*indicates a capsule review from Chicago Tribune archives.
(diamond) indicates a film that is not reviewed, but of interest.
After Hours Film Society
Tivoli Theatre
5021 Highland Ave.,
Downers Grove
630-534-4528
afterhoursfilmsociety.com
*’The Visitor’ *** 1/2 (U.S.; Tom McCarthy, 2008). A simple, moving picture about decent people caught in an awkward circumstance; it’s a pleasure to see veteran actor Richard Jenkins strut his stuff, albeit in the lowest key imaginable. 7:30 p.m. Mon.
BACinema
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
773-445-3838
www.beverlyartcenter.org
*’Then She Found Me’ *** (U.S.; Helen Hunt, 2008). Adoption is not a topic overly explored in modern cinema, certainly not with the nuances and honesty in “Then She Found Me,” a modest comedy starring and directed by Helen Hunt. 7:30 p.m. Wed.
Bank of America Cinema
4901 W. Irving Park Rd.
312-904-9442
*’The Train’ *** 1/2 (U.S./France/Italy; John Frankenheimer, 1965). A Nazi officer-aesthete (Paul Scofield) grabs a trainload of French art treasures in the waning days of the German occupation and heads for the border; a French Resistance fighter (Burt Lancaster) — who can’t tell Monet from Manet but who possesses almost superhuman endurance — fights to stop him. The sociopolitical issues are lost in the action, but it’s quite some action. With Jeanne Moreau and Michel Simon. 8 p.m. Sat.
Block Cinema
Northwestern University
40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston
847-491-4000
www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/block-cinema/
*’Ratatouille’ **** (U.S.; Brad Bird, 2007). Bird (“The Incredibles”) whips up a ravishing animated souffle featuring a rat (Patton Oswalt) with culinary pretensions and a scullery boy (Lou Romano) who helps fulfill them. Among its strengths: heart, wit and an appreciation of Paris and its cuisine. 9 p.m. Wed.
Doc Films
University of Chicago
Ida Noyes Hall
1212 E. 59th St.
773-702-8575
docfilms.uchicago.edu
*’Scanners’ **** (Canada; David Cronenberg, 1981) Sci-fi thriller of mounting paranoia about a secret gang of telepaths, the frighteningly gifted “scanners” of the tile, infiltrated by another scanner and company spy. Cronenberg’s specialty — anatomical horror — is exemplified in the horrific scanner duels, in which they literally blow each other’s minds. 7, 9:30 p.m. Sat.
Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State St.
312-846-2800
siskelfilmcenter.org
‘Outsourced’: 6, 8 p.m. Fri., Mon.-Thu.; 3:15, 5:15, 7:45 p.m. Sat.; 3:15, 5:15 p.m. Sun.
*’The Leopard’: **** (Italy; Luchino Visconti, 1963). Based on Giuseppe de Lampedusa’s classic novel and revolving around the towering figure of the “Leopard,” Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina (magnificently played by the 50-year-old Burt Lancaster), this astonishing film is set in Sicily in the 1860s during the time of the “Risorgimento,” the unification of Italy, and it re-creates that era with stunning detail, rich historical insight, subtle drama and ravishing visuals. (In Italian, with English subtitles.) 3:30 Sat., 6:30 p.m Thu.
Portage Theater
4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-736-4050
www.portagetheater.org
*’Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ *** 1/2 (U.S.; Don Siegel, 1956). The casually nightmarish ’50s sci-fi classic about how the All-American town of Santa Mira, Calif., is taken over by the pod people. With Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter; McCarthy will appear. 8 p.m. Fri.
