Opening Downtown
“Far from the Madding Crowd” is based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy. It’s the story of independent, beautiful Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor. This timeless story explores the nature of relationships and love. “Far From the Madding Crowd” opens Friday at the Michigan.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” returns to the world of the Road Warrior (Tom Hardy). Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa (Charlize Theron). “Mad Max: Fury Road” opens Friday.
The Barden Bellas are back in “Pitch Perfect 2,” the follow-up to 2012’s smash hit. After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform. “Pitch Perfect 2” opens Friday.
“Tomorrowland” will get an “only at the Michigan Theater” opening night because, Brad Bird the respected director (“The Incredible,” “Iron Giant”) of “Tomorrowland,” specifically chose the Michigan as one of just 15 Movie Palaces in North America to host a special advanced screening. George Clooney plays a former boy-genius jaded by scientific disillusionment. He and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as Tomorrowland. What they must do changes the world-and them-forever. “Tomorrowland’s” special advanced screenings are Thursday, May 21 (one week from today) at 7:00 and 9:45 at the Michigan Theater.
Cinetopia International Film
Festival is back for a fourth year—bigger and better than ever! From June 5 through June 14, southeast Michigan has the opportunity to discover the best dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the world’s best film festivals—like Sundance, Cannes , Venice, Berlin, Toronto , SXSW and Tribeca —
in venues across Detroit and Ann Arbor. We’ve got an amazing opening night free film screening on the North Lawn of the Detroit Institute of Arts and ten days of film screenings at the College for Creative Studies , Charles H. Wright Museum and the Arab American National Museum, as well as Detroit venues like Cinema Detroit, the Maple Theater , Redford Theatre , and the Senate Theatre. Ann Arbor venues include the historic Michigan Theater and State Theatre and the U-M Modern Languages Building.
Special events are many and include a symposium at the University of Michigan celebrating the centenary of visionary director Orson Welles ; free outdoor screenings; post-film discussions and Q&A with directors and stars; panels, performances and parties... it’s all part of what make a film festival great. See next year’s award-winning independent films before they make it big; visit cinetopiafestival.org to purchase passes and tickets.
See what you can discover!
Over 70 Films; 18 different venues; over 150 screenings
English Language Films
16 story-based fiction films from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada
Foreign Language Films
25 story-based fiction films from 22 countries; choose from comedies, thrillers, and dramas
Documentary Films
12 feature-length films that explore the truth behind political, societal, and personal stories
Special Programs
• Centennial celebration and Symposium on the work of Orson Welles
• Opening night parties and festival after parties
• FREE outdoor screenings
• ... AND MORE!
Special Screenings Downtown
“All or Nothin’” provides a rare glimpse into the Underground Railroad in Washtenaw County. This work-in-progress screening features clips from the feature film as well as interviews with area scholars. “All or Nothin’” plays Thursday May 14 at 7 PM. Admission is free!
In “Thelma and Louise,” two working-class friends (Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon) have planned a weekend getaway from the men in their lives. The road trip starts out as a good time, but Thelma ends up in the parking lot of a bar with a would-be rapist. Louise shoots the man dead. With no choice but to go on the run, they eventually meet up with a young criminal named J.D. (Brad Pitt), whose cowboy spirit rubs off on the timid Thelma, “Thelma and Louise” plays Friday May 15 at 8:30 PM.
In “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” Jack Spade (Keenen Ivory Wayans) returns home from a hitch in the Army to find his brother Junebug has died from an overdose of gold chains, leaving his widow and mother alone to fend for themselves. Wayans wrote, directed, and starred in this hilarious parody of blaxploitation films. “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” plays Saturday May 16 at 10 PM at the State Theatre.
“Se7en,” director David Fincher‘s dark, stylish thriller, ranks as one of the decade’s most influential box-office successes. Starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, “Se7en” plays Saturday May 16 1t 11:59 PM at the State Theatre. Tickets just $8!
Lon Chaney stars as Erik, the “Phantom of the Opera,” in what is probably his most famous and certainly his most horrifying role. Originally released in 1925, the film turned out to be a rousing success and was both the stepping off point for Chaney’s stardom and the prototype for the horror films of the 1930s. “Phantom of the Opera” plays Sunday May 17 at 7 PM at the Michigan Theater. Presented with live organ accompaniment!
“Red Obsession” sets out to explore the Bordeaux phenomenon. For over three centuries Bordeaux has commanded an almost mythical status in the world of wine as a symbol of wealth, power and influence. But recently prices for the prestige red wines have been skyrocketing. Just how good can really good wine be? “Red Obsession” plays Wednesday May 20 at 7 PM. Presented with support from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
An unprecedented––and wholly unpredictable––action-adventure, “Roar” follows wildlife preservationist Hank (“The Exorcist” producer Noel Marshall in his sole and career-derailing turn as an actor and director), who lives harmoniously alongside a menagerie of over 100 untamed animals, including cheetahs, elephants, lions and tigers on a preservation in the African plains. When his wife and children arrive (real-life wife Tippi Hedren, step-daughter Melanie Griffith, and his sons John and Jerry Marshall) for a visit, a long-brewing battle for dominance between the lions erupts and threatens their very lives. “Roar” plays Thursday May 21 at the State Theatre.
