Playful ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ improves on the original
Unlike many remakes, Jake Kasdan’s re-imagining of a franchise with his new “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” is actually a solid improvement on the 1995 original starring Robin Williams. Many critics...
View Article‘Father Figures’ football scene taught Owen Wilson about NFL pain
LOS ANGELES — One thing Owen Wilson learned from making “Father Figures” (opening Friday) was “a little bit how guys in the NFL, like on the Chicago Bears or the rest of the teams, feel when they get...
View ArticleHugh Jackman thinks P.T. Barnum would have flourished in Chicago
In the new musical film “The Greatest Showman” (opening Wednesday), Hugh Jackman returns to his song-and-dance roots to play the title character, P.T. Barnum. Asked during an interview in New York what...
View ArticleTrips to Chicago pay off in ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ scene for Brittany Snow
In an early scene in “Pitch Perfect 3” (opening Friday), Brittany Snow’s Chloe character flirts with Matt Lanter’s Army sergeant character, assigned to escort the revived Bellas girls a cappella...
View Article‘Downsizing’ star Hong Chau loves Chicago’s bunny culture
LOS ANGELES — Mention Chicago to Hong Chau, and the actress best known for her roles in “Inherent Vice” and “Big Little Lies” starts talking bunnies — who have nothing to do with Hugh Hefner! “I love...
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Local native Lena Waithe feels distinctly qualified to tell stories of ‘The Chi’
A couple of years ago, Lena Waithe was watching the news in her apartment in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. At that point, the Chicago native was best known for her comedy work, especially her...
View ArticleTracy Letts and wife Carrie Coon have rare chance to co-star in ‘The Post’
NEW YORK — While Tracy Letts and Carrie Coon both have very busy acting careers, the married Chicago residents don’t often work together — especially in a big budget, high-profile film like “The Post”...
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Women with local ties seek romance on new reality show ‘To Rome for Love’
Over the years, professional love expert/relationship counselor Diann Valentine has discovered many Italian men are attracted to African-American women — of whom the U.S. Census Bureau reports 48...
View Article‘The Commuter’ star Liam Neeson awed by Chicago’s changing skyline
NEW YORK — In the thriller film “The Commuter” (opening Friday), Liam Neeson plays a New Yorker and former cop placed in a seemingly impossible life-and-death situation during his regular train trip...
View ArticleChicago bridal pro at center of ‘The Perfect Fit’ reality show
Shannelle Armstrong-Fowler has a lot on her plate. Along with teaching business courses at Columbia College Chicago, the former Fortune 500 PR and marketing executive owns a successful upscale bridal...
View ArticlePete Holmes to preview new season of ‘Crashing’ show in Chicago
Giving a boost to the second season of his “Crashing” comedy series on HBO, Pete Holmes will be hosting a preview event in Chicago this week at Blu Dot, 1953 N Clybourn. The Thursday evening program...
View ArticleJohn Malkovich to narrate ‘Lincoln Portrait’ with Muti, Chicago Symphony
Acclaimed actor, veteran Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member and two-time Oscar nominee John Malkovich will serve as the narrator of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait,” in subscription performances in...
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‘Paddington 2’, ‘The Shape of Water’ star Sally Hawkins remembers Chicago fondly
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — At the mention of the word “Chicago,” Sally Hawkins smiled broadly and expressed a deep affection for the city — despite having been away from town for more than two decades....
View ArticlePat Tomasulo plans to bring ‘the average person’s perspective’ to comedy TV show
In the announcement of its new weekly comedy show starring Pat Tomasulo, WGN-Channel 9 quoted its news director as joking, “we’ve gone from one Bozo to the next.” “That’s a pretty good description,”...
View ArticleMichael Pena knows the Chicago sights he’d show co-star Chris Hemsworth
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Chicago native Michael Pena didn’t hesitate when asked how he’d organize a Chicago tour for his “12 Strong” co-star Chris Hemsworth. As the amused Australian actor sat next to...
View ArticleDiane Kruger’s only day in Chicago leaves good, strong memories
Diane Kruger said, “I can’t believe that I only have been to Chicago once — and it was like 15 years ago!” Calling to talk about her film “In the Fade” (opening Friday), the actress known for...
View ArticlePearl Jam returns to Wrigley Field this summer
The rumors were true: Pearl Jam will be returning to Wrigley Field for two concerts this summer. Following up on the already announced “Home Shows” in Seattle, Pearl Jam announced Wednesday they would...
View ArticleColin Quinn heads back to Chicago, the city he once loved to hate
These days, fans sometimes approach Colin Quinn with the politically incorrect line he blurted out to the little girls portraying his young daughters in the 2015 “Trainwreck” film (played later in the...
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Growing up in Chicago made Jessica Camacho tough enough for ‘Taken’
Doing a joint phone interview with “Taken” co-stars Jennifer Beals and Jessica Camacho, a mention of Chicago brought a big “Yeah!” from the two local natives. “I was just there over the holidays,”...
View ArticleCardinals fan Jenna Fischer jokes she’s ‘way too scared’ to visit Wrigley Field
LOS ANGELES — Wearing a bright Cardinal red blouse, Jenna Fischer laughed as she thought about the very fierce Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals rivalry. After all, the Fort Wayne, Indiana, native spent...
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