CHICAGO – If you’ve never seen the farcical ensemble theater chestnut “Noises Off,” you will see no better version than on the Steppenwolf Theatre stage, now at their northside Chicago venue through November 3rd. For tickets and details for this riotous theater experience, click NOISES OFF.
The Lucky One
Film Feature: The 10 Worst Films of 2012
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 28, 2012 - 7:48amCHICAGO – Sitting in the dark, watching 2012 unspool through the reels of the year’s films, often creates a situation in which time can actually be felt going by. That happens when viewing “The 10 Worst Films of 2012.” Brian Tallerico and Patrick McDonald join forces to analyze these time wasters.
Blu-ray Review: Awful ‘The Lucky One’ Makes Other Romantic Melodrama Look Better
Submitted by BrianTT on September 12, 2012 - 10:37amCHICAGO – The Blu-ray of Scott Hicks’ horrendous “The Lucky One” includes special features called “Zac Efron Becomes a Marine,” “Watch the Sparks Fly - The Romantic World of The Lucky One,” and “Zac and Taylor’s Amazing Chemistry.” This is false advertising. Because it implies that Mr. Efron believably becomes a Marine, the film is even slightly romantic, or that its two stars have an ounce of chemistry. This is the bottom of the Nicholas Sparks barrel, an inert romantic drama that fails on every level.
Film News: ‘The Avengers’ Posts Best Second Weekend Ever, ‘Dark Shadows’ Disappoints
Submitted by BrianTT on May 13, 2012 - 5:42pmCHICAGO – “The Avengers” showed no sign of second weekend fatigue, beating the smash second frames of “The Dark Knight” and “Avatar” by collecting another $103.1 million. Dropping just over 50%, “The Avengers” has made $373 million domestically and over $1 billion internationally. This thing could challenge “Avatar” and “Titanic” for all-time grosses.
Film News: ‘The Avengers’ Shatters Records with Biggest Opening Ever
Submitted by BrianTT on May 6, 2012 - 1:28pmCHICAGO – “The Avengers” was expected to dominate at the U.S. box office on its opening weekend but no one predicted that it would break $200 million, shattering the record for the biggest opening weekend of all time. The Summer season got off with a bang as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, and the rest of the gang made cash registers ring around the world.
Film News: ‘Think Like a Man’ Tops Box Office For Second Weekend
Submitted by BrianTT on May 1, 2012 - 8:53amCHICAGO – “Think Like a Man” – starring Kevin Hart and Gabrielle Union – held its own, securing the top spot for a second week in a row with a weekend gross of $17.6 million ($60.4 million total). “The Five-Year Engagement” written by and starring Jason Segel was expected to top the box office this past weekend but came in at a disappointing fifth place with a weekend gross of $10.6 million. The second and third spots were held respectively by new release family animated movie “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” ($11.1 million total) and “The Hunger Games” ($372 million total).
Film News: Steve Harvey Packs Houses with Adaptation of ‘Think Like a Man’
Submitted by BrianTT on April 23, 2012 - 4:30pmCHICAGO – The female heroine driven film “The Hunger Games” had held the top spot for the past four weeks but has been knocked out by “Think Like a Man” based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book. The movie is directed by Tim Story and written by Keith Merryman & David A. Newman starring Michael Ealy (“Barbershop”), Jerry Ferrara (“Entourage”), Meagan Good (“The Steve Harvey Show”), Regina Hall (“Death at a Funeral”), Kevin Hart (“The Five-Year Engagement”), Taraji P. Henson (“The Family that Preys”), Terrence J (“Sparkle”), Jenifer Lewis (“Meet the Browns”), Romany Malco (“Baby Mama”), Gary Owen (“Daddy Day Care”), and Gabrielle Union (“Bad Boys 2”). The weekend gross was $34 million almost tripling the reported production budget of $12 million.
Film Review: ‘The Lucky One’ Suffers From Emotionally Constipated Performances
Submitted by BrianTT on April 20, 2012 - 9:40amCHICAGO – I’m of two minds about the work of Nicholas Sparks. On one hand, I admire his sensitive portrayals of good-hearted people, particularly young lovers, which serve as comfort food for teenagers overwhelmed by peer pressure.
Interview: Nicholas Sparks Highlights Young Love in ‘The Lucky One’
Submitted by mattmovieman on April 16, 2012 - 9:56amCHICAGO – The belief that most people are decent at heart may seem overly naive in a society that often favors cynicism over sincerity. Yet it is precisely this hopeful worldview that has made Nicholas Sparks one of the most successful authors of his time. His international bestsellers have captivated readers worldwide, and have inspired seven big screen adaptations.