The Chicago Traveler

September 6th, 2008

Road Trip to Three Oaks’ Elm Street

I’m a big fan of road trips, allowing you to see small towns and businesses you might miss when traveling by plane. Even though my last long drive wasn’t exactly planned, there were still many parts of it that were enjoyable.
Once or twice a month, I visit family members who live in southwestern Michigan. Along […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

July 25th, 2008

Friday Film: Save the Last Dance

Many films that appeal to the young-adult audience are full of clichés and what I call “after-school-special” romanticisms. While Save the Last Dance is not an incredible film, it does present characters that are a little closer to reality than the stereotypes too many movies rely upon.

Save the Last Dance (2001)

Directed by:
Thomas Carter

Produced by:
Robert W. […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

July 17th, 2008

Chicago Sets the Scene as Gotham City

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 […]

By Matt B -- 4 comments

June 20th, 2008

Friday Film: Roll Bounce

One of the things that I never quite got the hang of was skating, in any form. One of my first experiences was actually at a roller rink not too far from where I live now. Some of you locals may remember the Rainbo, which had a long history in entertainment. (It’s since been torn […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

May 30th, 2008

Friday Film: High Fidelity

Earlier today, I mentioned that Hollywood has come to Chicago to film a new movie near the Biograph. This historic theatre, along with several other Chicago landmarks, also appears in the 2000 film High Fidelity.

High Fidelity (2000)

Directed by:
Stephen Frears

Produced by:
Tim Bevan
Rudd Simmons

Starring:
John Cusack
Iben Hjejle
Todd Louiso
Jack Black
Lisa Bonet
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Joan Cusack
Tim Robbins

Distributed by:
Touchstone Pictures

All Movie Guide
IMDb
Amazon.com

The movie, […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

May 29th, 2008

Weekend Quickies

• The annual German festival Mayfest is stuffed with plenty of brats, beer, and bands. The official opening ceremony on Friday features a traditional keg tapping and May Queen crowning. Prost! (May 29-June 1)
• The 24th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival is three days of more than 50 performances on three stages in Millennium Park. […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

May 11th, 2008

Mother’s Day 2008

To all you moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day! Here’s hoping you all get exactly what you want and deserve… more sleep!
(Yes, that is a picture of my mother and me, about 25 years ago.)
• The Music Box Theatre hosts a Joan Crawford look-alike contest before a special Mother’s Day screening of Mommie Dearest. Tickets […]

By Matt B -- 3 comments

May 8th, 2008

Weekend Stuff

• Jim Jeffries, an Australian comedian whose R-rated humor has headlined the Edinburgh Fringe and Just for Laughs, performs at the Lakeshore Theatre. (May 8-9)
• At the new exhibit Smart Home: Green + Wired, visitors can explore a real, three-story sustainable “green” home in the Museum of Science and Industry’s backyard featuring energy-saving techniques and […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

April 25th, 2008

Friday Film: The Negotiator

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 […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

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