In the world of pop culture, it’s all about the moment. Celebrities, TV shows, movies, musicians and fashion trends go as quickly as they come. So why spend your time on things that aren’t the hottest of the hot? To help you plan your year, RedEye’s experts have weighed in on what’s going to sizzle in 2007. And watch out–some items on our heat index are extra spicy (indicated by the hot pepper). Enjoy.
METROMIX
Last year gave us an explosion of new nightspots in Wicker Park, hotly anticipated restaurants such as David Burke’s Primehouse, and the first Pitchfork Music Festival. Here’s what metromix is looking forward to this year.
The Underground
Rockit Ranch Productions (Billy Dec, Arturo Gomez and Brad Young) went out of their way to not provide details on their latest venture, creating their own hype with commercial spoofs on YouTube. But we got a sneak peek. Whether you enter at 56 W. Illinois St., 500 N. Dearborn St. or any other entrance they choose to use before the official opening in late January, all doors lead to a subterranean space with a bomb shelter/secret agent motif.
Fresh eats from familiar names
Chef Dale Levitski (formerly of Trio Atelier and La Tache) is partnering with restaurateur Jason Chan (formerly of Butter) to open a new spot in the spring. In late summer or early fall, look for an upscale gastropub in the warehouse district from some of the folks behind Blackbird and Avec. Mia Francesca’s Terry Alexander is also involved.
Lollapalooza 2007
Now that the major music festival has a contract keeping it in the city through 2011, it’s set to become a Chicago classic. Acts for the 2007 event (Aug. 3-5) haven’t been announced yet, but we can’t wait to see how founder Perry Farrell tries to top the 2006 lineup.
— Karen Budell, Chris LaMorte and Matt Pais for Metromix
SPIN DOCTOR
CELEBS
Hey kids, Tab Tanner here. As residentPR expert, I’ve asked RedEye–er, I’ve been asked by RedEye–to give a few celebrity predictions for 2007.
And I say bring it on! I’m never wrong on these. OK, so I misfired last year when I said Michael Richards would win an NAACP Image Award. Nobody’s perfect.
But this year’s batch of predictions? Looking better than my last spray tan.
WINTER
– Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo get engaged. Jessica Simpson follows with a quickie engagement to John Mayer. Joe Simpson’s head explodes.
– “Grey’s Anatomy” wins best TV drama at the Golden Globes. The cast celebrates by getting into a huge brawl that spills a drink on Leonardo DiCaprio. Oh, the humanity.
SPRING
– Somebody from Alabama wins “American Idol.”
– Beyonce and Jay-Z … still aren’t married. Guys, you’re killing us.
SUMMER
– Julia Roberts has her baby! Media outlets are required to use exclamation points to report the story!
– Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announce they will be filming new movies in separate countries. In accordance with the tenets of Scientology, it is a “silent work separation,” and they spend the rest of the year communicating via Facebook.
FALL
– Ever the charitable giver, Oprah builds a multimillion-dollar sanctuary for Cubs fans.
– Reese Witherspoon and George Clooney agree to marry to unite the world in peace. Paris Hilton screws it up by marrying Tommy Lee.
— By Tab Tanner
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redeyeeditor@tribune.com
FASHION
Women
– One-shoulder dresses
– Metallic accessories–bags and shoes (Burberry, Hogan, Christian Louboutin, Gucci )
– Supersized bags
– Sky-high statement shoes–spike heels, wedges and platforms (Missoni, Marni, Versace)
Men
– Khaki in more than just chinos: pants, jackets and vests
– Trendy, tailored suits a la Paul Smith
– Slim, thin cashmere sweaters like Malo or Loro Piano
– Plastic glasses
— Amy Tara Koch, Redeye Stylephile Columnist
AUDIODOC
MUSIC
Hype of the year
Will 2007 mark the return of the Smashing Pumpkins? If so, will anyone remember who they are? It’s been seven years since Billy Corgan and Co. bid farewell, and I’m sure they still can conjure up a wall of sonic noise. The problem is that the rock world has steadily shifted away from that sound. An epic comeback for Pumpkin Inc. just doesn’t seem likely.
Albums
While the studio efforts of Dr. Dre and Guns N’ Roses are on the official release schedule, don’t bother holding your breath, as the odds of neither being released are just as great. Personally, I’ll be waiting anxiously for the sophomore efforts of The Kaiser Chiefs and Arcade Fire.
Combo of the year
Sure, everyone will be waiting and/or bracing for the Michael Jackson/will.i.am collaboration, but can anyone imagine what Duran Duran will sound like when filtered through Justin Timberlake and Timbaland? I’m giddy just thinking about the creative noises that will be emitted from those sessions.
— By Chris Courtney
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cdcourtney@tribune.com
MOVIES GAG REFLEX
RedEye’s resident movie curmudgeon, Mr. Cranky, looks forward to very little–even in the world of film. But we asked him to give us some highly anticipated movie events for the year, so he grudgingly offers this list. (Release dates could change.)
“Grind House” (April 6)
How will we ever get through the Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino mutual-admiration society interviews?
“Spider-Man 3” (May 4)
Spidey battles two villains played by Thomas Haden Church and Topher Grace. What’s next? Betty White as Bloodlust?
“Shrek 3” (May 18)
Oh, for the days when computer animation was actually interesting and involved more than B-grade pop-culture references.
“Pirates of the Caribbean 3” (May 25)
I don’t care how much the last one made, it sucked. And this one has Keith Richards in it. Now that’s a spectacle.
“Ocean’s 13” (June 8)
Speaking of mutual admiration societies. Please, can we give it a rest?
“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (June 15)
If at first you don’t succeed, inflict even more pain on an unsuspecting public.
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (July 13)
Harry finally moves to the summer with the rest of the overblown, over-hyped junk.
“The Simpsons Movie” (July 27)
This was about O.J. Simpson before the plug got pulled on that TV tell-all and book.
— By Mr. Cranky
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mrcranky.com
TV
Considering the success of “Ugly Betty” and “Heroes,” TV viewers can expect at least a few new shows in the fall with bespectacled oddballs who save the day.
But since we can’t bend time and space to see that far into the future, here’s a list of TV events we know you can look forward to in 2007.
– The returns of “24” (Jan. 14), “American Idol” (Jan. 16) and “Lost” (Feb. 7).
– “Project Runway” retains mentor Tim Gunn (above) for the show’s fourth season.
– HBO’s “The Sopranos” kicks off its final eight episodes in April.
– “Drive,” Fox’s new spring action series about people “driving for their lives in a sinister, cross-country road race.” Sounds fun.
– More shower scenes on “Grey’s Anatomy”–and smaller towels. (OK, we’re hoping.)
— Curt Wagner, RedEye
