Mark Strong

Film Review: Brendan Gleeson Finds Caustic Charm of ‘The Guard’

The Guard
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Brendan Gleeson pushes forward John Michael McDonagh’s strong “The Guard” through the sheer power of his incredible personality. The lovable-but-irascible actor delivers one of the most enjoyable performances of the year and he’s amply assisted by the great Don Cheadle and a clever, unapologetic script from his writer, making a strong directorial debut. There’s an awful comedy opening at the multiplex this weekend (“The Change-Up”). Seek out the vastly superior one if you’re in a major city.

Interview: John Michael McDonagh Takes Chances With ‘The Guard’

CHICAGO – From a classic tradition of abrasive-but-lovable anti-heroes, the lead of writer/director John Michael McDonagh’s “The Guard,” Officer Boyle (Brendan Gleeson), is one of the most memorable leads of the year. Played with trademark wit by Gleeson, Boyle does drugs, sleeps with hookers, and simply doesn’t care what you think about him.

Blu-Ray Review: Channing Tatum Fails to Take Flight in ‘The Eagle’

The Eagle Blu-Ray

CHICAGO – It’s safe to say Kevin Macdonald is a filmmaker more skilled in documentaries (“One Day in September,” “Touching The Void”) than he is in scripted narratives (“The Last King of Scotland,” the forgotten “State of Play” remake). His experience in nonfiction work is certainly reflected in the realism of his production design, but it doesn’t translate to his stories, which often take a shallow approach to real-life subjects.

Film Review: Ryan Reynolds in ‘Green Lantern’ is Spectacle Over Story

CHICAGO – The tipping point is close approaching in the super hero movie aura, especially as the B-list get their moment in the projection machine. “Green Lantern,” featuring Ryan Reynolds, stays true to its comic book roots, but lacks any cohesive passion within the main story.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Robin Hood’ Takes Serious Approach to the Legend

Robin Hood

CHICAGO – Erase from your mind every preconception you may have about a film entitled, “Robin Hood,” and you may find yourself enjoying, or at the very east admiring, Ridley Scott’s loose yet literalistic depiction of the legendary outlaw. No film will ever top Michael Curtiz and William Keighley’s 1938 classic starring Errol Flynn, which remains one of the all time great screen entertainments.

DVD Review: Helen Mirren Delivers One of TV’s Best Performances in ‘Prime Suspect’

CHICAGO – She is amply assisted by a who’s who of some of the best supporting actors Britain has produced in the last two decades but “Prime Suspect,” which recently saw its complete 7-series run released in one box set for the first time from Acorn Media, belongs to the amazing Helen Mirren.

Blu-Ray Review: Spectacular Release For Matthew Vaughn’s ‘Kick-Ass’

CHICAGO – Matthew Vaughn’s “Kick-Ass” didn’t take off in theaters like it deserved to do but a simply spectacular Blu-ray release from Lionsgate is sure to please both fans of this excellent slice of post-modern entertainment and help it find the wider audience that I’m sure it will on the home market.

Slideshow: 26-Image Gallery For ‘Robin Hood’ Premiere in Cannes With Russell Crowe

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Actress Danielle Spencer and Russell Crowe

CANNES, FRANCE – Wednesday night at the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival was reserved for an arrowing experience with the premiere of “Robin Hood.” Russell Crowe, who plays the legendary archer in director Ridley Scott’s new film, was on the red carpet.

Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett Forge an Epic Adventure in ‘Robin Hood’

CHICAGO – “T’wang!” is the the sound of an archer’s arrow going right into the center of the summer movie kick-off season.

Slideshow: 51-Image Gallery For ‘Robin Hood’ With Russell Crowe

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(L to R) Allan ADayle (Alan Doyle), Little John (Kevin Durand), Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) and Will Scarlet (Scott Grimes) hunt their quarry in Robin Hood.

CHICAGO – This 51-image slideshow contains the official press images for Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood” with Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Mark Addy, Oscar Isaac, Danny Huston, Eileen Atkins and Max von Sydow. It was written by Brian Helgeland. The film opens on May 14th, 2010.

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  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

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