Something in the Air review

by Patrick McGavin — Monday, February 25th, 2013, 5:29pm

Something in the Air has a rare and vital tone, a tough, honest and scrupulous reconstruction of the past, its youthful ardor mixed with a romantic verve, and how consideration of artistic choices and personal commitment spun on a dime, fleeting and often out of control and rapidly changing moment to moment.

Celebrating 5 Years of CIMMfest

by Gary Kuzminski — Monday, February 25th, 2013, 5:26pm

For four rocking days, the connections converge with an international community of rabid fans, artists, producers, musicians and directors descending upon Chicago to celebrate their shared passion, their work, and their love of music – on stage and on screen.

You’re Going To Want To See It More Than Once: UPSTREAM COLOR

by Mike D'Angelo — Monday, February 25th, 2013, 5:22pm

Perhaps no movie you see this year will excite so much discussion.

OBSERVANT OR OBSESSIVE? A Review of ROOM 237

by Steve Prokopy — Monday, February 25th, 2013, 5:09pm

What’s most amusing about ROOM 237 is how sure the subjects are that their version of what THE SHINING is about is the correct one. Phrases like “It’s obvious!” pop up more than once. But a favorite statement is: “How did I see this and nobody else did?” And while some of the experts’ observations and wild-guess interpretations are little more than intellectual exercises, a few are downright fascinating.

Sundance Film Festival: Park City to Chicago

by Patrick McGavin — Monday, February 25th, 2013, 5:05pm

This year’s edition, which ran January 17-27, was a strong and distinctive one. Sundance is also, conveniently, the first major film festival of the calendar year, so it plays a large and exacting role in shaping the larger discourse. Benh Zeitlin’s BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD played last year on the first full day of the festival, and it immediate created a sensation.

TROUBLED YOUTH: A Review of WAR WITCH

by Steve Prokopy — Monday, February 25th, 2013, 4:59pm

The film features a powerful and provocative story and several of the finest, most natural performances I’ve seen in quite a while by first-time actors, including young Mwanza, whose work earned her the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 2012 Berlin Film Festival.

Newsletter: Safety Last! Renoir! F For Fake!

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 10:17am

Happy Thursday Music Boxers,

This Memorial Day weekend, we’re screening the iconic film Safety Last. Harold Lloyd cements his reputation as the daredevil of comedy in this exhilarating picture, climaxing in one of the most famous scenes in film history. Showing for four days only on a new digital restoration, come celebrate the 90th anniversary of this classic silent film comedy.
And, on Saturday evening, we have a special presentation of the film, accompanied by live organ, the West End Jazz Band, and live vaudeville entertainment! Plus, be one of the first people to pick up a copy of the Music Box 2013 Summer Calendar, featuring dozens of great films and events you can find at the Music Box the next three months. Purchase advance tickets now.

Gilles Bourdos’ Renoir tells the story of celebrated Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, in declining health at age 74, his middle son Jean, and the enchanting young girl who enters their world. Strong performances and lush visuals, evocative of the artist’s paintings, make this film a can’t-miss for lovers of the art world and French cinema.

Our Orson Welles matinee series concludes with F For Fake, a free-form documentary that examines the tenuous line between truth and illusion, art and lies. During this exploration of fraud and fakery, Welles plays a few tricks of his own on the audience.

Friday and Saturday at midnight, we’re playing one of the most controversial movies of all time, Cannibal Holocaust. The film presents the “found footage” of four documentary filmmakers who experience a brutal death at the hands of a savage tribe of South American flesh-eaters.

See you at the movies

Newsletter: RENOIR at the Music Box

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 12:17pm

Hey French film fans!

We have a special addition to our schedule. Gilles Bourdos’ Renoir tells the story of celebrated Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, in declining health at age 74, his middle son Jean, and the enchanting young girl who enters their world. Strong performances and lush visuals, evocative of the artist’s paintings, make this film a can’t-miss for lovers of the art world and French cinema.

Newsletter: Saturday, May 25th, 7:30pm

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 7:25am

Head to the Music Box Theatre to see a special 90th anniversary restoration of SAFETY LAST with live organ accompaniment! It will be a special evening of music, film, and entertainment.

SAFETY LAST opens on Friday, May 24th and will play through May 27th. This will be the only screening with live accompaniment. All other screenings will have a recorded score.