The Chicago Traveler

One of my favorite superheroes as a kid was the Caped Crusader, Batman. And I’m certainly not alone. This weekend, everyone is looking forward to the premiere of the latest film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman series: The Dark Knight.
Chicagoans will notice that Gotham City looks very familiar. While the movie avoids recognizable landmarks like Wrigley Field or Sears Tower, locals will be able to distinguish several Chicago locations. Be on the lookout for the canyon of skyscrapers at LaSalle and Monroe Streets (near the Chicago Board of Trade Building) and Bruce Wayne’s penthouse in Hotel 71. Key action scenes take …read more

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The story is not a unique one: Hero Cop is loved by all his friends, except for one surly suspicious fellow. Suddenly, Hero Cop is framed for a crime and loses all his friends and his honor. Hero Cop decides to take the law into his own hands to find “the truth.” However, powerhouses Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey prevent this classic story from becoming a predictable mess in The Negotiator.

The Negotiator (1998)

Directed by:
F. Gary Gray

Produced by:
David Hoberman
Arnon Milchan

Starring:
Samuel L. Jackson
Kevin Spacey
David Morse
Ron Rifkin
John Spencer
J.T. Walsh

Distributed by:
Warner Bros

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Released in 1998, The Negotiator follows Danny Roman (Samuel L. …read more

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Most of us are familiar with John Wayne, the film actor and American icon who epitomized rugged masculinity. He was closely associated with Westerns and war movies, but he stepped away from those standards in 1975 with Brannigan.

Brannigan (1975)

Directed by:
Douglas Hickox

Produced by:
Arthur Garnder
Jules Levy

Starring:
John Wayne
Richard Attenborough
Judy Geeson
Mel Ferrer
John Vernon
Ralph Meeker
Daniel Pilon

Distributed by:
United Artists

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John Wayne had turned down the title role in Dirty Harry, which went to Clint Eastwood. But after seeing the success of that film, Wayne decided to give gritty police thrillers a try. Brannigan casts “the Duke” as Detective Jim Brannigan, an Irish-American detective from Chicago …read more

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Directed by Michael Winner, Death Wish is a 1974 film based on the novel by Brian Garfield. Charles Bronson stars as Paul Kersey, a New York City liberal architect who takes the law into his own hands. While controversial and condemned by many critics for its heroic depiction of vigilantism, the film was a major success, generating four sequels over the next 20 years.

Death Wish (1974)

Directed by:
Michael Winner

Produced by:
Hal Landers
Bobby Roberts
Dino De Laurentiis

Starring:
Charles Bronson
Hope Lange
Vincent Gardenia
Steven Keats
William Redfield
Stuart Margolin
Stephen Elliott

Distributed by:
Paramount Pictures

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While Paul Kersey is away from home, three muggers break into his apartment, killing his wife and …read more

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One of pop culture’s most talked about mysteries is the disappearance of James Riddle “Jimmy” Hoffa. This labor leader and criminal convict wielded incredible influence as the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in the ‘50s and ‘60s. After serving a (commuted) sentence of 15 years for attempted bribery of a grand juror, he planned on reclaiming his power over the Teamsters. However, he disappeared from the parking lot of the Machus Red Fox Restaurant in Bloomingfield Hills, Michigan on July 30, 1975. And while authorities are pretty clear on who killed him and why, no one has ever …read more

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In this era of heightened security and polarizing politics, it’s no surprise that this week’s movie, filmed in Chicago and released just last year, was so controversial: Death of a President.

Death of a President (2006)

Directed by:
Gabriel Range

Produced by:
Simon Finch
Ed Guiney
Robin Gutch
Liza Marshall
Donall McCusker
Gabriel Range
Christina Varotsis

Starring:
Hend Ayoub
Brian Boland
Becky Ann Baker

Distributed by:
Newmarket Films

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This fictional documentary examines the assassination of 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush. Directed by British filmmaker Gabriel Range, the film uses archive footage and imaging software to effectively portray the shooting and explores such topics as civil disobedience, the reduction of civil liberties, just-war theory, and racial …read more

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I wanted to highlight a flick (filmed in Chicago) this week that was appropriate for the frightful season. I think I found the perfect choice in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

Directed by:
John McNaughton

Produced by:
Malik B. Ali
Waleed B. Ali
Lisa Dedmond
Steven A. Jones
John McNaughton

Starring:
Michael Rooker
Tom Toweles
Tracy Arnold

Distributed by:
Greycat Films

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When I first heard the title of this movie, I thought it was one of those B-grade slasher movies with so much cheesy gore it’s laughable. However, there’s absolutely nothing silly about this low-budget film, often just referred to as Henry. It is easily one …read more

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Chicago (2002)

Directed by:
Rob Marshall

Produced by:
Martin Richards

Starring:
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Renée Zellweger
Richard Gere
Queen Latifah
John C. Reilly
Lucy Liu
Taye Diggs
Colm Feore

Distributed by:
Miramax Films

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When many people think about movies and filming, they often think of Hollywood in Los Angeles or New York, and rightfully so. But Chicago can’t be left out, because it too has made a significant contribution to the film industry. So many great (and not-so-great) movies have been filmed here! I thought I would start documenting some of the best (and worst) flicks that have come through Chicago. If you’re in town, be on the lookout for a few locations that you …read more

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Once again, your expertise and observation skills have been called upon. You arrive at the scene: a cozy, peaceful neighborhood in the suburbs. But the serenity of this street has been compromised by the flashing lights of several emergency vehicles. They’ve been called to this horrible sight: a car has ran right through a house’s living room window. The driver is slumped over with his seatbelt on, his car door closed. Looking around the mess of a room, you find drops of blood and a questionable stain. Further investigation reveals shoeprints and handprints… of blood? Pizza sauce? Is this the …read more

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