Chicago Sun-Times :: Entertainment ::

The land of the dreamers

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Bill Zwecker: Nicole Kidman sure knows how to enter a room. The flame-haired Oscar winner, looking regal and yet approachable, virtually floated into a cozy suite at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel on a recent afternoon. When asked if she was channeling Lady Sarah Ashley, the aristocratic Englishwoman in her new film "Australia," Kidman lets out a very un-aristocratic, totally Aussie chortle.

We waited 17 years for this?

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Jim DeRogatis: With the very rarest of exceptions, rock 'n' roll is a dish best served steaming hot, with as little delay as possible between the inspiration of the creative oven and the final garnishing of the finished album. Even some of its most celebrated epics -- "Led Zeppelin IV," "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" by Genesis or "The Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd -- had relatively quick, no-muss, no-fuss origins.

Bauer takes on Africa

BY LLOYD SACHS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Lloyd Sachs: Well, where else but Africa did you think Jack Bauer would be hanging out in exile this time? You maybe thought, having used up Mexico and China as offseason spots, he would be holed up in a Unabomber shack in the Canadian northwest writing his memoirs about the day terrorists nuked L.A.?

'Grey Gardens' in fearsome bloom

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Hedy Weiss: It is inspired by a true story --the sad descent of a pair of mother-and-daughter relatives of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy, who plummeted from New York socialite glory to a half-demented, penniless existence and were the focus of a 1973 documentary film by the Maysles brothers. Yet the 2006 Broadway musical version of "Grey Gardens," which is very much its own ingenious creation, might easily be mistaken for a modern-day Grimm Brothers fairy tale that hauntingly unspools in reverse.

SAG to seek strike authorization

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday it will ask its members to authorize a strike after its first contract talks in four months with Hollywood studios failed despite the help of a federal mediator. Federal mediator Juan Carlos Gonzalez adjourned the talks between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers shortly before 1 a.m. after two marathon sessions failed to produce an agreement.

Review: 'Dead Ringer' by Michael A. Black and Julie Hyzy

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

It seemed like risky business when Chicago mystery writers Michael A. Black and Julie Hyzy announced plans to pen a joint novel, merging their signature characters. But just as their literary heroes sneer at danger, the authors took a big chance by messing with success. And the results are well worth it. Black's kickboxing champ private eye Ron Shade and Hyzy's hard-charging TV reporter Alex St. James are a perfect pairing in Dead Ringer.

Review: 'Spellbound By Beauty: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies' by Donald Spoto

BY BILL STAMETS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

For his third book on Alfred Hitchcock, Donald Spoto traces the women Hitchcock cast in his films. Although he salutes Hitchcock (1899-1980) as "history's greatest filmmaker," here Spoto sides with the actresses the director abused and adored.

Review: 'Outliers: The Story of Success' by Malcolm Gladwell

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

What does it take to be a success? Ask around. Everyone has a pretty good idea: Talent. Hard work. The breaks.

Review: 'The Enemy Within' by John Demos

BY CARLO WOLFF — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Look within ourselves to grasp and temper witch-hunting, advises John Demos, the Yale University history professor who wrote The Enemy Within, a thoughtful, fair account of society's darker attempts to get rid of its demons.

'Shenanigan' author Ross wins business award

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Sandra Guy: A Chicago author whose passion for inspiring African-American children to read family-friendly stories has found technology an ally in her quest. Jil Ross, who grew up in Pullman and lives in the Beverly neighborhood, wrote the Shenanigan Series (www.shenaniganseries.com) of books based on her family values and experiences.

Writing was on the wall

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Improving her writing skills wasn't the only reason Molly McNett applied to the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. There also was this nagging feeling that life as she knew it was "about to be over."

Graphic novel roundup

BY JOSH ELDER — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

BURMA CHRONICLES

Best sellers

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Fiction

Literary listings

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

NOV. 23

The land of the dreamers

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Anatomy of a tragedy

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Thursday will mark the 30th anniversary of the assassination of San Francisco city supervisor and ground-breaking gay activist Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone.

Jackman held on tight in the filming of 'Australia'

BY CINDY PEARLMAN — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

'You're going to get me in trouble here," Hugh Jackman is saying.

SAG to seek strike authorization

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Hollywood stimulus packages

BY CINDY PEARLMAN — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Four Christmases? You don't even have enough money to buy presents for one this year. But for the price of a ticket, this is what you can buy yourself this holiday season (even if you can't afford the popcorn):

Fon't forget these stocking stuffers

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

'Transporter 3'

We waited 17 years for this?

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Spin Control: CD reviews and samples

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Country

MTV holds its first African music awards

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

ABUJA, Nigeria---- Two Nigerian singers won top awards Saturday as MTV held its first-ever music award program for Africa, with acts from across the world's poorest continent being nominated for prizes.

Punk musician Barker sues over plane crash

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

LOS ANGELES---- Punk musician Travis Barker on Friday sued companies linked to a plane that crashed in South Carolina, injuring him and killing two friends.

Stream Kanye West's new album, '808 & Heartbreak'

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

MySpace Music is streaming Kanye West's new album, "808s & HEARTBREAK" in its entirety for free on his MySpace page. The album hits stores November 24.

We waited 17 years for this?

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

Punk musician Barker sues over plane crash

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

LOS ANGELES---- Punk musician Travis Barker on Friday sued companies linked to a plane that crashed in South Carolina, injuring him and killing two friends.

Punk musician Barker sues over plane crash

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

LOS ANGELES---- Punk musician Travis Barker on Friday sued companies linked to a plane that crashed in South Carolina, injuring him and killing two friends.

'True Blood' actor credits Thornridge teachers

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

When actor Nelsan Ellis is on the set of HBO's vampire saga "True Blood," show producer Alan Ball says, "We all just stand back and point the camera in his direction.'' Ellis, Ball has said, "channels from his own planet.'' Ellis is, of course, from this planet. He grew up in the south suburbs -- metamorphosing from troublemaker to an artist commanding critical acclaim and expanding parts.

Bauer takes on Africa

BY LLOYD SACHS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

'True Blood' actor credits Thornridge teachers

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

MTV holds its first African music awards

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

SAG to seek strike authorization

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

'True Blood' actor shows impact of arts

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

In these days of gloomy news, it's good to be reminded that there are, as President George H.W. Bush used to put it, a thousand points of light amid the dark sky. Elsewhere in today's paper, we learn the story of a son of the south suburbs, actor Nelsan Ellis, who came to the area as a troubled teen with an attitude but left as a young man with a plan and a future.

Also tonight: Colbert, Cooke

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:00 CST

"American Music Awards" (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Jimmy Kimmel hosts the unpredictable ceremony, with performances by Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, New Kids on the Block, the Jonas Brothers and Kanye West.