Books+Film - News, Photos and More on the Windy Citizen

Bernie Mac hospitalized, "very very critical" due to pnuemonia

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:10:31 -0500

The suburban resident King of Comedy was hospitalized Friday, though his illness is believed to be unrelated to Mac's sarcoidosis disease that inflames lung tissue.

Tom Wolfe is 'The Right Stuff' for Public Library Program

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:59:55 -0500

The Chicago Public Library's citywide book club, One Book, One Chicago, announced its fall 2008 book selection Thursday -- "The Right Stuff" by Tom Wolfe. Wolfe's 1979 book tells the story of Project Mercury, NASA's first attempt to send a man into space.

Library officials say that "The Right Stuff," which will be promoted through events in August and October, will appeal to teens and adults, and that its themes of science, technology and innovation make it a timely selection.

Chicago's the setting for some sour gun porn

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:01:14 -0500

It'll be fun, up to a point, for Chicago audiences to see "Wanted." Russian director Timur Bekmambetov, who's now shooting the third in his "Night Watch" trilogy, filmed parts of his adaptation of the "Wanted" comic books on location in Wrigleyville, the Loop and other settings, and the results make our poor, beleaguered CTA trains look like they can fly like the wind.

Can you imagine an action sequence involving the "L" where the train moved at its actual top speed? The stunt people would die of boredom.

The Chicago-ness of "Wanted" is entertaining (though for the most part the city's stand-in is Prague), and the cast certainly tones things up, despite the glaring lack of muscle tone of its female star, Angelina Jolie.

Yet I sort of hated this picture.

If you went for "Sin City" or "Shoot 'Em Up," you'll probably enjoy "Wanted." I like my trash with a little less fetishism when it comes to instruments of slaughter.

Lincoln Park gets 1930s makeover for Dillinger movie

Fri, 30 May 2008 08:14:34 -0500

It is 1934 in parts of Lincoln Park this week as a movie crew works to recreate the look of the neighborhood as it was when bank robber John Dillinger was on the prowl. The movie, "Public Enemies," starring Johnny Depp as the infamous stick-up man, is being filmed in the 2400 block of North Lincoln Avenue through Friday.

Film Hero Mashup

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:49:49 -0500

Gapers Block dug up this gem from TimeOut Chicago::