Last Friday the Music Box Theatre, via its social networks, threw down the gauntlet and challenged Roger Ebert, one of the greatest living film critics, to a battle of Oscar guesses. After a period of what we can only assume was deep and thoughtful consideration, Mr. Ebert publicly accepted our ‘foolish’ challenge.

On February 8th, as part of his annual “Outguess Ebert” contest, Mr. Ebert announced his predictions for the 2012 Academy Awards, which take place this Sunday. The Music Box (and its fans) believe we know better.

From Mr. Ebert’s website: “In self-defense, I will point out that the deadline for my predictions was Feb. 7, with the Oscars more than two weeks away, on Feb. 26. Predicting so far in advance is a handicap, and as a result, you have an excellent chance of outguessing me. Still, this annual contest is fun and provides me with an opportunity to show how badly I can do.”

The Music Box Theatre will solicit the opinions of their over 13,000 Facebook fans and nearly 8,000 Twitter Followers in six categories to help make predictions to outguess Ebert.

So, while the winners of Ebert’s challenge could win a an all-expense paid free trip to LA for a film premiere, the gentleman’s bet between the Music Box Staff and Ebert is simple… if the Music Box Theatre wins Roger will offer signed copies of his books to give away to selected Music Box Patrons… but if Ebert wins he will get to pick a film of his choosing to screen publicly at the Music Box Theatre.

That’s right, if Roger wins, he get the Music Box for a night.

Here’s how it will work: From Monday, February 20th through Saturday February 25th the Music Box will post a Facebook poll each day, asking the assistance of their fans in making a decision in five categories: Foreign Language Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, & Best Picture—at the end of the workday, the Music Box staff will make a prediction and award prizes to those who participated!

On Sunday night either the Music Box or Mr. Ebert will emerge victorious. Tune in to the Music Box Theatre Facebook and Twitter feeds for all the fun!
https://www.facebook.com/musicboxchicago
http://twitter.com/musicboxtheatre

The Music Box offers #OWS and #OChi members free tickets to see *Harlan Country USA*

The Music Box Theatre
presents
“Harlan County USA”
Directed by Barbara Kopple
Sunday, February 19 at 1:30pm

Live discussion and interview with director Steve James (“Hoop Dreams” and “The Interrupters”) and Robert K. Elder (author “The Film That Changed My Life’)

We have a very special screening of the 1976 Oscar winning documentary “Harlan County USA” at the Music Box Theatre this Sunday, February 19! This screening will be hosted by Steve James, the director of “Hoop Dreams” and “The Interrupters”, who chose “Harlan County USA” as his pivotal film experience when interviewed for Robert K. Elder’s book “The Film That Changed my Life”.

This screening is being offered as part of the Music Box Theatre’s ongoing series based on Mr. Elder’s book and will feature a live discussion and interview with Steve James and Robert Elder following the film.

We would like to extend an invitation to Occupy Chicago protesters to attend the 1:30pm screening of “Harlan County USA” as our guests. Members of the movement can simply say the code phrase “I Occupy Chicago” at the Music Box Theatre box office that afternoon to receive a complimentary ticket. This offer is limited to 200 tickets and applies to the 1:30 event only but protesters are welcome to purchase tickets at the regular rate for the 5:00pm screening of “The Interrupters” if they choose to.

http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/events/harlan-county-usa-2012-02-19-458-pm

The Music Box Theatre wants to offer a special deal for “The Intergalactic Nemesis” this Sunday, Nov 6th at 4:30pm!

ONE DAY ONLY! SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH AT 4:30PM!

The Music Box Theatre is proud to offer a special deal for the first 50 people to purchase $2 tickets* for this AWESOME show!

It began as a radio play performed in a coffeehouse in downtown Austin. It grew to sell out this midsize cityʼs 1,200-seat Paramount Theatre. Giant projections of comic book images were added. It reached 4,000 Austinites in this new form over three performances at Austinʼs new Long Center for the Performing Arts. Now itʼs poised to invade the rest of the world.

The Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel will barnstorm more than 30 cities in its first world tour. The show lands in Chicagoʼs Music Box as part of a monthlong Midwest leg on Sunday, November 6, at 4:30 PM.

To purchase tickets at this discounted rate, CLICK HERE!

When those 50 tickets sell out, you can still purchase ticket at the regular price by CLICKING HERE

If you want more info, visit the main page for the event at :
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/features/the-intergalactic-nemesis/

*(plus small ticketing fee, yeah we know it would be awesome to skip that fee, but the system has to charge it

Please be advised, our CARRIE event, originally scheduled for Sunday, October 9, will now take place on Sunday, December 4.

Please be advised, our CARRIE event, originally scheduled for Sunday, October 9, will now take place on Sunday, December 4.

While we regret this sudden change in schedule, we are very pleased to announce that Piper Laurie, who played Carrie’s mother in the film, will be in attendance on December 4 to discuss the film, her extensive life in the entertainment industry, and will autograph her book “Learning to Live Out Loud: A Memoir.” This event will now be called “A Very Carrie Christmas,” with all the fun and camp previously planned.

Those who had previously purchased tickets to the event will have their tickets honored and will be contacted immediately and offered refunds or exchanges. Tickets are now on sale for the December 4th the event. Tickets will be $12 in advance, $15 day of. Piper Laurie’s new book “Learning to Live Out Loud: A Memoir.” Will also be available for sale at the event.

If you have any questions, you may contact Buck LePard, Assistant General Manager, at buck@musicboxtheatre.com

Best Regards,
Music Box Theatre

Music Box Theatre and Camp Midnight present…

A VERY ‘CARRIE’ CHRISTMAS!

WITH STAR PIPER LAURIE IN-PERSON!

Sunday, December 4

Music Box Theatre and Camp Midnight present a one-of-a-kind screening of the infamous 1976 horror film CARRIE their first ever horror/camp screening to kick off the Holiday season on Sunday, December 4. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hell in a Handbag Productions, Inc., the theatre company noted for their one of a kind theatrical parody shows, including a hit musical version of Carrie, called “SCARRIE The Musical” that debuted in 1998 and was revived in 2005.

The event begins with a Camp Midnight pre-show hosted by Dick O’Day and featuring David Cerda, Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions and two of the troupe’s hilarious acting mainstays, Ed Jones and Alex Grelle. Following the pre-show, Brian DePalma’s thrilling 1976 teen horror classic CARRIE will be screened, complete with “frighteningly funny” interactive audience guide and “hellaciously hilarious” running commentary from O’Day and Cerda.

Star and Camp Icon Piper Laurie will also be on-hand for a spirited, post-screening Q&A hosted by O’Day and Cerda.

Those who had previously purchased tickets to the event will have their tickets honored and will be contacted immediately and offered refunds or exchanges.

Tickets are now on sale for the December 4th the event. Tickets will be $12 in advance, $15 day of. Piper Laurie’s new book “Learning to Live Out Loud: A Memoir.” Will also be available for sale at the event.

EVENT DETAILS
Who: Camp Midnight and the Music Box Theater present
What: A VERY ‘CARRIE’ CHRISTMAS
When: Sunday, December 4
Where: Music Box theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave, Chicago
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hell in a Handbag Productions
Info: http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/features/camp-midnight-presents-carrie

We’re sorry to report that, due to scheduling issues, the Music Box is not going to present THE ROOM: LIVE on October 21 & 22 as previously announced in our schedule. We’re saddened that the event has fallen through, we hope to be able to reschedule it in the future, but we’ve got lots of other great events coming up in the meantime.

The Music Box is offering discount tickets for Second City Training Center’s students to Wednesday’s screening of Wet Hot American Summer!

The Music Box Theatre is offering Second City students $1 off tickets for our screening of Wet Hot American Summer on Wednesday, October 5th at 10:30pm. The screening will be presented by Scott Tobias of The AV Club and feature a Q&A with director/co-writer David Wain. To purchase your discount tickets, click the ticket link below and enter “SKYLAB” in the “Use Coupon” box, then present your Second City ID at the box office when you attend the event.

Purchase Tickets

Cinema/Chicago and ESPN FILMS will be hosting an exclusive screening of CATCHING HELL, directed by Oscar winning director, Alex Gibney, on Thursday August 25 at 7pm…. and we have a select number of tickets to give away FREE! Here is your chance for you and a guest to win!

With five outs remaining in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, a foul ball descended from the cold Chicago sky, seemingly destined for the glove of Cubs left fielder Moises Alou. But a flurry of hands reached up from the left field stands, and one fatefully tipped the ball away from a frustrated Alou. It belonged to Cubs fan Steve Bartman, and as the cameras subsequently isolated on him trying to stay composed in the stands, most long suffering Cubs fans, including a chorus of hostile ones in Wrigley Field, quickly became convinced that he had swatted away Chicago’s chance of advancing to the World Series for the first time in 58 years.

Sign up HERE for your chance to win free tickets to the CINEMA/CHICAGO Member Screening: CATCHING HELL with director Alex Gibney, 8/25, 7pm!

Cinema/Chicago and ESPN FILMS will be hosting an exclusive screening of CATCHING HELL, directed by Oscar winning director, Alex Gibney, on Thursday August 25 at 7pm at The Music Box Theater, 3733 N. Southport Ave.

A panel discussion will immediately follow the screening. Scheduled to attend: director Alex Gibney, producer Gary Cohen, EPSN writer Wayne Drehs, and Chasing October documentary director Matt Liston.

This screening is exclusively for Cinema/Chicago members— and those who sign up to win HERE

The winners will be notified between noon and 1pm on Tuesday, Aug 23rd!

Want to win a free pass for all 16 films in the Noir City Film Festival? A Value of $160? Here are two chances to win!

So, we are holding two raffles, one online and one in person!

You could win Free admission to the entire Noir city Film Festival!

OPTION 1— ONLINE RAFFLE!
Click the link below to enter the contest. We will pick one lucky winner and many other runner up prizes! Sign up below for your chance to win a Festival Pass for the Noir City: Chicago 3! As the Music Box teams up with the Film Noir Foundation for a festival that combines extraordinary rarities with revivals of recognized classics—all presented on the big screen in glorious 35mm prints! You can sign up until noon Central time on Friday, Aug 12th! One lucky winner will receive a free pass tot he ENTIRE NOIR CITY FILM FESTIVAL! That’s 16 films! That’s 7 days of films! That’s AWESOME! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

You have until Friday at noon to sign up!

OPTION 2— IN PERSON RAFFLE!
Come to opening night of the Film Noir Festival, and DRESS UP! Wear your finest! Get all Noir! Wear that Red Dress! Pin Stripes! A Fancy hat! Then fill out a drawing for a Film Noir Pass! We will draw right there at the opening of the festival! DRESS UP!

Sign up here for a chance to win tickets for TUESDAY’S TRIPLE FEATURE!

This concert film is best viewed with people who know the words to Dispatch songs… so spread the word. The Music Box Theatre is giving away 25 free admit two passes to Tuesday night’s presentation. That’s right. So, your chances are pretty good. Pass this on to every Jam Band friend you know.

Sign up here to win tickets to the TUESDAY NIGHT of the Music Box Theatre Summer Music Film Festival presented by CHIRP RADIO. Winners will get tickets for two to the following screenings:
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 “A Fond Farewell Night”
5:30 CIMMFEST SHORTS B 60
7:30 THE LAST DISPATCH 90
9:30 THE LAST WALTZ 117

SIGN UP HERE!

Want to see the closing screening of the chicago French Film Festival on Sunday night for FREE? Enter to win a ticket for you and a guest to see “The Hedgehog” on July 24, 7:00pm directed by Mona Achache, 2010, 100m
CLOSING NIGHT PRESENTATION!
Actress Josiane Balasko scheduled to appear!

Another great opportunity to get in free to another film at the Chicago French Film Festival!

JUST CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN TICKETS FOR YOU AND A FRIEND!