After a Halloween weekend full of scary flicks, what's next in the world of cinema? WEMU's Michael Jewett is here to find out. Michael once again sits in for David Fair to talk all things movies with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins.
THE ANN ARBOR POLISH FILM FESTIVAL -- NOVEMBER 5-7
NOVEMBER 5, FRIDAY - Opening of the 28th Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival – 7:00
Żeby nie było śladów/"Leave No Traces" – 7:45
dir. Jan P. Matuszyński, drama, 2021, 160 min.
NOVEMBER 6, SATURDAY
Children's Program
Tarapaty 2/"Triple Trouble" – 11:00
dir. Marta Karwowska, adventure, 2020, 87 min.
Evening Program
The Hero/"The Hero" – 6:00
dir. Milena Dutkowska, short narrative, 2021, 24 min.
Magnezja/"Magnesium" – 6:45
dir. Maciej Bochniak, western, 2020, 120min.
Teściowie/"The In-Laws" – 9:00
dir. Jakub Michalczuk, comedy, 2021, 81 min.
The film won the Audience Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
NOVEMBER 7, SUNDAY
Jeden dzień dłużej/"One More Day" – 1:30
dir. Monika Meleń, documentary, 2021, 50min.
Zupa nic/"Back Then" – 2:30
dir. Kinga Dębska, comedy, 2021, 94 min.
OPENING DOWNTOWN
"Spencer" -- OPENS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 AT THE STATE WITH AN ADVANCED SCREENING TONIGHT
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 Spall, Sean 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" -- OPENS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 AT THE STATE WITH AN ADVANCED SCREENING TONIGHT
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 Burleigh, Ryan Firpo, and Kaz Firpo. It stars an ensemble cast including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma 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.
SPECIAL SCREENINGS DOWNTOWN
"Strictly Ballroom" -- PLAYS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 at 4:15 PM & 7:30 PM AT THE MICHIGAN!
A top ballroom dancer pairs with a plain, left-footed local girl when his maverick style earns him the disdain of his more conventionally-minded colleagues. Together, the team gives it their all and makes dreams of the National Championship title come true.
"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"-- Friday, 11/12 at 10 PM
- "Shrek" -- Friday, 11/19 at 10 PM
- "Love Actually" -- Friday, 12/3 at 10 PM
- "Tokyo Godfathers" -- Friday, 12/10 at 10 PM
CONTINUING DOWNTOWN
A 2021 American comedy-drama anthology film written, directed, and produced byWes Andersonfrom a story he conceived with Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness, andJason Schwartzman. The film stars an ensemble cast featuring Benicio del Toro,Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Stephen Park, Bill 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.
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.
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.
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 Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Rory 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!
- "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947) – Sunday, 11/28, at 1:30 PM at the Michigan.
- "A Christmas Story" – Sunday, 12/5, at 1:30 PM at the Michigan.
- "Elf" - Sunday, 12/12, at 1:30 PM at the Michigan.
- "It's a Wonderful Life" – Sunday, 12/19, at 1:30 PM at the Michigan.
Plus
- "Love Actually" – Friday, 12/3 at 10 PM at the Michigan
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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
