HollywoodChicago.com Arts & Entertainment News

Interview: Director J. Spencer Greene’s Indy Film ‘Off-Loop’ Premieres in Chicago

CHICAGO – The spirit of independent film is embodied in J. Spencer Greene’s “Off-Loop”, which will be having its Chicago premiere on Wednesday night, May 20, at the Portage Theater on the northwest side.

Action Blu-Ray Round Up, May 19, 2009: ‘Changing Lanes,’ ‘The Machinist’

The Machinist

CHICAGO – Paramount Home Video is unleashing waves of catalog titles this month. It started with the comedy wave last Tuesday and continues with a diverse slate of action films this week.

ABC Renews ‘Castle,’ ‘Scrubs’; Cancels ‘The Unusuals,’ ‘Cupid’

Castle

CHICAGOABC is still struggling to find the next big hit to stand next to monsters like “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” and they decided to give Nathan Fillion & Stana Katic’s “Castle” a shot at hit status, but cancelled several other new shows, including “The Unusuals” and “Cupid”.

Fox Renews ‘Dollhouse,’ Cancels ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’

Dollhouse

CHICAGO – The networks announce their fall schedules this week and Eliza Dushku fans will be happy that her on-the-bubble show from TV genius Joss Whedon, “Dollhouse,” got a last minute reprieve from the TV gas chamber and will be on the FOX fall schedule. While “Dollhouse” made the cut, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” was shown the door.

Official Poster For ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ Released

New Moon Poster

CHICAGO – The official poster for “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” has finally been released and it features shots of Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), the biggest stars of the sequel to “Twilight”.

‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ is Aptly Sweetened Chicago Refreshment

Becky Gulsvig stars in Legally Blonde the Musical at the Ford Oriental Theatre in Chicago

CHICAGO – If you were one of those Chicagoans who discovered a new allergy to the hoards of hormonally-charged pubescents attached to “Wicked’s” wake, you may want to take heed, or rather cover—a new touring behemoth promises to tow along new teenie boppers to the Ford Theatre. But not to worry, plenty of chaperones will surely be on duty.

TV Review: Ryan Murphy’s Excellent ‘Glee’ is Unlike Anything on TV

CHICAGO – Much closer to Alexander Payne’s “Election” than Disney’s “High School Musical,” the pilot for Ryan Murphy’s “Glee” is one of the best of the last several years, a clever blend of satire, pop tunes, laugh-out-loud comedy, and rich, interesting characters. The one thing I kept thinking during the pilot of “Glee”? This is too good for network TV. It will never last.

Tom Hanks, Ron Howard Misfire With Ridiculous ‘Angels & Demons’

Angels & Demons
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 1.5/5.0
Rating: 1.5/5.0

CHICAGORon Howard’s “Angels & Demons,” the sequel to “The Da Vinci Code,” is an absolute mess, a film that tries hard to break free from the dull tone of its predecessor but ends up even more ridiculous, frustrating and generally worthless.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop’ With Kevin James a Massive Comedy Hit

Paul Blart Mall Cop

CHICAGO – Being a big fan of Kevin James and his underrated sitcom “The King of Queens” and marveling at the massive box office for Steve Carr’s “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” I approached the Blu-Ray release of this hit title with cautious optimism. I’m still very happy for the talented James, but he deserves better than this slapstick-y and inconsistent comedy.

TV Review: B-Movie Thrills Live on in BBC America’s ‘Primeval’

CHICAGOBBC America’s “Primeval” is a wonderful slice of B-movie thrills on the small screen, a great piece of escapism on Saturday nights that is yet another jewel in the crown of this fantastic cable network.

Blu-Ray Review: Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson in Supernatural ‘Passengers’

Passengers

CHICAGO – There have been several interesting movies about plane crashes, none more so than Peter Weir’s amazing “Fearless” with its career-best performance by Jeff Bridges. There’s something nearly supernatural about surviving falling from the sky in a several-ton hunk of metal. It’s that otherworldly quality that Anne Hathaway and Patrick Wilson use for creepy thrills in the moderately effective “Passengers,” now on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Interview: Managing Expectations of Life, Love With ‘Management’ Director Stephen Belber

Management

CHICAGO – Stephen Belber, the acclaimed playwright behind “The Laramie Project” and “Tape,” which was adapted into a feature film by director Richard Linklater, makes his directorial debut this week with the quirky romantic comedy “Management” starring Steve Zahn and Jennifer Aniston. He took time out of his busy schedule to make an international call from Paris, France to discuss the film with HollywoodChicago.com.

Video: Trailer For ‘Nine’ With Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz

Nine

CHICAGO – The trailer for the highly anticipated musical “Nine” was released today and you really must take a look. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and Sophia Loren, and directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), “Nine” feels like the first trailer for a likely major Oscar candidate for 2009.

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • 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.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
tracker