What’s New

It’s been a few years since Noir City: Chicago emerged from dark alleyways celebrating film noir, movies that embody the seedier side of everyday life. The pandemic paused the festival, an event that showcases a slate of films where the lines of good and bad are stylishly blurred in postwar America, but this year it’s back at the Music Box Theatre.

Noir City: Chicago returns on August 26 with amiable Film Noir Foundation (FNF) founder Eddie Muller (of Turner Classic Movies’s Noir Alley) hosting an opening-night tribute to the late James Caan (Thief from 1981, 1993’s Flesh and Bone). After the weekend, film historian Alan Rode takes over presenting a week of movies, including several rarely seen noirs. Fans have welcomed the event’s return with open arms this year in Boston, Hollywood, Seattle, and the Bay Area.

“It’s very gratifying. A lot of people tell me that the Noir City shows are the first thing that they’re going back to a theater to see,” Muller says, adding the appeal of noir serves as a “gateway” to classic movies for people who don’t typically watch black-and-white films.  

“They’re sexy and sinister,” Muller says. “They’re hard-edged and witty without being dopey.”

Anne Hockens, director of communications for the FNF, says female characters in noir films attract people as well, because the women aren’t ornaments or in need of rescuing.

“I think people tend to say they are either the femme fatale or the good girl, and they go way beyond that [in noir films],” says Hockens. “They’re not just there in relation to the male characters. They have a purpose and a story arc. And there’s a lot of film noir where women are the central characters.”

Noir City: ChicagoAugust 26-September 1Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. SouthportFull schedule and pricing at musicboxtheatre.com/events/noir-city-chicago-2022

According to Rode, it’s easy to appreciate movies serving as a time capsule for midcentury aesthetics and themes we’re all familiar with.

“The stories are basically about the human condition. Lust, larceny, people who know what they’re doing is wrong. And they do it anyway,” Rode says.

This year’s films include political corruption (All the King’s Men, 1949), mob-rigged gambling operations (711 Ocean Drive, 1950), a paranoid invalid no one believes (1948’s Sorry, Wrong Number), an angry cop frustrating everyone (Detective Story, 1951), a newspaper with shady reader-baiting practices (Scandal Sheet, 1952), and of course, murder. 

Although the FNF team loves showcasing noir films at screenings and events, their real mission is preservation; they’re dedicated to rescuing, restoring, and presenting Hollywood’s lesser-known noirs. To date, the FNF has restored 14 movies, funded the striking of 15 new 35mm prints, and fostered the return of seven more. The Argyle Secrets, a recent restoration project, will be screened in a B-movie marathon on Saturday, August 27.

“We’re preserving the communal experience of being together in the dark watching these films on the big screen,” Rode says, “the way that they were intended.”

Muller says creating the FNF came out of necessity, when he was first asked to program festivals decades ago.

“I would say, ‘Wow, here’s a great movie that people don’t know about. We’ve got to show this,’” Muller says. “And then there wouldn’t be a print of that film.”

He thought asking the studios would make them available, but that wasn’t the case. 

“Then it became, ‘Why are we not using the profits from our film festival to find these films and restore them, so they don’t vanish?’”

While the FNF focuses on film noir, Muller hopes others can create a space for films facing obscurity.

“I kind of wish somebody [would do] this for westerns and screwball comedies and 50s science fiction movies, because the same thing is going to happen with those movies as well,” laments Muller.

He’s introducing a double bill on Sunday the 28th, Flesh and Fantasy (1943) and Destiny (1944), as an example of an altered movie, now on the big screen in its intended form.

“It’s an anthology. Flesh and Fantasy has three chapters, and there was a fourth chapter, but the studio removed the fourth chapter and released it a year later as a standalone movie. And so this is the only way you can see all four chapters together,” Muller says.

Along with the festivals, the FNF draws people into the noir experience with a quarterly digital and print magazine, a website highlighting noirs on TV, interviews with Muller, and other noir-soaked stories.

In June 2020, when COVID closed theaters everywhere, Hockens and Muller started a bimonthly “Ask Eddie and Anne” Facebook Live conversation that continues today. 

“It’s supposed to be sort of just a way to keep in touch with people, since we weren’t doing the festivals. Then it sort of snowballed,” Hockens says.

“We don’t approach it like scholars, know-it-alls trying to impress each other,” adds Muller. “I love hearing the weird questions that people come up with. It’s just fun.”

But the live events are special for Muller, where he holds court with fans between movies.

“When I got into all this stuff back in the early 70s, if somebody did what I do now, they would have had him arrested. Right? People would go to the manager and say, ‘There’s some nut up here talking all about this movie. Can you have him removed from the theater, please?’”

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Last year Chicagoland multi-instrumentalist Eric Reyes broke out in emo and pop-punk circles with his debut as Snow Ellet, the EP Suburban Indie Rock Star. It injects the sugar rush of pop punk and emo into crisp, straightforward power-pop hooks, a balanced approach that lets fans indulge their sweet tooth without getting cavities. After the release of Suburban Indie Rock Star, Reyes mixed Kirby Grip’s November 2021 album, Portrait of Bliss, where the local four-piece shifted gears into rocket-engine ambience. That sound has bled into Reyes’s work, judging from Snow Ellet’s June EP, Glory Days (self-released under license to Wax Bodega): though its sounds stay grounded in intimate, earthly concerns, they also sparkle with space rock’s larger-than-life euphoria. Reyes’s blastoff guitars supersize the quotidian emotions around romantic missed connections and twentysomething nostalgia for teenhood until they feel as big as a starlit sky. On “Can’t Hear the Phone,” Reyes’s cross-stitched guitars and sharp, plaintive vocals convey an itchy, queasy lovesickness that’s amped up by dreamy synth melodies and brittle electronic percussion—this sleek song can trigger Proustian recollections of that particular teenage feeling where you’re convinced you’re not from the same planet as all these other people.

Snow Ellet Ogbert the Nerd headlines; Arcadia Grey, Snow Ellet, and Superkick open. Thu 8/25, 8 PM, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, $12, 17+

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Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

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Chicago’s Central Camera is a great example of a small business that has persevered through multiple challenges–check out contributor Zinya Salfiti’s cover story in our latest issue to read more. And if you’re inspired to seek out more local legacy businesses, go no further than roughly a mile north to Atlas Stationers, who celebrate their 83rd year in business this year. A stationery store is a rarity these days, and Atlas keeps their inventory stocked with fountain pens, fancy journals, and other items that make the writing life more luxurious. Atlas Stationers is hosting their 35th annual sidewalk sale today and tomorrow from 9 AM-4 PM, with plenty of specials on pens and inks that you can’t find at big box office supply stores. It’s all at 227 W. Lake (near Franklin), so stop by and stock up.

Grown Folks Stories hosts a special edition of their two hour “gathering of nonprofessional, unrehearsed storytellers” tonight at the Smart Home, a new private event space located within the Museum of Science and Industry campus (5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive). Expect real stories from real adults–the sad, the hilarious, the slightly uncomfortable, and the ridiculous—all can be heard on a Grown Folks Stories night. Food and drink will be available for purchase from the museum’s cafe, and complimentary beer samples from Funkytown Brewery will be on tap, so this evening is for those 21 and over only (natch). Doors open and sign-up starts at 6 PM, with the show following at 7.

Reader contributor Ayana Contreras writes about the legendary Chicago arranger and composer Charles Stepney for our latest issue; read all about him here and check out tonight’s event at Pritzker Pavilion (201 E. Randolph) for more. Charles Stepney: Out of the Shadows will feature Rotary Connection 222, a large ensemble led bassist Junius Paul, who will perform songs from Stepney’s vast catalog. Damon Locks and Black Monument Ensemble open. The music starts at 6:30 PM, and the event is free and open to all ages.

Gossip Wolf reminded us this week that musician and memoirist Ava Cherry will visit Gman Tavern (3740 N. Clark) tonight to celebrate the release of her new book All That Glitters, which tells the story of her journey from collaborating with David Bowie, singing backup for Luther Vandross, and making music of her own all along the way. Reader contributor Aaron Cohen will discuss the book with Cherry. Entry is $10 at the door and the venue is open to those 21 and older. The talk starts at 7:30 PM.

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The city’s SummerDance series is well under way, and today’s fusion of live music, dance instruction, and outdoor activities takes place in Englewood’s Ogden Park (6500 S. Racine). The fun starts at 4:30 PM with a free poster and printmaking station run by the Hyde Park Art Center’s Youth Board 0f Artists (a group of teens well-versed in art making who will show you how to make your own prints), and a short dance performance by Quimaya “Maya Unique” Sewell (a recent grant recipient from the Englewood Arts Collective, who helped to coordinate today’s activities). At 5:30 PM, the Majestic Gents offer a workshop in Chicago-style stepping, followed by open dancing at 6, with music provided by DJ Myron. The entire day is hosted by Englewood Arts Collective cofounder Rob Smooth. It’s free to attend and open to all ages. (SCJ)

Dancers at an event hosted by Majestic Gents

There’s only a few more sessions of Veggie Bingo left for this summer: the popular weekly event at the Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) starts at 6 PM each Wednesday night through 8/31. Veggie Bingo benefits a variety of Chicago community gardens under the umbrella of the local nonprofit NeighborSpace, and that benefits a variety of Chicago community gardens under the umbrella of the local nonprofit NeighborSpace, and bingo winners have a chance to receive a bounty fresh produce and locally made food products. Advance tickets are $10, and guarantee you entry to the event plus one bingo card; additional cards are available for purchase, and the bar is open for libations. More information is available at the Hideout’s website, and doors open at 5:30 PM. (SCJ)

If you’re looking to take advantage of the nice weather and get your motor running, ride over to Montrose Saloon (2933 W. Montrose) tonight as they host Pints and Pistons, a sidewalk motorcycle show and gathering, happening from 6-10 PM. Compare notes with fellow bike enthusiasts and enjoy food trucks, beverages from the bar, and live music in this get together co-organized by Motoblot. Go to Motoblot’s Facebook page for more information. (SCJ)

Access Living, Women’s Justice Institute, and the Chicago Community Bond Fund have partnered to present a screening of the film Any Given Day tonight at 6:30 PM at Lacuna Lofts (2150 S. Canalport). The documentary looks at the criminalization of mental illness by following three incarcerated people navigating Cook County’s Mental Health Court. How do they rebuild their lives after prison? After the screening, a panel discussion featuring members from each organization will talk about the harm that can happen when punishment is used as a substitute for mental health care. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and light refreshments will be provided. Masks are required. This is a free event, and registration is encouraged at Eventbrite. (MC)

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Brooklyn is so closely associated with the American cultural zeitgeist of the early 2000s that it’s easy to forget how newly “cool” the borough was at the time. During Oneida’s late-90s infancy, the freak rockers would be met with bemusement when they told music journalists they were from Brooklyn. “People would laugh—Brooklyn was not hip,” says Oneida drummer Kid Millions. Fast forward a couple decades, and the bandmates have largely been priced out of the neighborhood, just like fellow longtime residents and starving-artist types in similarly hip locales around the country. The cost-of-living problem is exacerbated because some have started families: Millions is raising his kiddos in the Woodhaven area of the Bronx (“near a park with trees!”), while keyboardist Fat Bobby has relocated to Boston. For several years now, any time the band has reconvened has been an event worth celebrating. The current lineup consists of Millions (who also leads Man Forever and has played with Royal Trux, Spiritualized, and the Boredoms) and Fat Bobby (also of Oneida side project People of the North) as well as guitarists Hanoi Jane (of postpunkers New Pope) and Shahin Motia (formerly of Ex Models, currently of Knyfe Hyts) and synth player Barry London (you must hear his old project Jäh Division).

Millions describes Oneida’s brand-new album, Success (Joyful Noise), as having a bit more “straight-ahead” rock sound than previous material, name-checking Jonathan Richman, the Velvet Underground, and the guitar pop associated with New Zealand’s Flying Nun label. All those influences can be heard on lead cut “Beat Me to the Punch,” but in true Oneida fashion, it turns a simple, shambly riff reminiscent of the Clean or the Chills into something sinister—the tune erupts into blasted-and-wasted howls of feedback, a la the Velvets’ “I Heard Her Call My Name.” I also hear traces of New Zealand in the catchy “I Want to Hold Your Electric Hand,” the abrasive, churning “Rotten,” and the fuzzed-out “Opportunities.” The long-form “Low Tide” grows more manic and cacophonous as it unfolds (with a touch of Joy Division and maybe some Daydream Nation-era Sonic Youth), then gives way to Fat Bobby’s signature key pulses. “Paralysed” and “Solid” conjure the Oneida of yore, channeling the metronomic Krautrock pulse pioneered by Faust and Can; they add expansive synth textures and guitar squeals, and the latter ramps up the aggression with snarly multitracked vocals and pure rockist triumph.

Oneida’s Success is available through Bandcamp.

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The Chicago Bears are a team that has very little expectations for this season. They are expected by many to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. That showed when the first team of the Kansas City Chiefs went up against them in the early stages of the first preseason game on Saturday.

However, as the game went on, there were some players that stood out above the rest. These players are all trying to earn starting jobs on the team as they transition into the new regime’s vision.

Of course, Justin Fields had his moments early in the game. It was up and down but he showed some big play ability from time to time.

We know that stars like that are going to be good but right now it is about some of the players that people might not know about yet. These three players deserve recognition for the way that they played on Saturday:

1. Trestan Ebner

Trestan Ebner was outstanding for the Bears. He was one of the most notable players that the Bears used no offense. He is a running back and he led the Bears’ offense in rushing with 31 yards on six carries. He clearly is one of those guys that runs hard on every play.

He also made an impact with his receiving abilities. He made one catch but it went for 12 yards and a touchdown. It was the first score of the Bears’ preseason and got them back in the game on the scoreboard.

Having him as a specialty player this season might help the Bears’ offense but it will also help their special teams’ units. He had two kick returns for 53 yards. He averaged 26.5 yards which is really solid.

2. Jack Sanborn

Jack Sanborn was probably the most noticeable player on the entire defense for the Bears. The Illinois native was signed as an undrafted free agent when the event came to an end. This could end up being a really smart move by Ryan Poles and his staff.

Sanborn had a big interception for the Bears that led to points on offense. He followed that up with a fumble recovery later in the game He also had five tackles which means that he was in the middle of a few plays that didn’t involve the interception or fumble.

In fact, you can say he was all over the place in this game. Even on special teams, Sanborn made a big open field tackle. If he can impact the game on many different units all preseason long, he is someone worth keeping around.

He made a great first impression during exhibition game action and now has a much better chance to make the team. The defense played very well in the second half and he was a big part of it.

3. Trevon Coley

It isn’t all about the youngest kids making an impact either. Trevon Coley is a veteran player that was noticeable in this game as well. He had two sacks in the game and created some really nice pressure for the entire game.

Getting to the quarterback is going to be big for this defense so the Bears might be trying to keep anyone that can help them do that with consistency. Coley is someone to watch as the preseason continues to roll along.

The Chicago Bears had a lot of good that came out of the first preseason game.

The Chicago Bears may need to get some more talent as the years go along but it is clear that they are a well-disciplined team that will give themselves a fighting chance this season. With the way that some of these standouts played, anything is possible for them going forward.

If all of these guys continue their upward trajectory, the quarterback develops the way that we think he can, and the offense continues to grow around him, this team is going to impress no matter what their record is.

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The Chicago Bears woke up on Saturday with their first preseason game on the slate. It is an exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field. It should be a lot of fun to have Bears football back, even though it doesn’t count for much.

What it does do, however, is bring what we’ve been seeing in practice to game type of situations. The biggest story from this camp season has not been a good one. Roquan Smith has requested a trade because contract negotiations are not getting anywhere.

Smith feels that he is being treated unfairly and that negotiations are not being done in good faith. He doesn’t have an agent representing him so it is hard to know what is actually going on here as that usually doesn’t go well for players.

For the next few weeks, we have to wait to see if the Bears will honor his request or convince him to stay by giving him a contract that he deems fair. Letting him go is a scary idea because he is an incredibly impactful player on this defense.

The Chicago Bears have some decisions to make on the defensive side of the ball.

He probably doesn’t deserve to be the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL but he does deserve to be paid amongst them. The Bears can’t ruin their salary cap for the next few years but they can give him a fair deal.

If they are forced to trade him, that might cause a trickle effect that isn’t great. There is no point to keep Robert Quinn if they don’t have Roquan Smith anymore. These are definitively the two best players on the team but there is no reason to have Quinn without Smith.

Quinn is an older player that was amazing for the Bears in 2021. Smith is a younger player that can be built around on the defensive side of the ball. While the Bears are rebuilding, keeping Quinn without Smith makes no sense because it will take longer to rebuild anyway.

They might as well try to get something good for Quinn if they have to tear the defense down to nothing anyway. It is a shame that this Bears team has come to this but it is where we are at this current point in time.

If both of these players are traded, you would assume that the future assets that are acquired by the Bears come in and make an impact one day.

Quinn is a great player but he isn’t at an age where you build around him so if Smith goes he should go too. If Smith stays, they both can stay and be a part of the team in 2023 where they might be pretty good.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are going to be a very bad team in 2022-23. They have stripped down a lot of their roster so that they can get future assets that can help them build. With all of that in mind, they still need some veterans to help any young kids trying to make their way.

They haven’t traded Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, or Seth Jones yet so that is nice but they might want a few more good players to try and help them grow as an organization. In order to do that, they made a very nice signing on Tuesday night.

It came out that the Chicago Blackhawks were in agreement with Jack Johnson on a one-year deal worth $950,000. He is going to play a very specific role with this team during the season.

For one, he proved that he has some value in 2021-22. He won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche as a depth defenseman. He was in the lineup on that night when Colorado played an amazing game to win the whole thing.

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to get something good out of Jack Johnson.

Johnson is clearly someone that has been a good player in his career. He has had stops with multiple teams but he was the third overall pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2005 NHL Draft where Sidney Crosby famously went first to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the Blackhawks, if he has a good season, he is someone that can be traded at the deadline to a team that needs a cheap veteran. If he doesn’t have a good year, that means that the Blackhawks will have that much better of a chance at the Draft Lottery.

There is a good chance that another defenseman or two is traded away before the start of the season. That will mean that Johnson serves a purpose besides blocking some of the young kids from playing.

He will be able to help them because there will be plenty of ice to go around after these potential trades. No matter how you look at it, the Blackhawks are going to get something (if not multiple things) out of this signing.

Hopefully, he has a good year, mentors the kids while he is there, and gets them something of value in a trade. If he gets sent to a team at the deadline, you’d assume that he’s off to a good situation in terms of chances to win. This is a smart move.

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