Listen to Amanda Bynum and David Fair on 89.1 WEMU’s Cinema Chat:
Each week, Cinema Chat host David Fair, sits down with Michigan Theater Executive Director Russ Collins for a most entertaining conversation on movies, culture and live events to be experienced downtown and around town. However, this week, The Michigan Theater's Program Director, Amanda Bynum fills in for Russ while they are away for the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
SEE ALSO: Hitchcock Film Series
The Master of Suspense on the big screen
Starting in February at the Michigan Theater, you can experience 33 of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest films as they were meant to be seen: on the big screen! The line-up includes brand-new restorations of nine of his silent films directly from the British Film Institute (featuring live organ accompaniment on the theater’s Barton Organ), special pre-film introductions by film scholars, and more. To see the full series, visit www.michtheater.org/hitchcock.
Opening at the Multiplex
Based on the character created by Tom Clancy and directed by Kenneth Branagh, "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" follows a young Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) as he uncovers a financial terrorist plot. The story follows him from 9/11, through his tour of duty in Afghanistan, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the CIA. When Ryan believes he's uncovered a Russian plot to collapse the United States economy, he goes from being an analyst to becoming a spy and must fight to save his own life and those of countless others, while also trying to protect the thing that's more important to him than anything: his relationship with his fiancée Cathy (Keira Knightley). “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” opens Friday.
Kevin Hart and Ice Cube star in “Ride Along,” the new film from the director and the producer of the blockbuster comedy “Think Like a Man.” When fast-talking security guard Ben joins his girlfriend's brother - a hot-tempered cop - to patrol the streets of Atlanta, he gets entangled in the officer's latest case. Now, in order to prove that he deserves his future bride, Ben must survive the most insane 24 hours of his life. “Ride Along” opens Friday.
“The Nut Job” takes place in the fictional town of Oakton and follows the travails of Surly, a mischievous squirrel, and his rat friend Buddy, who plan a nut store heist of outrageous proportions and unwittingly find themselves embroiled in a much more complicated adventure. Featuring the voices of Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser and Liam Neeson,“The Nut Job” opens Friday.
In “Devil’s Due” a newlywed couple finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves, but, as the months pass, it becomes evident that the dark changes to her body and mind have a much more sinister origin. “Devil’s Due” opens Friday.
New York Film Critics Film Series returns to Ann Arbor
“At Middleton” follows Academy Award nominees Andy Garcia and Vera Farmiga as straight-laced George and eccentric Edith, two strangers who meet on their children’s campus tour at the idyllic Middleton College. Failing comically to connect with their kids, George and Edith play hooky together, ditching the official tour for a carefree adventure reminiscent of their own college years. But what begins as an afternoon of fun soon becomes a revealing and enlightening experience that will change their lives forever. A light-hearted romance for adults on the surface, the film is a deeply moving portrait of roads not taken and the timelessness of youth. Taissa Farmiga (Vera’s real-life sister) and Tom Skerritt also star in this story about what can happen on your first day of college—no matter who you are. The film will begin with an introduction by national film critic Alison Bailes. Following the film, join us for a special Skype interview with actors Vera Farmiga and Andy Garcia and director Adam Rogers, moderated by Peter Travers of Rolling Stone. “At Middleton” plays Tuesday January 21 at 8 PM as part of the New York Film Critics Series.
Special Screenings Downtown
In “The Berlin File,” a South Korean intelligence agent comes across an unidentifiable operative – a “ghost” – while surveilling a North Korean weapons deal in Berlin. While trying to uncover the ghost’s identity, the agent becomes embroiled in a vast international conspiracy. “The Berlin File” plays Saturday, January 18 at 2 PM as part of the Nam Center for Korean Studies’ Korean Cinema Now series. Admission is free!
“Elemental” tells the story of three individuals united by their deep connection with nature and driven to confront some of the most pressing ecological challenges of our time. Presented by the Global Oneness Project,“Elemental” plays Tuesday, January 21 at 7 PM.
“Linsanity” chronicles the surprising rise of NBA basketball player Jeremy Lin, who in in February 2012 put together a record breaking string of games, giving the world one of the most remarkable underdog stories ever to unfold in the history of sports. “Linsanity” plays Wednesday, January 22 at 7 PM. Presented by University of Michigan Taiwanese American Student Association (TASA) and Asian InterVarsity (AIV).
See you at the movies!