The Chicago Traveler

April 18th, 2008

Friday Film: Wicker Park

There are hundreds of named neighborhoods in the city of Chicago. (PDF map) Due to gentrification, immigration, and even personal opinion, their borders often aren’t clear. Neighborhoods are rarely specifically-defined areas but rather are general areas. One of those neighborhoods was the namesake for a 2004 film, Wicker Park.

Wicker Park (2004)

Directed by:
Paul McGuigan

Produced by:
Andre Lamal
Gary […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

April 11th, 2008

Friday Film: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Many kids have faked an illness in order to stay home from school. That, however, would never work for me. My parents’ theory seemed to be: “Can you walk? Can you breathe? Then you’re going to school.” One famous fictional teenager gets away with it and decides that he’s not going to waste his day […]

By Matt B -- 3 comments

March 14th, 2008

Friday Film: Flatliners

One of many people’s greatest fears is death. What does it feel like? What happens afterward? Is there an afterlife? The characters in the film Flatliners are determined to find the answers to these questions.

Flatliners (1990)

Directed by:
Joel Schumacher

Produced by:
Rick Bieber
Michael Douglas

Starring:
Kiefer Sutherland
Julia Roberts
Kevin Bacon
William Baldwin
Oliver Platt

Distributed by:
Columbia Pictures

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Medical student Nelson (Kiefer Sutherland) plans […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

February 22nd, 2008

Friday Film: Diamonds Are Forever

After watching today’s flick, I have to admit that I didn’t see anything Chicagoan. However, several websites (including IMDb) attest that Chicago was one of the filming locations for Diamonds Are Forever, the seventh spy film of the British James Bond series. Despite the lack of a Chicago sighting, I am willing to justify viewing […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

February 15th, 2008

Friday Film: The Weather Underground

For the past few years, Americans have been barraged by propaganda, warning us against terrorists, demanding that we “protect our borders,” and “fight the war there so we won’t have to fight it here.” However, we (Americans) forget that most violent acts of terrorism begin right here at home: the Ku Klux Klan, Alpha 66, […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

February 1st, 2008

Friday Film: The Company

I enjoy dancing and seeing dance performances, but I’ll admit I’m usually at a loss when it comes to ballet. However, there are some incredibly beautiful pieces in The Company, a 2003 musical drama about the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. However, the film also makes sure to point out the pain behind the beauty, as […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

January 25th, 2008

Friday Film: Pretty in Pink

The ‘80s blessed us with so many wonderful things: huge shoulder pads, the DeLorean, and Molly Ringwald. Recently ranked #1 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Teen Stars, she and her Brat Pack crew embodied ‘80s adolescence in the U.S. in a number of teen-oriented films, including Pretty in Pink.

Pretty in Pink (1986)

Directed by:
Howard Deutch

Produced by:
Lauren Shuler

Starring:
Molly […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

January 25th, 2008

Friday Film: Space Jam

Ah, the early ‘90s. It was one of the best times in sports history to be a Chicagoan. Basketball had reached its popularity-peak in the U.S. as players like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, and John Stockton dominated the scene, attracting millions of fans. And above them all, a dynasty of kings […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

January 20th, 2008

You Suck!

I am, by no means, a morning person. I wake up very grumpy and disoriented, no matter how much sleep I may have had. I probably feel at my best in the afternoon and evening hours, and it’s not uncommon for me to stay up long past midnight. Some might even call me a creature […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

January 18th, 2008

Friday Film: Captain Ron

When I think of Kurt Russell, I think action, adventure, explosions, gunfights… that’s why I was a bit thrown to see him as the main character in a comedy.

Captain Ron (1992)

Directed by:
Thom Eberhardt

Produced by:
David Permut
Ric Rondell
Paige Simpson
Ralph Winter

Starring:
Kurt Russell
Martin Short
Mary Kay Place

Distributed by:
Touchstone Pictures

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In the 1992 film Captain Ron, Chicago businessman Martin Harvey […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments