Next Wednesday the Instituto Cervantes presents a fascinating evening of Buster Keaton, including a screening of one of our all-time favorite movies Sherlock Jr. The sad-eyed Buster created a film that was post-modern before "modern" even existed: he plays a projectionist who eventually steps into the very movie he's showing, in the process solving a crime that's taken place in the onscreen world. It's a hilarious movie that's also unexpectedly poignant, and it's been appropriated by countless filmmakers including Buñuel and Woody Allen. more ›

Next Wednesday the City Council is expected to approve an ordinance that will ban smoking in all restaurants, bars, and all of Chicago's indoor public spaces. If approved, the ban would go into effect on April 1, 2006 - that's 2 weeks after St. Pat's day, so don't worry about the freedom to smoke your lungs out on that holiday. And it's not an April Fools joke! more ›