Hey, this is lit-related, right? I've never seen this film, but I loved the McMurtry novel.

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW

Friday, February 19 » 7-9 pm

In this lustrous black-and-white adaptation of a Larry McMurtry novel, restless teens in a 1950s Texas town come of age against a backdrop of bravado, romance and regret. Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski) plays a young stud who lusts after rich tease Jacy (Cybill Shepherd, in her film debut). Pool hall owner Sam the Lion (Ben Johnson) acts as the town’s conscience and keeper of long-kept secrets. The film was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Shown in 35 mm. Introduced by Matt Socey of WFYI. (dir. P. Bogdanovich, 1971, USA, 118 mins., R)

Winter Nights promotional support provided by NUVO Newsweekly.

Looking ahead, next week will feature readings from Edwidge Danticat (at Butler) and the poet Patricia Smith (at IUPUI). Check out the Lit Calendar (I've built it, now you must come) for more details.

And, whoa . . . did anyone know this was coming up?

Writer Aleksandar Hemon reading Wednesday February 24, 2010 7:30 PM Thompson Recital Hall Green Center for the Performing Arts

Aleksandar Hemon is the author of a novel, The Lazarus Project, finalist for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and three books of stories, Nowhere Man, The Question of Bruno, and most recently, Love and Obstacles. Born in Sarajevo, he came to the United States—Chicago—in 1992, intending to stay for a matter of months. While Hemon was there, Sarajevo came under siege, and he was unable to return home. He wrote his first story in English in 1995. His work now appears regularly in The New Yorker, Granta, The Paris Review, and Best American Short Stories. Hemon, who in 2004 was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship and a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, lives in Chicago.

And finally, do you want to read MOBY DICK, but just don't have the time? Try this.