Ryan Allen’s previous bands Thunderbirds Are Now! and Friendly Foes were lauded but terribly under-appreciated. The through-line between all those projects was Allen’s uncanny knack for mining impossibly catchy hooks […]
For those currently enamored with director John Carpenter’s original 1978 Halloween, you’ll likely be even more impressed (and definitely more terrified) by what was his follow-up feature, 1980’s The Fog […]
I’m sure I’m not the first person to make this statement, but there is quite simply no actor on the planet more suited to play the late author/playwright/literary genius Oscar […]
From the opening frames of Border, the second feature from Iranian-born, Danish-dwelling filmmaker Ali Abbasi (Shelley), we know something isn’t quite normal. Set in Sweden, the film is part human […]
Lincoln Hall hosted Chicago’s Sore History and Philadelphia’s Empath and Swearin’ last week. Three-band bills are perfect, especially when there’s a local band you’ve never heard of supporting touring bands, one I […]
When you’re a kid, becoming a part of something is often the most important thing in your life, especially when the social constructs that most of us take for granted—family, […]
I’ll fully admit that I’m not a subscriber to the “so bad it’s good” school of terrible movies, but Hunter Killer might just slide into that category whether I want […]
What They Had is a wonderful film. There’s no use burying the lede on Chicagoan Elizabeth Chomko’s writing and directing debut. The script won the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting […]
The Dirty Nil are a trio out of Canada, but their noise is anything but polite. Most groups of this configuration mine the blues for source material—whatever you do, don’t […]
HotLips Messiah is a Chicago quartet well known for their raucous live sets, led by their mesmerizing singer Traci Trouble. In a band where every member is careening around the […]
When Dark Souls was announced for Nintendo Switch, I was pretty hyped. Not only was I excited for the prospect of a remaster (you can read my review of the […]
Adventure Stage Chicago is fighting for good again, in this 15th season of its existence, by working to eradicate hunger specifically, and to disrupt generational poverty. Everyone loves a theater with […]