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Cinema Chat: 'Little Men,' 'For The Love Of Spock,' 'The Beatles,' 'Sully,' And More

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The first week of school is wrapping up, so why not unwind with a trip to your local theater?  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair talks to Michigan Theater program director Ruth Lednicer about the movie business and all the films hitting the big screen this weekend.

Opening Downtown

"Little Men"

Jake (Theo Taplitz), a quiet, sensitive middle schooler, meets the affably brash Tony (Michael Barbieri), and the unlikely pair soon hit it off.  The budding friendship is put at risk, however, when a rent dispute between Jake’s father (Greg Kinnear), and Tony’s mother (Paulina Garcia), threatens to become contentious.  “Little Men” was a crowd favorite at the 2016 Cinetopia Film Festival!  “Little Men” opens Friday at the Michigan.

"For the Love of Spock"

This documentary tells the life of “Star Trek’s”Mr. Spock and the actor who played him, Leonard Nimoy.  The film’s focus began as a celebration of the fifty-year anniversary of Star Trek: The Original Series, but after Leonard passed away in February 2015, his son, director Adam Nimoy, was ready to tell another story: his personal experience growing up with Leonard and Spock.  The film is laden with never-before-seen footage and interviews of friends, family, and colleagues that includeWilliam Shatner, Zachary Quinto, and the new crew of the Starship Enterprise, and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.  “For the Love of Spock” opens Friday at the Michigan.

"Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words"

This is an intimate encounter with the iconoclastic composer and musician.  Rare archival footage reveals a provocative 20th century musical genius, whose worldview reverberates into the present day and beyond.  “Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words” opens Friday at the State.

"Morris from America"

A heartwarming and crowd-pleasing coming-of-age comedy with a unique spin, this film centers on Morris Gentry (Markees Christmas, in an incredible breakout performance), a 13-year-old who has just relocated with his single father, Curtis (Craig Robinson) to Heidelberg, Germany.  Morris, who fancies himself the next Notorious B.I.G., is a complete fish-out-of-water—a budding hip-hop star in an EDM world.  Morris sets out against all odds to take the hip-hop world by storm.  This film was a huge hit at this year’s Cinetopia!  “Morris from America” opens Friday at the State.

"The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years"

This film is based on the first part of The Beatles’ career (1962-1966), the period in which they toured and captured the world’s acclaim.  The film explores how John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr came together to become this extraordinary phenomenon and delves into their inner workings: how they made decisions, created their music, and built their collective career together.  Directed by Ron Howard, this is the first authorized documentary about the Fab Four.  “The Beatles: Eight Days A Week -The Touring Years” opens in a special early screening on Thursday, September 15 at the Michigan.

Special Screenings Downtown

The Michigan Theater presents the 2016 Young Filmmakers' Camp Screeningon Sunday at 1 PM.  Projects created during the Michigan Theater's young filmmakers' camp will premiere on the big screen! 

"Mad Max: Fury Road"

Years after the collapse of civilization, the tyrannical Immortan Joe enslaves apocalypse survivors inside a desert fortress.  When the warrior Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) leads the despot’s five wives in a daring escape, she forges an alliance with Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), a loner and former captive.  Fortified in the massive, armored War Rig, they try to outrun the ruthless warlord and his henchmen in a deadly high-speed chase through the Wasteland.  “Mad Max: Fury Road” plays Saturday, September 10 at 11:59 PM at the State.  Tickets just $8!  This is one of the last Midnight films at the State before it closes for a huge renovation!

Opening at the Multiplex

"Sully"

Tom Hanks stars as heroic airline pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who, in 2009, glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard – an event later dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson."  However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.  “Sully” opens Friday.

"The Disappointments Room"

In the psychological thriller, Dana and David move from Brooklyn to a once-grand southern mansion with their 5-year old son looking for a fresh start. But Dana's discovery of a secret room unleashes unexplainable events that test her sanity and slowly reveal the home's terrifying past.  “The Disappointments Room” opens Friday.

"When the Bough Breaks"

John and Laura are a young, professional couple who desperately want a baby.  After exhausting all other options, they finally hire Anna to be their surrogate - but as she gets further along in her pregnancy, so too does her psychotic and dangerous fixation on the husband.  “When the Bough Breaks” opens Friday.

"The Wild Life"

In the animated feature, things are larger-than-life on a tropical isle that is pure wild animal paradise.  Then, Robinson Crusoe, a marooned human, arrives in the midst of a furious storm, and their lives are forever changed by this bewildering new “creature.”  “The Wild Life” opens Friday.

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— David Fair is the WEMU News Director and host of Morning Edition on WEMU.  You can contact David at734.487.3363, on twitter @DavidFairWEMU, or email him at dfair@emich.edu

Contact David: dfair@emich.edu
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