The Chicago Traveler

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

Weekend Stuff (July 18-20, 2008)

• The Pitchfork Music Festival is a 3-day event featuring over 40 independent bands and artists on three stages at Union Park. (July 18-20)
• Two stages of live music entertain thousands of visitors at the Old St. Patrick’s World’s Largest Block Party. Tickets include five drinks (bottled water, soda, wine, beer). (July 18-19)
• The Chicago […]

By Matt B -- 2 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

July 7th, 2008

It’s Always Movie Night at River East Center

If you’ve ever caught a movie downtown, you’ve probably been to River East Center. This skyscraper was completed in 2001 and stands 644 feet tall (196 m) with 58 floors. The original design called for 4 small spires at the edge of each side of the roof and would have made the tower Chicago’s tallest […]

By Matt B -- 0 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

June 13th, 2008

Friday Film: Stir of Echoes

For many of us, our daily lives consist of coffee, going to work, come home for dinner, watching television, and going to bed, only to wake up to do it all over again the next day. Some people long for a life less ordinary. The 1999 thriller Stir of Echoes shows just how appreciative we […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

June 5th, 2008

Weekend Events

I’ll be heading out of town this weekend, but for those of you staying here in Chicago, you’ve got lots to look forward to.
• The 11th Annual Chicago Improv Festival takes place at various locations and includes performances by Paul Scheer, Jack McBrayer, and John Lutz. (ends June 8)
• The largest free outdoor blues event […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

June 4th, 2008

Gay Documentary Debuts in Chicago

June is Gay Pride Month, and it’s already off to an excellent start. Last night, a brand new documentary premiered on Chicago’s public television station, WTTW. Out & Proud in Chicago draws attention to 150 years of the city’s GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) history. From the Civil War to today, the documentary details […]

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 30th, 2008

Quiet on the Set!

Are you a fan of Johnny Depp or Chicago’s infamous gangster, John Dillinger? A new movie, Public Enemies, is currently being filmed in Lincoln Park. This neighborhood is the home of the historic Biograph Theatre (near the Red Lion Pub), where the criminal was pointed out by the “Lady in Red” and (allegedly) met his […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments