Perhaps it is the image of Jennifer Hudson walking down the red carpet at the Academy Awards, but we've been getting inundated with talk of the event. The barrage has had its affect though, we have some Oscar related events for you this weekend, well except for one that involves vintage beer drinking, but we all need a break some time. We are all about gluttony and package deals this weekend, enjoy! We would suggest... 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 ›

This week, the Chicago Film Critics announced its nominations for the best films and cinematic performances of the past year. Babel picked up nine nominations, while The Departed and The Queen followed with six. As usual, the CFCA made some unconventional choices: Maggie Gyllenhaal picked up a nod for her work in the largely ignored Sherrybaby, and an adapted screenplay nomination went to A Prairie Home Companion. The CFCA also fueled the comebacks of Ben... more ›

Roger Ebert posted his first review today since he began recovery four months ago after undergoing surgery for salivary cancer. And we couldn’t be happier. Maybe that makes us “boosterish,” but we are. True to the honesty that’s been a hallmark of his reviews for the past 40 years, Ebert posted a lengthy description of his recent illness and rehabilitation. He notes that he doesn’t remember much more than “fragmentary episodes” from July and August... more ›

We all have our guilty pleasures. Here at Chicagoist, our guilty pleasures range from "America’s Next Top Model" (starts tonight! Set your TiVos), to Suzy Q’s, to dressing up like K-Fed and singing “Hit Me Baby One More Time” with a fake baby at our teat. But if you want us to get specific and tell you about our literary guilty pleasures, then let us introduce you to the amazingly fun reads of Phillipa Gregory. more ›

In the biggest celebrity-related Chicago film news story since Crazy Tom Cruise hit town to kiss-and-make-up with Uncle Steven, the organizers of the Chicago International Film Festival announced that their annual lifetime achievement award will go to Dustin Hoffman. This year’s fest will run from October 5th through the 19th and will screen Hoffman’s Stranger Than Fiction, which lensed here back in May and co-stars Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. It was written... more ›