Cinematic Consolation

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 7, 2005 5:52PM

It’s hard for Chicagoist to think of anything but the people of London and this morning’s attack. We’re stuck with an overwhelming feeling of how much we’d like to be with our loved ones right now instead of spending the rest of the day in our cube. So tonight
we’ll probably spend some quality time cuddled up with them in some dark, out-of-the-way place...like the movies.

On a day like today, we need some escapism. Though the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival doesn’t start until next week, you can catch the Park District’s summertime Movies In The Parks program at several places around the city. Free screenings of Shark Tale at Hoyne Park and 13 Going On 30 at Jefferson Park are on tap for this evening. Both screenings begin at dusk (sunset is at 8:28 this evening).

If you don’t mind a serious-minded film then head down to the South Side for a Black World Cinema screening of Comedia Infantil (a.k.a. Nelio’s Story) at the Loews Cineplex Chatham 14. On the first Thursday of every month, BWC shows a film of the African diaspora with discussion afterwards. Comedia Infantil is the story of a young boy from Mozambique who weaves a tale of civil war and survival in his small village. Tickets are $5-10 and benefit the Africa International House.

If you’re torn between catching a good flick and getting drunk enough to forget about all the evil in the world for a couple hours then you can still sign up for tickets to GenArt’s screening and after-party for Hustle and Flow. Tickets are $15 plus service charges and can be purchased here.

Finally, Doc Films is showing Naked Lunch down at U of C for only $4.

Image: fotosearch.com