Movie Roundup
- Gabe Klinger of Chicago Cinema Forum has the coolest friends. For tomorrow night's show at Sonotheque, guitarist Jeff Parker (of Tortoise) will perform his own score live for the very first feature-length animated film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926). The program, entitled "Magic in Cinema," also includes work by Georges Méliès, Edwin S. Porter and R. W. Paul with additional accompaniment by producer/musician Shannon Harris. There'll even be a live magic show! The doors open at 7; more info here.
- Also on Wednesday: Facets screens Godard's New Wave classic Pierrot le Fou, a colorful homage/decontstruction of the guy-girl-gun movie. Supposedly shot without a script, the action veers from farce to musical with giddy joy. There will be a post-screening discussion/book signing by Richard Brody, author of Everything is Cinema: The Working Life of Jean-Luc Godard. Details at Facets' site.
- Today sees the DVD release of Chicago-area natives Adam and Nolan Lebovitz's feature Tortured, starring Cole Hauser, Laurence Fishburne, James Cromwell, Emmanuelle Chriqui and (yes) John Cryer. Not bad for two brothers who are under the age of 30. Alas, the action thriller/horror flick was shot in Vancouver. Next time, try Chicago!
- Earlier this year we told you about Mass Romantic, a local DIY film which had a sold-out screening at the Landmark Century. Well, it's landed a spot at this year's Illinois International Film Festival in St. Charles. It screens this Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Filmmaker Richard Paro, along with members of the cast and crew, will be in attendance for a Q&A. Tickets are $10. More info at the festival site.