Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks, Ron Howard Misfire With Ridiculous ‘Angels & Demons’

BrianTT — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:34:04 -0600

Rating: 1.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Ron Howard’s “Angels & Demons,” the sequel to “The Da Vinci Code,” is an absolute mess, a film that tries hard to break free from the dull tone of its predecessor but ends up even more ridiculous, frustrating and generally worthless.

As if in response to the criticisms about the dull nature of the 2006 blockbuster that spawned it, “Angels & Demons” tries to be a faster-paced, more enjoyable thriller than the first film, but Howard and screenwriters David Koepp & Akiva Goldsman make the cardinal sin of playing an over-the-top story ridden with plot holes with a straight face.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Angels & Demons” in our reviews section.

I had read both of the Dan Brown books - “Angels & Demons” actually came before “The Da Vinci Code” but the chronology has been switched theatrically - and actually thought that this Robert Langdon adventure might make a better film. Without spoiling anything, the climax of Brown’s book is downright loopy and I read the book with a smile on my face, thinking it could be a tongue-in-cheek, Indiana Jones-esque adventure story, far less self-serious than the 2006 film.

So, I was even more frustrated as “Angels & Demons” unfolded with nary a hint of humor, wit, or any sense that the filmmakers needed to do more than just adapt the bare bones of Brown’s plot to get people to buy a ticket.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Angels & Demons” review.

‘Angels & Demons’ stars Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and Stellan Skarsgard. It was written by David Koepp & Akiva Goldsman and directed by Ron Howard. It opens on May 15th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

Tom Hanks stars in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels and Demons.
Photo credit: Sony/Zade Rosenthal

Blu-Ray Review: Catch Up With Dan Brown’s World in ‘The Da Vinci Code’

BrianTT — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:52:32 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – One of the biggest movies of the summer is sure to be Ron Howard’s “Angels & Demons,” the sequel to 2006’s massively successful “The Da Vinci Code,” a Tom Hanks film that left most critics cold but ended up making a stunning quarter-of-a-billion dollars worldwide by the time its theatrical run ended. Before you talk to the “Angels & Demons,” catch up on your mythology with “The Da Vinci Code: 2-Disc Extended Cut” on Blu-Ray.

“The Da Vinci Code” may have been one of the best-timed movies in the history of the form. I remember the months leading up to the film’s release and Dan Brown’s books were literally everywhere. You couldn’t ride a Chicago bus without seeing someone reading “Code” or the even-better earlier book, “Angels & Demons”. By the time the movie hit, it was a guaranteed blockbuster.

The Da Vinci Code was released on Blu-Ray on April 28th, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony

Does that mean it was any good? I think “Code” may have worked for people who hadn’t read the book, but for those of us who had, it felt surprisingly flat. I think Brown’s books are so dependent on the twists and turns of his historical mysteries that they don’t hold up on repeat telling and Howard’s films have always felt unemotional and predictable to me. Essentially, I’m bored by “The Da Vinci Code”.

But I recognize I’m in the minority. And so does Sony. The studio has given their mega-hit a Blu-Ray treatment with the fans in mind, complete with a gorgeous video/audio transfer and hours of special features. I don’t think the movie delivers, but the Blu-Ray certainly does for fans of the film.

The Da Vinci Code was released on Blu-Ray on April 28th, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony

The official synopsis: “In The Da Vinci Code, noted symbologist Professor Robert Langdon (Hanks) and police cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Tautou) go on a heart-racing quest to unearth the biggest cover-up in human history. Langdon is called to the Louvre Museum late one night where a curator has been murdered, leaving behind a mysterious trail of symbols and clues. With his own survival at stake, Langdon unveils a series of stunning secrets hidden in the artwork of Leonardo Da Vinci, all leading to a covert society dedicated to guarding an ancient secret that has remained hidden for 2000 years. The pair set off on a frantic quest through Paris, London and Scotland, collecting clues as they desperately attempt to crack the code and reveal secrets that will shake the very foundations of mankind.”

“The Da Vinci Code” includes the extended cut of the film along with hours of special features, including several exclusive to Blu-Ray. Through BD-Live, viewers can access “Cinechat,” a feature that allows you to create “virtual” viewing parties and chat with your friends through your internet-connected Blu-ray player, but that just scratches the surface.

The special features include $10 e-Movie Cash for Angels and Demons, accessed instantly via BD-Live (also available by mail for those without BD-Live), “Exclusive First Look at Angels & Demons, introduced by Ron Howard, featuring five minutes of footage from the film that can only be seen on The Da Vinci Code: Extended Cut Blu-ray Disc,” “Unlocking the Code,” “New Commentary on Selected Scenes with Ron Howard,” and an amazing 17 featurettes.

‘The Da Vinci Code’ is released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and stars Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina, Jurgen Prochnow, Paul Bettany, and Jean Reno. It was written by Akiva Goldsman and directed by Ron Howard. It was released on April 28th, 2009. It is not rated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 17-Image Gallery From Ron Howard’s ‘Angels & Demons’ With Tom Hanks

BrianTT — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:29:41 -0600

CHICAGO – This 17-image slideshow contains the official press images from Sony’s “Angels & Demons,” starring Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierfrancesco Favino, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, and Armin Mueller-Stahl. The film, written by David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman based on the novel by Dan Brown and directed by Ron Howard, opens on May 15th, 2009.

Synopsis:

“The team behind the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code returns for the highly anticipated Angels & Demons, based upon the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, who once again finds that forces with ancient roots are willing to stop at nothing, even murder, to advance their goals. Ron Howard returns to direct the film, which is produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and John Calley. The screenplay is by David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman.

What terrifying discovery would make the Vatican turn to Robert Langdon, the man who cracked history’s most controversial code? When Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati – the most powerful underground organization in history – he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization’s most despised enemy: the Catholic Church. Upon learning that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb, Langdon travels to Rome, where he joins forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist. Embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra will follow the 400-year-old Path of Illumination that marks the Vatican’s only hope for survival.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Sony/Zade Rosenthal. All Rights Reserved.

Angels_01: Tom Hanks stars in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_02: Tom Hanks stars in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_03: (L to R) Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Thure Lindhart and Ewan McGregor in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_04: Tom Hanks and Ayelet Zurer star in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_05: Tom Hanks stars in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_06: Ewan McGregor in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks.
Angels_07: (L to R) Pierfrancesco Favino, Ayelet Zurer, Tom Hanks and David Pasquesi in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_08: Tom Hanks stars in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_09: Ewan McGregor in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks.
Angels_10: Ayelet Zurer and Tom Hanks star in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_11: Ewan McGregor in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks.
Angels_12: Tom Hanks and Ayelet Zurer star in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_13: Tom Hanks and Ayelet Zurer star in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_14: (L to R) Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Thure Lindhart, unidentified, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Rance Howard and unidentified, in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons.
Angels_15: Armin Mueller-Stahl and Ewan McGregor in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks.
Angels_16: Ayelet Zurer in Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks.
Angels_17: Director Ron Howard on the set of Columbia Pictures suspense thriller Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 39-Image Gallery For ‘We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial’

BrianTT — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:09:52 -0700

CHICAGO – This 39-image slideshow contains a selection of official press images from HBO’s “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial,” which took place on Sunday, January 18th, 2009 in Washington, DC.

The presentation included musical performances from Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, Bettye LaVette, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Pete Seeger, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, U2, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder. Celebrities reading historical passages included Jack Black, Steve Carell, Rosario Dawson, Jamie Foxx, Tom Hanks, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah, Laura Linney, and Denzel Washington. Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson gave the invocation and Rob Mathes was the music director and arranger for the backing bands.

For more information on how you can see the inauguration at a theatre near you, check out this news story and don’t forget to enter our HollywoodChicago.com Hookup. Even if it’s too late to win, you may want to learn more about the DVD “President Barack Obama: The Man and His Journey”.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Kevin Mazur/Courtesy of HBO unless otherwise noted.

We_Are_One_01: President-Elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_02: President-Elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_03: Denzel Washington speaks at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_04: Denzel Washington speaks at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_05: Bruce Springsteen performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_06: Bruce Springsteen performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_07: Mary J Blige performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_08: Mary J Blige performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_09: Garth Brooks performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_10: Garth Brooks performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_11: President-Elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_12: Jill Biden, Vice President-Elect Joe Biden, President-Elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_13: Bruce Springsteen performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_14: Bruce Springsteen performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_15: Garth Brooks performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_16: Garth Brooks performs at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_17: Atmosphere at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_18: Atmosphere at “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_19: Bruce Springsteeen and Queen Latifa backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_20: Jon Bon Jovi backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_21: will.i.am and Queen Latifah backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_22: Ron Howard backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln MemorialÓpresented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_23: Jamie Foxx and Samuel L Jackson backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_24: Jack Black backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_25: Forrest Whitaker and will.i.am backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_26: Ron Howard, Steve Carrell, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_27: will.i.am, Forrest Whitaker, Bruce Springsteen and Jamie Foxx backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_28: Jack Black backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_29: Marisa Tomei, Forrest Whitaker and Angela Bassett backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_30: Marisa Tomei backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_31: Jon Bon Jovi and Garth Brooks backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_32: Bruce Springsteen at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_33: Bruce Springsteen at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_34: Bruce Springsteen and Martin Luther King Jr. III at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_35: Martin Luther King Jr. III at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_36: Atmosphere at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_37: John Mellencamp and Jack Black backstage at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_38: President-Elect Barack Obama and Sasha Obama at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.
We_Are_One_39: Jill Biden, Vice President-Elect Joe Biden, President-Elect Barack Obama, Sasha Obama, Michelle Obama and Malia Obama at We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday January 18th 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Sean Penn’s Oscar-Possible Harvey Milk Puts Face to Gay Rights in ‘Milk’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:39:20 -0700

CHICAGO – Just as Tom Hanks put a face to AIDS in 1993’s “Philadelphia,” Sean Penn has now put a face to gay rights as Harvey Milk in the new Gus Van Sant true-story film “Milk”.

While Penn’s Harvey Milk had the physical demeanor of a petite and gentle man, the fire inside the real-life activist for gay rights was both his blessing and sometimes his poison.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Milk found balancing personal relationships challenging amid his relentless quest to be the first gay politician in California. The film’s story takes place in the 1970s when those who were out of the closet were much less accepted than they are today.

Milk found himself fighting not only the adversity to his political dream because it hadn’t been done before but also a powerful politician in his state as well as an omnipresent national force against gay rights.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Milk” in our reviews section.

But even more than gay rights, Milk’s life was devoted to the same tenants of newly elected U.S. president Barack Obama: change and hope.

Because of the political corollaries to Obama’s message for change today as well as the brouhaha in California now over gay marriage (and the potential to repeal the thousands who snuck in during the short period of time when the law allowed them), the timing for the release of the film today couldn’t be more prescient.

“Milk” stars Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James Franco and Alison Pill. “Milk,” which is directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Dustin Lance Black, opened in Chicago on Nov. 26, 2008.

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Milk” review.

Sean Penn stars as real-life gay rights icon Harvey Milk in director Gus Van Sant’s “Milk”.
Photo credit: Phil Bray

Alison Pill (left) and Emile Hirsch (right) star as real-life gay rights activists Anne Kronenberg and Cleve Jones (respectively) in director Gus Van Sant’s “Milk”.
Photo credit: Phil Bray

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Milk” review.