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Cinema Chat: 'tick tick...BOOM!,' 'Belfast,' and more

Michigan Theater
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It's getting a bit cooler outside, but you can still stay warm with a good movie. WEMU's Michael Jewett continues filling in for David Fair in our weekly conversation with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins. They provide a rundown about the new films and special events coming to the big screen this weekend.

OPENING DOWNTOWN

"tick tick...BOOM!" -- OPENS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12 AT THE MICHIGAN

An upcoming American musical drama film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda in his feature directorial debut, from a screenplay by Steven Levenson, based on the semi-autobiographical musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson. The film stars Andrew GarfieldAlexandra ShippRobin de JesúsJoshua HenryJudith Light, and Vanessa Hudgens. The world premiere was at the AFI Fest November 10, 2021.

The film is an adaptation of the autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, who revolutionized theater as the creator of Rent. The film follows Jon (Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Andrew Garfield), a young theater composer who's waiting tables at a New York City diner in 1990 while writing what he hopes will be the next great American musical. Days before he's due to showcase his work in a make-or-break performance, Jon is feeling the pressure from everywhere: from his girlfriend Susan, who dreams of an artistic life beyond New York City; from his friend Michael, who has moved on from his dream to a life of financial security; amidst an artistic community being ravaged by the AIDS epidemic. With the clock ticking, Jon is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with: What are we meant to do with the time we have? tick, tick...BOOM!

"Belfast"-- OPENS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12 AT THE STATE WITH AN ADVANCED SCREENING TONIGHT

This is a 2021 coming of age drama-comedy film written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film stars Caitríona BalfeJudi DenchJamie DornanCiarán HindsColin Morgan, and newcomer Jude Hill. The film, which Branagh has described as his "most personal film," centres on a young boy's childhood amidst the tumult of Belfast, Northern Ireland, in the 1960s. Belfast had its world premiere at the 48th Telluride Film Festival on 2 September 2021, and also won the People's Choice Award at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival.

 
SPECIAL SCREENINGS DOWNTOWN

FROM BAZ LUHRMANN

"The Great Gatsby"-- PLAYS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 AT 7:30 PM AT THE MICHIGAN!

Midwest native Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) arrives in 1922 New York in search of the American dream. Nick, a would-be writer, moves in next door to millionaire Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and across the bay from his cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) and her philandering husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton). Thus, Nick becomes drawn into the captivating world of the wealthy and -- as he bears witness to their illusions and deceits -- pens a tale of impossible love, dreams, and tragedy.

"Moulin Rouge!" -- PLAYS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT 7:30 PM AT THE MICHIGAN!

A celebration of love and creative inspiration takes place in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp of the 20th century. A young poet (Ewan McGregor), who is plunged into the heady world of Moulin Rouge, begins a passionate affair with the club's most notorious and beautiful star (Nicole Kidman).

LATE NIGHTS - FRIDAYS AT 10 PM

"Blade Runner" -- PLAYS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12 10 PM AT THE MICHIGAN 

This is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, and adapted by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos, it is an adaptation of Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" The film is set in a dystopian future Los Angeles of 2019, in which synthetic humans known as replicants are bio-engineered by the powerful Tyrell Corporation to work at space colonies. When a fugitive group of advanced replicants led by Roy Batty (Hauer) escapes back to Earth, burnt-out cop Rick Deckard (Ford) reluctantly agrees to hunt them down.

CONTINUING DOWNTOWN

"Spencer"

A 2021 biographical psychological drama film directed by Pablo Larraín and written by Steven Knight. The film stars Kristen Stewart as Diana, Princess of Wales (née Spencer), and follows Diana's decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles (played by Jack Farthing) and leave the British royal family. Timothy SpallSean Harris, and Sally Hawkins also star. Spencer had its world premiere in-competition at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on 3 September 2021.

The marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the Queen's Sandringham Estate. There's eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. But this year, things will be profoundly different. This film is an imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days.

"Eternals"

A 2021 American epic superhero film based on the Marvel Comics race of the same name. It is the 26th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Chloé Zhao, who wrote the screenplay with Patrick BurleighRyan Firpo, and Kaz Firpo. It stars an ensemble cast including Gemma ChanRichard MaddenKumail NanjianiLia McHughBrian Tyree HenryLauren RidloffBarry KeoghanDon LeeHarish PatelKit HaringtonSalma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie. In the film, the Eternals, an immortal alien race, emerge from hiding after thousands of years to protect Earth from their evil counterparts, the Deviants.

Chloé Zhao—who had also been in the running to direct Marvel's Black Widow (2021)— approached Marvel Studios about making the film as she had been a fan of the MCU. She wanted to work with the studio to bring her own take and world-building to the franchise.

Marvel Studios' latest film features an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. Following the events of "Avengers: Endgame," an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind's most ancient enemy, the Deviants.

"The French Dispatch"

A 2021 American comedy-drama anthology film written, directed, and produced byWes Andersonfrom a story he conceived with Roman CoppolaHugo Guinness, andJason Schwartzman. The film stars an ensemble cast featuring Benicio del Toro,Adrien BrodyTilda SwintonLéa SeydouxFrances McDormandTimothée ChalametLyna KhoudriJeffrey WrightMathieu AmalricStephen ParkBill Murray, and Owen Wilson. Its plot follows three different storylines, as the French foreign bureau of a fictional Kansas newspaper creates its final issue. Filming took place between November 2018 and March 2019, with cinematographer Robert Yeoman, in the city of Angoulême, France. Following a delay, the film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on July 12, 2021.

"Last Night in Soho"

This is a 2021 British psychological horror film directed by Edgar Wright ("Shaun of the Dead," "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," "Baby Driver," "The Sparks Brothers") with a screenplay by Wright and Krysty Wilson-Cairns. The film stars Thomasin McKenzie ("Leave No Trace," "Jojo Rabbit," "True History of the Kelly Gang"), Anya Taylor-Joy("The Witch," "Split,"  "Thoroughbreds," "Peaky Blinders," "Emma," "The Queen's Gambit"), Matt Smith, and Terence Stamp. The film marks the final film appearances of Diana Rigg and Margaret Nolan, who died in September and October 2020, respectively. The film is dedicated to the memory of Nolan. The film had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on 4 September 2021.

In acclaimed director Edgar Wright's psychological thriller, Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie. But the glamour is not all it appears to be and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.

"Dune"

From director Denis Villeneuve, a mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, this film tells the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

"No Time to Die"

A 2021 British-American spy film and the 25th in the James Bond series stars Daniel Craig in his fifth and final outing as the fictional British MI6 agent. It is directed by Cary Fukunaga from a screenplay by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and others, including Fukunaga. Léa SeydouxBen WhishawNaomie HarrisJeffrey WrightChristoph WaltzRory Kinnear, andRalph Fiennes reprise their roles from previous films, with Rami Malek, plays a classic Bond adversary. The film’s release was delayed by over one year by the COVID-19 pandemic. The film received strong positive reviews from critics, who hailed it as a fitting and compelling sendoff to the Craig-era of Bond films.

THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS IS A-COMIN' SOON!

Michigan Theater Traditional screening of Warner Bros. Cartoons – FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING 11:30 AM

Enjoy a laugh with friends and family as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and the Looney Tunes gang take over the silver screen of the historic Main Auditorium with a selection of Warner Bros. cartoons for all ages.

"White Christmas" -- PLAYS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 AT 7:30 PM AT THE MICHIGAN

Featuring on-screen lyrics and commentary, goodie bags, and more.

Sing along with Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) as they join sister act Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen) to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont. There, they run into Gen. Waverly (Dean Jagger), the boys' commander in World War II, who, they learn, is having financial difficulties; his quaint country inn is failing. So what's the foursome to do but plan a yuletide miracle: a fun-filled musical extravaganza that's sure to put Waverly and his business in the black!

FREE Holiday Classics Series!

 Plus

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—Michael Jewett is the WEMU weekday jazz host.  Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org

Michael Jewett is the long-time host of 89.1 Jazz every weekday afternoon. Besides his on-air work; Michael is WEMU’s Operations Manager. Mr. Jewett started working for WEMU in 1983. He’s been on the air longer than any other current WEMU music host.
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