Michigan Theater Director and CEO Russ Collins joins David Fair for a a wrap-up of the Academy Awards and a preview of this week’s film offerings. That includes the Will Smith movie “Focus”, the Olivia Wilde vehicle “The Lazarus Effect” and a a very special screening from the New York Film Critics…Find out about that event, and more.
Opening Downtown
Nominated for four Academy Awards, “Mr. Turner” explores the last quarter century of the great if eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851). Profoundly affected by the death of his father, loved by a housekeeper he takes for granted and occasionally exploits sexually, he forms a close relationship with a seaside landlady with whom he eventually lives incognito in Chelsea, where he dies. Throughout this, he travels, paints, stays with the country aristocracy, visits brothels, is a popular if anarchic member of the Royal Academy of Arts, has himself strapped to the mast of a ship so that he can paint a snowstorm, and is both celebrated and reviled by the public and by royalty. Timothy Spall plays Turner, and won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance. A.O. Scott of the New York Times says “’Mr. Turner’ is a mighty work of critical imagination, a loving, unsentimental portrait of a rare creative soul.” “Mr. Turner” opens Friday at the Michigan.
“Timbuktu” was nominated for the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film. In “Timbuktu,” not far from the ancient city now ruled by religious fundamentalists, proud cattle herder Kidane lives peacefully in the dunes with his wife Satima), his daughter Toya, and Issan, their twelve-year-old shepherd. In town, the people suffer, powerless, from the regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Music, laughter, cigarettes, even soccer have been banned. The women have become shadows but resist with dignity. Every day, the new improvised courts issue tragic and absurd sentences. Kidane and his family are being spared the chaos that prevails in Timbuktu. But their destiny changes abruptly in this stunningly rendered film from a master filmmaker, Abderrahmane Sissako. Peter Howell of the Toronto Star says the film is “a masterful and heartbreaking account of religion trumping humanity.” “Timbuktu” opens Thursday March 5 at the Michigan, and continues next week.
“Birdman” is back! Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this black comedy tells the story of an actor (Michael Keaton) - famous for portraying an iconic superhero - as he struggles to mount a Broadway play. In the days leading up to opening night, he battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career, and himself. Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly says “’Birdman’ is a scalpel-sharp dissection of Hollywood, Broadway, and fame in the 21st century. But more than that, it's a testament to Keaton's enduring charisma and power as an actor.” “Birdman” returns Friday to the State Theatre.
Opening at the Multiplex
In “Focus,” Nicky Spurgeon (Will Smith) is an extremely accomplished con man who takes an amateur con artist, Jess (Margot Robbie), under his wing. Nicky and Jess become romantically involved, and with Nicky's profession of being a liar and a cheater for a living, he realizes that deception and love are things that don't go together. They split, only to see each other three years later... And that’s when things get messy. “Focus” opens Friday.
“The Lazarus Effect” follows a group of researchers led by Frank (Mark Duplass) and his fiancée Zoe (Olivia Wilde,) who've achieved the unimaginable- bringing the dead back to life. After a successful, yet unsanctioned, trial on a newly deceased animal, the team is ready to unveil their breakthrough to the world. When the dean of their university learns of their underground experiments, their project is unexpectedly shut down and their materials confiscated. “The Lazarus Effect” opens Friday.
Special Screenings Downtown
The original and preeminent exhibition of fly fishing cinema, The Fly Fishing Film Tour is a one of a kind experience. Each year fishermen of all ages (and genders) gather to soak in films from around the world, spin a few yarns amongst friends and dream about casts still unmade. The Fly Fishing Film Tour plays Friday, February 27 at 7 PM at the Michigan Theater.
“Lady in the Lake” is this week’s Noir film! Robert Montgomery (who also directed) plays detective Philip Marlowe, a private eye who just wants to publish his own crime stories. “Lady in the Lake” is known for being filmed with a subjective camera – almost entirely from Marlowe’s point of view. “Lady in the Lake” plays Monday, February 23 at 7 PM.
Do not miss this special New York Film Critics screening of “Bluebird,” featuring a post-screening interview via Skype with lead actor John Slattery (“Mad Men”). Set in the northern reaches of Maine, a local school bus driver becomes distracted during her end-of-day inspection, and fails to notice a sleeping boy in the back of the bus. What happens next shatters the tranquility of her small logging town, proving that even the slightest actions can have have enormous consequences. “Bluebird” plays Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 PM at the Michigan Theater.
