Chicago, IL

Last night, Chicago acted like Hollywood again as it hosted the premiere of the new film Gone Baby Gone. The film was shown at the Music Box Theatre, as part of the Chicago International Film Festival, which runs through September 17th.

The movie marks the feature film directorial debut of Ben Affleck and the movie stars his brother, Casey Affleck. Ben also co-wrote the screenplay. The film is about a young girl who is abducted and Casey’s character, a private investigator, is hired to find her. The film was delayed in Europe after the filmmakers were concerned that it would hit too close to home for the family and friends of Madeline McCann.

Ben’s wife Jennifer Garner and daughter Violet were not at the premiere. Ben said that the subject of the movie is of increasing importance to him now that he has a child. He said that parents have to worry about security issues when they have a child and the film addresses the worries that all parents have regarding their children.

Casey joked with reporters that not only did he not have to audition for his role in the film, he made Ben auditioned for him, to ensure that he would be a good director. Ben, on the other hand, said that Casey had to beg his way onto the film.

The Chicago International Film Festival shows 360 screenings of 160 different films of wide-ranging subjects and budgets. The screenings take place at several venues throughout the city and the filmmakers come from 44 different countries to show their films in Chicago. For more information on the festival, visits the festival site.

Photos: Chicago Sun-Times

Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Chicago International Film Festival

The Museum of Science and Industry has a new Star Wars exhibit. The exhibit, called Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, features models, artifacts, and replicas from the movies and will run through January 6th. Advance tickets are suggested and are available online.

Chicago, museum of science and industry, star wars, Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination

The filming of the lastest Batman film, The Dark Knight is ongoing here in Chicago. On Wednesday, the old Brach’s Candy building, at the corner of Cicero Avenue and Ferdinand Street, was blown up during the filming. The building will serve as “Gothman General Hospital” in the film. The movie is the biggest movie project that Chicago has ever hosted.

Below are some stunning photographs of the explosion, which will be coming soon to a theater near you.

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Here are some photos of Angelina Jolie filming the movie Wanted here in Chicago this week. It looks like she is enjoying doing the stunt on top of the Dodge Viper.

Dirty Dancing: The Musical, the musical version of the classic film has already been a hit with theatergoers in London. The musical will be coming to the United States in the fall of 2008 and will open first in Chicago. It is scheduled to debut on September 2, 2008 opening at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

The musical will include many of the popular songs from the film, including “Hungry Eyes” and “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.” Group tickets are available now and single tickets will be soon. For ticket information visit Broadway in Chicago.

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