"Falling Skies" Premier in the South Loop

Noah Wiley Attends Chicago Premier
The TV premier of the new TNT science fiction series Falling Skies took place at Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Collection, 150 Roosevelt Rd. last night. Series star, Noah Wyle was on hand to mingle with fans and participate in a Q & A after the screening facilitated by RedEye "Show Patrol" columnist, Curt Wagner.

VIP event in the Lobby Lounge before screening

Professor Turned Soldier
Wyle plays former Boston University American history professor, Tom Mason, one of a band of survivors of an alien invasion. Set in Massachusetts, the show was filmed entirely on location in Ontario, Canada.

Noah Wyle chats with fans (left); with yours truly (right).

Party in the Lobby Lounge
I attended a VIP party before the screening where Wyle mingled with fans and graciously posed for photographs. The spread that TNT provided was pretty impressive: free food and drink and great service from the Lobby Lounge wait staff. Whitney Melancon, from the marketing department at TNT, went out of her way to make us feel welcome by greeting and speaking with “everyone.”

Q & A with Noah Wyle; RedEye's Curt Wagner helped moderate.

Science Fiction Hit for TNT?
The plot of Falling Skies is similar to Spielberg’s War of the Worlds (2005). Wyle’s character is a widowed father of three boys. His wife was killed in the initial invasion and his middle son captured by the aliens. Falling Skies has a compelling narrative style with some memorable characters. Based on the audience reaction, it has the potential to be a big hit for TNT.

The world television premier of Falling Skies is June 19, 2011. Check out the official trailer below.

2011 South Loop Film Festival April 28

The 2011 South Loop Film Festival is set for Thursday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. The annual event will feature a showing of short films produced and directed by independent filmmakers. Films will be screened at ShowPlace ICON Theatre, 150 Roosevelt Rd. Film festival attendees will receive a free swag bag full of goodies courtesy of Whole Foods Market South Loop.

Tickets are $10 and are available online and at the door. You may also call 312-435-4600 to reserve tickets. Three days before the film, on April 25, a local vendor fair in conjunction with the festival will take place at Whole Foods Market South Loop, 1101 S. Canal St. from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information check out the South Loop Festival Facebook fan page.