad and the Beautiful
- Vanessa Redgrave
 Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – GEORGE BAILEY: “Hey, you look good. That’s some dress you got on there.” VIOLET: “This old thing? I only wear it when I don’t care how I look.” That is how actress Gloria Grahame (as Violet Bick) was introduced in the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Now she is portrayed by Annette Bening in “Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool”.
History by Rote in Formulaic ‘Victoria and Abdul’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 30, 2017 - 10:56am Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – There have been 155 TV/Movie depictions of Queen Victoria, who ruled England from 1837 to 1901. The “Victorian Era” continues to fascinate filmmakers, and who is perfect to portray Queen V. towards the end of her life? Get me Dame Judi Dench on the Skype!
Meryl Streep Accentuates Margaret Thatcher in ‘The Iron Lady’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 14, 2012 - 4:00amRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It would be a cheap jab to say that “The Iron Lady” is a drag version of “J. Edgar,” and also redundant (hyy-ooh). Meryl Streep takes on the role of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, with a dreamy and vague interpretation of the PM’s life that at times feels like it’s told through the wrong end of a telescope.
‘Like Crazy’ Exposes Sweet Sorrow of Young Love
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 3, 2011 - 7:55pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The young love affair, that first one that breaks through the heart, mind and biological objectives, is the memory that never really goes away. Sometimes it works out for a lifetime, sometimes it ends. Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones play out this oft-remembered experience in “Like Crazy.”
Channing Tatum, Roman Empire Land in ‘The Eagle’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 11, 2011 - 5:27pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – In ancient times, history was at the end of a sword point and edge of the world. “The Eagle” tells of a Roman Empire battle in those times, and Channing Tatum plays a general bent on restoring his family name.
Michael Caine Gets Dirty in the Intriguing ‘Harry Brown’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 30, 2010 - 3:01amRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Who needs the Dark Knight when there is Michael Caine, not as Alfred the Butler, but as the Vigilante Retiree and title character in “Harry Brown.” And he does it all without a rubber suit, just tons of firepower.
