CHICAGO – The funny meter of Netflix went off the scale last week, as the animated series “Chicago Party Aunt” made its debut on September 17th. What began as a Twitter account by comic actor Chris Witaske (who also provides his voice talent) has morphed into the cartoon adventures of Aunt Diane Dumbowski, her nephew Daniel, and an array of familiar Chicago-isms and characters.
Justin Long
Don’t Say That You Love Me in Kevin Smith’s ‘Tusk’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 20, 2014 - 8:08am Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The headline is a quote (“Don’t say that you love me!”) from Fleetwood Mac’s song “Tusk,” which Kevin Smith gratefully includes in his film of the same name. The movie is either the most outrageous audacity of the year or a blatant middle finger from Smith to the audience. You decide.
‘Veronica Mars’ Wishes it Was Still on TV
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 14, 2014 - 10:02am Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – A TV movie for the silver screen, “Veronica Mars” is a historical film that was Kickstarted into existence by the will of 91,585 backers. Now, it stands like a crossroads in the intersection between TV and film, showing that what may work in TV doesn’t necessarily make for a great film.
Even Kids Might Run from ‘Walking with Dinosaurs 3D’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 20, 2013 - 10:14amRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “Walking with Dinosaurs” depicts the magnificent titular creatures in stunning realism and 3D vision, and then proceeds to give them line readings with the equivalent sophistication of Archie comics. This adds up to an educational film with a long, dull journey ahead.
Channing Tatum’s ‘10 Years’ Resuscitates High School For 50 Worthwhile Minutes
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on September 22, 2012 - 1:38pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “10 Years” unintentionally backfires by proving that a real-life Hollywood couple – Channing Tatum and his actual spouse of three years Jenna Dewan-Tatum – has less on-screen chemistry than two actors who’ve practically never met.
‘For a Good Time, Call...’ Has a Stellar Ringtone
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 31, 2012 - 8:05am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Rising above the usual romantic comedy dreck is an admirable achievement in today’s film landscape. “For a Good Time, Call…” is not only funny and unconventional, but focuses on the relationship between the two lead woman characters, portrayed by Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor.
‘The Conspirator’ Has Lessons That Resonate Today
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 15, 2011 - 5:16pmRating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The Latin term “Inter arma silent leges.” (There is no law on the battlefield) is coldly stated in “The Conspirator,” directed by Robert Redford. In plain truth, the new film recreates one of the most controversial military trials in American history.
Drew Barrymore, Justin Long Fall Short of ‘Going the Distance’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 3, 2010 - 5:01pm Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Drew Barrymore no doubt is working hard to become Queen of the Romantic Comedy. She has done over ten of them, more if you count “Bad Girls.” (kidding) When recycling themes even the best of them can get redundant when seeing the same actress involved. “Going the Distance” is not even among the best of them.
Annoyingly Inept ‘After.Life’ Bores Audience to Death
Submitted by BrianTT on April 9, 2010 - 10:34am Rating: 1.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – “After.Life” is one of the first truly awful films of 2010. Its aggressive solemnity combined with its head-slapping silliness will cause most viewers to simply laugh it off the screen. There’s at least two possible ways to interpret its murky story, and they’re both ludicrous.
Sam Raimi Returns to Horror Genre With Thrilling ‘Drag Me to Hell’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 29, 2009 - 12:49pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – The gleefully gory Sam Raimi who made “Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn” and “Darkman” is back in close to prime form with this week’s thoroughly enjoyable “Drag Me To Hell,” a horror thrill ride almost certain to satisfy any audience member willing to choose a movie with “Hell” in the title over the latest Pixar offering.
Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Ginnifer Goodwin Nearly Save ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’
Submitted by BrianTT on February 6, 2009 - 1:01am Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – If you’ve ever been speed dating or even just on a series of dates in a short period of time, it’s not that different from the back and forth between good and bad in the latest romantic comedy, “He’s Just Not That Into You,” a mixed bag of cliches, comedy, coincidences, and cute coupling starring Jennifer Aniston, Ginnifer Goodwin, and many, many more.
