Dustin Levell

Analysis: Second Season of AMC’s Hit Series ‘Mad Men’ the Easiest Sell on TV Today

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:24:24 -0700

CHICAGO – Men in three-piece suits. Smoking and drinking throughout the day in your corner office. Womanizing and objectifying every woman in the secretarial pool.

If AMC’s hit original series “Mad Men” is taken at face value, it would seem that life as an advertising executive in the 1960s couldn’t be any better. But like good advertising, the impressive series knows how to sell the image while the real substance lies underneath.

Christina Hendricks in “Mad Men” on AMC.
Photo credit: AMC

The series, which debuted in 2007, has received nothing but accolades from critics as well as numerous awards.

Christina Hendricks in “Mad Men” on AMC.
Photo credit: AMC

In addition to its two Golden Globes and a Peabody, the series was nominated for 16 Emmy Awards including being the first basic cable series ever to be nominated for best drama. GQ has said it’s “the only hour-long drama we demand you watch”.

“Mad Men” centers around Don Draper (Jon Hamm). He’s an often silent yet handsome and gifted creative director turned junior partner at the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. Draper has a beautiful wife – Betty (January Jones) – who left a career as a model to become a homemaker and mother to their two beautiful children.

On the surface, Don is the most uninteresting person in the world. He dutifully listens to his superiors. He lovingly looks after his wife and family. His day-to-day existence seems nothing more than pitching his ideas to clients and watching his back for younger guys in the firm who are gunning for his job.

As the first season progresses throughout 1960, however, layers of Draper and the other characters are pulled back. We in fact learn that Don was Richard “Dick” Whitman: the illegitimate child of a prostitute who died during childbirth.

He lived with a brother and abusive father until he apparently disappeared and reinvented himself. He makes a great effort to hide these details from his wife, co-workers and his occasional mistress. Since the inception of “Mad Men,” show creator Matthew Weiner has had a clear vision for the series.

January Jones in “Mad Men” on AMC.
Photo credit: AMC

Weiner wrote the pilot script on spec while working on “Becker” back in 2000. David Chase read the pilot and was so impressed that he was hired to be a writer on the hit HBO series “The Sopranos”. When “The Sopranos” ended, AMC picked up “Mad Men” to be the flagship for its new original line of programming.

Visually, the show is amazing to view. The colors, scenery and wardrobe give an almost fantastical look at the mod styling of the 1960s. The series immerses itself in the cultural Zeitgeist. In the first season, there is reference to Miles Davis, Billy Wilder’s “The Apartment” and the Volkswagen Beetle.

Amazingly, almost everything is approached through the eye of marketing and brand image. The show starts just a few years after Vance Packard’s seminal book “The Hidden Persuaders,” which brought to light media manipulation of Madison Avenue advertising men (who themselves coined the name “Mad Men”).

The pilot focuses on clean-cut professionals redefining how to sell Lucky Strike cigarettes despite an article in Reader’s Digest that has linked them to lung cancer. Later we see Don Draper debate the merits of advertising with a beatnik. The show is impeccable with its point of view.

January Jones (left) and Jon Hamm in “Mad Men” on AMC.
Photo credit: AMC

It’s surprising that the scene featuring the men of Sterling Cooper laughing to the now-famous comedy LP “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” didn’t have them commenting on Newhart’s spot-on bit “Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Ave.”.

The biggest debate the show has started is whether its portrayal of women being marginalized in 1960 is actually still marginalizing them today.

One could argue defensibly, though, that “B”-story plotlines following Betty Draper’s hidden experimentation with psychoanalysis, a single divorced mother being shunned by the neighborhood and the start of ideas such as the female orgasm being discussed more openly starts a catalyst for the upcoming free love and women’s rights movements.

Peggy Olsen (played remarkably by Elisabeth Moss) starts season one as the new girl and lowly secretary trying to fight off advances of the executives of Sterling Cooper. By the end of season one, she has defied convention and has been promoted to copywriter.

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More writing from critic Dustin Levell.

This clearly lays the groundwork for upcoming seasons.

The show’s supposed to travel up until 1970. Season two starts on Valentine’s Day in 1962. Without doubt, season two will feature more mystery and enthralling developments set against the backdrop of the Kennedy Administration, the Vietnam War and the Cold War along with the rise of Bob Dylan and folk music.

Don Draper will no doubt explore new ways to market to a rapidly changing society while keeping things peaceful at home. Masterful writing and beautiful imagery make AMC’s “Mad Men” the easiest sell on television today.

“Mad Men,” which airs on AMC, stars Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Bryan Batt, Michael Gladis, Aaron Staton, Rich Sommer and John Slattery. The second season began on July 27, 2008 and airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. CST.

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

Jules Verne’s ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ With Brendan Fraser Stars Film’s 3-D Effects

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:15:19 -0700

CHICAGO – Jules Verne’s classic 1864 science-fiction novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth” has been adapted well in excess of a dozen times into films, radio and stage plays along with several made-for-TV movies and video games. It has even been adapted into two amusement-park rides.

So what new approach is taken with the Brendan Fraser 2008 remake of “Journey to the Center of Earth”? Well, 3-D glasses. Also, it isn’t so much an adaptation of the book but a very weak narrative film that uses action sequences from the book to make for cool, 3-D effects.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

Trevor (Brendan Fraser) is a volcanology professor at a college where he’s about lose his research lab. His sister-in-law drops off his nephew, Sean (Josh Hutcherson), to spend 10 days with Trevor. Sean’s mother also drops off a box of items left behind by his late father.

Read Dustin Levell’s full review of “Journey to the Center of the Earth” in our reviews section.

View our full, high-resolution “Journey to the Center of the Earth” image gallery.

In it, Trevor finds a copy of Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” with notes from his brother and lab partner. Deciphering the notations, Trevor believes the correlation between the seismic readings he has found in his lab and the notes in the book mean something.

That’s why he and Sean travel to Iceland where Trevor’s brother went missing to investigate. There they meet a guide, Hannah (Anita Briem), who’s the daughter of another Verne follower and scientist.

She leads them into a cave where they begin to discover that everything Verne wrote seems to be fact. All of the personalities of these characters seem thrown together quickly and without enough depth.

“Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which stars Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem, opened everywhere on July 11, 2008.

Continuing reading for Dustin Levell’s full “Journey to the Center of the Earth” review.

Brendan Fraser stars as Trevor in New Line Cinema’s release of Eric Brevig’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.
Photo credit: Sebastian Raymond, New Line Cinema

Left to right: Anita Briem stars as Hannah, Brendan Fraser stars as Trevor and Josh Hutcherson stars as Sean in New Line Cinema’s release of Eric Brevig’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.
Photo credit: Sebastian Raymond, New Line Cinema

Continuing reading for Dustin Levell’s full “Journey to the Center of the Earth” review.

Wizard World Chicago 2008 Contest: How Many Pictured Superheroes Can You Guess?

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:57:33 -0700

CHICAGO – Greetings, true believers! Another year of Wizard World Chicago has come and gone. To help hold you off until next year, HollywoodChicago.com is hosting a contest to see who knows their masked crusaders best!

Following our pre-show coverage and pre-show slideshow, senior staff writer Dustin Levell managed to press the flesh with scores of heroes and villains on the floor of Wizard World Chicago 2008. Whether it be the Justice League of America, Legion of Doom, Alliance, Rebel or even hot girl or really scary guy, Dustin was there to meet them.

See how many of these 54 pictures of icons from the realm of comic books, sci-fi and anime you can identify. As a bonus, we’ve added four pictures for extra credit that we aren’t quite sure are identifiable characters.

The entries with the most correct answers will be entered into a drawing to win fun prizes. We promise you this is challenging, fun and worth your time. We have built an online form for you to submit your answers. Keep this slideshow open in one window to see the pictures and the online form in other to submit your answers.

As you scroll through the photos, swap between the two windows and enter your answers in the online form. Submit your form when you’ve answered as many as you can. You can click “Next” or “Previous” above or jump directly to individual photos below. Good luck, and excelsior!

See our 54-image Wizard World Chicago 2008 superhero and villain slideshow and submit your answers online!

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

Amy Ryan of ‘Gone Baby Gone,’ ‘The Wire’ Signs Onto New Episodes of NBC Hit TV Show ‘The Office’

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:22:52 -0700

CHICAGO – Amy Ryan’s star just keeps rising. The breakout actress from HBO’s “The Wire,” who was nominated for a Golden Globe and Academy Award for her role in “Gone Baby Gone,” will be featured in at least five episodes on this coming season of NBC hit TV show “The Office”.

Amy Ryan from “Gone Baby Gone,” “The Wire” and “The Office”.
Photo credit: (source)

In season four’s finale of “The Office” (entitled “Goodbye, Toby”), Amy Ryan’s character (Holly Flax) took over the HR position from Toby Flenderson (played by Paul Lieberstein).

With the 2007 finale being her first episode, Holly was teased as a potential love interest for branch boss Michael Scott (portrayed by Steve Carell). Last week, Carell signed on to do three more seasons of “The Office”. Ryan and Carell appeared together in 2007’s “Dan in Real Life”.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do with the character,” Ryan said in a Sunday Variety report, “but as it was written, there’s certainly a lot of potential. It’s a funny thing to enter a show … you’re a great fan of and it’s nice to tell lighter stories. I love the dark, grittier side of life, but it’s nice to take a break from that, put a skirt on and brush your hair.”

Though the fan-favorite Toby is gone from the screen, Lieberstein – a writer and actor on the show since the first season – will continue on as an executive producer through the fifth season of “The Office”. Lieberstein added in the Variety report: “Amy gave the character of Holly an openness and matured innocence that exposed a new side of Michael. She placed her character right on his level.”

Ryan has more projects set for the big screen including “Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq’s Green Zone” and Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling”.

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

Wizard World Chicago in Full Swing; Geeks Rejoice as Comic Expo Will Be Largest in Local History

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:11:21 -0700

CHICAGO – Thursday kicks off the annual Wizard World Chicago comic book convention, which runs June 26 through June 29, 2008.

Comic book and toy collectors from around the world are gathering at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont to hock goods, spread rumors and revel in all things geeky. Here’s a breakdown of some of the fun.

See our 12-slide Wizard World Chicago 2008 image slideshow.

“Batman: Gotham Knight” (the film that bridges the gap between 2005’s “Batman Begins” and 2008’s “The Dark Knight”) will have its world premiere on Saturday night.

Following the premiere, writers Brian Azzarello, Alan Burnett, Josh Olson, Greg Rucka and executive producer Bruce Timm will take part in a special panel and Q&A session moderated by DC Comics senior vice president of creative affairs Gregory Noveck.

The creative team will then participate in a public signing on Sunday morning.
Special guest Missy Peregrym from the hit TV shows “Reaper” and “Heroes” will sit down with Kevin Mahadeo from Wizard Magazine during a Saturday Q&A panel.
Guest of honor Warren Ellis will be at the show every day from Thursday to Sunday courtesy of Avatar Press. During his special nighttime event on Friday at 9:30 p.m., Ellis will discuss a variety of topics and give fans a rare glimpse into his unparalleled personality.
On Saturday at 2 p.m., you can learn how students at Chicago’s Flashpoint Academy are working on the exciting visual effects for the soon-to-be-released film “Space Pirates”.

The visual effects supervisor for the film “Space Pirates” (also chair of the visual effects and animation department at Flashpoint Academy) will be on hand to show how the effects are being created. Work representing the students and professionals will be discussed.
Venom and Phoenix from the hit NBC series “American Gladiators” will be showing clips and giving away behind-the-scenes secrets during their question-and-answer session on Friday.
The creators of the “[adult swim]” series “Moral Orel” will participate in a panel on Saturday during which you’ll hear about the making of this Emmy Award-winning, stop-motion animated show. Present at the panel will be Dino Stamatopoulos (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”), Chicago’s Scott Adsit (“30 Rock”) and Chris McKay. They’re oh-so offensive and oh-so funny.

Six of the seven artists who formed Image Comics, which has gone on to be one of the biggest comic companies of all time, will reunite on Saturday.

Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, Whilce Portacio, Erik Larsen, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino will discuss the past, present and future of the company that brought you “Spawn,” “WildC.A.T.s,” “Savage Dragon,” “Youngblood” and more.

Wizard World Chicago takes its first step into the world of live music with the invigorating J-pop sound of ORESKABAND, which is currently one of the hottest bands in Japan.
Photo credit: Wizard Entertainment

With the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” movie and TV series hot on the horizon, Lucasfilm “head of fan relations” Steve Sansweet will have much to share with fans at Wizard World Chicago.
Sansweet’s presentation will reveal exciting looks into the upcoming animated movie and series as well as into LucasArts’ breathtaking new game “The Force Unleashed”.
Image Comics’ writer Robert Kirkman will be the subject of a look at his work on “Invincible,” “The Walking Dead,” “The Astounding Wolf-Man” and “Brit” during a panel on Friday.
On Thursday night at 7 p.m., all 100 original Hulk covers for Marvel’s recent Hulk No. 1 will be on display for the first and only time at a “green-room event”. Only 200 admission tickets will be sold with all proceeds going to benefit the The Hero Initiative.

“The Great Debate: Bendis vs. Johns” pits two of the hottest writers in comics – Marvel heavyweight Brian Michael Bendis and DC Comics titan Geoff Johns – against each other as they debate some of the most controversial topics in the industry.

Special guest Missy Peregrym from the hit TV shows “Reaper” and “Heroes” will sit down with Kevin Mahadeo from Wizard Magazine during a Saturday Q&A panel.
Photo credit: Wizard Entertainment

The convention takes its first step into the world of live music with the invigorating J-pop sound of ORESKABAND, which is currently one of the hottest bands in Japan.
The concert, which is free to convention attendees, will take place on Friday evening. Prior to the concert, ORESKABAND will be signing autographs on Friday at 1 p.m. in the fountain area.
In Saturday’s “Spawn to the Future” panel, “Spawn” creator Todd McFarlane makes a special guest appearance at Wizard World Chicago to introduce the new “Spawn” creative team.

Writer Brian Holguin, artist Whilce Portacio and McFarlane himself who will co-plot the stories and lay out the pages while revealing secrets about the book’s upcoming new direction.
There will be two tournament halls set up for gaming. Players will be competing all weekend in scheduled HeroClix battles for the title of North American national champion in the WizKids tournament hall. There will also be non-stop, around-the-clock gaming in the Wizards of the Coast hall.
There will be a “Women in Comics” panel on Sunday at noon. Gail Simone (“Wonder Woman” writer), Kristin Allen (“Aliens vs Predator: Requiem” and “Women of Marvel” sketch card artist) and Katie Cook (licensed artist for “Star Wars,” DC and Marvel) will share their experiences and tell you how to survive and thrive in the comics industry.

They will be joined by Agnes Garbowska (“Peach and the Isle of Monsters” and “Polar Bear Princess”), Eva Hopkins (“Dark Ivory” and colorist for “Dawn”), Jann Jones (senior coordinating editor for DCU) and Carly Spade (colorist for Particle 9 Productions).
During his Saturday “Wizard School” panel, Bob Layton (Marvel’s legendary creator of “Iron Man,” “X-Factor” and “Hercules: Prince of Power”) will discuss and demonstrate some “simple rules of thumb” that any beginning artist can apply when attempting to create a comics page.

You can learn on Sunday at 11 a.m. from this visionary veteran of the comic book industry and see how to apply his knowledge and experience to your own comics work.
Mitch Breitweiser (“Captain America: The Chosen” artist) will join Ethan Van Sciver, Shane Davis, Adi Granov, Greg Horn and Aaron Lopresti for the first “Wizard World Win, Lose or Draw” panel on Sunday at 1 p.m. The assortment of artists and two fans will play for prizes.

Attendees must purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to compete on stage. All proceeds benefit The Hero Initiative.

Also, stay tuned as HollywoodChicago.com writer Dustin Levell offers his reactions and thoughts from convention attendees in the next edition of the HollywoodChicago.com podcast!

See our 12-slide Wizard World Chicago 2008 image slideshow.

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

George Carlin Dies at 71 of Heart Failure; Comedian a Voice For Counter-Culture

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:11:56 -0700

CHICAGO – “Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time,” comedian George Carlin once said. The iconic and award-winning figure died of heart failure on Sunday at the age of 71.

Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, went into the hospital earlier in the day and complained of chest pains. Still very active, he had just performed last weekend in Las Vegas.

Legendary comedian George Carlin.
Photo credit: Public domain

With an extensive career in comedy for more than 50 years, it was announced just days ago that George Carlin would be 2008’s recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The Kennedy Center in Nov. 2008.

Carlin got his big break on “The Merv Griffin Show” in the 1950s playing such memorable characters as “Al Sleet”. He would give the night’s forecast as simply: “Dark, darker, then some widely scattered light in the morning.”

Throughout the 1960s, Carlini made more than 80 appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show” as well as a recurring role on the television show “That Girl”. His first album in 1967 “Take-Offs and Put-Ons” featured Carlin’s mastery of wordplay and won him rave reviews.

Carlin felt the need to change in the 1970s. During this time, he shed his clean-cut suit and tie look and became more in touch with counter-culture by picking up the mantle left behind by Lenny Bruce. In 1972, Carlin won a Grammy for his album “FM & AM,” which featured a mix of his older humor and new, edgier style.

His seminal album from the same year “Class Clown” contained his famous “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television”. This led to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling about which words are found to be indecent for FCC broadcast during hours in which children might be listening. In 1975, he was the first person to host “Saturday Night Live”.

A voice for the counter-culture, Carlin was candid about his illicit drug use, disdain for the government and strong opposition to all forms of religion. Though typically thought of as an atheist, Carlin once described himself as a “Frisbeetarian” (when you die, your soul flies up to the roof and gets stuck).

The comedian faced some struggles in his life. Early on, Carlin was arrested on counts of obscenity. In the 1980s, he faced major tax issues as well as a heart attack and two open-heart surgeries. He also had a continuing fight with addiction and most recently checked himself into rehab in 2004 for pain-killer abuse.

Carlin continued to enjoy success as a touring comedian, actor and director throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

He authored several best-selling books including “When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?” and almost every year produced a new HBO comedy special. Carlin continued to act with memorable roles in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “The Prince of Tides” and “Dogma” and for one season on FOX’s “The George Carlin Show”.

Carlin always spoke light-heartedly about death. In a more recent special, he joked about people’s empathy for grieving with these words: “Is there anything I can do for you? Yeah. How ‘bout you come over and paint my garage.”

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

The Weinstein Co. to Hit Broadway With Stage Versions of ‘Finding Neverland,’ Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:18:54 -0700

CHICAGO – Brothers Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein of The Weinstein Company are becoming just as big on Broadway as they have been in the movies.

Harvey Weinstein (left) and Bob Weinstein (right) of The Weinstein Company.
Photo credits: Harvey Weinstein image (source) and Bob Weinstein image (source)

The Weinstein Co., which is a minority producer in the Tony Award-winning revival “Boeing Boeing” and the Steppenwolf Theatre’s Tony Award-winning “August: Osage County,” recently announced the production of numerous stage projects. They’ll begin with a stage version of the film “Finding Neverland” followed by a work based off Pink Floyd’s seminal album “The Wall”.

Further down the line are musicals based off the Miramax pictures “Shakespeare in Love,” “Chocolat,” “Cinema Paradiso” and “Shall We Dance”.

The Weinsteins first got their taste for live theatre when they helped produce Tom Stoppard’s 2000 revival of “The Real Thing” and the following year on Mel Brooks’ “The Producers”. Up until now, the brothers have played low-key rolls in the creative process, but the newly announced productions will feature The Weinstein Co. at the helm of each.

The Weinstein Co. has also announced a major rehaul on its Miramax TV division, which aside from “Project Greenlight” and “Project Runway” hasn’t been as successful as its film and stage ventures.

New shows include “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” for HBO, “Models of the Runway” (a “Project Runway” spinoff for Lifetime) and a sitcom based on the 2007 movie “The Nanny Diaries”. Also in the works include the eco-friendly series “Lovecraft” and a new take on the 1980s franchise “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

Spike Lee to Direct ‘Time Traveler,’ AFI Releases ‘10 Top 10’ List, New J.J. Abrams Film

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:58:54 -0700

CHICAGO – Spike Lee has announced that “Time Traveler” will be his next project. “Time Traveler” will be an adaptation of Ronald Mallett’s memoir. Mallett was one of the first African-Americans to earn a doctorate in theoretical physics.

A labor of love for Lee, he purchased the rights to the novel and will co-write and direct the film. “Time Traveler” is being produced through his Forty Acres & A Mule Filmworks production company. “Miracle at St. Anna,” which is also an adaptation of a novel, was directed by Lee and will be released by Touchstone this fall.

J.J. Abrams also will be producing an adaptation soon. Paramount has purchased the New York Times article “Mystery on Fifth Street” that Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions will produce.

Maya Forbes and Wally Wolodarsky have been hired to write the adaptation. Forbes wrote for “The Larry Sanders Show” and Woladarsky wrote for “The Simpsons”. Most recently, they collaborated on the Rainn Wilson comedy “The Rocker”.

The story, which was written by Penelope Green, ran as a feature in the New York Times last week. It talks about an upper east side luxury apartment that had been renovated to include hidden compartments, puzzles, poems and codes for pre-teen children.

Abrams is currently at work directing a new “Star Trek” film and creating the new series “Fringe” on FOX this fall.

The American Film Institute (AFI) has just unveiled its “10 Top 10” list, which highlights the best films in each genre. Here are the AFI’s “10 Top 10” honorees.

The American Film Institute’s “10 Top 10” films in 2008.
Photo credits: American Film Institute

Animation

1) “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” 1937
2) “Pinocchio,” 1940
3) “Bambi,” 1942
4) “The Lion King,” 1994
5) “Fantasia,” 1940
6) “Toy Story,” 1995
7) “Beauty and the Beast,” 1991
8) “Shrek,” 2001
9) “Cinderella,” 1950
10) “Finding Nemo,” 2003

Fantasy

1) “The Wizard of Oz,” 1939
2) “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” 2001
3) “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 1946
4) “King Kong,” 1933
5) “Miracle on 34th Street,” 1947
6) “Field of Dreams,” 1989
7) “Harvey,” 1950
8) “Groundhog Day,” 1993
9) “The Thief of Bagdad,” 1924
10) “Big,” 1988

Gangster

1) “The Godfather,” 1972
2) “Goodfellas,” 1990
3) “The Godfather: Part II,” 1974
4) “White Heat,” 1949
5) “Bonnie and Clyde,” 1967
6) “Scarface: The Shame of a Nation,” 1932
7) “Pulp Fiction,” 1994
8) “The Public Enemy,” 1931
9) “Little Caesar,” 1930
10) “Scarface,” 1983

Science Fiction

1) “2001: A Space Odyssey,” 1968
2) “Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope” 1977
3) “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” 1982
4) “A Clockwork Orange,” 1971
5) “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” 1951
6) “Blade Runner,” 1982
7) “Alien,” 1979
8) “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” 1991
9) “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” 1956
10) “Back to the Future,” 1985

Western

1) “The Searchers,” 1956
2) “High Noon,” 1952
3) “Shane,” 1953
4) “Unforgiven,” 1992
5) “Red River,” 1948
6) “The Wild Bunch,” 1969
7) “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” 1969
8) “McCabe & Mrs. Miller,” 1971
9) “Stagecoach,” 1939
10) “Cat Ballou,” 1965

Sports

1) “Raging Bull,” 1980
2) “Rocky,” 1976
3) “The Pride of the Yankees,” 1942
4) “Hoosiers,” 1986
5) “Bull Durham,” 1988
6) “The Hustler,” 1961
7) “Caddyshack,” 1980
8) “Breaking Away,” 1979
9) “National Velvet,” 1944
10) “Jerry Maguire,” 1996

Mystery

1) “Vertigo,” 1958
2) “Chinatown,” 1974
3) “Rear Window,” 1954
4) “Laura,” 1944
5) “The Third Man,” 1949
6) “The Maltese Falcon,” 1941
7) “North By Northwest,” 1959
8) “Blue Velvet,” 1986
9) “Dial M for Murder,” 1954
10) “The Usual Suspects,” 1995

Romantic Comedy

1) “City Lights,” 1931
2) “Annie Hall,” 1977
3) “It Happened One Night,” 1934
4) “Roman Holiday,” 1953
5) “The Philadelphia Story,” 1940
6) “When Harry Met Sally…,” 1989
7) “Adam’s Rib,” 1949
8) “Moonstruck,” 1987
9) “Harold and Maude,” 1971
10) “Sleepless in Seattle,” 1993

Courtroom Drama

1) “To Kill a Mockingbird,” 1962
2) “12 Angry Men,” 1957
3) “Kramer vs. Kramer,” 1979
4) “The Verdict,” 1982
5) “A Few Good Men,” 1992
6) “Witness for the Prosecution,” 1957
7) “Anatomy of a Murder,” 1959
8) “In Cold Blood,” 1967
9) “A Cry in the Dark,” 1988
10) “Judgment at Nuremberg,” 1961

Epic

1) “Lawrence of Arabia,” 1962
2) “Ben-Hur,” 1959
3) “Schindler’s List,” 1993
4) “Gone with the Wind,” 1939
5) “Spartacus,” 1960
6) “Titanic,” 1997
7) “All Quiet on the Western Front,” 1930
8) “Saving Private Ryan,” 1998
9) “Red,” 1981
10) “The Ten Commandments,” 1956

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

Chicago’s ‘August: Osage County’ Shines at Tony Awards; ‘Cowboys & Aliens’ Gets Green Light

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:56:01 -0700

CHICAGO – The 62nd-annual Tony Awards, which were held on Sunday night, reflect a diverse but weak year for original theatre. Revivals bested originals nine to two.

Taking home the most awards that night with seven was Bartlett Sher’s revival of the Oscar Hammerstein classic “South Pacific”. The original musical “In the Heights” and the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “August: Osage County” got three and four awards respectively.

“August: Osage County” got its start at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Company member Rondi Reed took home the Tony for best actress in a play.

Though the Tony Awards were one night celebrating American theatre, sources point to the stagehand strike and a lack of runaway hits like “Spring Awakening” or “Jersey Boys” this year as the foundation for Broadway failing to set new box-office records as it has done the past three years. The full list of the 2008 Tony Awards follows.

Book (musical): “Passing Strange” (Stew)
Original score (music and/or lyrics): “In the Heights” (music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda)
Revival (play): “Boeing-Boeing”
Revival (musical): “South Pacific”
Actor (play): Mark Rylance, “Boeing-Boeing”
Actress (play): Deanna Dunagan, “August: Osage County”
Actor (musical): Paulo Szot, “South Pacific”
Actress (musical): Patti LuPone, “Gypsy”
Featured actor (play): Jim Norton, “The Seafarer”
Featured actress (play): Rondi Reed, “August: Osage County”
Featured actor (musical): Boyd Gaines, “Gypsy”
Featured actress (musical): Laura Benanti, “Gypsy”
Direction (play): Anna D. Shapiro, “August: Osage County”
Direction (musical): Bartlett Sher, “South Pacific”
Choreography: Andy Blankenbuehler, “In the Heights”
Orchestrations: Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman, “In the Heights”
Scenic design (play): Todd Rosenthal, “August: Osage County”
Scenic design (musical): Michael Yeargen, “South Pacific”
Costume design (play): Katrina Lindsay, “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”
Costume design (musical): Catherine Zuber, “South Pacific”
Lighting design (play): Kevin Adams, “The 39 Steps”
Lighting design (musical): Donald Holder, “South Pacific”
Sound design (play): Mic Pool, “The 39 Steps”
Sound design (musical): Scott Lehrer, “South Pacific”

Previously Announced:
Regional Theater Tony Award: Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Special Tony Award: Robert Russell Bennett
Lifetime Achievement Award: Stephen Sondheim

In other news, the graphic novel “Cowboys & Aliens” is coming to the big screen. Robert Downey Jr. is currently in talks for the starring role as a former Union Army gunslinger named Zeke Jackson. Even though the comic book has only been out a few years, the film has been in development for the last decade.

The comic cover for “Cowboys & Aliens”.
Image credit: Platinum Studios Comics

The latest draft of the screenplay was written by Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus (“Iron Man,” “Children of Men”). DreamWorks and Universal are currently seeking a 2010 release for the film. The story conceived by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley follows the adventures of Old West settlers, Native Americans and – of course – aliens from space.

Finally, the big green brought the green into the movie theaters this weekend. “The Incredible Hulk” took the No. 1 spot at the box office with Jack Black’s “Kung Fu Panda” coming in second. M. Night Shamalyan’s “The Happening” performed better than expected.

Weekend Box-Office Estimates:
1) “The Incredible Hulk”: $54.5 million (gross), $54.5 million (cume)
2) “Kung Fu Panda”: $34.3 million (gross), $118.0 million (cume)
3) “The Happening”: $30.5 million (cume), $30.5 million (cume)
4) “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan”: $16.4 million (gross), $68.8 million (cume)
5) “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”: $13.5 million (gross), $275.3 million (cume)

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

Raven Theatre’s ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’ Serves Justice to Neil Simon Masterpiece

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:58:33 -0700

CHICAGO – Part slapstick and part Henny Youngman-style one-liner schtick, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” is a classic American comedy that still rings funny no matter how many times you’ve seen it.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Chosen by Chicago’s Raven Theatre to close out its 25th year, director Michael Menendian and his cast of quick wits do the Neil Simon masterpiece great justice. Originally produced in 1993, the play seems largely inspired by Neil Simon’s experiences as a joke writer on “Your Show of Shows” where he worked with Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart, Mel Tolkin and brother Danny Simon.

Eric Roach as Max Prince, Mackenzie Kyle as Carol Wyman and Noah Simon (seated) as Milt Fields in “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” at the Raven Theatre through July 26, 2008.
Photo credit: Dean La Prairie

In “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” a group of television comedy writers squabble and tease each other all under awe of larger-than-life television personality Max Prince.

“Laughter on the 23rd Floor” performs in Chicago at the Raven Theatre through July 26, 2008.
Photo credit: Raven Theatre

The personal lives of the characters seem secondary to the major issues of putting up a weekly sketch-comedy show and dealing with network censorship against the ominous backdrop of McCarthyism in the 1950s.

Lucas Brickman – a junior writer for the show – gives running commentary among the zingers and pseudo-psychotic behavior of the creative team of “The Max Prince Show”.

While Lucas isn’t a leading-man character, actor Dan Granata masterfully plays the role of ambassador to the audience and plays well against their energy. Eric Roach’s Max Prince feels more Jackie Gleason than Sid Caesar. You can immediately feel his presence when he enters the room.

The rest of the actors each bring something unique to characters that have been interpreted hundreds of times. They make this production interesting to watch even if you’ve seen the show ad nauseam. Letting Simon’s jokes sell themselves takes center stage in this gag-saturated script.

While the Raven Theatre has a great space, the wide-open staging at times seems almost counterintuitive for this show. Past productions I’ve seen have had the bagel tray almost directly on top of the writer’s table.

At the Raven’s East Stage, the scenery is so widely spaced that the tone of the play seems less tense than I’ve seen in other productions.

Left to right: Eric Roach, Jeremy Glickstein, Dean La Prairie, Noah Simon, Greg Caldwell and Greg Hardin in “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” at the Raven Theatre through July 26, 2008.
Photo credit: Michael Menendi

Rather than feeling like the writers are a family who live in closed quarters – constantly bickering and in each other’s business – it feels more like attention-starved friends trying to best each other with snappy comebacks.

Sometimes you’ll miss a quick one-liner while trying to whip your head from a neurotic Jew droning at a table to a drunken Russian over by a coffeemaker. Menendian imaginatively plays up the physical comedy and uses the space to elongate zany chases.

Despite the serious issues addressed in the play including the Red Scare and the changing face of television, the Raven’s production is fun and light-hearted.

The actors all have natural ability for comedy and the timing of each bit makes the show fly by. Neil Simon’s comedies can always be counted on for belly laughs. The Raven Theatre’s production of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” delivers on that promise.

“Laughter on the 23rd Floor” runs through July 26, 2008 at the Raven Theatre at 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. The play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. through June 28, 2008. While tickets are $25 for adults or $20 for students, they’re half price with this link.

For a complete listing of all shows and reviews in Chicago, visit our partner TheatreInChicago.com. For half-price Chicago theater tickets, visit our partner Goldstar.

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com