CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio review for the doc series “Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose,” about the rise and bitter fall of the major league legend, the MLB’s all-time hits leader, only to be banned from the sport because of gambling. Streaming on MAX and on HBO since July 24th.!—break—>
J.J. Abrams
Film Review: ‘10 Cloverfield Lane’ is a Dull Detour to a Dead End
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 11, 2016 - 10:34pmCHICAGO – With “10 Cloverfield Lane,” Producer J.J. Abrams attempts a classic bait and switch on his audience. The name and the tagline suggest a connection to Abrams found footage monster movie, 2008’s “Cloverfield.” But in all honesty, this film has very little to do with the events of that movie.
Film Review: ‘Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens’ is the One We’ve Been Waiting For
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 16, 2015 - 3:01am- Adam Driver
- Adam Fendelman
- Andy Serkis
- Carrie Fisher
- Daisy Ridley
- Domhnall Gleeson
- George Lucas
- Gwendoline Christie
- Harrison Ford
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- J.J. Abrams
- John Boyega
- Lupita Nyong'o
- Mark Hamill
- Oscar Isaac
- Peter Mayhew
- Simon Pegg
- Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
CHICAGO (No Spoilers!) – I felt privileged on Tuesday morning. Not just to be a Chicago film critic, but to be a movie lover. Film critics and movie lovers alike wade through scores of yawners hoping for one or two masterpieces that remind us why we fell in love with the experience of watching a film in the company of people we like.
Blu-ray Review: Frustrating Release For ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 16, 2013 - 4:04pmCHICAGO – When you’ve got a movie as controversial among its core audience as J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek Into Darkness,” why would you court even more with a frustrating Blu-ray release pattern, one that essentially tries to milk the people who like the film for as much cash as conceivably possible?
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Free Double-Feature Tickets to ‘Star Trek Into Darkness,’ ‘World War Z’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on August 25, 2013 - 5:37pmCHICAGO – What’s better than two blockbusters for the price of one? HollywoodChicago.com readers will score 20 pairs of guaranteed pick-your-showing double-feature tickets plus 10 prize packs to “Star Trek Into Darkness” and “World War Z” for free!
Interview: Actor Michael Peña on the Fast Track in ‘Turbo’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 15, 2013 - 4:33pmCHICAGO – Michael Peña is a serious guy – dedicated to his career direction, acting craft and perspective on a life in show business. But that is not all he is, as he has dedicated a new role for his young son. It is the new animated film called “Turbo,” and Peña portrays the voice of Tito, the owner of the world’s fastest snail.
Slideshow: William Shatner Introduces ‘Star Trek’ Films in Chicagoland
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 26, 2013 - 4:12pmCHICAGO – William Shatner, who originated the role of Captain Kirk in the first TV incarnation of “Star Trek,” has beamed aboard the Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville, Ill., and the Hollywood Blvd. Theater in Woodridge this Memorial Day weekend, May 24th-26th, to introduce the films “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” – in which he stars – and the latest chapter of the legacy, “Star Trek Into Darkness.”
Blu-ray Review: Final Season of FOX Hit ‘Fringe’
Submitted by BrianTT on May 22, 2013 - 10:52amCHICAGO – I find it fascinating that “Fringe,” the show that always seemed to be on the bubble for renewal and was always included in articles about low-rated programming, appears to be one of the most influential on the Fall 2013 season. FOX has two new dramas in the Fall and they’re both from “Fringe” alum — J.J. Abrams’ “Almost Human” and Robert Orci & Alex Kurtzman’s “Sleepy Hollow”. They’re clearly looking for, believe it or not, the next “Fringe.” For while the smart sci-fi drama never found a huge audience on TV, it found an incredibly loyal one on Blu-ray, On Demand, iTunes, etc. and those fans can now complete their collection with a bittersweet but complete fifth and final season release.
Film Review: ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Satisfies with Entertaining Adventure
Submitted by BrianTT on May 16, 2013 - 10:24amCHICAGO – J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek Into Darkness” is like a really solid mid-season episode of a great TV series. Entertaining, for sure, but lacking the energy of a premiere or the stakes of a finale. It leaves fans wondering what’s next in the franchise, which will surely make Paramount happy, but doesn’t stand on its own like the truly great part twos (“The Dark Knight,” “The Empire Strikes Back”).
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Passes to ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ From J.J. Abrams
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on May 11, 2013 - 6:30pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 25 pairs of movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the highly anticipated new “Star Trek Into Darkness” starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto from J.J. Abrams!
HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Advance-Screening TV Passes to J.J. Abrams’ ‘Revolution’
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on August 30, 2012 - 10:20pmCHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening TV passes up for grabs for NBC’s new TV pilot “Revolution” from “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau and executive producer J.J. Abrams!