Chris Klein

TV Review: ‘Wilfred’ with Elijah Wood Returns for More Quirky Humor

BrianTT — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:30:45 -0400

CHICAGO – I really wish I liked FX’s “Wilfred” more. It’s a decent show with elements of greatness (especially in Elijah Wood’s charismatic lead performance) that never quite clicks into something that finds its own potential. It’s like that stoner who tells you a joke that starts strong and eventually only becomes funny to him as he loses track of the punchline. A few solid guest stars in the first two episodes of the sophomore season, starting tonight, June 28, 2012, on FX, elevate the program overall but I can’t help but get frustrated by a show that never rises above merely quirky.

Television Rating: 3.0/5.0

The fact is that once one sets up the concept of “Wilfred” — a guy who is the only one who sees his hot neighbor’s dog as a man in a dog suit (Jason Gann) — the writers of the show don’t seem to do too much with it. Honestly, the man-dog jokes of “Wilfred” are the weakest part. When Wilfred talks about showing his balls to one of Wilfred’s co-workers who then thinks he’s being cute by wanting his tummy rubbed — these jokes were tired by episode two of the first season (recently released on Blu-ray and DVD), much less the second.

Wilfred
Photo credit: FX

Luckily, the writers do seem to be finding some creativity outside of the concept, typically in the form of interesting guest stars, including the still-funny Chris Klein in episode one and the always-solid Steven Weber in episode two. And some of the plot points are pretty creative, such as when Wilfred wants to impress Jenna’s (Fiona Gubelmann) boyfriend (Klein) and tries to get Ryan (Wood) to buy illegal steroids to help him out. And Wilfred trying to impress Ryan’s co-workers in episode two has some pretty surreal moments of creativity.

Wilfred: The Complete First Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 19, 2012
Photo credit: Fox

It’s just that the show is, ultimately, so hit and miss creatively. There’s enough inspired weirdness to cautiously recommend the show (especially when compared to the cookie cutter crap that is “Anger Management,” airing on the same night) but the first two episodes of “Wilfred” ended and I kind of shrugged my shoulders. Well, that was OK. Moving on. It’s just not as memorable as it should be although I still hold out hope that this dog will eventually have its day.

The Blu-ray and DVD for the inconsistent first season of “Wilfred” was recently released by Fox and it’s a pretty standard issue affair with strong-but-not-great transfers and a handful of features. Like the show, it’s OK.

Synopsis:
You’ll sit up and beg for more of Wilfred, the most hilarious and daringly original new comedy on TV. Elijah Wood stars as Ryan, a down-on-his-luck lawyer who forms a unique friendship with his sexy neighbor’s pet pooch “Wilfred.” Everyone else sees a dog, but Ryan sees a bong-ripping, beer-chugging, foul-mouthed Australian bloke in a furry suit (played by the outrageously funny Jason Gann). By unleashing the surly, sweet and always adventurous Wilfred, Ryan may just learn to stand on his own hind legs and embrace the insanity of real life.

Special Features:
o Mary Jane Mash-Up
o Deleted Scenes
o Wilfred & Bear: A Love Affair
o Fox Movie Channel Presents Life After Film School With Jason Gann
o Wilfred At Comic-Con 2011

“Wilfred” stars Elijah Wood, Jason Gann, and Fiona Gubelmann. It returns on FX with its second-season premiere on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 9pm CST. The first season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 19, 2012.

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

Film Review: ‘American Reunion’ is Tasteless, Stale Piece of Comedy Pie

BrianTT — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:54:19 -0400

CHICAGO – “American Reunion” is not unlike the event from which it takes its title. Some of it rekindles memories of what worked in the past in a nostalgic, even sweet way. Some of it reminds one what they liked about these people in the first place. Some of it is just sad. Ultimately, it’s too inconsistent a movie to recommend in any way even if Seann William Scott and Eugene Levy pull every weapon from their comedy arsenals to try and save it. It’s a stale piece of pie.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

Of course, “American Reunion” opens with an awkward scene of a sexual nature as we quickly learn that Jim (Jason Biggs) hasn’t really matured much since he was a virginal teenager even though he’s now married to Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) and has a precocious son. In the opening scene, he starts to masturbate to internet porn while his wife takes a bath when he’s interrupted by his toddler. Hilarity ensues. At least it’s supposed to. As with nearly everything that happens with Jim in “American Reunion,” there’s a desperation to the raunchy comedy like the writers are going through the motions instead of writing characters. “Well, we have to open with Jim being embarrassed, right?” Wouldn’t it have been more interesting and set the tone for something fresh instead of recycled if they didn’t?

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “American Reunion” in our reviews section.

Getting down on a film like “American Reunion” for being overly familiar is probably ill-advised. It’s why people go to see it, for the most part, to be reminded that we don’t really change all that much from our high school incarnations. It’s not so much a flaw of the film that these character have grown so little since “American Pie” but that the recycled nature of it all lessens the entire franchise. It’s like someone doing a cover of “Closing Time.” Not only does it seem unnecessary but you’ll probably just be reminded that the original wasn’t that good in the first place.

The plot of “American Reunion” is pretty self-explanatory. Most of the characters from the first film pop up in major or minor parts (some VERY minor…just a warning Natasha Lyonne and Shannon Elizabeth fans, who I think combine for about 45 seconds of screen time) and echo plotlines from the first three films. To be fair, there aren’t nearly as many references to band camp as I expected. Although the writers do think every time someone says “Stifler’s mom” that it constitutes an actual punchline.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “American Reunion” review.

“American Reunion” stars Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Seann William Scott, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Katrina Bowden, Dania Ramirez, Alyson Hannigan, Eugene Levy, Ari Colbin, and Jennifer Coolidge. It was written and directed by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg. It is rated R and opens on April 6, 2012.

American Reunion
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

Blu-ray Review: Catch Up with First Three ‘American Pie’ Movies

BrianTT — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:17:26 -0400

CHICAGO – For a brief shining moment, it looked like the cast of 1999’s “American Pie” would be the break-out stars of the new millenium. Sadly, 13 years have passed and most of them haven’t fulfilled on their potential with a few never topping that first film, which is still a sweet, raunchy, comedy classic. Therefore, I’m sure most of the “Pie” kids were ecstatic that a fourth film, “American Reunion,” finally got off the ground, to be released on April 2nd, 2012. Before you catch up with them in a theater, catch up at home with the release of the first three films — the great “American Pie,” the decent “American Pie 2,” and the pretty-bad “American Wedding.”

American Pie
Photo credit: Universal

All three films have been given lavish treatment as Universal clearly thinks that the new movie is going to reignite interest in them either in a nostalgic generation or a new one. They all include DVD and Digital Copy versions, Unrated versions, PocketBlu & BD-Live functionality, and the COPIOUS special features that accompanied their DVD releases. It would take you days to get through it all. Lucky you have two weeks until the new movie. Get to work.

“American Pie”

Blu-ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

Synopsis:
You’ll never look at warm apple pie the same way again after you’ve seen the unrated version of American Pie! Take a hysterical look at the goal of four “unlucky in love” high school friends who make the ultimate pact: lost their virginity by prom night. As they try to manipulate their way into the hearts of some of their classmates, their plans often backfire with hilarity. Follow the raging hormones of four teenage boys and their girls as they gear up for the most important night of their lives…the prom?

Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
Audio Commentary With Cast And Crew
Casting Tapes
Spotlight On Location
From The Set: Photographic Montage With Director And Producer Comments
Poster Concepts
100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters
American Pie Revealed: The 3-Hour Story of The American Pie Franchise With Hilarious footage, Secrets and Stories From The Cast
American Reunion: A Look Inside
And More!

“American Pie 2”

Blu-ray Rating: 3.0/5.0

Synopsis:
The characters you love are back in American Pie 2 and the hilarious unrated version you’ll want to watch again and again! One year after the prom-night misadventures immortalized in American Pie, the entire gang has reunited for the summer. Now, an innocent-looking beach house will be transformed into the ultimate party central. Five guys will discover the powerful bonds of friendship…and Super Glue. Five girls will explore the mysteries of love…and the Rule of Three. And from late-night band camp encounters to some very accommodating next-door neighbors, this will be one summer vacation none of them will ever forget!

Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
4 Audio Commentaries With Cast And Crew
The Baking of American Pie 2
Good Times With Cast and Crew
American Reunion: A Look Inside
And More!

“American Wedding”

Blu-ray Rating: 2.0/5.0

Synopsis:
You’re on the guest list - for this unrated version of American Wedding! The American Pie gang returns to wreak havoc with a new rite of passage when Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) decide to get married! Of course, Stifler (Seann William Scott) will be there (bridesmaids!) and, more importantly, will throw the ultimate bachelor party (strippers!). So RSVP for the ultimate American Wedding experience, in this hilariously hot, frantically funny, final chapter of the unforgettable American Pie saga!

Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
2 Audio Commentaries With Cast And Crew
Stifler Speak
Cheesy Wedding Video
Kevin Cam: A Day In The Life Of An Actor
Nikki’s Hollywood Journal
Grooming The Groom
Enter The Dominatrix: Inside The Bachelor Party

The “American Pie” movis star Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Natasha Lyonne, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, and Eugene Levy. They were released on Blu-ray on March 13th, 2012. “American Reunion” will be released in theaters on April 2nd, 2012.

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

TV Review: FX Comedies ‘Wilfred,’ ‘Louie’ Start New Seasons

BrianTT — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:10:02 -0400

CHICAGO – FX has developed a nice comedy niche, taking greater risks than most other networks and seeing them pay off with hits like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “The League,” and “Archer.” The network is still relatively new to the comedy game and so their young track record is even more impressive. Naturally, there’s going to be a few speed bumps. One such bump premieres tonight in the uneven “Wilfred,” but it’s paired with the hysterical “Louie,” one of the best shows on TV this season.

Television Rating: 4.5/5.0

“Louie”

Let’s start with the positive. “Louie” is one of those rare programs that seems to be getting funnier by the episode. The first season started a little rocky but eventually developed a comedic consistency and the new season seems even more promising. The first two episodes of the second season are great, perfectly distilling what works so well about star/writer/creator Louis C.K.’s stand-up act into situation comedy form. The brilliance of shows like “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” was that they didn’t work against their creators but took their strengths and amplified them. “Louie” has become an often-brilliant look at the world through the eyes of one of the most unique voices in comedy.

Louie
Photo credit: FX

One of the things I like about “Louie” is the difficulty one has in trying to simply describe its titular lead. It’s too simple to say that Louis C.K. has a cynical view of the world but even he would admit this his show is not about to have any “very special episodes” with moral messages. And yet there’s something very identifiable and even likable about the guy. He’s not so cynical that he becomes off-putting as so many similar comics do. And he’s not a sad-sack, moaning about not being able to get a date, even though a lot of his comedic adventures could have made him such. I love the balance on “Louie” that keeps him from being a grumpy jerk even though he justifiably could be.

“Louie” works from C.K.’s stand-up and real life and the season premiere focuses on difficulties with his kids. The first two bits — a scene in which his daughter tells him how much more she likes spending time at mom’s and a stand-up routine about the problems planning activities with a five and nine-year-old — are worth watching alone. A visit from the comedian’s pregnant sister fills the second half of the episode.

The premiere is good but the second episode is great. It basically details two separate dates for Louis C.K., one that takes place after a hysterically morbid tragedy and another that seems like an ideal sexual scenario that goes hysterically awry. Not many sitcoms could work decapitation and blueberries into the same episode and make it seem genuine. “Louie” is a great show that’s only getting better.

The first season of “Louie” was also recently released on Blu-ray and DVD from Fox just in time for viewers who get hooked this year to catch up. This is not a technically fascinating show and so the HD transfer doesn’t seem all that necessary but it’s always better to own on Blu-ray whenever given the chance. Special features include Deleted and Extended Scenes, Audio Commentary on Selected Episodes by Louis C.K., and “Fox Movie Channel presents Writer’s Draft.” It was released in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack on June 21st, 2011.

Television Rating: 2.5/5.0

“Wilfred”

I wanted to love “Wilfred.” It wasn’t long into the episode that I wanted to just like “Wilfred.” And I almost do. It’s far from a complete disaster but television has always been and will always be about writing and it’s just not strong here. Star Elijah Wood nearly saves the comedy with an engaging, likable performance but repetitive jokes and a lack of characters to care about keep it on the lower tier of FX’s comedy totem pole. With time, it could develop into something interesting but it doesn’t work at the start of its first season, premiering tonight.

Wilfred
Photo credit: FX

Elijah Wood plays Ryan, a man who revises his suicide note several times just so he can get it “just right.” He survives his attempt but, after he comes to, he can see his neighbor’s dog, Wilfred (Jason Gann) as a man dressed in a dog suit. And Wilfred isn’t your average dog-man. He smokes a lot of pot, makes crude jokes, and basically serves as an aggressive life coach for Ryan. Trying to stay in the good graces of Wilfred’s owner, Ryan’s neighbor/crush Jenna (Fiona Gubbelman), our lead keeps the dog-man around. Maybe he can break him out of his funk and get the girl before everyone realizes that poor Ryan is having conversations with man’s best friend.

Too much of the writing in the first few episodes of “Wilfred” is centered on the shocking concept of seeing a man enacting canine behavior. We see Wilfred humping a woman’s leg, chasing after a motorcycle, humping a teddy bear, licking his owner’s face, etc. It’s not funny, in no small part because “Family Guy” has done the dog/man thing already. And you know that fine line between edgy and annoying that “Louie” walks so brilliantly? “Wilfred” is not so lucky. After just a few episodes, I was ready to take Wilfred to the shelter.

“Louie” stars Louis C.K. and the second season premieres on FX on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 at 9:30pm CST.

“Wilfred” stars Elijah Wood, Jason Gann, Fiona Gubbelman, and Chris Klein. It premieres on FX on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 at 9pm CST.

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

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Admit-Two Chicago Passes to ‘Caught in the Crossfire’ With 50 Cent

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:31:16 -0400

CHICAGO – In our latest crime edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Caught in the Crossfire” starring 50 Cent! “Caught in the Crossfire” also stars Jason Ambrose, Tim Fields, Sydney Hall, Richard T. Jones, Lyle Kanouse, Chris Klein, Christine Lakin, Michael Matthias and Brian A. Miller from writer and director Brian A. Miller.

First Tuesdays with the Midwest Independent Film Festival continue with the Chicago premiere of the Lionsgate release “Caught in the Crossfire” on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 starting at 6 p.m. at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema at 2828 N. Clark St. in Chicago. This Michigan-made thriller stars Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, “CSI: Miami” star Adam Rodriguez and Chris Klein. Writer and director and Grand Rapids, Mich. native Brian A. Miller will be in attendance for a post-screening discussion.

The event begins with a pre-show cocktail reception (sponsored by Heineken and Candid Wines) at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema at 6 p.m. A producer’s panel will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the theater. “Caught in the Crossfire” will premiere promptly at 7:30 p.m. A post-screening reception will be held immediately following the film at Forno Diablo at 433 West Diversey. More succinctly:

6:00 p.m.: Cocktail reception
6:30 p.m.: Producer’s panel
7:30 p.m.: “Caught in the Crossfire” screening
9:30 p.m.: After party at Forno Diablo

To win your free pass to the advance Chicago screening of “Caught in the Crossfire” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just submit your first and last name in our comment form below. That’s it! Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

The movie poster for “Caught in the Crossfire” with 50 Cent.
Image credit: Lionsgate

Here is the plot description for “Caught in the Crossfire”:

Two detectives investigating gang-related violence find themselves targeted by both gang members and crooked cops.

The movie trailer for “Caught in the Crossfire” can be watched now below.

To secure your free tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Having an account with a valid e-mail address is required. Then, simply add a new comment in the form below with your first and last name only.

You must include your first and last name in a comment below! Your entry will be invalid if you do not include your first and last name.

Winners will be added to a guest list at the door. Winners must bring a valid photo ID. The admit-two passes will be waiting for the winners at the fourth-floor box office at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema at 2828 N. Clark St. beginning at 6 p.m. on Aug. 3, 2010.

Like all Hookups here, this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple: Just submit your comment below and we will award 25 people randomly via e-mail for our “Caught in the Crossfire” Hookup. Winners need to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Good luck!

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

Interview: Director Brian Miller on ‘Caught in the Crossfire,’ 50 Cent

PatrickMcD — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:33:21 -0400

CHICAGO – “Caught in the Crossfire,” directed by Brian A Miller, is a gritty, essential cop drama about urban gang warfare, law enforcement corruption and police informants. It includes breakout roles for Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and the usual comedic Chris Klein, and features a standout performance by Adam Rodriguez of “CSI Miami.”

The focus of the film is an internal investigation regarding police partners Briggs (Chris Klein) and Shepard (Adam Rodriguez). While following-up on some mysterious deaths in gang territory, the two plainclothes officers get involved in a shoot-out, where weapons are discharged mysteriously from different points (crossfire) at the crime scene. The rest of the story is told in flashbacks, involving a prime informant name Tino (50 Cent) and a slimy trail of corruption and violence.

Director Brian Miller – who also wrote the screenplay and has a role in the film – will be introducing Caught in the Crossfire and making an appearance next Tuesday, August 3rd, at the Midwest Independent Film Festival in Chicago. HollywoodChicago.com talked with Miller via phone from Los Angeles, in anticipation of the screening.

Chris Klein as Briggs and Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson as Tino in ‘Caught in the Crossfire’
Photo Credit: Lionsgate

HollywoodChicago.com: What event or circumstance in real life inspired you to write the screenplay for Caught in the Crossfire?

Brian Miller: Basically I was a huge fan of crime thrillers when I was a kid growing up, like ‘Miami Vice’ and ‘Crime Story.’ When I began working on the screenplay I was still in film school in Michigan and I was bartending at the time, and I was dating a female police officer. She told me stories that were absolutely unbelievable, and since I was always writing crime-type thrillers, and she gave me a lot of information that I could then utilize in the film.

Also over a ten year period, I was moving all over the country. During that time I met with former law enforcement officers and career criminals. I would get these guys to talk to me and a lot of what is in the screenplay is based on those stories I heard from them.

HC: How important was it to get a nice “street feel” for the atmosphere of the movie. Even though it was Anytown, USA, what city inspired the look and the circumstance of the atmosphere?

BM: I grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and as a filmmaker that city offered us a great production value, because it has a very specific feel. The city buildings have the old brick and mortar facades, it’s got cobblestone streets and it has old warehouses that would have cost millions of dollars to build as sets, if we were to match what we were getting there.

As far as look and feel was concerned, I sat down with my Director of Photography Will Eubank, and told him I wanted a very gritty feel for the film. So we based what we were doing with the F-900 cameras to what [director] Michael Mann does with the look of ‘Heat’ or ‘Collateral.’

HC: This was your feature directorial debut. What basic directorial philosophy did you adhere to throughout the shoot and what are your prime methods for pre-production and shot selection?

BM: The key for me is concept. As a kid in my late teens and early twenties I studied in theater mostly. I was taught at a very young age to stick to concept, especially in theater. And that’s why I wanted to create a very gritty crime thriller – so everything we do, from the production design, to the lighting design, to the score, the location, even the wardrobe – all of that has to fit into the concept. If Chris Klein and Adam Rodriguez were wearing ‘Miami Vice’ pastels, it would have thrown off the whole thing. [laughs] Everything during the shooting process through post production fits into that same concept.

Director and Writer Brian A Miller on the Set of ‘Caught in the Crossfire’
Photo Credit: Lionsgate

HC: This seemed like a transition film for both 50 Cent and Chris Klein. What do you think as actors they wanted to achieve in this transition and how did you accommodate them in that effort?

BM: I have absolute respect for all the actors on this project. I needed 50 Cent, literally. His character was based very loosely on some real people, who were informants. It’s highly fictionalized, but I needed somebody that could connect to that character and bring truth to it. I could have gone to several actors, but I was blessed through Randall Emmett [the producer] to offer me an opportunity to work with 50. He was absolutely fantastic to work with, professional and he really brought a lot to the table.

Chris got the script at the right time, he told me. He connected with the character and wanted to do a gritty thriller. People had always seen him as the ‘funny guy’ and he does that well, but when we first started doing early screenings of the film, people were blown away what they saw with Klein, they didn’t expect that kind of performance from him.

HC: Adam Rodriguez was truly transcendent in the role of Shepard. What do you think he understood about his character that didn’t appear in your screenplay?

BM: I love Adam Rodriguez, he is the most charming, charismatic and professional human beings I have ever met in my life. I wrote a very specific character, I needed an actor that could play that specificity. He created a back story for himself and the character even before he came to Grand Rapids, and we talked about it, and he played it in so many different dimensions. There were times during the production when I didn’t want to give him any direction, because he was just nailing it.

HC: The Thin Blue Line is an overriding theme in our moral exploration in many art forms. What is it about cops, the protectors of society over anarchy, that maintains a fascination with film, TV and other forms of art?

BM: I think it’s always because they are walking that fine line. Could you imagine getting every morning, strapping on a gun and a bulletproof vest and heading into work, where you might come back at the end of the day? Guys who are on that line are like our military and they go through tremendous pressures.

HC: What do you think is in the pure make-up of a cop’s job that subjects them to elements that could corrupt their souls, and makes them indistinguishable from the very bad guys they are purported to protect us against?

BM: The things that police officers see, what they experience, and the emotional pull that impacts them are all factors, including a relatively low salary. There are elements in this film about justice and the system, as in when the police do their best to take down drug suspects and put them into prison, yet a faulty criminal justice system lets these suspects go. Eventually they say to themselves, ‘how else are we going to do this?’ That’s what we see in the film.

HC: Crossfire is used often to deceive where shots are coming from, as in some political assassinations. How did you utilize crossfire in your story?

BM: It created suspense for the audience. One of the keys to the story, one the concepts of the film is in the title – Caught in the Crossfire. Because visually and with the sound, I am trying to pull the audience in the crossfire scene with these characters. I don’t like action movies where the audience steps back and just watches what happens. I bring them into the crossfire, into the police car and they feel the impact of the bullets flying around. That’s why I shot the scene that way.

HC: I previewed the film on pay-per-view. What do you think of these new methods of distribution that isn’t necessarily the traditional movie theater?

BM: We look at society today – with handheld devices, DVDs, downloads and everything else. It just provides a mechanism to capture a wider range of audience, and more people can see the film.

“Caught in the Crossfire,” written and directed by Brian A Miller and featuring Chris Klein, Adam Rodriguez and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, will have its Chicago Premiere at the Midwest Independent Film Festival this Tuesday, August 3rd, at the Landmark Century Cinema.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
The film is currently also available on Lionsgate DVD and Blu-Ray. Rated “R”

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 15-Image Gallery For ‘Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li’ With Kristin Kreuk

BrianTT — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:27:30 -0500

CHICAGO – This 15-image slideshow contains the official press images from the Twentieth Century Fox production of “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,” starring Kristin Kreuk, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough, Robin Shou, Moon Bloodgood, Josie Ho, Taboo, and Michael Clarke Duncan. Written by Justin Marks and directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, the film opens on Friday, February 27th, 2009.

Synopsis: “Powerful forces are converging on the streets of Bangkok. They are warriors, some of whom possess extraordinary abilities, all of whom are determined to see their side prevail. Some fight for us; the others for unlimited power. Now, they are preparing for the ultimate battle - of terror versus beauty, light versus darkness, and good versus evil.

The forces of darkness are led by Bison (Neal McDonough), a crime boss of seemingly limitless power, and whose past holds a shocking secret. Bison’s syndicate, Shadaloo, is taking over the slums of the Thai capital, a task overseen by Balrog (Michael Clarke Duncan), a massively built enforcer and killer.

Also in Bison’s employ is the assassin Vega (Taboo, of the group The Black Eyed Peas), a masked talon-wielding warrior, whose weapon is tailor-made for slashing and stabbing attacks. Bison’s attache is the beautiful but deadly Cantana (Josie Ho).

These vivid characters and their world are long known to fans of the iconic videogame “Street Fighter,” which Capcom released in 1987. At the time, the 1-2 player game set a new precedent in two-dimensional interactive entertainment. In 1991, Capcom released to arcades, “Street Fighter II,” featuring new characters and fighting styles.

The games’ action and imaginatively staged fight scenes are a natural fit for a big screen translation, a fact embraced by noted producer and Hyde Park Entertainment chairman Ashok Amritraj - but only after his children, then aged 13 and 10, brought “Street Fighter” to his attention. “They really loved the game and told me I should make a movie based on it,” says Amritraj. “I have them to thank for Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun-Li.””

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos are credited to Patrick Brown and courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox. All Rights Reserved.

Street_Fighter_01: Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) is a half-Caucasian/half-Asian beauty who gives up a life of privilege to become a street fighter, battling for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Street_Fighter_02: Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) prepares for the final, epic battle against the forces of darkness.
Street_Fighter_03: Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) races through the streets of Bangkok to face her next challenge.
Street_Fighter_04: Interpol cop Charlie Nash (Chris Klein) takes aim at a powerful crime boss he has been tracking all over the world.
Street_Fighter_05: Gangland homicide detective Maya Sunee (Moon Bloodgood) is on the trail of the leader of a powerful criminal syndicate.
Street_Fighter_06: High-powered weapons seem almost superfluous, given the massive frame and brutal strength of Balrog (Michael Clarke Duncan).
Street_Fighter_07: Balrog (Michael Clarke Duncan), a massively built enforcer and killer, checks out his latest target.
Street_Fighter_08: Bison (Neal McDonough) is a crime boss of seemingly limitless power, whose past holds a shocking secret.
Street_Fighter_09: Cantana (Josie Ho) is the beautiful but deadly attache to a powerful crime boss.
Street_Fighter_10: The kung fu master Gen (Robin Shou), once a feared criminal, now fights for the forces of good.
Street_Fighter_11: The warrior/assassin Vega (Taboo) dons his signature mask as he goes into attack mode.
Street_Fighter_12: Vega (Taboo) is a talon-wielding warrior/assassin, whose weapon is tailor-made for slashing and stabbing attacks.
Street_Fighter_13: The street-fighting skills of Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) overpower some hoodlums.
Street_Fighter_14: Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) trains with her master, Gen (Robin Shou).
Street_Fighter_15: Director Andrzej Bartkowiak reviews a scene with Kristin Kreuk on the set of Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun-Li.

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