Books
In HAUNTED HOUSES, PORN STARS, AND TOY COLLECTORS: My Encounters with Remarkable Places, People and Things, acclaimed writer Richard Knight, Jr. brings his sardonic sensibility, insightful observations and innate curiosity to a wide range of subjects – some of Chicagoland’s most fascinating places, people and things. Observing the famous (Joan Rivers), the infamous (gay porn star Brian-Mark) and a host of “just plain folks” engaged in unusual hobbies, professions, and leisure activities, Knight brings his eye for the telling detail to these memorable encounters, finding remarkable things in both the rarely explored and the seemingly mundane.
Many of the pieces utilize Knight’s unique “Eyewitness Chronicle” format which feature a minute by minute account of events in real time. And when the story is focused on ghost hunters, friendly porn stars, cranky toy collectors, cynical, weary EMTs, a department store Santa, bingo players, fans of a mall pianist, nostalgic lounge singers, eager drag queen contestants, a plastic surgery addict, a busy, busy detective, the chattiest of phone sex operators, a coven of inviting witches, and many other extraordinary denizens of the Windy City and its environs, you won’t want to miss a second.
Thanks to this captivating, humorous, surprisingly touching, and eye-opening collection, the best of Knight’s 16 year career as a “human interest journalist” for the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, NewCity, and more, you have a front row seat reserved for this one of a kind human parade.
"Immensely entertaining.
In fact, some of these reviews are more entertaining than the films themselves.”
Michael Burke, Author, Playwright, Poet
Windy City Times, Chicago's LGBT newspaper, marked Richard Knight, Jr.'s 10th anniversary as their film critic with THE BEST OF KNIGHT AT THE MOVIES, a collection of Knight's movie reviews from 2004-2014. Written from the author's queer perspective, the book includes more than 150 film reviews and essays covering every movie genre. With selections from every genre there's sure to be something here for every movie lover. From Brokeback Mountain to The Normal Heart, from Phantom of the Opera to Les Miserables, from D.E.B.S. to The Kids Are All Right, from Star Wars III to The Hunger Games, from Kinsey to American Hustle, this "Best of" compilation covers the gamut. Gay icon Bruce Vilanch has said about the collection, "If Fred Phelps were alive he'd picket this book!"
Over 200 in-depth film reviews covering the years 2010-2012 are collected in this third compilation of Knight's weekly movie review column for Windy City Times, Chicago's LGBT+ alternative weekly newspaper. Every movie genre is reviewed from a queer perspective.
Over 300 in-depth film reviews covering the years 2007-2009 are collected in this second compilation of Knight's reviews for Windy City Times and the author's website. Every movie genre is reviewed from a queer perspective. Over 500 pages - a feast for cinephiles of every stripe!
The initial collection of Knight's weekly film reviews from 2004-2006 for Windy City Times, Chicago's premiere LGBTQ+ alternative weekly newspaper and the author's website. Over 260 in-depth movie reviews written from Knight's signature queer perspective.