Veronica Roth

Film Review: Shortage of Spark Makes ‘The Divergent Series: Insurgent’ a Second-String Effort

CHICAGO – “The Divergent Series: Insurgent” does nothing to change the “Divergent” series status as an off-brand Young Adult epic. As we’ve seen with “The Hunger Games,” these Young Adult franchises can be lots of fun and be faithful to their source material. But “Insurgent” has the same problem as the first two “Harry Potter” films – it’s too faithful, coupled with a dearth of inspiration behind the camera.

Exclusive Video Interview: Best-Selling Chicago Author Veronica Roth on ‘The Divergent Series: Insurgent’

CHICAGO – A year ago, we spoke with best-selling Chicago author Veronica Roth along with stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Ansel Elgort at the “Divergent” red-carpet premiere. Since then, the 2014 film has earned $288 million globally on an $85 million production budget.

Slideshow: Red-Carpet Portraits of ‘Divergent’ Stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James

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Shailene Woodley portrays Tris in ‘Divergent.’

CHICAGO – The numbers are in and the new film “Divergent” – based on the popular novel by Veronica Roth – had the second best opening of 2014, with $56 million at the box office. On March 4th, 2014, photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com was at the Red Carpet Chicago premiere, and captured Exclusive Red-Carpet Portraits of cast members Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Amy Newbold, and Ansel Elgort, in addition to the Chicago-based author Veronica Roth.

Film Review: ‘Divergent’ Wastes Talented Cast on Joyless Adaptation

CHICAGO – Despite the best efforts of a game Shailene Woodley and likely future star Theo James, Neil Burger’s “Divergent,” based on the hit book by Veronica Roth, is a joyless, soulless, humorless dud. It is repetitious to the point of parody, never feels like it exists in anything approximating reality, and, like so many “Hunger Games” wannabes, forgets that it’s the characters of that franchise that matter and not the goofy machinations of the plot.

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 15 Pairs of IMAX Passes to Chicago’s ‘Divergent’ with Shailene Woodley

CHICAGOHighly anticipated! In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 15 pairs of advance-screening IMAX passes up for grabs to the new Chicago-filmed movieDivergent” starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James from Chicago author Veronica Roth!

Red-Carpet Video Interviews: ‘Divergent’ Stars Shailene Woodley & Theo James, Author Veronica Roth

CHICAGO – It’s only fitting that part one of this major film franchise would red-carpet premiere in Chicago. After all, “Divergent” was filmed here (along with at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios) and its author Veronica Roth went to high school (Barrington High School) and college (Northwestern University) here.

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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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