Matt Pais

If you just say the name Matt Pais around the Windy City, chances are someone will know who you’re talking about. On a crowded ‘L’ commute, on the streets of Chicago, or at Starbucks, you’re bound to see a Chicagoan delving into the RedEye movie critic and music editor’s “Fast Paised” reviews and interviews with entertainment and music stars.

After joining the paper as an intern a decade ago, Matt has steadily ingrained himself as a fixture in Chicago entertainment culture. In addition to his very cool gig at the paper, he appears on WCIU’s “You & Me This Morning” weekly, as well as on NBC’s “The Talk.” And, last spring, he hosted the RedEye’s 10th Annual Rock N’ Vote, a battle of the bands at the House of Blues Chicago.

Besides critiquing the arts, Matt’s an artist himself. Musically, he likes to dust off the sticks every now and then and flex his drumming muscles. He’s also currently working on his first screenplay (with a 2012 “36 Under 36” winner!) that he hopes will one day hit the silver screen.

Plus, he’s a mensch too. “Matt is an amazing friend who always puts other people ahead of himself,” said his friend, and 2012 Double Chai honoree, Adam Weingarten. “He truly cares so much about the happiness of his friends and family. Whenever he’s had adversity in his life, he just shrugs it off and bounces right back up. Matt has a great heart.”

Name:
Matt Pais

Age:
30

Pays the bills:
RedEye movie critic and music editor

On the side:
NBC’s “The Talk” and WCIU’s “You & Me This Morning” contributor; recently wrote a screenplay with a friend from the 2012 “36 under 36” list.

Relationship status:
Taken

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
I am reliable, motivated, and opinionated. Pass the buffalo sauce.

Celebrity doppelganger:
Carson Daly

How do you Jew in Chicago?
Each month our group of friends rotates hosting a Shabbat dinner.

Passions:
My wife, our dog, movies, music, writing, sports, adventurous eating.

How do you give back?
Not nearly enough. Sometimes I watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians because my wife likes it.

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
Spend most of the year traveling/eating/ziplining around the world.

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
Hopefully an even stronger group of people interested in coming together to celebrate various aspects of their identity and how their heritage impacts who they are.

Me in 10 years:
Ahhh, I'm 40! I wasn't ready! Living with the wife and future kids in the suburbs will probably prepare me, though. Co-hosting a nationally syndicated movie review show would be nice too.