Neither of this week's high-profile movies—Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2—was screened in time for Windy City Times deadlines. Both movies are sequels ( the latter coming 14 years after the original ) and the premise of each sounds as familiar as one might expect.
If superheroes are your thing ( and who doesn't on occasion love to watch these male blow-up dolls in action? ) or a regathering of the wacky Greek Portokalos clan for another wedding tickles your funny bone ( and with Nia Vardalos, Lainie Kazan and Andrea Martin on hand, it might ) then, by all means, head to your nearest cineplex.
If you're looking for something a bit more subtle, on the other hand, then I heartily recommend the French dramedy Marguerite, from director Xavier Giannoli ( who co-wrote the film with Marcia Romano ) which is playing at the Landmark Century. The movie—which won a slew of Cesar Awards ( the French equivalent of the Oscar ), including one for the film's star, Catherine Frot—though a tad too long, is overall a contemplative delight.
Frot plays a wealthy woman whose devotion to singing opera far ( really far ) exceeds her talents. Her deep pockets and generosity have long tipped the balance away from honesty for everyone around her. For a variety of reasons, no one in her inner circle—not her devoted servant and chauffeur, her staff of servants or her husband—has the heart to tell her the truth.
Marguerite has the soul of an artist, but her delight in singing has metaphorically stuffed cotton into her ears when it comes to her lack of talent. She has not a single doubt about her abilities. It's Paris in the early '20s, with the new and different being championed, so when a young critic raves in print about her so-dreadful-it's-fascinating singing, she is suddenly a sensation. Marguerite is convinced to give a concert and, to prepare, takes on an over-the-top, flamboyantly gay singing coach and his entourage who further feed her delusion. Her husband and chauffeur continue to worry—for good reason—as the concert nears: Will Marguerite's fragile psyche survive if her delusion is exposed?
Giannoli's movie is based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins ( who actually performed at Carnegie Hall in 1944 ) and who will be played by Meryl Streep in a film of the same title arriving late this summer. If Streep is half as good as Frot ( and, no doubt, she will be ), we're in for a double treat. http://www.landmarktheatres.com/chicago/century-centre-cinema/film-info/marguerite
More queer movies at the Chicago
European Union Film Festival
The Gene Siskel Film Center's 19th annual Chicago European Union Film Festival is well underway. Each year the fest presents Chicago premieres of dozens of hotly anticipated films and the wide ranging assortment usually includes a batch of queer-themed titles. Upcoming screenings include the Finnish The Girl King ( March 25-26 ), an update of Garbo's Queen Christina with the lesbian undertone front and center, with a screenplay by Canadian gay playwright Michel Marc Bouchard ( Tom at the Farm ). The sexy Austrian lesbian melodrama The Last Summer of the Rich ( March 25 and 29 ) and the gay-themed Portuguese WWII historical drama At An Uncertain Time ( March 26 and 31 ) are two more queer-themed movies in the lineup. Complete schedule and show times at http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/eufilmfest2016
Furries on film
Surely one of our most fascinating subcultures has to be furries—adults who ascribe human characteristics to animals, often developing unique personalities, wearing costumes and engaging in all manner of play ( including sexual ) for their animal avatars. The Midwest FurFest convention—held annually in Rosemont, Illinois—is the second largest such gathering in the world.
Three years ago director Dominick Rodriguez began filming at the convention, delving into the furry community. The resulting film, Fursonas, will be screened Wed., March 30, at the ArcLight Cinemas, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave., Suite C301, as part of its Slamdance Cinema Club Series. Rodriguez will participate in a post-screening Q&A. https://www.arclightcinemas.com/news/ArcLight-Presents-Slamdance-Cinema-Club
Paris is still burning
Jennie Livingston's seminal 1990 documentary of the Harlem drag ball scene—Paris Is Burning—is as fresh, funny and fabulous now as it was when first released more than 25 years ago. And it's still entertaining as hell, too. For the younger generation ( schooled only on RuPaul's Drag Race ), this is a must-see example of queer history and always a great cinema treat for the rest of us.
The queens in Livingston's film ( mostly Black, Latino, gay and trans )—long inured to the difficulties of life on the streets—have carved out a rich alternative life enacted in the ball culture that Livingston artfully recorded over a period of years. The Film Studios Center at the University of Chicago will host a free screening of the film Thursday, March 31, at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St., at 7 p.m. Art critic Solveig Nelson will introduce the film.
The evening is co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality. http://filmstudiescenter.uchicago.edu/events/2016/paris-burning
Upcoming movie calendar
Highlights from films opening in Chicago, March 25 and April 1 ( some descriptions come from studio press materials ).
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice ( March 25 )—It's hunk vs. hunk, aka battle of the nipple ponies, when Ben Affleck ( new to the cape and cowl ) as Batman embarks on a personal vendetta against Henry Cavill, who returns as Superman.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 ( March 25 )—Toula ( Nia Vardalos ), husband Ian ( John Corbett ) and the rest of the Portokalos clan are back in this sequel to the 2002 hit comedy.
My Golden Days ( March 25 )—A middle-aged anthropologist ( Mathieu Amalric ) reminisces about family, school adventures, a student trip to the Soviet Union and the love ( Lou Roy-Lecollinet ) of his life.
The Amazing Nina Simone ( March 27 only )—Not to be confused with its immediate 2015 predecessor, Liz Garbus' What Happened, Miss Simone?, Jeff L. Lieberman's documentary contains its share of rare performance footage of the bisexual jazz legend and interviews with other Simone intimates ( although her daughter Lisa is not among them ). Although Lieberman's straightforward approach isn't as artful as Garbus', there's more than enough here for Simone fans and those interested in exploring the rich legacy of this musical giant. The Sunday, March 27, screening will be held at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., and introduced by local singing great ( and Nina Simone expert ) Lynne Jordan. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. screening to follow, with dinner available. http://www.citywinery.com/chicago/tickets/the-amazing-nina-simone-film-screening-3-27.html
Amityille: The Awakening ( April 1 )—Sinister events plague a single mother ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ) and her three children after they move into their new house.
Born to Be Blue ( April 1 )—In the late 1960s, jazz trumpeter Chet Baker ( Ethan Hawke ) begins a romance with an actress ( Carmen Ejogo ) while trying to stage a musical comeback.
I Saw the Light ( April 1 )—Singer and songwriter Hank Williams ( Tom Hiddleston ) rises to fame in the 1940s, but alcohol abuse and infidelity take a toll on his career and marriage to fellow musician Audrey Mae Williams ( Elizabeth Olsen ).
Midnight Special ( April 1 )—The government and a group of religious extremists pursue a man ( Michael Shannon ) and his son ( Jaeden Lieberher ), a young boy who possesses special powers.
