Month: October 2013

In 2011, the first book in “The Christmas Cats” series of stories for young readers (ages 3 to 10) was released. It contained artwork by Andrew Weinert and Emily Marquez and conveyed the message, through the antics of “The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats” that children should learn to get along in life.

The journey of the first book was rocky. It was begun when young Andy Weinert was in high school. I promised him that, if he drew me some cats in silly hats, this book WOULD see the light of day. And then AuthorHouse lost his original drawings. I was so upset that I tracked the President of AuthorHouse down and received the promise of a “free” make good book. But, really, who wants more of a bad deal? I put the book in a drawer and there it moldered for 7 or 8 years.

While working on my movie book (“It Came from the 70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now”) I mentioned the cat book project to layout man Donnie Light. Donnie thought he might be able to make the pixels in the scans of the cats suitable, as computers had progressed quite a bit since Andy drew the originals. However, I also wanted to turn the book into a Christmas present, so I needed an artist to make that happen, and Andy was not available.

The girls’ nanny, Emily Marquez of Venezuela stepped in and helped out. Emily is not a professional artist, but she loves to draw and she did a credible job of both finishing the drawings and helping promote the book.

I did not publish a book in 2012, as Andy was unavailable to help with illustrations, but, as the twins for whom I wrote the first book are now 4, I looked long and hard for just the right artist to assist me with this project and found Gary McCluskey of Rhode Island.

Four-year-old twin granddaughters Elise (left) and Ava (right) Wilson, to whom the book is dedicated. (They’ll be helping me write them, from now on.)

Gary’s drawings were (and are) so good and clever and colorful that Donnie said, “This guy ought to be working for Disney!” I suggested drawings for the short rhyming tale of the Christmas Cats in Silly Hats, who are called in by scientists and asked to help round up escaped white lab rats. The drawings were (and are) darling, and the books are on their way to me now (expedited shipping) so that I can have them by November 2nd at the book signing at SouthPark Mall’s Book World. (At least, they are supposed to be here.)

The basic message of this book is that we should not be prejudiced, but should learn to judge individuals on their own merits. The Christmas Cats are still in evidence (and wearing their characteristic silly hats) but, this time, there are little white rats involved and the short book (32 pages) is a fun, colorful, creative read for anybody’s child or grandchild.

I will be signing copies of Book #2, “The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats” at SouthPark Mall from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 2nd. While supplies last, if you purchase Book #2 in paperback, you can receive a free copy of Book #1. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive 2 books for the price of one!

The book is also available in Kindle format and in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords outlets, but, if you want a signed copy, come visit me at Book World in South Park this coming Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Opening Night of the 49th Chicago Film Festival at the Chicago Theater

By Connie Wilson

On October 13, 2013

In Movies, Pop Culture

Mayor Rahm Emmanuel with a Festival judge at the 49th Chicago Film Festival.

Chicago Film Festival Opens with “The Immigrant” on October 10th, 2013

By Connie Wilson

On October 11, 2013

In Movies, Reviews

The 49th Chicago Film Festival opened in Chicago on October 10th, 2013, with a showing of James Gray’s film “The Immigrant.” The festival is the longest-running festival in North America. Director James Gray appeared with his film, which stars Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner.

The story of a Polish immigrant in 1921 New York City, Marion Cotillard speaks Polish throughout the film. She arrives at Ellis Island with her sister, Magda, and the duo expects to be met by their aunt and uncle. They are fleeing Poland after their parents were murdered in front of them by armed horsemen.

Chaz Ebert, widow of film critic Roger Ebert, is interviewed on the Red Carpet at the opening of the Chicago Film Festival.

Unfortunately, Magda is ill with tuberculosis and the officials decree that she must spend 6 months quarantined in the infirmary on Ellis Island. Ewa makes it her mission to wait for her sister. She is initially helped by Joaquin Phoenix’s character of Bruno Weiss, who forces her into prostitution, despite her reluctance. Bruno is attracted to the luminous beauty, but, even though he wants her for himself, he has arranged for her to be put in the position of facing deportation (until he intervenes) and he puts her in this position, despite wanting her for hinself.

The plot thickens when Bruno’s cousin, Emil (Jeremy Renner), a magician who performs as Orlando the Magician, returns to the Bandits’ Roost. Emil has a bad habit of stealing Bruno’s girlfriends. This time, Emil’s intent seems to be no different, causing friction between Bruno and Emil.

Mayor Rahm Emmanuel enters the Chicago Theater for Opening Night of the Chicago Film Festival.

The performances are routinely fine, although Jeremy Renner is under-used, and his guy liner is off-putting. The recreation of 1921 New York City are outstanding. As the granddaughter of a Dutch woman who immigrated through Ellis Island at the age of 13 (and who has visited Ellis Island), you can literally see what it must have been like.

Mayor Rahm Emmanuel with a Festival judge at the 49th Chicago Film Festival.

The film feels “old timey.” It is a melodrama with the “eternal triangle” motivating much of it, and the blackmail of Bruno (“Don’t you want to help your sister”) keeping Ewa in the traces at the Bandits’ Roost. As the film ends, Bruno admits that he is responsible for Ewa’s entire situation and says, “You hate me and I don’t blame you for hating me.” The entire film focuses on “The things we do to survive” and emphasizes the message, “You’re desperate. We’ve all been desperate.”

The festival this year is dedicated to recently-deceased film critic Roger Ebert, and his wife, Chaz, spoke and attended with her children. Also attending was Director James Gray.

The Weinstein Brothers are distributing the film, and James Gray (“Two Lovers,” “We Own the Night”) is scheduled to direct a space epic (“To the Stars”) in mid-2014.