CHICAGO – Excelsior! Comic book legend Stan Lee’s famous exclamation puts a fine point on the third and final play of Mark Pracht’s FOUR COLOR TRILOGY, “The House of Ideas,” presented by and staged at City Lit Theater in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. For tickets/details, click HOUSE OF IDEAS.
Universal Pictures
‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ Suffers Because Seth MacFarlane Casts Himself
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 31, 2014 - 11:58am Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – A feature-length comedy is a daunting undertaking. But being consistently funny for 2 straight hours is like climbing Mount Everest blindfolded with no arms while taking selfies using your feet.
‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ Goes in All Directions
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 29, 2014 - 4:51pm Rating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Two observations regarding Seth MacFarlane: one, he is a hilarious writer and voiceover talent. Two, he isn’t as good as a comic leading man, on screen and in live action. Those two elements clash brightly in the overlong but funny “A Million Ways to Die in the West.”
Funny But Familiar Trip to Frat House in ‘Neighbors’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 9, 2014 - 9:30amRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – I have a high tolerance for Seth Rogen, but he begins to show some signs of creative exhaustion in “Neighbors,” a raunchy frat house comedy that’s never quite as funny as it should be. Rogen’s onscreen persona here comes dangerously close to schtick.
‘Endless Love’ Remake Feels Like Endless Slog
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 14, 2014 - 10:51am Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – It’s Valentine’s Day movie remake weekend! Hot on the heels of the “About Last Night” redo, comes our love, our “Endless Love” – and it’s interesting that the film doesn’t use that song at all, not even for a hip-hop version. That’s just one of many problems in a remake that doesn’t generate any heat or dramatic conflict, unless you wonder if a rich woman will ever write another best seller.
The Gang Happily Reunites in ‘The Best Man Holiday’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 15, 2013 - 5:48pm Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Like a black “Big Chill,” the gang from the 1999 essential film “The Best Man” reunite to see old friends, celebrate the season, open old wounds and bury the past in a surprisingly serious yet emotionally spiritual sequel “The Best Man Holiday.”
Slushy ‘About Time’ Still Says All You Need is Love
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 8, 2013 - 9:38amRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Writer/Director Richard Curtis is somewhat of a love guru. Fresh on the heels of the tenth anniversary of what is now his classic Christmas movie, “Love Actually,” comes his latest ode to amore. It’s about life, passion and – oh yeah – a little time travel. It’s “About Time.”
Director Ron Howard Delivers a Meticulous ‘Rush’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 27, 2013 - 2:50pmRating: 3.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Defining the glory days of any sport is often centered on personal rivalries. The 1970s – notable for stand-offs like John McEnroe and Björn Borg – had a similarly contentious rivalry between Formula One car racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda, portrayed in Ron Howard’s “Rush.”
Uninspired ‘R.I.P.D.’ is a Reminder of Better Movies
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 19, 2013 - 10:06pmRating: 2.5/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Did everyone see “Men in Black”? Or the film’s two sequels? They you saw “R.I.P.D.,” which unfortunately for the production team has “rip” in the title, because the film is a lazy rewrite and rip-off of “MiB.” Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds are the protectors assigned in this one.
Same Formula in Weak Sequel ‘Despicable Me 2’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 3, 2013 - 9:15amRating: 3.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Oh those wacky Minions. We just never know what those little yellow guys in “Despicable Me 2” will do, because they simply DO EVERYTHING! They sing, fart, burp, perform parodies and handle hazardous materials. More than comic relief, they are all-purpose story coverage.
‘Mama’ is Everything Classic Horror Should Be
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 18, 2013 - 10:03am Rating: 4.0/5.0 |
CHICAGO – Occasionally, along comes a filmmaker who completely understands what makes a horror film work. “Mama,” the debut of co-writer and director Andy Muschietti, contains creepy children, psychological ramifications, clueless victims and deep mystery. This is both scary and a thriller.
