Articles by " Kevin Shalvey"

Around the United States, the digital Prop 8 discussion

Aug 27, 2010 by     Comments Off    Posted under: Prop 8, Same-sex marriage

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Around the United States, gay marriage and other gay rights issues have sparked legislation, public debates and protests. And, these days, when an issue sparks a public interest, there’s no way that it won’t end up being discussed on Twitter. It has become an outlet for any discussion, especially those of vital importance to so many people.

Here, we at Chicago Loopster have created a way to track that discussion around the United States. Use the above interactive graphic to check in on the debate in some of the biggest cities around the United States. Twitter searches for Prop 8 will pop up in a new window. And check back often, because there’s constant chatter about Prop 8.

Raking it in and dishing it out: The most lucrative and expensive Chicago productions

Aug 19, 2010 by     Comments Off    Posted under: Transformers

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It’s clear that not every movie filmed in Chicago has made money. Take High Fidelity, the John Cusack vehicle about record collecting, love and, unofficially, the Purple Line. That 2000 flick only pulled in $27 million at the box office, a few million fewer than its $30 million production budget, according to Box Office Mojo.

But there have been some Second City blockbusters over the years. (We can assume, too, that Transformers 3 will fall into this category.)

Director Christopher Nolan directed The Dark Knight, that venerable Batman flick from two years ago, here in Chicago. And despite not even earning a nod for the Academy Award’s Best Picture category, it is one of the top-grossing films of all time.

Do you know what’s cooler than making all that money? Do you know what’s better than a Best Picture Oscar? I’d have to say flipping a tractor trailer end-over-end on the Loop’s La Salle Street. But that’s just me.

Here, Loopster breaks down some of the highest grossing and most costly movies made in Chicago. (And we couldn’t resist throwing in a few of our favorites.)


Also in this issue…

  • Hollywood does Chicago: Transformers’ visit a benefit to Chicagoans, local economy — not just about Bay and LaBeouf
  • Raking it in and dishing it out: The most lucrative and expensive Chicago productions
  • What’s in it for Paramount? The incentives and expenses for filming in Chicago
  • Movies in Chicago: Features of the past 60 years
  • What’s the buzz on “Transformers 3?″