OFFBEAT: Lorna Luft's Judy Garland doc event cancelled, Asner still on the mend

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"Blackfish" Documentary Film Poster

The new film documentary "Blackfish," by director Gabriela Cowperthwaite explores the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau at Sea World in Orlando, Fla. The screen subject was one of the highlights of last month's 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

OFFBEAT: CNN snags rights to 'Blackfish' doc about local Sea World trainer

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Former Navy SEAL and wounded warrior Elliott Miller

Former Navy SEAL and wounded warrior Elliott Miller begins his journey to recovery on a river in Montana.

OFFBEAT: Time to share early memories of WW II and Urschel Air Field

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Inspiring ESPN documentary filmed at region's Pinnacle Hospital

CROWN POINT | Local viewers watching an ESPN documentary about the inspiring story of injured former Rutgers’ football player Eric LeGrand today may recognize some familiar surroundings.

OFFBEAT: Gene & Georgetti celebrating 70 years as Chicago's first Italian Steakhouse

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Architect Victor Gruen is at the right in a photo from the film documentary "The Gruen Effect"

A still image from "The Gruen Effect" documentary, with architect Victor Gruen, featured to the right displaying a proposed retail mall landscape.

OFFBEAT: Architect, design film fest concludes today in Chicago

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Actor Chris O'Donnell lending voice to new documentary about heart research

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"The Heart of the Matter" Documentary

"The Heart of the Matter" is a new documentary airing on television created by The Children's Heart Foundation and TMK Productions set to premiere at a red carpet event in Chicago on May 1, 2012.

OFFBEAT: Actress-turned-nun Dolores Hart back at Oscars on the red carpet

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Region filmmaker's work showcased on Showtime

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"Phunny Business: A Black Comedy" Documentary

'Phunny Business: A Black Comedy' is an 84 minute documentary that chronicles the rise and fall of the comedy club All Jokes Aside, which for a decade was deemed the preeminent 'black comic showcase' in America.

Grand venues

The Blue Dress Barn

OFFBEAT: 'Clutter' play about the real Collyer Brothers a fascinating find

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

'You've Been Trumped' Film Documentary Poster

The documentary 'You've Been Trumped,' by director Anthony Baxter, follows the battle between environmental groups fighting real estate mogul Donald Trump as he heads a luxury golf course development in vital land in Scotland.

borterwagner photography

Valerie and Tomas Medina, Three Oaks, Michigan

OFFBEAT: Long-awaited 'Clutter' play about the real Collyer Brothers opening in Chicago

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

'The Interrupters'

Kartemquin Films is screening their documentary 'The Interrupters,' which is a Sundance Film Festival selection and is directed by Steve James, who also did the 1994 film "Hoop Dreams."