President Obama made a surprise visit to the press corps' workspace at the White House. Props to the guys at Politico for having the guts to ask our new President a question. It's a good one, too.
Dude, this is what happens. The President just wants to hang out. Why do you have to ask him questions like he's George Bush or something?
Listen guys, Barack's not going to be able to come down there and talk to you about the Cubs/Sox or Manny's Deli if you keep grilling him like this. How are you going to get the exclusive when he finally picks up the Labradoodle from the pound? Do you really want USA Today to get that Page One material?
1.22.2009
MOVIES: Let's break down the Oscar nominees!
I was on CLTV News 3 times today, morning-afternoon-evening, breaking down the 81st Annual Academy Award nominees. This morning Tribune picked up my analysis and shipped it all over the country....even way out to Los Angeles. There were a few surprises, but I can't say I was too shocked about anything. Enjoy!
One other notable snub I didn't hear until after that early morning first report? Bruce Springsteen left out of the original song category. "Slumdog Millionaire" took two nominations, possibly giving Bruce enough sorrow to win another Grammy with.
More Oscar talk to come this February, when I'll be a guest on WGN-TV's Oscar Special with Dean Richards. That airs on February 21st, exact time and other data to follow as well!
One other notable snub I didn't hear until after that early morning first report? Bruce Springsteen left out of the original song category. "Slumdog Millionaire" took two nominations, possibly giving Bruce enough sorrow to win another Grammy with.
More Oscar talk to come this February, when I'll be a guest on WGN-TV's Oscar Special with Dean Richards. That airs on February 21st, exact time and other data to follow as well!
1.20.2009
OBAMA: Hyde Park Hair Salon turns media madhouse on Inauguration!
I was assigned to check out Barack Obama's barbershop on Inauguration Day. Ever since he announced he was running for President, the place has been stalked by media outlets from all over the world. Today, CLTV invaded. I took a camera and my laptop, and went to watch their hometown head of hair accept the toughest job on the planet.
1.16.2009
CHICAGO: Meet Automotive Artist Alex Levesque...
I featured architect turned automotive artist Alex Levesque last Friday on "metromix." If you missed it, I encourage you to watch the story now:
A little update just over a week after the airing. Alex's phone has been ringing off the hook with people wanting to help out. He told me over the phone that he now has more offers than he can handle, a "problem he loves to have." If you work on cars, have a junked auto you don't want, or know a young person who would love to get involved, you can contact Alex at 773-563-0034 or on his YouTube channel at youtube.com/curbauto.
A little update just over a week after the airing. Alex's phone has been ringing off the hook with people wanting to help out. He told me over the phone that he now has more offers than he can handle, a "problem he loves to have." If you work on cars, have a junked auto you don't want, or know a young person who would love to get involved, you can contact Alex at 773-563-0034 or on his YouTube channel at youtube.com/curbauto.
LeShock Value: NOTORIOUS Movie Review!
Uuuuh. Biggie. It was only a matter of time (more than 10 years actually) before we saw a full length feature film about one of hip-hop's two fallen heroes. The first is NOTORIOUS, about the life and death of Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. Here is my video review of the film, with more thoughts afterwards...
I liked NOTORIOUS, but I'm still looking for more information as to what REALLY happened behind the scenes with Biggie and Tupac. In the film, Biggie (Jamal Woolard) offers a narration about his former friend, saying in a condescending way:
"That's the thing about Pac. You ask 10 people who he was, you get 10 different answers."
This comes during a scene where Pac is talking about a "new revolution" or something along those lines. He got that attitude from his mother, a former Black Panther who was in prison while pregnant with him. But that's not the issue here. The issue I have is with the negative nature of the film's view. Why is it bad that 10 people have 10 different views of Tupac? The man was an amazing communicator - he knew how to connect with anybody.
For example, if you were from a hard core hip-hop magazine, Tupac was more likely to get into his millitant tone and talk about the domination he was having on the world of rap. But if you were somebody like Tabitha Soren of MTV News, he knew it was time to bring out his sensitive side:
After watching that clip, you'll have to agree that Tupac was much more than the party animal wild man showcased in NOTORIOUS. This Monday, after you've all seen NOTORIOUS, I'll have another blog entry with some of my favorite books and films about BOTH of these complex characters, and the marks they both made on their craft.
I liked NOTORIOUS, but I'm still looking for more information as to what REALLY happened behind the scenes with Biggie and Tupac. In the film, Biggie (Jamal Woolard) offers a narration about his former friend, saying in a condescending way:
"That's the thing about Pac. You ask 10 people who he was, you get 10 different answers."
This comes during a scene where Pac is talking about a "new revolution" or something along those lines. He got that attitude from his mother, a former Black Panther who was in prison while pregnant with him. But that's not the issue here. The issue I have is with the negative nature of the film's view. Why is it bad that 10 people have 10 different views of Tupac? The man was an amazing communicator - he knew how to connect with anybody.
For example, if you were from a hard core hip-hop magazine, Tupac was more likely to get into his millitant tone and talk about the domination he was having on the world of rap. But if you were somebody like Tabitha Soren of MTV News, he knew it was time to bring out his sensitive side:
After watching that clip, you'll have to agree that Tupac was much more than the party animal wild man showcased in NOTORIOUS. This Monday, after you've all seen NOTORIOUS, I'll have another blog entry with some of my favorite books and films about BOTH of these complex characters, and the marks they both made on their craft.
CELEBS: My talk with KEVIN JAMES!
I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Kevin James this week, star of PAUL BLART: MALL COP. This almost didn't happen. Kevin was in Minneapolis at the Mall of Amercia when his flight was cancelled due to the terrible weather! He made it here and gave me 5 minutes. This being a movie about a shopping mall, and me growing up in Schaumburg, Illinois, I couldn't help myself but bring up Woodfield. Enjoy...
LeShock Value: DEFIANCE Movie Review!
Happy Friday everybody! DEFIANCE is technically a 2008 release (it opened in other major cities last December), but it finally makes its way to Chicago. Ironic that Chicago comes last, its director Edward Zwick is from here. Anyways, the movie stars Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber, about real life Polish brothers who bear arms against the Nazis during the Holocaust. Definitely worth a trip to the theaters for....
1.13.2009
AMERICAN IDOL: Audition Night 1 Recap!
Sorry I've been so far from the blog lately folks. I've been insanely busy ever since work picked back up. More details on that later. But right now, I have to unveil my first Idol recap of the new Season 8. The video recaps will continue with the Top 12. But for last night's recap of the first audition show, click here! See you tomorrow!
1.08.2009
SHORT: Action City Bathroom!
Have to support local filmmakers, and Joe Avella returns with another gem. One tough cop. One tough city. One crummy bathroom:
Action City Bathroom from Joe Avella on Vimeo.
St. Elmo's Fire LP. Priceless.
Action City Bathroom from Joe Avella on Vimeo.
St. Elmo's Fire LP. Priceless.
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