Charlize Theron

Superhero Film ‘Hancock’ With No Superhero Ancestry Proves Bold But Deadly Decision

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:35:37 -0700

CHICAGO – With superhero films as hot in 2008 as psychedelics were in the 1960s, the new blockbuster superhero film “Hancock” fits in with the label but without any of the ancestry.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

While 2008 superhero films such as “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “The Dark Knight,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” and “Punisher: War Zone” (along with “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” coming in 2009) are all based on previous stories with a previously ravenous fan base, “Hancock” with an alcoholic and listless Will Smith and Charlize Theron – who hides a surprise bombshell – literally comes from nowhereland.

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

View our full, high-resolution “Hancock” image gallery.

In fact, “Hancock” is the only 2008 superhero film not derived from a previously established comic book.

The original script for “Hancock,” which was inked by Vincent Ngo in 1996 and called “Tonight, He Comes,” was shuffled through the Hollywood director’s circuit until director Peter Berg (“The Kingdom,” “Friday Night Lights,” “The Rundown”) finally ate it up in Oct. 2006. Filming began in July 2007.

Its truly original origin could have either been its golden savior or its deadly assassin. The decision ultimately proved treacherous as everything it tried to do to be different just made it the same.

Its originality actually might not seem so novel, too, once you consider the 1983 film “The Return of Captain Invincible”. In that film, Alan Arkin plays Captain Invincible and Christopher Lee plays his nemesis (Mr. Midnight). Captain Invincible is asked to return from retirement to the superhero battlefields, but this time around, he’s a raging alcoholic. Sound familiar? Uh huh.

“Hancock,” which features Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman and director Michael Mann in a small acting role, opened everywhere on July 2, 2008.

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

Charlize Theron (left) and Will Smith in “Hancock”.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Will Smith (center) “Hancock”.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment

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

‘Sleepwalking’ Has Exactly That Potential Effect on Moviegoers

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:47:50 -0700

CHICAGO – When done improperly, there’s nothing more embarrassing than actors playing against their type or social class. There is a subtlety to channeling the lower middle or the working class beyond dressing down or developing a bad hairstyle. “Sleepwalking” is the type of film that gets it wrong and just gets worse as it tries harder.

Charlize Theron is cast as Oscar bait in her role as Joleen: a down-on-her-luck mother who has just been busted for growing marijuana.

She is also in trouble with social services and then threaten to take away her 11-year-old daughter, Tara, who’s played by the trying-too-hard AnnaSophia Robb. Desperate, she abandons the girl with her brother, James, who’s played by Nick Stahl.

Click here to read Patrick McDonald’s full review
of “Sleepwalking” in our reviews section!

Click here for our full “Sleepwalking” image gallery!

Charlize Theron in “Sleepwalking”.
Photo credit: IMDb

AnnaSophia Robb in “Sleepwalking”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Los Angeles Unrolls ‘Sleepwalking’ Red Carpet For Charlize Theron, Jenna Jameson

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:40:11 -0700

CHICAGO – Los Angeles on Thursday rolled out a star-studded red carpet for the cast of the new film “Sleepwalking”. Charlize Theron took center stage along with Nick Stahl (from TV’s “Carnivàle” and “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”) and AnnaSophia Robb (from “Bridge to Terabithia” and Violet Beauregarde in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”).

You’ll never guess who showed up in classy black attire, too: porn star Jenna Jameson (pictured in the final photo below). Actress Audrina Patridge (from TV’s “The Hills”) is pictured second from the bottom in purple. This red carpet was held at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood.

The film, which opens on March 14, also features Dennis Hopper and Woody Harrelson. The drama follows an 11-year-old girl’s struggle to come to terms with her mother’s abandonment.

While we feature a few of the new red-carpet shots below, continue on to our huge “Sleepwalking” red-carpet image gallery! Once you click on each photo there, click on the “original” link for high-quality versions. Photo credits go to Frazer Harrison of Getty Images for Overture Films.

Click here to view our entire red-carpet “Sleepwalking” image gallery!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com