Posted inArts + Culture

Inspirational biopic revisits Barack and Michelle’s very first date 

Who would ever think of making a movie just about Barack (Parker Sawyers) and Michelle Obama’s (Tika Sumpter) first date? Richard Tanne would, that’s who, and he makes an impressive directorial debut with this inspirational biopic chronicling a very eventful day in the lives of the future president and First Lady. The story unfolds in Chicago during the […]

Posted inArts + Culture

Aspiring singer reflects on transformation into YouTube sensation with help of secret admirer/music producer

Born and raised in Chicago, 39-year-old Samantha Montgomery moved to New Orleans in 2006. By day, she works as a caregiver for the elderly and, by night, she fearlessly performs as Princess Shaw online and at local open mics. Inspired by her personal joy and pain from past and present, Princess’ lyrics resonate with honesty […]

Posted inArts + Culture

Adrenaline-fueled sequel follows “bigger is better” golden rule 

The conventional wisdom for shooting a sequel to a successful action flick is that “bigger is better.” In the case of this bigger-budgeted follow up to Olympus Has Fallen, that translates to bigger guns, more elaborate chase scenes, a higher body-count and more bombastic pyrotechnics, including my favorite staple of the genre: exploding cars careening off cliffs in flames.

Posted inArts + Culture, Movies

Spike Lee offers timely morality play in ‘Chi-Raq’

Just when we were ready to give up on Spike Lee, wouldn’t you know he’d reassert his relevance with a decent inner-city drama decrying the gang violence in Chicago? Ironically, this timely tale is based on Lysistrata, an ancient play staged by Aristophanes way back in 411 BC. Set in Athens during the Peloponnesian War, that farcical adventure revolved […]

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