The Joliet Herald News :: Entertainment ::

Rihanna's fighting words

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Jim DeRogatis: For all the talk of an edgier, angrier and more mature new Rihanna, it's hard to buy the re-emergent dance-pop singer as a towering pillar of feminine strength akin to Patti Smith, Courtney Love, Queen Latifah or Mary J. Blige. Nevertheless, "Rated R," the new album recorded in the wake of Rihanna's altercation with former boyfriend Chris Brown and arriving in stores today, is by far the best, most layered and most heartfelt effort of the 21-year-old artist's career.

Oprah's little helpers move on

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Paige Wiser: If Oprah is the center of the universe -- and we have no reason to doubt she is -- then she's not just shutting down a show. She's shaking up the cosmos. After all, she's responsible for launching a series of stars, comets and dwarf planets that are out there now on their own. What's next for those in Oprah's orbit?

Rich harvest for 'Moon'

BY DAVID GERMAIN — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Bon Jovi return to blue-collar roots

BY MARK KENNEDY, The Associated Press — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora sat down in September 2008 to knock out a few tunes for a planned greatest-hits CD. While they wrote, the economy tanked. The New Jersey-bred songwriters got swept up in the moment. A few new socially conscious songs led to a few more. Nine months later they had too many.

Bolingbrook musician dreams of silver screen

By DENISE M. BARAN-UNLAND For Sun-Times Media — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Allen Cotton didn't win the annual Drum-Off District Finals at the Guitar Center in North Chicago, but the Bolingbrook musician is still pleased with his other victory. In late October, Cotton, 20, was crowned the local winner at the Guitar Center in Joliet. It was the first time he's won the title in his four years of competing.

No peace on earth: Holiday films go to battle

BY CINDY PEARLMAN — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Holiday movie preview: Viggo Mortensen isn't roasting chestnuts but trying to keep from getting roasted in the cannibal-crazy "The Road." Earthlings aren't exactly welcome when they visit Smurf-colored aliens in James Cameron's "Avatar." Even Daniel Day-Lewis can't find any peace in "Nine." Hopefully for Hollywood all this strife will result in what they really want under their collective Christmas trees: A big box of envelopes that say: "And the nominees are ..."

Bella mopes through pretentious 'New Moon'

BY DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Where would Hollywood be without that old stand-by -- the vampire-werewolf-schoolgirl love triangle? As every Stephenie Meyer fan knows, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is the one where studly vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) dumps his human girlfriend, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), for her own safety. She turns to old chum Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) for solace, unaware that he's a werewolf, and therefore Edward's sworn enemy from way back.

Let's start missing Oprah!

BY FRAZIER MOORE, The Associated Press — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Is it too soon to begin missing Oprah?

MSI visitors can dream of a 'White House' Christmas

BY JENNIFER BURKLOW Kid Zone — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

When the Museum of Science and Industry opens its doors today, it will be decked out in its annual holiday splendor -- but with a special treat. Opening alongside "Christmas Around the World" and "Holidays of Lights" will be "The White House: A Look Inside."

Holiday happenings

By ANNIE ALLEMAN For Sun-Times Media — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

It's only the second year that the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet has hosted the ComEd Festival of Trees, but already organizers are rightfully boasting that it's better than ever.