Atlas Sells: Why the New Ayn Rand Movie Is Popular
Critics can’t stand “Atlas Shrugged: Part 1.” Insiders think it should be a flop. But a cursory look at the numbers suggests that the film is bulletproof, just like a certain epic about taxation.
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Four Plays and a Concert, Plus Lara Miller’s Plans
This Week’s Five: A Pulitzer winner hits the Loop … a retooled Chicago classic returns home … plus, what the fashion designer Lara Miller is doing this weekend
Three Videos on the Creative Process
Paul Bloom on how pleasure works; Mike Dean (Kanye’s engineer) on technology and music; and Jim Coudal, John Gruber, and Michael Lopp on the writing process.
Five Questions for Richard Babcock
The outgoing Chicago editor answers readers’ questions. Here, his favorite stories, advice for young editors, memorable reader feedback, and more…
Bound for Glory
More than anything, Leon Forrest wanted to be recognized as a great writer. Now, ravaged by cancer, he raced death to finish his final novel
Are You Ready for This Jelly?
This Week’s Five: Bloodless bodies at the Shedd … debauched rockers at the Music Box … peerless bluegrass at Auditorium Theatre … plus, what Matt Rucins, the longtime booker for Schubas and Lincoln Hall, is doing this weekend
The First Movie Ever Shot in Chicago
See Chicago’s law-enforcement splendor on parade circa 1896, captured by the first man to ever shoot with a moving camera, and who beat Edison to our town by a few months.
Whoopi’s ‘White Noise,’ Sarah Vowell
This Week’s Five: White Noise at the Royal George … Joe Lovano at Jazz Showcase … CHIRP Record Fair returns … plus, what Sarah Vowell is doing this Wednesday and two don’t-miss gallery openings
Sarah Vowell on Chicago Architecture, Buildings as Friends, and How No One is as Uptight as Frank Lloyd Wright
We talked to Sarah Vowell—author, This American Life alumna, and recipient of an M.A. in art history from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago—for this week’s Chicago Guide newsletter. Here, more from our conversation with Vowell, who’ll be reading from her new book on the history of Hawaii, Unfamiliar Fishes, tonight at 7 p.m. in Oak Park…
Should You Feel Guilty About Being Interested in Charlie Sheen?
How to turn away leisurely from the disaster that is the My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not An Option tour, which is currently plowing its unfortunate way across the nation.