J.R. Jones
Bio:
I'm the film editor for the Reader, where my writing on the arts has appeared regularly since 1996. My story "Prove It All Night" was anthologized in Da Capo Best Music Writing 2000, and my film reviews have twice been honored in the annual awards of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. Over the years I've also contributed to the Kenyon Review, New York Press, East Bay Express, and ABCNews.com. When I think about all the stuff I’ve published in the Reader, my head hurts, but a few pieces stand out: “The Actor’s Letter,” about the Chicago years of film noir icon Robert Ryan; “Out of the Wreckage,” a personal reminiscence of novelist Richard Yates; “The Pope Who Found Jesus,” about the spiritual awakening of punk-pop musician Josh Caterer; “Ska’s Lost Cause,” which looks at the racial history of Chicago ska; and “Friends of Bill,” about my visit with William S. Burroughs.
I'm the film editor for the Reader, where my writing on the arts has appeared regularly since 1996. My story "Prove It All Night" was anthologized in Da Capo Best Music Writing 2000, and my film reviews have twice been honored in the annual awards of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. Over the years I've also contributed to the Kenyon Review, New York Press, East Bay Express, and ABCNews.com. When I think about all the stuff I’ve published in the Reader, my head hurts, but a few pieces stand out: “The Actor’s Letter,” about the Chicago years of film noir icon Robert Ryan; “Out of the Wreckage,” a personal reminiscence of novelist Richard Yates; “The Pope Who Found Jesus,” about the spiritual awakening of punk-pop musician Josh Caterer; “Ska’s Lost Cause,” which looks at the racial history of Chicago ska; and “Friends of Bill,” about my visit with William S. Burroughs.
- News & Features, Feature, Oct 6, 2011
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Our guide to the 2011 Chicago International Film Festival
Escape the ubiquity of American movies with 150 features from nearly every corner of the world
- News & Features, Feature, Dec 20, 2010
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Good Prose From the Past
An introduction to the wild literary ride of Clifford J. Doerksen.
- News & Features, Feature, Oct 29, 2009
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The Actor's Letter
A reminiscence from film noir icon Robert Ryan, newly unearthed by his daughter, sheds light on his Chicago childhood—and his family's connection to a tragic chapter in the city's history.
- Movies, Movie Feature, Oct 8, 2009
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The Reader's Guide to the 45th Chicago International Film Festival: Week One
Selected films making their Chicago premieres at the festival through Thursday, October 15
- News & Features, Our Town, Jan 1, 2009
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Out of the Wreckage
Richard Yates knew enough sorrow to fill a bookshelf. At the end of his life, when I knew him, he was still working on it.
- News & Features, Letters, Aug 25, 2005
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And Red All Over
- News & Features, Letters, Apr 14, 2005
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Pesky Facts
- News & Features, Letters, Feb 17, 2005
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My Mistake
- News & Features, Feature, Jan 6, 2005
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Our Lists, Ourselves
The ubiquity of Sideways on year-end lists says more about critics than about the movie--and so does the backlash against it.
- News & Features, The Reader's Guide Feature, Apr 1, 2004
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A Mogul in the Making
- News & Features, The Reader's Guide Feature, Feb 19, 2004
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American Dream Team
If you can get past the jingoism, Miracle's a good story about an exceptional hockey coach.
- News & Features, Feature, Jan 1, 2004
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The View From Across the Aisle
Another Top Ten
- News & Features, Essay, Nov 13, 2003
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Out of the Wreckage
Richard Yates knew enough sorrow to fill a bookshelf. At the end of his life, when I knew him, he was still working on it.
- News & Features, The Reader's Guide Feature, Feb 20, 2003
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Liars in Love
It's crass, it's nasty, and it's paying off big at the box office.
- News & Features, Our Town, Feb 1, 2001
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Extras! Extras!
The search for the perfect face in the crowd.
- News & Features, Letters, Nov 2, 2000
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Correction
- News & Features, Miscellany, Oct 26, 2000
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The Sound of Silents
Live accompanists bring old movies back from the dead.
- News & Features, Letters, May 25, 2000
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Getting the Record Straight
- News & Features, Feature, May 11, 2000
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The Pope Who Found Jesus
After chasing stardom with his band, the smoking popes, Josh Caterer traded life in the spotlight for a spot in the choir.
- News & Features, Feature, Dec 9, 1999
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Mix Master
Recording engineer Jim Reeves manned the sound board for some of the biggest stars of the rock era, but he's finally found his own balance working out of his Evanston studio.
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