Weekend: SouthtownStar entertainment calendar

weekend

‘Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective’ at Art Institute

Andy Warhol famously said, “I like boring things.” Roy Lichtenstein, the world’s second most famous Pop artist but arguably the better one, painted boring things. He did it in a way that made the whole world notice, and therein lies the paradox of Pop art …

Calculating odds not always simple

There’s a coincidence of arithmetic about double-zero roulette that once led a reader to a minor confusion about the house edge. If you’re making the wagers with even-money payoffs, including red/black, odd/even and first 18/last 18, the house wins 52.63 percent of the time. If …

Few laughs in ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’

★★

If only “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” had focused on the dads’ group instead of dropping in on them a handful of times, we might have been onto something.

Chris Rock, Thomas Lennon and Rob Huebel portray some of the dudes who meet …

Brookfield Zoo brings in ‘Xtreme Bugs’

Small but mighty. That’s the way Brookfield Zoo’s new “Xtreme Bugs” exhibit looks at insects.

Through larger-than-life animatronic animals and live insects, “Xtreme Bugs” spotlights the critical roles these diminutive creatures play in the environment, culture and the global economy.

The temporary exhibit showcasing 22 …

Crowd Pleasers for May 18, 2012

Here is a look at crowd pleasers in the Southland. Events include Ladies High Tea in Orland Park and Woofstock in Mokena.

Hot Picks: Cirque Shanghai’s ‘Year of the Dragon’

Here is a look at top events you won’t want to miss. Suggestions include Cirque Shanghai’s “Year of the Dragon” at Navy Pier.

Ticket Line for May 18, 2012

Here is a look at events with tickets going on sale soon. Shows include Toby Keith at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.

Review: Baron Cohen’s ‘The Dictator’ least-focused yet

★1/2

In analyzing Sacha Baron Cohen and the array of offbeat characters he’s created, it’s clear that it’s become a matter of diminishing returns.

In 2006’s “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” the observations of his bumbling, thoroughly inappropriate …

Playing Live for May 18, 2012

Here is a look at music events in the Southland. Shows include the System’s Bob Seger tribute concert at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago and Village Voices’ annual concert in Downers Grove.

Review: ‘Battleship’ loud, dumb but stays afloat

★★1/2

“Battleship” is big, dumb fun that knows it’s big, dumb fun and enthusiastically embraces its big, dumb fun nature.

Director Peter Berg has crafted an almost fetishistic homage to Michael Bay.

Like Bay’s “Transformers” series, “Battleship” is yet another action extravaganza inspired by a …

Casting Call for May 18, 2012

Here is a look at open auditions in the Southland. Casting Calls include Apostle Christian Theatre’s “If the Good Lord’s Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise” in Chicago Heights and Demi Lobo’s Most Talented Under 12 auditions in Dixmoor.

BACinema to screen ‘The Kid with a Bike’

The weekly film series at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago, continues May 23 with the 7:30 p.m. showing of “The Kid with a Bike.”

Directed by Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne, the movie stars Thomas Doret, Cecile de France and Jeremie Renier. …

Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra hosts Southland native Morris

When Janet Kuester picked up a newspaper and read that Quinton Morris, a nationally acclaimed chamber musician and teacher, was originally from Park Forest, she said, “I about fell over.”

Kuester is the current artistic director of the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra, which is based …

Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Home Tour returns

Beautiful and varied vintage homes make Chicago’s Beverly and Morgan Park communities unique.

Six outstanding private homes and a historic church will be opened to visitors on May 20 for the Beverly Area Planning Association’s 42nd annual Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Home Tour.

All tours will …