Tempo
Strolling through the new cable frontier
By Steve Johnson, Tribune television critic.
1,435 words
13 June 2003
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Final
1
English
Copyright 2003, Chicago Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
At least twice during their convention here this week, the good people of cable television started their daily session several minutes past schedule. But there was no late fee. And when one of them returned my telephone call, from his cell phone somewhere on the McCormick Place floor, I neither kept him on hold for 23 minutes nor told him to wait at his company's booth and I would meet him there "between 12 and 6." The good people of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, in other words, got a lesson in customer service from me, a fellow who last served customers directly when making submarine sandwiches in high school. Whether they will learn from my seminar-by-example is an open question, given both cable's sad history in that realm and the fact that it was competing with such tantalizing scheduled sessions as "The MO on VOD, SVOD, FVOD" and "Revenue Opportunities in Selling Broadband B2B." But let the record reflect that I, a longtime cable customer who has happily switched to satellite TV's better technology and more vividly rendered pastures, made the effort. I don't bear a grudge and, indeed, genuinely wanted to see how the service I had jilted was doing. The answer I got was what anybody who's being honest with themselves will admit is exactly what they want to hear about an ex: OK, but not too OK. The NCTA comes to Chicago every other year in June, for a convention that's not about selling one's stuff so much as strutting it, if displaying a hot new signal filter can be said to count as a strut. "This is really more of a show where middle and senior managers get to see what's up and what's cool," said Bob McIntyre, chief technical officer for Scientific-Atlanta, a leading cable box manufacturer. This year, that meant a convention floor packed with lots of high-definition television, the industry's great new revenue-driving hope, and oodles of smarter, sleeker cable boxes, including, at last, many that will have TiVo-like digital video recorders (DVRs) built in so that cable can better compete with satellite TV. Most of the big programmers were on hand. Some, like Viacom, were pushing new or re-named channels, like guy-centric Spike TV, a channel whose "Man Show" ethos Spike Lee would have been better advised to let pass without litigation. The would-be big programmers were there, too, such as hopefuls The Sportsman Channel (huntin' 'n' fishin'), HorseRacing TV (4-5 odds say you can figure the theme out) and JokeVision, whose programming concept is, no kidding, ordinary Americans telling jokes. Michael Jackson, it was reported, was there at the same time I was, causing a buzz at the Urban Family Network, a black-themed channel that apparently wants the fading (literally) superstar to develop -- cringe -- family-friendly programming. That I didn't see him, I am sure, had nothing whatsoever to do with my long and enlightening chat with Playboy's Playmate of the Year, who said an attendee had actually asked her to write on a photo of herself, "Thanks for the ride." No dumb bunny, she opted for her standard, demure "To: [cad's name here]." No, the real reason I missed Jackson was undoubtedly because I was so busy mulling over the words of wisdom uttered during the convention's assemblage of Great Men of Media: Bill Gates (Microsoft), Richard Parsons (AOL Time Warner), Brian Roberts (Comcast) and Mel Karmazin (Viacom).
By "mulling," what I mean is "trying to remember one compelling thing that they said." Parsons, my notebook reminds me, kept dissing clunky old dial-up AOL, no surprise given its albatross effect on his company's stock. Karmazin said CBS will again have its entire prime-time lineup going out in high definition, which is fantastic news for people who want to pay thousands of extra dollars to catch every filmic nuance of "The King of Queens." And Gates, who's got a new software package he's trying to sell to cable companies, pandered a little by saying, "Anybody who thinks cable's at some plateau will be very surprised at what they see here." But it is fair to say that there was optimism at the convention, largely because of the coming new technology and because cable leads the valuable new broadband product category (they get $50 a month for Internet access out of me, for instance, despite my general desire to punish cable for years of neglect and worse). "Last year at this time [cable] people weren't feeling really good about themselves," said famous rich guy Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner and head of high-def channel HDNet. Despite a hall that offered plenty of floor-hockey space compared with the go-go late 1990s, "The energy's definitely back to the NCTA," said Cuban, who manned his venture's booth like any other salesman, albeit without the necktie. "People want to be here, as opposed to having to be here." There was even a (very) little controversy: Six people from Chicago Media Action stood outside in the rain Tuesday because Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell, who had just led a not-as-controversial-as-it-should-have-been loosening of media ownership restrictions, was speaking inside. Leave it to the NCTA, of course, to have an official spend some 45 minutes talking one-on-one with Powell, in a near-full grand ballroom, and never once mention the media ownership rules change. Instead we heard Powell sounding eager to get the analog TV spectrum back, when the digital conversion is complete, probably for wireless use. And the rather amusing Powell related his famous father's lament about having too much home technology: "I only need to talk to your sister one way, and I've got 15 ways to do it, and it's costing me a fortune," the FCC chairman said the Secretary of State told him. To that end, some of the coming cable boxes will combine not only DVRs and cable tuners, but DVD players and cable modems, as well, and they'll be able to route those signals wirelessly to the rest of the home. That's five current boxes combined into one of reasonable size (think small stereo receiver), a product compelling enough to even bring people back from satellite. The trick is convincing cable companies, which have spent billions in recent years to upgrade to broadband capability, to invest in making such technology available to consumers. One more endearing Michael-and-his-pop anecdote: A&E cable had a life-size wax Colin Powell on hand to promote its "Biography" series, and it was taking digital photos of convention-goers with the mock statesman. After getting my image snapped with Powell, I made a crack to the photo guys about it being the "next best thing to Michael," which I thought of as a little NCTA in-joke. One of them reached under the table and pulled out a snapshot, taken earlier that morning, of Powell the younger posing amusedly with his pantomime father. Photos are nice, but the smart thing to give away would be gel-filled shoe inserts. Conventions are why the "comfort-shoe" category exists. "Your dogs are barking by the end of the day," said Andy Dale, CEO of the Outdoor Channel, which demonstrated its status compared with startup rival The Sportsman Channel by having whole stuffed game animals on display rather than the newcomer's mere mounted heads. Other tchotchkes, a staple of conventioneering, ranged from MTV2's free CDs (one per customer, with choices including Pete Yorn and The Roots) to tote bags to T-shirts conventioneers won by spinning a giant wheel. Not on public display was the industry's Wheel of Channel Lineup changes, a game cable folk play in secret at such gatherings so that they can go home and -- heh-heh -- inflict entirely new channel assignments on their customers. Just kidding. I think. PHOTO (color): Chris Paulson of Western Cable Communications takes a breather at a massaging chair booth, during the National Cable & Telecommunications Show at McCormick Place this week. Photo for the Tribune by Jill Sagers-Wijangco. PHOTO: Larry Williamson gets a manicure from Anna Arken as part of Lifetime's promotion of its new makeover show, "Head 2 Toe.". Photo for the Tribune by Jill Sagers-Wijangco. PHOTOS 2 Document TRIB000020030613dz6d0004q Knight-Ridder/Tribune put out a story nearly identical to the one immediately above. Movies
IN BRIEF.
Highlight of the week
Nancy Maes and Michael Wilmington, Tribune movie critic.
491 words
5 December 2003
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Final
8
English
Copyright 2003, Chicago Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
"Manito" focuses on two Latino brothers from the Washington Heights section of Manhattan who have followed different paths. Junior Moreno, a player in the local drug scene, has done jail time while Manny, the salutatorian of his high school class, has a bright future. This first film by writer-director Eric Eason was awarded the Special Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It is recommended for mature audiences. Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave., Evanston, "Manito," 7 p.m. Mon., free; 847-866-0300. --Nancy Maes

Critic's pick
"Russian Ark" (Russian; Alexander Sokurov, 2001)
(star)(star)(star)(star)
Another chance to see one of the great visual/technical feats in movie history: Sokurov's one-shot phantasmagoria on pre-revolutionary Russian history and culture, captured in one gliding, eye-popping track through St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum. 8 p.m. Friday, Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, east of Batavia; $4; 630-840-8000. --Michael Wilmington
Other openings
Alliance Francaise, 54 W. Chicago Ave., Festival of New French Cinema: Lunch buffet and film panel discussion, 11 a.m. Sat., $10, reservations recommended; 312-337-1070. Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle, Northwestern University, Evanston, Block Cinema: "The Wedding Banquet," 8 p.m. Fri., $6; 847-491-4000. Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St., "Plan Colombia: Cashing in on the Drug War Failure," co-presented by Chicago Media Action and Andersonville Neighbors for Peace, 8 p.m. Sat., $7; 773-293-1447.
Film Studies Center at the University of Chicago, Room 37, Cobb Hall, 5811 S. Ellis Ave., "Jewish Luck," 2 p.m. Fri.; "Jews in the Flatland: The Dynamics of Jewishness in Russian and Soviet Film," talk by Roman Timenchik, 4:30 p.m. Fri.; Experimental Film Club: "Roller Coasters, Persian Cats and Babies: Home Movies from the 1930s-50s," from the collection of silent film pianist David Drazin, 7 p.m. Fri.; Fire Escape
Productions, screening of recent work from University of Chicago student filmmaking group, 7 p.m. Mon., all programs are free; 773-702-8596. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., "Anatahan," Fri. and Sun.; "Menace II Society," Fri. and Tue.; "The Animation Show," Fri.-Thu.; "Valerie and Her Week of Wonders," Sat. and Thu.; "Invisible," Sat. and Mon.; "Sonic Acts," Sun. and Wed.; "Animal Attraction" and works in progress by Kathy High, who will be present for the screening, Thu., $8; 312-846-2600. LaSalle Theatre, 4901 W. Irving Park Rd., LaSalle Bank Classic Film Series: "Wichita" and short "The First Round-Up," 8 p.m. Sat., $5; 312-904-9442. Max Palevsky Cinema, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St., Doc Films: "American Wedding," Fri.; "Weather Underground," Sat., $4; 773-702-8575. Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove, After Hours Film Society: "Man on the Train," 7:30 p.m. Mon., $8; 630-534-4528. --N.M.

Highlight of the Week
Nancy Maes and Michael Wilmington, Tribune movie critic.
633 words
19 September 2003
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Final
9
English
Copyright 2003, Chicago Tribune. All Rights Reserved.

This story contains corrected material, published Sept. 19, 2003.
Highlight of the Week
"Respiro," by Italian director Emanuele Crialese, is set in a fishing community of islands off the coast of Sicily where the daily routine has remained much the same over generations--until the erratic mood swings of Grazia (Valeria Golino) disrupt the status quo. This mother of three could be just a free-spirit, but some believe she needs psychiatric help. The film received the Young Critics and Critics Week Awards at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. It is part of a series of independent, classic and foreign films at the Beverly Arts Center. Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., "Respiro," 7:30 p.m. Wed., $7; 773-445-3838.
--Nancy Maes
Critic's Picks
The Jean Cocteau Trilogy (Jean Cocteau, 1930-50-60)
(star)(star)(star)(star)
Three great poetic films (all (star)(star)(star)(star)): his surreal 1930 dream-film "The Blood of a Poet," his up-dated 1950 romantic myth (with Jean Marais), "Orpheus" and his 1960 swan song, "The Testament of Orpheus." Shown free, Tues.--Sat., Flatfile Photography Gallery.
"The Leopard" (Luchino Visconti, 1963). (star)(star)(star)(star) Visconti's visually spectacular film of Giuseppe De Lampedusa's novel about the Sicilian aristocracy in 1860, during the tempestuous times of Italy's unification. With Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale and Alain Delon. This is the full-length, restored Italian-language version. Sat., Gene Siskel Film Center. --Michael Wilmington
Other Openings Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St., "Iran, Veiled Appearances" co-presented by Chicago Media Action, 8 p.m. Sat., $7; 773-293-1447.
Flatfile Photography Gallery, 118 N. Peoria St., films in conjunction with exhibit of photography by Lucien Clergue: "Orpheus," "The Testament of Orpheus" and "The Blood of a Poet," on-going 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Oct. 11, free; 312-491-1190. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., "Bonhoeffer," Fri.-Thu.; "The Emperor Jones," Fri. and Tue.; "Love/Juice," Fri.-Sat.; "Mr. And Mrs. Iyer," Sat. and Wed.; "The Leopard," Sat.; "The Unknown" and shorts, Sun.; "Hey! Is Dee Dee Home?," Sun. and Thu.; "Road Signals" and "A Man Aside," Wed.; "Nema Problema," Thu., $8; 312-846-2600. The Goodbar, 2512 N. Halsted St., Split Pillow's "The Cliffhanger" (feature film made in serial format with each chapter written and directed by a different Chicago filmmaker), Chapters 3 and 4, 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mon, free; 773-529-5074 (this item as published has been corrected in this text). Japan Information Center, at the Consulate General of Japan, 737 N. Michigan Ave., "Japan: A Lifelong Inspiration of Frank Lloyd Wright" preceded by an introduction and followed by a discussion, 2 p.m. Sat., free; 708-848-1976. LaSalle Theatre, 4901 W. Irving Park Rd., LaSalle Bank Classic Film Series: "The Big Broadcast of 1937" and cartoon "Felix Broadcasts," 8 p.m. Sat., $5; 312-904-9442. The Liar's Club, 1665 W. Fullerton Ave., "Bettie Page Uncensored--The Unauthorized Story," 8:30 p.m. Thu., $5; 773-665-1110. Music Box, 3733 N. Southport Ave. "The Hired Hand" (Peter Fonda will appear for questions after the 7 p.m. Friday show.) Opens Fri., $8.50; "Sixteen Candles" and "Rushmore," midnight Fri.-Sat., $8.50; "Easy Rider," 11:30 a.m. Sat.-Sun., $6.50; 773-871-6604. Navy Pier IMAX Theatre, Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., "T-REX: Back to the Cretaceous 3D," Fri.-Dec. 24, $10 adults, $8 children; 312-595-5629. Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove, After Hours Film Society: "Capturing the Friedmans," 7:30 p.m. Mon., $8; 630-968-0219.
--N.M.
Document TRIB000020030919dz9j0008n

Movies
IN BRIEF.
Highlight of the week
Nancy Maes and Michael Wilmington, Tribune movie critic.
530 words
5 September 2003
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Final
2
English
Copyright 2003, Chicago Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
Highlight of the week
Two films at the Evening in the Plaza outdoor film festival examine the lives of Mexicans in the United States. In "Real Women Have Curves," a Mexican-American teen reconciles college ambitions with a desire to remain faithful to her family. The short "Uncertain Paths," by Pilsen resident Vanessa Nava, examines issues surrounding undocumented students. The event also includes a restored version of "Cuando Habla el Corazon," a 1942 ranchero musical starring Pedro Infante. Evening in the Plaza, El Zocalo Plaza, 1818 S. Paulina Ave., Outdoor Film Festival presented by National-Louis University and the Resurrection Project: "Uncertain Paths" and "Real Women Have Curves," 7:30 p.m. Fri.; "Uncertain Paths," "Cuando Habla el Corazon," short on Pedro Infante and preview trailers, 7:30 p.m. Sat. All films in Spanish with English subtitles; free, 312-666-1323. --Nancy Maes
Critic's picks
"Bringing Up Baby" (U.S.; Howard Hawks, 1938)
(star)(star)(star)(star) The great screwball comedy, starring Cary Grant as a shy paleontologist and Kate Hepburn as the dizzy, irrepressible, leopard-loving society girl who steals his dinosaur bone. 11:30 a.m. Sat.-Sun., Music Box. "International House" (U.S.; A. Edward Sutherland, 1936) (star)(star)(star)1/2 One of the classic vaudeville-style wild movie comedies of the '30s, about an international conference of screwy inventors at an oriental TV conference. 8 p.m. Sat., LaSalle Theatre. --Michael Wilmington
Other openings
Beverly Art Center, 2407 W. 111th St., "Northfolk," 7:30 p.m. Wed., $7; 773-445-3838.
Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St., 2nd fl., "Afghan Massacre: The Convoy of Death," (co-presented by Chicago Media Action), 8 p.m. Sat.-Sun., $7; 773-293-1447.
Facets Cinemateque, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., IFP/Chicago Facets Film Series, Winning Short Films from the IFP/Chicago Flyover Zone Short Film Festival and the IFP/Chicago Production Fund, a number of filmmakers will be present, 7 p.m. Wed., $5; 773-281-4114. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., "Etoiles," Fri.-Thu.; "Falling Into Evening," Fri. and Thu.; "Afro-Punk," Fri.; "I Have Found It," Sat. and Mon.; "Suzaku," Sat.; "Mix Tape," Sat.; "Dil Chanta Hai," Sun. and Wed.; "Blue Wild Angel," Sun.; "The Birth of a Nation" (Part II), Tue.; "Dead Birds," Thu.; $8; 312-846-2600. LaSalle Theatre, 4901 W. Irving Park Rd., LaSalle Bank Classic Film Series: "International House" and shorts "Earthquake!" and "Cleopatra: The Hollywood You Never See," 8 p.m. Sat., $5; 312-904-9442. Movies in the Parks, presented by the Chicago Park District, "Grease," Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave., film begins at dusk, free; 312-742-7529. Music Box, 3733 N. Southport Ave., "September 11," opens Fri., $8.50; "The Breakfast Club" and "Riki-Ho: The Story of Ricky," midnight Fri.-Sat., $8.50; "Bringing Up Baby," 11:30 a.m. Sat.-Sun., $6.50; 773-871-6604. Oriental Institute Museum, 1155 E. 58th St., Episode I of "The Great Pharaohs of Egypt" with gallery walk, 1:30 p.m. Sun., free; 773-702-9507.
--N.M.
Document TRIB000020030905dz950008c

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