'Flash of Genius' a bit boring
"Flash of Genius" thinks it's an inspirational, based-on-fact, little-man-beats-the-system drama, when in fact it is one of the more depressing pictures I've seen in quite some time.

'How to Lose Friends & Alienate People'

Simon Pegg, star of "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People," is quickly demonstrating how to lose audiences and alienate critics.

'Manon': A spellbinder

In kicking off its new season with a spellbinding "Manon," the Lyric Opera of Chicago has outdone itself.

Dinner and a movie

This weekend, check out "Flash of Genius," which opens today and is reviewed by Josh Larsen in today's TGIF! The film is based on the true story of a college professor and part-time inventor who sues Detroit automakers, claiming they stole his windshield wiper idea. The film stars Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Jake Abel and Bill Smitrovich. Afterward, enjoy the innovation of food being diced and sliced before your eyes at Hamada of Japan, 18310 N. North Creek Drive, Tinley Park, (708) 444-2255.

5 Places to ...

In a restaurant rut?

Empress Casino: A $50 million project

Take a good look at the Empress Casino & Hotel in Joliet the next time you visit.

Top Concert: New Kids on the Block

For the first time in 15 years, the New Kids on the Block are back on tour.

'Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist'

Someday, Michael Cera will show us what else he can do.

'Religulous' is often laugh-out-loud outrageous

Bill Maher is preaching to the choir with "Religulous," a documentary dissecting organized religion, but he's doing it in his laceratingly funny, sardonic way.

'Blindness': An overlong beat-down

The blind literally lead the blind - to hell and back - in the pretentious, preposterous allegory "Blindness."

Who's Playing

ALLSTATE ARENA - 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, (847) 635-6601: Saturday, New Kids on the Block.

A quick look at other movies you might want to see

'EAGLE EYE'

Events

ART

Lyric Opera: The glorious and exalted
Passionate romance, dramatic fire, searing emotions and breathtaking melodies overflowing with delicious arias. That is the glorious and exalted stuff that takes center stage in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2008-09 season.

'Miracle at St. Anna': The insanity of war

"Miracle at St. Anna" encompasses a world of pain.

'Eagle Eye': A paranoid thriller

A tight, jittery conspiracy drama, "Eagle Eye" envisions an omnipresent enemy that can infiltrate any telephone, commandeer all television monitors and even manipulate traffic signals to engineer lethal car crashes.

'Nights in Rodanthe': Awfully thin material

More effective as a piece of house porn than cinematic drama, "Nights in Rodanthe" stars Richard Gere and Diane Lane as emotionally bruised strangers.

'The Lucky Ones': Not up to the task

"The Lucky Ones" is another noble attempt to dramatize the effects of the Iraq War on American soldiers.

Gaming, dining values await in Las Vegas

There's a lot more to a Las Vegas vacation than "The Strip," home to the high-profile mega-resorts.

Dinner and a movie

In case you missed its box office premiere last weekend, be sure to check out "Ghost Town." Greg Kinnear, Tea Leoni and Ricky Gervais, of the BBC's "The Office" fame, star in the comedic flick about mortality and the afterlife. After the movie, you can grab dinner at the recently opened Hollywood Pub & Restaurant, 8888 W. 159th St., Orland Park, (708) 403-6677.

5 Places to ...

For the past 11 years, Midlothian has been hosting its annual Scottish Fair & Celtic celebration.

Top Concert: Weezer

Rivers Cuomo, front man for the Los Angeles alternative rock band Weezer, is back in town to promote the band's self-titled June release aka "'The Red Album" at 7 p.m. Thursday at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont.

Southwest Symphony Orchestra starts season on Sunday

Votes cast last season are coming to fruition with the new season of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra.

Who's Playing

ALLSTATE ARENA - 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, (847) 635-6601: Saturday, Enrique Iglesias and Adventura.

A quick look at other movies you might want to see

'LAKEVIEW TERRACE'

Events

ART

Southland native living her dream
When she was a little girl all she wanted to do was sing. But every time Kristen Freilich tried to sing, the results were not encouraging. One day, though, everything changed for the Palos Heights native.

'Igor': Simply grotesque

I think we need a No Child Left Behind Act for the movies.

'Lakeview Terrace': At it again

Poor Samuel L. Jackson.

Dinner and a movie

Bring the kids to the animated comedy, "Igor," which opens today and is reviewed by Josh Larsen in today's edition of TGIF! Featuring the voices of John Cusack, Sean Hayes, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Eddie Izzard, Paul Vogt and Molly Shannon, the cartoon brings humor and fun to experiments and mad scientists. If the gang is hungry afterward, treat them to tasty pizza at Gino's East, 15840 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park, (708) 633-1300.

5 Places to ...

Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens' 15th annual Monarch Butterfly Fest will begin at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in Palos Heights and features hundreds of native butterflies. Afterward, grab a bite at one of these eateries.

Low-denomination games decrease overall slot payback

All casino officials tell us nothing about the slot machines we play on their gaming floors, other than the promotional hype and marketing spin they want us to hear.

Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz members are set for the group's next show

The Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz will present its next concert with Doug Finke and his Dixieland Crew from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Glendora House, 10225 S. Harlem Ave., Chicago Ridge.

Who's Playing

The next few days are full of concerts, partly because the World Music Festival Chicago 2008 takes place today to Thursday. Gigs that are part of the fest are indicated with an *. More information about the fest is at http://egov.cityofchicago.org/WorldMusic.

A quick look at other movies you might want to see

'BURN AFTER READING'

Events

ART

Alone in the Dark: 'Family That Preys'
A strong cast - specifically, Angela Bassett - salvaged "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns," but Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates can't do the same with "Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys."

'Burn After Reading' elevated by a screwball-capable cast
And you thought "No Country for Old Men" was nihilistic. As a follow-up to their bleak Oscar winner of 2007, filmmaking brothers Joel and Ethan Coen offer another gloomy depiction of the evil that lurks in the hearts of men with "Burn After Reading."

'The Women': Spayed and neutered

"The Women" have been declawed.

Dinner and a movie

After the success of "No Country for Old Men," the Coen brothers return to the theater with the black comedy "Burn After Reading," which opens today and is reviewed by Josh Larsen in today's TGIF! The flick stars John Malkovich, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt. Continue the laughs at Senese's Winery Restaurant and Barrel of Laughs Comedy Club, 10345 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn, (708) 499-2969.

5 Places to ...

Even though Saturday's Flossmoor Fest has been canceled, you can still check out these area eateries.

'The Boys of Syracuse': Galvanic energy

"The Comedy of Errors" is among the most frequently performed (and reworked) of William Shakespeare's madcap dramas.

Action Gaming's Spin Poker stands test of time

Unlike slot players who embrace new generations of games, video poker players have been unwilling to accept manufacturers' "bells and whistles."

Haunted Children's Farm tickets

Tickets will go on sale Monday for the annual Haunted Children's Farm set for Oct. 24 and 25 at the Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park.

Who's Playing

BLARNEY STONE PUB - 15400 Cicero Ave., Oak Forest, (708) 535-4800: Saturday, Backyard Cohort.

A quick look at other movies you might want to see

'BANGKOK DANGEROUS'

'Stop Pimpin Yo Mama'

For those who missed Lorita Johnson's "Stop Pimpin Yo Mama," another encore performance is set for 4 p.m. (doors at 3:30 p.m.) Saturday at the Prairie State College auditorium, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.

Events

ART