Elijah Wood

Blu-ray Review: ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ Works Better in HD Than in Theaters

BrianTT — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:26:43 -0400

CHICAGO – Can we end this 48fps nonsense now? Having seen “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” in 3D/48fps, I found the film artificial and boring. At home, in traditional, flat HD, the movie works so much better. There are still some storytelling flaws but the theatrical presentation exaggerated the problems of the movie and I think it works so much better on Blu-ray than it did in theaters. Jackson’s eye for composition, his sense of epic scope — they don’t feel as bloated on the smaller screen. Once again, I stand by my theatrical review as that was the experience in theaters but the film is more likable away from the hype and on Blu-ray.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

It helps to have a nice selection of special features to offer insight into some of the decisions made by Jackson and his team. Compared to some of the releases for the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, this one is kind of slight and it would be naive to think that it’s the final word on the film. An extended edition or even more special edition timed to “The Desolation of Smaug” seems inevitable. Until then, the only serious extra here is a massive collection of video blogs produced during the production of the film. So, you can see Jackson coming back to some of the same sets for the first time, the cast getting their blocking for the first scenes, and even the first meeting. It’s a nice window into the process for fans of “The Hobbit”.

As for the movie itself, it looks truly great in HD (better than it did in theaters) and it’s nice to have DVD and Ultraviolet versions as well. I’m still putting “The Hobbit” in the disappointment column in terms of the film itself but this Blu-ray is a solid release for those who disagree.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 19, 2013
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
The first in a trilogy of films based on the enduring masterpiece “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who - along with the Wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield - is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug. Their journey will take them into the Wild, through treacherous lands inhabited by Goblins, Orcs and deadly Wargs, as well as a mysterious and sinister figure known only as the Necromancer. Along the path, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even himself, he also gain possession of a “precious” ring tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways he cannot begin to imagine.

Special Features:
Includes 10 Production Videos: Embark On Your Own Journey Behind The Camera With Director Peter Jackson As He Personally Guides You Through The Adventure Of Creating The Hobbit. Join Him From The Start Of Production And Visit Hobbiton, Go On Location, See How Jackson Pushed The Boundaries Of Filmmaking And Walk The Red Carpet In 10 Comprehensive Video Blogs He Created Especially For Fans

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, and Andy Serkis. It was directed by Peter Jackson and released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 19, 2013.

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

Film Review: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg in ‘Celeste and Jesse Forever’

BrianTT — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:49:36 -0400

Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Rashida Jones has been a reliable co-star for years in films like “I Love You, Man” and TV shows like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” but she gets her most notable role to date in a film she co-wrote, the romantic dramedy “Celeste and Jesse Forever,” opening this weekend in Chicago. Jones’ complex performance is the best thing about a film that ultimately feels a bit too unfocused, almost as if Jones and her co-writer Will McCormack took the opportunity to use every idea they had about the art of the break-up without streamlining their concepts into something more coherent and entertaining. Despite a very strong lead performance, “Celeste and Jesse Forever” is a film that never builds the right rhythm, lurching forward instead of flowing like the films that so clearly inspired it.

Our first notable interaction with Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) is at a restaurant/bar with friends Beth (Ari Graynor) and Tucker (Eric Christian Olsen). It feels like a standard double date. Celeste and Jesse have chemistry, in-jokes, and what seems like genuine happiness. It’s not until Beth & Tucker reveal that they can’t handle the awkwardness that we realize that the title is tongue-in-cheek – Celeste and Jesse have broken up. In fact, they are divorced with Jesse living in the home behind Celeste. How can you move on when you’re still such a close friend with your ex? Is that even possible?

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Celeste and Jesse Forever” in our reviews section.

Celeste tries to date, meeting a guy at yoga named Paul (Chris Messina) who shows interest and goes on with her work life (where she’s employed by Elijah Wood to deal with a troublesome pop starlet played by Emma Roberts). Jesse moves on as well, meeting a lovely young woman named Veronica (Rebecca Dayan) with whom it looks like he could start another life. McCormack co-stars as a pot-dealing friend of both Celeste and Jesse.

I admire how Jones and McCormack avoid the clichés of their characters. Jesse could have easily just been another pot-smoking loser, the kind of Hollywood guy who serves little purpose other than to show audiences how our heroine could do better. They don’t demonize either of their lead characters and Samberg and Jones are the best thing about the film. They’re three-dimensional and engaging.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Celeste and Jesse Forever” review.

“Celeste and Jesse Forever” stars Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Ari Graynor, Eric Christian Olsen, Elijah Wood, Will McCormack, Chris Messina, Rebecca Dayan, and Emma Roberts. It was written by Jones and McCormack and directed by Lee Toland Krieger. It opens in Chicago on August 10, 2012.

The Social Network
Photo credit: Sony Pictures

Interview: Rashida Jones, Will McCormack Find ‘Celeste and Jesse Forever’

BrianTT — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:02:53 -0400

CHICAGO – Actors Rashida Jones (“Parks and Recreation”) and Will McCormack (“Dirt”) dated a long time ago and have turned their break-up into an acclaimed new romantic dramedy, “Celeste and Jesse Forever.” Don’t be fooled by its title. Jones and McCormack’s film opens with Celeste (Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) at the end of their marriage. It’s about two people who have grown apart as they’ve grown up who find ways to move on but stay friends. Co-starring Ari Graynor, Chris Messina, Eric Christian Olsen, Elijah Wood, and Emma Roberts, “Celeste and Jesse Forever” is arguably the brightest spotlight for Jones, who proves to be an adept writer as well as nailing her first lead role. Jones and McCormack sat down with us last month on a hot day in Chicago to talk about the silliness of Sundance, the romantic comedy templates, acting vs. writing, and the funniest man alive.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: What’s your process as a writing team? Do you sit in a room and bounce ideas off of each other? Do you each take scenes?

WILL MCCORMACK: For this movie, Rashida came up with the idea and she kind of pitched it to me. And I thought, “We should definitely write AND finish that one as opposed to just writing it and not finishing.”

RASHIDA JONES: Which we had done before.

MCCORMACK: That’s a good idea. I’ve got some stuff to say about that. You’ve got some stuff to say about that.

JONES: Let’s say it together.

MCCORMACK: The writing process was not that difficult. We wrote a screenplay in four months and writing sucks. Having written is awesome but the actual process is hard but this one was pretty easy to finish. It came pretty organically to us — the characters, the ending we knew. We gave it to a couple of smart people we knew to see if they liked it and Jen Taub was one and she offered to produce it and we were kind of off and running.

Rashida Jones
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Did you have any major debates? Who wins in a two-person writing team?

JONES: It’s like a marriage, you know? One person wins one time and another person wins the other time.

MCCORMACK: In my experience, the right idea will win. I don’t push too hard. I’ll say something and it will be right or wrong but the right idea usually wins. Oftentimes, Rashida will say something and I’ll be like, “No, no, no.”

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: (Rashida Laughs.) Oftentimes?

MCCORMACK: Yeah. You’re in something and you see it a certain way. It’s hard enough to make one brain go in one direction but to make two? It’s impossible. Ideas take times to marinate and process. I always feel like the idea wins. Now I usually just say, “Maybe.”

Andy Samberg and Will McCormack in Celeste and Jesse Forever
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Was that the big learning experience of this project?

JONES: Yeah. Writing’s weird like that. Whatever you’ve learned about yourself as an actor and as a person…you’re taught to trust your instinct but writing is different. Yeah, there’s instincts but it’s less applicable. You kind of have to go through all the machinations — your first instinct, your second thought, your third, and your fourth and then back to the first. It’s hard to just say that there’s one right way to do it. So you kind of just have to let the whole gamut run out.

MCCORMACK: I feel like I’m totally cut out for collaboration. Being an actor for as long as I’ve been actor — you’re only as good as everyone around you. It’s not an individual sport. We’re making a movie or a play and everyone has to be moving in the same direction.

JONES: We’re both from big families where everyone is super-opinionated and we like to keep everyone happy. That plus having a point of view — you just kind of know how to work with other people.

MCCORMACK: And you have to be sensitive and open when you collaborate with someone because a lot of ideas are bad — mine and yours. All good ideas usually stem from a bad one. A great idea usually happens in steps. You have to support each other to get there.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Do you write for anyone in mind?

JONES: We wrote for Chris. And “Celeste and Jesse” is just a heightened version of me and Will. We wrote for Chris and you write seeing a face. Generally, I think if you can see the character than you don’t need an actor attachment. You give yourself leeway. Chris, for instance, we love him. We think he’s a great actor and felt there was a side that he hadn’t played yet.

Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones in Celeste and Jesse Forever
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Chris does TV [“Damages” & “The Newsroom”] like the both of you. Does your TV experience make you different filmmakers?

JONES: It’s SUCH a different experience to me. But, again, I’m on such a collaborative TV show [“Parks & Recreation”]. Amy [Poehler] is the clear leader and she sets the tone but her leadership mode is collaboration. That’s how she leads. I guess that’s really it for what I bring to my writing.

MCCORMACK: I think they’re different muscles but from the same region.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: TV and Film?

MCCORMACK: No, writing and acting. It’s really getting to the heart of something. Get there however you can. Acting tries to get rid of all the bullshit. Be as real and as simple as possible and just listen. And be brave. It comes down to guts. Writing is the same way. Be honest, simple, and try to say something. It comes from the same engine.

JONES: I feel like there’s a lot more brainpower to write. I feel like when I have a shitty writing day that I very much look forward to going back to work where I just have to hit my mark and say my lines.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Would you say writing is more difficult?

MCCORMACK: Yeah, I think it is.

JONES: But it’s more rewarding.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: This came mostly out of personal experience but were there any filmmakers or specific films that inspired it as well?

JONES: James Brooks, Cameron Crowe, Woody Allen, Nora Ephron.

MCCORMACK: Cameron Crowe, James Brooks, and Woody Allen were huge. The models for this movie were “Broadcast News,” “Annie Hall.” Of course, “When Harry Met Sally…” is a template. We wrote the movie in the spirit of those movies that we grew up on and made me want to be involved in movies.

Rashida Jones in Celeste and Jesse Forever
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Was there ever any fear in writing something so personal? Picking at the emotional scars?

JONES: I didn’t think about it too much. Did you? [To Will.]

MCCORMACK: As an actress, you were so in it but it also looked fun like it was some sort of exorcism.

JONES: It was. It was like coming out of me. Also, I think the expectation is really low in some way for me. I’m “dependable” as an actress and as the characters that I play. I’m dependable. People have decided and it’s nice and I think it’s a reflection of my personality but people are like, “That’s what she does.” There’s something slightly innocuous about it. So I was happy to be like, “You know what? She’s not an innocuous character. She’s judgmental and kind of myopic.” It was fun to be able to do that.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: What was the most challenging element of the film? Was that it — breaking out of your mold as an actress? When I say “challenge,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

MCCORMACK: Financing.

JONES: Just getting it made. Getting to day one.

MCCORMACK: Yeah, getting to day one.

JONES: Everything. Schedules, contracts…

MCCORMACK: Just getting to the first shot. Once we got started…

JONES: The filmmaking process was fun. It was getting to it — getting to day one.

MCCORMACK: We never had any time to just mess around and improv. It was just tight.

Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg in Celeste and Jesse Forever
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: And you didn’t have any distribution when you went to Sundance [where it was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics]?

MCCORMACK: No.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: What were your expectations going into Sundance?

JONES: You know, I forgot that we had to sell the movie. I was like, “Oh my God, somebody has to buy it.” I became obsessed with what to wear. I was transferring all my nerve and agita about going there to my clothes.

MCCORMACK: It’s intense. I didn’t realize how intense.

JONES: It’s WAY different when you’ve written something. When you present this thing to 1,300 people — if they’re not along for the ride, you can’t blame anyone else.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: So there’s more nerves in general because you wrote it than something you starred in?

MCCORMACK: Oh my GOD.

JONES: There’s no words to describe it. Panic. Sheer panic.

MCCORMACK: I was a MESS.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Are you judging every response in the audience?

MCCORMACK: YES. Yes.

JONES: Yes. You don’t even hear some of it. You black out a bit.

Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg in Celeste and Jesse Forever
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Then what happens at Sundance? Does Sony contact you immediately? Is there a bidding war?

JONES: Sundance is a really crazy place because you do all of this press and then you go to an after party and then you sit down at midnight with distributors and they pitch you a plan for your movie and why they want to buy it. By that point, everybody is wasted and so tired and the altitude and you meet in dark corners and you’re drinking coffee at one in the morning…it’s absurd. It’s crazy that people make deals there. We just did that every night. They get in touch and there’s this whole thing that they do through your reps…

MCCORMACK: It feels like a drug deal.

JONES: Or you’re hiring a hitman.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Wow. You have to think that maybe some wrong decisions would be made in that environment.

MCCORMACK: Totally. Well, some have. (Laughs.)

JONES: Not only that but there’s SO much that can go wrong at Sundance. “Margin Call,” which was such a great film. The first couple of days at Sundance last year they got a couple of bad reviews and so all of the distributors crossed it off their list. It premiered on VOD.

MCCORMACK: And it ended up getting nominated for an Oscar. And it did well on DVD. And that movie “Junebug” got hammered its first night.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: And then you’ve got the other way too — the $10 million that makes no sense outside of Park City.

MCCORMACK: TOTALLY. Yeah.

JONES: I think it might be the end of that. I think people learned their lesson. This year, it was slower.

MCCORMACK: I feel like people were way more cautious.

JONES: They waited to see what else was happening.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Someone on Facebook gave me this question — Who’s the co-star that you’ve worked with that you find the funniest? Who’s made you laugh the hardest in a scene?

MCCORMACK: I know the answer.

JONES: You do? What’s my answer?

MCCORMACK: Paul [Rudd].

JONES: Paul Rudd is the hardest to keep a straight face with. I totally agree. I have to say that it’s a tie now — Nick Frost is probably the funniest person I’ve ever met. He’s so consistently hilarious. He’s great. We didn’t have a hard time keeping a straight face because we were dancing but he’s straight up the funniest. But Paul is definietly good.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: And so much of what Paul does is improvised so I imagine it might be more difficult with him to stay in scene.

JONES: When he busts out…the last time he says “Slappin’ da bass” [in “I Love You, Man”], I laughed so hard and the whole crew laughed so hard that I had to go ADR my laugh because everyone was laughing in the background. He’s so funny. That’s such a good part for him.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: What’s next for you guys?

JONES: I co-wrote a comic book and we adapted it for film.

MCCORMACK: We’re going to start a new project but no deadlines and no studios and just work on it.

HOLLYWOODCHICAGO.COM: Less than four years though?

JONES: [Laughs] Yes, that’s the plan. A little bit better every time.

MCCORMACK: Although if we could do a movie every four years that wouldn’t be bad.

JONES: No, that would be fine. I would be fine if we didn’t spend the last three years just trying to get the movie made. Write for two years and then spend a year trying to get it made.

“Celeste and Jesse Forever” is playing in some markets now and opens in Chicago on Friday, August 10, 2012.

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

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Passes to ‘Celeste and Jesse Forever’ With Andy Samberg

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 01:33:13 -0400

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 25 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the irresistible romantic comedy “Celeste and Jesse Forever”!

“Celeste and Jesse Forever” stars Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones, Emma Roberts, Elijah Wood, Chris Messina, Ari Graynor, Eric Christian Olsen, Rob Huebel, Shira Lazar, Will McCormack, Kate Krieger, Matthias Steiner, Andreas Beckett, Rebecca Dayan and Janel Parrish from director Lee Toland Krieger and writers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack.

To win your free advance-screening passes to “Celeste and Jesse Forever” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology directly below. That’s it! This screening is on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning!

Before entering, make sure you allow pop-ups.
If viewing this on your phone, click “Go to Full Site” at the bottom of the page to enter.
Deadline: Entries can continue being submitted through Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012
at 5 p.m. CST. These Hookup winners will be awarded via e-mail that night.
If necessary: To see your entry count on a repeat visit, submit your name and e-mail again.

Here is the synopsis for “Celeste and Jesse Forever”:

Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) met in high school, married young and are growing apart. Now 30, Celeste is the driven owner of her own media consulting firm. All the while, Jesse is once again unemployed and in no particular rush to do anything with his life. Celeste is convinced that divorcing Jesse is the right thing to do.

She is on her way up and he is on his way nowhere. If they do it now instead of later, they can remain supportive friends. Even though he is still in love with her, Jesse passively accepts this transition into friendship.

As the reality of their separation sets in, Celeste slowly and painfully realizes she has been cavalier about their relationship. Her decision, which once seemed mature and progressive, now seems impulsive and selfish.

But her timing with Jesse is less than fortuitous. While navigating the turbulent changes in their lives and in their hearts, these two learn that – in order to truly love someone – you may have to let them go.

The “Celeste and Jesse Forever” starring Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones.
Image credit: Sony Pictures Classics

The “Celeste and Jesse Forever” movie trailer can be watched now below.

This HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple! Just get interactive in our unique Hookup technology above. We will award 25 admit-two movie tickets based on social entry numbers and/or randomly via e-mail for our “Celeste and Jesse Forever” Hookup. Good luck!

Disclaimer
Winners need to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Since showings are overbooked to ensure a full house, winners are not guaranteed entrance and must arrive early. We recommend arriving 45 minutes before the showing’s scheduled start time. HollywoodChicago.com LLC is a promotional partner with the studio and its partners and doesn’t assume any liability for this giveaway. Note: Comments are closed in this Hookup.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

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

TV Review: Disney XD Launches Likely Hit in ‘TRON: Uprising’

BrianTT — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:12:50 -0400

CHICAGO – What took so long? It’s the question that keeps nagging at the back of one’s mind while watching the series premiere of Disney XD’s “TRON: Uprising,” a new animated program debuting on the network on Thursday, June 7, 2012 and a virtually guaranteed hit. This is dark, well-made, entertaining material that mines a common thematic vein in young adult fiction — defying authority.

TV Rating: 3.5/5.0

“TRON: Uprising” takes place in the same universe as the recently-released Disney theatrical hit, “TRON: Legacy,” and was created by two of the writers of that film — Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (who were also executive producers on “Lost” and “Once Upon a Time”). On a storytelling level, it feels very much in step with “Legacy.” If you were put off by that film, don’t expect to fall in love with this show. At the same time, if you’re one of the pre-teens who adored the return to “TRON,” the show should work for you. It’s well-made, intense, and interesting on a design level. I wish the writing was a bit stronger and it doesn’t stand up to today’s best young adult animation (at least not in the premiere) but there’s enough to like here to recommend it to the audience for which it was intended. “TRON” fans should be satisfied. And that’s all that really matters.

TRON: Uprising
Photo credit: Disney XD

Elijah Wood voices Beck, a new character in the universe of “TRON” (although familiar ones will be referenced and sometimes even make appearances as Olivia Wilde will do in a future in episode and Bruce Boxleitner does throughout the series). Beck is a part of a generation of programs in the universe of “TRON” who are tired of being beaten down by the ruthless Clu and his henchman General Tesler (Lance Henriksen) in a city on The Grid named Argon City. Beck’s best friend Bodhi is derezzed in the blink of an eye by Clu’s Army and the young man decides it’s time for a revolution. It’s time for an uprising. Beck’s plans catch the attention of Tron (Boxleitner) and he trains him to follow in his footsteps as a leader of the people.

TRON: Uprising
Photo credit: Disney XD

It’s a classic young adult story — the average kid turned hero against authority — but it’s done in a modern enough way that the audience probably won’t even notice the cliches. Naturally, the focus here is on action, often in slow motion and scored to consistent music. And so things like dialogue and character kind of miss the mark. I wish I could have seen more than one episode since the premiere naturally has to be heavy on effects and action to keep audiences interested in coming back. But I hope Beck becomes a more dynamic protagonist in future episodes.

Until then, the two things that elevate “TRON: Uprising” are simple and related — the pedigree of the voice cast and the quality of the animation. Wood is fantastic, as usual, and co-stars like Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, and Paul Reubens add depth to a voice cast that could have been thin without them. They’re all quite good. And “TRON: Uprising” looks great. The show is a CGI program, of course, but it has a 2-D look at times that allows it to stand out.

In many ways, “TRON: Uprising” is better than “TRON: Legacy.” Whereas that film wore out its welcome with a bloated running time and fell due to self-seriousness, “Uprising” is a perfect adrenalin shot of sci-fi that knows it should be hyperactive young adult fun. The universe of “TRON” feels like it was always meant for TV animation. What took so long?

“TRON: Uprising” features voice work by Elijah Wood, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, Paul Reubens, Nate Corddry, Lance Henriksen, and Bruce Boxleitner. It premieres on Disney XD at 8pm CST on June 7, 2012.

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

Film News: First Look at ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’

BrianTT — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:28:45 -0400

CHICAGO — Warner Bros. Pictures geared up for the release of Peter Jackson’s upcoming epic “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” by screening 10 minutes of never-before-seen footage at CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) according to a studio press release. Ian McKellan, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood return to reprise their roles as seen in the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings”, the sequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”.

The film, slated for worldwide release beginning December 14, 2012, is the first major motion picture to be made using state-of-the-art high-frame-rate technology utilizing 48 frames-per-second (fps), doubling the typical frame rate of 24 fps.

Jackson introduced the clip via a taped greeting explaining 48 fps is closer to the way the human eye views the world saying, “As a filmmaker, I always want to create a strong sense of reality, to allow the audience to lose themselves in whatever the cinematic story is that I’m presenting.”

He goes on to say, “Shooting and projecting at 48 fps gives you the illusion that a hole has been cut in the wall of the cinema, and you’re watching the story unfold with a heightened sense of reality.”

The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Martin Freeman (“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”) stars in the central role of Bilbo Baggins.

By Brigid Brown
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com

Blu-ray Review: ‘Happy Feet Two’ Stands in Shadow of Superior Original

BrianTT — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:29:49 -0400

CHICAGO – Pick your pun — “Happy Feet Two” stumbles, trips, and has two left feet when compared to the Academy Award-winning original. Cluttered with characters, poorly paced, and tonally inconsistent, George Miller’s follow-up to his massive hit barely registered in theaters, but comes home with a pretty strong Blu-ray release from Warner Bros.

Blu-ray Rating: 2.0/5.0

The movie only made a third of the original ($64 million as opposed to $198 million) and didn’t even get a nomination for Best Animated Film when the first one won. It doesn’t even compare. But the little ones may be entertained and the HD transfer is strong. The release is very slight on special features (especially for a high-budget kids movie) but it feels like this rare misstep for the great George Miller (“Mad Max,” “Babe”) is kind of being shuffled off to its fate on Blu-ray. Get it for the smallest members of your family who just want a bit more penguin action but if you’re one of the adults who adored the first movie, don’t get your hopes up for the second.

Happy Feet Two was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 13th, 2012
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
Mumble is back, and he has a fluffy new addition to his huddle: a son named Erik! In this sequel to the Academy Award winning Happy Feet, it’s up to Erik to find his groove in a world where singing and dancing rule.

Special Features:
o Check Out Antarctica With Lil ‘P-Nut!
o Learn How To Draw The Adorable Penguin Erik
o Alecia Moore (Pink) Talks About Being The Voice Of Gloria And Writing Her New Song
o Have Even More Fun With The Happy Feet Two Movie App

“Happy Feet Two” features voice work by Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Alecia Moore, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Sofia Vergara, Common, and Hugo Weaving. It was written and directed by George Miller and released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 13th, 2012.

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

Film Review: Fate Doesn’t Fail Them Now in ‘Happy Feet Two’

PatrickMcD — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:11:11 -0500

CHICAGO – Dancing animated penguins, a tradition dating back to Disney’s “Mary Poppins” and brought to further life in the first “Happy Feet” movie, finds more stepping pep in “Happy Feet Two.” Robin Williams and Elijah Wood return to lend their vocal talents in this enjoyable sequel.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

This is a film that never gets boring. It balances a couple of major stories, including a couple of tiny krills (shrimp-like amoeba in the sea) who are searching for their identities. The scenic elements are spectacular, again upping the ante for atmosphere in the new golden age of animation. Like the first film, there are messages which takes in environmentalism, the collective versus the free will and working together to accomplish a goal. All this and dancing, too!

The film begins with an extended penguin dance sequence, led by the vocal talents of Gloria (voice of Pink). Mumble (Elijah Wood) is back leading the way, and this time he is teaching his son, Erik (Ava Acres). Erik has a hard time picking up the rhythms, and becomes entranced with another tribe of penquins, which includes The Mighty Sven (Hank Azaria) and Preacher Lovelace (Robin Williams). Sven has the magical ability to fly, and Erik rejects his father’s dance for this new advocation.

Erik briefly runs away to join this tribe, and Mumble follows and retrieves him. While they are away, huge chunks of ice fall, trapping Gloria and the rest of the dancing penquins, which includes the love-struck Ramón (Williams again) and his potential beau Carmen (Sofia Vergara). Eventually joining up to help out Bryan the Beachmaster Elephant Seal (Richard Carter) and a pair of microscopic sea creatures who long to break away from their millions of companions, Bill the Krill (Matt Damon) and Will the Krill (Brad Pitt).

“Happy Feet Two” opens everywhere on November 18th. See theater listings for 3D showings. Featuring Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Sofia Vergara, Pink, Richard Carter, Common, Ava Acres, Hank Azaria, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. Screenplay by Warren Coleman, Gary Eck, Paul Livingston and George Miller. Directed by George Miller. Rated “PG”

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full “Happy Feet Two” review.

Dancing Two: Gloria (voice of Pink) and Mumble (Elijah Wood) in ‘Happy Feet Two’
Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full “Happy Feet Two” review.

Blu-Ray Review: Amazing Extended Edition Box Set of ‘The Lord of the Rings’

BrianTT — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:06:41 -0400

CHICAGO – A few times every year, a box set comes into our office that simply feels beyond review. What is there to say about something as notable as the “Alien Quadrilogy” with its five days worth of special features or the gorgeous set for the “Back to the Future” movies? They’re must-owns that are beyond any minor criticism. Such is also the case with Warner Bros.’ recently-released set for the extended editions of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” films. If you own a Blu-ray player, it’s incomplete without this box set. It’s that simple.

Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

Is there any room for criticism with FIFTEEN DISCS of material? Well, the only thing that might raise an eyebrow is that 60% of those discs aren’t actually Blu-ray discs. The supplemental material for each film is included in standard DVD form. Of course, it’s the films themselves and how amazing they look in HD and with accompanying audio excellence that will be the major selling point but when one buys a “Blu-ray set,” they expect the majority of what they buy to actually be in HD. It’s the only minor complaint for a major box set.

The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy — Extended Edition was released on Blu-ray on June 28th, 2011
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

As I said, supplemental material is always icing on the cake when it comes to Blu-ray — it’s the movies that matter. And they look and sound better than ever with Warner Bros.’ skill at HD remastering. These are stellar transfers with just the right color mixing and visual remastering. They don’t look overly polished. They look just like you want them to look. These are reason alone to buy a Blu-ray player.

What about the special features? It’s impossible that there’s anything of note missing from this set. Honestly, if you’re complaining, you’re a little too deep into your Middle Earth obsession. With the multiple commentary tracks on top of the discs of special features, it would take you days to get through them all. What are you doing reading? Get to work.

The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy — Extended Edition was released on Blu-ray on June 28th, 2011
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Special Features:

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
o Commentary with Director & Writers
o Commentary with Design Team
o Commentary with Production and Post Production
o Commentary with Cast
o The Appendices Part 1 From Book to Vision
o Peter Jackson Introduction
o JRR Tolkien: Creator of Middle-earth
o From Book to Script
o Visualizing the Story
o Designing and Building Middle Earth
o Middle Earth Atlas Interactive
o New Zealand and Middle Earth Interactive
o The Appendices Part 2-From Vision to Reality (M. Pellerin)
o Elijah Wood Introduction
o Filming “The Fellowship of the Ring”
o Visual Effects 57
o Post Production: Putting it all Together
o Digital Grading
o Sound and Music
o The Road Goes Ever On…
o Costa Botes Documentary
o The Fellowship of the Ring: Behind the Scenes
o Easter Eggs
o BD-Live Enabled

“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
o Commentary with Director & Writers
o Commentary with Design Team
o Commentary with Production & Post Production
o Commentary with Cast
o The Appendices Part 3 - The Journey Continues
o Peter Jackson Introduction
o JRR Tolkien: Origin of Middle Earth
o From Book to Script: Finding the Story
o Designing and Building Middle-Earth
o Gollum
o Middle-Earth Atlas Interactive
o New Zealand as Middle Earth (map with video location)
o The Appendices Part 4 - The Battle for Middle Earth From Extended Edition
o Elijah Wood Introduction
o Filming the Two Towers
o Visual Effects
o Editorial: Refining the Story
o Music and Sound
o The Battle for Helm’s Deep is Over…
o Costa Botes Documentary From Limited Edition
o The Two Towers: Behind the Scenes
o Easter Eggs
o BD-Live Enabled

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
o Commentary with Director & Writers
o Commentary with Design Team
o Commentary with Production & Post Production
o The Appendices Part 5- The War of the Ring
o Peter Jackson introduction
o JRR Tolkien: The Legacy of Middle Earth
o From Book to Script
o Designing and Building Middle-Earth 1
o Home of the Horse Lords
o Middle-Earth Atlas
o New Zealand as Middle-Earth
o The Appendices Part 6- The Passing of an Age
o Introduction
o Filming “The Return of the King”
o Visual Effects
o Post-Production: Journey’s End
o The Passing of an Age
o Cameron Duncan: The Inspiration for “Into the West”
o Costa Botes Documentary From Limited Edition
o The Return of the King: Behind the Scenes
o Easter Eggs
o BD-Live Enabled

“The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy — Extended Edition” was released on Blu-ray on June 28th, 2011.

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