Articles filed under Gire, Dann

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Third time's no charm for 'Hangover' May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
In Todd Phillips' second sequel "The Hangover Part III," the sense of camaraderie that once bonded the Wolfpackers feels contrived and forced. Although these characters profess to love each other, these actors don't even bother to make the words sound sincere. For every comical line that works, others cling to the soundtrack like cold, congealed spaghetti. This "Hangover" barely hangs on.
Polley digs into family dirt in expertly drawn ‘Stories’ May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann Gire reviews Sarah Polley's challenging new movie "Stories We Tell," a barrier-busting documentary that redefines the narrative experience in ways almost impossible to discern with a single screening. It's a mystery, a romance, a family drama, a comedy, a coming-of-age tale, a family history and a meta-delight to watch. Plus Dann responds to a reader's complaint that "Iron Man 3" defies logic.
Strong characters at heart of 'Love'May 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann warns readers that Paramount Pictures won't give critics advance screenings of "Star Trek Into Darkness," and that's not a good sign. He also criticizes the Ratings Administration in his film notes segment, plus reviews two films, the Christian-themed "King's Faith" and the Danish rom-com "Love is All You Need" featuring an impressively mature performance by former 007 Pierce Brosnan.
'At Any Price' digs deep May 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann Gire reviews Ramin Bahrani's new drama "At Any Price," shot in Illinois and Iowa with lots of local talent. The story is as much about the dehumanization of the American farming community as it about Dennis Quaid's character mishandling the priorities of his own soul. Dann also interviews Quaid and the director to find out how the star wound up in this film. The answer is Ellen DeGeneres.
Should factual errors detract from a movie's enjoyability?Apr 25, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann discusses the responsibilities of film critics to correct all factual errors in the movies. This after a reader pointed out that the pre-paid cell phones used in the March film "The Call" did in fact possess GPS devices, contrary to what the characters said. Dann also pitches an upcoming student film fest in Schaumburg, plus his library program, "Hollywood's Greatest Chase Sequences."
'To the Wonder' is visual, if not prosaic, poetryApr 18, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann first reviews Terrence Malick's newest art house movie "To the Wonder," starring Ben Affleck and "Quantum of Solace" star Olga Kurylenko. He chats with Des Plaines native Jeff Phillips about his new horror movie "Lords of Salem." And he shares the highlights of the first Chicago Critics Film Festival at the Muvico Theaters 18 in Rosemont, (William Friedkin and Sarah Polley showed up!)
'Company' doesn't drum up the tension it needs Apr 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann Gire reviews “The Company You Keep,” in which Robert Redford directs and stars as a man on the run. Redford plays an aging, former member of the Weather Underground, radical students wanted by the fuzz for killing a security guard during a Michigan bank robbery in the '70s. Plus, Dann answers a Geneva reader's questions about the implications of “42.”
3-D makes ‘Jurassic Park’ pop even more Apr 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann reviews three new movies: Steven Spielberg's 3-D converted 1993 dinosaur thriller "Jurassic Park" celebrating its 20th anniversary, the domestic drama "The Place Beyond the Pines," and the provocative, insightful documentary "Room 237" analyzing hidden meanings in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining." Dann also supplies his weekly film notes and interviews director/writer Derek Cianfrance.
Gire laments loss of 'titan,' friend Roger Ebert Apr 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Roger Ebert, the most famous and most popular film reviewer of his time who became the first journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize for movie criticism and, on his long-running TV program, wielded the nation's most influential thumb, died Thursday. He was 70. Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire shares his thoughts on losing a friend and colleague.
English-language ‘Poppy Hill’ carries on Ghibli tradition Mar 28, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann supplies notes about local, movie-related events, Plus, he offers mini-reviews of specialty movies around Chicagoland: the erotic science-fiction drama "Vanishing Waves," the domestic comedy "Family Weekend," the Aussie black comedy "Mental," the beautifully animate Japanese period drama "From Up on Poppy Hill," with the English language version directed by Elmhurst native Gary Rydstrom.
Local director brings a bit of ‘The Force’ home Mar 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann reviews Sally Potter's new period domestic drama "Ginger & Rosa," plus hails the premiere of of Westmont native Cris Macht's "Star Wars" documentary "The Force Within Us," plus the frightening, Oscar-nominated best foreign film child-soldier drama "War Witch." Dann also supplies Reel Life film notes, including his upcoming program of Hollywood love tales at the St. Charles Library.
Inventive imagery can't right tepid 'Upside Down' Mar 14, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann reviews the spectacular-looking but emotionally lacking new science-fiction romance "Upside Down" starring Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturgess. He also reports on Reel Film Notes with a shout-out to Buffalo Grove filmmaker Steven Feinartz and one to his Movie Club partner Raymond Benson.
'No' up to the challenge of Chilean revolution Mar 7, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann reviews Pablo Larrain's Oscar nominated, fact-based political drama "No," detailing Chile's 1988 revolution to topple military dictator Augusto Pinochet, only this revolution didn't use guns, but the media as its primary weapon of choice. Dann also whips up some nifty Northwest suburban film notes, including news about a Mount Prospect filmmaker's movie showing in London this weekend.
‘Stoker’ is provocative, disturbing and powerful Feb 28, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann reviews Chan-wook Park’s new thriller “Stoker,” comparing it to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “Shadow of a Doubt,” except Park’s creepy tale is far more unhinged and blunt about suppressed sexual feelings — some not so suppressed following a violent act we get two versions of. Dann also entertains a reader’s opinion that computer generated characters will eventually replace actors soon.
'The Gatekeepers' a riveting documentaryFeb 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann reviews Dror Moreh's insightful documentary "The Gatekeepers" that delves into the minds of six former directors of the Shin Bet, Israel's secret service wing, as they reveal their memories, opinions and fears so frankly and passionately, it's like being let in on a secret conversation. Dann also explains to one reader why "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Argo" didn't get director nominations.
Sylvester Stallone still flexing his musclesFeb 14, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann Gire defends his description of Sylvester Stallone's veins as “freakishly bulging.” He also interviews the two main actors of the new fantasy thriller “Beautiful Creatures” and thinks they're a gas. He also reviews the Charlie Sheen drama “A Glimpse into the Mind of Charles Swan III” and doesn't like what he sees.
Rolling Meadows choir part of Jane Lynch tribute Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann's film notes includes that the Rolling Meadows Show Choir directed by Caitlyn Walsh will be prominently featured during a tribute to Chicago performer Jane Lynch when she receives the Commedia Extraordinaire trophy at the 24th Chicago Film Critics Awards 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont. Dann will be there to help hand out the Best Actress and Best Picture awards.
Reader: 'Django,' Hollywood feeding the violence problemJan 31, 2013 12:00 AM
After a reader attacked Dann for his positive review of "Django," Dann sets the record straight saying that he would denounce real violence against innocent people, and fake violence when it's horribly mounted, as in stupid mad slasher films and ineptly made gladiator opuses. However, he says he would celebrate and endorse fake violence when it has been executed with finesse and artistry.
‘West of Memphis’ a real life horror story of injustice Jan 17, 2013 12:00 AM
You can't help but come away from Amy Berg's documentary "West of Memphis" disturbed and even devastated by the failure of the American judicial system to administer fairness and proper justice to its own citizens. Dann calls this "the best horror story of the year so far." He also interviews Damien Echols, of the three teens convicted of the 1993 murders of three little boys in Arkansas.
Bond, Ben and Bigelow snubbed by OscarsJan 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Sorry James Bond. After 50 years of faithful service to the movies, you still didn't make it to the Big Dance with “Skyfall,” your best shot at a best picture Oscar nomination in the series' history. (Academy voters opted to nominate nine films for best picture, although they could have added a tenth.) This was one of four big snubs at the Academy Awards nominations announcements Thursday.