First Tuesdays with The Midwest Independent Film Festival will kick off its 2010 season with the star-studded, highly anticipated thriller Chicago Overcoat on Tuesday, February 2nd at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark beginning at 6 p.m. Writer/director Brian Caunter, writer/producer John Bosher, executive producer JoAnne Moss, actor Danny Goldring and other cast and crew will be in attendance for a post-screening discussion with the audience.

Film Synopsis: The fates of an aging hitman (Frank Vincent, The Sopranos, Casino) and a washed up detective (Chicago theatre veteran Danny Goldring) become entwined when one last job leads to one last chance to settle an old score.

Twenty years ago, Lou Marazano (Frank Vincent, The Sopranos, Casino) was the deadliest triggerman in the notorious Chicago Outfit. When Lou’s jailed boss (four-time Golden Globe nominee Armand Assante) orders a wave of hits to cover up a conspiracy between city officials and the mob, Lou sees a chance to finance his retirement and relive his glory days. But does he still have what it takes? This neo-noir crime drama is an accomplished debut from first-time local filmmakers.

Screening Information: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 — screening begins with a Pre-Show Cocktail Reception (sponsored by Heineken, Candid Wines, Death’s Door Spirits and Templeton Rye) at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema (2828 North Clark) at 6 p.m. The evening’s Producers Panel will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the theater. Chicago Overcoat screens promptly at 7:30 p.m. A post-screening reception will be held immediately following the film at Forno Diablo, 433 West Diversey. For more information, please visit www.MidwestFilm.org.

Radical Disciple: The Story of Father Pfleger
Director: Bob Hercules
FREE SCREEENING!
Thursday, January 28, 7:00pm
1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor

Regarded as a hero by many and a renegade by some in the Catholic Church hierarchy, Michael Pfleger, longtime pastor of Chicago’s St. Sabina Parish, has consistently used the power of his pulpit to battle social inequity, engaging in high-profile political activism to end drug-dealing, prostitution, and exploitation by liquor and tobacco companies in his community. Director Bob Hercules captures the charisma of the crusading priest and his “gospel of the streets” while exploring the larger issues of tensions between the Church and its African American flock.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Bob hercules, Thom Clark of the Community Media Workshop, and Father Michael Pfleger, moderated by Jeff Spitz. Co-sponsored by the Community Media Workshop.

Director Spencer Parsons in Attendance, Q&A following the screening!

Thursday, March 25th, 2010, 7 pm
Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor
Free Admission!

A casual one-night stand turns into something else entirely for a young Danish man backpacking through the U.S. and the American woman he meets in Austin. Starring Independent Spirit Award nominee, Melonie Diaz (Be Kind Rewind, Nothing Like The Holidays)

Synopsis:
Pelle wants a change from his change of scenery. Another day, another place, another postcard, another girl…But is Veronica really just another girl? It was only supposed to be a stolen, sweaty day together in Texas, and all they have in common is too many hours watching The Simpsons. But when circumstance brings Veronica to Pelle’s door in Denmark, this “casual” fling shakes things up for his best friend and family as well. Comedy and tragedy entwine in I’ll Come Running. Spencer Parsons feature directorial debut, a broken romance about what happens when a stranger accidentally changes your life.

For more information on the film or to watch the trailer, visit the website!

Thu Dec 10th 2009, 7.20pm
Landmark Theatres
2828 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60657

“Outrageously funny. An absolute laugh riot. A riotously funny, irreverent comedy. It’ll leave you in stitches.”
-Avi Offer, NYCmovieguru.com

Starring Dave Foley from the famed, The Kids in the Hall comedy troupe.

Come and celebrate independent filmmaking in Chicago with this FREE screening! “The Strip” was shot in Chicago in the summer of 2006 and was released this past Friday, December 4th. Please come enjoy this quirky comedy compliments of Bata Films. Seating is limited, so R.S.V.P. your name and guests to Richard Lederer: richled@me.com. Your name will be put on the complimentary pass list. Walk ups are welcome WITH THIS EMAIL provided seats are still available.

For more information, visit the film’s website!
http://www.thestripthemovie.com/

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Screening at 7 pm; Debate follows: former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich vs. Columbia College’s Dan Rybicky
Columbia College Chicago
Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor
Free and Open to All

Columbia College Chicago’s Radio and Film & Video Departments present ROCK ‘N ROLL!:

The Film & Video Department of Columbia College presents more Rock ‘N Roll with the former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, defending Elvis! A special addition to a semester of Sex * Drugs * Rock ‘N Roll features a screening of Viva Las Vegas starring Elvis Presley followed by a spirited debate.

Is Viva Las Vegas an example of the rock musical in high gear or just another wayward star vehicle running on empty? Who’s really better at singing, acting and hip shaking? Elvis Presley or Ann-Margret? Does it take a Gov to crown a King? Wise men say only cools rush in to this extra special Cinema Slapdown when former Governor of Illinois Rod (“Elvis lives!”) Blagojevich takes on Columbia College Chicago Film & Video faculty member Dan (“Elvis has left the building!”) Rybicky. Referee’d by Film & Video faculty member and Talk Cinema host Ron Falzone.

For more information contact Sandy Cuprisin, scuprisin@colum.edu, 312-369-6708
http://www.colum.edu/Academics/Film_and_Video/Events.php

Lee Daniels’ PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE, is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl pregnant for the second time by her absent father. At home, her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman, abuses her emotionally and physically. Precious has reached the ninth grade with an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, she begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.

For more information, visit the film’s website!

Set in the artsy Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, (UNTITLED) tells the story of Adrian Jacobs (Goldberg), a difficult composer of equally difficult music whose sparsely attended performances involve musicians breaking glass and kicking metal buckets. In contrast, Adam’s brother, Josh (Bailey), is a commercially successful painter of vapid canvasses that corporate clients snap up by the dozen.

But, Adrian’s luck appears set to change when Josh brings the stunning Madeleine (Shelton) to one of his concerts. Not only does she embrace his work and ask him to perform at her gallery, she invites him into her bed. As the two embark on a fiery affair, Adrian is introduced to a world of pretentious art collectors, dueling gallerists and eccentric artists, including Ray Barko (Vinnie Jones), whose bizarre creations include chandeliers of stuffed animals and dead cows draped with jewelry.

When Josh discovers Adrian and Madeleine’s relationship and Madeleine refuses to exhibit Josh’s paintings even though the money they bring in is what keeps the gallery afloat the stage is set for a showdown as comedic and discordant as Adrian’s music.

For more information and to watch the trailer, visit the film’s website!
http://www.untitled-themovie.com/

Cinema Slapdown Round 20
Columbia College Chicago’s Radio and Film & Video Departments present ROCK ‘N ROLL!:

Todd Haynes’ I’m Not There
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger
Rated R, 135 minutes

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Screening at 7 pm; Debate follows: WXRT Radio’s Terri Hemmert vs. WGN Radio’s Garry Meier
Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor
Free and Open to All

Is Todd Haynes’ I’m Not There the vision of a star’s life as interpreted by an auteur or just six characters in search of an author? Does this explore the connection between the artist and his art or just disconnect the audience from any meaningful response to his work? Is the real Dylan left “Blowin’ in the Wind” and crying out “It Ain’t Me, Babe”? Join us for a screening and linear debate of this non-linear modern classic featuring two legends of Chicago Radio: Columbia College Radio Department faculty member and WXRT personality Terri (“Solid rock!”) Hemmert and WGN Radio’s Garry (“A hard rain’s a-gonna fall on this one”) Meier. Referee’d by Ron Falzone, Film & Video faculty member and host of Talk Cinema.

For More Information:
Sandy Cuprisin, scuprisin@colum.edu, 312-369-6708
http://www.colum.edu/Academics/Film_and_Video/Events.php

Cinema Slapdown Round 18
Columbia College Chicago’s Office of Latino Cultural Affairs with the Film & Video Department presents SEX (a semester of SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK ‘N ROLL):

Alfonso Cuaron’s Y Tu Mama Tambien
(2002) Featuring Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Maribel Verdú
Unrated (contains strong sexual content and language) 105 m

Thursday, September 24, 2009, 7 pm
Columbia College Chicago
Film Row Cinema, 8th floor
1104 S. Wabash Ave

Is Y Tu Mama Tambien a classic tale of two young men being initiated by a wise older woman or just another example of teenage male wish fulfillment? Does it explore the character of the female guide or reduce her nothing more than a sex object?  Is it a new twist on the classic “coming of age” tale or just a Mexican variation on Beach Blanket Bingo with more than blankets being spread? Is it art pretending to be porn or vice versa – accent on the vice?  Join us for an eye-opening Slapdown of Alfonso Cuaron’s dissection of sex, death and hormones featuring Columbia College Spanish and Cultural Studies faculty member Carmelo (“hooray for the boys!”) Esterrich and Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Chicago, Rosa (”Coming of age?  You’re joking, right?”) Yadira Ortiz. Referee’d by F&V faculty Ron Falzone.

For information call 312 369 6708 or e-mail scuprisin@colum.edu

CINEMA SLAPDOWN
SAVE THESE THURSDAY DATES:
Drugs 10/22/09 7pm Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Rock ‘n Roll 11/19/09 7pm I’m Not There

FREE & OPEN TO ALL!

Click here for more details!

In response to shiny, bigger, better American consumerism comes COLD SOULS, a surreal comedy in which souls can be extracted and traded as commodities. Balancing on a tightrope between deadpan humor and pathos, and reality and fantasy, the film presents Paul Giamatti as himself, agonizing over his interpretation of Uncle Vanya. Paralyzed by anxiety, he stumbles upon a solution via a New Yorker article about a high-tech company promising to alleviate suffering by extracting souls. Giamatti enlists their services — only to find out that his soul is the shape and size of a chickpea. On top of this discovery, complications arise when he becomes the unfortunate victim of “soul-trafficking” which leads him to Russia in hopes of retrieving his stolen soul from an ambitious but talentless soap-opera actress.

For more information and local listings visit the film’s website www.coldsoulsthemovie.com