Northbrook Star

New releases on DVD, Blu-ray

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:17:10 -0500

Young love casts a powerful spell in “Beautiful Creatures,” Arnold Schwarzenneger returns to action in “The Last Stand,” Jude Law writes a prescription for disaster in “Side Effects” and Pacino, Walken and Arkin have a big night on the town in “Stand Up Guys.”

Billboard awards are Taylor-made

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:44:01 -0500

Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards. Swift won eight of 11 awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for “Red.” She told the crowd: “You are the longest and best relationship I ever had.” She also had a colorful performance of her hit “22” — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.

Arts and entertainment calendar for May 23

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:40:54 -0500

Check out the variety of fun events and activities in your area this week!

New releases on DVD, Blu-ray

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:20:10 -0500

Tom Hanks and company span 500 years of history in “Cloud Atlas” and director Sam Raimi’s 1986 comedy “Crimewave” makes its long-awaited DVD debut.

Movies opening, still in theaters

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:57:16 -0500

Michael Shannon kills for a living in “The Iceman” and the crew of the Enterprise warps back into action in “Star Trek Into Darkness.”

Family Friendly: Cheney Mansion throws a birthday party

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:58:02 -0500

Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful spring flowers during the free Happy Birthday Cheney Mansion celebration, 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park.

Spotlight: People to watch

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:20:02 -0500

Clear choice: Maggie Cain of Glenview is reprising her role as Amanda, a faded southern belle clinging to the past, in Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co’s restaging of its acclaimed production of “The Glass Menagerie.”

A concert of classical lullabies

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:52:01 -0500

A pair of successful Music Institute of Chicago alumni will give a recital Saturday from their new CD, “Violin Lullabies,” which has been getting national attention for its unusual focus and beautiful sound.

CYSO to perform ‘Space Odyssey’

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:16:01 -0500

Mention a youth orchestra concert, and what likely comes to mind is a nice, safe program of easy-listening favorites by Mozart or Gershwin. But the truth, at least when it comes to the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, is often exactly the opposite.

String ensemble plays sounds of cinema

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:56:00 -0500

The Elmhurst Symphony String Ensemble’s next concert, “Music for Film and Theater,” is being billed as a program with music from “Mancini to Mozart.”

Eifman Ballet takes inspiration from Rodin

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:54:02 -0500

The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia has visited Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre on a regular basis since 2000.

Shannon serves up murder cold in ‘Iceman’

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:06:01 -0500

It’s hard to figure out what’s scarier in this old-school, disco-era, homicide-happy mob movie: the titular cold-blooded killer or the 1970s in general.

Growing up Wright: A life in the Boynton House

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:10:01 -0500

Living in a city renowned for its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structures, Oak Parkers might wonder what it’s like to live in one of the famed architect’s homes. Wonder no longer!

Movies opening, still in theaters

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:42:52 -0500

Leonardo DiCaprio gets jazzy in “The Great Gatsby,” Pierce Brosnan gets blind-sided by romance in “All You Need is Love” and Craig Robinson gets dissed by his girlfriend’s daddy in “Peeples,” all in area theaters.

Arts and entertainment calendar for May 16

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:16:37 -0500

Check out the variety of fun events and activities in your area this week!

Excess spectacle obscures an otherwise good ‘Gatsby’

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:58:01 -0500

Nobody’s going to accuse director Baz Luhrmann of being over-respectful or under-ambitious in his ultra-flamboyant approach to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great American Novel.