.thumbnail.jpg "Life During Wartime")
CHICAGO – Theatrical satires of the Star Wars Universe are like the number of TV series the universe has wrought … too many to figure out if anything is worthwhile. But “Trade Federation” (subtitled “Or Let’s Explore Globalization Through the Star Wars Prequels”), presented by Otherworld Theatre in Wrigleyville Chicago, gets it right on.
Michael K. Williams
Film Review: ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Has Odd Breeding for a Movie
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 26, 2016 - 5:34pmCHICAGO – I’m not a gamer, but of course I’ve heard about “Assassin’s Creed.” The film based on the video game is a wild and undisciplined attempt to expand that particular universe, but does succeed in creating an oddball science fiction that has implications in geo-religious power and control.
TV Review: Amazing Ensemble Drives Success of ‘Boardwalk Empire’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 7, 2013 - 9:06pmCHICAGO – HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” found a narrative urgency and a deep sense of poetic melancholy in 2012’s season three, the best of the program’s run to date.
TV Review: HBO’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’ Returns with Most Intense Season Premiere Yet
Submitted by BrianTT on September 16, 2012 - 9:32amCHICAGO – “Ordinary men avoid trouble. Extraordinary men turn it to their advantage.” Isn’t that line from the second episode of the third season of “Boardwalk Empire,” returning tonight, September 16, 2012 on HBO, really at the core of everything we know about Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) and the people that play in his circle of violence?
TV Review: HBO’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’ Returns Better Than Ever
Submitted by BrianTT on September 25, 2011 - 2:09pmCHICAGO – We need more programming as ridiculously ambitious as HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” Not only does this Emmy award-winning program, returning tonight for its highly-anticipated second season, feature dozens of speaking roles and multiple subplots but it’s also the most uniquely stylish show on TV.
TV Review: ‘Community’ Opens Third Season on Confident Note
Submitted by BrianTT on September 22, 2011 - 12:36pmCHICAGO – The second season of “Community” was a daring display of creativity without concern. It really felt like the producers of the show had been so freed by the fact that the nearly-canceled comedy was still on the air that they completely gave up on trying to please anyone but the program’s loyal fans. It was a show that didn’t “play” to anyone, never going for the easy, predictable joke as is common in the world of the sitcom. It was dark, clever, edgy, and unpredictable. And it was one of the best sitcoms of 2010-2011. Where does it go now? What will the third season of “Community” be like? Will it slide in quality? Maintain? Could it possibly get better?
Blu-Ray Review: Criterion Tackles Todd Solondz’s ‘Life During Wartime’
Submitted by BrianTT on August 1, 2011 - 1:12pmCHICAGO – The Criterion deal with IFC Films has led to some very interesting additions to their collection including some controversial choices. The universally-acclaimed and upcoming “Carlos” may be understandable but do “Everlasting Moments” and “Revanche” deserve the standing that comes with the Criterion label? I’m torn and no more so than with the release of “Life During Wartime,” a decent and interesting flick that nonetheless would be FAR down the list of movies I would choose for induction into the most important club in DVD history.
