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Whitney Houston, dead at 48, will be remembered at Grammy’s

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:10:48 -0600

Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, was found dead of unknown causes Saturday in a Beverly Hills hotel room. Chicago singer Jennifer Hudson will perform a tribute to Houston, 48, at Sunday’s Grammys.

Kadner: He enjoys sound of silence in a modern movie theater

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:11:42 -0600

I knew what was going to happen even before my wife and I left the house to see “The Artist” at the Marcus Theaters in Orland Park. Only a few weeks earlier, we had traveled to the same location to watch another movie. People seated nearby loudly talked about their personal lives throughout the film. They unwrapped snacks packed in plastic bags they had brought from home. They asked each other questions about the movie because they had obviously not been paying attention at crucial times. So I knew it was going to be worse this time because “The Artist” …

Elaborating on Entertainment: R.I.P., Whitney Houston

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:57:44 -0600

What a shock it was to hear about Whitney Houston’s death. As music fans around the world await more news about exactly what happened, I’m remembering how much I loved the singer back in the day.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra presents ‘No Place Like Home’

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:16:35 -0600

Reputation and location. Those have proven to be the strengths of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra in its search for a new director. The IPO will perform its sixth concert under a guest conductor on Feb. 11-12 as Markand Thakar takes the baton for a diverse program titled “No Place Like Home.,” Featuring works by great composers reflecting their heritage, the concerts will be at the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center in Frankfort on Feb. 11 and at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel in Palos Heights on Feb. 12. “I saw the opening (for a conductor) last year and I knew …

Southland selections for a sweet Valentine’s Day

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:16:25 -0600

There are a number of Crowd Pleasers that one can check out to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a loved one or simply to have some fun while flying solo. Suggestions include dining, music and theater.

‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ sinks Verne’s isle in 3-D muck

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:17:12 -0600

★1/2 There’s little mystery about “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” This 3-D sort-of sequel wears its formula-for-dollars purpose with pride, delivering a dash of cinematic nonsense that represents Hollywood calculation at its shrewdest and most shameless. Again poking Jules Verne’s remains with a sharp stick, the producers of the 2008 hit “Journey to the Center of the Earth” present their second modern take on the 19th century fantasist’s wild stories. And “Mysterious Island” is every bit the amusement park ride cloaked as a movie that the first “Journey” was, the new flick stranding a misfit band of adventurers on Verne’s …

Romantic drama ‘Big Miracle’ unwieldy but has suspense

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:17:01 -0600

★★1/2 If a movie knows it’s cheesy — if it embraces the soft, gooey texture and pungent aroma of its own fromage — does that make it any more palatable as a meal? That is the question to ponder while watching “Big Miracle,” a rousing, feel-good, family-friendly animal adventure, which has the added benefit of being based on a true story. It’s a weird hodgepodge, mixing the large cast and the melodrama of a 1970s disaster movie with the small-town quirkiness of the TV show “Northern Exposure,” with just a touch of the big-haired ambition of the film “Broadcast News.” …

American English strives for Beatles perfection

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:17:38 -0600

American English has gone through several lineup changes over the years, but Eric Michaels has been a pretty consistent presence in the Beatles tribute band. The guy who portrays Paul McCartney estimates he has been actively playing in American English for 20 years. That’s a whole lotta renditions of “She Loves You,” “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude.” Does Michaels ever get tired of singing Beatles tunes? “Never,” the imitator said. Doling out pristine copycat versions from the ample Fab Four catalog has allowed Michaels and his bandmates to see the world. For instance, the lads just returned from Australia, but their …

Review: Mamet’s ‘Race’ a breath of fresh air

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:17:22 -0600

With its in-your-face, politically incorrect ideas, “Race” plays out like a suspenseful mystery that will haunt one for days. The drama is so provocative that one wonders if the Goodman Theatre would have had the guts to mount the Chicago premiere of the work it if hadn’t been written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet. Fortunately, for theatergoers who love the drama of ideas, the Goodman has presented a stellar production of the Flossmoor native’s show. In a world in which everyone is afraid to say that which is socially unacceptable, to think the unthinkable and to take an independent …

Yes, same slots may have varying RNGs

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:24:11 -0600

There’s a large subset of my e-mail that comes from slot players who start by saying, “I get that the games are random, but . . . ” Then they tell of a slot experience that doesn’t seem quite right to them. The latest came from a reader named Barb, who said she played the same games at different casinos. “I love those Hangover slots,” she wrote, “but when I play at one casino, I win pretty good, and at the other I never win. I have my losses at the ‘good’ casino, too, but I get enough back to …

Playing Live for Feb. 10, 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:28:54 -0600

Here is a look at upcoming concerts in the Southland. Shows include the Hot 8 Brass Band at Freedom Hall’s Nathan Manilow Theatre in Park Forest.

Mob scene: Aurora grad proposes to girlfriend on national television

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:05:59 -0600

Impending plans to move to Los Angeles had Aurora native Adam Welton planning to propose to his girlfriend — and soon. So on Tuesday’s “Anderson” television show with Anderson Cooper, Welton popped the question in New York City with the help of a flash mob and celebrity Howie Mandel. “I’m going to be moving to L.A. this fall, and I need this girl to come with me. Period,” the 26-year-old Welton said in a segment that aired on FOX. “I love her so much, please, Mr. Anderson, let’s work something out.” And Anderson Cooper did. Samantha Arzuaga, 20, said the …

Katy Perry, Russell Brand finalize divorce

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:28:15 -0600

A judge has granted Katy Perry and Russell Brand a divorce, although the pair won’t be legally split up until July. Superior Court Judge Marc Marmaro signed the judgment Wednesday, less than six weeks after Brand filed for divorce and one day after Perry filed paperwork stating that she and Brand have agreed on all financial issues. The exact terms of the breakup are confidential. Brand, Perry and Marmaro all signed the judgment Wednesday, court records show. The couple will become legally single again on July 14 because California law requires that couples wait at least six months after filing …

Rialto to welcome Carol Burnett

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:16:57 -0600

JOLIET — Carol Burnett is coming to the Rialto Square Theatre on May 8, doing a show that will basically be a conversation with the audience, likely one loaded with laughs. Burnett is among the greats of TV comedy. “The Carol Burnett Show” was one of the most popular shows on television during its 11-year-run from 1967 to 1978. “We’re delighted,” said Randy Green, executive director of the Rialto. “Obviously, we’re bringing one of the royalties of show business.” Burnett has performed on Broadway and in TV and movies, playing comedic and serious roles. But she’s best known for “The …

Dog-on-it: Another Hollywood awards show

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:35:14 -0600

LOS ANGELES (AP) — With Uggie stealing hearts in “The Artist,” snagging the spotlight at celebrity events and reportedly preparing for a sketch with Oscar host Billy Crystal, Hollywood really has gone to the dogs this year. There’s even a brand-new awards show honoring canine performers. The first annual Golden Collar Awards drew international attention when Martin Scorsese recently published a letter in the Los Angeles Times demanding recognition for Blackie the Doberman, who appears alongside Sacha Baron Cohen in “Hugo.” Scorsese encouraged a write-in campaign and now “Hugo” adds one Golden Collar nomination to its 11 Oscar bids. Antonio …

Carpe Weekend: The great divide on Valentine’s Day

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:03:43 -0600

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is here again. Even if that doesn’t fill you with unbridled excitement, it should at least make you stop and think for a moment. What other day of the year is so effective at celebrating one group of people while simultaneously alienating another? If you’re in love, all of those Valentine’s Day commercials for flowers and chocolates and cards are a comforting reminder that you’ve finally found that one person with whom you want to spend your remaining years. If you’re one of the lovelorn, though, these very same commercials can be extremely …