The Chicago Traveler

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 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

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

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

All Movie Guide
IMDb
Amazon.com

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

January 11th, 2008

Friday Film: The Grudge 2

I’ll come right out and say it: I don’t watch a lot of horror films. It’s not because I don’t enjoy being spooked on occasion. I watch a lot of television about supposed paranormal activity, and I’ve read plenty of books by Stephen King, Clive Barker, etc. But, in my opinion, many horror films take […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

January 10th, 2008

Weekend Stuff

• Can you shake your booty to a Latin beat? Club 720 holds a weekly salsa competition where winners advance to the finals in the hopes of earning the $2500 cash prize. (runs through Feb 15)
• Those handsome Chicago calendar firemen will be hitting the town again, this time at Crobar. They’ll be signing autographs, […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

December 28th, 2007

Friday Film: Brannigan

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

All Movie Guide
IMDb
Amazon.com

John […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

November 8th, 2007

Reeling 2007

This weekend features Reeling 2007: the 26th Annual Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival. From comedies to documentaries to dramas, the pink carpet is rolling out for 11 days of nearly 70 amazing films from over 28 countries. Reeling is the second-oldest film festival of its kind in the U.S., showcasing the best gay, […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments