Now that the Chicago International Film Festival is over, we can finally turn our attention to some homegrown cinematic delights. Currently showing at the Siskel for a week-long run is Joe Swanberg's dramedy Hannah Takes the Stairs. A microbudgeted movie shot in Logan Square, it's been taking the festival circuit by storm and garnering write-ups in the New York Times. Despite his movie's acclaim, Swanberg himself, according to a new article in the Reader, is... more ›

Once again, we would like to take a brief moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. more ›

Drum roll please ... here's a list of advertisers this week on Chicagoist. Sarah Silverman Program, who has new episodes starting in October. Look Me In the Eye, in bookstores on September 25. Busted Tees, which is still having a sale with free shipping if you buy three shirts. If you, or anyone you might know, wants to be on this list, the first place to start is our online mediakit, featuring Chicagoist and the... more ›

Austinist gets arty with an interactive guide to SXSW, loved some local art galleries and a new art exhibit and lamented the possible loss of "Friday Night Lights" production to New Mexico. Bostonist was happy they finally found an Anna Nicole Smith connection to their fair city and that an Apple Store was opening up. They were less happy that new rules have been established limiting underage shows and that their Governor is spending... more ›

We here at the Chicagoist offices like to play the “who’s overrated?” game. We usually start off with a rousing “ANGELINA JOLIE!”; and then do a quick step to “Bill Gates!”; and then one final “Julia Roberts!” and we’re done. It’s a fun game, but we just keep saying the same answers over and over again. Now we’ve got help. Henry Owings has a new book called “The Overrated Book”. “The Overrated Book” has roughly... more ›

We’ve already told you about the weekly tapings of locally produced NPR hit Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me. We decided to attend yesterday's taping when we heard that Sarah Silverman was to be a call-in guest, since we honestly can’t get enough of that gal. Though we do admit to being totally mystified as to why a woman that cool is dating Jimmy Kimmel. Ah, those vexing mysteries of life. We arrived at the taping... more ›

With everyone here at the Chicagoist offices still feeling a bit hungover from the holidays, we’re not quite ready to return to work. The people at Schubas’ are of the same mindset. Tomorrow they’re hosting their Fifth Annual New Year’s Rehab Night with free DVD screenings of Wedding Crashers and The Aristocrats. While we didn’t think Crashers held up as well on a second viewing, The Aristocrats is worth seeing again if only to decide... more ›

If you were to compare the museums of Chicago with people you went to high school with then The Museum of Contemporary Art would be the kid in black clothes who mutters “This is bullshit” under his or her breath during pep rallies. You know, the one who always made it a point to mention oppressive CIA-supported regimes whenever you discussed the American Revolution in your U.S. Government classes. But here’s the thing: you needed... more ›