Laurence Fishburne

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 IMAX Passes to ‘Michael Jordan to the MAX’ in Chicago

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:13:51 -0600

CHICAGO – In our first IMAX edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: IMAX, we have 50 admit-one passes up for grabs to the Chicago IMAX screening of “Michael Jordan to the MAX”. This will be the first film shown on the newly replaced 60-by-80-foot Chicago IMAX screen!

The documentary “Michael Jordan to the MAX” features Michael Jordan, Laurence Fishburne as the narrator, Bill Murray, Ken Griffey Jr., Spike Lee, Willie Mays, Stan Musial and Bob Costas.

To win your free pass to the “Michael Jordan to the MAX” screening in Chicago courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is answer our trivia question below. That’s it! This screening will be held on Sept. 15, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. and then again at 6 p.m. in Chicago. Directions to enter this Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

The movie poster for “Michael Jordan to the MAX”.
Image credit: Giant Screen Films

Here is “Michael Jordan to the MAX” plot description:

To celebrate both the brand-new Chicago IMAX screen and Michael Jordan’s induction into the NBA Hall of Fame this weekend, this extraordinary film captures the real-life story of Michael Jordan: the most spectacular athlete of the 20th century.

Audiences take a journey into the life of Michael Jordan and experience like never before the drama and excitement of his basketball career and an introspective view into Michael off the court.

Michael Jordan’s brilliant athletic career spanned almost two decades – a time over which he rewrote the record books and altered the standards by which future superstars will be measured.

Most famous for his gravity-defying acrobatics and athletic magnificence, what truly distinguished Jordan were his exceptional personal attributes including his unyielding work ethic, his fiery competitive spirit, his indomitable will to win and the class and dignity with which he carried himself both on and off the basketball court.

The “Michael Jordan to the MAX” movie trailer can be watched now below.

To secure your free ticket 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. In your comment, include an answer to this trivia question:

What’s the Michael Jordan body trademark as he’d fly through the air before a slam dunk?

Like all Hookups here, this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple: Just submit your comment below and we will award 50 people randomly via e-mail. Winners needs to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Good luck!

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

Blu-Ray Review: Ninth Season of ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ Sparkles in HD

BrianTT — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:52:14 -0600

CHICAGO – “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” jumps from the first season to the most recent when it comes to Blu-Ray releases of one of the most successful and beloved shows of the ’00s. It’s only a matter of time before the seven seasons in-between are filled-in but, until then, you can watch the beginning and the end of the William Petersen era on “CSI” with the recent release of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season”.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

With six discs, over 17 hours of murder mystery mayhem, and hours of special features, the ninth season of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is a great Blu-Ray release to catch up before the tenth season of the flagship show of a franchise that shows few signs of slowing down.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season was released on Blu-Ray on September 1st, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount

I say “few” because the hand-off between star William Petersen and actor Laurence Fishburne did not go as smoothly as some might have predicted. It’s hard to say if it’s because of Petersen fans jumping ship or just a part of the natural erosion of TV ratings in the new iWorld, but the ninth season of “CSI” averaged the lowest amount of viewers since season one (although, it should be noted, that it actually finished a place HIGHER than the previous two seasons, indicating that everything was down.)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season was released on Blu-Ray on September 1st, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount

The fact is that even with a loss of a few hundred thousand viewers, “CSI” is one of the monsters of the television landscape, finishing in the top ten for the year during all nine seasons that it has been on the air. One could easily argue that there hasn’t been a bigger program this millennium. How many other shows have spawned not just two mega-hit spin-offs - “CSI: Miami” and “CSI: NY” - but comic books, novels, and even video games? “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” may not get the critical buzz of shows like “Lost” or “24” but it has transcended just being another mystery and become a brand name.

All 24 season nine episodes are presented in 16:9 widescreen in brilliant high definition with spectacular sounding 7.1 audio tracks. From a video & audio perspective, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season” is one of the best titles yet released when it comes to TV on the next-gen format. It’s a beauty.

Copious special features include the following:

Disc one - “Crime Scene Initiation,” “Interactive Investigative Mode” on Episode 904 “Let it Bleed,” and Deleted Scene
Disc three - “CSI (Comprehensive Scientific Information) Mode” and Deleted Scenes
Disc four - Audio Commentary by George Eads, Taylor Swift and Tom Mularz on Episode 916 “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Interactive Investigation Mode” on Episode 915 “Kill Me If You Can,” and Deleted Scene
Disc five - Audio Commentary by Naren Shankar, Wallace Langham, Liz Vassey, Bradley Thompson and David Weddle on Episode 920 “A Space Oddity,” “Rats in Space,” “From Zero to 200 in Nine Seasons,” and Deleted Scene
Disc six - “Good-bye Grissom” and Deleted Scenes

With excellent video & audio and a wealth of special features, the ninth season of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is a sign of the future of current television on Blu-Ray.

‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season’ is released by CBS/Paramount Home Video and stars William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, George Eads, Laurence Fishburne, Wallace Langham, Lauren Lee Smith, Gary Dourdan, and Eric Szmanda. It was created by Anthony E. Zuiker. The ninth season was released on September 1st, 2009. It is not rated.

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

CBS Returning to Core; Betting on ‘The Mentalist,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ‘NCIS,’ ‘CSI’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:42:37 -0600

CHICAGO – Though CBS is the turtle in selling sexy TV, the network is the hare when it comes to selling a broad audience what they ultimately want. CBS on Monday promised to return to its core of rock-solid dramas and sitcoms and plans to “make a lot of noise,” according to programming chief Nina Tassler.

“NCIS” on CBS with Mark Harmon (right) and guest star Joe Spano (left).
Image credit: Sonja Flemming, CBS

Tassler told critics on Monday that CBS is “finally at a place where we’ve got the goods”.

After falling flat on its face with some high-risk attempts (such as the musical “Viva Laughlin” and the serialized murder mystery “Harper’s Island”), some of its safer bets will see switched time slots. Top CBS hit “The Mentalist” is moving to Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT and the new hit comedy “The Big Bang Theory” is moving to Mondays at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

After setting record ratings six years into its run, “NCIS” co-stars Pauley Perrette and Rocky Carroll will help launch the spin-off “NCIS: Los Angeles” on Sept. 22, 2009.

The top CBS drama “CSI” has seen its ratings plummet following the departures of stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox. In addition, “CSI” has seen lackluster viewer response from the addition of actor Laurence Fishburne. CBS will be making changes with “CSI,” the network says, in order to energize its ratings.

During the day, a new iteration of the game show “Let’s Make a Deal” will air beginning on Oct. 5, 2009 with host Wayne Brady. “Let’s Make a Deal” will replace “Guiding Light,” which will end its 57-year TV run on Sept. 18, 2009.

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

Blu-Ray Review: Everyone Needs to Own ‘The Matrix’ in HD

BrianTT — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:36:33 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Like a lot of movie fans, one of the first DVDs I owned in the early days of the technology was the revolutionary “The Matrix,” starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joe Pantoliano from directors Andy and Larry Wachowski. Not only was this sci-fi action extravaganza an easily re-watchable film but it looked amazing with DVD quality. Of course, HD was developed for movies like “The Matrix,” now available as a stand-alone Blu-Ray release for the first time.

The tenth anniversary edition of “The Matrix” brings the already-influential tale of Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity home in crystal-clear 1080p High Definition with the film’s original 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The impressive audio track is a Dolby TrueHD English 5.1 track and the film also includes French and Italian 5.1 tracks and Spanish and Portuguese 2.0 tracks.

What is there to say about the plot of the quality of “The Matrix”? It currently stands as the 29th highest-rated film of all time on IMDB, in between “North by Northwest” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Fans of “The Matrix” don’t just “like” this movie. They adore it. They can tell you every twist and turn, every line of dialogue, and go deep into the symbolism of the world created by the Wachowski brothers.

The Matrix was released on Blu-Ray on March 31st, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers

If somehow you haven’t seen “The Matrix” and yet are still connected enough to be reading an online Blu-Ray review, please just stop whatever you’re doing and go buy the Blu-Ray release of one of the best science fiction movies ever made. I’m actually a little jealous that the first time you’re going to experience the film is in HD.

Everyone else, you know by now if you love “The Matrix”. If you do, make the upgrade. If you’re just a casual fan and have the old version, decide what’s important to you. Isn’t this the kind of movie that was designed to be watched with the best possible picture and sound? What did you get a Blu-Ray player for if not to watch technical masterpieces like this one on it?

The special features on “The Matrix” are the same as in the trilogy Blu-Ray set recently released, but this is the first time that the film has been available alone. The coolest thing is In-Movie Experience, which allows for behind-the-scenes details as the film plays picturein-picture.

The copious and somewhat exhausting special features include four commentary tracks from four distinct angles. First up are the philosophers - Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber. After your mind has been thoroughly blown, give a listen to the critics - Todd McCarthy, John Powers, and David Thomson. The final commentary tracks feature the cast and crew (Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg, and John Gaeta) and the composer, Don Davis, with a music-only track.

Fans will adore the feature-length documentary “The Matrix Revisited” and spend hours with 7 featurettes that make up “Behind The Matrix”. 2 featurettes make up “Take the Red Pills” and 4 combine in something called “Follow the White Rabbit”. Finally, music fans can listen to nearly 3 hours of music in “The Music Revisited” and top it off with the “Rock is Dead” video from Marilyn Manson.

There are certain movies that simply lend themselves better to the Blu-Ray format more than other titles. Animation always looks a little better than live-action and effects-heavy extravaganzas are natural fits with the format. “The Matrix” is as natural a fit with HD picture and sound as any title released so far this year. It’s a must-own.

‘The Matrix’ is released by Warner Brothers Home Entertainment and stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. It was released on March 31st, 2009. It is rated R.

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

‘TMNT’ Director Kevin Munroe Envisions R-Rated CGI

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:56:04 -0600

CHICAGO – “CGI is getting hampered by being defined as a ‘kiddie’ medium,” said “TMNT” writer/director Kevin Munroe in an interview with Adam Fendelman.

Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael in “TMNT,” which opened on March 23.
Photo courtesy of Imagi and Warner Bros.
Rather than solely because their kids lugged them to the movies, he envisions adults also flocking to engage the high-tech, highly immersive medium for themselves.

“In this small step with the [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles], you start to show that there’s a broader audience for it than just kids – when it’s done right,” Munroe said. “I’d love to be in the position where eventually we’d have an R-rated CGI horror or fantasy film.”

In the meantime, the experience for Munroe was an evolutionary process that he views as a glimpse into the next generation of film. He landed the Warner Bros. project from Turtles creator Peter Laird through aggressive tenacity.

“While working on a separate project with Imagi, I heard they were getting the rights to the Turtles,” Munroe said.

He continued: “I just kept on bugging them. I would send them e-mails in the middle of the night to keep pestering them. After I had a meeting with Peter, he signed my Turtles comic issue No. 1 from 1985: ‘Dear Kevin: Make a good movie or else…’”

Giving justice today to a brand that achieved cult status with its comic books required going overseas.

Art director Simon Murton (left), writer/director Kevin Munroe (middle) and environment and color design artist Steve Jung analyze storyboards for “TMNT”.
Photo courtesy of Imagi and Warner Bros.
In the process of removing the actors from the actual spotlight and merely using their voices, Munroe had to staff a gargantuan team of animation artists to artificially bring characters alive in a manner that’s reminiscent of real life.

The film’s makers decided to create and then bridge their own digital divide. While some computer artwork was done in California, the majority was done in an entirely different time zone, on an entirely different continent with people of an entirely different culture.

Munroe found his wealth of talent in Hong Kong. Until the artists learned to understand “Kevinspeak,” though, he recalls early confusion in response to his direction.

American words such as “cool,” for example, were misinterpreted there to mean the temperature rather than his stamp of approval. As such, the Hong Kong artists were given a crash course in Americanisms.

“For one of the warehouse scenes, I wanted to have wooden palettes in the background,” Munroe said, who speaks in a lot of slang. “Instead, they kept sending me pictures of people with their mouths open.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar provides the voice for April O’Neil in “TMNT”.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Beyond the language barrier, traversing the long road that has added $71.3 million in the film’s worldwide piggy bank required massive technology demands.

The last time the sewer-dwelling bipeds captured audiences in 1990, its makers couldn’t have remotely conceived of today’s advances. The 2007 incarnation faced an entirely brave new world.

Munroe used a fat T-3 pipe, which flies data at speeds up to 44 Mbps, to communicate back and forth between his two hubs.

Rendering is done one frame at a time, and for “TMNT,” Munroe was sent 24 two-megabyte files for every second of film. A fight scene in a garden, which comprised just one of the film’s 91 minutes, took one year to complete.

Even an enormously high-tech film with a production budget of $34 million feels the sting of modern-day failure.

Splinter and Leonardo in “TMNT”.
Photo courtesy of Imagi and Warner Bros.
“Just as we were getting into the crunch of the movie, there was an earthquake in Taiwan right after Christmas,” Munroe said. “We had hundreds of thousands if not millions of images coming over, and when the earthquake happened, our T-3 got cut out. We actually had people flying in from Hong Kong with hard drives on their laps. They were delivering the film by hand.”

The computer-modeled magic for the film, which came alive through researchers developing musculature and details such as skin translucency, doesn’t necessitate the enterprise-level equipment you might expect. Munroe added: “At the core of it, we just had a bunch of regular PCs.”

The project worked in a Linux environment using software such as Maya and RenderMan.

“We designed full-on muscle systems for the Turtles because they’re essentially wearing nothing but a sash and a half-shell,” Munroe said in the film’s production notes. “We also gave them unique characteristics. For example, on Raphael, he actually has veins that pop out whenever he flexes and Michelangelo has freckles.”

For help with all the minutiae, Munroe enlisted veteran art director and concept illustrator Simon Murton whose work ranges from “I, Robot” to “The Matrix Revolutions”.

Patrick Stewart provides the voice for Winters in “TMNT”.
Photo by Peter Winterstellar and courtesy of Warner Bros.
Voice work went to Patrick Stewart, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kevin Smith, Laurence Fishburne, Ziyi Zhang and Chris Evans. Mako was announced as the voice of Splinter the day before he died. By then, he had finished the majority of his acting.

A “pseudopod” in 1989’s “The Abyss” marked CGI’s foray into the industry.

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