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3 1/2 Stars from Roger Ebert!
“I’ve rarely seen a documentary quite like it. It has a point to make but no ax to grind…What’s the Matter with Kansas? doesn’t connect the dots, nor does it need to. It takes no cheap shots. It is all there to see. These good people are voting against themselves.”
WBEZ radio interview tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, filmmakers Laura Cohen, Joe Winston and author Thomas Frank will all appear on WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio, for an interview on “848″ to talk about the journey from page to screen of “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” on the eve of its Chicago Premiere. If you’re in or near Chicago, tune in to [...]
Operation Rescue is out of money, may shut down
“We’re so broke, we can’t even pay attention,” quipped Troy Newman, head of Operation Rescue, speaking to the Associated Press. The Pro-Life activist group based in Wichita, KS is apparently on the brink of shutting down, for lack of funds. He’s just sent out a desperate letter to supporters, adding that he’s working without pay. [...]
Welcome to the new blog, new web site
Hello, and welcome to the new blog for “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” We’re still making improvements, so leave us comments and let us know how the new blog layout and the new site work for you!
WGN radio interview tomorrow morning
Director Joe Winston will talk about the making of the movie, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” on WGN Radio, 720 AM from Chicago, tomorrow morning, Sunday, September 13, at 7:00 am CST. You can stream it live from the WGN Radio website.
The program, “The Sunday Papers,” is hosted by the Chicago Tribune’s Rick Kogan, who [...]
Anti-abortion protester shot and killed in Michigan
A member of Operation Save America (a splinter group of Operation Rescue), Jim Pouillon, age 63, was shot and killed at 7:20 am Friday morning, while protesting against abortion outside a high school in Michigan. Authorities say the suspect, Harlan James Drake, age 33, was offended by anti-abortion material that the activist had displayed across [...]
Thomas Frank: the backlash returns
Thomas Frank, who coined the term “the Great Backlash,” and made it famous in his book, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” notes in his column in today’s Wall Street Journal that it didn’t take long for the Obama Honeymoon to end.
A scary new populism made the cover of Newsweek back in March.
But then we skipped [...]
Volunteers Needed to Videotape Chicago Q&A’s
“What’s the Matter with Kansas?” is looking for volunteer(s) to videotape the Q & A sessions (sure to be lively) featuring Thomas Frank and the filmmakers. The Q & A’s will take place after two of the screenings at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Tiller’s murderer considering “justifiable homicide” defense
Scott Roeder, who’s accused of shooting Dr. George Tiller to death in his own church, is hiring lawyer Michael Hirsch to present a “justifiable homicide” defense, according to the Associated Press.
Why Kansas Matters
John K. Wilson’s review of “What’s the matter with Kansas?” appears in the current issue of In These Times, an unapologetically leftist Chicago-based newsweekly.
John brings up the always volatile issue of whether the movie respects its subjects.
Frank’s book and this movie are both vulnerable to accusations of condescending elitism, Frank for his thesis and [...]
Chicago Reader profile
In this week’s issue, the Chicago Reader named Laura and Joe as “People to Watch” among Chicago filmmakers. We’re still blushing. A brief excerpt:
Sitting in his dining room in Lincoln Square with his son, Milo, on his knee, director Joe Winston only vaguely resembles the tousled host of This Week in Joe’s Basement, the Chicago [...]