A classic's a classic (above). But just in case you were thinking about sitting through the latest CGI remake, here's a bad review review from local critics: more ›

Movie attendance is down 10% this year. Bad word of mouth when it comes to this year's mainstream releases perhaps? Moviemaking competitions are a great way to put our money where our mouths are, and here are some worth shooting for: more ›

Can Mike Madigan and Rod Blagojevich please, please get a reality show? That way, when they have a "nonproductive" meeting like they did today, we have a full serving of drama to go with our intense disappointment and frustration? Today's meeting, between Blago, Madigan, Mayor Daley and state legislative leaders, was an attempt to make progress on the state transit funding...oh, let's call it an "issue." (Clusterfuck? Mess? Problem? Bargaining chip? Dick-wagging contest? All... more ›

Over on Kid Nation, the episode focused on money and greed, as the Council receives directions to go to an abandoned, bat-infested mine (eee!), where they discover a treasure chest full of the town's currency, buffalo nickels. Faced with the decision of distributing the cash among the kids or buying items that the town can collectively share, the Council takes the "big government" approach, buying toys for the town. Shockingly, the kids are A-OK with... more ›

Luis Buñuel once wrote, "A film is like an involuntary imitation of a dream; as in dreams, images appear and disappear through dissolves and shadows, time and space become flexible, shrinking and expanding at will." A film is like a dream ... or a nightmare. Why do we, as viewers, sitting in the dark, voluntarily subject ourselves to disturbing images and sounds? Do the horrors of the real world help to explain the popularity... more ›

We've never been terribly skittish around spiders or snakes, but if you put a mite, tick or any other insect that could be referred to as a "pest" near us we'll probably go apeshit. The movies and books about "Microscopic Monsters" gave us the night terrors, which basically meant we couldn't go outside because of the chance of catching Lyme Disease and going nuts like that one girl on the Real World who got slapped,... more ›

We painfully remember a certain teacher at our high school that was completely and utterly against giving out passes to students to use the bathroom. Our syllabus at the beginning of the course had an entire page dedicated the many ways he planned on not letting miss days, let alone minutes, of his Marine Biology class. Which, on more than occasion, included watching Hawaii 5-0. We shit you not. The class, what we like to... more ›

Chances are that if you frequent a tavern, you'll eventually find yourself in the middle of a beer promotion, usually entailing scantily clad women giving away free beer and tchotchkes you normally wouldn't buy with money found on the street. However, you were taught not to look a gift horse in the mouth, and free beer is free beer. Such was the case of Ed Evashenke, a retired machinist collecting disability, living on a fixed... more ›

Ever wanted to be in the movies? Well here’s your chance. Fresh Films, a national filmmaking project for teens, is holding a casting call this Sunday for a short film. Needed are males and females in their early twenties; a total of five roles are up for grabs. More info here but it says that previous experience is not required. A casting director as well as the teen filmmakers themselves will be present. The completed films will be judged by a jury of professionals, including industry heavyweights such as actor John Lithgow and Katherine Brooks of MTV’s “The Real World.” The experimental short film being made here in Chicago is described as a comedy about Lucifer’s son. more ›

After serving 60 days of his 120-day sentence, the Bears' Tank Johnson was released from Cook County Jail early Sunday morning. His sentence was reduced for "good behavior" during his time incarcerated, which included a private cell and nearly 100 visits from family, friends and teammates. Maybe Tank could call up Paris Hilton and tell her jail ain't so bad! While serving his time for probation violations, Johnson pleaded guilty to the gun charges that... more ›

Spring is when we get busy here in the Ist-A-Verse. Very busy. But, after staying bundled-up indoors all winter, it's nice for us to be out, about, and collecting things to write about for you. Here's a glimpse at what's been keeping your favorite citybloggers busily away from home and out of bed. For LAist, strong winds attacked LA on the same day the Feds raided the Crips. Not to fear, though: the Japanese... more ›

There are a lot of rules at Viet Hoa Plaza, which really isn’t a plaza but an Oriental market on Argyle. The signs posted throughout the store inform shoppers that since there are no refunds, returns or exchanges — exceptions are made for defective rice cookers, and thermo and hot pots — they should inspect all items before leaving. Just in case you didn’t get that, rule No. 4 states that “All sales final.” Are we clear on that? And don’t even think about writing a check — rule No. 5 — but these days we don’t know anyone who does. more ›

We beg Flannery O’Connor’s forgiveness from the great beyond for that headline, but a few tidbits we stumbled across recently just go to show that, in the weird world of TV, all paths eventually cross. You just can’t make this stuff up: Tonya Cooley of MTV’s “Real World Chicago” has gone soft-core, appearing in the Cinemax opus The Erotic Traveler 02: Lost in Ecstasy. (We would argue that “Real World” is itself soft-core, but what... more ›

Our resident jaunter had to up and leave town suddenly this weekend, but we will try our best to fill you in on happenings for today. Despite the January blahs, there's quite a bit of stuff going on. Fox & Obel, they of upscale food market fame, are holding a free chocolate tasting from 1-5 p.m. The chocolate in question is Schokinag, of which drinking chocolate will also be available (mm!). Strap on the feedbag... more ›

As 2006 ends and 2007 begins, the -ists look back not at the past week, but at the past year. So here it is, your Best of 2006 Spectacular. And from all of us at the -ists, happy New Year! Austinist was all about controversy as new construction to increase urban density ran rampant in 2006, as did threats to the city's image from gigantic corporations looking to set up shop in town, leading... more ›

This was not a very happy week for the -ist network as one of our own, Phillyist co-editor Star C. Foster, passed away early in the week. Her wit, intelligence, and good nature shone through the site, making Phillyist an immensely fun read. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. Phillyist paid tribute to her this week with a heartfelt letter to her and an obituary. And now, the awkward... more ›

In a perplexing marketing move, some of the cast of The Real World Denver will be at Crobar on Friday for a “Premiere and Holiday Party.” Now, we’re not here to make fun of the higher-ups at MTV for having a premiere party three weeks after the actual premiere. We’re not even here to poke fun at Colie for making out with Alex and thinking they were actually going “steady.” And we’re still not here... more ›

Quick, check your music collection. Is there any Toto in it? No? Don't be so sure about that. According to the band's website, late drummer Jeff Porcaro alone has played on hundreds of famous albums throughout the decades. Got any Madonna or Celine Dion? How about Chicagoist favorites, Richard Marx and Michael McDonald? Phew, right? You've escaped ... except the hand of Toto has also touched the likes of Pink Floyd's The Wall and even... more ›

If the CTA seemed a little more crowded at 6:46 yesterday morning then perhaps it’s because the U.S. just passed the 300 million mark in total population. Or maybe it was last week. more ›

"California Stop" via ankylosaur more ›

"Harold's Chicken-Fish-Shrimp" via Don Sorsa in Contribute. more ›

When Chicagoist was in college, our friends who had to stay for a fifth year called it "Taking the Victory Lap." They'd spend a year taking six hours a semester, hitting on underclassmen at the bars, sleeping most of the day, and drinking and smoking most of the night. Come to think of it, that's kind of how they got to that fifth year in the first place. It's a time-honored tradition for career students afraid or unwilling to leave the comfy, hedonistic nest of college and enter the real world. Faced with the scary costs of a college education these days, Mayor Daley is suggesting that high school students be given a chance to take their own fifth-year victory lap. more ›

Chicagoist can't help but be a little proud when one of our hometown own grows up and takes a step towards being a self-sufficient, independent adult out in the real world. No, little Johnny did not get his driver's license, nor did little Buffy have her sweet sixteen (complete with an authentic rap-star). Instead, one of our own hometown tech startups took a big step toward becoming a real grown up company by devouring another.... more ›

Chicagoist loves the live music. We love it even better when it's free. Columbia College Chicago is giving us these two great tastes in one great fest. They are putting on the Manifest Urban Arts Festival tomorrow to showcase the graduating students' work (before they are forced to give up their dreams, go out into the real world, and get a job). We are focusing on the music performances in this post, while the more... more ›

Tonight's edition of the Midwest Independent Film Festival will be featuring the Chicago premiere of a few new short comedy films. more ›

Gary "Elvis" Schepers is one of those cogs in Chicago's music scene that works tirelessly and is never noticed. Gary plays the rock tuba with Devil In A Woodpile and also works as the sound guy at many venues and for a veritable who's who of the last 20 years. He worked with The Service before they reincarnated into the New Duncan Imperials, Material Issue and Uncle Tupelo and at Lounge Ax, Empty Bottle, the... more ›

When Chicagoist first set eyes on Andreas Gursky’s monumental-scale photography at the Museum of Contemporary Art's 2002 Summer Solstice, we had no idea that one impressive but rather unassuming photo would today rest at the center of controversy. Avenue of the Americas (pictured below) compresses a row of apartment buildings into a space approximately 7 x 11 feet while somehow maintaining their grand presence. Needless to say, this isn’t the type of work that you or I could easily shoot in our spare time and even the largest monitors in Chicago can’t adequately replicate the real thing. more ›

While reading the news this morning, Chicagoist saw one more reminder of why we’re glad we went to a state school. The Tribune and Sun-Times are reporting Julita Groszko, 31. was “charged with two counts of aggravated arson, three counts of attempted aggravated arson and felony criminal damage to property” after allegedly setting fires on the University of Chicago’s campus. Upon questioning, she revealed to police that she set the fires because the work at... more ›

Maybe you've maxed out your credit cards donating to hurricane victims. Maybe you've been concerned about all those other charities being ignored in the deluge of relief. Or maybe you just haven't gotten off your ass and need to alleviate all that guilt. Whatever your motivations, we've found plenty of ways for you to do good while being entertained, cultured, or even freaked out. more ›

Are you in the mood for glamming it up for a sugar boost? Chicagoist has got the place. more ›