It’s the end of the summer, at that means other than my Best and Worst of the Summer,  it’s time for my fourth annual “Five Breakout Stars of the Summer” post. Last year was a knockout year, as many of those names have already become household, including “Bridesmaids” star Melissa McCarthy and Chris Hemsworth. This […]

The weather might still be pretty hot, but school’s back in session and Summer 2012 is in the books. That means its time again to sort through the biggest movie season of the year (for those not obsessed with golden statuettes) and pick the very best and the very worst.

A girl doesn’t know anything about her father and resents her mother for it. It’s a common source of familial tension explored in film, but it’s the pure, clear focus of the short film “The Last Hug” from Chicago Talkies Limited, and there’s a certain genuineness and moral warmth in the approach of writer/director Raza […]

Fast cars and comedy have never really gone hand in hand. Movies such as the “Fast and Furious” franchise have always been about the cars, with the jokes mostly sticking to characters digging at each other and one-liners. “Hit and Run,” on the other hand, is all about the humor — with a side of […]

You’d think putting together an action ensemble of some of the best muscle-bound men to ever grace the silver screen warrants an effort that goes beyond casting, but that’s not what we got in 2010’s “The Expendables.” The healthy dose of blood spatter and explosions certainly whetted action fans’ appetites, but the film ultimately fell […]

“Wrath of the Titans” really captures the spirit of its 2010 predecessor — that spirit being uninspired and underdeveloped. If the goal was not to work on improving the quality of the sequel, Warner Bros. succeeded.

Anyone who believes they’re meant to do something creative for the rest of their life (I’d raise my hand if I weren’t typing), will identify with the simple wish fulfillment of “NightShift,” a new short film from Chicago’s Derptastic Entertainment that you can check out at a free screening on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Stage […]

The political campaign system in America has done a good enough job making a joke of itself that “The Campaign” as an idea for a comedy either seems redundant — or perfect. With contemporary comedy staple Will Ferrell going toe-to-toe for the first time with fast-rising star Zach Galifianakis, there is no cap on the […]

After “The Bourne Ultimatum” became the most successful and critically praised film of a trilogy considered the consummate modern spy series, it was only a matter of time before the saga continued. With that film’s director, Paul Greengrass, interested in pursuing other projects, and star Matt Damon uninterested in returning without Greengrass, Universal has been […]

Brothers Jay and Mark Duplass have made their name as filmmakers to this point by examining uncomfortable personal relationship dynamics and exaggerating all things awkward that arise in those situations. With “Jeff, Who Lives At Home,” they focus on life’s essential relationships with an entirely different sense of purpose and humor appears to be a […]

The story of an author incidentally bringing one of his characters to life can go a lot of different directions. There’s an inherent fantasy element, an obvious comedy angle, and in the case of “Ruby Sparks,” some dramatic potential as well. Actress Zoe Kazan’s screenwriting debut tries to touch on all three.

“Total Recall” came out in 1990, and as with any remake — especially of a film not even 25 years old — it will beg the question of why Hollywood sees it fit to (fittingly) implant memories of a new one in our brain. 

Given that we live in a time in which Hollywood remakes and reboots run rampant, it’s considered taboo to clamor for one. But the truth of the matter is, there are a lot of decent films that have been made over the years that simply could’ve been better.