Das Boot!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are very proud of what’s about to happen this friday between Krem and Entourage.

The most exclusive VIP party host has joined one of the top rated venues in the country to bring you the official start of the summer party this friday.

The summer terrace will be opening for exclusive seating, and of course we’ll have the now famous Entourage party table where the drinks are free, the vibe is great and where the people are having fun.

Bring your A game and your dancing skills because the party is about to get started! Say Project Entourage at the door for no cover, no line and find the Entourage section for free drinks and to hang out with the Entourage crowd.

Get ready for what’s going to be one of our best night yet… we’ll see you on the other side!

Well it looks like my buddy Brian Stojak did it again when his theatre group (Theatre Seven) put on one of the best shows this summer called Boys and Girls.

This is a show compiled of two short set plays called “Never Swim Alone” and “The Shallow End”, and after its initial opening date of May 16th, the critics are already raving.

Here are some quick quotes:

“seriously funny…frighteningly comedic” – Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune

“richly observational…impeccable timing” – Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune

“dynamically orchestrated” – Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Reader

“sharp focus and keen, spare theatrics” – Christopher Piatt, Time Out Chicago

This is definitely something everyone should take a look at, and it’s running until June 15th.

For tickets, drop me a line and i’ll put you in contact with Brian Stojak.

Rating:

Ok so I finally got around to watching the horror movie Turistas… I didn’t really enjoy it all that much.

There were far too many similarities to Hostel, and it went on for FAR too long.

Basically here’s the back story: Some tourists have their bus crash in brazil, but instead of waiting for another bus, they go down to the beach and party, get drugged, robbed, and get led to some crazy cabin where a doctor plans to harvest their organs.

Of course, they show one of the people getting harvested, and then there is a clever escape plan, which causes the death of a few people, and then the longest chase scene EVER.

What’s happened to horror movies these days? The last great one I saw was Disturbia, and i’m really looking forward to The Strangers.

I hope neither disappoint; there’s something about killers running around with burlap sack masks that scare the bejeebus out of me haha!

Rating:

Time and time again, I revisit everyone’s childhood favorite restaurant, McDonald’s, only to be let down and disgusted.

Why do I go back you ask? Well it’s like the classic story of the cheating spouse.. you hope they’ve changed, so you give them one more chance, only to realize they haven’t.

Let me give credit where credit is due…

McDonald’s breakfast is absolutely incredible. Yup, I said it. Honestly, the egg mcmuffin? Breakfast burritos with the picante sauce? SOLD.

But the big mac, chicken nuggets, double cheeseburgers….. mcsweats, mcshakes, mcchills.

Rating:

Yeah, I’m sure everyone is freaking out about the title of this post.. Well that’s why I ended it in a question mark!

With such a negative connotation attached to the run of the mill chick flick, no respectable guy would go out of his way to watch one.

Staying home for Memorial Day weekend, however, forces you to do things out of boredom…

Like watch Just My Luck with Lindsay Lohan… or License to Wed with Mandy Moore.

Granted these are some hot ladies we’re talking about here.. There were actually funny parts in both of these movies!

Sappy – Yes

Funny – Yes

Hot women – Yes

So therefor, I don’t see my time as wasted.

What are your thoughts on this?

So i’m going to go off on an opinion piece re: NASCAR. I’d love for someone to chime in and set me straight, but I honestly don’t see what all the hype is about.

Don’t get me wrong.. The drivers are incredibly talented… but to watch cars go around making left turns for hours upon hours…

Some watch it for the accidents (horrible, horrible people). Others like to go to the events, just to get hammered. Maybe some show up just so they have somewhere to park their double wide.

If you’re going to use the argument that these are the best drivers in the world… you’re wrong.

Ever heard of rally car drivers? Yeah, take nascar, and put it on dirt roads with.. yes.. left AND right turns.. jumps.. water hazards…. rain, thunderstorms, you name it!

now THAT is racing.

So my colleague Brian Stojak is a founding member of the chicago theatre group Theatre Seven, and their most recent play opened up last week to amazing reviews, including a shining one from the Chicago Tribune. I felt that I needed to help in any way I could, so I attached a piece of the press release, and included information about the play below. Be sure to check it out!!

-Arun

Theatre Seven produces new plays, Chicago premieres and forgotten classics that ignite imagination and explore the complexities of human nature. In 2007, the company made a critical splash with productions of resident playwright Marisa Wegrzyn’s Diversey Harbor and Killing Women. This production launches the company’s second full production season, which will later include one Chicago premiere, one world premiere and one forgotten classic in productions at the Chicago Cultural Center and Chicago Dramatists. See more about Theatre Seven and their 2008 season at www.theatreseven.org.

Boys & Girls

Venue: Studio Theatre at the Chicago Cultural Center

Preview: Thursday, May 15 – 7:30 pm

Press Opening: Friday, May 16 – 7:30 pm

Run: May 16 – June 15

Days & Times: Thursday – Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 3:00pm

Closing: Sunday, June 15 3:00pm

Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

$12 for students & seniors.

$10 for industry and groups of 7 or more.

Ticket Office: 312-742-TIXS or www.dcatheater.org

Never Swim Alone

Playwright: Daniel MacIvor

Director: Margot Bordelon

Cast: Rebecca Buller, Brian Golden, Brian Stojak

Run Time: 45 minutes

Synopsis: Who’s got more cash? Who’s got the better pad? Who’s got the bigger thing? Two old pals play a deadly game that’s more than just a game in Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor’s Never Swim Alone. MacIvor blows the lid off modern masculinity by examining the story of two lifelong friends chained together by one tragic childhood day at the beach.

The Shallow End

Playwright: Wendy MacLeod

Director: Meghan Beals McCarthy

Cast: Olivia Cygan, Lindsey Lyhus, Zoe Levin, Emma Jane Hostetler, Hannah White, Sydney Lynch, Sophie La Cava, Ilyssa Ernstein

Run Time: 20 minutes

Synopsis: Chicago favorite Wendy MacLeod returns with The Shallow End, a clever look at three teenage girls whose friendship is put to the test over the course of one summer. While Teresa and Becca are busy planning tricks on the class oddball, Addie’s at the snack bar trying to figure out if the new girl in town is as weird as everyone says she is. And why is Marjorie spending so much time talking to the boy with cancer? Not just another summer hanging out at the city pool…

Set: Charlie Olson

Costumes: Brenda Winstead

Lighting: Justin Wardell

QB Carousel at Michigan State leads to new faces, transfers

Any big time Michigan State football fan will know the name of Keith Nichol; the 4 star Elite-11 quarterback who committed to JLS his junior year only to pull his commitment  and ink with Oklahoma… only to get buried under the insanely talented Sam Bradford and transfer back from Oklahoma to Michigan State.

Yes, you heard correctly, the prodigal son has returned.. And I’m happy!

Sure I was upset when Keith Nichol decided to go elsewhere. I was quite happy with Dantonio for picking up two competent replacements in Nick Foles out of Texas and Kirk Cousins out of Holland, MI (my home town!).

Here’s where it hurts:

Connor Dixon, arguably at one point one of the state of Pennsylvania’s most talented QBs, decides to leave the program.

That leaves us with Hoyer, Foles and Cousins on the roster.

Then, Nichol transfers in…

Hoyer (Sr.), Foles (So.), Cousins (So.), Nichol (So.)

Finally.. Foles decides to transfer…

Hoyer (Sr.), Cousins (So.), Nichol (So.) –> That’s next year!

What happens this year? We have Hoyer and Cousins… That’s it.

anyone who knows anything about football knows this is a problem…

Sure Keyshawn Martin or Charles Burrell could step in if needed, but who’s going to play the scout team?

Dantonio’s special # is 4.. 4 QBs on the roster at a given time. Looks like we might be going JUCO

I wish Connor Dixon the best, sorry it didn’t work out at MSU.

And to Nick Foles, I was really looking forward to seeing you in the green and white next year, but I understand your wanting to leave. I wish you nothing but the  best, and you’ll always be a Spartan!

All I can say is wow, i’ve been waiting for this movie for a long time!

Having grown up with X-Files helped a lot. I remember my parents would not let me watch, thinking it would cause nightmares.

My mom made me move a bunch of cinder blocks under our deck (lots of spiders running around, my one true fear) and said if I can handle that, I can watch X-Files anytime I wanted… I did it!

Back to reality, take a look at this new official trailer for X-Files 2 (penned “I Want to Believe”), courtesy of IGN and YouTube. I have to say, they always have a way of capturing my attention. Chris Carter is a genius!

What do you think?

Picture this: You’re a drummer in a failed 80’s band, and you still want to live out your dream 20 years later, so you join a high school band.

Hilarity ensues.

This could go either way…. Alex over at FirstShowing says this reminds him of Andy Samberg’s Hot Rod, just with Rainn Wilson instead of Andy Samberg…

I’m not sold on this movie yet… but I’ve been surprised before!