Jake And Elwood, Still On A Mission From God
By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 26, 2012 10:20PM
The Blues Brothers may have done more when it comes to imprinting Chicago in moviegoers' minds more than any other cinematic depiction of our city. It's hilarious but it has a heart, and that heart is Chicago and the music that beats under the skin of the city. The film serves simultaneously as a time capsule of landmarks long gone like the original Maxwell Street, and landmarks that will last until the end of time like getting your money to the tax assessor before a hard deadline. And Lake Street, the Daley Center and (duh) Wrigley Field. But its the rambunctious activities of the movies' heroes, the brothers Jake and Elwood Blues, that really helps one see the effect the city has on people.
The plot is simple, two brothers go on quest to save the orphanage they grew up in and pick up friends and enemies along the way. It's your classic "Let's put on a show!" set-up, but Dan Aykroyd and John Landis took that simple premise and blew it up with equal parts mischief and glee to create the timeless classic that is The Blues Brothers. For two and a half hours this epic journey plays across the screen and the viewer barely feels the passage of time. It's still that good.
We're betting you've lived with the movie as a Saturday afternoon flick on a cable station far down the dial, or via a dusty VHS take or slightly newer DVD. But that's no way to truly view an epic journey, is it? Luckily for you, Sound Opinions is hosting a screening of the film tomorrow night at the Music Box. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot will introduce the movie and settle deep into their theater seats with everyone else to watch it unfold. Then they'll head down the street to The Wheelhouse for drinks and discussion around the film. Personally we can't wait to see the film unfold on a big screen, and we're betting most of you have never seen it the way it should be seen. So, see you at the movies!
The Blues Brothers screens tomorrow, November 27, at The Music Box, 3733 N Southport, 7:30 p.m., $9 in advance, 17+ (it is rated R, you know)