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February 25, 2008

Do you care which politicans that celebrities endorse?

After Oprah Winfrey endorsed Obama, a Gallup poll in October found that Winfrey's support made "no difference" for 81 percent of the respondents; 10 percent said her endorsement made them "more likely to vote against" Obama got us wondering who cares about the parade of show biz types making sure we know who they like. Take a look at my story on "Celebrities on the Stump" and leave your opinions. Personally, I'd love to hear who the contestants on "Top Model" like. They all seem so thoughtful and well-read.

Dean

February 15, 2008

Dean's Friday Reviews-Spiderwick, Jumper, Definitely Maybe

SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES
The best movie of the week is a family film adventure, based on a best selling novel. "The Spiderwick chronicles" has got siblings fighting off creatures in the spooky old house they've just moved into.

Goblins, fairies and ogres are not happy with the new inhabitants where the one time owner hid some powerful secrets in a book that the creatures want.

The kids and some friendly creatures have to protect the book at all costs and it’s there that "The Spiderwick Chronicles" delivers one of the most exciting and inventive mythical adventures that we've seen in a long time. It never gets bogged down in confusing terminology; it’s loaded with cool effects and always with a sense of humor.

Freddie Highmore, who we know from "Finding Neverland" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" turns in his usual great performance...in fact, two performances, as twin brothers.

"The Spiderwick Chronicles" is well made...perfect for the kids...and won't bore the grown ups. A Dean's List "B+."

DEFINITELY, MAYBE
More kids in movies this week!! This time, Abigail Breslin, from Little Miss Sunshine, only she's saying and doing things that are very grown up in "Definitely Maybe"; a clever comedy-love story-mystery about a single dad, "Just Friends', Ryan Reynolds, explaining to his daughter how he met her mom.

It’s a nostalgic blast from the early 90's as Reynolds shows off his considerable comedy-skills, but also balancing this well written story about his past loves, well-played by Mrs. Sasha Baron Cohen, Isla Fischer and Oscar winner Rachel Weisz.

Romantic comedies always so predictable. "Definitely Maybe" is definitely, the opposite. A refreshing Dean's List "B+."

JUMPER
Finally, there's Samuel l. Jackson and Hayden Christensen in "Jumper." It’s the story of a young man who discovers that he's got the ability to transport himself from one place to another instantly.

For reasons, not completely explained, he’s being hunted down by a cult of people including "Samuel L", who hunts down and kills the jumpers.

The effects here are great but the storyline is a pretty thin. Still, I had fun with the movie and wished I could transport myself to someplace warmer. A Dean's List "B."

January 25, 2008

Dean remembers Randy Salerno

I still feel like I’ve been socked in the stomach. When the news of the death of Randy Salerno came through our newsroom this morning, a tangible hush came over the room that's normally bustling with noise and activity. Our friend was gone. It didn't...and still doesn't seem possible.

I have incredible respect for our producers and writers who had to put their emotions aside and do their jobs of reporting the news. It reminded me of the day that Bob Collins was killed in a plane crash when a personal tragedy became the top story that we had to work. After the show, when we had time to breathe, is when the tears came.

On the air, Larry, Robin and I reminisced. It was no easy task trying to get through the show today with this dark cloud hanging over us.

When I started with WGN News, my desk was right next to Randy's in the newsroom. He helped me learn the ropes since I was coming out of radio. He was so supportive and encouraging to me and my writing style. It meant a lot to me to get a "great job" from him after a review or interview that I did.

On his desk were pictures of his wife and kids...and a discolored, old picture of a little boy with Bozo and Sandy from the old Bozo show. It was Randy from when he visited the show, probably from sometime in the 1960s. In 2001, Don Sandburg, who played Sandy on the show, was back at WGN for the taping of the final Bozo show. He was taken back to Randy's desk to see the old picture. Randy was there and was like a little kid again when he met him.

Having grown up in the Chicago area, he loved to talk TV nostalgia. He also loved talking movies and loved even more trying to stump me with movie trivia, as he was pretty knowledgeable. One day, he sarcastically bet me $1000 bucks on some movie trivia. I lost the bet. For years, every time I'd see him after that, he'd ask me for his thousand bucks.

I'm looking over at his desk now and I can picture him slithering down in his chair, watching TV with one eye, working on a story with the other while throwing out one liners about one thing or another.

There wasn't a quicker wit nor dryer sense of humor than Randy's. There wasn't a more skilled, professional than Randy. There wasn't a nicer guy; completly dedicated to his family.

I'm SO sad for Irene, the kids, his parents and his family; but I celebrate that I even knew Randy Salerno. I'll always smile when I think of him and I guess that's about the greatest thing any of us can hope for.

Enjoy every minute. Have as few regrets in your life as possible. Tell the people you love, that you love them.
Dean

See video and share your memories of Randy Salerno.

January 22, 2008

And the Oscar nominees are....

Here's the complete list of the 80th annual Academy Awards.

What happened to my beloved "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street." It was my pick for the best film of 2007 for it's bold performances and film making by Tim Burton. I'm glad that Johnny Depp was at least nominated.

Emile Hirsch and Sean Penn should have been nominated for "Into The Wild." Tommy Lee Jones was OK in "In the Valley of Elah"...but to snub Denzel?

Cate Blanchette for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age?" Everytime someone throws on a hoop skirt, they get nominated. There were far better performances.

Everyone is asking me if I think they'll be an Oscars show. The answer is, yes. The Directors and Producers Guilds came to an agreement with the writers recently. David Letterman struck a seperate deal for his company, Worldwide Pants. I excpet the Academy and ABC to do the same thing to avoid losing hundreds of millions of dollars if the show DOESN'T go on.

Speaking of money, the five best picture nominations have grossed $119,320,000 combined, so far. The worst film of the year, "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" has made more. Very sad.

Here's the list...what do you think?

1. Best Picture: "Atonement," "Juno," "Michael Clayton,"
"No Country for Old Men," "There Will Be Blood."

2. Actor: George Clooney, "Michael Clayton"; Daniel Day-Lewis,
"There Will Be Blood"; Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd the Demon
Barber of Fleet Street"; Tommy Lee Jones, "In the Valley of
Elah"; Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises."

3. Actress: Cate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"; Julie
Christie, "Away From Her"; Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose";
Laura Linney, "The Savages"; Ellen Page, "Juno."

4. Supporting Actor: Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse
James by the Coward Robert Ford"; Javier Bardem, "No Country for
Old Men"; Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild"; Philip Seymour Hoffman,
"Charlie Wilson's War"; Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton."

5. Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There"; Ruby
Dee, "American Gangster"; Saoirse Ronan, "Atonement"; Amy Ryan,
"Gone Baby Gone"; Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton."

6. Director: Julian Schnabel, "The Diving Bell and the
Butterfly"; Jason Reitman, "Juno"; Tony Gilroy, "Michael
Clayton"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men";
Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood."

7. Foreign Film: "Beaufort," Israel; "The Counterfeiters,"
Austria; "Katyn," Poland; "Mongol," Kazakhstan; "12," Russia.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Christopher Hampton, "Atonement"; Sarah
Polley, "Away from Her"; Ronald Harwood, "The Diving Bell and
the Butterfly"; Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old
Men"; Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood."

9. Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody, "Juno"; Nancy Oliver,
"Lars and the Real Girl"; Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton"; Brad
Bird, Jan Pinkava and Jim Capobianco, "Ratatouille"; Tamara
Jenkins, "The Savages."

10. Animated Feature Film: "Persepolis"; "Ratatouille";
"Surf's Up."

11. Art Direction: "American Gangster," "Atonement," "The
Golden Compass," "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet
Street," "There Will Be Blood."

12. Cinematography: "The Assassination of Jesse James by the
Coward Robert Ford," "Atonement," "The Diving Bell and the
Butterfly," "No Country for Old Men," "There Will Be Blood."

13. Sound Mixing: "The Bourne Ultimatum," "No Country for Old
Men," "Ratatouille," "3:10 to Yuma," "Transformers."

14. Sound Editing: "The Bourne Ultimatum," "No Country for
Old Men," "Ratatouille," "There Will Be Blood," "Transformers."

15. Original Score: "Atonement," Dario Marianelli; "The Kite
Runner," Alberto Iglesias; "Michael Clayton," James Newton
Howard; "Ratatouille," Michael Giacchino; "3:10 to Yuma," Marco
Beltrami.

16. Original Song: "Falling Slowly" from "Once," Glen
Hansard and Marketa Irglova; "Happy Working Song" from
"Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz; "Raise It Up"
from "August Rush," Nominees to be determined; "So Close" from
"Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz; "That's How You
Know" from "Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

17. Costume: "Across the Universe," "Atonement,"
"Elizabeth: The Golden Age," "La Vie en Rose," "Sweeney Todd
the Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

18. Documentary Feature: "No End in Sight," "Operation
Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience," "Sicko," "Taxi to
the Dark Side," "War/Dance."

19. Documentary (short subject): "Freeheld," "La Corona (The
Crown)," "Salim Baba," "Sari's Mother."

20. Film Editing: "The Bourne Ultimatum," "The Diving Bell
and the Butterfly," "Into the Wild," "No Country for Old Men,"
"There Will Be Blood."

21. Makeup: "La Vie en Rose," "Norbit," "Pirates of the
Caribbean: At World's End."

22. Animated Short Film: "I Met the Walrus," "Madame
Tutli-Putli," "Meme Les Pigeons Vont au Paradis (Even Pigeons Go
to Heaven)," "My Love (Moya Lyubov)," "Peter & the Wolf."

23. Live Action Short Film: "At Night," "Il Supplente (The
Substitute)," "Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of
Pickpockets)," "Tanghi Argentini," "The Tonto Woman."

24. Visual Effects: "The Golden Compass," "Pirates of the
Caribbean: At World's End," "Transformers."

The awards show, if it happens, will be February 24th. Jon Stewart will host.

January 11, 2008

New DVDs- January 15, 2008

Here is the list of the new DVd releases for January 15, 2008.
I love the Earth vs. Flying Saucers/It Came from beneath the sea remastered discs. They're now in color and black and white. So cheesey, Kraft shoulda put them out.
What have you seen that you've loved?
Dean

Mr. Woodcock
Good Luck Chuck
An Affair to Remember -50th anniversary edition
Alex Haley's Queen
Alfred Hitchcock, Master Of Suspense: 10 Movies
Beverly Hillbillies: Volume 2
Bonanza: Volumes 1-4
Bound For Glory 2005
Breaker Morant
California Dreaming
Cowboy Millionaire
The Crime Smasher
Criss Angel Mindfreak: The Complete Third Season
Dick Van Dyke Show: Volume 1
Do You Trust Your Wife?
Down With Love
Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers (2 Disc Collector's Edition)
Extras: The Complete Series (Gift Set)
Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest
French Kiss (Widescreen)
Garfield: Prime Time Gift Set (Set)
Great Expectations
Jane Austen's Persuasion
Killer Diller
Love Potion No. 9
Lucy Show: Volumes 1-4
Melissa
The Naked Prey (Criterion Collection)
The New Adventures of Old Christine - The Complete First Season
She's Gotta Have It
Wedding Daze
When Harry Met Sally - Collector's Edition

January 9, 2008

News DVD's this week

Here's the list of thenew DVD's out this week (January 8, 2008.) Is there something you've seen that you loved or hated? Lemme know.
Dean

Two and a Half Men - The Complete 1st and 2nd Seasons
3:10 to Yuma
All-Star Family Feud All Star Family Feud
Con Air (Blu-ray)
Death Sentence (Unrated Edition)e Second Season
Dragon Wars - D-War
Eureka Seven, Volume 11
Evil Roy Slade
Golden Door
Gunsmoke - The Second Season, Volume 1
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
Man On Fire (Blu-ray)
MI-5, Volume 5
Personal Best
The Pianist (HD DVD)
The Riches - Season 1
Rob & Big - The Complete Seasons 1 & 2 (Uncensored)
The Road To Rio / The Road To Bali (Double Feature)
The Rock (Blu-ray)
Sunshine
The All-New Superfriends Hour: Season One, Volume 1
Sweatin' to the Oldies
The Waltons - The Complete Sixth Season
What's New Scooby-Doo? - The Complete Third Season
Zodiac

One Tree Hill Casting Call in Chicago

Here's the scoop on the "One Tree Hill" casting call coming to Chicago on January 19th. If you decide to enter, let me know at deanrichards@wgntv.com. We'll be there with our cameras and will want to put you and your audition tape on the Morning News.
Good luck,
Dean

TELEVISION GROUP PARTNER FOR THE "ONE TREE HILL CASTING CALL" TO OFFER THE ULTIMATE FAN WEEKEND AND A WALK-ON ROLE

The CW, Macy's and the Warner Bros. Television Group are offering eight passionate ONE TREE HILL fans the opportunity of a lifetime - a chance to win a walk-on role and spend a star-filled weekend with the cast in Wilmington, North Carolina, where the series is filmed.

The "Ultimate Fan Weekend in Wilmington" promotion, which began December 18 and continues through February 4, 2008, offers fans the chance to spend time with the cast, see the show in production, attend a charity event and appear in an episode. Fans can enter the contest in one of two ways: by attending a regional casting call at seven Macy's stores nationwide or by uploading an audition video at www.cwtv.com/macys. In addition, ONE TREE HILL cast members will be signing autographs at the following Macy's locations on Saturday, January 19 from 2:00-4:00pm (local time):

· Macy's State Street - 111 N. State Street Chicago, IL with cast member Lee Norris at 2pm.

· Macy's Herald Square - New York City (cast members Sophia Bush and Daphne Zuniga)*

· Macy's Aventura - Aventura, FL (cast member Hilarie Burton)

· Macy's Union Square - San Francisco, CA (cast member James Lafferty)

· Macy's Lenox Square - Atlanta, GA (cast member Antwon Tanner)

· Macy's Downtown Seattle - Seattle, WA (cast member Bethany Joy Galeotti)

· Macy's Easton Town Center - Columbus, OH (series creator Mark Schwahn and cast member Michaela McManus)

* These are the scheduled cast members but circumstances may result in a change as to the cast member participating at a particular location.

Full rules for this event are posted at http://www.cwtv.com/thecw/macys.

December 31, 2007

Dean's Best/Worst of 2007

Ok...here are they are. My picks for the best and worst films of 2007.
Let me know what you liked and hated!
Dean

BEST PICTURES:

1. SWEENEY TODD:THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

2. INTO THE WILD

3. AMERICAN GANGSTER

4. JUNO

5. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

6. MICHAEL CLAYTON

7. KNOCKED UP

8. BOURNE ULTIMATUM

9. HAIRSPRAY

10.ATONEMENT

WORST PICTURES:

1. I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY

2. DELTA FARCE

3. LICENSE TO WED

4. DADDY DAY CARE

5. BALLS OF FURY

6. PREMONITION

7. EVAN ALMIGHTY

8. MR. WOODCOCK

9. NUMBER 23

10.NORBIT

December 28, 2007

Dean's Best Actors of 2007

If you missed it on the show this morning, I announced my picks for best actors and best actresses of the year. On Monday, 12/31, I announce my picks for the best and worst films of the year. Check out my list...leave yours...your comments could wind up on the air.
Dean

Best Actresses:
1. Ellen Page - Juno
2. Angelina Jolie - A Mighty Heart
3. Keri Russell - Waitress
4. Laura Linney -The Savages
5. Julie Christie - Away From Her

Best Actors:
1. Emile Hirsch - Into The Wild
2. Johnny Depp - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
3. George Clooney - Michael Clayton
4. Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises
5. Will Smith - I Am Legend

December 17, 2007

Dean's DVD Picks/Complete List- Week of December 18, 2007

Here's what's new this week. My picks are The Simpsons' Movie, Stardust, Once, Mod Squard and the Blade Ruynner special collection.. There are some very cool extras on the BR package and the movie the way it was intended to be seen. Your favs?

Here's this week's complete list.
The Simpsons Movie
Once
Stardust
Balls of Fury
Underdog
Mod Squad: Season One Volume One
One Tree Hill: Season 4
The Adevntures of Young Indiana Jones:The War years
Blade Runner:Collector's Edition
National Treasure:Collectors Edition
Halloween: Special Edition
Cinderella II
Bring it On:In It to Win it

December 13, 2007

20th Chicago Film Critics Awards

The CFCA is a thougthful, knowledgeable and sometimes ecclectic group of film critics from all over Chicago. I'm proud to be a member. Here is the complete list of our best of 2007. My Dean's List picks for the best of the year are pretty different. I'll be announcing my picks of the year next week on the Morning News and posting them here.

Chicago Film Critics Assication Best of 2007:
Picture: No Country for Old Men
Foreign Film: 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
Director: Joel & Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men
Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody - Juno
Adapted Screenplay: Joel & Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men
Actor: Daniel Day Lewis - There Will Be Blood
Actress: Ellen Page - Juno
Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There
Cinematography: Roger Deakins - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Score: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Once
Documentary: Sicko
Animated Feature: Ratatouille
Promising Performer: Michael Cera - Superbad/Juno
Promising Filmmaker: Ben Affleck - Gone Baby Gone

November 19, 2007

The Emmy's

The evening was very nice with WGN picking up several awards including one for our very own, Ana Belaval, for her "One Tank Trip" reports. Now she can balance her new daughter, Amelia, in one arm and her statue in the other. BTW, Ana looks great. She'll be back toward the end of December.

The highlight of the evening was Jeff Garlin of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" who was smart and just sarcastic enough for this jaded crowd. The crowning moment of the evening when Fox's Larry Yellin attempted a joke from the podium and felt it necessary to say that the stage "added 40 pounds to Jeff's weight." Jeff yelled from back stage that he didn't give a S***. The crowded responded with uproarious applause to Garlin's shutting down Yellin's rude remark.

When Jeff returned to the stage, he talked about how funny he thought it was how some people are "just "D*****Bags" for saying something like that. And then, really summed it up by saying "who is that guy, anyway?"

October 15, 2007

Dean's DVD Picks - Week of October 16, 2007

My favorites this week are "Planet Terror", Transformers" and "A Mighty Heart." "PT" is unrated and extended; silly, bloody fun. Very campy. "Transformers" is solid, action and excitment. And Jolie is stunning in "Mighty Heart." It's great but tough to watch.

Tell me what you've seen that you like. Here's this week's full list.
Dean

Grindhouse presents "Planet Terror"- Extended and Unrated
The Transformers
A Mighty Heart
The Reaping
The Hoax

The Jazz Singer with Al Jolson

That 70's Show-Season 7
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip-The Complete Series
Medium- The Third Season
Ironside-Season 2
Macgyver-The Complete Series
The Sopranos-Season 6-Part 2
The L Word-The Complete 4th Season
Veronica Mars-Season 3

September 7, 2007

Dean reviews "3:10 to Yuma", "Shoot "em Up" and "Brothers Solomon"

“3:10 TO YUMA”
It took an Aussie and a brit to make a great American western. It’s one of the best of the year!

50 years ago, a dime cowboy novel was made into a black and white western, "3:10 to Yuma" starring Glenn ford and van Heflin. Now, the story has been expanded, the starring roles have been brilliantly illuminated by Russell Crowe and Christian Bale...and "the western" has been re-energized.

In it, Oscar winner Crowe is great as a notorious outlaw whose finally been captured, and now is being escorted to a nearby town to be put on the 3:10 train to the Yuma Arizona prison...that's if his former gang doesn't spring him en route.

Bale is intense as a rancher who takes the escort job...and strikes up an odd bond with his prisoner.

These two actors are at their best as are the amazing supporting cast of Peter Fonda and Ben Foster as Crowe’s crazed second in command.

There’s plenty of shoot 'em up action but at its core, "3:10 to Yuma" is a story of honor.

Mosey on down to your local Cineplex for this powerful, dean's list "A.”

“SHOOT ‘EM UP”
"Shoot ‘Em Up" may be the most appropriately titled film of 2007. That’s pretty much all that happens in the movie.

Clive Owen plays a mysterious stranger in the wrong place at the wrong time that saves a pregnant woman and her baby from a group of hired killers headed up by a crazed, Paul Giamotti.... who then, also wants Owen dead.

Endless rounds of explosions and tiring chase scenes connect attempts at "Kill Bill-like", over-the-top dialogue and a contrived plot line of why this pregnant woman and her baby were targets...and whether the mystery man can stop the killers.

At the end of the 2 hours...there wasn't enough story to support all of the violence.
It’s an all style and no substance, Dean's List "C."


“THE BROTHERS SOLOMON”
The "movie to miss" this week is Will Forte and Will Arnett’s "The Brothers Solomon." They are two brothers who decide that the only way to wake their father up from a coma is by giving him the grandchild he's always wanted...only both of them are social nit wits not wise in the ways of the ladies.

You can tell that the story here came from Forte, a former SNL writer. It’s reeks of a 3-minute sketch that should never have been made into a 90-minute movie.

It could have been worse though. Rob Schneider could have been in it. A Dean's List "D minus."

August 31, 2007

Dean reviews "Halloween", "Balls of Fury" &"Death Sentence."

Here are the reviews of this week's new movies. let me know what you've seen that you love or hate.
Dean

HALLOWEEN - RATED R:

He’s back! We first met Michael Meyers nearly 20 years ago...and now, one of the most iconic horror film villains returns in "House of a Thousand Corpses" director, Rob Zombie's remake of "Halloween."

About half of the story offers a prequel like telling of how our masked, ginsu carrying friend got to be the way he is; and in fact, what the story is behind the mask.

The second half re-tells the story that we saw in the original film of the killer's return to his hometown where he murdered his family to find the sole survivor.

A bit more stylized than previous Halloween treats, the blood and guts are toned down a bit but still gut wrenching with one slashing after another in fairly predictable setups.

What’s crucially missing is the suspense and compassion that made the early Halloween movies among the greatest of all time.

It’s nostalgic to see an old friend but whatever new power we thought we find in "Halloween’s" remake is barely there. A Dean's List "C"


BALLS OF FURY – RATED PG-13
"Talladega Nights", "Blades of Glory" and "Dodgeball" all did great jobs at spoofing their sports. Now, the world of ping-pong get's its turn, only not anywhere as smart or funny.

For the first 10 minutes of "Balls of Fury", the silliness was bouncing back and forth like a wild game on your basement ping-pong table; and then, the balls fell flat.

Stage actor, Dan Fogler, a Jack Black-Sam Kinison wannabee, only without the passion, is a fallen-from-grace ping pong prodigy, recruited by the FBI to bring down an illegal underground ping pong network run by an evil fanatic overplayed by Christopher walken.

To get his game back, he's enlists help from a blind Chinese master and his beautiful niece, "Karate Kid" style.

Along the way, he encounters one odd character after another including Oak Park native, Thomas Lennon, Lt. Dangle from "Reno 911", as a German uber-opponent and Patton Oswalt, "Hammer", a neighborhood dweeb who's only in the movie for a minute.

I really wanted to like this movie. The PP sequences are cool but most of the laughs are in the trailer. The story is weak, the direction is all over the place and with a few exceptions, the potentially rich characters are poorly acted.

Don’t go in expecting much. Mostly fumbled and rarely hit out of the park, "Balls of Fury" turns out to have neither. A Dean's List "C-.”

DEATH SENTENCE –RATED R
I think we liked Kevin bacon better when he was "Footloose, footloose." Now, it's just his performance that's loose.

In "Death Sentence", he’s a mild mannered, all around family man whose life is shaken when a horrible act of violence befalls one of his kids as a street gang initiation. When the justice system fails him, he goes on a revenge rampage only there’s very little to explain the amazing transformation. I needed 6 degrees of explanation to make it more plausible.

Director James Wan of "Saw" fame notches up the violence but the holes in the story proclaim "Death sentence", a Dean's List "C-.”

Dean's New DVD Picks-Week of September 2, 2007

Here are the new DVD releases for the week of September 2, 2007.
I can't see everything so let me know what you've seen lately that would be a great pick for someone.

"Georgia Rule"
"Stephanie Daley"
"The Wind that Shakes the Barley"

"30 Rock: Season 1"
"The Office: Season 3"
"Desperate Housewives: Season 3"
"Prison Break: Season 2"
"Nip/Tuck: Season 4"
"The Black Donnellys: The Complete Series"
"Bosom Buddies: Season 2"
"I Dream of Jeannie: Season 4"
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Seasons 1-2"

"Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke: Collectors' Edition"
"Chill Out, Scooby-Doo"
"Rules of Engagement: Season 1"
"Spongebob Squarepants: Season 5, Vol. 1"
"Wind Chill"
"Delta Farce"

August 28, 2007

New Plays Coming to Chicago

Just announced this morning is the 2008 Broadway In Chicago series for next season. BIC is the companies that brings the big, Broadway shows to Chicago. This coming season has quite a few shows that were HUGE in New York that are making their Chicago premiere.

MY FAIR LADY

January 22 – February 3, 2008

Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.

Lerner & Loewe’s legendary musical premieres in the United States direct from its 50th Anniversary London production and U.K. national tour. Starring are acclaimed British theatre actors Christopher Cazenove and Lisa O’Hare who earned rave reviews for their dynamic performances as Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, and featured as Mrs. Higgins will be acclaimed theatre and film star Marni Nixon (singing voice of Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” feature film). Based on the Cameron Mackintosh/National Theatre of Great Britain’s award-winning London sensation, and hailed as “the revival against which all others will be measured” this glorious, new production features one of Broadway’s most beloved scores including The Rain in Spain, I Could Have Danced All Night and Get Me to the Church on Time.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

April 1 – 13, 2008

Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.

Get ready to be transported to a magical, wonderful world! A world where the critics are in awe, the audiences are in heaven and the neighborhood is buzzing with excitement. Welcome to THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the new musical comedy that is swooping into town with tons of laughs and the most 2006 Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway! It all begins when a die hard musical fan plays his favorite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and the show magically bursts to life. We are instantly immersed in the glamorous, hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day, complete with thrills and surprises that take both the cast (literally) and the audience (metaphorically) soaring into the rafters.

SWEENEY TODD

April 23 – May 4, 2008

Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.

Innovative, intimate and ingenious, this revolutionary new production of SWEENEY TODD “is an event theatergoers will be talking about for years,” claims The Wall Street Journal. The legendary demon barber, hell-bent on revenge, takes up with his enterprising neighbor in a delicious plot to slice their way through London’s upper crust. Justice will be served – along with lush melody, audacious humor and bloody good thrills. Directed by Tony Award-winner, John Doyle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, this dazzling reinvention of a magnificent musical thriller is set to stun theatergoers as never before.

AVENUE Q

May 21 – June 7, 2008 (additional week added!)

Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.

Broadway's smash hit and 2004 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book will make its Chicago premiere this spring. A hilarious show full of heart and hum-able tunes, AVENUE Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Called “one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see” by Entertainment Weekly, AVENUE Q features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risqué and downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it “SUBVERSIVE and UPROARIOUS!”

DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage

Limited Engagement Begins September 2, 2008

Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.

The U.S. Premiere! “That was the summer of 1963, when everybody called me Baby and it didn’t occur to me to mind...” A movie seen by millions, with an unforgettable soundtrack and a story which touched the heart of a generation is now a record breaking stage show – DIRTY DANCING - The Classic Story On Stage. “The biggest live theatre sensation of all time,” declares the UK Observer. Exploding with heart-pounding music, pure dance energy and breath-taking emotion, this timeless story of first love “will give keen pleasure to DIRTY DANCING addicts and to newcomers alike” (Independent - UK). This acclaimed production experiences all the excitement and romance as never before with brand new scenes written especially for the stage. Now with more Baby and Johnny, more sensational dancing and even more classic songs – you're sure to have ‘the time of your life!’

The line-up will also feature the opportunity for priority purchase of the following 2008 off-season specials:

RENT

February 12 – 17, 2008, Off-Season Special

Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.

RENT is more than a show, it's a phenomenon. A theatrical experience that transformed how a generation feels about musicals, changed Broadway forever, and inspired a major motion picture. Whether it's your 1st time or your 100th time, it's time you checked out RENT. The winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize, RENT is about being young, learning to survive, falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. RENT has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that really resonates and now the smash-hit sensation of RENT is returning to Chicago.

THE SPARROW

Starts September 26, 2007, Off-Season Special

Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.

Created by the award-winning team at The House Theatre of Chicago, THE SPARROW – one of the most original and acclaimed new works to emerge from the local theatre scene in decades – returns by popular demand in a new production at the Apollo Theater. The play, intertwined with music and dance, tells the story of Emily Book, a small town girl returning home ten years after a tragic accident claimed the lives of her entire class. As the town struggles to accept the strange girl who reminds them of what they lost, Emily attempts to hide special powers that make her different. Following record-breaking runs at both The Viaduct and Steppenwolf, audiences have a new opportunity to see THE SPARROW, a show that continues to soar beyond all expectations.

2008 Walgreens Broadway In Chicago Season Series ticket holders will receive a multitude of special benefits, including savings up to 25%, priority seating at each venue, ticket exchange privileges, pre-paid and discounted parking, access to gift cards to give tickets as gifts, as well as the first opportunity to purchase additional tickets to future Broadway In Chicago productions, including those not currently listed in the Season Series. Season ticket packages, which range in price from $93- $435.50, go on sale Friday, October 12 at 10:00 a.m., and are available by calling Season Ticket Services toll free at (877) 890-0174 or by visiting www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

The 2008 Walgreens Broadway In Chicago Season Series subscribers not only have the opportunity of purchasing tickets before the general public to off-season specials – RENT and THE SPARROW – but have an exciting new benefit from American Express. Any season package purchased with an American Express card will be automatically upgraded to include a ticket to THE SPARROW for each package purchased at no additional charge.

Group tickets are currently available for all of the season shows. Groups of 20 or more may receive a discount on most shows by calling (312) 977-1710. Single tickets to each individual production will go on sale at future dates to be announced. Broadway In Chicago gift certificates, which can be redeemed for any production or for season ticket packages, can be obtained at Broadway In Chicago box offices, www.BroadwayInChicago.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902-1400.

August 14, 2007

Dean's New DVDs of the Week -August 14, 2007

• Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film...
• Avatar, The Last Airbender: Book 2 Earth, Volume 4
• Back To School
• Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds: Live At Radio City
• Doctor Strange
• Dynasty: The Second Season
• Elvis: The Miniseries
• Fracture
• The Fugitive: Season 1, Volume 1
• Hamlet
• Inland Empire
• Labyrinth
• The Lookout
• Masters of Horror: Valerie on the Stairs
• Masters of Horror: We All Scream for Ice Cream
• South Park: The Complete Tenth Season
• Taxi Driver
• Vacancy
• Wild Hogs

August 10, 2007

Dean reviews "Stardust", "Rush Hour 3" & "Daddy Day Camp."

STARDUST
"Star dust" is one of those rare films that does everything right.

A clever story of a star that falls from the sky; a star in the form of a beautiful young woman played by Clair Danes, with special powers that everyone wants.

An evil, decrepit witch, deliciously played by Michelle Pfeiffer, wants her to regain her beauty and eternal life.

A dying king played by Peter O'Toole, instructs his idiot, slacker sons to capture the star. Whichever of them does, will become the next ruler.

At the same time, a smitten young man played by British actor, Charlie Cox, promises a girl who barely notices him that he'll capture the star to prove his love for her.

The quests begin combining into a touching love story, with exciting action, loads of laughs, and an amazing fantasy with brilliant effects.

Add in, one great supporting performance after another, but none better than Robert DeNiro, somewhat spoofing himself as a swashbuckling pirate of a flying ship with a hilarious, flamboyant private life.

"Stardust" is pure creativity. A great story...amazing film making...a Dean's List "A."


RUSH HOUR 3
The Chris Tucker one-liners are there. Jackie Chan stumbling through the script is there. It’s the third and hopefully final installment in their "Rush Hour" series.

If you've seen the first two, you’ve seen "Rush Hour 3."
There’s not much new. This time, a Chinese official is assassinated that pairs up the cross-cultural odd couple in Paris to fight off the bad guys and make fun of the French.

To me, the jokes are tired and the stunts, while impressive for a 53 year old Jackie Chan, are very "been there-kicked that."

The best part of "Rush Hour 3" is the Eiffel tower fight scenes at the end of the film. They are thrilling and also the only part of the film that isn’t warmed over.

I think this one is best seen on DVD...a dean's list "c plus."


DADDY DAY CAMP
Ok, I don't know who did it but will whoever stole Cuba Gooding Jr.’s taste and good sense please return it to him immediately.

I don't know how many more exceptionally bad films his career can take.

In "Daddy Day Camp", he’s taken over the reins that Eddie Murphy apparently didn't want to touch as a guy who mastered the day care empire and is now taking over a dilapidated day camp with his inept, chubby pal played by Paul Rae, because apparently, Jeff Garlin also didn't want anything to do with this.

Of course, everything goes wrong with an obnoxious group of misfits coupled with the full compliment of body function and flatulence jokes as the core of the humor.

Fred Savage, Kevin of "Wonder Year" fame, makes his big screen directorial debut with this mess. He’s a nice guy getting his feet wet with movie directing but even Martin Scorcese couldn't have saved this.

Even I could have found a better use for this script.... in the outhouse or in a bonfire. A Dean's List "D-.”

July 30, 2007

D-V-Dean's List-New Videos Tuesday July 31, 2007

New Releases (Movies):
300: Special Edition
Hot Fuzz
The Darwin Awards
Everything's Gone Green: Unrated Edition
Firehouse Dog
Lonely Hearts
Pathfinder: Unrated Edition
Roving Mars: IMAX

TV Box Sets:
The Archie Show: Complete Series
Babylon 5: The Lost Tales
Dallas: Season Seven
Hawaii Five-O: Season Two
The Kids of Degrassi Street: Complete Series
Popeye: Volume One
The Rhinemann Exchange: Complete Mini-Series
Sabrina: Season Two
The Sons of Hollywood: Season One
Space 1999: 30th Anniversary Edition

Special Editions/Other Releases:
20 Million Miles to Earth
Blue Water, White Death
Kung Fu Hustle: Deluxe Edition
Rap Sheet: Hip Hop and the Cops
Rock the Bells
Yellow

July 26, 2007

Dean reviews "Simpsons", "No Reservations"

“THE SIMPSONS MOVIE”
It’s always a sketchy thing when a popular TV show gets made into a movie. Occasionally, it’s a disaster. I’m guessing the latest to make the transition will be anything but disaster.

After 18 years of being one of Rupert Murdoch’s biggest cash cows, the long awaited "Simpson’s Movie" finally hits the multi-plexs.... and the only word to describe it, (think of me talking like Mr. Burns), "excellent."

The big screen doesn't add much but then it really doesn't need to. The genius writing and yellow characters are all still there. Like a really good, but not great, episode of the TV show, there’s 87 minutes of all of the regular characters, a few celebrity cameos, and a self-mocking story that'll leave you laughing.

Homer has caused an environmental disaster that threatens all of Springfield, causing all of Springfield to want to kill him, so he's forced to save the day and win back the trust of his family. How or why isn't as important as that it's done with typical irreverence.

Add in a bit of a Bart nude scene and a potty mouthed Marge, because they can...and you've got deluxe version of the show with no commercials. A PG -13 rated, Dean’s List "A".... and make sure that you stay for all of the credits.

“NO RESERVATIONS”
For romantics who need more than a homer and Marge kiss, there's "No Reservations" with Catherine Zeta Jones.

Based on the German film, "Mostly Martha", Jones is a hyper-driven restaurant chef whose whole life is her food. Things get interrupted when she suddenly finds herself caring for her 10 year old niece, played by Abigail Breslin, from "Little Miss Sunshine."

Add to this control freaks' woes, is a new chef in her kitchen, Aaron Eckhart, who’s supposed to help, but whose free and easy style are like oil and water with hers.

Can you already taste the ending of this film?

All of the elements for a cliché soufflé were bubbling, but great performances and a delicate flavoring of heart keep the story light and delicious.

I’ve run out of food metaphors...so I’ll just say "No Reservations" is a charming, romantic comedy. A Dean's List "B."

“TRASHED”
Also worth seeing is the documentary, "Trashed" by Chicago filmmaker, Bill Kirkos, who explores the social and environmental effect of the garbage industry. Catch it at the Music Box Theater.

“I KNOW WHO KILLED ME”
Not screened for the critics is Lindsey Lohan's "I Know Who Killed Me." Maybe knowing how bad this must be is what sent Lilo over the edge this week. It’s described as a missing identity thriller. Apparently, what’s missing, is anything good.

‘WHO’S YOUR CADDY”
And screened for the critics late last night so we’d all miss our deadlines, is "Who's Your Caddy" starring Outkast's Big Boi, who plays a famous rapper who clashes with a country club who doesn't want him admitted. Sounds like this should be called, "Who's Your Caddy-shack."

July 20, 2007

Dean Reviews "Hairspray" and "Chuck and Larry"

Sorry about the "all caps" on this. I'm out of town and can't convert the format of the script that I use when I write the reviews. I'll change it when I get back for those of you tremendously offended by my laziness for not wanting to re-type the whole thing.

"Hairpsray: The Musical"

THE 1988 MOVIE WAS GREAT. WHEN IT TOOK BROADWAY BY STORM, I LIKED IT BUT NEVER LOVED IT. BUT NOW, THE NEW MOVIE VERSION OF "HAIRSPRAY: THE MUSICAL" COMBINES THE TWO FOR SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL.

IT'S TOTAL SUMMER FUN. JUST ABOUT 2 HOURS OF ENERGY AND GREAT SONGS, AMAZING DANCING...A SLIGHTLY IRREVERENT BUT CLEVER STORY OF ACCEPTANCE AND TOLERANCE...AND GREAT PERFORMANCES.

18 YEAR OLD NIKKI BLONSKY WHO WAS DISCOVERED SCOOPING ICE CREAM AT A COLD STONE CREAMRY STORE PLAYS TRACY TURNBLAD, A BALTIMORE TEENAGER WHO DREAMS OF BEING ON THE CORNY COLLINS DANCE SHOW EVEN THOUGH SHE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE PERFECT COOKIE CUTTER KIDS ON THE SHOW.

HER MOM, EDNA, HAS BEEN PLAYED BY DIVINE AND HARVEY FIRESTEIN IN OTHER HAIRSPRAY INCARNATIONS; NOW IT'S JOHN TRAVOLTA, WHO LOOKS TERRIFIC IN DRAG, BUT WHO'S AUTHENTIC BALTIMORE ACCENT IS DISTRACTING.

ADD IN AMAZING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCES FROM MICHELLE PHIEFFER AS VELMA TON TUSSLE, THE FORMER MISS BALTIMORE WHO WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET HER DAUGHTER A CROWN...

QUEEN LATIFAH, MOTORMOUTH MAYBELLE, THE MORAL CENTER OF THE FILM TRYING TO HELP INTERGRATE THE DANCE SHOW...

CHRISTOPHER WALKEN AS TRACY'S DAD..HE DOES A MEAN DANCE SCENE WITH TRAVOLTA AND HAS KIND OF A SWEET MOMENT TOGETHER.

THERE'S AMADA BYNES, JAMES MARSEDEN AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ZACH EFRON OF "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL" FAME, LINK LARKIN, THE LOVE STRUCK HUNK OF THE DANCE PARTY WHO FALLS FOR TRACY. IN FACT, THE MOVIE IS RATED PG..FOR SOME LANGUAGE, AND I THINK WILL BE OK FOR YOUNG ZACH/AMANDA/MARSDEN FANS.

LOOK FOR CAMEOS FROM SOME "HAIRSPRAY" ORIGINALS IN THIS, ONE OF THE BEST MUSICALS TO COME DOWN IN A LONG TIME. DIRECTOR ADAM SHANKMAN HAS FOUND HIS CALLING AFTER SOME AWFUL FILMS LIKE "THE PACIFIER." EVEN HE ADMITS IT.

IT'S A DON'T MISS IT, DEAN'S LIST "A."

"I Now Pronouce You Chuck and Larry."

ONE OF THE BIG DISAPPOINTMENTS OF THE SUMMER IS ADAM SANDLER AND KEVIN JAMES', AWFUL, "I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY." A ONE JOKE COMEDY ABOUT TWO MACHO FIREMEN WHO PRETEND TO BE GAY IN ORDER TO GET DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS; ALMOST TWO HOURS OF JUST ABOUT EVERY TIRED GAY STEREOTYPE YOU'VE EVER HEARD THAT IS NOT ONLY BLATENTLY HOMOPHOBIC BUT JUST BORING.

THEY THROW IN A LITTLE JESSICA BIEL FOR SOME EYE CANDY SO THEY CAN ADD HOT CHICKS TO THEIR TEENAGED BOY NIGHT OF GAY BASHING FUN
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"SOUL PLANE" DID THE SAME THING WITH INSULTING AFRICAN AMERICAN STEREOTYPES AND THEN TRIED TO RATIONALIZE WITH "IT'S ONLY A JOKE..WE'RE SHOWING HOW BAD WRONG IT IS."

EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE A JOKE...BUT WHAT'S WRONG HERE, IS THIS MOVIE.

I LIKE KEVIN JAMES AND ADAM SANDLER, BUT THIS MONOTINOUS, ONE JOKE PONY, ESPECIALLY IN A DAY AND AGE WHEN PEOPLE ARE STILL GETTING BEATEN UP ON THE STREET FOR LOOKING A LITTLE DIFFERENT, IS JUST PLAIN STUPID.

A DEAN'S LIST "D MINUS" IS GENEROUS.

July 17, 2007

DVDean's List - July 17, 2007

Here are the week's new DVD's. If you've got questions about these; or when other titles will be on released, let me know.

Dean

Movies:
Premonition
The Hills Have Eyes 2
Avenue Montaigne
Dynamite Warrior
Factory Girl

TV Box Sets:
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog: Volume One
Birdman and the Galaxy Trio: Complete Series
The Business: Season One
Grafters: Season One
Gunsmoke: Season One
The Incredible Hulk: Season Two
Payback: Season One
Rising Damp: Season Four
The Rookies: Season One
Space Ghost & Dino Boy: Complete Series
Vincent: Season One
Voyagers!: Complete Series
Wanted: Dead or Alive - Season Two
William and Mary: Complete Series

Special Editions/Other Releases:
Perfect Creature
Red Dawn: Collector's Edition
Showgirls: Fully Exposed Edition
Traci Townsend
TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 1

July 11, 2007

Rory's First Kiss (Batman/Dark Knight) Casting Call

On the show today, I talked about a casting call that's being held for "Rory's First Kiss." That's been reported as the code name for the new Batman movie that's being shot here, "The Dark Knight" starring Christian Bale.

If you're interesed it's this Saturday, July 14,from 10:00am-3:30pm at the Chicago Academy for the Arts...1010 W. Chicago Avenue. They're looking for men and women of all ethnicities, 18 years of age and older, to work as paid extras as "victims or perpetatorswithin a city beseiged with crime and corruption." That would be Gotham City.

The ask that you bring a recent color photgraph and a pen.

Good Luck!
Dean

July 9, 2007

D-V-Dean's List - New DVDs July 10, 2007


Movies:
The Astronaut Farmer
The Last Mimzy
After the Wedding
The Page Turner
Sweet Land
My Super Sweet Sixteen: The Movie
The Contractor
You're Gonna Miss Me

TV Box Sets:
Beauty and the Beast: Season Two
Bewitched: Season Five
Drawn Together - Uncensored!: Season Two
Extras: Season Two
Hustle: Season Three
My Super Sweet 16: Seasons One & Two
Punky Brewster: Volumes 1-6
Shark Week: The 20th Anniversary Collection

Special Editions/Other Releases:
Home Run Derby
2006-2007 Stanley Cup Champions

July 6, 2007

Dean Reviews "Transformers" and "License to Wed."

TRANSFORMERS:
All actors are entitled to a bad movie once in a while. Robin Williams adds to that ever-growing list of his this week. And it’s the 80's toy that's been turned into a big screen. Brokeback Cabbage Patch? Rubik’s Cube: The Musical?

No, it's "Transformers"...a not so clever story about competing robot species that are threatening human survival. It’s a dumb story that somehow manages to be a lot of fun.

Shia LeBoeuf is one of the hottest young actors in Hollywood coming off of his surprise hit, "Disturbia" from earlier this year. He’s made his mark in some art films and now he proves he can hang with the multi-plex big boys fronting what will be one of summer's biggest movies.

"Pearl Harbor" director, Michael Bay, assembles a high-powered action ride with these likeable young actors doing their best with a razor thin plot line.

Much of "Transformers" is right out of the "Creatures Attacking Earth Handbook." They’re actual stories that are transformed into clichés but I didn't care.

"Transformers" is plain old summer fun. The effects are great and the film never takes itself too seriously.

Megan Fox is the hot love interest. Tyrese Gibson, Josh Dumal, Anthony Anderson, Bernie Mac, Jon Voight and John Turturro are solid side players.

This is what summer movies are supposed to be. It’s a Dean’s List “B+.”


LICENSE TO WED:
I never thought I would see a Robin Williams movie worse than his recent, "RV." But then again, I said the same thing when "Bicentennial Man" and "Popeye" came out. Well, I’m saying it again with “License To Wed.”

Does Robin Williams actually read these scripts before agreeing to be in the film?

In it, he plays an irreverent reverend, which puts Mandy Moore and John Krasinski, Jim from “The Office.” through boot camp pre-nuptial counseling to make sure they're right for each other.

Krasinski is as smooth as ever, but what a way to make your big screen debut. He’s more talented than just being a punching bag for Robin Williams' unfunny bantering. Mandy Moore is as cute as button but doesn’t add much more than eye candy.

Also, should a man of the cloth have a 10-year-old boy as his constant sidekick? It was a little creepy.

Unfunny, dumb and predictable. A Dean’s List “D.”

June 18, 2007

Dean reviews "Fantasic Four 2" and "Nancy Drew"

"Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer"
Finally, a comic book adventure without deep meanings, profound subtext and especially no bloated running times. What you get from FF2 is good old-fashioned comic book fun that might even be a little better than the first Fantastic Four movie.

"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer", really is fantastic in the sense that it's solid movie making with cool effects and plenty of action; but not so fantastic is that it all takes a while to get going. If you're looking for Paddy Chayefsky in your Marvel movie going, this may not be the film for you. If not, you'll be more than satisfied.

At only an hour and a half, Mr. Fantastic, Sue Storm, The Thing and Johnny Storm are enjoying the celebrity life when bad guy, Victor Von Doom, returns along with the new bad guy, The Silver Surfer, voiced by Laurence Fishburne, to disturb the calm. Actors, Michael Chikilis, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Julian McMahon all are back and turn in credible jobs that won't score them Oscars...but it's all about excitement and some fun here.

Mission accomplished with this Dean's List "B."


“Nancy Drew”
While Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Brittney Spears are showing young girls what not to do, positive role model emerges...an old friend, "Nancy Drew."

You may have read the books or seen the TV or old movie versions back in the day, but now, Emma--niece of Julia---Roberts, reprises the character stumbling on a mystery in an old Hollywood mansion that she and her father are renting.

There are a few laughs in this predictable but also charming and refreshing story that’s nice for the kids and not too painful for the grownups.

It’s rated PG for mild violence and a little language. A Dean's List "B."

D-V-Deans List June 19, 2007

Movies:
Bridge to Terabithia
Gray Matters
Longford
Miss Potter
Reno 911: Miami
Die Hard Collection
Pacino: An Actor's Vision
Author! Author!

TV:
Animaniacs: Volume Three
Batfink: Complete Series
Daniel Boone: Season Four
Lovejoy: Season One
Perry Mason: Season Two
Picket Fences: Season One
Pinky and the Brain: Volume Three
Powerpuff Girls: Season One
Silver Spoons: Season One
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: Season Three
Cosby Show: Season 2
Close to Home

June 15, 2007

FATHER'S DAY GIFTS

Most gifts are about as useful to dad as a sterling silver golf tee, which, by the way, I discovered is actually available at Tiffany’s for $95. Dads seem to either have everything-- or at least seem to be comfortable with that dress shirt from 1981 (which may actually have cycled back into fashion once or twice.)

"See. I told you aviator Ray Bans would come back in style!"

At a certain age, we realize that life isn’t about stuff, it’s about experiences. What better experience than a big old laugh. With that, I present my annual RedEye Father’s Day Gift Guide.

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Have a blast
Your dad’s investment in that town house in LaGrange may never pay off, but here’s one that’s a sure thing: prime real estate in Hawaii. Lo’ihi Development company plans to offer waterfront property for $39.95! But there’s a catch. It is currently an underwater volcano and won’t emerge for a few thousand years. But here’s dad’s chance to finally get in on the (below) ground level. $39.95 gets you the land, brochure and deed.

www.petroglyphs.com/loihi/future.htm.

.

Hold the anchovies
Dad has always wanted to sleep with his secret true love--and now he finally can without feeling guilty. Give him a night of saucy dreams with the pizza pillow. $29.95

www.brightandbold.com/piza-shaped-pillow.html.

Celebrity cookies
Dad will never be able to sleep with Angelina Jolie, but he can do this: snack on her likeness in the shape of a cookie. For the old-school dad with a sweet tooth, check out animal cookies shaped like Bruce Willis and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. That hint of vanilla really makes Will Smith shine. 24 boxes for $21.60

http://likeums.com/products02.htm.

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Office space
Protect your laptop in style with this foam envelope that looks like a shirt-and-tie combo. Stylish—if your dad dresses like Andy Sipowicz from "NYPD Blue." $35

http://barrysfarm.net/store/single_view/43.

Dad’s anatomy
Inventor Ron Zittler of Round Lake, Ill., has worked with a urologist to invent a post-vasectomy recovery kit that will have dad back in action in no time. It combines form-fitting underwear with "an inner shelf for scrotal support and an outer pouch to hold a custom-fitted ice pack." $29.95

www.vasowear.com
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Mmm, bacon
If your dad is more Homer Simpson than Pierce Brosnan, you might get him this for the next black tie event: The Uncle Oinker’s Bacon Scented Bacon Print Tuxedo—yes, it’s bacon scented! The red-carpet never smelled so good. $99.95

www.mcphee.com/resources/april/items/bacontux.html
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Have a laugh

Dads love to read in the bathroom and toilet-books are usually quick reads on fun facts. But local author Michael Ryan takes it a step further with "The Dirtiest Toilet Humor Book Ever." $8.95

www.amazon.com

June 11, 2007

Dean on the End of the Sopranos

"Sopranos' creator David Chase sent America running for their remotes thinking that their cable went out at the critical moment of the series finale last night. Suddenly, the screen went black. No audio. All across the country people thought, "oh no, did I forget to pay the cable bill?"

With the over-used Journey song, "Don't Stop Believing" on the juke box, the HBO hit abruptly went to black and faded into TV history with an open-ended ending.

Throughout the hour there was a bit of suspense, some signature laughs and only one whacking; a head crushing, memorable one, instead of the blood bath that many of us predicted.

If you like movies whose endings are unclear and up for discussion, you probably liked the finale. I was disappointed and thought that Chase copped out with a lazy, unfulfilling finish. I wanted the writers to end the show with the same genius writing that hooked me for the past 8 years.

Other reaction includes TV Guide, disagreeing, saying, "there was no moral messaging...just Tony, keeping on….perfect David Chase."

Entertainment Weekly says, "Chase had a grand time in his almost playful home stretch... not so much a conclusion as a curtain coming down."

But, the Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan added, "that was the ending of "The Sopranos?"

June 8, 2007

Dean reviews "Surf's Up."

First there was "March of the Penguins".... then "Happy Feet." Our tuxedo-like feather friends are hot, but the latest penguin-entry may tone down the craze.

"Surf’s up" is a harmless and not very creative story, done mockumentary-reality show style, about a young bird named Cory who has a passion for surfing thanks to his idol penguin, the Big Z. None of the other penguins understand his obsession.... so he takes off to enter a surf competition where he comes face to face the best and sometimes most arrogant penguin surfers in the world. A kindly old surfer takes him under his wing and teaches the impatient hang-ten-er about what's important in life.

It’s an OK story that kids will like better than parents. The writing and computer animation is flat with uninteresting characters for the uninspired voices of Shai La Beouf, Jeff Bridges and James Woods to work with.

The biggest kiddy laughs come with the half dozen or so body function jokes. Now, that's comedy that washed ashore a long time ago, even for kids.

I was bored with "Surfs Up" but at least it'll distract your little ones for an hour and half. A Dean's List "C"

Dean reviews "Oceans 13."

The Oceans boys are back.... this time on a revenge heist. That’s “Oceans 13.”

When Elliott Gould’s character is bilked out of big bucks by a cut throat casino owner, played by Al Pacino...Clooney, Pitt, Damon and company call out the troops to get even and break the new casino's bank.

All of the regulars are back...each with a little something to do...sometimes too much to do. mirking up the story, just to get everyone in.

Andy Garcia, arch-enemy of the boys in the previous movies, joins forces with the boys to bring down Pacino, who tones down his usual Pacino-ness to a tolerable, effective level.

Also new to the cast are Ellen Barkin and Eddie Izzard; each ok...but I miss the dame-power of Julia Roberts or Catherine Zeta Jones.... and nothing compares to the sizzle on screen when Clooney, Pitt and Damon are at work. The superstar trio's almost inside joke of a movie is worth the price of admission.

"Oceans 13" is close to being ho-hum with an excess of watering itself down...and like Spiderman, Shrek and Pirates, a possible tired trilogy; but the fun when the boys are at work make "13", a lucky number.

It’s not quite "11"...much better than “12”...a Dean's List "B."

June 1, 2007

Dean's DVD List - June 5, 2007

Norbit
Trading Places & Coming to America
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Collection: Volume 2
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert ("Extra Frills" Edition)
Fantastic Four: Extended Edition
World War II Collection Vol. 2: Heroes Fight for Freedom

TV on DVD:
Chappelle's Show Greatest Hits
Mission Impossible: Season 2
Hogan's Heroes: Season 6
Seinfeld: Season 8
CHiPs: Season 1
The Cosby Show: Seasons 3&4
Rescue Me: Season 3
The Fall Guy: Season 1

Dean reviews "Knocked Up" & "Mr. Brooks."

“Knocked Up”

It’s a great movie weekend. One great drama...and one great comedy...in fact, the funniest movie of the year.

“Knocked Up” comes from the team that brought you "40 Year Old Virgin" and "Talladega Nights."

Now, they've assembled some of their players for a story about a hot TV reporter, played by Katherine Heigl from "Gray's Anatomy" and "Roswell", who celebrates a promotion by getting going out for some fun and winds up drunk where she hooks up with a stoner-loser, Seth Rogen, Cal, one of the electronics store buddies from “40 Year Old Virgin.” A pregnancy results from their careless one night stand.

They are two people who just don't belong together and outside of their Jose Cuervo-induced night of passion, they have nothing in common but they've decided to have the baby and are going to try make a go of it. He, with his house full of comic book reading, porn-obsessed, stoner, loser roommates, all hilarious. She, with her with her “butting in” sister and a whipped brother in law, Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd, both “40 Year Old Virgin” veterans and both hilarious.
Just like “Virgin”, “Knocked Up” has all of the 15-year-old boy laughs that you’ll love but is also thoughtful and charming with very likeable characters.

Director Judd apatow has done it again...a smart, quotable, hilarious, Dean's List "A."

“Mr. Brooks”

In "Mr. Brooks", William hurt plays the cleverly conceived subconscious voice of "great guy by day"..."compulsive serial killer-unable to control his addiction to killing" by night.

Kevin Costner plays opposite his Mr. Good Guy role as a killer who thrills on the sensation of the perfect kill. One night a random photographer, Dane Cook...amazingly good doing drama, snaps him in the act, is intrigued by it all and blackmails him.

Demi Moore is a troubled cop who is investigating the killings.

All of the performances are good, especially William Hurt. There may be a little too much fluff on all of the sub-stories...but the meat here is solidly creepy.
This one reminds me of an old fashioned 1940's thriller...a white knuckling, dean's List "B plus."

Gracie
I didn’t see it and they didn’t send clips so I haven’t even been able to see a little of it. Reviews from critics that I respect are not good. Most people saying it's a very predictable sports movie about a teenaged girl who wants to play soccer on a boy’s varsity team.

What have you seen? What have you liked?

May 18, 2007

Dean reviews Shrek. What do you think?

Shrek The Third Review

1.4 billion dollars in its two previous outings can’t be all wrong. Shrek One and Shrek Two were great.; inventive, fresh and funny…but it's been 6 years since the first film and all good green things have to, if not end, certainly, slow down.

Don’t get me wrong. Shrek The Third is not a bad movie. It's just seeing an old friend who was once gorgeous, whose now, a little grey, a little heavier and a little slower. Not bad…. just showing signs of age.

In the new installment, Shrek's got a lot on his green mind. He and Fiona are about to become new parents. Fiona’s father is about to expire and Shrek is in line to take over the kingdom of Far, Far Away but he doesn't want any part of it so he seeks out another descendent.

Shrek, Donkey and Puss and Boots set out to find a young cousin, voiced by Justin Timberlake. While they're gone, a takeover attempt by Prince Charming and every fairy tale comic book bad guy is attempted. That’s where the evil starts and that’s where nothing very clever really kicks in.

There’s opportunity after opportunity for Shrek's signature edgy humor only the edge has gone dull. Not awful…just not as sharp as we've gotten used to.

Is it still worth seeing? Yes!
Will you be blown away like you have in the past? No.
It’s still beautiful animation, the voice provided by Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Anotnio Banderas and the gang are all fine and great for kids but the multi-levels of genius writing is one dimensional this time.

The old ogre is getting tired. A Dean’s List C.

May 16, 2007

New DVDs of the week- May 16, 2007

Here are this week's new DVD releases. I just watched Season 5 of Scrubs that'll be coming out in a couple of weeks. It made my plane ride back from Los Angeles (xcomeplte with a 3 hour weather delay) a lot more bearable.

Arthur and the Invisibles
The Fountain
Pan's Labyrinth
Seraphim Falls
Stomp the Yard
Coach: Season 2
Wings: Season 4
Frasier: season 9
Home Improvement: Season 6
Martin: Season 2
The Rockford Files: Season 4
M*A*S*H: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen
ER: Season 7
Tom & Jerry: Volume 2

May 9, 2007

City of Chicago Outdoor Film Fest 2007 lineup

The lineup for the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival has been announced. This is the great series that they do at Butler Field in Grant park (100 South Lake shore Drive) Tuesday nights during the summer. It's free. If you want more info, call the city's Department of Special Events at 312-744-3315.

Jul. 17: 8:56 p.m. "Young Frankenstein" (1974)
Jul. 24: 8:50 p.m. "Double Indemnity" (1944)
Jul. 31: 8:42 p.m. "Written on the Wind" (1956)
Aug. 7: 8:34 p.m. "The Awful Truth" (1937)
Aug. 14: 8:24 p.m. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969)
Aug. 21: 8:13 p.m. "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957)
Aug. 28: 8:01 p.m. "The Sound of Music" (1965)

May 8, 2007

Dean's DVD List - May 8, 2007

"Music and Lyrics"
Hugh Grant is a washed up 80's pop star who is told to write a new song for a current chart-topping teeny-bopper. He recruits his very talented plant lady, played by Drew Barrymoore, to help him with the words, and love ensues.

"Because I Said So"
Diane Keaton is a mother of three women who tries to prevent her youngest, played by Mandy Moore, from making the same mistakes with men that she did. The CW's Lauren Graham co-stars.

"The Painted Veil"
Naomi Watts and Edward Norton were Oscar nominated for their portrayals of an English couple who cope with love and betrayal while stationed in the center of the cholera epidemic in 1920's China. Watts' real life love, Liev Schreiber, plays the man she falls in love with while overseas.

"Cagney and Lacey"
And, new in television, it's season one of the woman cop duo team who are as different as night and day, but make a good match when fighting the New York City streets. Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly star.

"Catch and Release"
"Deliver us from Evil"
"Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus"
"The 4400:Season 3"
"Everbody Loves Raymond: Season 8"
"McLeod's Daughters: Season 2"
"Things to Do"
"That 70's Show: Season 6"
"The Walton's: Season 5"
"Big: Extended Edition"
"That Thing You Do!: Director's Cut"
"The Murder of Fred Hampton"
"The Best of Barbara Mandrell & The Mandrell Sisters"
"To Catch a Thief: Collector's Edition"
"The Hee Haw Collection"
"Celebration of Gospel: Taking You Higher"
"American Revolution 2"
"Comedy of Power"

May 4, 2007

The scoop on the "Color Purple" red carpet

Red carpets may seem fun and glamours but they're really about the worst thing that any entertainment person has to endure; crowded, noisy, screaming to get someone to stop and talk when all they want to do is get away from the press. Still, it beats "actual" work for a living, so I guess I'm not complaining (too much.)

The latest was kind of exciting since I was going to be talking to Oprah Winfrey for the first time at the Chicago premiere of "The Color Purple" outside the Cadillac Palace Theater. You can see the full interviews with everyone here.

Maggie and Mayor Daley strolled by to talk about how great a production like this is for the city of Chicago. The Mayor joked about using the lessons of overcoming adversity in the play in dealing with the press.

Roger Ebert and his amazing wife, Chazz, made their 2nd public appearance since Roger's health problems. Roger was flashing his signature thumbs up and even broke into a bit of a dance when I kidded with him about being Mr. Around Town lately. He looks fantastic...as does Chazz.

R. Kelly told us that he's seen "The Color Purple" in New York seven times and wanted to see it here. Someone needs to tell "R" to lose the neon yellow wad of gum before he starts a round of interviews.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson was there and spoke about how the play is a celebration of what's right. I was amazed at his ability to show up precisily when Oprah did, almost as if he had matieralized out of thin air, and then shadowed Oprah on the red carpet when the cameras were catching their "money shots." In the raw interviews that you can see here, it's interesting wathcing him in the background.

Oprah's people were very warm and welcoming as was the "Big O."

Dean reviews Spiderman, Lucky You

SPIDERMAN 3

"Spiderman 3" opened in midnight showings this week. How does it stack up against the first two films? How does hold up on it's own?

My Dean’s List review is a disappointing one. Mostly, because of the many plot lines. Maybe, too many for it's own good.

All’s well in New York City and “Spidey” is enjoying life as a hero, but still an uber-dork in his secret identity. How long has he lived in the Big Apple and he's still an innocent lamb?

3 villains show up, all about the same time. The Goblin, James Franco, is avenging his father's death. The Sandman, Thomas Hayden Church, can turn him in grains of sand, reconfiguring himself into a bank robbing, hulk-like creature. And then, there’s The Venom, Topher Grace, who’s mad at Peter for taking his job.

About the same time, a meteor of black goop that amplifies aggression hits the earth and attaches onto our hero, turning him into a "not-so" friendly neighborhood anything. The attempt was dark, evil and menacing...three things that Tobey McGuire doesn't play very well.
There are some scenes that are laughable when Tobey tries to go tough.

"Spiderman 3” does offer up some high power action sequences...but nothing better than what you've seen before, and at times, so cartoon-ish that it takes you out of the story.

And every movie needs a love story, but the sappy dialogue between Peter and MJ make you root for a breakup. I never thought there was much chemistry between these two to begin with.
They've been dating longer than Barney Fife and Thelma Lou now; the aw-shucks thing is very old. It doesn't matter, really. Kirsten dunst's main job here is screaming, damsel in distress style,

"Spiderman 3" is the weakest of the trilogy...a classic example of "too much story" diluting the overall effort. Some effects and battles kind of cool; but the many story lines, just like the characters, never get a chance to fully develop.

It’s worth a look.... maybe even at an Imax theater for the popcorn movie fun...but the sound you hear are the wheels coming off of this franchise.

A Dean's List "C"

LUCKY YOU
Even more disappointing is Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore and Robert Duvall’s, "Lucky You." Even though Barrymore is in it, it’s "not" a romantic comedy; in fact, it's a fairly serious, though pointless, look into the world of high stakes poker and what motivates the winners and losers.
A Dean's List "D."

May 2, 2007

Be in your own Spiderman cartoon!

This morning on the show in my entertainment report, I featured a company that will take the face of whoever's picture you send them and insert it into a 22 minute Spiderman cartoon.

For $39.95 ($37.95 if you upload your picture to them instead of sending it), kideo.com will insert the face on the picture into the animation in every place where Spiderman's face is seen.

Here's the a montage of the sample that we showed this morning, featuring me, your Friendly Neighborhood Entertainment Critic.

Enjoy,
Dean

April 30, 2007

Dean's DVD List May 1, 2007

Here's what new this week. What have you seen that you've loved? Do you have titles we can help you with?
Dean

"Dreamgirls"
Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson stars alongside Eddie Murphy, Beyonce, and Jamie Foxx in the movie-musical based on the Broadway hit about three backup singers who blossomed into superstars during the Motown era.
DVD extras include never seen before footage and a making-of documentary.

"Little Children"
It's "sex in the suburbs" when a housewife has a steamy affair with an at home dad she meets on the playground and a child molestor causes a stir when he moves into town. Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly, and Jackie Earle Haley star.

"Happily N'ever After"
The animated children's movie spoofs "Cinderella" along with other classic fairytales such as "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Rapunzel". George Carlin, Andy Dick, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Freddy Prinze, Jr. lend their voices.


"Illegal Aliens"
Anna Nicole Smith's final film performance as an alien from outerspace who comes down with two other space creatures in order to protect the world from evil. Joanie "Chyna Doll" Laurer co-stars as Smith's nemesis.

"Alpha Dog"
"The Hitcher"
"Mahogany"
"The Sandlot: Heading Home"
"Finding Oprah's Roots: Finding Your Own"
"Shirley Valentine"
"Dinosaurs: Season's 3 and 4"
"Will and Grace: Season 6"
"Beverly Hills 90210: Season 2"
"The King of Queens: Season 8"
"Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years"
"Melrose Place: Season 2"
"What I Like About You: Season 1"
"Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days"
"An Officer and a Gentleman: Collector's Edition"
"The Girls Next Door: Season 2"

April 27, 2007

Dean reviews Stone Cold Steve Austin

The studios occasionally put out a film without letting the critics see it ahead of time; almost always, a sure sign of trash. This week, there are three films that the studios didn't want us to tell you about.

First, the one I did see this week...and a surprisingly good one, from Stone Cold Steve Austin., “The Condemned.” It’s an high powered action film about a live TV reality show. Ten convicted murderers turned lose on a desert island...kill or be killed, the last one standing wins and gets released.

I guess I was expecting the worst from the former WWE wrestling star, since few wrestlers turn into quality actors, but Stone Cold isn't bad.

Now, I’m not saying that it's "Citizen Kane" or that the Texas Rattlesnake is going to win an Oscar...but it's more than just a former wrestler and lots of explosions. The movie is that...but it's also got a thoughtful message.

Brutal? Bloody? Over the top and sometimes with questionable acting? Yes. It is, what it is., But the statement that "The Condemned" makes about the "anything goes" mentality of reality TV is smart and speaks volumes.

It’s rated "R" for good reason, but I liked it. A dean's list "B."


The ones not screened for critics includes Nicolas Cage's "Next." It’s described as a supernatural thriller. Cage is a Las Vegas showman asked by the cops to help stop a terrorist threat with his incredible talent to see a few minutes into the future. Nicolas Cage, apparently, is unable to see into his "career" future.

There’s also "The Invisible", also described as a supernatural thriller about a high school student trapped in between the world of the living and dead after a beating. He can only save himself by finding his killers.

The worst of bunch "also not screened", "Kicking It Old Skool", with Jamie Kennedy as a guy who wakes up from a 20 year coma after a near fatal break dancing accident. Two decades later, all he wants to do is dance and get back his girl, now engaged to his high school nemesis.

Thanks to the studio for sparing me potentially 6 hours of pain!

April 24, 2007

Dean's DVD Picks -April 24, 2007

"Night at the Museum"
Ben Stiller's smash comedy about a night watchman at a hisotry museum where the exhibits comes to life after dark. The movie comes in a two-disc DVD set, a single-disc DVD and a single-disc Blu-ray release, all with commentary tracks from director Shawn Levy and the screenwriters. The two-disc DVD set also has deleted scenes with Levy commentary and a huge range of featurettes.

"The Queen"
Helen Mirren won an Oscar for her prtrayl as Queen Elizabeth during the days following the death of Princess Diana. It's one of the best films of 2006. The DVD and Blu-ray disc come with a making-of featurette
and two commentary tracks, one with director Stephen Frears and screenwriter Peter Morgan, the other with British historian Robert Lacey, an expert on the royal family.

"Deja Vu"
Denzel Washington stars in a crime thriller from two of Hollywood's biggest action masters, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Tony Scott. Washington plays a federal agent investigating a deadly ferry explosion in New Orleans, who is given access to a secret government lab that provides a window into the recent past
so he can observe events leading up to the tragedy - and possibly prevent it. Along with deleted and extended scenes, the DVD and Blu-ray disc have a wide range of behind-the-scenes segments that examine the pyrotechnics used in the ferry explosion, the stunts and special effects, the filmmaking team and the practicalities of
shooting in New Orleans.

TV on DVD:
The long awaited, "WKRP in Cincinnati: The Complete First Season", is satifying to see the sit-com that debuted in 1978 centers on wacky colleagues trying to breathe life into a third-rate radio station. The problem is that many of the episodes are 22 minute editted versions, instead of the originals. Even worse is that many oriignal songs from the series have been replaced with Muzak versions so producers wouldn't have to pay licensing feeds. It really dilutes the memories.

"Planet Earth: The Complete Series" -
"Tsunami: The Aftermath"
"The Lost Tomb of Jesus"
"The Odd Couple: The First Season"
"Ironside: Season 1"
"The Drew Carey Show: The Complete First Season" -
"One Day at a Time: The Complete First Season"
"Flipper: Season One"
"NCIS: The Third Season"
"The New York Yankees: 1977 World Series"

April 20, 2007

Charlie Murphy: More than just Eddie's Big Brother


Charlie Murphy deserves a lot more than just being referred to as if he only exists as a shadow of his Oscar nominated brother. He was one of the best guests that we've had on the show this week. He was energetic. He told great stories. Unlike some of the guests that arrive with huge entourages and surround themselves with "people" so they don't have to talk to anyone, Charlie was more than friendly, easy going and hugely professional. He was a complete gentlemen to the entire staff; from the interns, to the crew, to the producers and even Larry, Robin and I on the air. Mario "Dancing with the Stars" Lopez could learn some basic manners from Charlie.

The only semi-juicy behind the scenes story is how he "de-blinged" himself before he came on the air. Rings, chains, necklaces and either a bracelet or a watch were whipped off and handed to the man that accompanied him just before he came on-set. It was almost like being at Rogers and Holland's on delivery day.

I was expecting someone trying to live off of his brother's fame without much substance and what I got was a solid talent on his own. The co-writer of hit films like "Norbit" and others who's proven himself on venues like Dave Chappelle's show. He said that he doubted Chappelle would be returning to his Comedy Central show. I mentioned to him that he'd make a natural replacement. With that trademark "Murphy" smile and a twinkle in his eye, he said, "if it can be pulled off properly, I'd love it."

Behind the scenes Charlie told us about his new DVD of true Hollywood stories and how he's not so crazy about some of the people who are disputing his stories.

Enjoy, Dean

Ed McMahon: Heeeeeere's Ed!


When he walked down the long hallway, there was an aura around this legend of show business. Holy crap! He's the guy that sat next to Johnny for 30 years!! Hi-ooooooo!

I'm not often star struck but I have to admit it was pretty cool to meet him and have the chance to talk with Ed McMahon. I mentioned to him just before we taped our "web only" interview that there is a certain level of professionalism that he brought with him that we don't see in some of the up and comers (again, hello Mario Lopez.) He was happy to sign autographs, to take pictures with anyone who asked and mostly was a consummate professional at everything that we threw at him. He was terrific in the on-air interview, it was just like the old days during the "Konrac the Magnificent" segment in which we paid homage to Johnny and Ed's old "Carnac" routine with a Morning News twist. He didn't bat an eyelash when we asked him to introduce rockers, The Smithereens, "Johnny-style."

Now 84 years old, Ed is a little more frail than the last time that we've seen him. He had an assistant with him every step of the way; holding his arm, keeping him steady, helping him in and out of chairs and up and down the steps that are on our news set. He seemed frail but was as sharp as a tack and completely with it during our interview and especially during our "after the show-web only" interview where we had some time to dig a little deeper than we ever seem to have time to do during the show. He reflected on his appearance on our show, the good old days, behind the scenes with Johnny Carson and his legacy.
Enjoy, Dean

The Smithereens Go Giddy for Ed


Hot on the heels of their first studio album in years, we were thrilled to have 80's legends, The Smithereens, live on the show today. They did a couple of songs from their new album of Beatles classics, "Meet The Smithereens" and also their first hit song, "Blood and Roses."

They were especially excited to be on the show on the same day that Ed McMahon was. From historic studio one where they were performing, they were peeking out into the hallway to catch a glimpse of Ed. Lead singer, Pat Pat DiNizio, whispered to me how they'd love to get a picture with him (they did) and they'd love it if Ed could introduce one of their songs that they were going to perform (Ed did; Heeere's Johnny style.)

The guys were like school kids when Ed came into the studio telling him how they grew up watching him and mentioned that they missed being on the Tonight show with him and Johnny by about a week. They were on during Jay Leno's first week as the host.

DiNunzio also mentioned to me that he spends a huge amount of time here in Chicago to be near his daughter who lives here. He's got a place in the DePaul/Lincoln Park neighborhood while also maintaining an apartment in New York.

After the show, The Smithereens, did an extended "web-only" performance of "Blood and Roses."

Enjoy, Dean

Dean's Friday Reviews


There are six new movies opening this weekend.

HOT FUZZ
The best of the weekend is from the guys that brought you the zombie spoof, "Shaun of the Dead." Instead of taking on the walking dead...this time their poking fun at buddy action cop flicks in “Hot fuzz.”

What would you get if you did a send up of "Bad Boys/Lethal Weapon" type movies and mixed in a bit of "Reno 911", "Police Academy" and "Naked Gun?"

Add in some brilliant writing and deadpan, on the mark performances, and you get "Hot Fuzz"; hilariously funny from start to finish with clever tributes to the films that they're spoofing, as one of London’s top cops is transferred to a sleepy little village with inept cops, no crime and suddenly a murder spree.

Credit of the team of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost who star in the film along with their director Edgar Wright who top "Shaun of the dead" with a slicker, smarter effort. I had a great conversation with them a few weeks ago. You can see it at Dean's Entertainment at WGN TV dot com. This is the funniest movie of the year, a solid, Dean's List "A."


FRACTURE
Well, at least he didn't eat her brains with fava beans and Chianti this time. It’s Anthony Hopkins back to his creepy best as a scorned husband whose wife is having an affair so he puts a bullet in her head...and then, concocts a genius alibi to get away with the murder.

Everyone buys the alibi except an up and coming distorct attorney, played by Oscar nominee, Ryan gosling, who pursues him, Clarice style.

A lot of "Fracture's" success as a who-dun-it is because of "Silence of the Lambs" and all of the memories it brings back with it's solid story and great performances, especially Hopkins' piercing stares...worth the price of admission for this Dean's List " B plus."


THE YEAR OF THE DOG
The lady that had too many dogs could have been one of her wacky Saturday night live characters but in molly Shannon’s new movie, "Year of the Dog", she balances the quirky with the thoughtful.

In it, she's a single 30-something loner, who’s beloved beagle, Pencil, is accidentally killed sending her into a inconsolable, animal loving tailspin that goes from funny...to PETA-loving political, to a look at loneliness and our attachments to mans best friend.

John C. Reilly, Laura Dern, Regina King and Peter Scarsgard turn in great supporting performances, as does Molly. Clearly, they all enjoyed making this refreshing indie.
A Dean's List "B."


KILL “EM, SLASH ‘EM
There are two bloody offerings; Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale's "Vacancy", in which a couple check into a seedy motel only to find that they're apparently booked the murder suite and that a crazed killer is about to star them in their own snuff film.


There’s also David Arquette's "Tripper." A killer in a Ronald Reagan mask is on the loose with an ax at a rock festival taking out young college students one at a time.

Both films are scary...but nothing special. In light of the Virginia Tech murders, they both seem inappropriate. The studios couldn’t have waited a couple of weeks before putting more mindless killing out there? "Vacancy" will probably be number one on Monday.

DULL
There’s also Meg Ryan and "The OC's" Adam Brody’s, “In the Land of Women" that's a whole lotta nothing. Not even the enjoyment of watching Meg Ryan’s overly colleganed lips could make this pointless story about a writer who goes off to find himself but gets involved with a neighbor and her teenager daughter worth seeing.

April 13, 2007

Dean reviews Perfect Stranger and Disturbia

PERFECT STRANGER
Halle Berry stars as an investigative reoprter who, with the help of a uber-techno buddy, Giovanni Ribisi, goes undercover to try to solve the murder of a childhood friend. The pursued is a womanizing executive, played by Bruce Willis.

Perfect Stranger is a good, not great who dunit whose story could have been stronger with Halle desperately tryng to show why she won an Oscar. Willis grumbles his way through another film, not adding much. The real star is Ribisi who has several layers of creepy complexity to his character making it worth seeing.
A Deans List C plus.

DISTURBIA
Take a pass on Disturbia. Shia Le Bouef is a deliquent teenager, traumatized by the death of his father, who lashes out against a teacher and forced to wear an ankle braclet while placed under house arrest. While confined, he sees deliquent kids in his neighborhood...sees the hot new neighbor girl...and, maybe a murder or two take place. No one seems to believe thistrouble making kid on the murders.

Disturbia wants to be a scary white knuckler but fails. The story doesn't have the stuff to keep you on the edge of your seat...and the actors don't have what it takes to keep you in the story.
A Deans List C minus.

April 6, 2007

Dean’s Reviews-“Grindhouse”, “The Reaping”, “The Hoax.”

Dean’s Reviews-“Grindhouse”, “The Reaping”, “The Hoax.”
Let's hear what you think......

“Grindhouse”
It’s one of the most anticipated "films" of the year; a throwback to the days when you go to see a couple of bad "b" movies, full of blood and gore; movies that were "ground" out fast and furious; the genre called "grindhouse" films.

And that's where Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez get the title of their "2 separate movies for the price of 1” double feature. But the double feature doesn’t start until you go through a couple of fake trailers for films that don’t exist. After those and some bad, animated reminders to visit the concession stand it’s time for the first of the “Grindhouse" twin spin, Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror."

Former Marilyn Manson squeeze, Rose McGowan, plays the machine-gun peg-leg ex-stripper who is just one of the survivors fighting off flesh eating zombies infected by a virus taking over a small Texas town. Chicago’s own Freddy Rodriguez, Bruce Willis, Josh Brolan, Naveen Andrews
and a cast of over the top characters are the uninfected trying to stay un-eaten.

Purposely over the top, campy and disgusting; purposely grainy, appearing to be badly spliced, it’s just a load of fun and a loving tribute to the genre, but after about an hour, you get the bloody idea and it just gets repetitive.

Then, there are a couple more hilarious fake trailers, actually more entertaining than the features, one of them for a fake film, “Thanksgiving”, because every other holiday has had it’s own horror movie. Without a break to “refresh” yourself, it’s on to feature two, the Quentin Tarantino directed, "Death Proof."

If you're a hot babe in a car, look out for that crazed mad man, Kurt Russell, at his whacked out best. After a long set up, he hunts down a bunch of hot chicks that have been drinking their way through town, and takes them on the ride of their life...and death. Then, it’s on to a second group of gals who prove to be up for his thrill-ride challenge.

"Death Proof" is the better of the double feature; and the right length at about an hour. Both films and the trailers run 3 hours and 15 minutes without a break.

I liked this creative package. They’re both fun, but a little long and a little "film snob" self-indulgent. Regardless, these directors march to their own beat and make film-going fun. I give them a Dean’s List “A.”

The Reaping
It’s Hilary Swank’s scary story about 9 biblical plagues that are happening in a small town being blamed on a creepy little girl played by Anna Sophia Robb. Swank is a professor sent in to find rational reasons for the locust attacks, frogs dropping from the sky and water turning to blood.... but can't.

“The Reaping” IS scary, even a little "Exorcist-like disturbing", with it's roots in religion...but overall, the story falls short. British actor, Idris Elba and David Morrisey co-star. Maybe, check this one out when it comes out on DVD...but it’s not worth $9. A Dean’s List “C.”

The Hoax
There’s also Richard Gere’s, “The Hoax”, the true story of Clifford Irving, the author who wrote a fake biography of reclusive billionaire, Howard Hughes; had it published and became an instant celebrity. It’s a great piece of 70's history and a really interesting look at our thirst for inside celebrity news. Alfred Molina and Marcia Gay Harden co-star in this Dean's List "B."

April 3, 2007

Dean's DVD List- Week of April 2, 2007

The Good Shepard
Volver
Charlotte's Web
Jump In
The Natural-Director's cut
All That Jazz-Music Edition
Entourage-Season 3, Part 1
Law and Order-The 5th Year
Roseanne-Season 7
Mind of Mencia-Season 2
Twin Peaks-Season 2
The Brady Bunch-Complete Series

March 30, 2007

Dean's Reviews: "Blades of Glory", "Meet the Robinsons", "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf"?

BLADES OF GLORY
While the world is watching "Dancing with the Stars", the first movie today has to do with “skating with the stars.” “Blades of Glory” is about two competitors from opposite worlds; bitter foes for all of their lives.

Will Ferrell is Chazz Michael Michaels, a hard living, off the cuff, over sexed cowboy while Jimmy McElroy, “Napoleon Dynamite's”, Jon Heder, is prim, proper and fastidious. Neither is happy when they tie for a gold medal and have to share the spotlight.

After the tragic fire that sets the game’s mascot ablaze, they’re both stripped of their medals and banned from singles skating for life until a coach, Craig T. nelson, devises a plan to put them back on ice...as the world's first all male pairs couple...something neither of them want...but reluctantly agree to.

There’s nothing groundbreaking in "Blades of Glory" but I don’t need much to make me laugh in a Will Ferrell movie. Whether it was spoofing the sport, skintight outfits on not-so skintight bodies, or hilarious evil nemesis's played by Will Arnett and Amy Pohler, it did keep a smile on my face throughout.

It’s no “Talladega Nights” but it’s a far cry from Will’s “Kicking’ and Screaming.”
A solid, Dean’s List “B.”


Meet The Robinsons

The new Disney film, "meet the Robinson’s" is a stylish-looking animation about a young orphan who wants to find his biological mother. He’s a bit of a science geek who invents a machine that sets off a series of events that sends him to the future where he meets the crazy Robinson clan...and discovers a whole lot more than just his roots.

I liked the sweet story that’s cleverly written but it's also the crazy characters and concepts that sets the movie apart. The movie is playing in select theaters in 3-D...a really discrete 3-D that's not overdone...and with comfortable, attractive glasses.

Another Dean’s List “B.”

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf”?

There’s also some theater to tell you about this week. A classic drama that debuted in 1962 being brought back by Oscar nominee, Kathleen Turner and Tony winner, Bill Irwin.

It’s Edward albee's, brilliant "who afraid of Virginia wolf", a disturbing, yet hilarious drama, about a boozed up, old married couple's love hate relationship that spills over onto a young couple who come over for a visit.

The words that Albee writes are like listening to music. Kathleen Turner over plays the notes taking the subtly out of her character while Irwin hits his notes with perfectly milking every drop of emotion out of them. I can see why he won the Tony for his performance of this role in New York.

See this classic. It’s good but not heartbreakingly great; through April 7th at the LaSalle Bank Theater.

March 16, 2007

Dean reviews new movies from Chris Rock and Sandra Bullock

Premonition
Sandra Bullock, Julian McMahon
Rated PG-13

I’m going to start calling her Huey Lewis because no one goes “Back to the Future” as much as she does.

Following up her time travel romance, "The Lake House", now, she's tripping around in time again...trying to figure out what's going on with her, "here today, dead tomorrow"

She says the whole scenario is inconsistent? She must have had another premonition and read my mind. I’ll add on confusing and just plain boring.

The premonition that she thinks she's having in the movie is about her husband, played by “Nip-Tuck's” Julian Mc Mahon, who she's been told was killed in a car crash. She even went to his funeral. Only, whenever she wakes up from sleep, he seems to be still alive, living his life from days leading up to the car crash...she thinks. Maybe she's just going nuts. Maybe she can prevent his death. Maybe she'll let it happen since she discovers some dirty secrets about the “dead man walking.” Maybe this stab at a "what-if" thriller would have been better if it just made better sense.

If only I could go back in time to get those 2 hours back for this dull, Dean’s List, “D.”


I Think I Love My Wife
Chris Rock, Kerry Washington, Gina Torres, Steve Buscemi
Rated R for language and sexual content

You’d never know that this film came from the same mind as one of the greatest social commentators around today.

I can't figure out how one of the great geniuses of stand up comedy keeps coming up so short with his movie making?

There are a few laughs here, but not much else in this story of a married man from the suburbs who gets a little bored and antsy in his life and is tempted when a beautiful, flirty, friend from the past enters his life. Gina Torres is the wife...Kerry Washington the new girl. Steve Busemi is in the movie for a minute for no particular reason.

Adapted from a 1970's French film, Chris directs, writes and stars in this movie that doesn't say anything new about the relationship game or battle of the sexes.... but worse, says it, awkwardly, badly acted and then with an embarrassing musical number at the end of the film.

Chris Rock is one of my favorites but here, he seems like a fish out water here.

I think I would have loved my wife better if it were more like Chris’ stand up, instead of his attempt at a bad sitcom. Another Dean’s List “D.”

March 9, 2007

"One of the best of the year" - Dean's review of "300."

My Greek ancestors didn't talk much about the ancient battles of my people. They were busy passing down the secrets of the perfect Athenian salad and the art of plate breaking. Today, Hellenic history lives, in one of the best films of the year...and this ain't your daddy's gladiator movie.

"300" is the, apparently true, story of the legendary battle of Thermopylae from 486 BC, in which 300 Spartan warriors fought off tens of thousands of invading Persians, uniting the Greeks...but all told with an edgy style and sound.

Gerard Butler from the movie, "Phantom of the Opera", is the ripped-beyond-belief, King Leonidas who, vastly outnumbered, faces down the invading and slightly fabulous, Persian King, Xerxes and his freak show of creatures of conquer, all based on the Frank Miller graphic novel and the comic book. .

There are probably about 300 ways that I could tell you how much I loved this film.

There’s the story of loyalty and honor no matter what the cost.

Then, there are the thrilling, though graphic battle scenes. Nothing is held back. If you're squeamish, this may not be for you.

And what's a battle without some fun. Most epics like are very serious in tone. "300" winks at the audience acknowledging what it’s extreme style, dialogue, narration, extreme camera movements and a wild rock and roll musical score by former Chicagoan Tyler Bates.

Add on the comic book-like vivid, bold look and colors that oozes action and you’ve got one heck of a ride.

Then there's the acting. Of course there are the chiseled bodies. Abs and pecs aside, the actors turns in a great performances; especially considering that nearly every scene was performed against blue screen backgrounds with over 13 hundred effects added in later.

All right, so I only gave you around 7 reasons why I loved it. I’ll find 293 more when I see it again.

It’s a complete original. Exciting...thoughtful...total fun. A Dean's List "A Plus."
It’s in theaters everywhere and also at the Imax theaters...and that's where I’m recommending that you see!

Tell me what you think of it.

February 22, 2007

The 2007 Oscar Nominations and Dean's Predictions

Here is the entire list of the 79th Annual Academy Award Nominations. I've marked my predictions in each of the categories with an (***)

Tune into the Morning News on Monday for all of the the winners and losers plus the best and worst of the speeches, fashion and all of the memorable moments.

Dean

Best motion picture of the year
BABEL
THE DEPARTED ***
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THE QUEEN

Achievement in directing
BABEL
THE DEPARTED ***
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
THE QUEEN
UNITED 93

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Leonardo DiCaprio - BLOOD DIAMOND
Ryan Gosling - HALF NELSON
Peter O'Toole - VENUS
Will Smith - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
Forest Whitaker - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND ***

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Arkin - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Jackie Earle Haley - LITTLE CHILDREN
Djimon Hounsou - BLOOD DIAMOND
Eddie Murphy - DREAMGIRLS ***
Mark Wahlberg - THE DEPARTED

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Penélope Cruz - VOLVER
Judi Dench - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Helen Mirren - THE QUEEN ***
Meryl Streep - THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
Kate Winslet - LITTLE CHILDREN

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Adriana Barraza - BABEL
Cate Blanchett - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Abigail Breslin - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Jennifer Hudson - DREAMGIRLS ***
Rinko Kikuchi - BABEL

Best animated feature film of the year
CARS ***
HAPPY FEET
MONSTER HOUSE

Adapted screenplay
BORAT CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE DEPARTED ***
LITTLE CHILDREN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL

Original screenplay
BABEL
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE ***
PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN

Achievement in art direction
DREAMGIRLS
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
PAN'S LABYRINTH ***
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
THE PRESTIGE

Achievement in cinematography
THE BLACK DAHLIA
CHILDREN OF MEN ***
THE ILLUSIONIST
PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE PRESTIGE

Achievement in costume design
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
DREAMGIRLS
MARIE ANTOINETTE ***
THE QUEEN

Best documentary feature
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH ***
IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS
JESUS CAMP
MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY

Best documentary short subject (no pick)
THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT
RECYCLED LIFE
REHEARSING A DREAM
TWO HANDS

Achievement in film editing
BABEL
BLOOD DIAMOND
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE DEPARTED
UNITED 93 ***

Best foreign language film of the year
AFTER THE WEDDING
DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGÈNES)
THE LIVES OF OTHERS
PAN'S LABYRINTH ***
WATER

Achievement in makeup
APOCALYPTO ***
CLICK
PAN'S LABYRINTH

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
BABEL ***
THE GOOD GERMAN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"I Need to Wake Up" - AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH ***
"Listen" - DREAMGIRLS
"Love You I Do" - DREAMGIRLS
"Our Town" - CARS
"Patience" - DREAMGIRLS

Best animated short film (no pick)
THE DANISH POET
LIFTED
THE LITTLE MATCHGIRL
MAESTRO
NO TIME FOR NUTS

Best live action short film (no pick)
BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA (BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA)
ÉRAMOS POCOS (ONE TOO MANY)
HELMER & SON
THE SAVIOUR
WEST BANK STORY

Achievement in sound editing
APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA ***
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Achievement in sound mixing
APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
DREAMGIRLS ***
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Achievement in visual effects
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST ***
POSEIDON
SUPERMAN RETURNS

February 12, 2007

Grammy Winners

The 49th Annual Grammy Award winners. Do you agree with this year's winners?
Do you have favorite fashions from the show last night?

RECORD OF THE YEAR
"Be Without You", Mary J. Blige; Bryan-Michael Cox, producer; Danny Cheung, Tal Herzberg & Dave "Hard-Drive" Pensado, engineers/mixers; (track from "The Breakthrough") [Geffen Records]

"You're Beautiful", James Blunt; Tom Rothrock, producer; Tom Rothrock & Mike Tarantino, engineers/mixers; (track from "Back To Bedlam") [Custard/Atlantic]

WINNER: "Not Ready To Make Nice", Dixie Chicks; Rick Rubin, producer; Richard Dodd, Jim Scott & Chris Testa, engineers/mixers; (track from "Taking The Long Way") [Open Wide/Columbia]

"Crazy", Gnarls Barkley; Danger Mouse, producer; Ben H. Allen, Danger Mouse & Kennie Takahashi, engineers/mixers; (track from "St. Elsewhere:) [Downtown/Atlantic]

"Put Your Records On", Corinne Bailey Rae; Steve Chrisanthou, producer; Steve Chrisanthou & Jeremy Wheatley, engineers/mixers; (track from "Corinne Bailey Rae") [Capitol]

Continue reading "Grammy Winners" »

January 15, 2007

64th Annual Golden Globe Nominations


Nominees for the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards announced Thursday in Beverly Hills, Calif.:

MOTION PICTURES:

Picture, Drama: “Babel,” “Bobby,” “The Departed,” “Little Children,” “The Queen”

Actress, Drama: Penelope Cruz, “Volver”; Judi Dench, “Notes on a Scandal”; Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Sherrybaby”; Helen Mirren, “The Queen”; Kate Winslet, “Little Children”

Actor, Drama: Leonardo DiCaprio, “Blood Diamond”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Departed”; Peter O’Toole, “Venus”; Will Smith, “The Pursuit of Happyness”; Forest Whitaker, “The Last King of Scotland”

Picture, Musical or Comedy: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Dreamgirls,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Thank You for Smoking”

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, “Running With Scissors”; Toni Collette, “Little Miss Sunshine”; Beyonce Knowles, “Dreamgirls”; Meryl Streep, “The Devil Wears Prada”; Renee Zellweger, “Miss Potter”

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”; Johnny Depp, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”; Aaron Eckhart, “Thank You for Smoking”; Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Kinky Boots”; Will Ferrell, “Stranger than Fiction”

Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, “Babel”; Cate Blanchett, “Notes on a Scandal”; Emily Blunt, “The Devil Wears Prada”; Jennifer Hudson, “Dreamgirls”; Rinko Kikuchi, “Babel”

Supporting Actor: Ben Affleck, “Hollywoodland”; Eddie Murphy, “Dreamgirls”; Jack Nicholson, “The Departed”; Brad Pitt, “Babel”; Mark Wahlberg, “The Departed”

Director: Clint Eastwood, “Flags of Our Fathers”; Clint Eastwood, “Letters from Iwo Jima”; Steven Frears, “The Queen”; Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, “Babel”; Martin Scorsese, “The Departed”

Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, “Babel”; Todd Field and Tom Perrotta, “Little Children”; Patrick Marber, “Notes on a Scandal”; William Monahan, “The Departed”; Peter Morgan, “The Queen”

Foreign Language: “Apocalypto,” USA; “Letters from Iwo Jima,” USA/Japan; “The Lives of Others,” Germany; “Pan’s Labyrinth,” Mexico; “Volver” Spain

Animated Film: “Cars,” “Happy Feet,” “Monster House”

Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, “The Painted Veil”; Clint Mansell, “The Fountain”; Gustavo Santaolalla, “Babel”; Carlo Siliotto, “Nomad”; Hans Zimmer, “The Da Vinci Code”

Original Song: “A Father’s Way” from “The Pursuit of Happyness”; “Listen” from “Dreamgirls”; “Never Gonna Break My Faith” from “Bobby”; “The Song of the Heart” from “Happy Feet”; “Try Not to Remember” from “Home of the Brave”

TELEVISION

Series, Drama: “24,” Fox; “Big Love,” HBO; “Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC; “Heroes,” NBC; “Lost,” ABC

Actress, Drama: Patricia Arquette, “Medium”; Edie Falco, “The Sopranos”; Evangeline Lilly, “Lost”; Ellen Pompeo, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

Actor, Drama: Patrick Dempsey, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”; Hugh Laurie, “House”; Bill Paxton, “Big Love”; Kiefer Sutherland, “24”

Series, Musical or Comedy: “Desperate Housewives,” ABC; “Entourage,” HBO; “The Office,” NBC; “Ugly Betty,” ABC; “Weeds,” Showtime

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Marcia Cross, “Desperate Housewives”; America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty”; Felicity Huffman, “Desperate Housewives”; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New

Adventures of Old Christine”; Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds”

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”; Zach Braff, “Scrubs”; Steve Carrell, “The Office”; Jason Lee, “My Name is Earl”; Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”

Miniseries or movie: “Bleak House,” PBS; “Broken Trail,” AMC; “Elizabeth I,” HBO; “Mrs. Harris,” HBO; “Prime Suspect: The Final Act,” PBS

Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Gillian Anderson, “Bleak House”; Annette Bening, “Mrs. Harris”; Helen Mirren, “Elizabeth I”; Helen Mirren, “Prime Suspect: The Final Act”; Sophie Okonedo, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”

Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Andre Braugher, “Thief”; Robert Duvall, “Broken Trail”; Michael Ealy, “Sleeper Cell: American Terror”; Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”; Ben Kingsley, “Mrs. Harris”; Bill Nighy, “Gideon’s Daughter”; Matthew Perry, “The Ron Clark Story”

Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Emily Blunt, “Gideon’s Daughter”; Toni Collette, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”; Katherine Heigl, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Sarah Paulson, “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”; Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds”

Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Thomas Haden Church, “Broken Trail”; Jeremy Irons, “Elizabeth I”; Justin Kirk, “Weeds”; Masi Oka, “Heroes”; Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”

December 28, 2006

Chicago Film Critics Awards 2006

Chicago’s film critics Thursday named "The Departed" as their No. 1 movie of 2006, beating out competitors "Babel," "Little Miss Sunshine" "The Queen" and "United 93."

"The Departed," an adaptation of the complex Hong Kong crime drama "Infernal Affairs," won two other awards–Martin Scorsese took Best Director while William Monahan won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The only other film to win multiple prizes was Stephen Frears’ "The Queen," which scored two awards.

Forest Whitaker took the Best Actor prize from the Windy City critics for his indelible interpretation of Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland." His tough competition included Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Departed," Ryan Gosling in "Half Nelson," Peter O’Toole in "Venus" and Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness."

British actress Helen Mirren won the Best Actress award for playing another real-life figure, Queen Elizabeth II, in "The Queen," film chronicling the royal family in the days after the tragic death of Princess Di. Her competition included Penelope Cruz for "Volver," Judi Dench for "Notes on a Scandal," Maggie Gyllenhaal for "Sherrybaby," Meryl Streep for "The Devil Wears Prada" and Kate Winslet for "Little Children." "The Queen" also earned Peter Morgan a citation for Best Original Screenplay.

"Little Children" didn’t go away empty-handed as Jackie Earle Haley was given the Best Supporting Actor award for his comeback performance as a deeply troubled man struggling with the demons still plaguing him. After a long absence from the screen, the former child star beat out the formidable likes of Ben Affleck in "Hollywoodland," Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls," Jack Nicholson in "The Departed," Brad Pitt in "Babel" and Michael Sheen in "The Queen."

Having led the pack with nine nominations, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s dense drama "Babel" scored the Best Supporting Actress award for newcomer Rinko Kikuchi, whose performance as an emotionally desperate Japanese schoolgirl was routinely cited as one of the acclaimed film’s highlights. Kikuchi’s competition included "Babel" co-star Adriana Barraza, Cate Blanchett for "Notes on a Scandal," Abigail Breslin and Toni Collette for "Little Miss Sunshine" and Jennifer Hudson for "Dreamgirls."

In a surprise move, Clint Eastwood’s Japanese-language World War II epic "Letters From Iwo Jima" came away with the award for Best Foreign-Language Film. The film, which looks at the siege of Iwo Jima from the Japanese point-of-view and conceived as a bookend to Eastwood’s American take on the same subject, "Flags Of Our Fathers," beat out such acclaimed titles as Pedro Almodovar’s "Volver," Guillermo del Toro’s "Pan’s Labyrinth," Gavin Hood’s "Tsotsi" and Mel Gibson’s Mayan epic "Apocalypto."

Two visionary science-fiction films were also honored by the CFCA. Alfonso Cuaron’s "Children of Men," a harrowing glimpse of a future where women can no longer bear children, was given the Best Cinematography prize for Emmanuel Lubezki’s breathtaking contributions while Darren Aronofsky’s time-tripping epic "The Fountain" earned composer Clint Mansell the Best Original Score award.

"An Inconvenient Truth," a chronicle of Al Gore’s lectures on the dangers of global warming, melted away the competition and won Best Documentary over "Deliver Us From Evil," "Jesus Camp," "Shut Up and Sing" and "Wordplay."

First-time filmmaker Rian Johnson was awarded the prize for Most Promising Filmmaker for "Brick," his brilliant debut film that took the classic conventions of film noir and placed them within the confines of a contemporary high school. Finally, Sacha Baron Cohen took away the Most Promising Performing award for his performances in both the controversial hit comedy "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" and the NASCAR spoof "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."

The Chicago Film Critics Association started out in 1988 with six charter members. Today, it has 61 members, including critics from newspapers, magazines, TV stations, radio stations, and the Internet. More information can be obtained on the CFCA website, www.chicagofilmcritics.org.

Watch CFCA President Dann Gire announce the picks on WGN Morning News

BEST PICTURE: "The Departed"

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM: "Letters From Iwo Jima"

BEST DIRECTOR: Martin Scorsese–"The Departed"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Peter Morgan–"The Queen"

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: William Monahan–"The Departed"

BEST ACTOR: Forest Whitaker–"The Last King of Scotland’

BEST ACTRESS: Helen Mirren–"The Queen"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Jackie Earle Haley–"Little Children"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Rinko Kikuchi–"Babel"

BEST DOCUMENTARY: "An Inconvenient Truth"

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Emmanuel Lubezki–"Children of Men"

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Clint Mansell–"The Fountain"

MOST PROMISING PERFORMER: Sacha Baron Cohen–"Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"

MOST PROMISING DIRECTOR: Rian Johnson–"Brick"

December 14, 2006

Golden Globe Nominations

The nominees are out. They say that the Golden Globes are 80% accurate for predicting the Oscars but I question the validity of that. They have twice as many performance awards so the odds of being right are skewed. The Goldren Globes are also chosen by a group of 90 foreign entertainment reporters, dopes like myself, who happen to be based in other countries, so the credibility is minimal.

I like the double nominations for Leo and Clint. I was happy to see "Thank you for Smoking" get some recognition.
And I'm loving that "Borat" is picking up steam. I'll be annoucing my picks for the best and worst of the year just after Christmas. In the meantime, let's mull these over.
Dean

Nominees for the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards announced
Thursday in Beverly Hills, Calif.:

MOTION PICTURES:
Picture, Drama: "Babel," "Bobby," "The Departed," "Little
Children," "The Queen"
Actress, Drama: Penelope Cruz, "Volver"; Judi Dench, "Notes
on a Scandal"; Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Sherrybaby"; Helen Mirren,
"The Queen"; Kate Winslet, "Little Children"
Actor, Drama: Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"; Leonardo
DiCaprio, "The Departed"; Peter O'Toole, "Venus"; Will Smith,
"The Pursuit of Happyness"; Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of
Scotland"
Picture, Musical or Comedy: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America
for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," "The Devil Wears
Prada," "Dreamgirls," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Thank You for
Smoking"
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, "Running With
Scissors"; Toni Collette, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Beyonce
Knowles, "Dreamgirls"; Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada";
Renee Zellweger, "Miss Potter"
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen, "Borat: Cultural
Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of
Kazakhstan"; Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's
Chest"; Aaron Eckhart, "Thank You for Smoking"; Chiwetel
Ejiofor, "Kinky Boots"; Will Ferrell, "Stranger than Fiction"
Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, "Babel"; Cate Blanchett,
"Notes on a Scandal"; Emily Blunt, "The Devil Wears Prada";
Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"; Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"
Supporting Actor: Ben Affleck, "Hollywoodland"; Eddie Murphy,
"Dreamgirls"; Jack Nicholson, "The Departed"; Brad Pitt,
"Babel"; Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed"
Director: Clint Eastwood, "Flags of Our Fathers"; Clint
Eastwood, "Letters from Iwo Jima"; Steven Frears, "The Queen";
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "Babel"; Martin Scorsese, "The
Departed"
Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, "Babel"; Todd Field and Tom
Perrotta, "Little Children"; Patrick Marber, "Notes on a
Scandal"; William Monahan, "The Departed"; Peter Morgan, "The
Queen"
Foreign Language: "Apocalypto," USA; "Letters from Iwo
Jima," USA/Japan; "The Lives of Others," Germany; "Pan's
Labyrinth," Mexico; "Volver" Spain
Animated Film: "Cars," "Happy Feet," "Monster House"
Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, "The Painted Veil"; Clint
Mansell, "The Fountain"; Gustavo Santaolalla, "Babel"; Carlo
Siliotto, "Nomad"; Hans Zimmer, "The Da Vinci Code"
Original Song: "A Father's Way" from "The Pursuit of
Happyness"; "Listen" from "Dreamgirls"; "Never Gonna Break My
Faith" from "Bobby"; "The Song of the Heart" from "Happy
Feet"; "Try Not to Remember" from "Home of the Brave"


TELEVISION
Series, Drama: "24," Fox; "Big Love," HBO; "Grey's
Anatomy," ABC; "Heroes," NBC; "Lost," ABC
Actress, Drama: Patricia Arquette, "Medium"; Edie Falco, "The
Sopranos"; Evangeline Lilly, "Lost"; Ellen Pompeo, "Grey's
Anatomy"; Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Actor, Drama: Patrick Dempsey, "Grey's Anatomy"; Michael C.
Hall, "Dexter"; Hugh Laurie, "House"; Bill Paxton, "Big
Love"; Kiefer Sutherland, "24"
Series, Musical or Comedy: "Desperate Housewives," ABC;
"Entourage," HBO; "The Office," NBC; "Ugly Betty," ABC;
"Weeds," Showtime
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Marcia Cross, "Desperate
Housewives"; America Ferrera, "Ugly Betty"; Felicity Huffman,
"Desperate Housewives"; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures
of Old Christine"; Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"; Zach Braff,
"Scrubs"; Steve Carrell, "The Office"; Jason Lee, "My Name is
Earl"; Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"
Miniseries or movie: "Bleak House," PBS; "Broken Trail,"
AMC; "Elizabeth I," HBO; "Mrs. Harris," HBO; "Prime Suspect:
The Final Act," PBS
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Gillian Anderson, "Bleak House";
Annette Bening, "Mrs. Harris"; Helen Mirren, "Elizabeth I";
Helen Mirren, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act"; Sophie Okonedo,
"Tsunami, The Aftermath"
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Andre Braugher, "Thief"; Robert
Duvall, "Broken Trail"; Michael Ealy, "Sleeper Cell: American
Terror"; Chiwetel Ejiofor, "Tsunami, The Aftermath"; Ben
Kingsley, "Mrs. Harris"; Bill Nighy, "Gideon's Daughter";
Matthew Perry, "The Ron Clark Story"
Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Emily Blunt,
"Gideon's Daughter"; Toni Collette, "Tsunami, The Aftermath";
Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy"; Sarah Paulson, "Studio 60 on
the Sunset Strip"; Elizabeth Perkins, "Weeds"
Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Thomas Haden
Church, "Broken Trail"; Jeremy Irons, "Elizabeth I"; Justin
Kirk, "Weeds"; Masi Oka, "Heroes"; Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"

The awards will be given out on January 15th. Watch for our PRE coverage leading up to it on WGN News.

November 8, 2006

Dean reviews Streisand and other concert observations

WHILE CONFETTI WAS FALLING AT HOTEL BALLROOMS AFTER THE ELECTION LAST NIGHT, BARBRA STRIESAND SHOWERED THE UNITED CENTER WITH 2 HOURS OF HITS!

IT WAS HER FIRST CONCERT HERE IN 40 YEARS. 19 SONGS, TWO ENCORES, A 50 PIECE ORCHESTRA...A VERY SPECIAL EVENT TO SEE. BARBRA WAS IN GREAT VOICE FOR THE START OF THE SHOW BUT BY THE END, A LITTLE RASPY AND HAVING TROUBLE HOLDING THE HIGH NOTES.

FROM A SIMPLE SET WITHOUT ANY MULTI-MEDIA NOR DANCERS, THE 64 YEAR OLD DELIVERED MOSTLY "EARLY CAREER" CLASSICS; "THE WAY WE WERE", SEVERAL SONGS FROM 'FUNNY GIRL" INCLUDING, "PEOPLE" AND "MY MAN"; SOME BROADWAY FAVORITES LIKE "SOMEWHERE" AND ""MUSIC OF THE NIGHT" AND OF COURSE, "EVERGREEN" ON WHICH SHE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE QUARTET, IL DIVO.

IL DIVO THEY SOUNDED NICE, BUT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING EXCEPT ROBOTICALLY WALK AROUND THE STAGE DURING THEIR 3 SONG SET, DISTRACTINGLY PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE IST ACT, STOPPING THE SHOW AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY.

IT WAS A MOSTLY MELLOW 2ND ACT THAT COULD HAVE USED THE ENERGY THAT SHE DELIVERED DURING, THE HIGHLIGHT, "DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE",

POLITICS WERE THERE BUT NOT PREVELANT. SHE DID A FEW RED STATE-BLUE STATE JOKES AND TALKED ABOUT HOW, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES, WE'RE ALL AMERICANS. HER, NOW FAMOUS, GEORGE BUSH IMPERSONATOR, HAD THE NIGHT OFF BUT WILL BE AT HER THURSDAY SHOW. I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT SHE DIDN'T CURSE ANYONE OUT AS SHE DID DURING A PREVIOUS SHOW WITH A HECKLER WHO DIDN'T WANT POLITICS IN THE CONCERT. AFTER INTERMISSION, SHE GAVE AN ELECTION UPDATE AND LAUNCHED INTO "HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN."

THE WELL MANNERED, MOSTLY 50-PLUS CROWD LOVED EVERY MINUTE...SOME WERE IN TEARS. I LIKED THE SHOW, AFTER ALL IT'S STREISAND; BUT AS STAGE SHOWS GO, IT WAS MORE MINIMAL THAN A 750 DOLLAR TICKET PAYER DESERVES.

ROSIE O'DONNELL WAS THERE; SHE'S APPARENTLY DOING A DOCUMENTARY ON STREISAND. SHE LOOKED GREAT UP CLOSE BEING VERY FRIENDLY WITH THE AUDIENCE OUTSIDE THE VENUE AND ALSO INSIDE AS SHE WORKED HER WAY TO HER PRIMO SEATS WITH A CAMERA CREW IN TOE.

BABS LOOKED GREAT, SPORTING 3 SIMPLE, BASIC BLACK OUTFIT CHANGES DURING THE SHOW.

NEARLY EVERY WORD OF THE SHOW; THE SONGS AND THE WELL REHEARSED BANTER, WERE SCRIPTED ON GIANT TELEPROMPTERS. IT TAKES A LOT OF THE SPONTANIETY OUT OF A SHOW WHEN YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG NEARLY EVERY WORD. AMONG HER SCRIPTED COMMENTS WERE WELL INTENTIONED CHICAGO REFERENCES TO DEEP DISH PIZZA, CHICAGO STYLE HOTDOGS, THE BEARS (MISPRONOUNCING BRIAN URLACHER'S NAME) AND THE BULLS. I GUESS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO THINK THAT SHE REALLY CONNECTS TO OUR CITY, EVEN THOUGH SHE HASN'T BEEN HERE FOR 40 YEARS. AT LEAST PICK SOME LESS STEREOTYPICAL CHICAGO CONNECTIONS.

OVERALL, I LIKED IT. IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE BUT IF IT WASN'T STREISAND, WE'D BE SAYING IT WAS AN OK SHOW WITH NO BELLS OR WHISTLES THAT WE'RE USED TO IN CONCERT-GOING THESE DAYS.

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
DEAN

October 13, 2006

The Queen


HELEN MIRREN WON AN EMMY AWARD PLAYING QUEEN ELIZABETH AND PROBABLY WILL BE NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR FOR DOING IT AGAIN IN THIS STUNNING BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT THE WORLD'S MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL ROYAL FAMILY IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF PRINCESS DIANA.

USING ACTUAL NEWS FOOTAGE, "THE QUEEN" TELLS THE STORY OF THE FROSTY RELATIONSHIP THAT ELIZABETH HAD WITH HER ONE-TIME DAUGHTER IN LAW AND HOW AND WHY SHE VIRTUALLY IGNORED HER PASSING UNTIL PRESSURED BY THE PUBLIC.

BRITISH ACTORS MICHAEL SHEEN AND ALEX JENNINGS ARE GREAT AS TONY BLAIR AND PRINCE CHARLES BUT MIRREN SHOWS OFF WHAT KIND OF ACTING ROYALTY SHE IS HANDLING THIS ROLE WITH ELEGANCE, RESERVE, AND A TORTURED DARKNESS. A BRILLIANT DEAN'S LIST "A."

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