Daley Blames - Who Else? - The Media For Oprah-geddon
Chicago Gets Googled
Friday Flashback - Old School Oprah
Today's Transgender Day of Remembrance Honors the Dead
Review: Paramount Room
No, that headline is not redundant. One of our favorite movie theaters, the Music Box opened in 1929. By the 70’s however it had added porn to its schedule in order to stay afloat. It actually closed in 1977 but was reopened in 1983 after renovations. It’s been showing the best in foreign, revival and indie film ever since. Love that organ. In 2003 the theater was sold to the building’s owner, William Schopf. He’s managed not only to keep it going but actually make it more successful than ever. And now, through a new division called Music Box Films, he intends to acquire films for distribution.
It makes sense. Obviously he’s already got a place to show them, and as a small, indie owner he needn’t worry about those anti-trust laws. The Music Box’s programming team consistently demonstrates superb taste, snagging screening/events by the likes of Crispin Glover, David Lynch and Guy Maddin (and let’s not forget the regular sing-alongs and midnight movies). So we trust them to pick up some good stuff.
According to the REEL CHICAGO article, first up is the Mongolian drama Tuya’s Wedding, which took the Golden Bear at last year’s Berlin Film Festival. A deceptively simple film shot largely with non-actors, it looks intriguing but perhaps a challenge to market. On the other hand the second film will be O.S.S. 117, a French James Bond spoof. Schopf has a “gentleman’s agreement” to handle North American distribution of the comedy, which won an audience award at the Seattle Film Festival In 2006. French comedy seems to have a pretty mixed track record as far as crossover goes (for every La Cage aux Folles there’s a Les Visiteurs), but who knows?
Incidentally, Schopf is a big supporter of the arts outside of the Music Box as well, including co-owning a local art gallery. He says that the Music Box has been doing so well he actually wants to expand the business and take on some new locations. Please, Mr. Schopf, if you’re reading this, consider helping out the 3 Penny!
photo via Steven Crane
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
This is SO COOL! Maybe he'll pick up where the late, lamented Shooting Gallery left off.
It’s been showing the best in foreign, revival and indie film ever since
Did you just copy this directly from the Music Box press release?
Many cineophiles would argue that the MB is a notch or two behind Siskel and Facets in this regard.
True, guest 2. But Facets' quality is patchy and doesn't do revival stuff on a regular basis. Lately, MB has been doing a much better job of programming. I'm much more impressed this year than I was last year.
I just hope they get rid of the dorkfest that is the singalongs.
Hey,
that "dorkfest" that is the singalongs is easy enough to avoid. If you don't like it don't go. It does generate money that allows them to stay open and heat the place. Imagine what that bill is like in February.
The Music Box is great. Buy the 5 admissions for $33.00 pass which lasts 6 months.
I just saw "The Searchers" there this past weekend and the audience clapped at the end of the movie. How often do you experience that somewhere else?
Facets is great too.
If you think about it if you live on the north side you may have closer and better access to "unique" movies than any other spot on the planet.
The Music Box, Century Landmark, Facets, and the Siskel Film Center are all within about 5 miles of one another. Not too shabby.
Let's not forget the LaSalle Bank Cinema either. Saturday nights only, but what great and rare films they get.
The Music Box is one of those wondrous places that make living in Chicago beautiful.
I can't avoid the dorkfest because i live on the street and all the jackasses dressed up as "The Sound of Music" characters line up 6 hours before the show.
All that aside though, i love the Music Box and do think its one of the last of the great old moviehouses.
I love the Music Box as well. I always wondered how they stayed afloat and actually managed to do well. It seems like Schopf not only is a film aficionado, but is business savvy too, from his law background I suppose.
I have yet to go to a midnight movie there, which is on my to-do list.
I was so so so sad when Three Penny closed. I had such good memories there. I remember talking to the owners and they were talking about how hard it was to stay open...etc. The storefront is still empty to my knowledge.