Shakman and cast finally do Four justice One of the more vexing things for fans of Marvel Comics is the inability to successfully translate the initial property of the four-color universe to the big screen. Hitting newsstands during the fall of 1961, The Fantastic Four was the first superhero-based comic created by Stan Lee and Jack […]
Arts & Culture
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Hadestown: Teens tackle the underworld
Hadestown: Teen Edition is an impressive Active and Creative Teen Theatre production that brings to life a musical retelling of the mythic young lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice, who go to “hell and back” for King Hades and his wife, Persephone. The show parallels current world issues and humanity’s repeated historical struggles – weaving in grand […]
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Letter On Expenses
The following is in a brief letter from my grandfather when his son (my uncle) was a college freshman: “My dear boy Trever, I have received your letter listing your accounts for the next semester I notice you do not plan on eating for a month so I will include some extra in case you […]
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Christmastime comedy classic returns to big screen
Christmas is only five months away. Why not take in a comedy classic set during Chrismastime? Watch as Kevin McAllister (played by MacCauley Culkin), battles a pair of burglars after accidentally being left behind by his Paris-bound family. Directed by John Hughes, this 1990 film also stars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as the burglars […]
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Humility: The endangered virtue
Country music is not my favorite genre. However, there is one country song that never fails to bring a smile to my face each time I hear it. That song, “(Always Stay) Humble and Kind,” is sung by Tim McGraw but it was written by Lori McKenna, a mother of five, and it’s easy to […]
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United Way to host Community Listening Sessions
United Way of Central Illinois will be hosting Community Listening Sessions and a companion Community Survey to gather input directly from residents across Sangamon and Menard Counties. These efforts aim to better understand the challenges facing local families and identify where the greatest needs and gaps exist. Then, United Way can continue to direct grant […]
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Kidzeum holds ribbon cutting for Route 66 exhibit
Kidzeum of Health and Science is holding a seven-year anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20. The weekend will feature live performances, hands-on science programs, games, giveaways and the grand opening of the brand-new Route 66-themed exhibition, The Road to Adventure: Exploring Route 66. Admission is free on Saturday, while Sunday will […]
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Eddington examines divisions, Old Guard 2 a rote action film
Aster’s Eddington provides an uncomfortable reflection The first film to take a deep dive into how the Covid-19 crisis affected the U.S., Ari Aster’s Eddington is an uncompromising examination of the divisions that tore communities apart and its continuing repercussions. Though a piece of fiction, Aster and his cast capture the sense of angst that […]
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Another Letter From Grandpa
“My Dear boy Trever, regarding your studies And coming exams I want to say steady boy, Don’t be afraid, fear will beat you. You have done good honest work and if you should fail I have nothing against you. You have made a good fight. If you were to fail because of sporting and bumming […]
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Oklahoma!: An old-fashioned treat at The Muni
Oklahoma! debuted on Broadway more than 80 years ago, and its celebration of small-town life and enduring American spirit has made it a cornerstone in the community theater repertoire. The Muni’s co-directing team, Ann Opferman and Gil Opferman, have been involved with four productions of Oklahoma! during their lifetimes. “There are still 700-plus productions of […]
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Popular Chatham event marks 50th year
Chatham’s big summer event celebrating that delicious, golden food staple just keeps going strong. The festival is celebrating its 50th year. The fun starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the honoring of past event chairs. Then it’s on to the Little Miss Sweet Corn pageant, games for children, more than 70 […]
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Ari Aster: Searching for an olive branch in Eddington
On the basis of his films Hereditary and Midsommer, it would be tempting to pigeonhole Ari Aster as a director of horror films. However, his third movie, Beau is Afraid, was an indication that his primary focus is human behavior, which is at times more inexplicable and terrifying than anything that might go bump in […]
