Augustine! National Theatre Live! Stunt Rock!

Newsletter, Wednesday, June 19th, 2013, 9:57pm

Happy Thursday Music Boxers,

We also have another week of screenings for indie hit Fill The Void, weekend midnight screenings of Stunt Rick, Escape From New York and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (With live shadowcast! Purchase advance tickets here), Saturday matinees of Somm and My Little Pony: Equestria Girls.

See you at the movies

Fill The Void! Somm! The Source Family! National Theatre Live! Kiss Of The Damned!

Newsletter, Thursday, June 13th, 2013, 1:45pm

Happy Thursday Music Boxers,

We’ve got a big week ahead, filled with new films and exciting special events, so let’s dive right in! Opening this week:

Fill The Void tells the story of an Hassidic family from Tel Aviv and their youngest daughter, Shira, who will have to choose between her heart’s wish and her family duty. The New York Times calls it “Both accessible and thrilling”.
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Jason Wise’s Somm takes the viewer on a humorous, emotional and illuminating look into a mysterious world – the Court of Master Sommeliers and the massively intimidating Master Sommelier Exam. Many screenings will be accompanied by special guests, educational discussions, and a complimentary glass of wine! To purchase advance tickets to a special screening, click here.

The new documentary The Source Family examines a radical experiment in ’70s utopian living. The group’s outlandish style, rock band, and beautiful women made them the darlings of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip; but their outsider ideals caused controversy. They fled to Hawaii, leading to their dramatic demise. Years later, former family members surface and the rock band reforms.
On Friday night, come to a Special Opening Night Screening of The Source Family, complete with Director Q&A, live music and much more! To purchase advance tickets click here.

On Tuesday at 2pm, we’re proud to present the Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers classic Swing Time as the first installment of our Industry Tuesdays series. Here’s your chance to hobnob with fellow foodies, catch a great film from our Classic Matinee Series, and sip, savor, and celebrate specialty beers from Belgium, France, Italy, England, and Iceland. Purchase advance tickets now. We also have an additional screening of Swing Time on Saturday at 11:30am.

We also have a Saturday noon presentation of National Theatre Live presents This House (Purchase advance tickets here), a Sunday matinee of the cartoon My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (Purchase advance tickets here) and midnight screenings of Kiss Of The Damned and Escape From New York.

See you at the movies

Tickets now on sale for the Summer Music Film Festival 2013!

by Dave Jennings Monday, June 10th, 2013, 6:33pm

Tickets are now on sale for the best interior music festival! http://summermusicfilmfestival.com

Summer Music Film Festival 2013!

Newsletter, Monday, June 10th, 2013, 3:32pm

Hey Music Lovers,

Everyone loves a good music festival. Lollapalooza, Summerfest, Pitchfork, Walkarusa, Coachella – all great places to hear great music. The Music Box Theatre, Sound Opinions and WBEZ Chicago have an indoor option for you that helps you avoid sunburn and heatstroke and will take you on a journey of music and film from the past 40+ years! The Third Annual Summer Music Festival will rock your face off.

We have a stacked film line-up that includes films about Levon Helm, Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, John Fahey, the rise of Napster, two dudes time-travelling in a phone booth, and a blind pinball-playing prodigy. Check out the full festival schedule below, and click HERE to purchase advance tickets!

Also, thanks to everyone who entered our Riot Fest ticket giveaway, and congrats to the winners:
Paul S.
David S.
Jennifer K.
Adam R.
Winners will be contacted individually with information on how to obtain your tickets.

See you at the movies

Deceptive Practice! Silent Cinema! DePaul Premiere Night!

Newsletter, Thursday, June 6th, 2013, 11:48am

Happy Thursday Music Boxers,

This week, we open Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay. What happens when documentary filmmakers take as their subject one of the world’s greatest living magicians? More than a decade in the making, this film takes a mesmerizing journey into the world of modern magic and the small circle of eccentrics who are its perpetual devotees.

On Saturday, it’s the latest installment of Second Saturday Silent Cinema, our monthly silent film series. This month, we present Gloria Swanson in Beyond The Rocks. Long considered one of the great “lost” films from the Hollywood golden age, the film has been restored and ready to present on the big screen! As always, the film will feature live music accompaniment by Dennis Scott on the Music Box organ. Purchase tickets now.

Friday night, we’re proud to host DePaul University Premiere VIII Film Festival 2013. DePaul’s School of Cinema and Interactive Media presents an evening of the school’s best student films followed by a short awards ceremony. Swing by and see some films! Doors open at 6:00pm and the show starts at 6:30pm. This is a free event.

We also have another week of We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks, a Sunday matinee of the Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers classic Top Hat, and midnight screenings of El Topo.

See you at the movies

We Steal Secrets! Fred & Ginger! Beyond the Valley of the Dolls!

Newsletter, Thursday, May 30th, 2013, 10:18am

Happy Thursday Music Boxers,

This week we open We Steal Secrets: The Story Of WikiLeaks. Filmed with the startling immediacy of unfolding history, the new film from Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi To The Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room) details the creation of Julian Assange’s controversial website, which facilitated the largest security breach in U.S. history. Rolling Stone calls it “Beautiful and profound”.

Our new matinee series celebrates one of the great screen couples of all time, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! Fall in love with this dancing dou every weekend in June. The series kicks off this weekend with The Gay Divorcee, a charming case of mistaken identity, featuring a stunning rendition of Cole Porter’s “Night and Day”.

At midnight this weekend, it’s the cult sequel Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls. Roger Ebert’s script for this Russ Meyer mondo is a delicious sendup of Hollywood fashioned hippie culture, effectively exploiting exploitation films. Come experience the music and the madness!

See you at the movies

Sign up for information on the Summer Music Film Festival for your opportunity to win tickets to Riot Fest!

by Dave Jennings Tuesday, May 28th, 2013, 2:28pm

The Summer Music Film Festival will run June 28-July 2nd, 2013 with over ten films dedicated to music! Here is your chance to stay in the know about all the happenings, when tickets go on sale, after-parties, pre-parties, and free stuff, LIKE FREE TICKETS TO RIOT FEST 2013! Winners will be announced this Friday, May 31st, 2013!

Portrait of Jason, Lowline Market & Riot Fest giveaway

Newsletter, Tuesday, May 28th, 2013, 12:41pm

Hey Music Boxers,

This Wednesday, May 29th at 7:00pm, we’re pleased to host the Northwest Chicago Film Society, in conjunction with Reeling and Black Cinema House, as they present Portrait of Jason. Originally scheduled at the Portage Theater, this 1967 film is an “essential document of one queer, black man’s adventures in crazy, pre-Stonewall America”. Tickets will be $5 each and sold in cash at the door only beginning at 6pm on the day of the screening.

In other Lakeview news, next Thursday, June 6th will mark the opening of the Low Line Market. Come to the Southport L Station for a special opening night celebration and ribbon cutting. Here are the details: *LOW LINE MARKET
Opening Night Celebration
Thursday, June 6th
4:00 PM
Southport L Station, West Entrance
Ribbon Cutting – Tour – Vendor Meet & Greet*
Visit LowLineMarket.com for more info

And finally, the Summer Music Film Festival will run at the Music Box June 28-July 2nd, 2013 with over ten films dedicated to music! Here is your chance to stay in the know about all the happenings, when tickets go on sale, after-parties, pre-parties, and free stuff, LIKE FREE TICKETS TO RIOT FEST 2013! Visit the Music Box Blog for more information. Riot Fest ticket winners will be announced Friday, so sign up for you chance to win today!

Safety Last! Renoir! F For Fake!

Newsletter, Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 11:17am

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

Renoir at the Music Box

Newsletter, Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 1:17pm

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.

Saturday, May 25th, 7:30pm

Newsletter, Friday, May 17th, 2013, 8:25am

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.

Sightseers! Orson Welles’ The Trial! Rocky Horror!

Newsletter, Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 5:35pm

Happy Thursday Music Boxers,

This week we’re opening Sightseers, the new film from director Ben Wheatley (Kill List). In this gleefully gory laugh riot, Chris wants to show girlfriend Tina his world, but events soon conspire against the couple and their dream caravan holiday takes a very wrong turn. Produced by Shaun Of The Dead creator Edgar Wright and co-written & starring members of The Mighty Boosh and Garth Merenghi’s Dark Place, this black comedy is not to be missed! Check out The Playlist’s 5 Reasons You Must See Sightseers

Our Orson Welles matinee series continues this weekend with The Trial. Welles and Anthony Perkins star in this gripping adaptation of Franz Kafka’s tale of a nightmarish totalitarian state. Given 4 stars by Roger Ebert, the Music Box is thrilled to give our patrons the rare chance to see this film on the big screen!

This weekend, cult classics come out at midnight. On Friday, it’s The Room, director/writer/“actor” Tommy Wiseau’s bizarre drama about love and betrayal (Purchase advance tickets now). Then, on Saturday night, it’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Grab a virgin kit and join the Midnight Madness shadow cast for a party that’s been going on for over 35 years (Purchase advance tickets now).

And finally, if you’ve been to the theatre this week, you’ve no doubt noticed that we are in the midst of some renovations. We are currently making some major adjustments to Theatre 2, affectionately known as “the little theatre”. We’re adding a bigger screen, new seats, and much more. Read all about the project here.

See you at the movies

Sightseers at the Music Box

Newsletter, Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 3:40pm

Hey Chicago Horror Fans!

This week, the Music Box opens Sightseers, the new film from Kill List director Ben Wheatley, and we’ve got a special deal just for you! Come to the box office and say “EDGAR” to receive $1 off your ticket (Offer not valid on Monday 5/20 because tickets are already $5, which, come on, that’s a great deal!).

In this gleefully gory laugh riot, Chris wants to show girlfriend Tina his world, but events soon conspire against the couple and their dream caravan holiday takes a very wrong turn. Produced by Shaun Of The Dead creator Edgar Wright and co-written & starring members of The Mighty Boosh and Garth Merenghi’s Dark Place, this black comedy is not to be missed!

Music Box renovates the “little” theatre

Our Theatre by Dave Jennings Friday, May 10th, 2013, 8:24am

For the “little” theatre, added in 1991, we’re repositioning the screen for better sightlines, nearly doubling its size, and improving sound, projection and more.

Something In The Air! Mommie Dearest! Silent Cinema!

Newsletter, Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 12:53pm

Happy Thursday Music Boxers,

Opening this week, director Olivier Assayas’ Something in the Air is a beautifully crafted and semi-autobiographical reflection on adolescent life in the early seventies in France. High school student Gilles is bursting with revolutionary spirit, but after an especially violent clash with the police, Gilles, his girlfriend Christine and a few others escape to Italy for the summer. Given 4 STARS by the Chicago Reader!

Still haven’t made plans for Mother’s Day? Don’t worry, we have you covered, with Mother’s Day with Mommie Dearest! Camp Midnight presents the cult classic film, hosted by Dick O’Day and the Hell in a Handbag Players. Also, when you buy your tickets, you can also purchase an optional brunch package at Mystic Celt! Get your tickets now!

Saturday at noon, it’s Second Saturday Silent Cinema presents: An Inn In Tokyo. This Japanese film is the final installment in director Yasujiro Ozu’s unofficial Kihachi Trilogy, and also one of his finest silent works. As always, the film will be accompanied by live music from the Music Box organist Dennis Scott! Buy advance tickets now.

Friday at noon, Schopf & Weiss LLP presents the sixth installment of Movies on Trial, a CLE film series worth 1.5 hours of Continuing Legal Education credit. We’ll be screening A Civil Action, the John Travolta-starrer about families of children who died sue two companies for dumping toxic waste: a tort so expensive to prove, the case could bankrupt their lawyer. This is a free event, but you must RSVP to attend.

We also have some Shakespeare for you this weekend! There are midnight screenings of Leonardo DiCaprio & Baz Luhrmann’s first collaboration on a classic work with Romeo + Juliet, and Orson Welles’ take on the iconic role of Falstaff in Chimes at Midnight.

See you at the movies

Hava Nagila! Touch of Evil! Spring Breakers!

Newsletter, Thursday, May 2nd, 2013, 12:00pm

Happy Thursday Music Boxers,

This week, we open Hava Nagila (The Movie). Discover the history of the infectious party song, from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the cul-de‐sacs of America, in this hilarious and surprisingly deep film. The Los Angeles Times calls it a “fun, nostalgic, informative journey.”

This weekend, our Orson Welles matinee series continues with Touch Of Evil. Famous for it’s ambitious opening shot, this gripping noir is filled with baroque inflections of style showcasing a master filmmaker’s command of the medium.

Next Thursday, May 9th, we have a special sneak preview of the new film The Kings Of Summer, a unique coming-of-age comedy about three teenage friends (Co-starring one of our favorite guys, Nick Offerman!). This is a FREE event, and we’re only telling our newsletter subscribers about it. But, we can only let in 70 people, so visit our website to RSVP!

We also have more screenings of the unofficial look behind The Shining with Room 237, director Shane Carruth’s long-awaited second feature Upstream Color, the biopic of artist Violeta Parra Violeta Went To Heaven, and midnight screenings of Spring Breakers and Fantastic Planet.

And finally, do you know what you are doing for Mother’s Day yet? Perhaps a little Mother’s Day With Mommie Dearest is just what you need! We all know that Mother’s Day is a very special day— but if your mother is truly special, you want to spend it with the Music Box Theatre, Dick O’Day, Camp Midnight, and the Hell in a Handbag Players…. right? The day is really a wonderfully campy event. The first 100 attendees get their own special wire hanger! We have arranged a spectacular all inclusive brunch at Mystic Celt before the show for $30/person from 11:30am-1:30pm . $30 includes brunch buffet, unlimited coffee, soda, mimosas, tax and gratuity (Cash bar available for other beverages!). Get your tickets now!

See you at the movies

Eddie The Sleepwalking Cannibal! Violeta Went To Heaven! Sound Opinions!

Newsletter, Friday, April 26th, 2013, 11:12am

Happy Thursday Music Boxers

We have two great films opening this weekend, plus some excellent special events!

Eddie: The Sleepwalking Cannibal, the newest release from Music Box Films, pushes the boundaries of the horror-comedy genre, weaving together a story that blends twisted friendship, love and, of course, the gory reality of sleepwalking cannibalism. Eddie is fun, fresh, entertaining and seriously warped, the way a sleepwalking-cannibal movie should be. The AV Club calls it “A surprisingly, satisfyingly dark little fable”.

Violeta Went To Heaven takes a look at the life of Chilean singer, artist and musician Violeta Parra, a gifted and passionate force of nature. The New York Times calls this biopic a “Poignant portrait of an artist unable to escape the stamp of her class or the burdens of aging”.

On Friday night, we host filmmaker and activist Craig Juntunen for a special engagement screening of Stuck, a new documentary about the complex human experience of adoption, exploring the challenges faced by birth parents, prospective adoptive parents — and children. Following the film, there will be a Q&A with Craig. Purchase advance tickets now.

On Wednesday May 1st, The Sound Opinions at the Movies series continues with Wattstax, Mel Stuart’s 1973 documentary chronicling the legendary Stax Records-sponsored Watts Summer Music Festival. Wattstax gives you a front-row seat to history-making performances by Stax Records stars including The Staples Singers, The Bar-Kays, Luther Ingram, Rufus Thomas, and Isaac Hayes. Purchase advance tickets now.

We also have an encore screening of National Theatre Live presents People on Sunday afternoon (Purchase advance tickets now), midnight screenings of Desperate Living, matinees of Orson Welles’ Confidential Report, and additional screenings of Room 237 and Upstream Color.

Finall, do you know what you are doing for Mother’s Day yet? Perhaps a little Mother’s Day With Mommie Dearest is just what you need! We all know that Mother’s Day is a very special day— but if your mother is truly special, you want to spend it with the Music Box Theatre, Dick O’Day, Camp Midnight, and the Hell in a Handbag Players…. right? The day is really a wonderfully campy event. If your mother has a wonderful sense of humor AND Joan Crawford, then this just might be the perfect event for you to bring her to. The first 100 attendees get their own special wire hanger! We have arranged a spectacular all inclusive brunch at Mystic Celt before the show for $30/person from 11:30am-1:30pm . $30 includes brunch buffet, unlimited coffee, soda, mimosas, tax and gratuity (Cash bar available for other beverages!). Get your tickets now! In fact, if you buy your tickets in the next 48 hours and use the discount code “CAMP” you can get $5/off per ticket! Just enter the code at the time of purchase!

See you at the movies

Looking for something out of the ordinary this Mother’s Day?

Newsletter, Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 4:37pm

OK, we all know that Mother’s Day is a very special day— but if your mother is truly special, you want to spend it with the Music Box Theatre, Dick O’Day, Camp Midnight, and the Hell in a Handbag Players…. right?

The day is really a wonderfully campy event. If your mother has a wonderful sense of humor AND Joan Crawford, then this just might be the perfect event for you to bring her to. The first 100 attendees get their own special wire hanger!

We have arranged a spectacular all inclusive brunch at Mystic Celt before the show for $30/person from 11:30am-1:30pm . $30 includes brunch buffet, unlimited coffee, soda, mimosas, tax and gratuity (Cash bar available for other beverages!).

Get your tickets now! In fact, if you buy your tickets in the next 48 hours and use the discount code “CAMP” you can get $5/off per ticket! Just enter the code at the time of purchase!

Special offer to Altered States screening with live music

by Dave Jennings Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 2:40pm

A cool offer from Fulcrum Point New Music Project: email RSVP@fulcrumpoint.org before 6pm today (Monday, April 22nd) and get tickets for tomorrow night’s screening of Altered States with live music for only $10! (Normal single ticket price is $25.) Mention “MUSIC BOX” in your message. Your tickets will be held at Will-Call at the Level 5 Box Office. More info on the concert below – enjoy!