Psychotronic Film Freak-Out!

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 2, 2005 3:42PM

Whenever Chicagoist has dined at Improv Kitchen, we’ve always been reminded of the joke about the performer who must always face the inquiry: “Oh so you’re an actor! Which restaurant?” Here’s to Improv Kitchen for eliminating the middle man! Now who here’s from out of town? But seriously, folks: if we could just figure out how to make TV trays out of actual TVs then this idea would finally reach its zenith!

All this makes Improv Kitchen an ideal site for the Psychotronic Film Society , which continues its winter slate of cult films there this Thursday at 9 PM with The Goonies. Ah...The Goonies—a movie that occupies a place in our hearts and minds for three chief reasons: 1) The cast featured a crushworthy object of love for almost everybody; 2) The theme song, which is tangible proof that Cyndi Lauper was once the apex of cool and 3) The truffle shuffle. (By the way, has anyone else seen how suave Chunk turned out to be?) Plus, it features future Steppenwolf ensemble member Martha Plimpton.

Next week promises even more goodies as the Pyschotronic FF presents the Rockin’ Scopitones Festival—a series of American and French jukebox films that combined musical performances with a peepshow sensibility. While the sight of dancing girls surrounding a Brill Building pop star like Neil Sedaka might seem a bit incongruous, you’ll feel right at home if you order a glass of Grand Marnier as the best in French pop music washes over you in a hazy red glow. Why, it’s almost like being in love.