Review: SALES & Hana Vu Delighted a Sold-Out Lincoln Hall

Upon walking into Lincoln Hall for the SALES show earlier this week, I could tell that this was going to be fun. A feverish fan base already dominated the floor, […]

Julian Ramirez /
Rodents of Unusual Size

Review: Rodents of Unusual Size Is Part Cautionary Tale, Part Folksy Yarn

Welcome to a nature documentary that may test the limits for even the most devoted animal lover. It may not be exactly accurate to call Rodents of Unusual Size a […]

Steve Prokopy /
Let the Corpses Tan

Review: As Bizarre As It Is Thrilling, Let the Corpses Tan Is a Must-See for Horror Fans

I’m convinced there’s something in the Belgian water supply that makes its filmmakers see and think a bit differently than the rest of us. Too often lumped in with their […]

Steve Prokopy /
Tea With Dames

Review: Endlessly Entertaining, Make Time for Tea with the Dames

I’m sure I will see better, more elaborately structured and edited documentaries this year than director Roger Michell’s (Notting Hill, My Cousin Rachel) Tea with the Dames, but I doubt […]

Steve Prokopy /
BLAZE

Review: Music, Booze and a Big Heart in Story of Blaze

The life of Texas singer/songwriter Blaze Foley isn’t that complicated, but he left behind a stash of largely unknown songs that were discovered and heralded by certain outlaw country heroes, […]

Steve Prokopy /
Smallfoot

Review: Surprisingly Layered, Musical Smallfoot Is Still Forgettable

In a completely unexpected turn in the animation world, the latest work from Karey Kirkpatrick (Over the Hedge, and a credited screenwriter on Chicken Run) and co-director Jason Reisig seems […]

Steve Prokopy /
Pick of the Litter

Review: How Puppies Become Guide Dogs In Wonderfully Warm-Hearted Pick Of The Litter

If the woes of the world have you feeling down, I suggest sneaking away for an hour and a half this weekend to treat yourself to Pick of the Litter, easily […]

Lisa Trifone /

Review: Dear Brutus Is a Solid Return for a J.M. Barrie Classic

When most people hear J.M. Barrie, they think Peter Pan: flying children, one-handed pirates, and ticking crocodiles. I should know, I’ve performed in a retelling of Peter Pan. Well, Peter has had […]

James Brod /
Colette

Review: Lush Period Piece Colette Glosses Over Early French Feminist’s True Impact

Keira Knightly has made something of a name for herself in period pieces, from Lizzie Bennett in Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, to one half of the […]

Lisa Trifone /

Preview: The Psychedelic Sam Evian to Electrify Evanston’s SPACE

Sam Evian’s mantra is “this is you, forever.” He chants this on the title track of his last album, You, Forever, which indie label Saddle Creek released this summer. The […]

Colin S. Smith /

Review: Rina Sawayama Spreads the 102040 Virus in Chicago

British-Japanese singer, model, and all-around talent, Rina Sawayama, performed at Chicago’s Subterranean as part of her second US tour – dubbed Ordinary Superstar Tour. Despite it only being her second […]

Pearl Shin /

Brave Space, Chicago’s New Circus Show, Opens October 6

Chicago, the incubator for the arts, hosts many interesting and experimental productions, hatching seasoned comedians from its thriving Improv scene, and Hollywood actors from its storefront theaters. But a lesser […]

Kim Campbell /