As far as music is concerned, Chicago’s west suburbs boast the usual gamut of minstrels: cover bands, starving singer-songwriters, and very few exceptional talents. This past week I listened to a new album from an as-yet unheard of young rocker who could easily make a break in the coming years and bring some pride back [...]

“We’re having too good a time today. We ain’t thinking about tomorrow.”
I’d say that Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, nears the top of my short Favorite Michael Mann Films list. Probably alongside Heat (1995) for the top spot. Public Enemies showcases Mann’s knack (obsession?) for “bad guy” personae and through Depp develops [...]

Few figures in hip-hop are as revered as J Dilla. Even after his untimely death in 2006 at the ripe young age of 32, the late producer/rapper/DJ remains one of hip-hop’s beloved icons. The Shining, Dilla’s last album, was nearly completed at the time of his death, and marked the beginning of a growing list [...]